'Did they sleep?' Mukti whispered, making sure, she is not disturbing the sleeping babies, lying comfortably on the bed. She stepped in my room holding two plates, and sat near me on the bed. I nodded absentmindedly, today's events recurred in my head, constantly. Is he saying the truth, that he tricked me to sign the legal documents. I am screwed up literally. Aiyappa, what will i do now?

'Nandini, i am asking you something. Are you listening. ' I heard mukti shouting, waving her fingers in front of my eyes, dramatically.

'Yeah. I was'

Mukti is living with me and kids in our house, for these two days. She have decided to shift her belongings from her apartment, as she is also living there alone, for the last one year. According to her, she stopped to live in their parent's house like manik, leaving Cabir is the only one staying with the parents. The reason she told was it is more convenient to stay alone, as she is busy in her social works. I don't know why she seemed depressed and left out, at times.

'Nandu, what's is the matter? You seemed low. ' she handed one plate to me, passing me a worried look.

'Nothing, Manik asked me to take the kids with me to the office'

'What? Does he know?' She muttered unbelievingly.

'What does he know?' I sighed in confusion.

' Nothing, i was bit shocked hearing his decision..so... Any way leave it. So you are happy now? As you can take the babies with you. ' Why am I thinking that she is hiding something from me. May be not.

'Yeah I know...still the decision is inconsiderate and discourteous for other employees and against the rules of the company. ' I mouthed my displeasure, though I am halfway relieved in his decision.

'Nandu, please, I think you should gives your babies the first priority. Who will be with them when you are busy, i would love to do that , but you know the behaviour of my work. Secondly, you are not planning to hire a baby sitter, either' She pointed out, making me more confident to take his offer. She is right. For a mother, her babies are the first and foremost priority.

' Hmm' I supported her opinion.

' Manik and you? How is it going?' She questioned me in a serious tone, washing off the trace of teasing in her voice.

' Frankly, it is complicated. I think you are the one needs help, more than me. What is wrong with you. You are in a different world most of time, zoned out '

' Whatever. I am all right, like more than happy with you coming back and the two adorable angels' she shrugged off my quest, avoiding to look at my eyes.

' Seriously. Put down your act, please. You will eventually, tell me. ' I snapped back, to cut off her hiding act.

' Good night. Save your energy to fight with with your man slash my brother, for tomorrow.' She rushed out of the room, not waiting for my reply.

Tomorrow is a big day.

***********************************
Mukti dropped us at the gate of Malhotra industries, at sharp 9. I chose to wear a simple kurti, and a matching leggings, and my long black hair flowing freely. I walked to the main building, with my kids. Greeting the girl at the desk, I passed her rapidly, before she can pester me with questions, as i can see a curious look on her face seeing my kids.

I walked, straight towards the elevator avoiding questioning and curious glances, directing in my way. Reaching my cabin, i settled myself on the chair, after placing my babies at my table.

'Myru, Ryu, like momma told earlier, don't make any noise or any problem, it is not nanu's office. Okay. Be good kids. ' They nodded their head in an yes, settling to my plead.

' Momma, dish ish bwig, no likey nanu offwish' Ryu said in enthusiasm

' So, my baby like it' i asked him pinching his nose, lightly.

'Yesh momma. Del ale bwig cals. Ryu likey multi car too' my baby boy jumped in excitement.

' Myru, did my princess like my new office'

' Yesh, momma. I shee a bwig angel in water' She is referring to the statue of a mermaid on the fountain placed at the entrance of the building. ' mylu likey eletor too, mylu wants to pway in it'

' Nandini' I heard Manik calling me. He sounded calm and composed.

'Angel, champ. You are here? ' He said noticing his babies sitting on the desk.
Like waiting for him, they crawled down in nanoseconds, with help of me, and run towards manik.

' You ale hele dish offwice. Mylu and Ry Ry ish hele with momma' Manik knelt down facing them.

' This is my office' Their gaze flickered between him and me in confusion.

' Babies, this is his office, like that was nanu's office'

' Dish ish youl's ' Ryan asked to confirm the matter.

' Yes'

' Ryu, Momma and My My com in multi's bwig car. Ryu likey cals.' Ryan was impatient in explaining his likings to his father. I am curiously, observing their conversation, as I want to hear how they are going to address manik. I hadn't hear them calling him anything amidst the fact that they address cabir and mukti by their names.

