Watching him crying just bled my heart. Him- my best friend!

(_theonlydream)

A best friend! It can be He or She. But who exactly is a best friend for someone? Someone important or someone just to vent your boredom on? Neither of them, they are. A best friend is the only person who can understand you well, who can read you well, who can take care of you well. Maybe even more than a mother, in some people's lives.

Our Nest

Nandini: Bhai! Bhai, stop please! Bhai!

She ran behind Cabir and held his hand, who was about to get in his car.

Cabir: Doll, let go off me!

Nandini: Enough, Bhai!

She yelled making him to look at her.

Nandini: Can't you see that you're hurt? You just can't leave.

Cabir: Its just a small cut, I can drive.

Nandini: Mein sirf ye cut ke nahi, aapke dil ke bhi baath kar rahi hun.

Cabir looked away on realizing what she's implying to!

Nandini: Kyu chupa rahe ho apna dard, Bhai?

He turned to face her and cupped her cheeks while smiling, only for her.

Cabir: Bhai ke dard ithna bhi important nahi hain. I just want you to be happy and I think, its time for me to do something.

She frowned looking at him, while he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Nandini: Bhai, please don't leave. You are not fine.

Cabir: Its been years, Bhai is not fine, doll.

And he drove away in his car, while she palmed her mouth to stop herself from crying out loud.

Nandini: Why don't you ever share your worries with me, Bhai?!

She whispered to herself and behind her stood Abhimanyu and Manik, who were also having tears in his eyes.

Inside the Mansion..

Boys' Room

Alishka: Bhai, what's wrong? Why are you all quiet?

She asked the Malhotra boys, who were too quiet to handle.

Manvik: Nothing, Ashu. We are just tensed.

Alishka: Oh come on, Bhai. Now, don't give me that excuse. Be it anything, my brothers are never tensed of anything, not even our concert.

Alishka looked adamant and the boys looked away. Their eyes had something different and Alishka hated when they hide something from her. There were secrets between them before too, but like every time, this time too she doesn't want a secret between her and her brothers.

Naila: Let it be, Ashu!

Naila, who was the silent spectator all the while spoke out, which grabbed the boys' attention towards her.

Alishka: No, Naila. I can't just..

Naila: Sometimes, its necessary to be quiet and have a thought about whatever you are hiding from the world. Warna, impulsive decision hamesha dard detha hain.

She stared at the boys, who were simply staring at her. She smiled at them.

Naila: Aisa sikhaya hai aapke Dad ne.

This brought a smile on the boys' lips.

Alishka (pouted): Fine!

And she walked out grumpily while Naila just heaved a sigh.

Naila: I'll check on her. No worries, she will be fine.

She was about to walk out when she heard Prathik taking her name. She turned to face him.

Prathik: Thank you!

She smiled at him and then the rest two, and walked out. Sure, she was shocked to hear him thanking her, but she knew, he meant it.

Manvik: Mamma and Dad had a broken childhood!

Karthik: Mrs. Malhotra couldn't give her time to Dad and Bua.

Prathik: Mr. and Mrs Dhawan or Miss Murthy, did nothing but abused Mamma and Maamu.

They talked among themselves and then looked at each other.

Karthik: And the sole reason behind our Mamma and Dad's togetherness and..separation was..

Boys: Mr. Cabir Dhawan!

They inhaled deep before turning their attention towards the diary which took last night's sleep from them.

Flashback..

"Doctor, sab..sab teek tho hain na? My sister..is fine right?" I asked while whimpering. I clutched onto Doll's hand in my tight grip, who was lying on the bed. "Nothing to worry, son. She's perfectly alright." the lady said making me to sigh in relief. I looked over at Doll, to see her too weak to keep her eyes opened. "Then, why did she faint?" I asked her, the lady doctor, who just smiled. "Well, its because of fatigue. In this phase of life, she is supposed to take a lot of care of herself, which she isn't doing so." she replied and I frowned as well as nodded in positive.

Since the moment, we came to Paris, my Doll isn't the same doll. But I can't do anything. I wanted her safe. I am scared that one day she will get to know about whatever Manik did behind her back even though, he promised her he would control his anger.

I am scared that what if one day, he vents his anger on her too!

Call me selfish but, I've always been selfish when it came to my sister.

"Tum teek ho na?" I asked while cupping doll's cheeks. She gave me a faint smile. "I'm fine, Bhai. Don't worry." she replied. Nowadays, she doesn't speak much, either.

"But what phase were you talking about?" I asked the doctor. "For that, I would like to meet her husband." she replied. I stared at her in surprise and then turned to see Doll, who was also staring at the doctor. But her eyes held pain and I looked away on realizing she's been reminded of Manik. "She's unmarried." I said. "Oh! Then, her boyfriend?" the lady asked again and I just took a deep breath!

