Hello Fam :)

Remember me? Happy Valentine's day. 

I am really sorry that I am unable to find time to even write the chapters. I have to attend college throughout the week (no weekends) and I am usually tired after coming to my room. 

Suggest me, if you want me to take down the book and upload it once I have completed writing it. (I don't know how many months it might take.) Or do you want me to continue updating while keeping the 'On Hold' beside the title? Whoever doesn't want to wait can remove it from the library and add it once it is completed.

Happy Reading...

When Manik and Cabir returned home after their long drive and dinner, it was already past midnight but none of the brothers noticed the time as they walked inside the house shoving each other playfully. Manik was laughing at one of the jokes his brother uttered. His smile dropped down and his steps faltered when his mother came into his focus. Manik shuffled through his brain whether Nyonika had mentioned the date when she was returning but found none. A wave of panic coursed through his body.

As soon as Cabir's brain noticed the complete contrast in his brother's mood, he glanced up from his mobile and found his mother. "Hello, mom", he muttered unenthusiastically.

If Manik wasn't searching for a reason to hide away, he would have glared at Cabir and would have silently asked him to behave.

Nyonika stood up from the couch in the living room, keeping the file aside that she was reading. She crossed her arms in front of her as she glared at both of them. "Is it a time to come back home, boys?", she asked more to Cabir than Manik. "I understand about your only goal in life is to defy me, Cabir, but at least stop spoiling your brother."

Cabir frowned as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Mom, isn't it too soon to start with your usual lectures?", he asked, sarcasm dripping in his voice, "I have just returned. We just went for a long drive. Manik wasn't-"

Nyonika cut him off, raising an eyebrow. "Manik? He is your elder brother. I thought you at least respected him"

Manik, who was staring at his feet, looked up at his mom in confusion because it was really a meaningless comment and he felt Nyonika was arguing for the sake of it but he kept his mouth shut.

Because he is Cabir and his brother doesn't have a bone of subtlety, he instead rolled his eyes so wide that Manik thought it would fall off. "Yes, mom", said Cabir, "he is a whole 4 minutes and 36 seconds elder to me." He threw his arms up in the air, letting his frustration consume the whole living room. "God, why did I even come home?", he muttered to no one in particular.

Nyonika rolled her eyes and ignored her younger son. She turned to Manik. "Go and have your dinner", she told Manik.

"We had our dinner outside", informed Manik. He waited for his mother to start yelling but all he got was a wave of her hand asking him to go to sleep. Nyonika never yelled at Manik.

Finding an excuse, Manik hurried away to his room. He could still hear Cabir and his mom arguing and he wanted to stay by Cabir's side to resolve the things but his nerves didn't support him. These are the times when he wished to borrow an ounce of courage from his brother. He went to his room to overthink and regret every decision he has ever taken in his life.

XXX

After Manik left the living room, Nyonika glared at Cabir. "He was fine before you came home, Cabir. Do you have to now inflict your rebellious characteristics on him too? You have a problem if I point out something as soon as you return home but you can take your brother on late-night long drives and make him eat junk even if you know it's unhygienic. I have given up trying to figure out the pleasure you get from all these activities of yours but now I have to worry about Manik too, right?"

Cabir groaned. "Mom, yaar, stop it, okay? Before making a mountain out of a molehill, we won't die by eating out once in a while. Hey, I am still surviving, yeah?", he asked sarcastically, waving both his hands in front of him. Setting his jaw, he crossed his arms across his chest. "About these long drives, I wouldn't have had to take him out if only you could manage some time for your son from your so-called busy schedule. Do you even know who all are coming to our house in your absence?"

Nyonika crossed her arms in front of her. For an outsider, the way they argue would give away the fact that Cabir was the perfect son of Nyonika Malhotra even if he swore to refuse it till his deathbed. "There are cameras around the house and there are guards keeping the security check. I think the Malhotra house is one of the safest places for my son so, what is your point?"

"Right, it's the safest place but what about people whom you yourself have given permission to come in. How can your guards stop them?"

"Will you stop spinning puzzles and come straight to the point?"

"Alya. Your best friend's daughter", informed Cabir.

"Alya is Manik's classmate and she was visiting to help Manik to catch up with his studies", told Nyonika.

The situation was nowhere near funny but Cabir burst out laughing because who could even stop him from being dramatic. When he found Nyonika rolling her eyes at him, clearly expecting something like this in the middle of a serious discussion, he sobered up. "My brother doesn't need someone to help him in studies. He is smart enough to do it all by himself and she is an Arts student. If she was so interested in her social service, she should be helping me."

Nyonika frowned and Cabir wanted to pat his back for making a sensible enough counter-argument that made the Nyonika Malhotra stop and think. Before he could lose his once in a blue moon moment and go out of luck because one can't make Nyonika Malhotra speechless for long, he wanted to unfold the true face of the girl she thought as a family friend. "Mom, do you want to know something interesting? Alya became Manik's classmate by her choice. She recommended this college to you so that she can have him."