' Nandini, they can sit in my room. I need you to prepare the conference room within 15 minutes' He demanded. Coldness is back in his voice.

' But...' I chose to give in. ' okay' ' Mylu Ryu, go with manik and sit with him. Momma have some work' Walking to them I kissed them both on the cheeks.

' Momma, mylu wants to come. Mylu likey pway in eletor'

' No, stay with him. Babies can't go there. You can play later in the elevator, myru' Both the parties need to spend time with each other. I am planning to talk with manik, about them, today itself.

Manik enter his cabin with the kids, and i rushed to the conference room, to arrange it for the meeting. Navya is there in the room, positioning the projector, when i reached there.

'Hey, Navya'

She whipped around, hearing me.

' Nandini, we meet again. Actually sorry for yesterday, I hope you are not much subjected to Manik sir's wrath because of me. I am really sorry' She sounded guilty and in extreme embarrassment.

'No, it went well. Manik didn't shout at me. I think you all are wrong in judging him. Indeed, he is a nice man' I corrected her. Truth to be told I don't like, some one talking bad about him. He is not like that.

' I don't know, Nandini. May be he is. I  heard, people saw two kids with you. Who are they' Navya asked me.

' They are my babies. Manik allowed me to take them to office, regularly' I retorted in between my work.

' What? Your babies. You are married. And manik sir give you permission? Unbelievable. ' Navya blinked her eyes, not able to believe the shared information.

' Let me answer one by one. My babies. I am not married. And manik gave me permission. ' I said, putting a gap between each sentence, slowly. She remained in the same posture, widening her eyes in disbelief.

' Really' She let out of a deep sigh

' Yeah'

Three girls walked in interrupting us. They looked like they are in early twenties. One is wearing a tight red dress reaching above her mid thigh, other two in a short top and a mini skirt. The amount of make up covering their face give me an idea that may be they are spending more than half of their salary in buying cosmetics. Don't take me wrong, I am no one to judge them, nor poking in their rights of dressing. Like me, they too have the right for freedom.

The detest in their eyes directing towards me, shouted that they are not so happy in seeing me here.

' Nandini, one of the group of ' self praising bimbos' Navya voiced out, giving me a ' I told you, you will see' look.

The girl gang stood before me observing me up and down.

' See anything you like? ' i exclaimed in sarcasm. Me, mukti and Alya have dealt with many of their kind, back in our college, and in some parties, these girls think of themselves us some kind of queen or more than that and they find extreme pleasure in harassing people, who they realise as weaker than them. Though we were not the targets, perk of having rich background, or popular brothers, but we helped others who were been the targets of their constant bullying.

The three girls didn't expect me to respond like wise, a shocked grin plastered over their face.

' So you are Nandini, Manik sir's new secretary' They responded trying to hide their initial shock.

' Yeah, I am. Can I help you' I crossed my hands, passing them a smile.

'Stay away from Manik sir' One of them, who seemed to be the leader ordered me, slightly rising her voice.

' Why, he asked you to do so or is that you are his guardian angels, though, sorry to say you, look like witches ' I scoffed, planting a fake smile.

'How dare you?' The same girl shouted.

' Leave it Tina. Look at her, do you think Manik sir will pay her any sort of attention' The other one, tried to comfort the leader girl, smirking at me.

' Look there , tina, Rina or katrina, whatever, i didn't know that you are marriage brokers, looking suitable candidates for manik. Sorry I am not interested. ' A shade of pale painted on their face, on me humiliating them, directly on their faces.

' Seriously. You think so high of yourself. I have heard, she have two babies too, whom she bought with her to the office. Don't have enough money to hire a nanny for them? ' The leader directed her fury at me. But i stood there unaffected.

' Cat got your tongue? Wait and watch till, manik sir fire you, may be before this week ends' The third girl poked in giving me fake warns. Cowards.

' Navya, i thought manik is the one who is the head of the company, it seems that these three are the boss here. Stupid me. Can you please provide an extra inch to my chair, so that I can poke in others matters shamelessly, like you gals' i voiced out in a funny voice, mocking them.

' You. Wait, look her audacity to address manik sir by his name ' The girl tina, spitted out, biting her teeth in exasperation.

