Nandini lazily opened her eyes and extend her arm to held Manik but to her shock he was not there. She got up with a jerk and sighed in relief as he was standing in the balcony just in his tracks. She smiled and wrapped the blanket around her. Then she walked towards him and back hugged him. The dawn was just cracking the sight was breathtakingly awesome.
"Mani..! You ok?"Nandini whispered and Manik held her hands dragged her in a side hug.
"I am ok Nandini..! It's just this sight is beautiful..!"Manik said smilingly and Nandini rested her head on his chest. Manik entwined their hands and Nandini inhaled the fresh air as much as possible. She was still very tired.
"I love you so much Mani..!"Nandini said lovingly looking at him. He too look at her smilingly and took her lips for a passionate morning kiss. Manik kissed her with all politeness taking care not to stress her more as he can clearly see the hickeys on her bare arms and shoulders which were now red purplish due to his last night passion. He broke the kiss and pecked her forehead. Then he bent over her shoulders to sooth them..
"I troubled you a lot na last night?"He said holding her close to him as she was feeling weak on her knees due to his torture.
"No..! It was one of the most beautiful nights..!"Nandini replied honestly and he smiled.
"You are my angel Nandini..! Tum na hoti tou pata nahi main kya karta..?"Manik said tucking her hair behind her ear.
"And you are my guardian..! My owner..! Agr tum na hoty tou main kya karti hmm?"Nandini said smilingly resting her head on his chest and Manik laughed to which Nandini joined him.
"Tired?"Manik asked wrapping his arms around her securely.
"Hmm..!"She just hummed as she was dozing off again in his embrace. Manik too wanted her to sleep and take some more rest as there was still time. He knew that today will surely be a tiring day. He gently picked his lady love in his arms to which she snuggled more in his chest. Manik walked towards the bed and placed her on the bed. He was not at all sleepy so he wore his vest and went to the bathroom to wash his face. After sometime he came out.
"Mani..!"Nandini called him in sleep and he walked towards her.
"Kya hua Nandini?"Manik asked worriedly.
"Manvi..! Us ko aik bari dekh lo please..!"She whispered sleepily and Manik smiled. Even in this tired and sleepy condition she was concerned for Manvi no doubt she was the best mother of the world..!.
"Ohk..! Main dekh laita hoon..! You sleep..!"Manik said politely and stroked her hair. She was again in deep sleep within seconds. Manik quietly sneaked out of the room and walked toward Manvi's room. He carefully peeked to the room and saw Manvi sleeping. He pecked her forehead and caressed her hair. His princess..! Second reason of his smile..! He turned to leave when suddenly..
"Papa..!"He heard Manvi's whisper and immediately look at her. She was murmuring him in sleep. He smiled but suddenly her murmurs turned into hysterical shouts and Manik felt like earth slipping away under his feet.
"Manvi..! Shh..! Wakeup honey..! Papa is here..! Manvi..!"Manik immediately picked her up in his arms.
"Papa..! Papa..! Papa..!"She was still in sleep.
"Manvi..! Wake up..! Look at me..!"Manik patted her cheek and suddenly she opened her eyes. She had tears in her eyes.
"Papa..!"She shouted again and hugged Manik tightly.
"Shhh...! Papa is here..! Relax..!"Manik patted her back and she cried loudly. Another nightmare..! Manik was hell worried now..! This was surely not good for her health and for her mental state..! Manvi was crying and crying.
"Papa..!"She sobbed again..
"Ji ji..! Bolo na Papa ki princess..! Acha look at me..!"Manik said lovingly and Manvi look at him with teary eyes. "Was that a very bad dream?"Manik asked wiping her tears and she nodded cutely. "It's ok..! Papa hain na..! Nothing will happen..! You want to sleep more?"Manik said lovingly and she shook her head in a no. "Acha ok...! Come lets wash your face and brush your teeth..!"Manik said cheerfully and walked towards the bathroom. He carefully washed Manvi's face and help her in brushing her teeth. Then he wiped her face with the towel and came out. Manvi's head was on Manik's shoulder she didn't talked to him which was making Manik more and more worried.
"Kya ho gya mery baby ko?"Manik asked pulling her cheek as he reached the poolside.
"Papa..! The dleam(dream) was vely(very) bad..!"Manvi complained cutely and Manik smiled.
"Acha chalo forget all that..! Ab main push ups karny laga hoon..! You have to count my push ups ok?"Manik said to Manvi to divert her attention and luckily he succeed..!
"Yayyeee..! Ok..!"She exclaimed and Manik took his position to do push ups.
"Papa one second..!"Manvi stopped him as he was about to start.
"What happened princess..?"Manik asked worriedly but Manvi's next move was so much overwhelming. She immediately climbed Manik's back and encircled her tiny arms around his neck.
"Ab ok hai..!"She said in his ear and Manik smiled. Now Manik was ready to do push ups with his love on his back.
"Ready..!"Manik said in an energetic tone and started.
