Hello Fam. :)
Happy Reading...
Manik(pleaded): Please stay with me?
He was restless. Nandu couldn't say no to him. She followed him to his room. He made her sit on his bed and he lied on her lap. Nandu didn't protest instead she stroked his hair.
Nandu(cooed): So jao, Manik. You are tired.
Manik(staring into her eyes): Tum chali jaogi.
She hated herself for doing this to him.
Nandu(promised): Nahi jaungi baba. I am here.
Meanwhile, Manik's mobile buzzed. As it was beside Nandu, she took the mobile and saw it's Mukti calling. She knows it's her time to leave. She gave the mobile to him and was about to leave when Manik asked her to stay through his eyes. Though, uncomfortable, she stayed. She doesn't want to stay there when he was consoled by Mukti. Mukti took her place, that's what she felt. But she was happy that at least Mukti could make him happy, unlike her.
Manik(on call): Haan Mukti. I am fine yaar.....Nahi, I am not alone. Nandini hai mere paas....yes, I will take care of myself, baba. Bye.
Nandu was surprised as Manik chose her instead of Mukti but instead, she kept quiet. After sometime when he still was awake, she asked him the question that was bothering her since hours.
Nandu(puzzled): Manik, if you know that I follow you every year, then why didn't you confront me before?
Manik(informed): I know I was being followed. But I was so much into my grief that I never noticed it was you. This year I controlled my emotions and see, I found you.
She couldn't stop herself and pecked his forehead, a single tear escaped her eyes falling on his cheek. For the first time, he smiled in the entire day. She cares, she cares for him. This time, feeling her warmth, he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
Nandu was ruffling his hair thinking about them when she heard someone clearing his throat. She looked up and found Cabir standing there. She asked him to stay silent and carefully adjusted Manik on the pillow before moving out.
Cabir(smiled): I just came here to check on him. If you are here, I guess I needn't be worried.
Nandu(stuttered, looking down): Cabir, aisa nahi hai. I was just leaving.
Cabir(hopefully): It's not a crime to care about someone. Nandu, you mean so much to him. Don't leave him, ever.
Nandu was confused but stayed silent.
Cabir(raising an eyebrow): I am leaving. If you need someone to talk, you know right, you can call me or Navya.
Nandu nods. Cabir pecked her forehead before leaving from there. She went to the study and found Raj near the window instead of his table with files. This was a first in years. She went and hugged him from his back. Raj saw his princess and brought her to the front before hugging her again.
After a few minutes, he took her to the couch and made her sit as he sat beside her.
Raj(guiltily): Princess, I am sorry.
Nandu(surprised): Uncle, aap sorry kyun bol rahe ho?
Raj(explained): I should be with my children on this day when all I did was busied myself in work and you took care of us.
Nandu(holding his hand): Uncle, we are a family. How does it matter if it's you or me?
Raj(caresses her hair): bahut badi hogayi hai meri princess.
Nandu(smirked): Ab itne saal ho gaye toh badi ho jaungi na.
She said this with a wink making him smile. They talked and talked till dinner time. Feeling hungry, they both went to the dining table after freshening up. Raj asked the butler,
Raj: Manik kahan hai?
Butler(informs): Sir, baba ne mana kar diya hai khana se.
Raj(dismissing him): theek hai. Tum jao. (turning towards Nandu with a sad face) He still didn't get over with this. How can I eat without him?
Nandu(assuringly): Uncle, aapko itna time laga hai to get a grip on yourself. He is still a kid. Don't worry, I will make him eat. Aap kha lijiye.
Raj(patting her cheek): he is lucky to have you. Tum nahi khaogi?
Nandu: I will eat with him.
Raj(glared): do you want me to believe this? Tu skip karegi na?
Nandu(changing the topic): Arey nahi. Acha aap yeh batiye, how this sudden change? How did you ditch your files today?
Raj(smiled): Maybe someone put sense into my brains.
Nandu(amazed): Who?
Raj(explains): Cabir. He was there since morning. Phir hum dono tumhare room gaye and found that you two were missing. Driver ne bataya that you went there.
Nandu smiled at them. That's what she likes about Cabir. He manages to make everyone smile. After dinner, Nandu asked the butler to get the food for Manik meanwhile, she called Cabir.
Call
Cabir(concerned): Nandini? Are you fine?
Nandu: Cabir, Thank you.
Cabir(teased): Ab dost ko thanks bolegi? Unless you don't want me to be your friend.
Nandu: Cabirrr...
But she eventually laughs, making Cabir smile.
Cabir: Manik?
Nandu: haan. I am going to him. I will talk to you later.
Cabir: Take care.
Call Ends
After ending her call, she went to Manik's room and found him sleeping with the duvet covering from his head to toe. Nandu smiled at him. He does that when he pretends to sleep. She removed the duvet and found his eyes closed.
Nandu(ordered): Manik, I know you aren't sleeping. Come, get up now.
Manik(in a baby voice): Main so raha hun. Now, go.
Nandu(sarcastically): Ya ya. And you are talking to me in your dreams. Get up now.
Manik sat straight.
Manik(fake angrily): kya hai?
Nandu(forwarding the plate): khana khao.
Manik(pouted): nahi khana.
Nandu(smiles): Acha main khila rahi hun. Open your mouth.
Manik didn't protest but stopped after eating half.
Manik: bas aur nahi khana. Tumne khana khaya?
Nandu(looking down): I will eat later.
Manik(ordered): Nahi abhi khao, mere samne.
Nandu sighs and ate the other half. After tucking him in bed, she was about to leave when Manik stopped her by holding her hand. She turned towards him.
Manik(emotionally): Thank you for today, Nandini. I got a glimpse of my best friend.
Nandu smiled.
Manik(hopefully): How can I get her back?
She cupped his cheek, while he looked into her eyes waiting for her to answer. Breaking the eye contact she said,
Nandu(softly): Stop stressing yourself, Manik. Goodnight.