How does it feel to see yourself changing..??

When you feel that you're no more the same person whom you used to be..Sometimes, you could feel happier with it because you wanted the same to happen while sometimes, you could feel that you're sad because you didn't want it to happen..

While, some simply doesn't know how to express it or what exactly they're feeling..!!

They just think why is it happening with them. They just ask themselves, was this change necessary or was the change good for them..

Manik Malhotra is also changing and he simply didn't know how to express it to someone that, yes, finally he's changing, changing for good, but will it last forever or is he going to face anymore heartbreaks..??

In Malhotra Mansion

Today, everyone were having a lone time with their family. Usually, they used to retire to their bedrooms after their dinner but since, each of them were early home and had their dinner, they decided to have light conversation with each other. Surprisingly, Manik too joined them..

Mukti and Nandini were talking with each other while reading something in laptop regarding, of course, their favorite subject, medical science. Manik was sitting next to Nandini, busy in his mobile with office work but also talking with Cabir who was sitting opposite to him beside Raj and Nyonika..

DING DONG..

Someone rang the bell and the worker opened it only to see the rest of the family members who entered in the living room..

Manik ( smiled ): Buddy..

Arijit smiled and moved to Manik and Cabir and greeted them with a warm hug, followed by Abhimanyu and Shravan..

Shravan ( grinned ): Manik Bhai...

Manik looked up at him who was standing in front of him now..

Manik: Haa..??

Shravan: Aap thoda side mein betiye..

Manik frowned but then moved a little and the next second, he was sitting where Manik was sitting before, that is, beside Nandini.

Manik ( shocked ): What the..!!

Nandini: Ish..Tum, chilla kyu rahe ho, Grumpy Coffee..??

Manik simply looked at Shravan..

Manik: What.was.that..??

Shravan ( grinned ): Mujhe, Bhabi ke paas beitna tha..isiliye aapko hata diya..

And he turned his attention towards Nandini while Manik gave an irritating look to Shravan and got back to his mobile still with a raging face while others were quiet confused which meant only for Arijit and Abhi.

Shravan: Bhabi, mujhe bhi sikhao na..

Nandini: Ye Gynecology hai, any interest in it..??

Shravan ( excitedly ): I have interest in everything related to medical..

Nandini shook her head and then let him too to read from her laptop. She simply looked above to see Abhimanyu's gaze on someone. She followed it to see, it was Mukti who was busy in reading while making all kind of cute irritating faces..

Nandini ( thought ): Ab ye kya hai..Abhimanyu ki nazar tho choti se hat nahi rahe hai, mathlab iske dil mein kuch kuch hotha hai..hayee, love story..wo bhi between a cute couple like them, even age difference is so cute. Oh my God, I'm so excited to know about this story..

But, all her excitement went to trashes when her gaze fell on Manik, who was looking in his mobile but with a pissed face..

Nandini ( thought ): Saara excitement ka maza hi gaya. Agar, ithna over protective Bhai hai tho kaise hoga ye love story..Hmm..koi nahi Nandu, agar ye pyar ki kahani hona zaroori hai tho hojaegi, waise if I'm needed to offer help, I'm ever ready..

Mukti ( jumped in her place ): Cabir Bhaiiiiii....

Cabir snapped his head at her, who was grinning at him while others knew they both were up to something..

Cabir ( smirked ): Oh yeah, I forgot..Uh, guys, why don't we quit working for some days..??

Manik ( raised his eyebrows ): Aur wo kyun, Malhotra saab..??

Cabir ( grinned ): Because, I love to make plans for honeymoon, wanna join..??

Manik ( confused ): What..?? When did you get married..??

Cabir ( casually ): Kaash wo bhi hojatha but unfortunately, I was planning for your honeymoon..Aap tho kahi gaye hi nahi Nandu ke saath, apne honeymoon manane keliye..

Manik simply looked down to hide his face while Nandini was staring at Cabir with her shocked face. Mukti grinned and looked at Nandini..

Mukti: Haa Bhabi, aap ko bhi honeymoonnnnn ke zaroorath hai na..

Nandini looked at her in surprise and then looked in her laptop while combing her hair with her fingers. And seeing them, Mukti's and Cabir's smirks were just growing..

