Surprise Again!!!

I'm free till 7 July most probably, after that My PG classes will start over *crying out aloud* so take as many updates you can in this week.

Ps- 150K views on the story *bursting confetti*

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"वो जो एक शक्स नही मिला,
ले कर कायनात का क्या करू?"

"Beer?" Manik looked at Cabir and sighed before taking the beer can from his hand. He again looked at the pool reflecting moon and took a sip from the can.

Cabir too took a sip from his can and dipped his legs in the cold water like Manik. The night was chilled and so was water. So when he dipped his legs he shivered and was about to remove them when Manik stopped him.

"Aadat ho jayegi, give it some time."

(You'll get used to)

"Bada experience h tujhe" Cabir again sipped his beer and kept his legs in the water. He looked at Manik who was sipping his drink in silence.

(You've lots of experience)

"Okay now your silence is literally scaring me dude. What had happened to you? Why are behaving like a Devdas?" Manik looked at Cabir and tsked before looking ahead.

"It was good silence, you had to disturb it right? And nothing has happened to me." Cabir looked at Manik with an annoyed face who just kept sipping on his beer.

"Yeah? And I don't love food anymore."

Manik rolled his eyes and Cabir elbowed him making him wince.

"Kya hai? Kya Janna h tujhe?"

(What? What do you wanna know)

"Sach, Truth, Satya, Verdad, I don't know any more synonyms in other languages" Manik threw his head back and sighed audibly. He kept looking at the sky filled with stars and moon. He took another sip from his beer can.

His mind went back to the day's event. His meeting with her. Maybe because he doesn't want to believe the truth or maybe because he just want to give false hopes to his mind, but he is not ready to accept that there would be someone in her life. And even if there is someone, she is not happy. Her eyes, they says it all.

But maybe it's all his imagination. Maybe because his heart wants what it wants, and is giving him hopes, false hopes. No! He isn't going to give into it. Love is letting go. If she is happy with her daughter, her, her daughter's father, then there is no way he will even think about doing anything.

But then why the hell she doesn't looks happy.

"Manik."

"Huh?" Manik looked at Cabir with that vulnerable look. Cabir was surprised seeing him like that. Now he was sure that there is something big that has made Manik so vulnerable.

"Manik, share it out Bro. What happen? Is it.. is it about Nandini?" Cabir was sure it's about Nandini. He had witnessed today event in the college, Manik and Nandini's convo. He was hell confused with Manik's behaviour in front of Nandini. Any other day Manik would've been gazing at her lovingly but today, he wasn't even meeting her eyes. He couldn't hear them but their faces only told him a story.

"Nandini!" Cabir looked at Manik who took Nandini's name like a prayer.

"She is not mine Cabir. She can never be." Cabir was confused while Manik's face showed no expression.

"Not yours means? She is your The One right? I know she might not love you yet, but Bro, are you giving up? Already?" Manik was not someone to give up on something so easily. And this is the case of His The one , one for whom he is waiting since his childhood. And now when he has found her, is he already giving up?

But why?

"I wish, she could love me. But she can't. She can never love me Cabir. She can never be Mine. She is not mine. She is not." Cabir was shocked when he saw Manik's eyes red and he gulped the whole beer in one go. Cabir was confused, he was shocked. What had happened to his best friend?

"Manik, say it clear yaar. Stop talking in circles. What had happened to you? Why are you saying like this? Why are you saying that she can never be yours?"

"Because she can't dammit! She can't because she already has someone in her life. She can't because she already has a family of her own. She fucking can't because she is a mother, she has a daughter Cabir. She can't!" And to say Cabir was shocked would be understatement.

Mother?

Nandini has a daughter?

Isn't she too young to be a mother?

And how does Manik know?

He looked at Manik to saw him looking ahead. He wasn't crying, maybe because his tears has been dried up. Manik's eyes were red due to the pain he was feeling. His eyes weren't crying but his heart was.

Manik then narrated the whole incident of Monday evening to Cabir. Cabir was more shocked hearing that Anahita was Nandini's daughter. The world is too small. He looked at his best friend and his own eyes were welled up with tears.

