Even when life pulls you apart, it’s the laughter and love of those who matter that keeps you whole.

Manik's POV,

The airport buzzed with the usual chaos-loud announcements, hurried footsteps, and the faint hum of distant conversations. Mukti practically bounced beside me, her excitement contagious but a little too much for my morning mood.

"Can you calm down?" I muttered, glancing at her as she kept checking her watch. "Alya's flight landed ten minutes ago. She's not teleporting out here."

She rolled her eyes, her grin wide and unapologetic. "Oh, shut up, Mr. Grumpy Pants. Unlike you, some of us are actually excited to see our best friend."

I sighed, shoving my hands into my pockets as we stood near the arrivals gate. It wasn't that I wasn't happy Alya was back, but Mukti's hyperenergy at this hour was testing my patience.

"We're going to have so much fun when Cabir and Dhruv get here too," Mukti said, nudging me. "It'll be like the old days-our whole gang together again. Admit it, Manik. You're excited too."

I smirked. "Sure. Can't wait to babysit you a lot."

Before Mukti could retort, I spotted a familiar figure walking through the sliding glass doors. Alya Saxena, in all her fashionable glory, wheeled her suitcase behind her like she owned the place. Her sunglasses perched on her head, her casual yet stylish outfit screamed effortless elegance.

"There she is," Mukti squealed, bolting toward her. I stayed put, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement.

Mukti launched herself at Alya, enveloping her in a bone-crushing hug. Both of them squealed like schoolgirls, causing more than a few heads to turn. I groaned internally, knowing this was only the beginning.

"You guys are embarrassing," I called out, walking toward them. "People are staring."

Alya pulled back from the hug, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Aww, did we hurt your delicate male ego, Manik?"

Mukti snorted. "He's just mad as he can't squeal and hug like us. Poor baby."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. The day I act like you two is the day pigs fly."

Alya raised an eyebrow. "Careful, Malhotra. That grumpy expression of yours is starting to get permanent. Might scare off your admirers."

"Yeah," Mukti chimed in. "We wouldn't want the great Manik Malhotra to lose his fan club, would we?"

"Funny," I said dryly. "Can we leave now, or are you planning to perform a musical number next?"

Both of them exchanged a look before bursting into laughter, their synchronized teasing almost impressive.

On the way to the car, they kept up their antics, whispering and giggling behind me like school kids with a secret. Every so often, I'd catch a word or two-something about my 'brooding hero' vibe and how I probably practiced it in the mirror.

I shot them a warning glance as we reached the car. "Whatever you're plotting, drop it. I'm not in the mood."

"Oh, he's not in the mood," Alya mimicked, her tone exaggeratedly dramatic. "What a tragedy. Somebody calls the mood police."

Mukti gasped, playing along. "Or better yet, let's cheer him up! What do you say, Alya? Tickling?"

"Touch me, and I'm leaving you both at the airport," I warned, unlocking the car.

The laughter continued as we piled into the car. I took the driver's seat, and Mukti climbed into the front passenger seat, leaving Alya in the back. Big mistake.

As I started the car, Alya leaned forward, resting her chin on the back of my seat. "Manik, have you always been this grouchy, or is it just because you missed me?"

Mukti smirked. "Oh, he missed you, all right. He's just too macho to admit it."

I groaned. "Can we have five minutes of silence? Just five."

"Sure," Alya said sweetly. "But only if you say, 'I missed you, Alya. My life was incomplete without you.'"

I glared at her through the rearview mirror. "Not happening."

Mukti clapped her hands. "Oh, come on, Manik! Do it. You might even crack a smile for once."

Ignoring them was impossible. By the time we reached the café for lunch, my patience was hanging by a thread. The teasing continued as we ordered, with Mukti insisting on taking pictures of my annoyed expressions and Alya coming up with increasingly ridiculous nicknames for me- 'Mr. Grump,' and 'Mood Killer.'

Over lunch, I decided to retaliate. "So, Alya," I began, my tone casual. "What's new in your love life? Still scaring off Dhruv with your control freak tendencies?"

Her jaw dropped, and Mukti nearly choked on her drink, laughing.

"Oh, you did not just go there," Alya said, narrowing her eyes.

