Abhi self talk : Nandini although I said, that I leave all on your destiny but I will make sure to be part of it and change it according to my will. Manik is my bestfriend aka more like my brother but in this case I can't forget what promise I had made to appa, amma because I m bind with it, being their son and your elder brother, ie to keep you always happy, safe and make sure you don't ever cry for someone or something.
He reminded his mind taking Nandini in his embrace with a sly smile.

There was nothing wrong, if he was thinking about his little sister first,as she was the only family he had, the only blood bond. He is not being wicked or evil but is thinking practically, what is good for her and trying to keep her away from all the drama which will soon start in Manik's life after he get's to know the new information. He does not want nandini to be part of this all mess ie exactly fair enough as he is possessive about her baby doll. While he will always be there for Manik, in whatever situation.

Manik had heard their conversation from where nandini had stop Abhi and was surprise to hear Abhi but soon he realized his point of view too which was clearly appropriate as any brother would see his sister's happiness. And knowing him well it made it more clear that he would definitely never agree for any such arrangements, but in last whatever he said ie leaving all on Destiny was surprising for Manik.

Manik self talk : Abhimanyu had his eyes always fix on Nandini, that the only reason he notice all and question me and nandini so many times indirectly. But there is nothing wrong in this after all he is a possessive and overprotective brother and love's nandini alot. But him getting convince so easily on whatever nandini said is surprising as I know him well, he will never change his point of view so easily, for no one then why today. Anyways whatever it is, I came to know that I have my well wisher who always think good about me and want to see me happy. And nandini she trust's me and meant whatever she told till now. I will never regret to befriend with her hopefully.
He said biting his lower lips smiling cutely like a teen boy and moving back to Mukti where they were sitting.

Abhimanyu and Nandini broke the hug.

Abhi: Abb chali
He said smiling at her.

Nandini nodded and followed him.

They had their coffee with chit chatting and left for botanical Garden soon.

On reaching out there, the other three realized that Abhimanyu was not lying as it was really too crowded because of the flower's festival.

In parking lot,
Abhi: Toh hai na crowded, juth nai bol raha tha.
He said grumpily.

Man: Haa okay par ticket kahan hai.
He said same grumpily, raising his eye brow.

Abhi: Tu Maria ko hutha aiga. Abb thak soo rahe hai. Awake her up.
He said ignorning his question.

Manik nodded and tried to wake her up.

Mukti and Nandini were talking, when they saw butter masala corns stall.

Nan: Butta
She shouted happily pointing at the stall.

Mu: Haa, wait I will bring for you
She said and took out her wallet from her bag keeping the bag again in the car.

Nan: Wait why are you going bhai will bring
She said and looked around for her bhai but he was no where to be seen only Manik was there manofy Maria to wake up.

Nan: Bhai kahan gayai
She asked Mukti looking around.

Mu: phata nai.... tu yaha ruk mai corns likey aati hu
She said moving to the stall

Nan: Wait don't go alone I will come with you.
She shouted and ran behind her.

Maria got up all cranky and grumpy.

Maria : papa lettin me sleepin
She said with her eyes closed pouting throwing her legs and hands around, hidding her face in Manik neck.

Man : Princess you will miss to see different type of flowers. So wake up you slept alot.
He again tried to wake her up.

Maria did move a budge instead she wrap her arms around manik neck, and made her self more comfortable in his arms.

Man: Maria get up, you won't sleep at night then and trouble me. Get up.
He said this time angrily, shaking her.

On listening to his angry voice Maria got up crying loudly and angry.

Man: Stop crying
He again shouted on her

While she cried more loudly.

Man: Maria enough. One more drop of tear and I swear you will had it from me.
He said angrily glaring at her.

Maria saw her papa glaring at her angrily, she stop crying loudly but was sobbing silently and wiping her tears.

Abhimanyu came there and saw Manik angry and Maria crying.

Abhi: Kya hua
He asked Manik and took Maria in his arms.

Manik looked at Maria again angrily as she was crying to which she wiped her tears and hid in Abhi arms.

Abhi was patting her back knowing that she was crying.

Abhi: Why is she crying kya kiya tu ni
He asked Manik annoyingly.

Manik stared at him and made a LIKE SERIOUSLY face.

Man: Kya kiya maine matlab.
He asked with annoyances.

Abhi: Manik she is crying
He said as a matter of fact.

Man: She know's I don't like her crying yet she will cry. Moreover I told her now not to cry yet....
He said grinting his teeths angrily.

Man: Maria look at me
He said trying to make her face him, on which she clutched Abhi shirt more tightly hidding her face more inside him.

Man: Maria look here....I m telling you last time.
He shouted again on her threaten her to face him.

