Jealousy is out of anger while possessiveness is out of fear

(Affu)

When you're jealous, then its because you are angry that you don't get the attention that you wanted but someone else does while being possessive for someone is about the fear you have in your heart. Fear to lose that someone close to your heart!

Our Nest

Nandini's Room

Nandini: That pukey pukey?! Really?

She stared at her Laptop screen where she could see a picture of Manik and Soha, Harshad's sister who was nothing but a clingy metal to her boyfriend. Soha was always behind Manik to which he always humiliated her for clinging to him, yet she did what she was good at. Clinging!

Nandini: Mujhse tho kehthe rehthe hain not to be friends with any over friendly guys and look at him. Ithna chipak rahi hai uss ladki ki maano there's no chance for Manik to breathe!

She clenched her fists and banged it on the laptop table while looking at the picture. It seemed to be a picture from some party. Her concentration was on Soha's hands which were around Manik's left bicep and she smiling widely while he was also with a smile.

Nandini: That pukey pukey dared to come close to you and instead of pushing her away, you're taking a picture with her while smiling?! While smiling at her?? I'll show you how to take a picture with a broken nose, now.

She stood up and marched towards the door and held the knob of it but then she remembered her promise to her sons and she let out a groan.

Nandini: Jaa bhi nahi sakthi mein. How will I drink his blood now?!

She marched through the room and her frustration was reaching its top level. She stared at her Laptop screen only to scrunch her nose again. She walked towards it and put the flap down.

Nandini: Nahi dekhna mujhe uss pukey pukey ko!

She got settled on the bed and then took her mobile and dialed someone's number.

Person: Hello Nandu? Tu bahar kab gayi?

Nandini: Kya aapke giraffe aas paas hain?

It was Abhimanyu, whom she called up.

Abhimanyu: Um..Aas paas nahi, par ghar pe hi hain.

Nandini: Then, do me a favor.

Abhimanyu: What favor?

Nandini (gritted her teeth): To punch in his nose.

Abhimanyu (horrified): What? Par kyun?

Nandini (pissed): Aap kar nahi sakthe ya nahi? Bas wo bolo.

Abhimanyu: Arey bewajah kisiko punch karna mana hain na.

Nandini: Aap kabse seedha bann gaya?

Abhiamanyu: Tere beton se milne ke baad.

Nandini: What?

Abhimanyu: Um..kuch nahi. Par..kya punch zaruri hain?

Nandini: Fine! So, don't do anything for me.

Abhimanyu: Arey nahi, aisa nahi behena.

Nandini: Karoge ya nahi? I would have done it by myself but I can't meet him now. Karoge kya?

Abhimanyu: Of course. Anything for you!

Nandini: Thank you, Bhai.

She hung up on the call and threw her mobile on the bed.

Nandini: Moron Malhotra! Ek din nahi, balki ek saal ke liye milna mana hai ab!

Downstairs

Manik was walking towards the patio while scrolling through the slides of his presentation in his mobile, when he got a mail from some unknown mail address. Frowning, he opened the new mail only to flare his nose.

It was a picture of Nandini been taken in for a side hug by a boy. A boy who is known to Manik. Nandini's friend from Georgia with whom she did her schooling.

Manik: How much I hate this guy!

He wanted to crumble that picture but unfortunately, it was in his mobile. All he wanted was to throw his mobile somewhere but it would bring people around. He pressed the bridge of his nose to control himself.

Manik: Relax, Manik. He's just a good friend of her. So, you don't need to bother.

But the moment, his gaze fell on the picture again, he switched his mobile off out of anger.

Manik: Don't these people have any other woman in the world apart from mine?!

He walked towards the stairs to meet her when he remembered his promise to his sons.

Manik (groaned): Why me?!

He turned to move when he bumped into Abhimanyu.

Manik: Chimpanzee! Mere dimaag teek nahi hain!

Abhimanyu: Well, mera dimaag teek nahi tha. That's why I had to give in to my sister's command.

Manik (frowned): What? Kya bol rahe hai tu?

Abhimanyu: Sorry yar!

And he punched in Manik's nose making him to throw his head downwards.

Manik: What the f***!!

He looked up while holding his nose in pain to glare at Abhimanyu, who looked at him with an apologetic grin.