"You can tell us. What phase?" this time, it was Navya, who asked the lady irritatingly. She too had noticed doll's face. "Congratulations, Miss. You are pregnant!" the doctor spoke out and I didn't know when I let out a gasp. PREGNANT? "What?" I managed to whisper when the lady looked at me. "Yes! Your sister is a month pregnant. That's the reason of her tiredness, and she fainted due to low intake of water and food." she replied and I looked over at Doll, who was in tears.

"Bhai's kid?!" I heard Navya whispering and then looked at Nandini. I saw my ladies frozen and I clenched my fists. How could the destiny be so cruel to me, always?!

"Thank you, Doctor!" she smiled and I moved downstairs to see her off. Can I just go back to Manik and give my doll to him, now?!

I stood still while thinking about it. I might take time to talk to him, but my sister needs him the most, now. She is goddamn pregnant and need only him, now. Maybe, I hate him for his anger but I can't neglect the fact that she is pregnant and in this phase, she would never need me but him.

Maybe, I should try to change him!

I took my mobile to call him, but in response, I got to know that he has changed his number. I opened one of my SNS app, to message him, when I got to see one unread message from him.

"Hello Mr. Dhawan,
How are you? I hope you're fine after taking my happiness away from me! Ab tum ye bhi soch raha hoga that I might ask you to give Nandini back to me. Par nahi, uskeliye nahi message kar raha hun. I just wanted to inform you about something I got to know. Oh, sorry yar. Something nahi, everything. Everything you did to take my Nandini away from me." I stopped reading in shock. He got to know there's no Harshad drama? "Yes, I know there's no Harshad in between us, but you brought him as a triumph card to take Nandini away. Mera gussa! Wahi tumhara problem hai na? My impulsiveness! That hurt you the most, right? Alright then! Be it Cabir Dhawan's style. Calm and think before act! Hazaar baar soch kar ye message bhej raha hun. Meri Nandini destiny mein yakeen karthi hain, isiliye, aaj mein tumse waadha kartha hun. Chaahe ab tum Nandini ko mujhse cheen liya ho, par wo wapas mere paas hi aaegi. Because, we believe in our destiny. We believe in our love. You didn't have faith in your best friend's love, right, then now, you'll have it. There will be a day in our lives, where we will meet each other without taking any effort, and that day, I'll marry her in front of you. Ye Manik Malhotra ke waada hai, Cabir!

Iss dunya ke sabse best Bhai ho tum, no question in it, par friendship mein thoda peecha rehgaya aur ab mein tumhe kaise wahi friendship mein aage badna hai sikhaake rahunga. This is going to be my final message for you, Dhawan. Kyunki, aaj ke baad agar tum mujhse baath karoge tho wo face to face hoga, to get your sister's hand. And I'm going to wait for it. Trust me, I won't take any effort in it. Nandini and I are ready to wait for our destiny." and I thumped on the floor. That was the last day I had any contact with Manik. That was the day, I asked my sister to promise me that she would never look for Manik, because I knew, Manik Malhotra won't break his promises.

(Next page of Diary)

My life has changed a lot. I don't know why but I wanted to write diary, after an year. Because, I got to know that Navya is pregnant. A pregnancy which happened by a mistake, yet, we can't forget the fact that we are going to have another baby. I still can't get over the act that my first baby is no more. I still can't believe that my son didn't even open his eyes to look at me when he came to this world. I still can't believe that I got to feel my baby's dead heart instead of the beating one, when I held him first.

Karma did hit me hard!

And that's one reason, why I love Karthik, Manvika and Prathik. Because, somewhere in them, I can see my son too.

(Next page)

And like he said, he is nowhere to be seen or known. Its been nearly three years, that I've been searching for him, but he is nowhere. Not even in India, with his parents. Where are you, buddy?!

Gradually, I am starting to believe in what my sister taught him. DESTINY!

What have I done to my nephews will always remain a sin throughout my life!

Flashback ends..

They closed the diary and like last night, this time too they had tears in their eyes. Sure, their destiny wasn't so pleasing!

Downstairs

Kitchen

Navya: What's happening in here?

Navya walked inside the kitchen to see the little girls busy in preparing something.

Alishka: Hey Mamma! I'm just baking.

Navya: You don't do it alone, Miss Dhawan.

Abhimanyu: Oh sure, she is not alone.

Abhimanyu made Alishka and Naila to sit on the kitchen counter and then gave a grin to Navya.

Naila: Yup! Daddy is at work!

Navya (sighed): Abhi! Nandu will strangle you to death, if her kitchen turns upside down.

Abhimanyu: FYI, I can cook even better than you. So, buzz off!

Navya: Alright! I'll inform Nandu, if you do something to her kitchen.

She turned her heels to move out.

Navya: Between, what's the occasion to bake?