' You have some problem? Or should i start calling him, some other name like darling, sweet heart, honey. What say? ' I faked in a more husky voice, moving my eyelids romantically.

' You... But that girl was stopped in mid way by another voice.

' Nandini' Cabir walked in holding a worried look. ' i was looking for you'

'Cabir. Need something? ' I asked him.

' Is everything alright here. You all look disturbed' His eyes noticed, uneasiness prevailing in the room.

' Yeah. Actually these three girls are advising me lovingly, to stay away from Manik ' I said, smiling at the girl gang, i can see blood draining off their faces hearing my accusation. Moving his head backwards, he laughed his lungs out hearing my answer.

' So, what have you decided? To S-T-A-Y A-W-A-Y F-R-O-M M-A-N-I-K. ' He said in a particular teasing tone between his laughs. ' Like day before yesterday ' I know he was referring to that chair incident.

' Cabir' I glared at him. It felt like our old times. ' Why were you looking for me '

' Yeah, i forget. It's Mukti. Where is she ?' He asked.

'She is out of town for some important work'

' Come with me Nandini. Navya will look after the pending works here' By that he pulled me out the room leaving Navya and the three girls.

Cabir took me to manik's room. Myra and Ryan was settled on his desk, busy in playing with manik's neck tie and watching something in his laptop.

' These two are here. Kiddos' Cabir said, exhilaratingly

Taking their eyes from the laptop screen, they turned around looking at Cabir. Manik too had his eyes on us.

' Cabeel, momma' They said in unison.

'What are you doing? ' Cabir asked them, anxiously.

' Del ish talking bow bow, cat, what ish dat , teeger in dish lappytoppy . Mylu ish fend of teeger, Ry Ry ish bow bow's fend' Myru explained, poking her nose slightly, in a deep baby voice.

' Momma, Cabeel come hele, you shee it' Ryu shared his excitement.

' Cabir, you called her?' Manik spoke up straightening his gaze to cabir.

' She isn't responding to my calls'  A sudden flash of worry and annoyance mixed in his voice.

' What is she up to? 'Manik scrunched his brows, face palming.

' Nandini, does you know what is the reason behind Mukti's this kind of attitude. She is behaving strangely after she was back from US' Cabir turned to face me.

'Cabir, seriously you are asking her' Manik voiced his displeasure, regarding me.

' Please Manik, put aside your so called problem towards her for a minute, and let me speak. Nandini do you know? '

I turned to cabir , glaring at manik for a long 2 seconds.

' Cabir, Mukti was in U S? ' I asked. It was a new news for me.

' Yes, for two years. She left exactly 2 months after you leave. When she was back she is indeed, a changed Mukti, drifting far away from us, not even letting me or Manik' Cabir muttered in visible pain and worry.

'Cabir, she never told me. I too think she seemed a bit low, most of the times, and yesterday I asked about the same, but she avoided the whole subject, knowingly' I said.

' I am glad you are with her. She will confide in you, soon. You are her best friend, may be thing bothering her is something private, that she is not able to disclose to her brothers. Any way please take care of her nandini' Cabir marched out, not before passing me a defeated look. I nodded at him assuring him that i am there for his sister. He is concerned for her, I can't understand why she is behaving like this.
I turned back to see a pair of eyes shooting me cold glares. He is in his previous position, sitting on the chair.

' What?' I spatted, walking towards him. The other two pairs of innocent eyes, present there, flickered the glance between me and Manik.

' Momma, wel ish multi' So they were listening to our talks.

' Ryu, she have job' I said, patting his hair lovingly.

' Cabeel ish angly to multi?'  He asked, biting his fingers in between.

'Yes, my jaan. Mukti is his sister, she fight with cabir, like you fight with Myru' The little frown on him is still there, he is not convinced my answer.

'Yesh, multi flight with mylu too' My baby girl said, while reaching for me.

'Oh, my innocent drama queen. Come here both, now you can play in my room' I carried them both away from the desk, and tilted my gaze to their father, who was watching us silently.

' Manik, i need to talk with you. It's really important'

' It can wait, as i really need to attend a more important meeting' Standing from his seat, he marched out without waiting for me to respond.

Seriously, he and his mood swinging.  

'