It might take years to fall in love, but it wouldn't even take a second to fall in love with the one whom your heart already have chosen for him

(Affu)

One might take days, years or even a lifetime to fall in love but that doesn't stop his heart from falling for the person who used to be the one he loved since forever.

Our Nest

Nandini couldn't even move from her place. She stood her on debating with herself whether to open the door or be locked inside for the entire night. But with Manik? Not happening.

While, Manik stood there watching her getting scared. It was always him who take all her worries out but the irony it is, the same person have become the reason of her worries, now.

She walked towards the door while taking baby steps and he kept staring at her movements though, his heart wanted to stop her.

"Mamma..are you in there? Damn, this is locked. She's supposed to be in here." she heard Prathik's voice and her heartbeats were raising. She turned to Manik to glare at him, who masked himself to be a cruel guy in front of her.

"Bhai. What are you doing here? I thought you were in kitchen." Nandini stopped walking on hearing Alishka's voice.

"Actually, Mamma isn't opening the door..wait, is that cake? Our RED VELVET CAKE it is, Alishka Dhawan and you're busy relishing it without us?" this time it was Manvik's voice.

"So what? It's not written anywhere that you can't eat that which isn't your favorite. Plus, I think Bua is in the study with Papa. I have seen Naanu and Big Naanu moving towards Papa's study." and Nandini breathed a sigh of relief on hearing her sons agreeing to Alishka and moving away.

Manik: Relieved, huh?!

She looked back at him to see him smirking. He walked towards her and corned her to the door.

Manik: Maybe, this is your last chance. Kya patha aise situations phir aaye par bachane keliye koi nahi aayega. Hmm?

Nandini (raged): Why are you doing it, Manik? What are you going to get in return?

He pulled her to him building lots of emotions in them.

Manik (gritted his teeth): Because, I want to see you broken. Did you hear me? Broken, all broken in bits of pieces just like how you broke me.

And he walked out after opening the door while she thumped on the floor in tears.

Nandini (muttered): I'm already broken, Manik. Farak ithna hai ki..tumne kabhi notice nahi kiya.

She wiped her tears and walked out of the room making sure that none noticed her coming out of it. But she was wrong.

Someone did see her coming them out and it was Navya!

Navya (smiled to herself): Chahe nafrath keliye hi sahi, you both are coming together and I'll make sure that I'll get you both together for your love.

She was determined and that was the reason why she sent her daughter to the boys so that Nandini could be saved from any accusations or her sons' questions.

Downstairs

Dinner time

Adyant: Nandu, we have finalized the place for our project. You need to have a look at it, tomorrow.

Nandini nodded though she was praying in her heart that he doesn't reveal out she wasn't with them in the study.

Navya's case was no less. She was thinking for an idea to stop Adyant from speaking anything related to it.

Adyant: And yeah, take Manik with you.

Nandini snapped her head at Adyant in shock and so Manik which soon turned into a smirk after looking at her.

Cabir (surprised): What? But why? I can go with her, Naanu.

Navya rolled her eyes at her husband and then stared at Adyant with all the love that she has for him.

She was becoming that drama queen whom she left 10 years back, which is still unknown to her!

Adyant (frowned): When did you cancel all your programmes? You said that you're having back to back meetings for tomorrow.

Cabir cursed himself after hearing his grandfather.

Adyant (disbelievingly): Stop being that protective, Cabir. Nandu ab college girl nahi hai, she's grown up lady and a mother of 3 kids. So, Manik isn't gonna try his luck on her.

He spoke casually that Manik started coughing while drinking water making Abhimanyu to pat his friend's head. Nandini stared at Manik in worry.

Coughing and Manik were always enemies!

Abhimanyu (chuckled): Dheere Manik.

Manik glared at him while rubbing his chest and then drank a little more water when his gaze fell on a worried Nandini gazing at him, who teared it away on noticing him looking at her.

He could read worry in her eyes and for a minute he thought, she was His Nandini!

Manik (thought): Does she care?

He shook his head calling himself an idiot.

Cabir: Naanu, what I meant is..why to bother him? I can get her to the site once I get free.

Manik (smirked): Its not at all a problem, Mr. Dhawan. Even, I'm a part of this project so nothign related to it will be a problem to me.

Cabir glared at Manik who was smirking at him and then turned to Adyant with a sweet smile which became the old man's favorite.

Adyant: Thank you, son.

Manik smiled back and turned to Cabir.

Manik: I assure you, Mr. Dhawan, your sister will be safe with me.