She turned to face them again.

Alishka: Bhais are upset.

Navya: What? But why? What happened?

Alishka: I don't know.

She sighed sadly. Navya too sighed and walked over to her her daughter to embrace her.

Navya: Its okay, baby. You know they don't like to share.

Alishka: Yeah! Why don't they share anything with me, Mamma?

Navya: Because, they don't like it baby. They like to keep within themselves and solve their issues. Too much of Manik Malhotra thing!

She whispered the last line to herself.

Abhimanyu: Okay, shrug everything off! Ab cooking ka time hain.

He pushed Navya out of the kitchen as she was being too emotional and he hates it.

Abhimanyu: Now, let's get to work!

He rubbed his hands in excitement and the girls mirrored the same expression on their faces.

Adyant's Room

Nandini: Aapne bulaya, Naanu?

Nandini walked inside Adyant's room, only to get surprised.

Nandini: Manik!

Manik, who was also sitting opposite to Adyant, on a couch, looked alert with her presence. He turned to face Adyant who was just staring at him. He gulped and turned to face Nandini, who was also staring at her grandfather with a nervous smile on her face.

Adyant: Ayiye! Aur beitiye!

Nandini moved ahead and was about to sit beside Adyant.

Adyant: Mere paas kyun? Manik ke paas beit jaa na.

Manik and Nandini looked at him surprised, nevertheless, she obliged to what her grandfather said.

Adyant: Waise bhi, he's your sons' father.

And they snapped their heads at him in shock.

Manik/Nandini: What?

Adyant: Kyun? Kuch galath kaha mene?

He leaned closer and the duo gulped.

Adynat: Did you by any chance think that I was a fool? I mean, Manik ka extra care, Nandu ka chup rehna whenever he is around, Manvik keliye Manik ka restlessness when he met with an accident. And the way how my not-so-great sister trying to hook up her granddaughter with Manik. Ye sab samajne keliye mujhe kya Einstein ke brain ke zarurath hain?

He spoke annoyingly at the end, and Manik and Nandini nodded in negative.

Nandini: Wo..Naanu, mein..

Adynat: Kya tum, huh? Ithni badi baadth chupaayi tumne? Do you even realize what you hid from me? You hid about your sons' father. The same person whom I wanted to find to confront him about your separation, to ask him to get back with you even if it doesn't make you both happy, because I cared for my nephews the most.

At the end, Nandini was in tears. Manik immediately took her in his embrace.

Manik: I'm sorry to interfere, Mr. Murthy. But can you not lash out at her? She is nowhere at fault. Dho best friends ke wajah se apne life ke ek important phase akeli guzar chuki hain meri Nandini. When she needed love, she had only pain to drink in. And I find myself and her brother as the reason of it. Isiliye, na mein aur na Cabir aapke ye accusation sun saktha.

Nandini stared at him with her teary eyes, while staying in his embrace. As much as it hurts to reminisce her pregnancy phase, it hurts to see him in pain too, for blaming himself.

Adyant: Dho best friends. Na Cabir sun saktha! Tho pyar ke kammi nahi, kuch aur wajah hai!

He muttered to himself before looking at Nandini. She looked at him, before walking towards him while entangling herself from Manik's hold.

Nandini: Naanu! I know, I shouldn't have done it. But I'm sorry. I had my own reasons. I was afraid of your reaction. Please maaf kardho. I don't have a lot of people in my life to call mine. Isiliye, aapse dhoor nahi reh sakthi.

She spoke while clinging onto him and he patted her hairs.

"Ithna drama math kar, Mr. Murthy." and Anjali walked inside to sit beside Manik. Adyant glared at her, for her dramatic entry.

Nandini: Drama?

She asked while coming out of Adyant's embrace.

Anjali: Aur nahi tho kya? He is all ready to hook you up with Manik on knowing the truth about Manik Malhotra being his grandsons' father.

Both Manik and Nandini glared at Adyant, who just shrugged his shoulders.

Adynat: I wanted fun, duh!

Nandini: Nanu!

Adyant: Kya? ithna bhi nahi kar saktha mein, when you can play hide and seek with me. Maze le raha tha mein.

Anjali: Just let him be! Ye batha, kab bathane waale ho mere chote guddus se?

She asked excitingly which made Manik and Nandini to smile.

Manik: Already batha chuke hain!

Adyant/Anjali: What?

They nodded and the duo looked so excited to know the story behind it making Manik and Nandini to laugh out.

Kitchen

Abhimanyu: Huff! Finally, it happened!

Alishka: But Chachu..doesn't it look a lot spicy?

She pointed at the color of the curry made by Abhimanyu. He too stared at the curry with his eyebrows furrowed.

Abhimanyu: Mein bhi tho wahi soch raha tha, why is the color of Chicken pepper so red?

