Abhi: Nandini.....
He called her out being shock.

Man: What are you doing here?
He asked looking in her direction while she walk up to them.

Nan: Sleep walking !!!
She said rolling her eyes.

Man: What ?
He looked at her being confused.

Abhi: When did you started doing sleep walking....why didn't you tell me....we will see a Doctor tomorrow evening when we reach back to Bangalore this is the first thing we will be doing.
Her brother's overprotective mode was on.

Nan: Errr....I was kidding baba. Bhai relax I am wide awake sleep walking nai kar rahe okay.
She said being irritated.

Man: Abhi get her check by a psychiatrist upar ki floor mein pakka defect hai....sorry in her case ground floor.....taking consideration her height.
He said pointing his finger from top to bottom.

Nan: Manik....you get yourself check lumbu.
She said grinding her teeths.

Abhi: Okay please maintain peace and now let me sleep in peace.
He said rasing his hand and moved inside when Nandini stopped him.

Nan: Bhai don't change the topic and you too Monkey Malhotra What were you two talking about....kya problem hai....now answer. I heard huh....so don't try to fool me
She asked them crusiouly raising her eye brow pointing at both of them her finger.

Abhi came back and asked
Abhi: What did you hear ?
He being horrified.

Nan: Protecting me from something, Manik told, you are doing right thing....Bhai what are you protecting me from bolo na ?
She asked again while holding his hand.

Abhi: Nothing....what will I protect you from.
He said giving her a fake smile with few sweat beads on his forehead.

Man: Exactly.....we were toh...
He took his side and then started thinking of some reasons.

While Nandini frowned and looked at him suspiciously.

Man: We were talking about the guy who will marry you....we will have to protect him from you Miss Murty.
He said making up something and clicked his fingers in front of her face.

Abhi smiled and mumbled a thank you.

Nan: Marriage....guy ?
She asked him frowning.

Man: Kyu I thought you were normal...ohh God you are that type...Abhi you didn't tell me.
He looked at Abhi and made weird face.

Abhi: I too didn't know....Nandini kabhi bola he nai.
He too played along with him making a weird face.

Nandini looked up and made her funny faces and stomped her leg.

Nan: Errrr bhai you too are taking this Monster side....
She asked pouting at him making a puppy face.

Man: Okay you got to know the reason toh topic ends....
He said raising his hand.

Nan: I am not getting married. Bhai I will always stay with you.
She said and hugged Abhi with watery eyes.

Abhi: Ohh Nandu I won't send you far okay...
He assured her taking her in his brotherly protective embrace.

Nan: Par I don't want to go only na.
She said in her baby tone while few tears flow down from her eyes.

Man: Good for the guy.
He said making a tuch sound, while Nandini glared at him angrily.

Man: He will be save from shades of dramatic Nandu.
He said making at ohh face.

While Nandini looked at him and grinded her teeths...as he was not ready to stop.

Abhi: Chup kar na salle.

Abhi shouted on Manik while he kissed her sisters forehead.

Man: Kya jhut thori na bol raha hu right na Nandini.
He looked at her who was boiling in anger.

Nandini hit his hand as he was not stopping his teasing session.

Nan: What your problem Manik always you have to make fun of me....you are so mean...this is not fair....
And she kept on hitting his hand with her both hands, while he tried to stop her.

Man: Nandini yaar.... Abhi handle your jhalli beeli....Nandini stop it...ouch you are hurting me.
He said moving backwards.

Abhi: Dude you called for it. Bola chup kar de
He said chuckling

Man: Toh jhut thori na bola...see for yourself how dangerous your sister is... Ohh God save her to be husband....give him power to handle this wild cat
He said dramatically adding more oil to the fire.

Nandini got angry from his continuous rant of the unknown guy, deep down in her heart she was feeling hurt that how can he think of her getting married to someone else.

Nan: Acha....bhoto sympathy hai na for that unknown guy toh you yourself why don't marry me.
She shouted on him while Manik wide his eyes in shock.

Nan: Bolo na
And then she realized what she said poor Nandu always make blunders and say's whatever come in her head without thinking twice.

She covered her face and looked at him while Manik eye went on Abhi face to see his reaction.

Abhi had a straight face while looking at them.

The words had affected him but he kept a blank expression.

Nan: Bhai...wo I was just...I didn't mean wo
She was stammering with her words.

While Abhi ignored her and looked other side and said
Abhi: it's too late go to sleep....tomorrow we are leaving so packing bhi karni hogi especially Nandini...Good night.
He moved out from there with his hands in pockets.

Nandini sighed looking at Abhi who left from there,and then looked at Manik while he too stared back at her and shook his head in annoyance.

Nan: Manik wo galti se mistake hogaya.
She said biting her lips.

Man: Think before you speak baba....kuch bhi bol deti ho....like right now too what's galti se mistake hogaya.
He asked her while frowning and sat on the platform again.