This made both Navya and Nandini to stare at Manik on knowing the pain that he's going through while Cabir stared at him blankly before looking down.

But the boys looked at each other with a bad face making Alishka to giggle and Naila to frown.

Naila: Why are you giggling, Alishka?

Alishka: Arey, just look at them, you would laugh too.

Naila frowned again and then looked at the boys who were glaring at Alishka to which she just rolled her eyes.

Naila: What's new in it? I've always seen them glaring at one or the other.

Boys: Excuse me? What did you just say?

Naila just ignored them which raised their anger.

Prathik (glared): Ashu, ask your friend to shut her mouth.

Naila: Unfortunately, you won't be able to eat if you close your mouth.

Alishka giggled hearing it making Prathik to bang his hand on the table taking everyone's attention.

Navya: Prathik, kya hua?

Prathik: Nothing Maami.

He continued to eat and Nandini sighed after seeing the angry look on his face and turned to Alishka who was busy in giggling.

Nandini (muttered): Of course, she loves to irritate them and I think, she's got a partner in it.

She looked at Naila, who was giggling along with Alishka making her smile at them.

Post Dinner

Karthik: Mamma..!!

He walked towards Nandini and laid his head on her lap.

Nandini (smiled): Kya bath hai! Aaj aap akela hain.

Karthik: Yeah. They both are playing X-box and I was getting bored so..

She sighed hearing him. She knows its just an excuse to clear his mind. Among her sons, it was Karthik the most like his father. She always called them xerox copies of their father but if at all someone asks her who's the mini MANIK MALHOTRA, then it's Karthik Manik Malhotra!

Nandini: Spill it, Malhotra!

And she got busy in the papers that she was holding in her hand making her son to pout sadly.

Karthik: You don't love me.

Nandini: And why would you think like that?

Karthik: Because, you're giving importance to those papers which you get from trees while me? I came from your womb and you're giving me the least importance. How could you, Mamma?

She started to laugh hearing him and he looked away grumpily.

Karthik: Don't talk to me.

Nandini (laughing): Seriously? From where are you getting such comparisons?

Karthik (whined): Mamma..!!

Nandini composed herself and kept a finger on her lips and he gave her a grin.

Nandini: Chalo, ab bathao. What's the matter?

Karthik (sadly): Mamma, why am I so tall?

She gave him an amused look as this was the first time she's hearing him asking about his height.

Nandini: What? Why are you..asking such a thing, now?

Karthik: Why do you always answer with a question?

Nandini (sighed): Because, you always come up with something different. Now, tell me, why are you asking such a question?

Karthik hugged her and snuggled in her stomach.

Karthik: You know, today we met a newbie. He was very nervous to attend the school. We helped him to get into the right class and tried to be friendly with him. You've asked us not to trouble weak ones, right. So, we were just following it. He too became friendly with us but then Mamma, he taunted us by saying that we're too tall to be 9 years old. I didn't like it, even if he was joking around like a friend.

Nandini kept ruffling his hairs while he looked up at her and spoke with a sad face.

Karthik: Is it bad to be too tall, Mamma? He isn't the first one to point out that.

She smiled at his innocence which he always hide behind that arrogance. She bent and kissed his forehead lovingly.

Nandini: There's nothing bad to be tall, baby. In fact, you should be proud of it. There are people who craves to be taller but they simply couldn't. Your Mamma is an example.

She pouted at the end making him chuckle which brought the smile back on her face.

Karthik: My Mamma doesn't need to be tall, she's beautiful in and out so a little more height wouldn't create any difference in it.

She poked his nose making him scrunch his nose.

Nandini: Tho phir aaj ke baad aise sochna bhi math. My sons are the most wanted guys among girls and your height is a plus point.

She winked at him making him chuckle. He got up and hugged her tightly.

Karthik: I love you, Mamma!

He broke the hug and kissed her cheeks and got up when she stopped him.

Nandini (smiled): Will it help if I say that you're tall because of your father?

He stared at her in surprise while she smiled at him.

Nandini: He was too tall for any girl to match with his height phir tumhari Mamma kya cheez hain.

She smiled and that was when she noticed the spark in her son's eyes.

Karthik: Really?

She nodded and he ran upstairs happily after kissing her cheeks once more making her smile huger.

Nandini (muttered): And I'm not a good mother too, Mani. They're not happy without your presence which I'm denying.

She reclined herself on the couch and closed her eyes while sighing sadly but there was someone who was watching the entire mother-son conversation without getting into their notice.

The person walked back to his/her room when suddenly got banged into something.