From childhood Cabir had grown up seeing Manik waiting for his The One, with whom he would spend an entire life. Manik loved her even before he knew her. Then why God was testing such a pure love of such a pure soul?

If she wasn't meant to be his, then why her?

He looked at his best friend and gulped his lump. To be honest, Cabir was still not ready to accept that Nandini has a daughter. There are chances that Anahita is not her daughter and just closely related to her.

But he didn't wanted to give any hopes to Manik.

Cabir's gut feelings were telling him that there is more. If really Anahita is Nandini's daughter, then where was her father? Because as much as he heard Manik's story of that day, there was no father involved. Which father would not come to hospital to see his daughter?

Maybe there was something that Manik was missing out, because he was too heartbroken right now.

But he will find the truth. For his Buddy. He wanted to go with his gut feeling.

He was sure If Nandini wasn't meant to be Manik's, then Manik would've not found her.

But now if Nandini is the one, then she is meant to be Manik's.

Maybe it's time for Cabir to use his spy mind and find out the truth, if there is any, which he was sure that there is something.

And maybe, he would play a little role in this epic love story, and in future Manik and Nandini would name their kid after his name.

Oh, he would so love to be a Godfather.

But before that he had to go through some extra miles. He can do that for his best friend, but for now he decided to not give any hopes to Manik.

First he will himself look into the matter and find out the truth.

Even if there is a guy in Nandini's life, what are the chances that she loves him? Maybe it was forced. He can anyway arrange some goons for him, or not?

Shaking his head at his stupid mind he looked at Manik who was sitting with blank face lost in his thinkings.

By god if Cabir has to use some goons power to make his friend happy, he will.

.
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"Shona, you've to take this medicine bacha, otherwise how will you get super fine soon, hmm?" Anahita shaked her head with tears in her eyes while Nandini too took a defeated sigh.

If anything, her daughter's state was making her feel bad. She looked at Ishita who nodded her head in no, asking her to not cry. But how can she not? Everytime Nandini would look at Anahita, she would feel that she was failing, failing as a mother. She wasn't even able to take care of her properly.

Ishita sighed and felt bad for both mother and daughter. She knows Anahita was cranky because of the doses of medicine and her injuries. While Nandini was feeling dejected because she was blaming herself for her daughter's condition.

Ishita looked at her phone when it pinged with a message. She opened the WhatsApp message and smiled. She went towards the bluetooth speaker in the room and connected her device with it before playing the voice message she got.

Hello Princess!!

How are you my sweetheart? I know, I know wrong question. You're always my brave and smart Princess, no? And right now too you must be shooing away your pain with some magical words, right?

Anahita's face glowed with excitement as she heard her Loktal's voice. She clapped her hand enthusiastically and looked at the bluetooth speaker with awe.

Nandini was surprised too hearing Manik's voice. And the instant change in her daughter's body language made her more surprised.

Wasn't she crying a while ago?

Nandini looked back at the speaker as Manik's voice rang in the room.

"Also, sorry that your Loktal didn't came to meet you, but trust me I'll soon come to meet you. But till then you can manage with my voice, right?"

Anahita bobbed her head as if understanding everything.

"I knew it you will understand me. My smart Princess. But hey, don't bob you head so frantically, it will pain sweetie!"

Nandini was amazed. How the hell he knew about Anahita's actions so accurately. She looked at her daughter who was giving a sheepish smile to the speaker. Amazed she looked at Ishita who raised her shoulder in shrug with a smile.

So this song, is for my Princess. Enjoy Darling!

*Guitar strumming*

You Are My Sunshine
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away x2

Always keep smiling like that Primcess. I'll soon come to meet you, okay, but for that you have to keep taking your medicines on time okay?"

Bye! Love you!!!

"Love Ju Too Loktal" Anahita jumped on her seat. She was beaming with joy hearing her Rockstar's voice.

Nandini heart swelled with joy seeing her daughter so happy. She was surprised when Anahita herself asked medicine from Ishita.

"Ompho Shi maa!! Medi do naa."

(Offo Ishi Maa, give me medicine)

Ishita laughed and gave medicines to Anahita who took them with a srcunched face but gave a thumbs up later. Then Ishita asked Anahita to lay down.

