Every love story doesn't have a happy ending, but they do have too much of love to wish for another togetherness

(Affu)

Sometimes, some love stories don't work. Maybe, they are not meant to be. They are meant to be with someone else, but some love stories can also be so hard that even though, they seem to see a sad ending, they would have so much of love between the couples to wish for being together again.

At the Concert

It was the time of concert and everyone around were sitting with their hearts thumping loud. Malhotras and Dhawans were seated in the front, along with the chief guests.

Nandini: Kya dekh rahe ho, Manik?

She stared at Manik, who was looking around with a big smile on his lips.

Manik: Its a lot!

Nandini: What?

Manik: The people!

He stared at the viewers again, and he was right. They were a lot. The concert was happening in an open place. It was in a Park, which had a huge stage and a large area for the viewers to get seated.

Nandini: Nearly half of them are from their school.

She pointed at the teachers and their children's fellow school mates. Manik was beaming in joy.

Manik: They're so famous.

Nandini: They all love our sons' music.

She turned to face Manik, who was still feeling like he was living a dream.

Nandini: Just like how people loved their father's music.

He stared at her, who was smiling with a glint of pride in her eyes. He took her hand in his and entwined their fingers.

Manik: I will always be grateful towards you for gifting me them.

Nandini (smiled): You don't need to. I must be doing the same with you then.

He smiled at her, and they both turned towards the stage when an announcement was made.

Host: So are you guys ready for the performance by our very own "The Hackers"?

In return, there were hoots.

Host: Wow! I'm impressed! I mean, such a huge fan following for 9-year-old musicians. That's unbelievable. Anyhow, let's welcome the very talented band "THE HACKERS".

And the curtain raised with Alishka in the middle, towards her right, Karthik was seated and beside him, Manvik was seated with his guitar. While Prathik sat towards Alishka's left.

The cheers and hoots just increased on seeing them which increased the glint of pride in the kids' parents' eyes.

Alishka: Are you ready, Paris?

Alishka's cheerful voice hit the audience that they hooted again. Watching her daughter gaining too much of attention, Navya's eyes went watery. She held onto Cabir's hand as a support, who looked at her and then at his daughter. Surely, they were proud of her.

Karthik: Any wishes, Paris?

Manvik: Or can we go ahead with what we created for you?

"Yes" the crowd cheered, and the boys smirked.

Prathik: Alright, then!

Manik and Nandini tightened their hold on each other's hands while smiling at the boys.

Nandini (whispered): All the best!

Like predicted, their glances went up to Nandini and then at Manik, who gave a thumbs up to them, which brought grins on their faces. Soon, the crowd went silent, for it had music in the air.

Karthik: Maybe it's the way she walked (wow)
Straight into my heart and stole it
Through the doors and passed the guards (wow)
Just like she already owned it

Manvik: I said, "Can you give it back to me?"
She said, "Never in your wildest dreams."

All: And we danced all night to the best song ever
We knew every line
Now I can't remember
How it goes but I know
That I won't forget her
'Cause we danced all night to the best song ever

I think it went oh, oh, oh
I think it went yeah, yeah, yeah
I think it goes...

The Fab5 were cheering the loudest. They were getting back to themselves and now they want nothing but to get back with their music. Manik and Cabir had the proudest smiles on their lips on seeing their kids performing.

They were beyond magical.

Prathik: Said her name was Georgia Rose (wow)
And her daddy was a dentist

Manvik: Said I had a dirty mouth (I got a dirty mouth)
But she kissed me like she meant it

Karthik: I said, "Can I take you home with me?"
She said, "Never in your wildest dreams."

All: And we danced all night to the best song ever
We knew every line
Now I can't remember
How it goes but I know
That I won't forget her
'Cause we danced all night to the best song ever

I think it went oh, oh, oh
I think it went yeah, yeah, yeah
I think it goes...

The men narrowed their eyebrows at the lyrics while the ladies were giggling. They surely belong to the current generation.

