Downstairs,

Maria: But I am not liking here.
She said angrily shaking her head in  No cutely while Manik was listening to her complaints about everything out here was boring.

Man: You have papa here still you are  not liking.
He asked pouting just like her as if he was sad but today she was not going to get convince so easily.

Maria: But I want to go with Nandi, out there... Navya auntie has so many nice nice colours on her clothes I saw na...
She said cupped his face making Manik understand while all Manik was doing is convincing her to stay with him.

Man: Acha like that....toh fir problem solve.
He said happily while Maria waited for him to say a Yes but Manik Malhotra was on some other track.

Man: Papa and Maria will go for shopping.
He said cheerfully to make her happy while she pouted angrily folding her hands around her small tummy she sat on the stairs looking away.

Manik frowned not understanding what she exactly wanted, he gave her so many choices but then too she was so grumpy and off mood.

Maria was now waiting for Nandini to come and help her as her papa was not allowing her to stay with her Nandi.

Back in the room,

Nandini was about to leave when something strike her she looked at Cabir's Mom and asked

Nan: Aunty, Amrita Murthy....
She stopped and fidgeted with the name, she was not use to address the woman by that name although it's been years.

Shweta : Yes dear.
She asked politely, getting to know that the girl had some problem for sure.

Nan: Is she alone here or with her full family ?
She asked with alots of difficulty and the answer she was dying to hear was a negative reply.

Shweta: Well they are my Mom well wisher and very close family friends so everyone from their family are invited and I guess they will come too.
She replied getting confused as why is she so keen to know about them.

Nandini was fixed with an emotional turmoil whether she should be happy or angry or sad or scared or just run away from there, where she can find her peace again.

She looked at Shweta who was observing her, the sweat beads on her head were evidence that something is wrong with her.

Shweta : Nandini do you know them ?
She asked being unsure according to the way she was behaving.

Nandini looked at her frowning and then something so strong took over her probably the rejection from them years ago that with venom she said

Nan: No, I have never heard of them.
She said angrily and turned around to leave but found Manik there, near the door looking at her keenly.

While Maria stood next to him smiling happily, she wanted to tell Nandini that she blackmailed her papa again, to let her allow to come with Nandini at Navya place.

But her Nandi was not at all in any mood to listen to anyone right now all she wanted to do was lock herself, to take out all her resentment, cry out loud and get back her sanity.

And that's exactly what she did....

Maria moved towards her while she just ignored them as if they weren't there at all and left like an hurricane in full speed.

Maria looked behind from where Nandini left with tears in her eyes.

The small girl was again been rejected by someone who she was dying to stay with.

She looked at her papa while Manik moved in towards Shweta

Man : What happened ?
He asked Shewta who too was shocked.

Shweta : I don't know the girl was asking about Murthy....my Mom friend.....
She didn't get to complete as Manik was struck on the word Murthy.

Man: What Murthy ?
He asked angrily being scared while Shweta told him about their conversation and that thing shocked Manik and all he said loudly and angrily was

Man: Tell them to leave.

And ran out from there downstairs.

Nandini ran down towards exit when she collide with someone again.

Sid: Ohh Madam relax....kya hua kitni jaldi.
He asked to pull her legs so that he can have a friendly conversation again with her.

Nandini glared at him with her red eyes which were clouded with unknown tears that made him look at her worriedly

Sid: You are okay ?
He asked genuinely while holding her hand which made her frown more she jerked his hand away and left from there while he stared at her path worriedly.

But this encounter was notice by another worried pair of eyes ie Manik who grinted his teeths at the stranger and followed her behind unknow that his daughter was too following him.

Murthy bunglow,

Abhi sat in the living room busy with his laptop while Mukti stepped down ready to leave.

Mukti: Abhi you are not going to office ?
She asked seeing him as she thought he already left because he had got ready before her and gave her the entire room for her privacy.

Abhi: Yup in a while
He said not looking at her.

Mukti: Acha how am I looking ?
She asked happily twirling around in her lehenga.

Abhi: Good
He replied typing on his laptop.

Mukti glared at him and muttered few cruses before she hit the right strike.

Mu: Abhi I was thinking to go away for few days from here.
She said while finally he looked at her frowning.

Abhi: What do you mean ?
He asked alittle angrily while she moved towards him and sat next to him saying.

Mu: So that finally you notice my absence as my presence toh you never notice.
She said this being hurt while he looked at her and sighed getting back with his work.

Mu: You always take me for granted.
She wiped her tears which were about to fall as she had excepted him to atleast now show some interest and look towards her.

Abhi: You know that's not true so stop being dramatic.
He simply replied staring in his phone while Mukti sniffed and got up from there.

Abhi: Take the driver with you and after you reach there let me know.
He said finally looking at her while she simply nodded.

Atleast he was protective towards her always which would made her little heart happy and smile but today she was too angry and hurt to notice that....

The argument which they had upstairs before was the reason of Abhi cold behaviour which Mukti didn't notice.

Her continuous nagging to know about Abhi and Nandini past had made Abhi mad at her.

Abhi: One more thing stay around Nandini okay ?
He said which instigated Mukti and she replied sarcastically.

Mu: You mean I should bodyguard her right....Why don't you give me a uniform too for that....I will look so professional just like you.
She said angrily while Abhi glared at her.

And just then the door bell rang.....
to welcome another disaster.

Mukti to avoid another wrath moved to open the door

While Abhi phone beeped to imply he got a message.

Murthy are in town.

Manik.M

Mukti voice was clear from the door which draw his attention while he walk towards the entrances.

Mu : Yes ???

Man at the door: Abhimanyu Murthy ?

Mu: Yup but who are you ?
She asked frowning looking at the stranger.

Man at the door : Trilok.
He said with a sly smile.

Till then Abhi had reach the door with his eyes red with anger.

Mukti saw him and moved aside him.

While Abhi simply took Mukti hand in his and moved her roughly behind him.

Abhi: Leave before I kill you.
He said coldly with uttermost wrath.

And banged the door shut on his face.

To be continued.....

Unedited