While for Shravan, Arjit and Abhi, they were simply confused. Isn't this marriage contract-based..??

If it is, then why are they going for honeymoon, it's not like Manik was in love with Nandini that they have to fake a honeymoon for his happiness. In fact, it would make them guilty in return.

But then, what are these siblings doing here..??

Quiet confusing..!!

Arijit ( thought ): Ye dhono bhai-behen kya kar rahe hai..Mathlab, buddy ki honeymoon, wo bhi iss attitude ladki ke saath. Arey, ye shadi hi contract-based hai..God, patha nahi ye dhono kya karna chahthe hai, don't hurt my buddy anymore, God..please..

Abhi ( thought ): Honeymoon..!! Manik and Nandini..!! Planned by my lady love and Cabira..!! Ye sab se mujhe kya samjna chahiye..??

Shravan ( thought ): Manik bhai aur Bhabi ki honeymoon aur iske planning tho mere best friends ke hai, which meant, nothing casual is going to happen, its something crazy. Ye tho Cabir ka hi idea hai, par ye joker karna kya chahtha hai..??

Raj ( shocked ): Cabir...

Cabir turned to his parents, who were looking at him in shock..

Cabir: Arey what Dad..Aap ko bhi yaad nahi hai kya..?? Bhai aur Nandu apne honeymoon keliye nahi gaye hai, so we should help them out, par mein bhi tho selfish hoon, isiliye dhono ko akele nahi jane dhoonga, sab saath mein chalthe hai, phir bedroom mein kya karna hai waha jaakar, wo tho karne dho ye dhono ko..

Nandini, for the first time, felt like, her cheeks were burning and she didn't dare to look up thinking that whatever is happening with her cheeks aren't good to see..

While, Manik didn't know how to stop Cabir's rants. His face has turned it's color to pale pink and he didn't even realize it..

Manik ( growled ): Cabir...shut your mouth, for heaven sake..Koi yaha honey-moon ya honey-sun keliye naa ja rahe hai..

Shravan ( frowned ): Honey-sun bhi hotha hai..?? Manik Bhai, wo kya hotha hai...??

Manik simply glared at him but he didn't budge. Perks of being Arijit Sinha's brother..!!

Cabir: Oh hello Mr. Sinha, zyada soch math, usse pehle tumhara brain ka anthim sanskar hoga phir..

Shravan: Tumhara brain 23 years se kaam kar rahe hai tho phir mera brain kam se kam 100 saal thak work karega..

Abhi: Mr. Malhotra and Mr. Sinha, kindly shut your mouths or else I know how to push an apple in it and you would never open that weird shaped mouths..

Shravan and Cabir pouted sadly..

Mukti ( grinned ): Okay, since these 2 jallads have shut their mouths, let me tell the whole plan. Hum apna farmhouse jo lonavala mein hain, wahi jaa rahe hai, for a fun-trip. Which means, Pace Motors, Exquisite Textiles and Thakar Industries aren't going to have their bosses with them for a week, good for them, actually. ( Manik, Abhi and Arijit glared at her to which she just grinned ) The famous photographer of India will be on a short leave and since our college is going to have 2 weeks study holidays, even the chote Sinha can come. Malhotra Empire ke malik ko bhi ek hafthe leave lena chahiye, Elder Mrs. Malhotra has already stopped working, long back, isiliye wo bhi ek problem nahi hai, ab younger Mrs. Malhotra ki baari hai..aapko bhi leave lena hi chahiye..

Mukti looked at Nandini who nodded at her in No sadly making Mukti pout..

Nandini: Choti, mein leave nahi le sakthi. Doctors ko wo saal mein ek mahine leave dethe hai aur agar uske baad kabhi lena hai tho sirf emergency leave hai and mine is going to be after 5 months..

Mukti: Haa tho, ab lelo na..

Nandini: Ab kaunsi emergency hai..?

Mukti: Family..ye bhi ek emergency hain..

Nandini ( sighed ): Nahi, they need proofs for it. I need to prove it to them that I'm in need of leave.

Mukti made a sad face and everyone felt bad with that..

Nandini ( held her hand ): Tum log jaao na..

Mukti ( meekly ): Aapke bina..??

Nandini ( smiled ): Haa tho kya hua..Hum kabhi aur jaa sakthe hai. Mein tho Mruno ke saath rahoongi..

