Manik just had taken bath and came outside from the washroom. He was only in his pajama pants.

He heard Maria voice and someone was banging on the extra door which was in his room.

He immediately ran there and open the lock.

The last he heard was Maria crying papa and Nandini shouting on her.
And then the door flew open where stood his baby crying and looking at him, and Nandini.

Maria: papa
She said and hugged his leg and cried even louder.

Nandini stood there numb
Nandini self talk : Ayyiappa this room has a door connected to Manik's room ayyo. He has worn only pant. Ohh God he has six pack. He does work out. He has a perfect body. Does not look like a father only. Hot and Handsome.
Her self talk and staring section was disturb by Manik clicking his fingers in front of her.

Man: You are standing in a bath robe infront of me. Will you do the needful of wearing your clothes.
He said looking at her face angrily.

Nandini soon realized and looked at her self from down to up.
She felt so embarrassed that she turned into red like a tomato and covered her face.

Nan: Sorry
She said and ran into the washroom grabbing her clothes from the bed.

Manik looked at Maria who was holding his leg and resting her head on it. Taking her papa leg as a support for her head. The site was so adorable that Manik felt alittle more in love with her baby seeing her doing these antics.

But he had to be alittle strict this time. Maria's these insecurities and reserve behaviour was not good at all. He wanted her to be bold and strong not cranky, weak and scared types.

So he just avoided her and moved her hand away from his leg and moved inside his room.

He took his tshirt and worn it, while Maria silently followed him in his room taking baby step behind him.

She was standing facing him while he sat on his bed with his phone checking his Mails and messages.

Maria: papa
She hold his hands to get his attention.

Manik didn't jerked her hand but didn't look at her.

Nandini soon came out from washroom wearing her night wear full sleves tshirt and pants of power of girls pink colour. She was swearing to her ayyiappa that she will behave herself, not be clumsy and won't stare at him at all.

She looked around her room to see whether Manik or Maria were there then she went to the connected door to find Manik sitting on the bed busy with his phone and Maria standing infront of him with tears in her eyes.

Nandini could clearly see her crying silenty.

Maria: papa...papa
She kept on ranting pulling his hands.

Finally Manik looked at her face with serious expression but it soften after seeing her crying.

Maria: papa
She said stretching her hands asking him to pick her up.

Manik didn't carry her, he kneel down infront of her.

Man: What happened ?
He asking wiping her tears.

Maria hugged him and looked at him again and asked

Maria: Why no talkin
She said sniffing her nose.

Man: I don't like to see you crying you know that right
He said wiping her tears which were again form in her eyes.

Maria nodded wiping her own tears now using her small hand.

Man: Then why were u crying
He asked calmly

Maria: you....wand weri..noy
She said sobbing now badly.

That was it for Manik he could not anymore be hard on her as he could not tolerate her tears they were like knife to him which stabs his hearts millions of time.

He immediately carried her and hugged her tightly rubbing his hand on her head and back to calm her down.

Man: Hey princess papa is here na so stop crying. Bus ekdam chup. No more crying. Papa is sorry he won't leave u ever again okay.... sorry my baby.
He said making her face him wiping her tears which were not ready to stop.

Maria: okai
She said cutely nodding her head.
Which made Manik kissed her all over her face and hug her more tightly.

Man: One day I will eat you up for being so cute.
He said acting to bite her hands while she laughed loudly.

Nandini too laughed looking at them which made Manik look in her direction.

Nan: wo.... I came to see her if she is okay.
She said making sure she does not stammer.

Man: Yup she is fine better than before.
He said sarcastically

Nan: I am sorry she got up when I was in washroom I tried to explain her that
She was cut off by him.

Man: You should be sorry Miss Murty.
He said coldly with anger.

Man: Don't ever dare to raise your voice on my daughter ever again. No one has that right to talk to her loudly. Do you get that.....
He said glaring at her deathly

Nandini was blaffled she nodded her head silently with tears flowing from her eyes.

Nan: I am sorry
She said sniffing her nose

Maria kept on looking at her all the while putting her thumb in her mouth.

Man: Chalo let's get you clean.
He said taking Maria to the washroom.

Maria: noy papa it's coldi....pleasi
She was cribbing continuously while Manik kept on making her understand.

Nandini went in her room she packed Maria bag again and went and kept in Manik's room along with her toys. She arrange her clothes in the closet and kept the doll on the bed. She put the heater too in his room, connecting the switch and putting it on.

She kept the night wear what she had taken out for her on his bed and went back to her room with silent tears flowing continuously from her eyes.

She didn't knew why she was doing all this but did as she felt like doing.

Nandini was so hurt that she felt on her bed covering herself with duvet and cried out loudly covering her mouth with pillow so that her voice can't be heard.

No one had ever talk to her like this or insulted her in this way. Her bhai also has never spoke to her so rudely.

Nandini self talk : Ayyiappa why am I crying for that monster. How can he talk with me so rudely. I didn't mean to shout on his daughter. I was trying to explain her par. Nevermind he is right on his path. Who am I to him and his daughter. I was wrong I should have not shouted. I should have not brought her here only at the very first place knowing from before that she does not like me. Aur kar social service Nandu and then sit and cry like this, it's all your fault.
She kept on talking endlessly until and unless she didn't fall asleep crying.

Manik carried Maria outside covering her completely with towel she was shivering athought the water was warm then too.

Manik notice the heater was on, her clothes were kept on the bed, her suitcase kept on the side and the closet was properly arrange with her clothes.