"Cabir Malhotra". Nyonika's voice boomed in the empty living room as she had the sternest look on her face that Cabir has ever seen in his life but he stood by his ground even when a wave of fear started creeping inside his heart. "I won't tolerate my children disrespecting girls. Keep all your bad boy attitude to yourself. If you are talking about a girl like this again, age will just be a number when you are undergoing your punishment."

Cabir nodded and stared at his feet. Yes, Nyonika Malhotra was scary, thought Cabir to himself. He sent a quick prayer to all the people who have to deal with his mom on a regular basis. He shook his head. He can't accept his defeat when he isn't at fault and not exactly when he came through this far in their argument. "I am not disrespecting anyone", he whispered since it felt like a lie because he wanted to just do that. He shook his head again and stared right through Nyonika's eyes. He drew courage from the woman who made her name a synonym for it in the business world.

"Your favorite girl was forcing herself on my Bhai", he finally dumped the truth on her and the rest of the words flowed like a river. "Hadn't if I went to his room accidentally, I don't even want to imagine what would have happened to him. Manik was disturbed by all this and I had to take him out on a drive to distract him." He waited a moment to let the information sink in her head before shoving his hands again in his jeans. "Mom, I don't know what you will do with her but if at all she is coming near my brother again, I promise, I will kill her. I am least concerned about your friends and their daughters", he warned. Beneath all his jovial character and him being a drama queen, he was still a Malhotra and the anger of a Malhotra could burn an entire world.

"Cabir-"

"Before you say something, I know how to protect my Manik. I will go to any extent for his happiness. Goodnight, mom." When the adrenaline rushed out of his system, he suddenly felt so tired. He knew by experience, they could keep on arguing the whole night. Hence, after spilling out everything he wanted to say, he stormed off to his room without listening to her next words.

XXX

Manik was startled when he felt a hand caressing the frowns in his forehead. He sighed looking at the soft smile on his mother's face. "Mom, I apologize for everything", he told in a hurry.

"It's okay, Manik. I am sorry too. Why didn't you tell me about Alya? Is this the first time?", she asked.

Cabir might have told her, thought Manik and mentally noted to buy him his favorite chocolates for excusing him from explaining it to his mother. "She did the same thing in my class once. Fortunately, one of my friends saved me from her."

"You didn't tell me, you already made some friends", she asked with a smile. "Who is this friend anyway?"

"Nandu", told Manik.

"Nandu? A girl?", asked Nyonika surprised.

Manik panicked and shook his head. "No, Nandakishore. A boy", he lied and the panic turned into guilt but when his mother just nodded, he felt it was okay.

"Say thanks to him from my side", said Nyonika. She held his hand in an assuring grip and gave it a light squeeze. "Don't worry about Alya now. I will talk to her parents and ask her to stay away from you."

When Manik gave her a smile, trying to show all his gratitude in that one smile, she kissed his head. "Go to sleep. It's already late."

"Can I go to Cabir's room for some time?", asked Manik hesitantly and waited for her to turn it down but she surprised him by nodding.

"Make sure he is fine and ask him to sleep too. He has this habit of staying awake till dawn and it will affect his health", she told.

Manik grinned. "I will, mom. Don't worry."

Nyonika ruffled his hair before leaving the room.

XXX

Manik found Cabir lying on his bed, a blank face on his face as he stared at the ceiling above him. Manik sighed and sat beside him. Without glancing up, Cabir shifted his head to Manik's lap making the elder one smile.

As Manik stroked Cabir's hair, he noticed the frowns on his head. "What is my baby bro thinking?"

"Why did dad leave us, Bhai? He was our hero, right, then why didn't he ever turn back to think about us?" Cabir's voice was a mere whisper.

"Didn't you say, he was our hero? Don't heroes save everyone? He is also there, kid, saving people who need him more than us", explained Manik, half-heartedly. He missed his dad too but he needs to be strong for his brother.

Cabir turned in his lap to look at Manik but Manik hated the empty look on his brother's face. What wouldn't he do to erase that away from him? He turned his attention to Cabir when he started to speak again. "Why does it have to be him, Bhai? We were so happy. Mom, dad and us but look at us now. Our family isn't family anymore. Mom has changed completely. She doesn't care about us anymore. It's just you and I. What if something happens to us and what if we will drift apart too? I don't want to lose you too, Bhai."

Manik let Cabir rant out everything that was bothering him. Once his brother was out of words, Manik caressed his head. "You aren't losing me, Cabir", he told with a confidence which he always felt around his brother. When Cabir stared at him in confusion, Manik chuckled. "How can I live without my baby brother? We are still a family, kid. Yes, Mom is busy with the company and she doesn't get sufficient time for us. How about we finish our studies quickly and help her? Then she can't refuse to stay away from us. We will camp out in her cabin at the office", explained Manik in a hushed voice.

