Love was just beautiful until I met you, for it became beyond beautiful

(Affu)

When people are asked about love, they prefer the word "beautiful". But its not for every time you ask the same. It would eventually be something else once they fall in love. For some, its tragic and saddening while for some, its something beyond beautiful that they can't express in words, even if their love story didn't have a happy ending. That's what love does to us. That is what Love is. That is what you call Love. Beyond words!

Our Nest

Boys' Room

Prathik: Okay, so we're buying the exact Bathroom Accessories that Mamu has in his toilet and then decorating it like Ashu wants. Right?

Alishka/Naila: Right!

Manvik: Cool! Then, we'll go for shopping with DJ. She's the only person who could divert the entire home's attention from us to someone else.

Karthik: But you do know she doesn't do something for free.

Prathik (sighed): Yeah. I'll give an autograph to her. She'll be fine.

The girls gave him a look while Karthik and Manvik just ignored what he said.

Manvik: Okay people, think about something that we could give to DJ.

Prathik: Didn't I say that I'll give an autograph to her?

Karthik: Ashu. You have any idea about what to give DJ as a return gift?

Prathik: What the f***!! Am I invisible for you or what?

Naila: Language, dude!

Prathik: Excuse me? Do you thin I care if you like it or not?

Naila: Well, you have to take care of it or else, I would simply go to Mamu and have a word with him about it.

Prathik (smirked): My father knows about it.

Naila: But he doesn't know that you're teaching me. I would tell him that you're teaching me how to swear.

Prathik widened his eyes at her making the rest three of them to laugh out loud.

Alishka: Well Nilu, what exactly is the meaning of that word? Bhai never disclosed its meaning whenever I ask them.

The boys widened their eyes in horror and looked at Naila, who was pouting sadly.

Naila: I just know its a bad word as once I heard it from Mamu who was speaking with Daddy, and when I asked them, they asked me to forget that word.

Alishka (pouted): Bhai said the same. But once its stored, then its for forever in Alishka Dhawan's brain.

Karthik: Its okay, we'll do a surgery and then change your brain.

He mocked only to earn a glare from his sister.

Manvik: Well whatever it is, let's get back to our work. We'll do something for DJ by tonight, anyhow. Cool with it?

Others: Cool!

And they started to list the items they would need for the preparation.

Naila: Um..waise Malhotras..! You need to know something.

Prathik: And may we know what is it, Miss Thakkar?

Naila: 7th March isn't just your Mamu's birthday.

This got the kids' attention to Naila.

Naila (smiled): Its my Mamu's Birthday too. On 7th Match.

Boys: What?

They looked at her in shock, who nodded at her.

Manvik: Its D..Dad's birthday?

Naila: Yup. I was actually shocked to know that it was Cabir uncle's birthday too.

Karthik: Damn! We never knew that!

Naila (sighed): Nobody would know it too.

They stared at her to see her sad.

Naila: Mamu never celebrated his birthday. In fact, I'd never seen my parents celebrating their birthdays either unless I start to pester them. Celebration mathlab, Naani would bake a cake and Mamma and Daddy will cut that cake to feed me on their respective birthdays. Par Mamu tho wo bhi nahi karthe. I don't see him at home on his birthdays until its late night.

Karthik's eyes fell on Cabir's diary, the moment he heard it. Cabir never celebrated his birthday either. Why is everything getting his father and Mamu connected to each other?!

Naila: But I always surprised him once he comes back home. He loved to eat Molten Lava cake and I would bake it with Mamma's help for him. And one gift every year. Ithni hi sahi, he used to give me his smile in return for that surprise.

This time, all of them had a smile on their lips. Naila loved Manik way too much and she had proved it well.

Prathik: Molten lava cake! Its Mamma's favorite.

He stared at his brothers who stared at him back.

Alishka: Oh yeah! Mamu and Bua have similar tastes!

Naila: No. They don't. Daddy kehthe the ki Mamu ke favorite Red Velvet tha but he doesn't eat it anymore.

Manvik: He eats Molten Lava cake because Mamma loves it.

Naila nodded at him with a smile.

Naila: And he doesn't like eating his favorite cake unless its baked by his Nandini as she used to do the same when they were together.

They smiled faintly at them.

Karthik: And he didn't want to eat that again without her baking it.

Naila: Kya hua hoga unke beech, Bhai? Did they tell you? Mamu just said, she left. Par kyu! Kya wajah tha! Ye sab nahi kaha mujhse.