He scratched his chin in confusion.

Naila: Daddy! Maybe, its the color of Paris' pepper!

Abhimany: Baby, Paris ke pepper ho ya India ke pepper, cheez tho ek hi hain na.

"What's cooking?" the boys made their entry and got themselves settled on the kitchen counter. Abhimanyu looked behind to see the boys all calm and fresh.

Abhimanyu: Subah theen kaala chehra dekh liya tha, but ab tho all glowing hain.

Prathik: Maybe, you were drunk and looked at yourself in the mirror.

Abhimanyu glared at him, who was munching on an apple by now.

Naila: My Daddy doesn't drink alcohol.

Abhimanyu looked here and there while the boys narrowed their eyebrows at him.

Karthik: As far as I remember, every dumb guy needs alcohol's help to give some ideas and nowadays, he is giving too much of ideas too.

Abhimanyu: Oh hello! Dumb kisko bola? I'm not dumb, okay.

Manvik: Did we ever mention your name.

Karthik/Prathik: Nah!

Manvik: That means, he too think of himself as a dumb guy! Period.

Abhimanyu: For hell's sake! Will you guys shut up!

"What's cooking?" this time, it was Manik who walked inside the kitchen and got settled beside the boys.

Abhimanyu (groaned): Chimpanzee is getting cooked by Giraffe's calves!

Manik (beamed): Really?! I feel like a proud Daddy!

He spoke dramatically at the end, and Abhimanyu gave him a sarcastic smile.

Abhimanyu: Oh you should be! You would feel like a proud fiance when Nandini says No to marry you too.

Manik: And why would she say that?

Abhimanyu: Because apparently, giraffe is an "ek teer pe theen nishaan" type and she wouldn't want another bunch of brats!

He pointed at the boys and Manik realized what he meant.

Manik: Kuthe!

And he jumped on Abhimanyu to strangle him while the kids sat clueless.

Karthik: What did Abhi Mamu mean by that?

Prathik: I think, his jokes are not of our level. So pathetic, his jokes are!

Manvik: I agree to it.

By now, Abhimanyu was running around the kitchen with Manik behind him. Oh, Manik isn't alone, he has a tub of wheat flour with him.

Manik: Ruk wahan!

Abhimanyu: Kabhi nahi!

Naila: Well its good that the kitchen is huge.

She spoke while sitting beside Manvik and Alishka sat beside Prathik. Karthik was in the middle.

Alishka: I know right! But what the hell are the doing?

Manvik: Chasing each other to make chapatti!

They chuckled hearing him.

"Yaha kya hooooooo" and the kids palmed their mouths on seeing the person who banged into Abhimanyu and Manik dumped the flour on that person along with Abhi.

Alishka: Daddy!

There, Cabir stood covered in flour from top to bottom while Abhimanyu was also no less. They both looked at each other after blinking their eyes several times to get rid of the flour blocking their eyesight.

Soon, they heard someone laughing and looked ahead to see Manik was on the floor laughing his lungs out!

Cabir: Kisne shuru kiya?!

Abhimanyu: Giraffe ne!

And they both nodded at each other before opening the refrigerator and took the bottle of Milk and poured it on Manik which drenched him in it.

Manik: What the f***!!

The kids gasped again. Typical desi drama kind of gasps!

Prathik: Why are we being so dramatic?!

Karthik: I have no idea!

Cabir: Tit for tat!

And the next he knew was, him being drenched in egg by Manik.

Abhimanyu: Koi nahi Jungle Bear, Chimpanzee is with you!

And he three the final egg at Manik.

Manik: Teri toh!

He took a jar of mango juice from the refrigerator and poured it on Abhimanyu, making him to cry out. Watching it, Cabir took Maida flour from the shelf and dumped it on Manik.

Cabir: Bear and Chimpanzee kinda fall under similar category.

He grinned at Manik and gave a hi-fi to Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu: Yup, too much of fur we have.

And the next second, they were drenched in vanilla essence.

Alishak: That was mine!

But the boys shielded her from the food fight.

"What the hell is happening in here?" Nandini, Mukti and Navya walked inside the kitchen only to get shocked. The men were drenched in varieties of food and drink.

Abhimanyu/Cabir: Giraffe started it.

Manik: No! They started it.

Cabir: Saaley, how can you just lie.

And he poured something on Manik's shirt.

Abhimanyu: What the f*** have you done? That was my Chicken pepper!

Both Cabir and Manik stared at each other in horror while Abhimanyu was crying buckets.

Abhimanyu: How dare you!!

The next second, Manik and Cabir were running for their lives with Abhimanyu behind them holding a knife in his hand. The kids peeked from wherever they were sitting and then looked at their mothers.

Naila: Er...what just happened?

While the ladies were in shock!

Did they patch up already?

To be continued..