Abhi was surprised, Manik would always handle Maria patiently for the first time he was all red in anger on her.

Abhi: Dude what wrong with you kyu chilla raha hai. Pagal hogaya hai kya. You know she is crying more because of your this anger. Kaisi hutha na bhul gaya hai uski kya. Why are getting all this angry and frustrated. Calm down first.
He replied to him angrily.

Abhi: She is scared of u, look she is shivering....
He said taking her more in his embrace while glaring at Manik.

Man: She is shivering because of cold not me. Jacket nai paina hai uskni and angry yes because I hate to see her crying over small small things. And she too know that very well yet she has to cry. I want her to be bold not this scared types. Afterall she is Manik Malhotra daughter.
He said angrily and pulled Maria from Abhi embrace.

Maria cried out loudly.

Maria: frie...friendz
She cried

Abhi pulled her back and jacket too from Manik hand and glared at him angrily

Abhi: Malhotra she is small, kids cry when you wake them up like this from their sleep. Stop being all this worked up. Control ur angry. And cool down orelse I will do the needful of emptying a cold water bottle on your head.
He said moving away from him with Maria.

While Manik stood angrily crusing Abhi under his breathe. And looked at him taking Maria somewhere he stomped his feet and went behind them.

Abhi took her near the railing which had a platform where he made her sit.

It was too cold out there as there was a huge waterfall behind them and a river flowing down in the valley. The scenery was mind blowing.

Maria looked around yet sobbing silently and soon her sob stopped after seeing the scenery.

Abhi: My baby like this huh
He asked making her wear her jacket and wollen cap to protect her from cold to which she bobbed her head cutely and sat there folding her leg looking around.

Manik smiled looking at her princess from distant as she was looking too cute, because of cold & all her crying, her cheeks had turn red plumpy.

Manik saw from distant Abhimanyu was talking to Maria about something and she cutely bobbing her head sometimes left to right orelse up and down and was talking too with him.

There was a tap on his shoulder he turn to find Mukti and Nandini standing holding butter masala corn in plastic glass, in both their hands.

Mu: Abhi kahan hai
She asked Manik

Nan: What are you doing here
She raised a eye brow.

Man: Where were you two ???
He asked looking at them.

Abhi : Wow questions questions game chal rahe hai
He asked walking to them with Maria, holding her hand.

Manik looked at Maria while she didn't look at her papa and hung her head down.

Mu: Where were you ??
She asked handing him Masala corns.

Abhi: Wow man...
He said taking it from her hand and eating using his hands while licking his fingers.

Man: Spoon hai
He said gesturing him the spoon which Mukti was holding for him.

Abhi: Angras ki aulad.... What fun you get eating like this na spoon si nai milta.
He said continuing, eating in that way.

Mu: You might be enjoying par it look disgusting like this in public Abhi.
She said looking around.

Abhimanyu made a face 'AS IF I CARE'

Nan: Manik
She nudge him offering him the corn.

Man: No thanks Nandini
He gave a fake smile declining.

Abhi: Kya No....trust me they are yummy... You should eat.

Man: Mood nai hai.... you guy enjoy

Abhi: Oye foodie tujhe khaani ki leyai kab mood chayai.
He asked with astonishment.

Manik made a WHATEVER face.

Abhi: Acha view out there is awesome let go out there and sit phir aandar jati hai.
He said dragging Manik with him taking his glass from Nandini.

Nan: Abb aisai kya hua again.
She said softly and walk behind them to her surprise Maria hold her hand and walked with her to which nandini smiled, gripping her hand tightly in assurance.

They stood there looking at the sight and enjoying the view.

Mu: It so beautiful....
She said looking around with wide eyes.

Nan: I swear.... I have toh fallen in love with this place. And the rainbow Omg look there Mukti.
She was feeding Maria corns while she sat same like before on platform crossing her legs ie Indian style eating from her hand.

Manik eyes were fix on her baby, who was sitting silently with a sad face.

Mu: This waterfall is better than last one.

Nan: Yup we should have played over here with water not there.
She complained with a pout.

Manik made a disbelief face looking at her.

Man: Miss Murty there is only one way you can play in this water.

Nan: Acha kyon sa
She asked excitingly.

Man: If you jump from here right down and I think that will be called suicide. Exciting na
He answered mimicking her.

Nandini starred angrily at him with wide mouth

Nan: Man...Manik
She was red with anger.

Abhi And Mukti were laughing loudly.

Nan: Bhai, Mukti it's not funny okay.
She said annoyingly.

Abhi tried to stop his laughing session while Manik was smirking looking at her.

Abhi taking her in side hug.

