Hello Fam. As I have mentioned earlier, these few chapters are a bit serious. Kindly have patience. :)

Happy Reading...

Morning 11 AM, Murthy Mansion

Nandu's room

Nandu was playing on her mobile, still sleeping on the bed when Raman enters her room. Seeing him, she covers her face with the duvet.

Raman(amused): Nandu, you aren't sleeping.

Nandu(shouts): I am sleeping.

Raman(chuckles): Acha, I am not here for scolding you. I got strict orders from your best friend not to say you a word.

Nandu(excitedly removed her duvet from face): Really? My best friend is the best.

Raman(taking her into a side hug): Nandu, kal jo bhi hua, don't repeat it again.

Nandu(stuttered): Papa, Soha..

Raman(explained lovingly): Nandu, I know that's a dare. Dekh Manik is matured enough, he understood you even before knowing the situation. Hamesha aisa nahi hota na, beta. What if he believed all those words of yours? You could have lost him, right?

Nandu started thinking when Raman got a call. Patting her head affectionately, he left her room.

Message

Manik - Nandini, are you awake? If yes, how are you? If no, jaldi uth. I need to see you.

Nandu - I am up. I am fine. But I need some 🌟🌟🌚🌙

Manik - Chand tare kahan se le aaun? Aur woh bhi din mein.

Nandu - Manik, Chand tare nahi, I need some space.

Manik - Kitne acre ka space chahiye?

Nandu - Manik yaar, I am serious.

Manik - What are you doing?

Nandu - I am thinking.

Manik - Acha, message me once you are done. Otherwise main shaam mein aaunga.

Message Ends

After putting her mobile into silent mode, she starts thinking.

Next Day, Evening

Murthy Mansion, Living Room

A frustrated Manik slumps down on the sofa in front of Raman. Aryaman accompanied him as he was equally worried for Nandini.

Manik(hopefully): Did she say something?

Raman nods in a no.

Manik(groaned in frustration): Papa this is the limit yaar. She is avoiding me since yesterday. Call bhi nahi utha rahi. Only a message every time I call. 'I need some space'. Itna space tho Outer Space mein bhi nahi hoga jitna yeh ladki mujhe kal subah se maang rahi hai.

Not having an idea of how to console him, Raman gives Manik a sympathetic look.

Manik(worried): Did she eat anything since yesterday?

Raman(sadly): Ishitha is making her eat. She isn't even allowing me to come into her room.

Manik(sarcastically): Nuclear Bomb bana rahi hai kya andar.

Raman(puzzled): Manik, why aren't you going inside? Tum dono balcony se bhi jate ho na.

Manik(pissed): Nahi. I am giving her 'space'. (Air quoting the word Space)

Arya(raising an eyebrow): Guys, can I try once?

Manik gives him a confused look before holding his hands.

Manik(excitedly): Why the hell didn't you think this before. Just go now. Run.

Aryaman chuckles at his excitement and leaves for Nandu's room.

Raman(frowned): Manik, Aryaman?

Manik(chuckles): Papa, Arya considers her as his sister. Stop worrying.

Raman(amused): Yeh aaj kal sab iss ladki ke bhai kaise ban rahe hai. First Abhimanyu and now Arya.

Manik(informed): Papa, Abhi ka pehle se tha. He is overprotective towards Nandu. His first question always will be 'Is Nandu fine'. He doesn't yet know about Nandu locking herself in her room. Nahi toh pura din yahi baiththa. And Arya just confessed in the party.

Raman chuckles.

Nandu's room

Aryaman knocks on the door of Nandu. Hearing no response, he says.

Arya(yells): Nandu, it's me Aryaman.

Nandu(yells back): Is Manik with you?

Arya(confused): No. No one's here.

She slowly opens the door and pulls Aryaman inside before closing the door.

Arya(teased): Did you even bath? You are stinking, girl.

Nandu(glared): Shut up. I just took my bath. Aryaman, I need your help.

She took him to the balcony and they sat there.

Arya(nodding his head in disbelief): You could have just asked me Nandini. What's the need to lock yourself up in this room? Everyone is worried there.

Nandu(exhausted): Arya yaar, let me speak. It's getting too difficult.

Arya(bewildered): Ok, say.

Nandu(blabbered): Will I lose Manik? Papa bol rahe the, I will, if I will do something stupid like that in the party. All my life I do only stupid things and will I lose him? You know mind reading right? Batao na, please.

Arya(sarcastically): Nandini, breath first. First thing, that's mind reading, not future predictions. And before answering your questions, just do one thing for me.

He goes inside to search a book. Finding one, he scribbles something in it and hands it over to a confused Nandini.

Paper

I am tired of you protecting me always. I hate the fact that my parents love you more than me. I hate it, that if I look into my life, I feel your presence more than mine. I hate it that I need you at every point in my life. I am nothing without you. I hate you, Malhotra. We are not best friends anymore?

Nandu(surprised): Hey, this is my hate speech from the party. How did you remember word to word?

Arya(casually): I can remember stuff after once reading or listening. But before going into details, here, take this pen and replace the word 'hate' with 'love'.

Nandu(confused): Why?

Arya(sternly): Stop asking questions, Murthy. Just write it down and read it for me.

She writes it down.

I am tired of you protecting me always. I love the fact that my parents love you more than me. I love it, that if I look into my life, I feel your presence more than mine. I love it that I need you at every point in my life. I am nothing without you. I love you, Malhotra. We are not best friends anymore?

Nandu(pouts): I still didn't like the last line.

Arya(chuckles): we will come to that last line later. Did you notice the rest of the things? (taking her hand into his) Nandini, you can't hate Manik, even if you want to.

Nandu(baffled): Do I love Manik?

Arya(smiled): Ask yourself, Nandini.

Nandu(shocked): Oh my God. What should I do now? Jump in the excitement that I love my best friend or sulk because I will lose his friendship. (Sarcastically) Thank you, Aryaman, for giving me a reason to lose Manik. Who does this to their newborn sister?

Arya(glaring): You are not newborn. And for once stop blabbering and listen.

Nandu pouts.

Arya(cupping her cheek): Nandu, Manik won't lose you. There's abundance of love between you both. Any blind person can see that. You both are too comfortable with each other to even realize that. Just go and tell him, you love him. He deserves to know.

Nandu(muttered): But why didn't he tell me yet?

Arya(explained): Because he didn't realize yet. But he is scared to death to lose you. He is getting frustrated and snapping at everyone because you didn't talk to him since yesterday. Leave talking, he didn't even see you since the party's night. (concerned) Nandini, he acts all calm and composed only when you are around, safe and sound.

Nandu hugs him tight. Breaking the hug,

Nandu(excitedly): Aryaman, I love my best friend. That means I don't need to leave him for any other girl. He is all mine.

Arya(chuckles and caresses her hair affectionately): Yes, Nandini. He is all yours and you don't need to leave him ever. But for that to happen, you need to tell him about your feelings.

Nandu(panics): What if he rejects me?

Arya(glared): Nandini.

Nandu(pouts): Ok. I will stop overthinking. But don't tell him anything yet. I will clear everything by tomorrow evening.

Arya(nods): Take your time. But don't make him wait for long. He is going insane there.

Nandu nods. Bidding her bye, Aryaman goes down but doesn't find Manik there.

Arya(questioned): Uncle, where's Manik.

Raman(informed): He got a call and left to his room. (worried) How is Nandu?

They talk for awhile and Aryaman leaves to his room. 

Finally, Nandu ko realize ho gaya. Nandu's 'hate speech' during the party was important. Many of you have already felt the love in those words but for those who didn't, here's the thing. 

Are you happy with the chapter?