Neil with sheepishly smile descends down the stairs and moving to the Murthy siblings hugging Nandini.

Neil : I'm sorry Bhabhi. You had to see me like that.

He softly whispers in Nandini's ears. Nandini chuckles lightly and smiles patting his shoulder.

Nandini : it's okay Neil! I don't mind seeing you being so carefree.

Neil breaking the hug gave smile before side hugging avni who smiles at him.

Neil : you didn't expect that. Did you?

Avni : no I didn't but I found it cute..

She giggles and broke the hug making Neil pout sadly lightly.

Neyonika who was so impatient seeing her sons bonding with the girls couldn't keep her curiosity any longer and with heavy heart broke their small banters.

Neyonika: Neil won't you introduce us to your friends.

Neil : off course mom.. mom meet Nandini and avni..

Neyonika getting up pulls both sisters in hug and patted their head.

Neyonika: it's lovely to meet you both.. how come you met these two monkeys..

Neil/ Manik: mom don't embarrass us..

Manik : exactly mom.. how could you call dad creations monkey.

Manik got smacked on his head for raj who gets up and hugs the girls.

Raj : ignore them my child.. they are just being stupid.

Manik rolls his eyes and wrapping his arm around Neil's shoulder gave dad look before whispering to Neil's ears making him chuckle.

Manik : he better not try to impress them.

Neil : he won't.. because they are already taken by us..

Manik smirks and nodded his head before looking at his parents welcoming his love and avni.

Manik turns to his friends were quietly shocked seeing malthora boys Friending with someone who were not from their groups.. they found it hard to digest seeing them bonding so well with Murthy's siblings though they found Nandini very familiar.

Manik : guys.. what is this look? Don't you remember Nandini?

Cabir : is she nerdy Murthy?

Manik glares cabir..

Manik : she is not nerdy.. yes she is same Nandini Murthy from our college.

Alya : oh my god.. on second thought I count recognise.. she has changed a lot over the years.. hey Nandini. It's pleasure to meet you again.

Nandini smiles and hugs Alya making Alya hug back. Nandini also greets Mukbir and Dhruv.

She noticed Bebe so she bend down and touching her foot took blessing. Bebe smiles and placed a hand on Nandini's head blessing Nandini.

Manik looks at avni who was excited for her introduction to fab 4. He chuckles and side hugs her.

Manik : and guys meet avni Murthy.. our biggest fan..

Fab 4 smiles widely and said hi making Avni's eyes widen and gasp.. avni sheepishly smiles at them and looking at Bebe did same what Nandini did.

Neyonika: I will go and see if dinner is ready or not.

Neyonika gets up to move kitchen but was stopped by Nandini who called her back.

Neyonika: yes Nandini.. you need something?

Nandini: can I also help you aunty?

Neyonika: please Nandini.. you're our guest today.

Nandini smiles convincing Neyonika followed her into kitchen with avni who want be with Nandini feeling not comfortable with new people despite knowing Manik and Neil was there.

Neyonika: so how Nandini beta how did you met them?

Nandini got tensed and looks at avni who gave Nandini assuring smile.

Avni : aunty let me tell how we meet them.. actually the day Neil was coming back from London.. I and Neil had encounter in the flight.. we had talk and I told him how big fan about Manik.. he then promised me that he will make me meet Manik.. day later we meet Manik.. I took Nandini Di with me so that's how all meet and pretty well bonded there.

Neyonika: wow! That's lovely to see my boys coming out of their comfort zone. Because of them I got meet lovely and beautiful girls like you both.. are you both originally from Mumbai?

Nandini : no aunty we are not from Mumbai.. we have recently shifted to Mumbai. We are from mangalore.

Neyonika: that's beautiful place.

Nandini nods and the trio continued talking while helping the maid.

Dinner was served with few minutes later. Everyone had the dinner with heartily laughers and chats. It was welcoming and warming dinner for everyone.

