'I love you' is cheesy for some when it comes to lovers but not for friendship

(Affu)

When people hear the three magical words from lovers, they might find it awkward to hear, while it won't be the same when they get to hear it from two friends. And that proves friendship is always unique and the most understanding relationship!

Our Nest

Boys' Room

Prathik: Mamma!

Nandini: Hmm?

Prathik: Why didn't you ever share anything about your childhood?

She looked at him, whose head was on the left side of her lap, while the right side was occupied by Manvik. Karthik chose to lean completely on her right arm, while playing with her fingers.

Nandini: It wasn't that pleasant to share, baby.

Manvik: Don't you know everything related to you is important for us, be it pleasant or unpleasant?

She smiled hearing him.

Nandini: Of course, I know that. But Manu, I always loved to share only happy things with you. I want to see you smiling, not to shed tears just because your Mamma had a rough past life.

Karthik: But you always asked us to share everything with you, be it happiness or sadness. Then why can't you do the same, Mamma?

They looked at her in disappointment, while she looked at them helplessly.

Nandini: Its because, I'm a mother. Aur Ma kabhi apne bachon ko sad nahi dekh sakthi.

Prathik: But vice versa can happen?

She frowned at him.

Prathik: Oh I mean, kids can really see their mother sad!

He exclaimed with a sarcastic smile playing on his lips. She crooked her eyebrows at him.

Nandini: You know I hate your Dad's playful side, which you've inherited from him.

She tapped his nose lightly, to which he just smirked.

Prathik: Well, I'm blessed then. What's better than to irritate you, Mamma!

Manvik/Karthik: I agree!

Nandini (huffed): Go away, don't even talk to me!

She pouted and the three caged her in their embrace.

Boys: Mamma!

They too pouted at her, making her to laugh out. They smiled watching her laughing all carefree. That happens rarely.

Manvik: Mamma!

Nandini: Haan?

Manvik: You really look a lot beautiful when you smile!

She smiled at him, and then hugged him, followed by the rest two.

"Having family hug without me?" they looked at the door to see Manik leaning on it while smiling at them.

Prathik: I thought, Malhotras never took permission before doing which they want to!

Manik glared at him, before walking inside and then got settled beside Nandini.

Manik: Well Malhotra, you're truly right, but only when it comes to Nandini Dhawan. Unfortunately, she's not alone in here, or else I would have showed my right on her.

Nandini widened her eyes at Manik, while the boys stared at Manik with angry glares for their father.

Manvik: Excuse me, Mr. Malhotra?! She's our mother too.

Manik: So?

Karthik: So, we too have right on her, in fact, more than you.

Manik: You do have right on her, but tell me how is it more than me?

Prathik: Don't you know a woman loves her kids the most in the world?

Manik: And don't you know for a woman, those same kids' father matters the most?

This sentence from Manik made the boys to stare at Nandini.

Manvik: Mamma! He's lying, right? We matter the most to you, right?

All Nandini did was sighing in disbelief at them.

Manik: Excuse me? Why would she lie to you? Just to keep you happy?

Karthik: Mamma! Tell him that we matter the most to you.

Prathik: Also, tell him that he's speaking more than required.

Manik: Kya baath hain! Ab tho sach bolna bhi mana hai yaha!

Nandini: Manik!

Manik: I'm just being honest in here.

Boys: Mamma!

Nandini: Manik, shut up! Why are you teasing them?

Manik: Baby, I was just stating facts.

Boys: Baby!

They scrunched their nose at their father and Nandini copied the same. Nandini hates hearing 'baby' as an endearment from Manik, as once he said her that her height is of a baby's.

Nandini: Manik Malhotra!

She glared at Manik, who was smiling sheepishly at her.

Manik: She just hates that endearment since I find her height to be of a baby's height.

He cleared his son's confusion, and the next second they were laughing. Manik joining them just increased Nandini's anger.

Nandini (huffed): Idiots hai sab!

She stood up to leave, but Manik held her in his embrace which made the boys to jump on her too.

Manik/boys: Sorry na!

She smiled and nodded at them, which made her kids to kiss her cheeks. Taking it as a cue, Manik too kissed her cheek which made the boys to gape at Manik, and Nandini to drop her jaws down.