He felt himself grinning when Cabir gave out a chuckle. "Baby, think about it. Dad is still here too. Around us. Do you know how proud he is watching his little Cabir all grown up? You are his darling son, right? My baby brother hangs out with all the wild animals on this planet. Do you know how courageous he is?"

Manik wanted to say more. He wanted to make him understand that it's okay to follow his dream. It's okay if his mom is angry about risking his life out instead of concentrating on his studies. Manik knew the hard work Cabir puts in every picture he captures. Manik wanted to promise that he would always be there for him, no matter what but he felt all his words have already had hit their target when Cabir wrapped his hands around the middle of Manik from where he was sleeping.

"I love you, Bhai. I love you so much", whispered Cabir.

Manik leaned down to hug him back. "I love you too, kid. Why don't you sleep now? We have to go to college in the morning, right?"

"What about you?", asked Cabir.

"I will sleep too, baby." He pecked his head and stroked his hair until he felt Cabir's breaths evening out. Adjusted the comforter properly, he decreased the temperature of the room before switching the lights off on his way out.

XXX

The next morning when Cabir woke up for college, he was already late. It was nothing unusual but he blamed his argument from last night with his mother. After getting ready, he went to the dining hall to find Manik, who had just completed his breakfast along with his mother. He ignored everyone since it was so early in the morning and his brain is only half awake.

"Cabir, have your breakfast", told Nyonika.

"No. I am not hungry. Manik are you done?" He asked grabbing an apple from the table.

Manik nodded. "I am driving", he told and grabbed the car keys.

"No, I am driving", protested Cabir.

"Kid, at least finish your apple. You need the energy to attend classes", told Manik and ran outside after messing up his hair.

"Stop messing with my hair", Cabir yelled at his brother and was about to follow him but stopped when his mother called him. "Yes, mom", he said with the same bored tone he always uses with her.

"Take care of your brother", told Nyonika.

"I know how to-", started Cabir but was cut off in midspeech when his mother stood up from her chair.

"And yourself too", she said, patting his cheek before leaving the room.

For the first time in a long time, there was a smile on his face as he left for his college.

XXX

It was an impossible task to stop Cabir from talking when he was in his happy mood, which is every day but today he was on cloud nine. He realized, somewhere deep down in the hidden valleys of his mother's heart, she still cared for him. It felt like a long-forgotten memory as if he was looking at an old movie that he wanted to curl up and crave for more but his masculine ego refused to give in. Hence, he started babbling nonsense to Manik making sure to keep the 'mom' topic as far away as possible.

They were so engrossed in their conversation, forgetting their surroundings that when someone collided with Manik, he got startled and closed his eyes, stopping abruptly on his tracks. It was his quick reflexes that Cabir wrapped a hand around the girl's waist, stopping her from falling down but when he straightened her up, he mentally cringed looking at her as he subtracted a few days from his long lifetime. "Are you okay?", he asked hesitantly.

"Okay ke bache", shrieked the girl, "did your concentration go on a vacation? Didn't you learn to look ahead and walk during your childhood and how dare you to touch me?"

"What? Am I supposed to let you fall down? Listen, I have some manners, okay?", he retorted. As noticed by Cabir, Manik opened his eyes listening to the voice of their head girl. He also noticed how they got widened in fear and yet, his brother pulled him aside as he spoke to her.

"Nandini, I really apologize for letting you fall down. It wasn't his mistake. I wasn't looking ahead, okay. You can even punch me if you want but leave him, please", he blabbered.

Cabir frowned. He didn't like the idea of someone even thinking about harming his brother. "Bhai, it's okay. She didn't fall down."

"Cabir, keep quiet", he scolded lightly before looking at the head girl. "Nandini, he is just a kid. Don't take his words to heart, please."

"Manik, relax. It's okay", she said and gave him a smile to prove her point.

"Really? You-"

Nandini rolled her eyes. "Oi, item. I said, it's fine, right? It is. Now stop overthinking", she told.

He nodded and glanced at his watch when he realized he was getting late to class. He pointed it out to Nandini. As she had a meeting with the principal, he went along on his way after telling Cabir to attend his classes too.

As soon as Manik was out of earshot, Cabir glared at Nandini. "How can you not respect my brother?", he asked in disbelief.

Nandini brows furrowed for a moment before she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Listen, stop behaving like an illiterate. You can't hold his hand forever or make him walk throughout his life. Let him look at the world, let him understand the people here. More importantly, let him breathe. We are his friends and we wouldn't harm him. I don't care if you trust us or not. You can't rule me. So, just go and attend your classes. Bye."

She stormed off from the place and Cabir found himself gaping at her. It was the first time when a girl had shut his mouth, a girl he barely knew. Some part of his brain realized it was because there was truth in her words. 

Multiple points here.

1. Cabir and Manik are twins. Yes. 

2. Cabir is a tad bit overprotective of Manik. Do you think it will create problems between Manan?

3. Are your opinions on Nyonika changed? Or do I have to update more to give clarity on her character?

4. Nandini had just shut Cabir's mouth. How rare is that for Cabir Malhotra here?