I smirked. "What? Just making conversation."

Mukti jumped in. "Don't worry, Alya. He's only lashing out because we're too much for him to handle. Poor guy's feeling left out."

"Exactly," Alya agreed, her mischievous grin returning. "Let's make it up to him. Desserts on me, Manik. Cheer up, big guy."

I sighed, shaking my head. As much as they annoyed me, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth. This was our dynamic-chaotic, loud, and endlessly entertaining. And honestly, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Manik's POV ends.

Nandini's POV,

The night was calm, but my mind wasn't. The faint hum of the city drifted up to my balcony, mingling with the rustle of leaves and the occasional honk from a distant car. I wrapped my hands around my coffee mug, letting its warmth seep into my fingers as I leaned back in the chair.

The stars above twinkled faintly, scattered across a dark canvas, but even their beauty felt hollow tonight. The day had been long, and emotionally draining, and I was exhausted-not physically, but in a way that seeped into my soul.

The vibration of my phone on the small table beside me broke my reverie. I glanced at the screen, seeing Bhai's name flash. I sighed, hesitating for a second before picking it up.

Before they could speak, I spoke first. "I'm fine. Don't worry," I said, my tone flat yet assuring.

Bhai's voice came through, steady yet laced with concern. "Nandu, we're not calling to interrogate you. We just want to talk."

"Talk about what?" I asked though I knew the answer.

Bhabhi chimed in, her softer tone a stark contrast to Bhai's firmness. "About you. About coming back home."

I closed my eyes briefly, taking a deep breath. "Bhai, Bhabhi, I'm fine where I am. I've already explained why I can't come back."

"But we miss you," Bhai said gently. "The house isn't the same without you, Nandini. You know that."

I stared out into the night, the city lights blurring as my eyes stung with unshed tears. "I miss you too," I admitted softly, "but you both know I can't come back there. I've made my choice. I need to stand on my own, away from everything that... suffocates me."

Rudraksh bhai sighed, the kind of sigh that carries unspoken emotions. "We're not trying to force you, Nandu. We just... we worry about you. We know you've been through a lot, but this is your home. It always will be."

"I know," I whispered, gripping my mug tighter. "And I'm grateful. But living there... it's not what I need right now. You understand that, right?"

There was a pause, and then Bhabhi said. "We do. But promise us one thing-you'll tell us if you need anything. Anything at all."

Bhai added, "No matter what, we're just a call away, okay?"

I smiled faintly, even though they couldn't see it. "I know. Thank you."

Before I could say anything more, a familiar voice rang through the phone, high-pitched and filled with excitement. "Bua! Ansh missing you!"

My heart melted instantly. "Ansh! Bua is missing you too, baby."

"When will you come?" he asked, his words tumbling out in that adorable way toddlers speak, as though each syllable was a tiny treasure he didn't want to lose. "I want to play with you, Bua!"

I couldn't help but smile, the heaviness in my chest lifting slightly. "Hmm, how about this? If you want to play with me, I have an idea."

"What idea?" he asked, his excitement palpable even through the phone.

"Tomorrow," I said, drawing out the word for dramatic effect, "you can come to my house, and we'll have lots of fun. What do you say?"

There was a moment of silence, then I heard Ansh's voice, even more excited now. "Mumma! Papa! Can we go to Bua tomorrow? Please!"

I imagined him tugging at Rudraksh's sleeve, his wide eyes pleading.

Bhabhi's laughter echoed faintly through the phone. "Yes, Ansh, we'll go to Bua tomorrow."

"Yay!" Ansh cheered, his little voice lighting up the night. "Bua, Ansh coming tomorrow!"

I laughed softly, tears threatening to spill again, but this time they weren't sad. "I'll be waiting, baby. And we'll play all your favorite games, okay?"

"Okay!" he said, and I could hear the grin in his voice. "Love you, Bua!"

"Love you too, Ansh."

The call ended, and I sat there for a moment, staring at the phone in my hand. Despite everything, despite the pain and the distance, moments like this reminded me of the love that still tethered me to them.

Tomorrow would be a good day.

Hope you all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik...

Few words for Nandini...

Favourite moment???

Do comments and vote...

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️