Abhimanyu: Well, I know. Bewajah punch marna hamara rules ke against hain. But you know, she's my sister. I couldn't deny. Bye!

And he ran away while Manik stood clueless.

Manik: What the hell was he talking about. Ughh! My nose!

He moved towards the Kitchen to get some Ice cubes for his swollen nose.

Upstairs

Boys' Room

Prathik: Doesn't it look a bit creepy?

He stared at the pictures in their laptop with his nose scrunched.

Manvik: What do you mean?

Prathik: Arey! It doesn't look so real!

Manvik: Excuse me! FYI, these pictures are not real. I'd edited them.

Prathik (sarcastically): Oh wow! How smart! I didn't even know you knew to edit pictures.

Manvik (rolled his eyes): Well, now you know!

Karthik (annoyed): Done? Or should I ask Abhi Mamu to entertain you both so that I can get peace?

Prathik: You call it entertainment? I call it punishment. His jokes are too pathetic.

Karthik (sarcastically): That's exactly why I said I'll ask him to entertain you both. In his own way!

Manvik: Bhai! He started to annoy me.

Prathik: Excuse me? What did I do?

Manvik: You doubted my editing skills.

Prathik: I didn't doubt. I pointed out.

Karthik: Shut up!

Prathik: Bhai! Look at it. He edited so bad. That lady..ah, what was her name..Tsunami? No. Sahara? No. Sania?

Manvik: No. Her name was Netherlands! Good na?

Karthik (tiredly): Her name was Soha! We were reading about her history since last night, dude!

Manvik/Prathik: Whatever it is!

Prathik: So what I meant is, her face looks so weird in her. Its not connected to the neck of the girl in the picture properly.

Manvik: There was no chance that I could find the exact body for this Earthquake!

Prathik: Well, its Soha, he said!

Manvik: Soha or Hosa! I f****** don't care!

Prathik: Fine with it. But you should take care when you edit pictures. According to Mamma, our father stood for a picture with this lady, that too smilingly. But in here, the man you chose doesn't fit our father's height. He's a shorty!

Manvik (pissed): Did you forget how badly I searched for a random couple's picture so that I could crop this Wonderland's and our father's faces to edit it? When the lady gets a perfect choice, then the man doesn't suit with our father, and vice versa.

Prathik: Cool with it. How about our Mamma and that friend of her's? That guy was a shorty too.

Manvik: I did get some short couple's pictures but most of them didn't fit Mamma's figure. How am I at fault then? In fact, its actually Mamma's fault. She didn't even have any pictures with a male friend!

Prathik: She did have but she proved to be our Mamma!

Manvik: Huh?

Prathik: That she was never a bimbo!

Manvik: Oh yeah, that's a point but she could have at least taken one to make her boyfriend jealous.

Prathik: Well, that's a point. After all he gets too possessive for her. Right, Bhai?

They both turned to Karthik who was sleeping.

Manvik/Prathik: What the hell, Bhai!!

And that brought Karthik out of his place.

Karthik (yawned): Are you guys done with bickering?

Prathik: You always sleep when we fight over something, Karthik!

Karthik: Because, its too boring to see you guys fighting!

Manvik: You mean, we're boring?

Karthik: kinda!

Manvik/Prathik: Bhai!!

Karthik: What?! You were bickering over something which wasn't even important.

Prathik: How come its not important, Bhai? What if they didn't believe the pictures and think of it as someone's prank and never get hysteric with it?

Karthik: They wont! At least, our father won't.

Prathik: How come you're so sure?

Manvik: Because, according to Mamma, we're just like our father so consider yourself in his place. Being too possessive for his love, he wouldn't even stare at the picture for a longer period of time.

Karthik: Exactly! If one is angry, then he doesn't care about the reality but whatever he sees with his eyes. He wouldn't even care if he sees patches on that picture because he'll be too adamant to dig that guy's grave.

Prathik: Well! Smart of you!

Karthik/Manvik: We know!

Prathik: Yeah, whatever! But what about Mamma?

Karthik: Mami said she hated Soha so much due to her clingy nature to our father, so..

Prathik Its obvious she would just want to punch in our father's face. Hayeee! How beautifully she punched in that stupid maddy's face!!

He sighed dreamily at the end. Perks of loving boxing!

Manvik (rolled his eyes): Here comes the boxer!

But Prathik just ignored him.