They all sat in hall with their dessert. They starts relishing the dessert while talking in between.

Cabir: Neil are you free tomorrow?

Neil : no! Why?

Cabir : I need your help. Please clear schedule and help me out.

Neil looks at cabir then Manik who shook his head.

Neil : I'm sorry Cabir.. I can't cancel any meetings. I have important meeting tomorrow morning.

Cabir : please Neil.. I am depending on you.

Neil : okay.. I will see what I can do.

Cabir grins and smiles himself not knowing the malthora brothers were planning something.

Avni who sat beside Neil whispers something to him.

Avni : what are you planning?

Neil : how do you know what I am planning princess?

Avni blush hearing the word princess from him. Avni slaps his shoulder and turns to Alya called her name out.

An hour later elder wishing good night moves to their room leaving the youngsters alone in the room.

Nandini looks at Manik then the time.

Nandini : Manik can you drops us home? It's very late.

Manik also looks at the time so did Neil.

Neil : why don't you both stay back?

Nandini : we can't Neil.. I have work tomorrow morning.

Manik : it's okay Nandini.. I will drop you both home.

Nandini : thanks a lot Manik.

Manik gave a nod and getting up looks at Neil who also wanted to join then but couldn't because fab 4 were still there and it couldn't be nice to leave them alone.

Nandini and avni bidding bye to fab 4 walks out of the mansion. Manik also follows with Neil who tagged along with them to outside of the mansion.

Neil : Bhabhi wait..

Nandini stops and turning her head around saw Neil running towards them.

Neil : goodnight Bhabhi.. best of luck tomorrow.

Nandini : thank you Neil. And good night too.

Neil smiles looking at avni.

Neil : goodnight avni!

Avni : goodnight Neil. I will see you tomorrow if you are not too busy.

Neil : I would love to.

Manik : Neil get back inside the house.. fab 4 will get suspicious on your behaviour.

Neil rolls his eyes and waving his hand to the Murthy's sister ran back inside the mansion. Manik chucked his head and looking at them gestures them to get in.

Manik drops them to Murthy's mansion. Avni wishing goodnight to Manik comes out of the car leaving the couple alone.

Manik watched avni getting inside the mansion and turns back to Nandini. He cups her face and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Manik : goodnight love.. I will see you tomorrow during lunch. And good luck for the first day. I know you will do it well.

Nandini : thank you mani. Goodnight. I love you.

Manik : I love you too Jaan!

Manik planting a another kiss let Nandini go. He left from there soon as Nandini was out of his sight.

Next morning in Murthy's mansion.

Nandini woke up early as today was her first day back in the hospital. She was very excited and nervous too. She got ready in black jeans with cream colour top. She took her phone and found Manik's message.

( Nandini outfit)

Good morning love. I will pick you up from the hospital -Manik.

Nandini smiles and responded to his message. She grabbing her stuff and walks out of the room.

Nandini frowns thinking who could be in the kitchen as she could smell delicious food aroma. Nandini keeping her stuff moves to kitchen and got surprised seeing her mother there..

Nandini : amma.. how did you get here?

Nandini ran to ishita and hugged her tightly. Ishita smiles and patted her head softly.

Ishita: we got here two hours ago.. my Nandini is going back to work today.. how could we not come?

Nandini : you supposed to next week? Right?

Ishita: yes but your father completed his work and decided to surprise his daughter.. he is in his room sleeping.. I thought to surprise you both with homemade food.. is avni up?

Nandini : I love you so much amma.. I loved the surprise.. no avni isn't up yet.

Ishita nods her head and back to cooking. Nandini sniffs the aroma of the food and licks her lips.

Ishita chuckles and hitting her head lightly asks her to sit at the dinning table.

Ishita turning off the gas serving breakfast in plate placed in front of Nandini who starts digging in.. she took bite and looks at Ishita.

Nandini : amma how was the flight? Did you had any problem getting here?