Alishka and Prathik: You know, I know, you know I'll remember you
And I know, you know, I know you'll remember me

(oh, oh, oh
Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Manvik and Karthik: You know, I know, you know I'll remember you
And I know, you know, I hope you remember how we danced
How we danced
1, 2, 1, 2, 3

All: How we danced all night to the best song ever
We knew every line
Now I can't remember
How it goes but I know
That I won't forget her
'Cause we danced all night to the best song ever
(we danced, we danced, it goes something like, yeah)
Danced all night to the best song ever
We knew every line
Now I can't remember
How it goes but I know
That I won't forget her
'Cause we danced all night to the best song ever

I think it went oh, oh, oh
I think it went yeah, yeah, yeah
I think it goes...

Boys: Best song ever
It was the best song ever
It was the best song ever

And there was a silence before the crowed roared out of joy. They were shocked for a moment to see the 9-year-old champs singing like the real youth do, but then, they were jumping and cheering for them. The crowd was living in their music.

The Hackers stood up and bowed to the audience.

Host: Oh my God! What was that?!

The host came running to the stage and hugged each member of the band.

Host: I still can't get over with it. Surely, it was the best song ever!

In return, the siblings just smiled at her before smirking at the crowd, who was still cheering for them.

Host: Would you like to say something?

She spoke while looking at the boys with her cheeks reddened. Oh who would say they are 9-year-old that they get to have even the ladies' attention?!

Karthik: Hello, Paris!

Karthik, being the eldest grabbed a mic from the Host before smirking once more at the crowd, who went all dreamy on that smirk.

Karthik: Well, thanks for the love you're giving us now, and we hope to get it in the future too.

The crowd hooted for him. Karthik gave the mic to Manvik.

Manvik: Thanks, there. I would just like to mention that the lyrics for this song was done by him, prathik.

He pointed at Prathik, who glared at him before snatching the mic.

Prathik: Excuse me? Don't forget that you said youth loves to kiss, and we need to add the word kiss in here.

The crowd started to laugh out, while Manik, Abhimanyu and Cabir were glaring at the trio. On the other hand, the ladies were finding the entire thing cute.

Alishka: True that!

She gave a high-fi to Prathik. They are surely partners in everything.

Karthik: Coming back to the main point. This is going to be Hackers' last performance.

Karthik took the mic in his hold while chuckling at his siblings' bickering.

Host: What? Why?

Even the family members looked at them in worry.

Alishka: Oh nothing much. Hackers' era has come to end and..

She looked over at Naila, who was staring at her and nodding in negative.

Host: And?

Alishka: And THE DEVILS is beginning with their era.

"Devils?" the entire crowd shouted.

Karthik: Can we have Naila Abhimanyu Thakkar on the stage?

Naila stared at Karthik in shock. She wasn't ready for it yet. She was always a carefree girl who didn't bother about what others think. She loved to spread smiles but never asked for any smiles for her in return and today, watching the Malhotra boys and Alishka getting all the attention and them giving positive responses to it, she swore to God that she wouldn't be able to do the same, but now, her family want her there, beside them, on the stage in front of thousands of people.

Mukti: Nilu. Go ahead.

She shook her daughter, who hid herself behind Abhimanyu's legs. He chuckled before bending and picking her up in his arms.

Abhimanyu: Aapko bula rahe hai, Thakkar!

Naila: Mujhe nahi jaana, Daddy! Waha bohath saare log hain.

Abhimanyu: Lekin wahan aapke family bhi hain na.

But Naila kept denying. Looking at each other, Karthik and Manvik, looked at Prathik and Naila who nodded at them. The boys stepped down the stage and made their way towards Naila.

Karthik: Aye Mamu!

Abhimanyu looked down at Karthik and Manvik, who gave him a bored look.

Karthik: Can you put your daughter down?

Abhimanyu: Excuse me, why would I do that?

Manvik: Because, we are here to take our sister.

Abhimanyu: Firstly, she's my daughter, and then is your sister. Nilu, do you want to go?

Naila looked at him and then at her father, while peeking through her father's neck, as she was hiding her head in there.

Naila: I don't like too much of attention.

Karthik: Oh, its not for you.

Naila: Then?

Manvik: For Prathik! He keeps getting attention.

Naila: How the hell does that monkey gets all the attention?!