"One..! Two..! Thlee(three)..! Foul(four)..!"Manvi counted the pushups and Manik kept doing it. Finally he reached hundred and he was happy to know that his almost 4 year old daughter very well know the counting till hundred. After doing hundred non-stop push ups Manik stopped and carefully sat straight adjusting Manvi in his lap. "Wow Papa..! Stlong(strong) muscles haan?"Manvi said impressively patting his biceps and Manik laughed. He was about to say something when suddenly..
"Manik Chacho..!"A boy of around 5 or more then that came running and hugged Manik. Manvi was shocked at the sudden hug. Who was the boy who hugged HER Papa..!
"I missed you so much Chacho..!"The boy exclaimed and Manvi felt a little jealous.
"I missed you too Abeer..! Ap kab aye?"Manik asked lovingly hugging him back.
Ohhh Abeel bhaiya..! Manvi thought and smiled.
"Abhi aya Mom kay sath..!"He said breaking the hug.
"Good..! Ok let me introduce you to your cousin sister..! My daughter Manvi Malhotra..!"Manik introduced Manvi and for the first time Abeer look at Manvi with so much attitude and Manvi being a pure soul smiled at Abeer.
"Hi Abeel(abeer) bhaiya..!"Manvi extended her hand for a handshake.
"Don't call me bhaiya..! Its Abeer...! Abeer Dhawan..!"Abeer said coldly and even didn't shook hand with Manvi.Manvi felt a little bad but she forced a smile on her face and got up from Manik's lap. Manik too felt the uneasiness between the kids and Abeer's behavior too..!
"Ok..! Abeel(abeer)..!"Manvi said politely. "Papa..! Main Mama ky pass ja rahi hoon...!"Manvi said slowly she didn't liked Abeer's attitude and walked away Manik didn't stopped her as he wanted to talk to Abeer.
"Abeer..! Ap ka Manvi kay sath behavior mjy acha nahi laga...!"Manik said in a serious tone and Abeer made a bad face.
"You are only mine Chacho..! She was sitting in your lap..! I hate her..!"Abeer said angrily and left tapping his foot. Manik was shocked..! Abeer hates Manvi just because she was sitting in Manik's lap..! Oh God..! Yeah that was true Abeer was Manik's laadla..! Abeer was Manik's jaan before Manvi but oh God that was going to be tough for everyone..!
"Abeer aur Manvi ki dosti karana pary ge..!"Manik thought worriedly scratching his head.
...
Nandini was drying her hair when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in..!"She shouted and the door poped open. Navya came running in and hugged Nandini.
"Nandu...! Hy Mata Rani..! Nandu hum nay tmy kitnaaa miss kiya..!"She exclaimed loudly and Nandini too hugged her back.
"Navya..! Tum kab aye..!"Nandini said happily.
"Roko roko..! Pehly humy tmhy dekh tou lainy do na..! Nandu..! Aik bachi ki Maa ban gai hyee hum itny khush hain tmhry liye..!"Navya exclaimed and made Nandini sit on the bed.
"Navya..! Main waise he hoon yaar..! Haan Maa ban gai hoon..! Bohat khush bhi hoon..!"Nandini said smilingly. "Meri choro tum btaoa? Abeer kesa hai? Kahan hai?"Nandini said excitedly.
"Theek hai..! Bohat ziddi hai..! Sab say pehly Manik say milny gaya hai..! Tmhy tou pata hai na kitna pagal hai wo Manik kay peechy..!"Navya told her casually.
"Us ki zid kam nahi hue?"Nandini asked worriedly.
"Zara bhi nahi..! Bilkul harshad ki trha hai..!"Navya said in hatred. "Cabir us ki har wish pori karta hai..! Isi waja say wo bohat bigar gaya hai..! Wo kise cheez ko share nahi kar pata..! Main bohat pareshan hoon us k liye..!"Navya said worriedly and Nandini too became worried.
"Relax Navya..! Sab theek ho jye ga..!"Nandini tried to console her and she just nodded.
"Mama...!"Suddenly they both heard Manvi's plead and look at her she was standing in the door. She had tears in her eyes.
"Mano..! Mera baby..? What happened?"Nandini worriedly rushed towards Manvi and picked her up. "Kya ho gya meri jaan ap ro q rahy ho?"Nandini asked kissing her cheek and she hugged Nandini tightly.
"Kitne pyari hai ya..!"Navya said pulling her cheeks but Manvi was not in a mood Abeer's behavior was so much disturbing for her.
"Mama..!"She sobbed and Nandini was hell worried.
"Bolo na Mama ki jaan? Kya ho gya?"Nandini asked patting her back and then Manik came.
"Main btata hoon..! Hi Navya...!"Manik said smilingly and Navya too smiled.
"Mani..! Kya ho gya Manvi ko?"Nandini asked worriedly.
"Kuch nahi..! Abeer ko Manvi bilkul pasand nahi I he is jealous..!"Manik told Nandini shrugging his shoulder and Manvi sniffed her nose.
"Is Abeer ki tou hum..! Abhi theek karty hain hum usy..!"Navya said angrily but Nandini held her hand.
"It's ok Navya..! Bachy hain sab theek ho jye ga..!"Nandini said in a low voice and Navya smiled.
"Let's head for the breakfast everyone is waiting down there..!"Manik said smilingly.