Abhi: Baby doll do you see any way that we are reach there.

She open her mouth to speak something and closed again. On which Manik chuckled.

Nan: Aren't we getting late to go inside....chalo.
She said making Maria stand on her feet and walked away from there.

They went inside the garden and started exploring the place.

It was beautiful with different plant species around them and greenery.

The fragrances of different flowers was giving immense pleasure and peace to their soul.

All the while Maria was walking with Nandini holding her hand and Manik was walking exactly behind them.

While Mukti was taking pictures of different flowers and dragging Abhi with her to take pictures which was making him irritated.

Nan: Maru this is so pretty na
She asked her taking her near rose plantations.

On which Maria nodded, she was touching the rose petal with her tiny finger feeling it's smoothness.

Nan: Manik take my and Maria picture na over here.
She turned behind and handed her phone to him.

Man: Am I looking like a photographer out here.
He asked her annoyingly.

Nan: Acha na we will take a selfie too later on of all three, of us....don't feel left out. Now take our pic.
She said giving a sad pout.

Manik starred at her face with disbelief he was feeling like banging his head.

He snatched her phone and went some distant away to take their photo.

Nan: Acha lena...
She yelled gaining attention of people around.

Nan: Sorry
She looked into Manik biting her tongue smiling sheepishly.

Nan: These rose should come haa... Manik
She spoke again when Manik was about to click, geaturing the roses behind them.

Nan: Wait...Maru u stand here...and wait catch this flower like this.
She made Maria pose for the pic....

Nan: Haa now click kitna time you take for clicking a pic Manik.
She shouted on him.

While Manik stood with shock expression. Poor guy was patiently waiting for her and she was blaming him.

Man: She is totally crazy
He muttered softly under his breathe.

Nan: Arrey click na
She shouted again.

Man: Haa na
He said being irritated from her blabbering.

Nan: Wait roses aani chayai haa... all different colours and take one close up mai and other dursi.
She spoke again.

Man: Nandini mountains, sky, clouds, birds anything else you want in your picture if you want I will arrange a tiger too, out there behind you.
He said angrily being frustrated by her endless blabbering.

Nandini smiled sheepishly and nodded in a no biting her lower lips.

Man: Good now can I click.

She again nodded and pose.

But her photo session didn't get over she made him take in close up then with her different poses like pouting, wearing glares, carrying Maria etc

She even made Maria pout and wear glares on which Manik smiled looking at her love who was looking so cute.

Man: Hogaya na.... bus now haa
He said handing her phone to her being frustrated.

Nan: Nai now with you
She said cribbing like a kid oning her camera

Man: No thanks
He said trying to walk away but she pulled him and made him bent down on Maria level.

In one selfie she made Maria stand between them another she was in between.

All this while Manik was trying to register what's going on he was looking at her while taking the pic she used to turn his face towards camera amd tell him to smile.

Nan: Now you come in between.
She said going on his side.

Man: Miss selfie obessed queen enough.

Nan: Last one we all will pout okay..... Maria I showed you na like that.

Listening to this Manik was shocked infact that was understatement to describe his state.

Nan: Manik pout
She said posing ready to click.

Man: Pout like seriously..... I am done with this you are coming ahead or should I leave you here and go.
He asked standing up with panicked face.

Nan: Kya pout karni ko bola tha, I didn't ask you to kill someone that you are panicking so much. Did I ask your life kya.
She asked being surprised looking at his face who's colour had changed.

Manik looked at her and shook his head muttering something and walk ahead.

Nan: Arrey wait we are coming.
She shout following him with Maria.

They walked ahead, soon Abhi and Mukti too joined them, they were having their some private time too. And Manik & Nandini knew very well so they didn't distrub them.
Afterall they never get time to spend alone with each other.

They soon reached the flower festival which was so beautiful that they were surprise to see it. Each and everything was weaved with flowers.

Different structure, shapes, objects were made of flowers & plants. They were shaped to make beautiful things.

The dolphins, dinosaur,duck, train,bear,elephant,polar bear,had made Maria so awestruck that she was happily jumping on her place clapping her hands.

Manik was clicking her pics secretly when she was enjoying and touch things and smiling looking at the beauty around her happily.

Nandini too being along with her used to come in the pics with her funny and weird expression while arguing with him or Abhi.

Nandini was awestruck and overwhelmed to see the veena which made her eyes twinkle in happiness

Nan: Mukti veena
She exclaimed jumping on her place.

Mu: Kyon veena
She asked looking her and there.

Nandini tap her head and pointed
Nan: Arrey music instrument.

Mu: Ohh haa
She said looking in the direction she was pointing.