Nandini sat near her daughter who was now hearing Manik's recording on Ishitha's mobile. She smiled caressing her daughter's hair.

All this while she thought that she was enough for her daughter.

But seems like it's not the truth.

Nandini doesn't know when and how her daughter bonded so much with Manik. No doubt Anahita is an extrovert kid, but still she doesn't let anyone be too close to her except Nandini and Ishita. But seems like, Manik is an exception too.

Maybe it is in him, that one feel secure and peaceful in his company automatically. The way he cares for everyone, the way he go extra miles just to make the other person smile. If you have Manik Malhotra around you, no chance that you can move away without curving your lips. His aura is magical.

Thinking about Manik, Nandini's mind flashed her meeting with him on Friday. She didn't saw him after that on Saturday in college and today was Sunday. She was still confused with his behaviour that day.

Before Nandini could ponder more, doorbell rang. She asked Ishita to keep seated with Anahita as she was telling a tale to her now. Nandini stood up and Anahita held her hand.

"Mimi come fasht!"

(Fast)

"Mimi gonna come super fast baby." Nandini kissed Anahita's forehead making her grin and walked out to open the door. She was surprised seeing the person standing on the other side of the door.

"Cabir."

Cabir gave a sheepish smile and waved his hand. He steadily roamed his eyes around the hall to inspect.

"Uh, Hi Nandini. Actually, uhh, Manik sent me. Yeah! Manik sent me. Can I come in?"

"Oh yes please!!"

"Thank you." Cabir entered in the house and Nandini closed the door behind. He again looked around the hall to saw the photo frames hanging around. He raised his brow with suspicion when he saw not a single frame where a particular guy was there.

There were beautiful pics of Anahita, from her being a baby to current ones. Her pics with Nandini and Ishita. The trio pics. He did some calculation in his mind and nodded thoughtfully.

"Cabir?" Nandini was confused seeing Cabir there. Not like she was close to him. Although she didn't felt uncomfortable around him but she wasn't comfortable too. But she chucked her thoughts, she wasn't alone.

"Oh yes! Actually sorry. Manik sent some chocolates for, for your daughter?" He looked at her reading her expression but they gave him no clue.

"There was no need Cabir." Nandini frowned. There was literally no need. And even if he wanted to send some, he himself could've come.

"Obviously there was. Actually he was busy with some family issues so he didn't came. I too wanted to meet Anahita when heard about her. She is okay right?" He was seriously worried for that cute munchkin.

"Yes, she is. Thank you. Come please." Nandini took him to Anahita's room who was now playing Chidiya udd with Ishita.

Both Ishita and Anahita looked at him curiously while he gave a wave of his hand to them before greeting Ishita touching his feet.

"Hello Cutie!! How are you?" Cabir flicked Anahita's nose making her giggle and scrunched her nose simultaneously. Nandini bought water for Cabir and he made himself comfortable on a chair beside bed.

"See what you Loktal sent for you?" Cabir fished out a cute teddy bear and some chocolates from the paper bag. Anahita's eyes sparkled seeing the cute brown teddy bear and so many chocolates. Nandini's eyes widened in disbelief while Cabir grinned.

It wasn't a complete lie though. Manik had bought this cute teddy bear for Anahita only, on last Sunday when Fab Five had went to this mall. It was in Cabir's car. Cabir bought some chocolate and took that teddy bear too.

While Anahita was enjoying the soft teddy bear Cabir again ran his eyes in the room like a cop finding for clue. He again furrowed his brows when he didn't find any photographs of male species with Nandini and Anahita.

Now he was damm sure there was something missing out. And his best friend's story had a tiny hope. But still he chose to inspect a little more before jumping on the conclusion.

He looked at Anahita who was now grumbling because her mother wasn't letting her eat the chocolate. He smiled at her cute antics. Soon Nandini moved in the kitchen to fetch some eateries for Cabir. Ishita too moved out of the room to take an important call. And now he was alone in the room with Anahita who was playing with teddy.

"How's the teddy bear Cutie?"

"It is very soft." Cabir smiled when Anahita rubbed the soft teddy with her cheeks. He raised her brows when she looked at him with confused face.

"What happen?"

"I was thinthink what should I call you?"