And that name caught Arijit's attention. That name, in fact that girl, has given him only sleepless nights, which did frustrate him..Why does this girl affects him a lot..!!

Mukti ( nodded in No ): Mein tho poori family ke saath jaana chahthi thi, and you're my Bhabi, my family, so I won't go without you..

This melted Nandini's heart..!!

Someone addressing her as a family, other than her sister and Mrunal, is a new feeling for her. She is simply feeling a lot of affection towards Mukti..

Nyonika ( smiled ): Nandini, Mukti teek keh rahi hai..Hum ek kaam karthe hai, jab Nandini ki leave sanction hojathe hai, tab jathe hai, kyu Mukti..

Mukt gave a fake smile and that was noticed by everyone and it affected all of them, especially, four people, Manik, Cabir, Abhi and Nandini..

Raj: Chalo, bacho..hum chale sone..

Arijit: Hum bhi nikalthe hai, Uncle.

Raj: Arijit, tum log yahi ruko na..

Abhi ( glanced at Mukti ): We so wish to stay, Uncle. But then work is also important right. Hum tho bas aap sabse milne aaye hai, it's been a log since we've shared a family moment.

Raj nodded and the three bade by to everyone, and so the family members, who retired to their own bedrooms too..

MaNan's Bedroom

Nandini was pacing from here to there while thinking..

Nandini ( thought ): Kya karun..?? Kya karun..?? Aaj tho choti bohath sad dikh rahi thi. I never let my choti cry or sad aur aaj meri nayi choti ko dekhke mujhe achi nahi lagi. Par mein karun tho kya..kaise leave le sakthi hoon..Agar fake proofs bana diya tho..ish, wo bhi nahi ho saktha, they can come to Malhotra Mansion to have a check on me..ab kya..huff..

Suddenly, her mind lit up like a bulb...

Nandini ( excitedly ): Honey bee....!!!! Hayee, ye tho mene socha hi nahi..Bhagwan ji, mere dimaag ko renew karne ka waqt aaya hai, aajkal bohath kam chalthi hain..

She took her mobile and dialed his number and was about to keep in her ears when she got another idea too, she kept the phone on speaker and kept it on the tea-poi. That was the moment, Manik entered inside the bedroom, after checking on Mukti, as he knew, she will be sad..

Manik entered only to see Nandini pouring some drops of water inside her nose which horrified him..!!

Is she taking a nose bath..??

" Hello Nandini..how are you..?? " Manik heard the most irritating voice and he looked at the source from where it was coming..

It was Nandini's mobile..!!

Nandini ( sniffed ): Hello Aadit..

That was enough for Manik to clench his fist in anger..

Aadit ( worried tone ): Nandini..are you fine..?? You sound so dull..What happened to you..??

Manik ( thought ): Dull, my foot. I told her to stay away from him and she even promised too. But, she broke it..you'll pay for it, Nandini..

He was about to march towards her when he heard her..

Nandini: Uh, Aadit, I'm sorry, I'm not well..

Manik stared at her in shock. He saw her pouring some more drops of water in her nose and he could even make it out, that she was highly affected by the water going inside her nose..

Aadit: What..?? Not well..? You were fine, today. You even got in our canteen for preparing juice for you. Phir..Kya hua achanak..??

Nandini ( sniffed ): Patha nahi kya hua..I think, its my allergy, I have a kind of allergy, I get running nose, head aches and I get so ill, during that time. I think its the same. I wanted to ask you can I take leave or not..?? Hospital authorities tho nahi denge..I've been getting ill nowadays and I took 2 days leave and some half days for my family. Isiliye kuch..

Aadit ( interrupted ): Aisa kuch nahi honewala hai. Agar tumhe leave chahiye tho leave milegi..

And Nandini jumped but then maintained to sound sad and dull while Manik was looking at her with softened eyes..

Nandini: Are you..sure, Aadit..?? I mean, I know the authorities. Aur mere illness aise hai ki I won't be able to show them proofs..

Aadit ( interrupted ): Nandini, you're not well and even for a doctor, health comes first. Proofs ke baath hai tho, ek kaam karo, you just give me your medical record..

Nandini cursed him in her mind..