And she was on the ground huffing.

Karthik: He always takes our attention too. We thought you can change it?

They gave her puppy faces. Her heart melted. She smiled at Abhimanyu before holding both Manvik's and Karthik's arms.

Naila: Let's grab the attention here onwards!

Karthik/Manvik (smirked): That's like our little pumpkin!

Naila grinned at them before walking towards the stage, while Abhimanyu stared at his daughter's retreating figure in shock.

Abhimanyu: Giraffe! Your calves got my phool like daughter to a Tigress like one!

Manik and Cabir laughed out hearing him, who was sulking.

Clutching onto Karthik's and Manvik's arms, Naila climbed onto the stage and stood beside Alishka.

Prathik: What did you tell her to get her here?

He frowned at Naila, who shrugged her shoulders.

Naila: I hate when you get attention!

Prathik: Excuse me?

But Manvik broke their fight, before they could begin with it.

Manvik: And here is how THE DEVILS would look like!

He announced in the Mic.

Karthik: Meet her. Naila Thakkar. Our family.

And he hugged her from left, while Alishka hugged her from right. Soon, Manvik and Prathik joined them.

Prathik: And here we're marking the beginning of our new band.

That was she needed. Naila got through it, while smiling at the crowd, and this time the Fab5 looked at them with tears of joy in their eyes.

Their dream came true!

Our Nest

Anjali: Oh my Gor! Mere bachon ka gaana ekdum hit tha!

She hugged the four of them and put 'teeka' on their foreheads. She stared at Naila and grabbed her hand, who was standing beside Manik.

Anjali: Why do you always stand somewhere far from them?

Naila: Because they are the ones who performed today, not me.

Anjali: So what? You're a part of our family, and when anyone from family gets appreciated, you should join them. Also, you're going to be a part of their band too and for my kids, music and band means friendship, which also means family.

She stared at Fab 5, who smiled at her. She turned back to Naila and made her stand beside the rest four of them.

Anjali: Pari!

She turned to Nandini, and then roamed her eyes for Mukti and Navya.

Anjali: Aye chutki and munni!

Now, all three ladies were standing beside each other.

Anjali: Aaj ghar pe pooja rakhthe hain, bachon keliye. Pandit ji ko mein bulaoongi, ghar ke pooja preparations tum thenon ko karna hain. Uff, mujhe bhi bohath saare kaam hain.

Saying it, Anjali rushed upstairs while the rest just stared at her retreating figure in disbelief.

The Kitchen

Nandini walked inside the kitchen to see Navya making sweets which could be served after the pooja.

Nandini: Shall I help you?

Navya looked up at Nandini and nodded in positive, which made the latter one to join her.

Nandini: Aapse kuch kahun?

Navya stared at Nandini blankly.

Navya: We never bothered to get permission before we speak, Nandu!

Nandini (smiled faintly): That was us, 10 years ago, not the current Nandini and Navya.

Navya just looked on.

Nandini: I know, its not my right to say it, but I want you to know that its time for a closure.

She stared in Navya's eyes while smiling.

Nandini: My break up with Manik was the reason for the distance that you and Bhai created in between both of you, and now we are getting back together, but I can see you both still in the same boat.

Navya turned around and started to work, so that Nandini doesn't see her eyes getting teary.

Nandini: Mere aur Manik ke wajah se ladai karna hi zaruri nahi tha, but you are Manik's sister and you acted like how I would have acted to defend my Bhai. Par Bhabi, ye zindagi hain. Aur zindagi mathlab hamesha khushiyan nahi milthe. Kabhi kabhi, we need to make mistakes and then rectify it. Bhai ne Manik ke saath galath kiya, and he's rectifying that mistake, because Manik gave that chance but you aren't giving him that chance, Bhabi. I know my Bhai is at fault but I also know why, and Manik understands him well. For the past 10 years, he's been going through so much, and I couldn't do anything because he never let me in but he would have let you in. You both had lost your baby, Bhabi. Your first baby. Tab aapne usko permit nahi kiya, par ab kar sakthe ho na, when your brother has already forgiven him. Usse badi galthi tho nahi kiya na aapke saath?