Manik: What! She's my fiance, an my sons' mother. I hold more right!

He shrugged his shoulders at them before kissing her cheeks again, and this time the boys were laughing while Nandini started to beat him up. Soon, the boys too joined her and the room filled with fits of laughter.

Surely, they were happy!

Next Day

Cabir and Navya's room

Cabir walked out of the washroom, all clean and fresh, when his gaze went up to his daughter, who was sleeping on the bed. He moved towards her to plant a kiss on her head. He had a tough time last night to control her hiccups and she was still crying just because her father had cried.

Cabir (smiled): Just like my doll!

He stood up and turned around, only to see Navya at the door, staring at him.

Cabir: She's still not awake. Don't wake her up, now.

He walked further and waited for her to move away, but that never happened. She was still staring at him. Sighing, he opened the door a little more to walk out.

Navya: Bathaya kyun nahi, that Nandu had gotten her nightmare once again?

He didn't turn around to face her, but just stood still, while she had turned around to have a look at him.

Cabir: I did what I felt to do so, Navya. Explanation nahi de saktha mein.

Navya: Explanaton chahiye mujhe, Cabir.

Cabir turned around and held her hand which halted her rants. Nevertheless he took his hand back.

Cabir: I'm sorry..but..don't shout. Ashu is sleeping.

She stared at him, teary eyed.

Navya: We are going through downs, only downs in this relationship, Cabir. Ek baar bhi mujhse share karna teek nahi laga tumko?

Cabir (sighed): Navya..don't make it too hard for me than it already is. Uss waqt, sab khush the, but I wasn't. I shared it with Manik and thought it to be over. Kabhi socha nahi tha hamare beech misunderstandings ayenge that I would think to separate my sister from my best friend. But now, I have sorted it with Manik, and we're good.

Navya: And us? What about us?

He looked at her deadpanned, before smiling faintly.

Cabir: Us? We were done with this relationship long before, right? Wahi tho kaha tumne, yaad hai?

She stood there all shattered. She does remember her words which were spat on his face, the morning she woke up all embraced in his arms, only to realize they had made out love while they were drunk.

Cabir: You never gave me a chance to explain, Navya. I won't blame you. I know how much Manik mattered to you, and you were always right. Like you say, Behen keliye jo pyar tha, usmein andha ho chuka tha, that I started to hurt people. Sach hi tho hai woh, par karun bhi tho kya Navya, meri sab kuch hai woh, selfish bann gaya, thinking that I'm protecting her, par kabhi realize nahi kiya that I was actually hurting her.

He rubbed his tears away before looking at his sleeping daughter.

Cabir: I just hope, my daughter won't hate me like how her mother hates me.

He looked over at Navya once again before leaving the room. Navya thumoed on the floor, in tears. For sure, she is still mad at him, but a part of her knows, it was the vulnerable and scared brother in him who was at fault, not her love.

Raj and Nyonika's Room

Raj: Cabir?

Raj looked at Cabir, who was at the door, having a small smile on his face.

Cabir: Can I get in?

Raj: Sure!

He stepped aside for Cabir to get inside.

Raj: Take a seat!

Cabir: Thank you!

They both got settled on couches facing each other. Nyonika, who walked out of the washroom got surprised to see Cabir in their room. Nevertheless, she too got settled beside Raj.

Cabir cleared his throat before looking at the couple, who was staring at him all curious.

Cabir: Firstly, I would like to apologize, for disturbing you in the early morning.

Raj: Its fine with us. Is everything alright?

Cabir smiled at the concern that formed in Raj's eyes. He never got to see fatherly love in his father's eyes but only in Raj's. That was one reason, why he never looked in Raj's eyes when he saw him in Paris for the first time.

Cabir: Yes, everything is fine. Its just, I'm here for something.

He forwarded the file in his hand to Raj, who took it.

Raj: Ye kya hain?

Cabir: Doll's horoscope.

The couple stared at him astonished.

Nyonika: Horoscope?