Manvik: We have no idea. They never shared it with us, either.

Prathik: Well, nothing is impossible for Malhotras!

He stared at his brothers who smirked at him while the girls looked at each other.

Alishka: You've got any plans?

Karthik hid the diary more under his leg as his sister would freak out the moment she sees her father's diary with him.

Karthik: For now..

Manvik: We're just gonna prepare something for Mamu..

Prathik: And Dad...

The girls squealed in happiness.

Naila: Mamu will be so happy!

Boys: He will be!

They looked at each other as if they have the same plan for their father.

Downstairs

In the evening

Abhimanyu: Manik!

Manik turned to face him with a big smile. Abhimanyu was walking towards him while debating with himself to tell it out or not when Manik hugged him tight taking him in surprise.

Abhimanyu: Whoa! What's wrong?! Nandini nahi hun mein.

But Manik didn't retort angrily, instead he was smiling.

Manik: They..They called me..Dad!

This halted Abhimanyu's rants. He broke the hug while shouting.

Abhimanyu: What? Kya kaha? They? Mathlab..the little Malhotras?

Manik grinned like a fool and nodded in positive.

Manik: Nandu and I won in the challenge.

Abhimanyu beamed in joy and hugged Manik tightly making him to chuckle.

Abhimanyu: Oh my God! Oh my God! This is a news. They accepted you.

They broke the hug and Abhimanyu's smile didn't have an end. Why would it be? He was waiting to see a smile on his best friend's lips for the past 10 years and now, its happening.

Abhimanyu: You're too happy!

Manik: If at all I'm asking more then its just to get married to Nandini and get my family with me forever!

Abhimanyu: That will happen too!

He assured Manik, who smiled at him.

"What? No! That's not possible. I can't come." they turned to see Cabir walking inside the Mansion with his work bag, which meant he's coming back home after work but it seems to be too early.

Cabir: No! How many times should I s..

His gaze fell on both Manik and Abhimanyu, who seemed to look worried for him which they hid conveniently as Cabir looked angry and upset.

Cabir: I'll give you a call later with my final decision.

He hung up on the call when his gaze moved to Manik. The phone call was from his Assistant requesting to go for a meeting in Scotland which Cabir denied as he has to be in Paris on 7th March like how his daughter and sister want. But on seeing Manik, he suddenly realized this time they're going to be together on their birthdays. Is he ready to face Manik on their birthday?

Cabir averted his gaze and was about to move upstairs when Adyant walked in.

Adyant: Cabir.

Cabir turned to face him.

Cabir: Ji Naanu?

Adyant: Tum meeting keliye jaa rahe ho na?

Adyant wanted him to get this project as he was friends with the company's CEO.

Cabir: Wo..Naanu!

"Kaunsi meeting?" Nandini walked out of the kitchen on hearing them.

Adyant: Arey Nandu, usko Scotland jaana hai. Ek important meeting hain.

Nandini turned to look at Cabir, who wasn't looking at her. Her gaze then fell on Manik, who was also looking at Cabir, but confusedly. He still doesn't remember its his birthday the day after tomorrow.

Nandini: Aise kaise jaa sakthe Bhai?

She looked at Abhimanyu, who was staring at Cabir.

Cabir: Doll! I haven't decide it yet.

Nandini: Then, you're deciding it now. Aap Scotland nahi jaoge.

Adyant: What? Par kyu?

Nandini: Tch! Amnesia hai kya aapko Naanu?

Adyant: Huh?

Nandini stared at Cabir and Manik making them to stare at her.

Nandini: Its 7th March, the day after tomorrow.

Cabir looked away while realization dawned upon Manik. It was his birthday on 7th March. It was Cabir's birthday on 7th March. He looked at Cabir, who wasn't even looking at him.

Adyant: Oh shit! Ye mein kaise bhool saktha.

Nandini: Bhuda bann gaya na. Isiliye hua!

Adyant pouted apologetically who was glaring at him. She never compromises with anything related to her loved ones, especially Cabir and Manik and now, her sons are added in that list too.

Nandini: Bhai apne birthday ke din ghar pe hi rahega.

Cabir: Lekin doll, its a very important meeting for Naanu.

Nandini turned to look at Adyant, who glared at Cabir.

Adyant: Mujhe yaad hi nahi tha tera birthday hai, isiliye its no more an important meeting.