Nandini smiled at Navya before continuing with her job, while Navya's tears had no end.

Navya: I..I never behaved with you the way I used to because I already knew about the truth and I didn't want you to know about it..Not the entire truth. I just got to know that there was no Harshad or something. He was hurting my Bhai on purpose, but I never knew about your nightmares. Agar batha diya hotha tho shayad, I would have helped him to take a wise decision, but I knew he was messed up since the topic was you. I..I'm sorry, Nandu for distancing myself from you. I'm so..

Nandini hugged Navya tight, who cried in her embrace.

Nandini: Its okay, Navu. We are all at fault.

On hearing her nickname rather than 'Bhabi' from Nandini, Navya cried harder and tightened her hold on her best friend.

They were getting back to themselves too.

In the afternoon

Cabir and Navya's Room

Cabir was getting ready for the pooja. Right before their lunch, Anjali wanted to have the pooja and everyone in the house were getting ready for it. Soon, Navya too walked out of walk-in-closet, clad in her saree, but what Cabir noticed was her face. it was so dull and had dried tear marks.

Without sparing a glance towards Cabir, Navya moved towards the mirror to comb her hair, while he kept looking at her through the mirror.

Cabir: Why did you cry?

Navya looked at Cabir in the mirror in shock, she didn't expect him to notice her or her dull face, while Cabir was staring right through her eyes. She shook her head at him in negative and the tied her hair before turning to leave.

Cabir: Navya!

He didn't touch her, like he promised her on the day they made love when they were drunk that he would never touch her without her permission.

Navya: Kuch nahi, Cabir.

Cabir walked ahead and stood before Navya.

Cabir: Look in my eyes!

Reluctantly, Navya looked up in Cabir's eyes, which was enough for her broken self to come out.

Cabir: Hey! hey! Tum ro kyu rahi ho?

He was about to wipe her tears, but he restrained himself from touching her.

Cabir: Navya, please wipe your tears. Don't cry, please.

She was wiping her tears, but more fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

Cabir: Navya! Please stop crying. Hua kya hai? Okay, mere liye nahi, but at least for Manik's sake, don't cry. He wouldn't like to see you crying.

She looked up at him, with her teary eyes.

Navya: So you don't mind me crying?

She spoke meekly and Cabir stared at her in surprise.

Cabir: Does it matter? If I mind you crying or don't, does it matter to you?

She whimpered looking at him, before clashing in his arms, which took him in surprise. She cried while tightening her hold on him, and he tried harder to decipher the situation.

Cabir: Na-vya!

Navya: Thak chuki hun mein, Cabir. Thak chuki hun.

Cabir stared down at her face, which was hidden in his chest.

Navya: I can't live like this anymore. I hated you for hurting my Bhai, but when I got to know about Nandu's nightmares, I was so angry that you didn't share with me. Maybe, we could have talked and decided something apt. But now I know, you weren't in a state of mind to discuss it with anyone.

She looked up at him and her lips were still wobbled.

Navya: All these while, I thought you separated them because you didn't want Nandu to leave you. But, I was so wrong. I can't take this guilt in, Cabir. I can't.

Cabir smiled at her. A small smile.

Cabir: I was still at fault, so you don't need to explain yourself. I shouldn't have done it with Manik and doll.

Navya: I know! But maybe, I should have been by your side when you didn't have anyone.

He looked away. That was the truth. Maybe, if Navya knew about the entire matter, then she would have guided him. She wouldn't have judged him, but guided him to the right path, but he just couldn't tell her. He was messed up because of lack of time that he wanted to run away with his sister and protect her from everything that could harm her. And when Navya finally realized, it was all his plan, she mistook the reason behind it to be his insecurities.

Navya: Can you hold me?

He stared back at her, whose eyes were pleading him.

Cabir: I'd promised you.

Navya: I want you to break that promise. Please. Will you?

Staring deep in her eyes, he raised his shivering arms, to embrace her tight in his arms, and that was it before their eyes started to well up again.

Navya: I missed you! And I'm sorry!

Cabir: Shh! Don't!

He hugged her tight, while buzzing her head which lead her to cry more. She had missed him so much.