Nandini ( sadly ): Nahi Aadit, wahi tho prpblem hai. I don't have it with me. Everything is with my sister and you know she's out of India. Aur mein bhi tho wahi jaa rahi hoon, to meet my doctor, he's not from India.

Aadit ( sadly ): What..?? You're going out of India..You can just ask your sister to send those medical records, right. We have good doctors in here too.

Nandini rolled her eyes at him and put some more drops in her nose to sound more dull and thought for an excuse..

Nandini ( sniffed ): No Aadit..He is my family doctor..I won't be able to survive this if I don't visit my doctor again..I wouldn't have asked help from you or else..And my sister won't be able to send the records too, she's on a study tour..Is it possible to get a holiday, Aadit..??

Aadit ( casually ): Of course, I'm the owner of that hospital so nobody is going to question you. You just take rest and till when do you want your leave to be..??

Nandini ( happily ): Just a week..I'll be back after a week..

Aadit ( frowned ): You need whole week for meeting your doctor..

Nandini ( hit her head ): Uh, yeah. Actually, he makes me do many tests and I need proper rest too. Isiliye..

Aadit ( smiled ): Oh, it's fine.. Your leave in sanctioned..

Nandini ( sniffed + sweetly ): Thank you, so much, Aadit. It means a lot to me..

Aadit ( blushed ): Anything for you, Nandini..

Nandini ( straightly ): Bye..Good night..

Aadit ( grinned ): Indeed, its a good night..

And Nandini simply hung the line and looked at her mobile to see the call has ended. The next second, she was on the bed doing hip-hop and seeing it, Manik who was smiling till now, as he knew why she was doing it, has started to laugh.

Hearing someone laughing, Nandini turned to see Manik looking at her with her raised eyebrows who still was chuckling. She, simply shrugged her shoulders and got down..

Nandini: Don't laugh, I'm just happy..

Manik: And, why were you happy..??

She grinned at him..

Nandini: Because, I just got my leave sanctioned..

Manik faked a surprised expression on his face and looked at her..

Manik: But how..?

Nandini ( casually ): Arey, why to worry when Honey Bee is all ready to do anything for me..

And that sentence was more than enough for him to get angry. He moved closer and pinned her on the wall making her scream in pain..

Nandini: Ouch..Grumpy Coffee, why do you always pin me somewhere..

She was rubbing her back and he looked guilty..

Manik ( irritated ): Tum meri bath sunthi hi nahi so I obviously gotta behave like myself..

Nandini ( sarcastically ): Right..pehli baar kuch soch samajke bola tumne..you gotta behave like yourself, a typical monster..

He glared at her which she ignored and was about to move when he blocked her way..

Nandini: Kya hai..??

Manik ( glared ): You broke your promise, Nandini..

She frowned and looked at him in confusion..

Manik ( gritted his teeth ): You don't even remember it now. You promised me that you'll stay away from that chipku. Par ab tumne kya kiya..?? You said he was the reason for your happiness. Like really..?? He was the reason for it..!!!

And she realized what he meant by that. She bit her tongue and gave him a sheepish grin..

Nandini: Sorry..wo mein bhool gayi..

He glared at her again and she pouted..

Nandini: Arey mein jaanboochke thodi kuch kiya. I really forgot about it. Aur waise bhi, tumne mujhse kaha to stay away from him, mein tho bas phone pe bath kar rahi thi..So, we would be away from each other for at least..arey uske ghar kaha pe tha..ek baar kaha mujhse par mujhe yaad nahi aa rahi hai..

He literally felt like banging his head somewhere..!!

Manik: Nandini..I don't care even if he lives in Pluto..So, stop thinking where does he live and concentrate in me..

Nandini ( irritated ): Chillana bandh karo Grumpy Coffee and what is to concentrate now..??

Manik ( punched the wall ): Nothing. I'm just crazy..

Nandini ( casually ): That's nothing new for me..

She pushed him off her and he stumbled in his place making him glare at her and she grinned sheepishly at him and ran inside the washroom to save herself from his wrath..

Manik too changed himself in his vest and tracks and settled on the bed but honey bee still didn't leave his brain..!!

Seems like, honey bee is getting only Grumpy Coffee's attention instead of Lilliput's..!!