Cabir: Par mein bacha thodi hun.

Nandini: Bhai!

He sighed in defeat and then nodded at her.

Nandini: Chalo, sab log ready hokar neeche aao. Dinner is ready.

She stared at Manik, whose gaze was still on Cabir.

Adyant: As you say, Miss Highness!

And he walked upstairs.

Nandini: Abhi Bhai!

Abhimanyu: Haan Nandu?

Nandini: Where's the recipe?

Abhimanyu looked at her confusedly.

Nandini: Bhool gaya aap?

She stood huffing and poor Abhimanyu was trying hard to think what he had forgotten.

Abhimanyu: Lekin..mene kya kiya? I mean, what recipe are you talking about?

She marched towards him and held his hand.

Nandini: Kabhi tho teek se kuch yaad rakha karo na Bhai. Hamesha kuch na kuch kartha hai jiske wajah se mujhe gussa aathi hain.

Abhimanyu: Par kiya kya hain mene.

By now, she has taken him to kitchen while in here Manik and Cabir stared at retreating figures of Nandini and Abhimanyu and then at each other.

Cabir: What just happened?

Manik: NanBhi happened! Kabhi jagde ke bina kuch kiya hai kya aaj thak!

Cabir: Oh! How can I even forget their stupid banters!

They chuckled together only to realize, they were behaving like they used to behave. Looking at each other for a second, they parted their ways.

Maybe, they can be the same again!

Kitchen

Abhimanyu: They had a talk!

He spoke with a smile but, he remembered something only to heave a sigh out. Why can't life be easy?!

Nandini: I know right! They were laughing. Ek pal keliye hi sahi, ek saath the.

She spoke and stood straight as she was hiding behind the door and peeping out along with Abhimanyu, to know whether Manik and Cabir would talk with each other or not!

Abhimanyu: Tho ye tha..recipe?!

He asked while folding his arms against his chest. She glared at him for being dumb in front of the best friends.

Nandini: Oh yeah! And someone didn't even catch my lie.

Abhimanyu: Oh my Gawd! I'm so dumb!

He mimicked like a kid only to see her whining.

Abhimanyu: Jaise ki mujhse pehle hi kaha madam ne ki Abhi Bhai, let's do something to make Manik and your Bhai talk with each other! Kyu?

Nandini: Haa tho aapko samajna chahiye na.

Abhimanyu: Practice kaha tha madam?

Before Nandini could retort back, they realized its been so long since they had been their usual selves.

Abhimanyu (smiled faintly): Sab kuch kithna badal gaya na!

Nandini got settled on the kitchen counter before looking at Abhimanyu.

Nandini: Kya hum phirse pehle jaise nahi bann sakthe, Bhai?

Abhimanyu sat on the opposite counter and looked at her.

Abhimanyu: Ithna aasan nahi hai, Nandu.

Nandini: Jo kaam aasan hai, wo kaam nahi hotha. Bas pastime hotha hain.

He smiled on listening her. Her talks were always filled with something to learn from life and he loved hearing them. In fact, Fab 5 loved hearing them.

Abhimanyu: So, what are we supposed to do, Miss Thakkar? Oops, soon-to-be Mrs. Malhotra?

She glared at him though her cheeks were turning red.

Nandini: Shut up, Bhai! Its something important.

Abhimanyu: Acha teek hain. Bolo, kya plan hain?

Nandini: Its their birthday, Bhai. Kuch tho kar sakthe hai na hum, at least, to celebrate their birthday?

Abhimanyu (sighed): Manik never celebrated his birthday for the past 10 years, Nandu.

Nandini: I know. Bhai never did, either.

Abhimanyu: I know too!

Nandini: Then, we'll make them celebrate their birthday, this time.

Abhimanyu: But how? Don't you know that one similarity between them? Stubbornness! Ithna stubborn hai dhono ki kabhi kisike baath nahi sunthe siva apne.

Nandini: But they do have weaknesses right?

Abhimanyu looked at her, who was smirking at him.

Abhimanyu: Hmm. Not bad, Abhimanyu Thakkar ki behen banne ke baad tu tho genius nikli. Not bad, soon-to-be Mrs. Malhotra!

Nandini (rolled her eyes): Such an irritating chimpanzee, you're.

Abhimanyu: Aye! Chimpanzee kaun?

Nandini: Aap aur kaun?