Person: Abhi?

Abhimanyu (frowned): Is everything alright, Mukti?

Mukti just nodded and walked inside their bedroom with Abhimanyu following behind her and closed the door.

Mukti: Do you really think that Nandini has moved on?

This statement of hers just shocked Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu: Um..yeah, she's happy with her family..

Mukti: Then, why can't I see it, Abhi?

She shouted and turned to face him, who stood rooted to see her this frustrated.

Mukti (yelled): Why can't I see the Nandini that I know in her, now? Why does she look so broken when she already has 3 kids of her own? Moreover, why..why do I feel like she hasn't moved on?!

She whispered at the end and thumped on the bed making Abhimanyu to rush towards her.

Abhimanyu: Hua kya hain, Mukti? Why are you behaving so weird?

She looked up at him with tears stained face.

Mukti (whispered): They're a lot like Bhai!

He frowned at her while she started to sob.

Mukti: Kahi..kahi wo mere Bhai ke tho nahi? Kahi mene..apne hi Bhai ke..khoon ko tho hate kiya?

Abhimanyu: What are you even saying, Mukti? Samjhao pehle mujhe phir riddles mein bath karo tum.

She held her head and started to walk around the room while muttering curses to herself.

Mukti: Can it be true? If yes, then? No. I had promised myself to love my family but I was busy in hating my Bhai's blood. No. No. No.

She was going hysteric that Abhimanyu had to raise his hand at her making her flinch in his place. He took her in his arms and she cried in there. He saw the same vulnerable Mukti that he got to see years back, even before they fell in love with each other and this sight just..pained him.

Abhimanyu (whispered): What is it, Mukti?

Mukti (cried): They're a lot like my Bhai, Abhi.

Abhimanyu: Who are a lot like your Bhai?

Mukti: Nandini's sons.

Abhimanyu got frozen on his place while she continue by staying in his arms.

Mukti: The way they fought with those kids..today, it..it looked like..Bhai was fighting aur aaj Karthik..Nandini ke paas gaya tha. They were just talking casually but I didn't know why..I got attracted to that sight. I felt myself getting attached towards her sons. And you know..he..he spoke just like how..Bhai used to speak out to Maasi. Aur tumhe patha hain?

She broke the hug and looked in his eyes who was gazing at her curiously.

Mukti: Nan..Nandini called him 'Malhotra'..

He stared at her wide eyed.

Mukti (nodded): Haa, just like how she used to address Bhai, the same way. Bhai hamesha uske samne ek kid tha and today..I saw a mini version of him in Karthik..Aisa kyun Abhi? Kyun aaj uss school ke principal bhi 'Malhotras' use kiya, as their surname? Why am I feeling so connected to them?

She cried again his arms while Abhimanyu couldn't even believe what his wife was saying.

Abhimanyu (whispered): Does it mean..can..can they be..Manik's?

Mukti wept in his arms and looked up at him and he saw her all broken.

Mukti: Kithna kuch kaha tha mene Nandini ko! Kithna hate kiya mene wo theen bachon ko thinking their father destroyed my Bhai's life! Kahi wo sach mein..mere Bhai ka hua tho...?!

She shuddered with the thought and screamed while pulling her hair making Abhimanyu to push her more to him.

Abhimanyu: Shh..baby relax. I'm here to take all your pain. Don't lose yourself. Wadha kiya tha na tumne that you would never get back to that old Mukti but will be Abhimanyu's Mukti.

He broke the hug and wiped her tears and cleaned her eyeliner smudged face and Mukti nodded at him like a kid.

Abhimanyu (smiled): Then, just trust me. I'm getting everything alright. Aur tumne koi galathi nahi ki. Manik is your brother, the same brother for whom you could give your life away so taking his side even if he's wrong doesn't make you wrong anywhere, baby.

By the time, he has finished, he took her to bed and tucked her in and she held his hand tight in her grip.

Abhimanyu (smiled): You need some sleep.

He palmed her eyes making her to close them and slowly, she drifted into her slumber while Abhimanyu kept staring at her in pain.

Abhimanyu: I don't want to see that old Mukti again, God. It kills me to see her this vulnerable.

He took his mobile and messaged someone:

"Can we meet? In private." and he sighed once he got the reply in positive.

Abhimanyu: I need to find the truth out!

Next Day

Nandini walked out of the Mansion and got to see the one whom she needed to go with.

Nandini: Hope, we're going to the same destination, Mr. Malhotra.

Manik looked up from his mobile only to see Nandini staring at him expressionless.