Manvik: But what could be the outcome of it?

Prathik: Either, they'll cross each other's path out of anger..

Karthik: Or they'll do what we wanted!

And they smirked at each other!

Nandini's Room

Nandini was sitting on the bed cursing Manik for the millionth time, when she heard a knock on the door.

Nandini: Yes? Come in!

The door got opened and the person looked at her in worry.

Nandini: Bhai! Aap yaha?

Cabir walked inside with worry written all over his face and started to check her temperature while touching over her forehead.

Nandini (frowned): Bhai! What are you doing?

Cabir: Daadi ne kaha that you're not well. Kyu? Kya hua tha? Fever tho nahi hain.

She bit her lips before looking down. She shouldn't be with Manik till the next day, hence she has to skip having all three meals with her family for today.

Nandini: Nothing Bhai! I don't feel like eating anything.

Cabir: So you're gonna sleep empty stomach?

Nandini (smiled): You know its not possible. My three tigers would come up with a tray of food before I could even think about sleeping tonight.

Cabir chuckled at it.

Nandini: Aur aap bhi hain na. Aap kaha ye sab karne dethe.

Cabir smiled while caressing her hairs. She gripped his hand in his and looked in his eyes.

Nandini: Bhai! Mein kuch poochna chahthi hun.

Cabir: Kabse permission lena shuru kar diya?

Nandini: Kyunki, agar permission nahi hai tho aap bina bath karke hi chala jayega.

Cabir: Doll! You can ask me anything. You know its your right first and then comes everyone.

Nandini: Then tell me! Why are you still fighting with Bhabi?

He stared at her surprised before he heard a dry chuckle from her.

Nandini: Darwaza bandh karna bhool jathe hai aap kabhi kabhi.

Cabir looked away but she made him face her.

Nandini: I'd never seen you happy in the past 10 years, Bhai. Bhabi and you were a star couple but now, just look at how you speak with each other. There was a time when you greeted her with a kiss even if she was surrounded by people. There was a time when Bhabi bicker on everything you say but now..now, I don't find that star couple in you. Kyun, Bhai?

Cabir: Doll, you need to sleep.

Nandini: Jawab chahiye mujhe. 10 saalon se kuch nahi poocha because I didn't have a closure but now I do. My sons are trying to be with their father.

He stared at her back surprised, who nodded in positive at him.

Nandini: They know about Manik, now.

Cabir: What? Bachon ko patha hain..? Aur tu ab batha rahi hain? Are they okay? Kuch..kuch kiya tho nahi wo..

Nandini: Bhai, relax! They're Manik's blood. Impulsiveness hai but understanding bhi hain.

He sighed in relief before looking at her who was staring right through him.

Nandini: Kya expect karna hai mujhe aapse? Aapko patha hai na, your decision matters a lot to me.

Cabir: You said you would do anything so your sons. Phir kyu chahiye mera decision, doll?

Nandini: Because, it wasn't my sons who helped me to walk when I fell but you!

He smiled painfully.

Nandini: But it doesn't mean I won't listen to what they want, Bhai. I would still not choose one among you but I will stick with my sons' choice.

He cupped her cheeks while smiling amidst tears in his eyes.

Cabir: Once, Bhai took your happiness away. Not anymore! And about my married life, don't bother. Tum nahi samaj paoge.

Nandini was shocked for a second. Cabir never spoke about Manik for the past 10 years but now, he's willing to see her with Manik!

Nandini: Samaj paa rahi hun par ye samaj nahi aayi ki kaise help karun aapko. You both are together..for the sake of Ashu but still not together. Kaise help karun aapki?

Cabir: Sometimes, you will have to leave it to destiny.

He stood up and kissed her head.

Cabir: I'll send the kids in to have food with you. Good night!

Nandini: You don't care of your broken trust on Manik? Or do you belive now that Manik never betrayed you by being friends with Harshad?

Cabir halted in his tracks but didn't turn to face her. He clenched his fists to control his tears.

Cabir: It doesn't matter, doll! It really doesn't!

And he walked out of the room leaving Nandini in deep thoughts.

Nandini: He's hurt!

Manik's Room

Manik: Karthik!

Karthik looked up while eating and nodded at him before turning back to his food again.

Manik: You don't open your mouth at all?