Cabir: Ji. I realize that my blunder took 10 years from my sister's life. 10 happy years it would have been, but I..I destroyed it with my stupid plans and decisions. Daadi always taught me to mend my mistakes once I realize it. Realization hua hai, ab mending ki baari hain, and the first thing I can do is getting my doll and Manik married. Par uskeliye mujhe aapke permission chahiye.

Raj stared at Cabir for a little longer. That same strong yet helpless child whom he met 30 years ago.

Cabir: Pichli baar bhi permission maanga tha mene, but I didn't care to get your permission while separating them. Par iss baar, sab kuch teek karna hai mujhe. I want to promise you that not only the wedding will happen according to your wish, but Manik will stay happy for his entire life with my sister and their sons.

Nyonika: Cabir!

Cabir: Ji?

Nyonika: Ithna paraya kyu kar rahe ho hum dhono ko?

For sure, she gave her motherly love whenever she took her time out of her tough schedule during their childhood, but it wasn't just enough to gain attention from her children.

Cabir: Paraya tho hun mein!

He stood up, while smiling faintly.

Cabir: I just wanted your acceptance for this relationship before I ask Manik and doll about this very same matter. You can take your own time to think about it.

He opened the door, when he heard his favorite man's voice.

Raj: Kabse paraya hai aap hamare liye, Mr. Dhawan?

Cabir turned to face Raj, who was looking at him with a hard expression on his face.

Cabir: Shayad jab se mein apke bete ko hurt kiya, tabse!

Raj: Thank you!

Cabir turned to leave again.

Raj: Happy birthday, Cabir!

Cabir: Thank you!

Cabir left without anymore words shared.

Raj: Bohath badal chuke ho tum! Sach mein paraya kar diya hai mujhko tum, beta.

Nyonika held onto Raj's hand to soothe his pain. He really loved his son's friends like his own.

Kitchen

Naila: Ye kya hain?!

She widened her already-big-eyes while looking at the cakes that her father made.

Abhimanyu: Aye, Thakkar! Don't even touch it.

Naila (pouted): Haww! Kyun? You always let me taste whatever you cook for me.

Abhimanyu: Of course, I do, baby. But these are for the birthday boys..oops, mera mathlab birthday men!

Naila giggled hearing him. He picked her up and made her sit on the kitchen counter top.

Naila: Waise, ithna bada cake, Daddy?

Abhimanyu: Well, we have a bada family na.

Naila: Ha tho, one is enough right, if its that big.

Abhimanyu (smiled): They should not feel that your Daddy shows partiality.

Naila: My Daddy is anything but partial towards anyone or anything!

He spread cream on her nose, which lead her to scrunch her nose.

Naila: Dad!

She whined and he applied more cream on her face.

Naila: Such a bad Daddy, you're!

Abhimanyu: Oh really? Guess what! I don't care!

She huffed cutely making him to smile. His heart's princess, she is!

Boys' Room

It was such a different and a pleasant scene going on in here. Manik and Nandini were in the middle all cuddled and awake, staring at the kids, who were literally sleeping on them.

Manik: Do they sleep together always?

Nandini: Almost everyday. Bas naam keliye separate rooms hai theenon ke, but they need each other to sleep.

Manik (sighed): They're different, you know!

Nandini: Hmm. I know!

She snuggled to his chest and he kept on caressing her hairs lovingly.

Nandini: Manik?

Manik: Hmm?

Nandini: Are you really not upset with Bhai?

Manik: Jhoot kyun bolunga mein?

Nandini: To see me happy!

She looked up at him, while placing her chin on his chest.

Manik (smiled): For sure, I can do anything to see you happy, but I can't lie to you. You better know that.

Nandini (smiled): I know that. Phir bhi..

Manik: Nandu, I can understand him. Cabir ne jo kuch bhi kiya, wo ek impulsive decision tha. I know how protective he gets for you. Mujhe aaj bhi yaad hain, bachpan mein jab bhi you both talk to each other over phone, he'll be sniffing in a corner. He wanted you to be away from your mother's cruelty. He wanted to protect you like how your father must have protected you. He wanted nothing but you smiling. Aur uss raath ke nightmare..he couldn't just come up with the fact that I became a reason if it. He acted reckless. Ismein galathi tum dhono ke childhood hain, not his intentions. I know my buddy well. Tu ismein math pad.