Nan: Mera pic please with it
She asked with pleading puppy face.

Mu: Ofcourse Darling.
She smiled pulling her cheeks.

Mu: Abhi mera aur Nandini & Maria ka picture take with veena na.
She said after taking Nandini's pics

Abhi: Only one pic dare you two start posing in different angle.

Nan & Mu: Angle!!!
They exclaimed shaking their heads with disbelief after listening to his choice of words.

Abhi: Exactly acute angle, right angle and the worse is obtuse angel.
He mimicked them posing like bending backward and downward keeping his hand on waist.
(You know the girly pose we do with our friends)

Abhi did it so funnily with weird faces that Manik brust out into laugher while Nandini and Mukti stood shock with open mouths.

They all were acting like teenagers kids carefree relax without any stress or tension.

The titantic ship fascinated Mukti.

Mu: Abhi let's do the titantic pose na
She asked being excited.

After listening to this Abhi eyes were already out of his sockets.

Abhi: No ways
He almost shouted being shock.

Nan: Kyu no bhai..... waise Mukti so romantic.... you two pose I will click the pic
She said pushing them both.

Abhi looked at Manik for help, he was all the while control his laughter seeing Abhi faces but when Abhi looked at him for help he made a puppy face.

Abhi: You know.... tum or nandini pose karu I will click
He said trying a way to escape.

Man: Pehle tu photo le ley phir they will too take don't worry.... I will personally click your picture Mukti and Nandini promise.
He said with all innocent face laughing mentally on Abhi expression.

Abhi: Mukti public place hai how can we.....
He said to Mukti who was already to pose.

Nan: Toh what bhai.....as if you people are doing something inappropriate it's just a pic.....kuch nai hota
She said with a poker face.

Man: Exactly Nandini let me take this photo.
He said taking out his phone.

Abhi knew Why he so wanted to click the pic as he will pakka do timepass.... and make him feel more embarrassed standing in such a awkward posture like a fool.
That's exactly what manik did, he was mentally laughing while making Mukti shift left to right while Abhi stook like a scarecrow crusing him under his breathe grinting his teeths all the while.

The Taj mahal and rose shape craft fansicated all of them alot.

They were happy and content to see the beauty and the talented craft work.

All this while Maria was silently walking with Nandini but always making sure her papa is too there around and if he would go in some other direction, other than where Nandini goes, then she would drag Nandini where Manik would be there by pulling her hand and pointing out the direction.

While Nandini would oblige and follow where she wanted to go, as she was damn happy Maria was with her.

Finally when nandini stop near fountain to see the colourful lights and Manik moved somewhere ahead.

Maria panicked as she could not see her papa

Maria: Nandi come come there
She said pulling her hand in direction, where Manik had gone.

Nan: Maru wait na see this....it look's so beautiful.

Maria looked at nandini and the place where Manik went and ran in that direction.

While our Nandu was blabbering thinking Maria was listening to her

Nan: It's so beautifully made na Maria
She said and looked down as she was not replying and was shock to not find her.

Nan: Maria
She said in panick and started running around like minac.

Maria ran in Manik direction and soon got lost as there were many people around and the place was crowded.

Maria : Papa papa...
She was continuously ranting moving ahead moving between the crowd.

While nandini too was running around and soon she spotted Abhi and ran to him.

They all had shuffled up around but were nearby only to each other.

Abhi: Kya hua why are you running.
He asked being shocked looking at her state as she was sweating even though it was so cold.

Nan: Mar....Maria
She said panting badly

Abhi: Kya Maria
He asked being confused.

Nan: She was with me near the fountain....we were together....but she suddenly disappeared....I don't
She was stammering very badly and was at the verge of crying.

Abhi side hugged her and tried to calm her down.

Abhi: Relax she will be around .... Where is Manik?
He asked looking around trying to scan her in so much crowd.

Nan: I don't know....it's all my fault....I should have being careful.
She started crying covering her mouth.

Mukti too reached them and was shock to see Nandini crying and Abhi holding her firmly trying to calm her down looking around with a frown and worried face.

Mu: Kya hua...Nandu why are you crying.
She asked cupping her faces wiping her tears.

Abhi: Stay with her.
He said running in the direction of fountain handing Nandini to Mukti

Nandini was continuously blaming her self. While Mukti was trying to calm her down.

She was scared that how will Manik react when he comes to know about Maria going missing. How will she ever face him. He will be so upset and tensed, so angry on her. And would probably never trust her again, for keeping Maria with her.

________________________________

Long update hope it will compensate the delay.......

Next update will be next week probably by Tueday and will be long enough.

Till then

Happy Reading😊😊😊

Take care.