(thinthink - thinking)

Cabir's eyes sparkled and he grinned.

"What about Chachu?"

"Tachu? What is that?"

(Tachu- Chachu- Uncle)

Cabir chuckled and shaked his head. Technically he will be her Chachu, if there are chances. He thought something and then looked at her who was already looking at him.

"Cutie, you house is very beautiful."

"Thank You."

"I was wondering, where is umm, your Papa?"

(Papa- father)

He looked at the door to confirm that there is no one hearing him. He then again looked at Anahita to saw her sitting with a gloomy face and he frowned.

"Iti, no papa! Iti never saw Papa. Mimi says only Mimi"

Cabir was confused. But one thing was clear, that there was no guy involved currently in Nandini's life. Although there were still many confusions but he was sure that there is nothing like Manik is assuming. There is no happy family. It's just Nandini and Anahita. But Cabir still need to dig more into the matter.

And he will.

He looked at Anahita and distracted her mind by showing her pics of Fab Five in his mobile to which there was an instant smile on her face seeing their photos.

.
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"Abhi see man, Mukti and Navya are very much disturbed seeing you like this. So are Me and Manik. Till the time you won't share your problem how will we fix it?"

"There is no problem that can be fixed Cabir."

Cabir groaned in annoyance. He was already disturbed with whatever going on in Manik's life. He wanted to find the whole truth. He can't see his best friend so heartbroken and shattered. He has never seen him like this. He thought seeking Abhi's help for finding the truth.

But before that Abhi should also share his worries. But seems like he wasn't ready.

"Abhi look, am already very much tensed for Manik. And I need your help for him. But before that you gotta share you problems man. Because you being already so disturbed won't help." Abhi looked at Cabir hearing Manik's name.

"What happened to Manik? He told you right? What is it Cabir? It isn't related to Nandini, right?" Abhi was holding his breath. If it was what he was thinking then Abhi won't forgive himself. How he wish he could travel back to time and tell Manik everything when he first met Nandini.

Cabir frowned seeing Abhi's look. And he was shocked when Abhi spoke about Nandini. So that means Abhi knows Nandini is Manik's The One. But his behaviour made Cabir suspicious.

"Are you hiding something Abhi?"

"Cabir don't counter back question, tell me, no?"

Cabir exhaled and nodded before telling Abhi everything. He frowned when he saw Abhi wasn't shocked hearing about Nandini having a daughter. Still Cabir narrated him everything about that day and then his visit to Nandini's home. At the end of his conversation he saw Abhi furrwoing his eyebrows and his eyes widened before he ran his hand in his hair frustrating-ly.

"Cabir, What the hell?"

"What happen?"

"Cabir, there is no guy involved. I mean there is no love angle. Nandini doesn't have a love life. Yes Anahita is her daughter, but there is no husband or boyfriend in the scene." Cabir was surprised hearing Abhi. How Abhi was so sure about it, he wondered. He saw Abhi pacing around the room with frustration and anger. He was looking tensed.

"Abhi, what happen? And how are you so sure?"

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I never thought this will happen. Manik knows half truth. He would be feeling so broken. Fuck why?" Cabir stopped Abhi by holding his shoulders as he was muttering to himself.

"Cabir, Manik knows half truth Cabir. This is not the whole truth."

"How do you know Abhi? And then what is the whole truth? You said Anahita is Nandini's daughter but there is no husband or boyfriend involved. Then what it is? If Nandini do not have a boyfriend or husband then how come Anahita came into existence?"

"Because Nandini got pregnant after she was raped when she was fifteen."

Cabir was aghast and looked blankly at Abhi. But both of them snapped their head in the direction when they heard vase breaking sound and they were shocked seeing the person.

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Cliffhanger!!! (I wanted to see what authors get giving cliffhanger *chuckles*)

So who was the person? My wild guess is Manik, yours?

How was it?

Can someone tell me Cabir jaise dost kaha milte hai?

(Baki h meri life me bhi ek Cabir but she is unable find my Manik moonscintilla 🥴)

Anyways, what do you think will happen now?

Waiting for your reviews!!

QOD- Which series/serial are you currently binge watching?

Next update - Tomorrow/day after/ anyday 🥴

3383 words!

~A♡