He hated someone questioning his friends' doings. Hadn't it been for Nandini, he wouldn't have explained, but just asked them to shut it.

Nandini: Why are you so good?

She asked softly, and he just chuckled.

Manik: Because, I had fallen in love with such a good girl.

He bent to claim her lips.

"Oh, no PDA, Mr. Malhotra!" he groaned hearing the voice.

Manik: Prathik!

Prathik kissed Nandini's cheeks quickly and climbed on her to sleep.

Manik: What the f..

Nandini: Manik, shush!

She glared at him, making him to gulp the curse down his throat.

Nandini: I think all of you are awake.

The next second, Prathik shifted on Manik, which made Karthik to entangle Nandini from Manik's hold and Manvik was in between them.

Manik: Damn you! I was about to kiss my girl, dude!

Karthik: And we are not yet adults to watch it, Daddy Malhotra!

Manik: Then close your eyes. Simple.

Manvik: Why are you so desperate.

Manik: Ugh!

But he stopped himself from shouting when he felt Prathik's even breath. He was asleep again. While, Nandini was glaring at Manik.

Nandini: Sometimes, he sleeps a lot. Between, aren't you guys having your concert today?

Karthik: We do, but we'll talk about it later, Mamma.

And he snuggled to her chest to get her warmth. She smiled before hugging both Manvik and Karthik, and tapped their heads. Soon, they too were asleep.

Manik: My sons can be adorable too.

Nandini: Yeah, fortunately they're like me.

Manik: Did you just mean I don't look adorable? Should I show it to you, now?

He leaned closer to her face. She pulled him by his collar while smirking.

Nandini: Unfortunately, your fiance is too bold.

Manik (groaned): Why can't you shy away, Nandu?

Nandini (giggled): Because, apparently, its my guy who is shy to stay even bare chest.

Manik bit his lips, and then glared at her. She moved closer to peck his lips making him smile.

Nandini: Stay happy, always!

She cupped his cheeks and he smiled before joining their foreheads, for their much needed peace.

Kitchen

Cabir: Kya ho raha hai yaha?

He walked in, to see Abhimanyu and Naila closing the refrigerator. They turned to look at Cabir, and grinned more than required.

Naila: Ah, kuch bhi tho nahi, uncle.

That gained Cabir's attention. He walked ahead and knelt down, in front of Naila.

Cabir: Why uncle?

She looked at him confusedly.

Cabir: I mean, you can call me Chachu, right? I'm your stupid father's best friend.

She giggled and looked at her father, who was glaring at Cabir, yet there was a glint of happiness in his eyes.

Naila: You don't mind me being closer to you, then!

Cabir (frowned): What?

Naila: Mamma kehthi hai when you call someone just Uncle or Aunt, they aren't that special to you, but if you use 'Ma', 'Papa', 'Chachu', 'Mamu', 'Maasi', then they are a lot important to you. And for Naila Thakkar, if someone becomes important in her life, then she doesn't get away from that person ever.

Cabir was smiling at her. He looked up at Abhimanyu, who was having only pride in his eyes.

Cabir: I never knew your Mamma can get matured too. Ye kab hua tha?

Naila: Shyad, Daady se shadi karne ke baad. Dhono ko ek dusre ko tolerate karna hain na!

Cabir (chuckled): Point hai, choti sahiba!

Naila: Huh?

Abhimanyu: That's something he used to use for your Mamma. Wo bheem sahiba hai iss bear keliye.

Cabir: Exactly, tho aap hui choti sahiba mereliye.

Naila (beamed in joy): I loved that name, though!

The men chuckled hearing her.

Cabir: So..bulaoge kya..Chachu mujhe?

Naila (smiled): Of course, Bear Chachu!

Cabir laughed out before picking her up in his arms.

Cabir: You know, I had stopped myself from getting close to this bundle of joy all this while, par ab se nahi.

He spoke while looking at Abhimanyu, who scowled at him.

Abhimanyu: Haa tho, tu kaha mere ya Mukti ke paas aaya ki hamari beti ke paas aayega!

Cabir: Yaar!