He asked while stuffing a morsel of Paratha in his mouth.

Karthik: How am I eating then?

He opened his mouth wide and showed it to Manik while stuffing paratha in it.

Manik (glared): I meant talking. You didn't speak anything to me.

Karthik: You didn't ask anything to me. Then what should I say?

Manik: Arey, you can still speak to me.

Karthik: What? How many stars are present in the sky? Or, how many parathas I found in my plate?

Manik: It was pathetic!

Karathik: What? Paratha?

Manik groaned and started to eat again. He was already angry due to that picture and now, his son is just increasing the patience level he has in him, which is too little compared to normal human beings.

Karthik: Well, I thought of asking something to you.

Manik: Don't speak to me.

Karthik: Someone was begging me to talk.

Manik: Manik Malhotra doesn't beg! He orders!

Karthik: Well, that won't work over here because Karthik Malhotra doesn't listen to anyone's orders.

Manik (narrowed his eyebrows): Not even your father's?

Karthik (smirked): You still didn't win in the challenge yet. You have to wait till tomorrow morning.

Manik (smirked): I never lost any game.

Karthik: Sometimes, people need to have their firsts! Like, first time losing in a game.

Manik: That won't happen in here. Waise, kya poochna tha?

Karthik: You asked me not to speak with you.

Manik (groaned): Karthik!

Karthik started to laugh while hearing him and Manik stared at his son's face which showed happiness.

Manik: You look good when you laugh!

Karthik stopped laughing and started to eat making Manik to sigh.

Manik: Don't be so much like me. I never liked these traits in me.

Karthik: So you never loved yourself?

Manik stared at him amused.

Karthik: Mamma says one should always love himself or herself before loving someone else.

Manik (smiled): Her thoughts are philosophical, you know!

Karthik: They're! But unfortunately, her thoughts work too well.

Manik: I know right! And she gets all the credit!

Karthik: True!

They sighed sadly at the end.

Manik: Ab tho bolo kya poochna tha?!

Karthik: Oh yeah. You looked angry when I walked in your room.

Manik (sighed): Ah nothing! Office issues!

He avoided eye contact with Karthik and let out a nervous laughter.

Karthik: Try to practice when you wanna lie. Nervous laughter is something which shouldn't happen when you lie.

Manik snapped his head at Karthik, who was smirking. Those were the same lines he said to Karthik, when he caught his son lying to him.

Manik (sighed): Fine, you lose!

He took his mobile and opened the mail and showed it to Karthik without looking at the picture again. Karthik looked at the picture before hiding his grin.

Karthik: What the f***! Who is this guy?

Manik: Karthik!

Karthik looked up to see his father glaring at him.

Manik: Stop swearing!

Karthik: Oops. Okay, I'm sorry but who the hell is this guy?!

But Manik's mind was stuck at the word "sorry". He remembers them sweating when they apologized to him for the first time but now, Karthik seems so easy to apologize to him just like how he saw them all casual while apologizing to Nandini.

Karthik: Where are you lost?

He yelled to bring Manik back to Earth.

Manik: Huh! Chilla kyu rahe ho?

Karthik (rolled his eyes): You're behaving like Manvik, now. Too much of thinking. Now, tell me who's the guy!

Manik: How would I know! I just got to see the picture and my hell broke.

Karthik: So you broke your promise?

He crooked his eyebrows at Manik, who gave a sharp look to him.

Manik: Didn't you keep your eyes on us to know that, Malhotra?

Karthik: Oh we did. I just wanted to hear from you.

Manik (sighed): I wouldn't have looked so angry if at all I had a chat with your mother regarding this guy. She would have taken all the burden out of me.

Karthik stared at him with his gaze being softer.

Karthik: You love..her so much, right?!

Manik stared back at Karthik with a beautiful smile on his lips.

Karthik: Then why aren't you together?

Manik looked uncomfortable with that question.

Manik: Let's finish our dinner, Karthik!

His voice was stern and Karthik knew, something had happened between their parents and now, he was determined to find the reason behind it also.

Nandini's Room

Nandini: I'm fine!

She smiled at Manvik and Prathik, who tucked her in bed. She was still upset with the conversation she had with her brother and it was visible on her face.

Manvik: Mamma! Tell us. Are you sad that we didn't let you meet him.

He got settled on the bed while Prathik on the floor, knelt down.