Nan: Sorry na
She too sat next to him.

Man: Haa one day when your brother misunderstand us and break my bones fir hospital mi aana Sorry bolne.
He said while Nandini looked at him angrily.

Nan: Mine your tongue Manik or else I myself will break your bones and won't even say Sorry.
She glared at him and pointed her finger.

Man: Par
She again cut him off.

Nan: Kuch aikal hai....you should never talk about hospital, jail aur graveyard. It's not good kuch hojata hai na then tumse jada your love ones suffer and be in pain you have any idea.
She said and looked in other direction hidding her tears.

Man: Okay sorry....now stop getting emotional.
He said taking her in side hug.

Nan: I am not getting emotional.
She said wiping her tears.

Man: Acha....then your eyes mein si waterfall kyu ho raha hai.
He said touching her cheeks while his hand was around her neck.

Nan: kuch bhi...ave.
She said looking in other direction.

Man: Okay Nandu I got to know you will cry if I die ev...
He didn't even complete his sentence when nandini hit his mouth with her hand angrily.

She slapped around his lips while Manik shouted ouch because of the sudden pain.

Man: Nandini...
He said in pain rubbing his fingers around his lips.

Nan: Kya jod si laga.
She asked glaring at him angrily, her look was so deathly that he bobbed his head in a NO.

Manik after sometime started talking again while Nandini was sitting quitely in deep thoughts.

Man: Like this you hit your future husband ?
He asked her while pouting.

Nandini stared at his face with astonishment.

Man: Kya I thought you seriously meant that... I marry you wala thing.....
He asked making a puppy face while Nandini just open her mouth and close it again...her expression was like a fish who is breathing in water.

Man: Ohh God Nandu wo majak tha....nahe you broke my heart.....mi loot gaya barbad ho gaya oye rabba...
He said tapping his head dramatically, he was pulling her legs full on and soon Nandini realized he was making fun of her.

She stared at him angrily and shouted.

Nan: Manik errr Manik I will kill you....
She was about to hold his neck when he got up and ran around to save himself.

Nan: Manik wait....stop running no one can save you today... Manik.
She was chasing him shouting on him loudly while he was laughing on her.

Just then he heard Maria crying voice coming from living room and soon she walked in the varenda crying loudly while pulling her candy to along with her.

Maria: papa...papa
She sobbed loudly.

Manik got worried and ran to her, Nandini too looked in that direction and went there.

Man: Princess....
He kneeled down infront of her while wiping her tears as she stood in the varenda door crying more loudly after seeing Manik.

Maria: papa...
She said and hugged him hidding her face in his neck holding his t-shirt tightly in her small palm.

Man: kya hua papa ki jaan ko.....
He took her in his embrace and patted her back while Nandini too stood there looking worriedly at her.

Maria: She won't come.... come na again....I don't wand to go.....I wand to stay only with you pleasi
She asked looking at his face while hiccuping and sobbing.

She was shivering in fear and was crying continuously.

Poor innocent soul was so scared.

Man: who will come Maria to take you ?
He asked being confused, her this state had made him really tensed.

Maria: mumma
She said with tears flowing from her eyes.

Maria: I won't trouble you promisi but I wand to go with her. She is bad... she will hit me.
She said with continuous crying and folded her hands as if begging him not to send her away.

Which made Manik baffled he was shock to see her doing this....her insecurities were killing him.

Man: shhss baby....no one will come to take you...papa is there na...and Soha will never ever hurt you again.
He said taking her in his embrace and stood up with her in his arms patting her back and hair while she was shivering being all scared.

Maria: par if she come
She asked him again.

Man: If she come again papa won't leave her....and Maria will always stay with papa only.... no one will take you away from me okay....now no more crying.
He assured her kissing her face continuously while she closed her eyes.

Maria: You won't leave me na ?
She asked him resting her head on his shoulder while Manik walked out of the varenda.

Man: No baby....you don't trust papa.
He asked looking in her eyes waiting for her reply his heart beats were increasing as he was scared what will she say her today's questions and crying had shocked him to the core.

Maria bobbed her head in Yes.

Maria: I trus (trust) you.
She said wiping her tears from back of her hands.

Man: So till papa is there no one will ever harm you pakka promise.
He promised her and made her lie down on the bed and sat next to her caressing her hair.

Man: Now my princess will go to sleep.
He said and kissed her.

Maria: You too sleepi sleepi
She said patting the bed telling him to sleep next to her.

Man: You sleep first then papa will sleep....
He kissed her forehead.

Maria: candi
She pouted getting up.

In her crying she left her candy out there in varenda and hugged her papa tightly.

Nan: Here it is...your candy.
She said entering inside the room.

Maria: tank you.
She smiled looking at her and made her doll sleep next to her while on other side Manik sat holding her tiny fingers in his strong firm ones.

Maria: Good night
She said looking at her papa.