He gave an apologetic smile.

Cabir: I was guilty for whatever I..

He stared at Naila, who was smiling at him.

Naila: Mamu is all good with you, now?

Cabir nodded at her.

Naila: Then, that's all matters to us.

Cabir smiled. She was a mixture of her parents. Mischievous, yet a happy go lucky person.

Cabir: For sure, your future son-in-law is lucky to have her, chimpanzee!

That got Abhimanyu horrified. He clearly remembers Prathik's and Naila's cute banters.

Abhimanyu: Nooooo!

Both Cabir and Naila looked at him, terrified.

Abhimanyu: Listen, my baby is soft and a sweet. She's not getting hitched with that mischievous one, okay. Ek tho meri married life mein bhi kachra hai wo, oopar se meri beti ko bhi cheenne ki koshish kar raha hai!

Cabir: What the hell are you even saying, dude? Pee rakhi hai kya subah subah?

Naila: Pee rakhi mathlab? He just drank tea in the early morning, Chachu.

Cabir palmed his face before smiling sheepishly at Naila.

Cabir: Um, aapke bas ke baath nahi. Waise, aapke partner hai kaha?

Naila (pouted): She's still sleeping.

Cabir: Tho jaake utao!

Naila: Mein utaun?

Abhimanyu: Bear, no, usse sone dho. She was crying a lot, last night.

Cabir: Haa tho, why are friends for. Choti sahiba will cheer my daughter up. Kyun ji?

Naila: Bilkul ji.

Cabir kept Naila on the ground. She held his Tee's hem, and kissed his cheek.

Naila: You're sweet Chachu!

And she ran away, while Cabir smiled at the little Mukti.

Cabir: Ab batha, what had happened to you.

Abhimanyu (sulked): Yaar! My daughter is a soft baby. I'm not letting that giraffe's calf to marry her.

Cabir's jaws dropped down in shock.

Cabir: Whaaaat? Giraffe's calf? Chimpanzeeee, you're talking about our boys.

Abhimanyu: No, I'm talking about our BOY, Prathik Manik Malhotra!

Cabir: Ex..cuse me?

Abhimanyu: You know I love all his calves so much, mathlab, hamare bache hain na, par yar, shadi, wo bhi meri phool-si bachi ke saath. Not happening. Giraffe pe gaye hai theenon yar. Aur Prathik tho kuch zyada hi Manik Malhotra ke prankster side inheri kiya hain. He is always behind my married life. Patha nahi Mukti se kya kya nahi kehthe hain, that every night, she keeps interrogating me about my female patients. Mathlab, hadd hothi hain.

And that was it for Cabir, to thump on the floor while laughing crazily. But Abhimanyu realized, there was one more laughter. Of course, the giraffe himself was on the floor too.

Manik: Oh my God! My son is your future son-in-law?!

He kept laughing which just irked Abhimanyu.

Cabir: You thought about shadi too? God! Prathik is behind your wife too.

The duo laughed again. Abhimanyu took the spatula and showed it to the men, who stared at him.

Cabir: Er..are you angry?

Abhimanyu: Of course, not.

Manik and Cabir looked at each other before they started to run with Abhimanyu behind them.

Manik: Yaar, maaf kar na.

Abhimanyu: Kabhi nahi.

Cabir: Arey, we were just having fun.

Abhimanyu: Fun ke bache! Aur fun khaa tu!

And he started to beat them up. Having enough, the three fell on the floor of the living room, huffing for air to breathe.

Manik: Waise..how did you even think such things?

Abhimanyu: Aye, I'm not lying. Dekha mene, how Prathik fights with Nilu. The same way like how you and Nandu used to fight, and then end up in agreeing to what other says.

Manik was grinning.

Manik: Oh my God! Mathlab, Nilu will be coming to my home forever!

Cabir: Wow! Best friends' children getting married. How cool!

Abhimanyu started to sulk again, making Manik and Cabir to laugh out.

Manik: Chimpanzee, teri beti, ab meri beti hain.

And Abhimanyu was on his heels again behind Manik, while Cabir just sat there watching the drama without popcorn to eat.

They were getting back to being themselves again!

To be continued!