Abhimanyu (pissed): Tu bhi uss chipkali ke tarah nikli.

Nandini (smirked): Let me call the chipkali, then. Navya Bhabiiii.

Abhimanyu: Nanduuuu!

She giggled at him and he too laughed along.

Nandini: Chalo, let's get ready to eat. Planning raath mein karthe hain.

They both got down the counters.

Abhimanyu: Nandu!

Nandini: Haan?

Abhimanyu: Why aren't you and Navya the same anymore?

This halted Nandini's steps. She turned to look at him, who walked towards her.

Abhimanyu: I'm really not a dumb person, you know!

She looked everywhere but at him.

Nandini: Aisa..kuch nahi hai, Bhai.

Abhimanyu: Tho phir kaisa hai? Bolo. I'm all ears. Nandini aur Navya aise nahi the. In fact, Nandini kabhi Navya ko Bhabi nahi bulathe par Navu bulathi thi. Kyu? Tu bhool gayi?

Nandini snapped her head at him, who was staring at her for an explanation. She let out a sigh before leaning back to the counter.

Nandini: Differences sirf, Manik aur Cabir ke beech nahi. Sirf Abhimanyu aur Cabir ke beech nahi. Sirf Mukti aur Cabir ke beech nahi. Sirf Cabir aur Navya ke beech nahi. Nandini aur Navya ke beech bhi hui hain.

She looked up at Abhimanyu, who was staring at her surprised.

Nandini: Kabhi kaha nahi usne ki mujhse teek se baath bhi kyu nahi karthi par ithna tho samaj liya ki..we're not the same anymore. Something just happened that she wanted to stay away from me. Maybe, its because..I'm the reason her brother had to live a misery filled life. Ya phir..mein uski behen hun jisne uske Bhai ko hurt kiya. Indirectly hi sahi, usko bhi hurt kiya na Bhai ne.

Abhimanyu looked down on not able to look in her eyes.

Nandini: Patha hai, Bhai. Sometimes I think, what exactly was the reason of our broken family? Bhai losing his trust on Manik? On Manik? His best friend whom he claimed to be his brother from another mother. Uspe trust nahi hain? That's something unbelievable. Aaj bhi mujhe aisa lagtha hai ki shayad, kuch aur wajah hoga.

He stared at her in shock, who was too lost in her own thoughts.

Nandini: But then..there can't be any other reason, either.

She chuckled dryly while Abhimanyu took a deep breath.

Abhimanyu: Sab teek hojaega.

He patted her cheeks before walking out while Nandini wiped that tear which she was storing in her eyes.

Nandini: We were so happy, God. You shouldn't have snatched everything from us.

Garage

Manvik: Is our baby ready?

He asked while entering inside their private Garage which is just near their home but hidden from others except for their family.

The mechanics who were busy in their work looked up to see Malhotra boys standing in front of them. They smiled hugely at them.

Mechanic: Almost ready!

Karthik: Good to hear, Sean!

They moved towards the edge where something was kept covered. They smiled before removing the cloth from it and looked at it with their dreamy eyes.

Prathik: Oh beauty! How am I going to stay sane?!

Karthik: She has become sexier!

Manvik: Well, not to forget! She was always the gorgeous one!

Boys: Our first baby!

They always had a craze for bikes. They loved it so much that they had started to collect different pictures of verities of Bikes and sometimes, they used to draw their own designs on sheets which got into Nandini's notice. And like how she never let them even ask her what they want, she opened a garage for them. There were staffs inside who will customize different models of bikes like how the boys wanted. Gradually, they started to learn about automotive too, though they still have to learn how to customize apart from drawing on papers.

Karthik: Will he like it?

Manvik: Well, its Red in color.

Prathik: And its the most beautiful one we have with us, she is our first baby so he ought to like it. Hard work pays off!

They nodded at him and then stared at their first work.

Karthik: Sean?

Sean made his way towards them.

Sean: Yeah?

Manvik: We want to do something extra on it.

Sean: Something extra on something already completed?

Prathik: Yup.

Sean: Okay. What is it?

Manvik took out a paper from the file he was carrying with him and gave it to Sean.

Sean: Its a picture of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. The famous wrestler?

Karthik: Exactly. The one who is no more. We want his picture on the bike.

Sean: But why? Oh damn! How can I forget Prathik's craze for wrestlers!

Prathik: This time its not for me, but for someone else.

Sean: Huh?

