Manan ff : Love Story of an Introvert ✔️

37. Family. Happiness.

Everyone chuckled at them.

Raj: Manik, if you can manage both, we don't have any problem. Even if you can't, we would handle the company till the time you get settled into your profession. Aur waise bhi tumhari ye puri army hai na help karne.

Manik(stammered badly): Matlab...dad...I...can...am..

Seeing him struggling with his emotions, Cabir interrupted.

Cabir(seriously): Nahi, you are not pregnant, baby, yet.

Manik(glared): Cabirrr

Raj(smiled): Manik, we are as happy as you're with this decision. Nothing is more important than your happiness, son. Go, achieve everything, my boy.

Manik goes and hugs him muttering countless 'thank you's to him. Breaking the hug, he went towards his mom. Holding his ears he made his best possible puppy face to melt her anger.

Nyo(pouted): You can't take advantage of that cute face of yours. Not especially when I am trying to stay angry.

Manik(chuckles): Acha. Batao. Aap ka gussa kam karne mujhe kya karna padega?

Nyo: Let me think.

She pretends to think for some time.

Nyo(happily): I want you to be a very popular singer. Then I will flaunt that you're my son.

Raj(chuckling): Nyo, he is already popular.

Cabir(teased): Haan girlfriend, he is. Ladkiyan toot padti hai ise dekh kar.

Says the last line seeing towards Nandini. While Nandu looked down, everyone understood the tease in his voice.

Manik(rolling his eyes): Cabir, bhai, tujhe bhook lagi hai na? Go eat something.

Cabir(pretended to be surprised): Really?

Manik: yes.

Manik hugs Nyonika and goes towards Nandini and Abhimanyu.

Manik(softly): I need your support more than anyone else. Are you both ok with this?

They both look at each other before answering.

Abhi(grinned): Yes, but on one condition.

Manik(puzzled): What?

Nandu: We want free passes of all your concerts.

Manik looks at them in horror.

Manik(seriously): Yeh tumhara condition ho hi nahi sakta. Bolo, Abhi forced you to say this, right?

Abhi(sadly): Bhai, why are you accusing me?

Manik(dramatically): Kyunki main library nahi khol raha, jo yeh ladki free passes mangegi. It's concert. C.O.N.C.E.R.T. Loud music, hundreds of people. That's not her preferred area.

Nandu chuckled seeing Abhimanyu pout at Manik's explanation.

Nandu: He told me to ask this because he thinks you won't deny me if I ask something.

Manik(cheekily): waise, tum chaho toh passes kya puri concert tumhare naam kardun?

Raj and Nyo get surprised seeing their son flirt openly while Fab5 along with Navya and Abhi facepalms. Cabir goes towards Raj and Nyo.

Cabir(whispers): Don't panic. Iska Romeo mode on ho gaya bas.

He strolls towards them.

Cabir(with a fake hurt voice): Baby, puri concert Nandu ke naam kardoge toh mera kya?

Nandu: Bhai, he was just teasing me.

Cabir(disheartened): It's ok, Nandu. Let him answer. Bolo baby, Mere naam kya karoge?

Manik(sternly): Termination check. I am planning to replace you with some sane drummer. Mukti what say?

Mukti(excited): Perfect. I already have someone in my mind. He is the best with the drums. Wait, I am calling him now.

Cabir(proudly): Ajeeb log ho. Ek baat kaan khol kar sun lo. No one can replace 'the great Cabir Dhawan'.

Alya(raising an eyebrow): Is it? What's so special about you?

Cabir(teasing Alya): I can eat all your ordered food without cribbing about calories.

Dhruv(seriously): That's exactly why we want to replace you. More than practicing, you eat up all our foods.

Cabir(shocked): Dhruv, tu aise bhi bol sakta hai? Alya ne itna change kardiya tujhe?

Alya: Cabir, shut up.

Manik(smiled): ok guys guys. One group hug? One for all, all for one?

All four together pounced on Manik. Others admired their bond. Breaking the hug, they again start pulling each other's legs when Mukti excuses herself for a call and goes to her room.

Everyone too disperses to their respective rooms after some time. 

A/N - As mentioned earlier, I am posting some snippets of my books on Instagram. Insta Id- a_cosmic_dust. Follow if interested.