Manik (smirked): Of course, Mrs...aah, you need to tell me what I should call you, at least in public.

Nandini (disinterestedly): Its Miss D.

And she walked ahead while he stared at her in confusion.

Manik: What's Miss D?

Nandini: None of your concern. Isn't that your car?

She pointed at the Black Audi Q5 and Manik smirked at Nandini.

Manik: Seems like you know a lot about me!

Nandini (pissed): Unfortunately, richness speak its character out.

She walked ahead and stood beside the car to open the door making him to jog towards it and quickly opened the door for her.

Manik (smirked): I hope you know, I'm not among those who let a lady down.

She rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't know about her, but we really didn't know." they heard a voice from nearby and looked at the source.

Nandini: What the hell are you guys doing here?

They just grinned at her making her pissed.

Nandini: I'm asking you something, boys. Manvik, speak up.

Manvik just shrugged and looked at his right where Prathik and Karthik was also seated but the difference was they were busy in playing games while hitting each other.

Manik: When did you get in my car?

He asked with an amsued look on his face and the boys paid deaf ears to him.

Nandini: Karthik..Prathik..

She warned them. Not to forget, she dislikes when someone ignore Manik and if they're his own sons then..

She would obviously become a Mother India!

Karthik looked up and gave a look to Manik.

Karthik: Your car's key was on the couch when you were busy in checking something in your mobile and we used the situation to get inside your car. Happy?

He ended with a sarcastic grin which Manik returned back.

Manik: How sweet of you!

Prathik: Well, I think he knows how sweet he is. Can you guys get in so that we won't be disturbed again?!

Nandini (glared): And why the hell are you coming with me?

Manik (glared): It should be 'coming with us' the term.

Nandini (ignored his tone): Whatever!

He gave her a pissed look.

Manvik: Isn't it obvious that we wouldn't let you travel alone with a man! Hop in Miss Dhawan!

Nandini sighed and got inside the car and closed the door while Manik stood there in shock.

Manik (muttered): Miss Dhawan?!

Manvik rolled the glass down and clicked his fingers in front of Manik bringing him out of his trance.

Manvik (frowned): What?

Manik (frowned): What?

Manvik: Arey what?

Manik (confusedly): Wahi tho mein bhi pooch raha hoon. What, dude?

Manvik (pissed): What the hell, dude!! Its you who is lost somewhere. Don't you wanna leave to the new project site? Where were you lost?

Manik: Nothing and nowhere.

He muttered before jogging to the other side and got inside the car and ignited the engine.

Inside the car

Manik: I need help in it.

He forwarded the mobile to Nandini and she frowned at him but then it clicked her.

Nandini: You know I'm not that good in navigation.

And she realized what she said. They looked at each other for a moment and he looked away making her to do the same. While someone took the mobile from Manik's hand making him to look a the person.

Nandini: Prathik..!!

Prathik: Its always meh among us who's the navigator. So..Mr. Malhotra, address please?

Manik kept staring at Prathik in a daze and Nandini held her tears back while looking outside the window.

Of course, he has to be the best in navigating as he's MANIK MALHOTRA'S son who can even navigate the place that he has seen only for once in his life, probably years back.

Manik: Route de Suresnes, its an..

Prathik: An area covered with business hotels, probably more than 50 hotels. Got it, Mr. Malhotra.

And Manik stared at Nandini who didn't even look at him. He got back to his driving but his mind kept going back at the way how Prathik boasted himself to be the best in navigation just like how he always does it.

Prathik: Go straight for 3 k.m.s and then take a right.

He nodded at Prathik but his glance went up to the boys, who now were fighting with each other and Nandini was keep on asking them to shut up.

For a moment, he felt himself enjoying it. He felt like it was his family. Why was he feeling it? He didn't have any answer to it.

Karthik: Watch out, Mr. Malhotra!

He spoke in horror when he saw a car coming towards them but Manik took a swift turn and got themselves saved.

Nandini: Manik!!

Manik: Are you alright?

He looked at her and then the kids in utmost worry while she held his hand and then stared at the boys who looked scared for a moment but then calmed themselves down.

Manvik: Yeah, Mamma.

"Are you alright?" they asked in chorus and she smiled at them while nodding. They turned to Manik too unexpected by Manik. Yet, he nodded at them and turned back to driving but what they didn't notice was noticed by the boys.

The entwined fingers of Manik and Nandini which happened the moment they heard Karthik yelling!!

The brothers looked at it and then at each other in shock..

To be continued..