Prathik: Just tell us, Mamma. We'll stop this challenge. But don't be sad.

They held her hands and she sat up straight before pulling Prathik on the bed and took both of them in a hug.

Nandini: Listen to me. There's something that I value a lot and that's honesty. If at all I made cracks in my honesty then its in sharing about your father's identity with you three. Like, I didn't tell you Manik was your father. Apart from that, I'm honest so you can believe me. I'm not upset over your challenge.

Manvik: Then, why are you so sad?

He looked up at her and touched her cheeks.

Manvik: Your eyes don't shine anymore.

Prathik: And you spoke so less while having dinner. We know, you don't speak while having food but you would at least scold us for fighting which you didn't.

Nandini: Kyunki, Mamma ko kuch bother kar rahi hain.

Manvik/Prathik: And what is it?

Nandini (sighed): Aapse share nahi kar sakthe. Its something beyond your thinking level. You will give Mamma her space, right?

They looked at each other before nodding in positive at her. She smiled and kissed their heads. Soon, she felt a head on her lap and she looked down to see Karthik adjusting his head over her lap.

Nandini: He slept?

Karthik: You think so?

He looked up at her.

Nandini: He doesn't sleep so early. Kam kar raha hoga, hmm?

Karthik: You know him well.

They smiled at her, who smiled back at her.

Nandini: So, how are we gonna sleep?

She asked them, who made her lie on the bed.

Karthik: If something is bothering you, then you need rest to think about it the next day. So, sleep tight, Miss Dhawan!

He palmed her eyes and she let out a chuckle.

Nandini: You're supposed to be my sons not a father!

Prathik: Well, we can't be your father since we're 3 in number. So, goodnight Mamma!

Manvik: Now, don't even try to talk. Sleep!

And she obliged to it. They kissed her hands before walking out and she opened her eyes before taking Manik's picture from her drawer and hugged it to sleep. Slept like how she used to sleep for the past 10 years.

MukBhi's Room

In the balcony

Abhimanyu was staring in the sky lost in thoughts. The night looked beautiful yet the darkness which was wrapped around the beauty was something he always shuddered about. Darkness reminds him of the night where he lost his parents, in his childhood.

Soon, he felt two arms wrapping around his torso.

Abhimanyu: Nilu so gayi kya, Mukti?

Mukti: Hmm!

She rested her head over his back while he too preferred silence. Maybe, they fight a lot in the day time because that gives them peace. The very same peace that they were missing all these years. But once they're alone in a room, they couldn't help but to ponder over their lives.

Mukti: Abhi!

Abhimanyu: Yeah?

Mukti: Kya soch rahe ho?

Abhimanyu: Nothing. Let's sleep!

He turned around and took her in a side hug. She looked up at him to see a faint smile on his lips. She caressed his cheeks while smiling slightly at him.

Mukti: I know Manik's chimpanzee well!

Hearing her, he chuckled a bit before plopping on the floor with her beside him.

Abhimanyu: Its their birthday..after two days!

Mukti fell silent. She shifted closer to him and kept her head on his shoulder.

Mukti: Ismein kya nayi bath hai, Abhi?

Abhimanyu: You don't feel anything new in it?

Mukti: No! Its been 10 years since Manik had celebrated his birthday aur jithna Cabir ko janthi hun, even he must have forgotten his birth date. They still won't celebrate their birthdays. Farak bas ithna hi hai ki iss baar dhono saath mein hain, phir bhi dhoor hain!

Abhimanyu: I wish..I wish everything was fine, Mukti. We were so happy! We had everything we ever wanted. Maybe, we were more happier than required that even God didn't like it. Hain na?!

Mukti: Patha nahi par...Cabir kaise soch sakthe hai Abhi, ki Manik would even befriend Harshad. Hum sab se zyada wo Manik ko janthe hain na! Phir bhi a misunderstanding between them?! Friendship isn't the most strongest relationship in the world then.

Abhimanyu bit his lips to control his emotions on hearing her. How he wish to share the truth with her but he also knew, that would just break her more!

Abhimanyu: Sometimes, patience gets you to the nth level of happiness and I think our way towards happiness is them. That three little sons!

Mukti too nodded at him but she was too lost in her memories to give a reply. Memories of her past life with her friends or family!

To be continued..