Ishita: no bacha.. we didn't. Will you be taking your car?

Nandini : yes amma! Please wake avni up.

Ishita: I will princess.

Nandini finishing her food and kissing Ishita moves to grab her stuff when she heard a sleepy voice. She looks up and saw avni coming down while yawning.

Avni : hey di.. what did you make today? It smells so good like amma..

Nandini : open your eyes princess and see who is here?

Avni's eyes shots open and looks behind Nandini.. she sequels and ran to Ishita hugging her.

Avni : amma I missed you so much.. you finally got here... how did you get here..

She blabbers at the same not letting Ishita answer.. Ishita chuckles and broke the hug.

Ishita: princess why don't you fresh up and come down. We can catch up later.

Avni excitedly nods her head and was about run back to her but stops turning back to Nandini. She hugs Nandini.

Avni : best of luck Di.. I love you so much.

Nandini : thank you princess.. go fresh up.

Avni smiling at Nandini ran back to her room to fresh up.

Nandini grabs her stuffs and turns to Ishita.

Nandini : amma I'm leaving now.. once appa wakes up say hello to him..

Ishita was about answer but couldn't as someone else beats her.

Raman : why wouldn't my daughter say hello to me herself?

Nandini turns around and saw Raman descending down.. Nandini ran and hugs him.

Nandini : appa.. I missed you..

Raman : I know princess.. come now. I don't you to be late on your first day. We will talk later. Let me drop you first.

Nandini : but appa.. you look tired.

Raman : nothing is important than my daughter happiness. Let's go!

Nandini nodding her head and bidding bye to Ishita follows Raman.

In malthora mansion.

Neyonika looks at raj who was sipping his coffee reading newspaper. He was aware of her gaze.

Raj sighs and kept the newspaper side and looks at neyonika.

Raj : what is it darling? Wanna say share something?

Neyonika: raj don't you think Manik should settle in his life?

Raj : Neyonika why are you bringing this topic again? We did discuss it before too. He is not ready.

Neyonika: raj I like Nandini.. what if we try convening him..

Raj : even I like Nandini but we can't force Manik. On second thought we will speak to Neil before sharing with Manik..

Neyonika nods and looks at Neil who rush down the stairs.

Neyonika: Neil are you leaving for office?

Neil : yes mom.. I have meeting with client.. I will have my lunch there.

Neyonika didn't argue with Neil knowing he won't stop to have breakfast with them.

Neil kissing his mother cheek and smiling to his father walks out of the mansion.. he got in the car and taking his phone out dials Avni's number.

He smiles as avni picks his phone on second ring.

Neil : good morning avni!

Avni : good morning Neil.. I'm so happy today.

Neil smiles hearing her cheerful voice.

Neil : why is that? How come you are so happy today?

Avni : you knew... actually why don't I share this with you when we meet up?

Neil : that's brilliant idea. How about we meet at 1pm. I will be free around that time. I will send you the message about the location.

Avni : amazing Neil.. I will you for lunch.. I need to quickly get ready.

Neil : okay see you..

Neil ends the call and drove to office where he was having meeting with a client.

Neyonika making Manik's coffee went to his room to see Manik getting ready.

Neyonika: good morning Manik.

She kept the coffee on table and moving to his bed made the bed.

Manik : good morning mom.

Neyonika: what time will you finish work today?

Manik : normal time probably. Why mom?

Neyonika: oh nothing.. I wanted to speak to you about something.

Manik : you share it now mom. I got some time with me.

Neyonika: not now.. I will share with you later.

Manik nods his head not wanting pressurise Neyonika. Neyonika cleaning Manik's room left the room.

Manik after getting ready took his phone and same Nandini's message which sent like half an hour ago.

Good morning mani.. that's great. I would love to see you after work. - Nandini.

Manik smiles and shoving his phone into his pocket and grabbing his briefcase walks out of the room.

~

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