Downstairs

Living room

Abhimanyu: Whaaaat? Teri shadi?

Abhimanyu sprinted up, before walking towards where Manik and Nandini were sitting. Manik smiled expecting Abhimanyu to hug him, but it never happened.

Abhimanyu: Finally! Meri behen ki shadi ho rahi hain!

He hugged Nandini, who giggled at Manik, while hugging Abhimanyu.

Manik (pissed): Chimpanzee!

Abhimanyu: What? Don't disturb us. We are having a bro-sis moment.

Manik: Oh, I don't care. If you don't mind, can I just let you know that your sister is getting married to me. Me, a.k.a your best friend.

Abhimanyu shrugged his shoulders at him.

Abhimanyu: Do you think I'm dumb? Of course, I know the possessive monster won't let his lady love to get married to someone else.

And he concentrated back to Nandini. He made her sit on the couch. He knelt down, on the floor before her and started to remove the black thread that he had around his wrist. Nandini stared at him in confusion.

Manik: Tera hubby kar kya raha hai?

He spoke to Mukti, who was sitting beside him.

Mukti (smiled): Something he wanted to 10 years ago.

Manik stared at her before staring at Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu: Haath dikha.

Nandini: Kyu?

Abhimanyu: Dikha na!

She forwarded her hand to him, and Abhimanyu tied that very same black thread around her wrist.

Nandini: Bhai! Kya kar rahe ho? Yeh aapka hai na?

Abhimanyu: Nahi! Yeh tumhara hain. Yaad hai? When Cabir announced your marriage with Manik, I was beaming in happiness. My little sister was getting married. but I was worried too, teri shadi iss monster ke saath fix kiya na.

He heaved a sigh while pointing at Manik, who glared at him. Nandini and Mukti giggled.

Abhimanyu: Opposite always attracts! Isiliye, tere jaise soft hearted ladki ko iss angry giraffe se pyar hua. Phir bhi, I was happy that you were getting your love.

He cupped her cheeks making her smile at him.

Abhimanyu: Isiliye, I'd gone to temple and got you a thread. Well, I never believed in it, but Daadi did believe in evil eye. I didn't want anything bad to happen when you were getting married, but guess I was late.

Nandini was smiling warmly at him. Surely, he is another best brother a girl could ask for. While Manik and Mukti were also smiling at them.

Abimanyu: From now on wards, this will protect you. Don't you dare remove it ever.

He warned her sweetly and she hugged him, making him hug her back.

Nandini: Thank you. Bhai. Thank you for being my Bhai.

Abhimanyu: Of course, I need to be your Bhai. Kisiko tho bachane hai tujhe iss giraffe se!

They chuckled while breaking the hug.

Manik (groaned): Don't forget that she's getting married to this giraffe soon.

"Marriage?" someone shouted, and they turned behind to see the kids staring at them in surprise. Manik and Nandini stared at each other in awkwardness. Talking about getting married in front of their kids was getting so awkward for them.

Manvik: You're getting married?

He walked ahead and asked to Nandini and Manik, who nodded at them in positive. That was it for the boys to smile widely. Karthik and Prathik pulled Manik up, from the couch and made him sit beside Nandini, and the three boys jumped on them for a hug.

Boys: We love you!

Manik: You really don't mind? I mean, you guys are grown up and have to see your parents getting married!

They broke the hug and stared at their parents.

Prathik: What's bad in it? Everyone's parents are married, but not ours. You think it will bother us?

Karthik: Hell no! It just made our day!

Manvik: Mom and Dad's marriage. Wow! That sounds so cool! We are gonna enjoy our parents' marriage.

Manik and Nandini laughed before hugging the boys while Abhimanyu and Mukti stared at them smilingly.

Nandini: What are you waiting for?

She looked at the girls making them to join the hug.

Mukti (smiled): I'm finally so happy, Abhi!

Abhimanyu took her in his embrace while staring at Manik's and Nandini's happy faces.

Abhimanyu: I know! I can't even express my share of happiness, though.

They smiled at their friends' and then the kids. 'Happiness' finally decided to knock at their doors and they were more than glad to welcome it in.

To be continued.