Man: Good night baby..May angels come in my darlings dreams and blessed her with infinite happiness.
He said kissing her nose while she giggled.

Nandini stood there looking at them.

Nandini self talk : A minute ago she was crying and shivering and now is all happy. Only Manik know how to handle her wisely....he is a perfect father. And their love and trust for each other is irreplaceable and unique.

Manik caressed her hair with other hand while she holded his one hand with her and went to sleep.

Manik was looking at her face in deep thoughts .

Today's scenario had shook him her crying and shivering face was not ready to leave from his head.
Unknowingly while looking at her his eyes became watery.

As daughters are always more attached to their father.

Nan: Manik are you okay ?
She asked him touching his shoulder.

Man: Yes, I am fine
He said face palming himself inorder to wipe his tears.

Nan: Manik give some time to her and yourself too, all will get sorted sooner or later....don't worry.
She assured him knowing the turmoil going inside him.

He nodded while she moved to her room.

And he slept taking Maria upon him completely while his baby slept peaceful in his embrace automatically holding his t-shirt in her both palms.
Smiling in her dreams and he kept on pecking her head and hands numerous time until he too felt asleep.

Nandini went back in her room and slept thinking about Manik.

(Their clothes)

In the Morning they had their breakfast peacefully and then went back to their room to pack their bags as they would check out from there, visit Abhi tea plantations and factory and leave from there directly to airport.

Nandini in her room was packing her bag when Mukti came in.

Mu: Nandu you have some place to keep this peacock shape candle stand I kept the wall clock carefully between my clothes. And keeping it in your brother bag is risky you know toh can you manage.
She said explaining her while she was staring at her suitcase in deep thoughts.

Mu: Nandini...
She shook her shoulder as she didn't answer her.

Nan: Haa
She said being lost.

Mu: Acha then keep this....
She kept the show piece near her clothes as she took her Haa as a yes for this.... and went on out as Abhi was shouting for her from living room.

Nandini looked at the show pieces and yesterday all memories came back in her mind the way she challenged Manik and he selected the antique. From start to end all her time spend with Manik was playing back in her head.

And she had tears in her eyes.

She was falling for him, his habit of teasing her, not answering to her questions directly, protecting her, his smiling face everything was playing infront of her eyes.

She was nostalgic and sitting between her luggage on the bed in her deep thoughts .

Abhi entered her room and was shock to see her luggage which was not pack yet.

Abhi: Nandu what is wrong with you ? Luggage kab pack karege all have got ready while you are sitting like this between your bags all open.
He shouted on her while she looked at him.

He saw her crying which made him worried. He calmed his tone down and sat beside her.

Abhi: What happened....rok kyu rahe hai.
He asked her wiping her tears.

While she shook her head vigorously and wiped her tears which were flowing even more now.

Abhi: Nandini you won't share with me ?
He asked her cupping her cheeks.

While she sniffed her nose and said.

Nan: I am feeling abit low today. For no reason rokna aaraha hai.
She said hanging her head down while Abhi smiled at her childish behaviour.

Abhi: Ohh baby doll it's okay to cry sometimes it let us take out all your rage, self pity, pain, sympathy every negative thing and make's us strong.
He took her in side hug and kissed her forhead.

Nan: Thank you bhai....you na always be on my side please or I will get lost. Don't leave me even if I trouble you, tolerate me.
She said pouting while Abhi saluted her and mumbled an okay.

Abhi: I am always by your side even if in future you push me away I will never leave you baby doll. You are my only family.
He said with watery eyes.

Nan: Abb ko bhi rokna aara hai....
She asked him in her childish tone while pouting sadly.

Abhi: No re....Now pack your bags warna ooty mein he I will leave you and go.
He said with his fake anger while she smiled.

Abhi moved out from her room while he meet Manik outside.

Abhi raised his eyebrow.

Man: Tujhe si baat karni aaya tha. Par sorry teri baat sunli
He said biting his lips.

Abhi: it's okay
He said shuddering his shoulders and moved out when Manik stopped him.

Man: Abhi
Abhi turned around and looked at him with a WHAT expression.

Man: What you are thinking she will never do such a thing.....
He knew what he was thinking and the inner battle what he is fighting.

Abhi smiled and nodded.

Abhi: Tu ready hogaya ?

Man: Yup

Abhi: Maria ?
He asked just then...

Maria: papa
She came running outside from the room with her small backpack Micky Mouse shape.

They all got ready and went to the railway station to enjoy the steam engine train journey.

And enjoyed the beautiful greenery of the nilgiri ranges.

Which was so refreshing that their soul was refreshed and enjoyed the beauty of nature.

They got down on the nearby railway station of Abhi tea plantations and then went there by a car.

Abhi: Manik the property starts from here.
He pointed out and showed him the tea plantation which was epitome of beauty as if someone had worn green blanket.

They reached the tea factory and went in, Abhi was greeted by his