Nandini walked out in her night dress after 15 minutes after taking a bath like usual and settled on the bed after drying them with a towel..

Manik: I'm still angry at you..

Nandini ( sighed ): And I'm not interested in knowing about it..

Manik scowled at her which she ignored mercilessly and laid on the bed. Getting frustrated with her ignorance, he was about to stop her from switching off the lights, when his head bumped to the head board..

Manik ( in pain ): Ouch..

Listening it, she looked up at him who was rubbing his forehead and she immediately sat up..

Nandini: Kya hua..

Manik: Antarctica hua..Dikh nahi rahi hai kya, damn, it hurts..

Nandini: Shut up, Grumpy Coffee..dikha mujhe..

Manik: No thanks, I can help myself..

She shrugged his comment off and pushed his hand away from his forehead and got a look at it to see it has a slight cut on it..

Nandini ( hissed ): Tch...Grumpy Coffee, you got hurt..

And she moved to him and touched his forehead making him hiss again..

Nandini: Sorry..sorry, I'm sorry. Stay still, huh..

She caressed the wound slightly and blew air on it making him look at her whose concentration was only on his wound. He didn't know why, but he could read worry in her eyes.

Does she care..?? For him..??

Nandini: Abhi bhi dard ho rahe hai kya..??

But, Grumpy Coffee was lost in her..!!

Nandini ( shook him ): Grumpy Coffee..kaha kho gaye ho..Is it still paining..??

He got out of his trance and nodded in No..

Nandini: Ek second..wait..

She moved out of the bed and took a bandage from the first-aid kit and climbed on the bed again, beside him and made him wear the bandage on the same place where he got the cut..

Nandini: Kabhi tho dhyan se kahi beitho..tum karate kar raha tha kya..??

Manik ( glared ): Bed pe karate nahi khel paoonga mein..

Nandini ( sarcastically ): Jaise ki har raath iss dunya ke log rath ko karate hi khelthe hai bed pe..

Manik: Agar tum ladai mein ithne interested ho tho mere paas math aao..

Nandini: Haa haa, mein tho tumhare paas anekeliye taras rahi hoon na..

Manik: Tho math aao..

She glared at him back and laid on the bed and he too laid down while facing the opposite side..

Nandini ( thought ): Arrogant Coffee..!! Humesha chillathe rehthe hai. Ek tho mein uske help kar rahi thi aur usko usmein bhi mujhse ladna hai. Mathlab..hadd hai..

She was quiet restless about his wound and was trying to peek from her shoulders to see whether he was fine or not, but couldn't do it. So, she turned herself to his side with closed eyes and opened her eyes slowly to see him facing the other side.

Nandini ( thought ): Kaala PaNi peeke iske dimaag bhi kaala hogaya, ekdum egotistical and arrogant. Pyar se samjhaoon tho problem aur gusse se samjhaoon tho thabhi problem..Kuch bhi hoja, mujhe kya..

She closed her eyes. While for Manik, he was cursing her in his mind..

Manik ( thought ): Har waqt jagda karna hi hai usse. Kya hojatha agar pyar se hi sab kuch kare tho, par nahi, usse tho wo aathi hi nahi..mein tho bath thak nahi karne wala hoon..

He too closed his eyes but then turned to her side and opened his eyes slightly to see her with closed eyes. He made a bad face at it..

Manik ( thought ): Mera fikar hi nahi iss Lilliput ko..

He too closed his eyes and that was when Nandini opened her eyes. Seeing his closed eyes, she thought, he slept. She moved a bit forward hesitatingly and touched his forehead making him aware about her touch..

She smiled seeing the bandage and took her hand back after caressing it and closed her eyes again when she felt herself getting pulled in his chest.

She tried to pull herself out but he was way too strong and finally she let out a sigh..

Nandini ( muttered ): Does that Kaala PaNi gives this much strength..

Mnaik ( whispered ): You have no idea..

She snapped her head at him in shock but he was still looking like he was sleeping..

Nandini ( thought ): Shit..Nandini, soja warna Grumpy Coffee ut jayega..

She closed her eyes and seeing it, a smile found it's way to Manik's lips..

Manik ( thought ): She cares..!!

And soon, the two souls drifted into a deep slumber to welcome a beautiful future ahead..