He was surprise to see all this, and realised it was done by Nandini.

Deep down he felt guilty to talk to her like that, it was wrong. But he could not stand Maria's tears too.

He wiped Maria with towel dressed her up and combed her hairs covering her with the duvet and keep the heater near her to keep her warm.

Because of cold her cheeks had turned red which made Manik peck on it again and again.

Manik self talk: Nandini Murty is such a big distraction. I should have not shouted on her. Why the hell did she do this all, arrange the closet, heater she should have being angry then. Ohh God this girl will soon drive me crazy. Par she was looking so cute in her night wear. Knowing she is a emotional fool more precisely a sensitive doll I should check on her whether she is okay.

He moved towards her room and entered from the connecting door too find her sleeping peacefully hugging the pillow.

Manik moved towards her bed and covered her properly with the duvet. He sat down besides her. Her soft chubby  cheeks attracted him so much that unconsciously his hands moved to her cheeks and were caressing them.
His hands were warm which made Nandini to move towards his touch.

Manik kept on looking at each and every features of her face that is her tiny nose, pouty lips, the frown on her head, soft chubby cheeks and her dove shape eyes which were right now close. He caressed her face with his knuckles and smiled looking at her. He kept on staring at her face until Maria didn't call him.

Maria: papa
She said softy standing on the door.

Manik came out from his lala land to reality and stood up.

Man: hmm
He just hummed and move towards her.

Maria: sleepin sleepin
She asked pointing towards Nandini.

Man: Yup
He said and carried her to his room.

Mukti had already got ready and was sitting on the bed surfing the channel on TV. Waiting for Abhimanyu to get ready so they can go out for dinner.

While Abhimanyu stood under the shower from past 30 minutes shocked and reasoning himself that it is a lie.
He kept on thinking over the same thing again and again.

Cursing Manik's fate he kept on reminding himself that Manik will never get to know and for that he will do anything.

Manik came out to check whether Abhi or Mukti were ready but he didn't find them in living room so he knocked on their door.

Mukti opened the door to find Manik standing.

Man: Hey what's wrong tum dono ko kafi time lagaya. Aisa kya kar rahi thai.
He said in teasing tone and winked at her.

Mu: Manik wo Abhi washroom mi hai.
She said moving inside.

Man: Acha kitni time se
He asked smirking at her.

Mu: pass 30 min se
She said looking at the washroom door.

Man: Kya seriously !!! He is having a bath or gone to sleep inside.
He moved towards the door and knocked on it hard

Man: Idiot are to awake. Dude you have a bed to sleep on yaar. Kar kya raha hai tu. Baahar nikal
He shouted loudly banging the door.

Abhimanyu was shocked to hear his voice he wipe his tears and wash his face again and put off the shower.

Man: Murty are you awake can u hear me. Faint toh nai hogaya.😂
He kept on banging the door

Finally Abhimanyu opened the door and came outside covering his lower half body in towel.

Manik looked at him and smiled

Man: Saawarya mode Abhi
He tease him, while Abhi for once also didn't look at him.

Man: kar kya raha tha for so long. As long as I know you toh take minimum time in washroom toh aaj kya hua tujhe
He asked ruffling his hair.

Abhi: Change karna hai 5 minutes I will see you in living room.
He said taking his clothes

Manik looked at him for awhile and just nodded.

Mu: Manik I will also come with you. Maria kaha hai she is with Nandini kya ???
She asked him holding his hands so his attention get's diverted.

Man: No she is outside in the living room watching cartoon.
He said looking at Abhi who's back was facing them.

Abhi pretended he was checking his phone but was holding back his tears.

Mu: Acha chal let's go out.
She nudge him again

Man: Abhi
He called out for him not being sure

Abhi: hmm I will be there
He said moving in the washroom again.

The duo moved to the living room

Mu: Maria what are you watching chotu ?
She asked sitting next to her on the sofa.

Maria : Tom and Jerri
She said cutely looking at Mukti and then again looked at the TV.

Manik was in his own world he moved outside the cottage.

Manik self talk: Why was he behaving so weird. What wrong with him. ABHIMANYU ohh God baat karni hogi.
He stared at the sky above looking at the stars.

Mukti moved towards Nandini room to check on her.

Mu: Nandu...... nandini....Nandu....
She knocked on her door.

Nandini moved in her sleep while hearing the shout of Mukti.

Mu: NANDINI open the door. Kya kar rahe hai
She said angrily again.

Finally sleepy head got up with jerk. She moved towarda the door and opened the door rubbing her eyes.

Mu: Soo gayi thi. Sleepy head chal wash your face and come outside.
She said pulling her cheeks while Nandini nodded.

Soon Manik came inside, he and Mukti got involved in some conversation.

Nandini too came outside and manik and she looked at each other.

She frowned looking at him and turn her face to other direction.

Nan: Where is bhai Mukti aur kitna time I am hungry.
She said pouting.

Abhimanyu just came there
Abhi: chali
He said walking outside not waiting for anyone.

Nan: What happened to him
She asked looking at Mukti

Mu: Nothing chalo I m too hungry. Maria come
She said holding Maria hands and moving outside.

Man:Nandini
He called for her but got an angry glare and Nandini stomped her legs and moved outside.

Man: Ohh God it's going to be along night.
He said looking up.

___________________________________

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I will be updating long chapter's so it won't be possible to update regularly.
But will try my best.

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