Manvik: Just get it done, Sean! It should be ready by day after tomorrow.

Sean: What? How am I gonna make it happen? You know we're already working on something else.

Karthik: Stop that work for now and complete this.

Sean looked surprised. They were waiting to see their new project in shape but now, here they're willing to wait. They're also giving their first work to someone, which is so not them. They don't share their bikes with anyone even though, they can't drive.

Sean: Why is it so important?

Prathik: We said, its not for us. So, have a good day. Don't forget, by day after tomorrow.

They walked back to move out.

Sean: At least, tell me who's that lucky one to be able to drive your baby?

Boys: Our father!

And they walked out leaving a baffled Sean behind! Who's their father now?!

Manik's Room

Manik was staring at Fab 5's picture and tracing it with his fingers. Especially, Cabir's picture.

Flashback..

"Hato saamne se." I shouted while keeping fingers in my ears and running down the stairs shoving whoever coming in front of me. "Hato raasthe se." I heard him saying the same and the next second he came out of the kitchen with my cake in his hands but unlike me, he didn't keep his fingers in his ears. Frowning, I moved ahead to notice that he had cotton in them. Chuckling loudly, I increased my pace to reach him. "Oh my saala!" He cried dramatically on seeing me and I walked past him to get the cake from refrigerator. "What! No greeting to kameena?" I heard him yelling.

"Aa raha hun kameene." I said while holding his cake in my hands and rushed out to meet him. "Iske bina birthday dieday hotha hain." I said and he grinned while removing the cotton from his ears. "True! So, what are we waiting for?" I grinned back and we shouted together. "Happy birthday!" Holding the cake above our heads, we hugged each other using our single arm and jumping on the floor, still being in the hug. "Oh my God! I can't believe I just turned 18 years old." he shouted and we broke the hug. "I know right. Mathlab, kameena can also be 18 year old one." I joked and he rolled his eyes at me. "Jaise ke Saala 18 ki nahi bann gaya." he mocked and I just shrugged my shoulders while keeping the cake over the table.

"Bhai! Happy birthday!" Muku and Navu hugged me tightly making me to smile. My birthdays are happening only because of them. "Happy birthday, joker." Muku and Navu hugged Cabir too, who took his own time in hugging my sister. Sigh! When will he confess to her that he loves her?! "Okay, where is our chimpanzee?" Cabir and I shouted looking for him, only to see him dozing off on the couch. What the f***!! "Chimpanzee!" we shouted and he fell off the couch, on his bu** making us to laugh out. "Kya yar! Its been just an hour since I slept. Uthane ka tareekha bhi hotha hain." he complained while rubbing his bu**.

"Haa tho kisne kaha tujhse sone keliye? Its our birthday and you're sleeping?" I asked while glaring at him. "FYI, I was baking cakes for both of you which you're gonna dedicate to each other. Mathlab, khud kuch banana hi nahi aathe aur mujhpe chilla rahe ho." he chided and we rolled our eyes at him. "FYI, Chimpanzee is Giraffe's and Bear's best friend so, baking cake for them is something to be proud of." said Cabir and I nodded in positive, agreeing to it.

"Shut up! Jaldhi cake cut karo aur mujhe sone dho. Stupid Giraffe. Stupid Bear." He yelled and we pulled him in between us. "So, let's cut the cake, in Fab 5 style?" I asked and they smirked. "Ek second." I heard Abhi making me to look at him. "Pehle, mujhe rone dho." and he wiped his non-existent tears. "Hogaya tera?" asked Mukti, looking totally pissed and he nodded while sniffing. "Tho jaldhi karoooo." Navu shouted and Bam. Cabir and I dipped our faces in the cake. "Wohooo. Happy birthday, boys!" Muku and Navu cheered while chimpanzee sniffed on seeing his cakes' condition. Well, Fab 5 don't waste food, either. We'll be giving this to the cats and dogs outside.

"My mehnath, math ja tu." he cried over his cake, which would be given to the cats and dogs outside. "Tch. Grow up, man!" Cabir said. "Growing up is for kids par ye 5'9 ka kaunsa kid hain yar?" I joked and the next second he was behind me and Cabir while we laughed out at his face. Later, in the evening we fed each other the cake, which was again made by our Chimpanzee. My Family. My Fab 5!

Flashback ends..

Manik: Can we be the same again?

He asked himself while looking at the picture and he didn't know when he slipped into a slumber..