Next Day

Nandini, yawned and opened her eyes but this time, it wasn't Mrunals' curses but something tickling her neck and that was too irritating for her which made her sleep to get away from her.

Groaning in annoyance, she looked up at the source which was irritating her neck only to gasp in shock because, it was none other than her husband, oops, sorry, her husband's stubble as he was sleeping, literally on her with his face hidden in her hairs and his hands gripped on her waist..

Nandini ( muttered ): What the spinach..!!

She tried to calm her self down when she felt his lips on her neck. She was about to wake him up to get away from his torture when her gaze fell on his forehead..

The bandage was still there..!! But, what about his wound..??

She, slowly caressed the bandage and got lost in her thoughts..

Nandini ( thought ): Why do I care this much for Grumpy Coffee..?? Bhagwan ji, I really need answers from you this time, I mean, this never happened with me before. He's affecting me a lot and this is so frustrating for me..!! Mere dimaag mein zyada bathein mujhe pasand nahi hai par jab ye Lambu Coffee ke bath aaya tho sab kuch puzzles jaise hai mereliye..!!

She looked up at him and for the first time in her life, she noticed him. His features.

His eyes which would be pitch brown when he open them, pointed jaw, pink lips with thin cheeks and to add more attraction in it, his messy hairs..

Damn, her Grumpy Coffee was so handsome..!!

She raised her hand again and cupped his cheeks and caressed them and she saw him leaning in her touch even when he was asleep which made her smile. She moved her hand to his nose and poked it to earn a frown from him which made her giggle silently. When she reached his lips, she immediately withdrew her hand from that area and her breathing went hasty.

Nandini ( muttered ): Stupid Nandini, agar Grumpy Coffee ko patha chala tho kya sochega, arey usko tho chod, agar ye tum bahar kahi kiya hotha tho, log kya sochenge..

She tried to get up but he wasn't moving and she started to tap his cheeks making him irritate..

Manik ( groaned ): What the hell..!!

She looked at him in irritation..

Nandini: You should learn that I so hate this word..

And that was when, Manik opened his eyes to see Nandini glaring at him. He rubbed his eyes and looked down at her..

Manik: Why are you so angry Lilliput..??

Nandini: Like really..?? What do you eat, Grumpy Coffee..mathlab, mujhe saans lene dho..

That was when, he noticed their position. He was literally lying on her and his hands were gripping her waist..

Nandini: Ab hato..mujhe shower lena hai..

He gave her a naughty smile..

Manik: Tho..?? Mujhse kyu keh rahi ho..?? Saath mein mujhe bhi le jaoge kya..??

She widened her eyes at him and he was laughing and dropped his head in her neck without halting his laughter. She slapped his shoulders..

Nandini: Shut up, Grumpy Coffee. When did you become so bad..??

Manik: What's so bad in it..?? Every couple do this..hai na Lilliput...??

He leaned more to her face with a smirk and she glared at him which did nothing but increased his smirk and he leaned more closer and she couldn't help but to get lost in his eyes..

He got so lost in her eyes that he forgot what he was doing and he leaned to her lips while cupping her cheeks and rubbed his cheeks with her's and entwined their fingers together..

He kissed her forehead lovingly and she closed her eyes in reflex. He stealthily touched her rose petal like lips and caressed them creating a havoc in her body. He so want to kiss them..!!

He buried his head in her neck and dropped a kiss there and she sucked a huge breathe in and unknowingly her hands went up to his shoulders
He buried his head in her neck and dropped a kiss there and she sucked a huge breathe in and unknowingly her hands went up to his shoulders ..

He looked in her eyes again and was about to capture her lips when the ALARM or Mrunal's Curses rang which broke their trance
He looked in her eyes again and was about to capture her lips when the ALARM or Mrunal's Curses rang which broke their trance..

And the reality hit them hard..!!

What the hell were they doing..??

Obviously kissing..but not on lips..!!

Nandini pushed him off her and ran straight inside the washroom while Manik laid flat on his back with his hands ruffling his hair in shock..

Manik ( shocked ): What was that..??

While inside the washroom

Nandini leaned to the door with raging breathes and closed her eyes to open them in shock again as the scene just replayed in her mind..

Nandini: What was that..??

To be continued..