Manik and nandini shared nervous glances as Abhi inquired if there was something wrong. Everyone started questioning them finding them behaving strange. All this while nandini was busy playing with the hem of her dress, trying to analyze how to finally speak while on the other hand, manik manned up some courage and started speaking.
Manik: we wanted to tell you guys something...something about....US
He stated pointing at himself and nandini and automatically a hush fell over the room.
Abhi: what about you two?
He asked, his voice turning serious.
Nandini: voh bhai we....matlab I and manik...we
Abhi: you and manik...?
Nandini was shaking in nervousness when she felt a hand holding hers. She looked beside her to find manik holding her hand and assuring her by blinking his eyes which managed to calm her a bit. She smiled and tightened her hold on him. This eye talk was noticed by the gang but they did not say anything and waited for manik and nandini to open up.
Dhruv: buddy bolna, what is the matter?
Manik: guys voh actually...
Mukti: manik yaar I am done with this suspense now so just say it already
Manik: guys the thing is that...
He looked at nandini and entwined their fingers together and finally both of them spoke together after taking a deep breath.
Manik/nandini: we are together!
They said quickly with some acertainity, waiting for the gang to react whereas on the other hand the gang had mixed feelings, they didn't really know what to say or how to react.
Navya: together matlab? Together or together together?
Navya asked to confirm.
Her question confused manik but nandini answered her nervously.
Nandini: like together together...as in we are in a relationship
Navya's eyes went wide for a millisecond and was ready to jump on nandini but before that she looked at the rest of the gang who sat there with an almost blank expression which soon turned into a naughty one. Cabir winked at navya and she knew what she had to do further.
Navya: hey mata rani!....nandu itna sab ho gaya aur tumne hume kuch bhi nahi bataya
Nandini: nahi navya its not like that...its just ki-
Abhi: just ki kya nandu? Last I checked, my sister used to tell me everything aur tumne mujhse itni badi baat chupai....you did not even let me get a hint about your feelings
He said sadly, his tone dramatic.
Aryaman: aur nahi toh kya baby doll...tumne mujhe bhi nahi bataya
All these questions were making nandini sad and manik could not stand it so he interrupted in between.
Manik: guys relax...we had no intention to hide this from you
Mukti: manik tu toh kuch bol hi mat....you were hiding your feelings in front of fab 5! Fab 5 manik....seriously!?
She questioned dramatically but manik thought she was serious.
Manik: nahi mukti...nothing like that..I-
Cabir: I kya huh manik? Forget it...atleast yeh toh bata when did this happen?
Manik: um....a day before yesterday jab mukti aur Abhi date par gaye the
Abhi*sternly*: so that was the reason ki nandini ghar late...sorry late kya voh toh seedha next day aayi thi nai?...so this was the reason?
Nandini bobbed her head meekly, her eyes had turned moist and now maddy who stood there silently watching all the drama couldn't take it anymore and rushed to her, taking her in a hug.
Maddy: sshh...munchkin...don't cry...they were teasing you...bas stop crying. You know na that these tears of yours don't go well with me...I can't see you crying so ab shaant ho jao please
He cooed rubbing her back as nandini sniffed in his embrace while manik who saw this was angry and jealous at the same time. Well, angry because the gang were just teasing them which resulted in nandini crying and jealous seeing Maddy and nandini's bond.
Manik: seriously guys! You were really just fooling around? Just look at her...you people made her cry and Abhi tujhe toh pata hai na how sensitive she is fir bhi you played this prank on her!
Abhi*guilty*: sorry
The others too apologized to manik and nandini as nandini continued sniffing in Maddy's embrace who was still consoling her. Manik could no longer hold himself back and so he pulled nandini away from Maddy and took her in a tight hug and nandini feeling his presence tightened the hug. Maddy was a little shocked initially with Manik's behaviour but let it go.
Manik: star baba bas...they were just playing a prank...no rona now please...bas
He cupped her cheek and wiped away her tears with his thumb pad.
Nandini: sachi?
She asked cutely as a confirmation to which manik nodded with a small smile.
As nandini stopped crying, Abhi came forward and knelt in front of her, cupping her face.
Abhi: I am so sorry baby doll...apne Bhai ko maaf karde
He apologized holding his ears.
Nandini*cutely*: its ok
Abhi smiled widely at this and hugged her.
Abhi*breaking the hug*: I am really happy for manik and you and malhotra if I ever found my sister crying because of you na then I won't spare you. I know it won't happen but if it does then I am warning you before hand
Manik: ok Mr. Overprotective brother
Next were fab 4 who pounced upon both manik and nandini and congratulated them for their togetherness.
Alia: I am so happy for you two...now the entire fab 5 is dating
She beamed.
Mukti: oh yes...like finally tum dono ne confess toh kiya...congratulations guys
Dhruv: congrats buddy and nandu agar manik ne kuch bhi kiya na toh mujhe bolna, main isko theek kar dunga
He winked and nandini giggled.
Nandini: sure
Cabir: haaye my lovebirds you are finally together and ab I can finally call you MaNan and tease the hell out of you
He smirked, rubbing his palms mischievously.
Navya: aye humari nandu ko pareshan mat karo Cabir dekho bechari kaise sharma rahi hai
She teased.
Nandini: navyaaaaa
She whined.
Navya*laughing*: acha okay but nandu, manik I am really happy that you two are together now...congrats
MaNan*smiles*: thanks navya
Aryaman: nanduuuuu meri jaan finally tujhe koi mil gaya jo tujhe jhel sakta hai aur manik agar nandu ne zyada pareshan kiya na toh remember I am always there to help you ha
Manik: thanks aryaman...good to know I have someone on my side
He said dramatically earning a smack from nandini on his arm, making him laugh.
All this while Maddy stood quietly in a corner which had now started bothering nandini.
Nandini*softly*: Maddy tum kuch nahi bologe? Aren't you happy?
Maddy*smiles faintly*: ofcourse I am happy...congrats guys
Nandini knew something was bothering Maddy but she chose to be silent at that moment.
Navya: ab that we know ki you are together so-
Cabir: so lets order some pizza
Mukti: ya and i will get the beer and lets party tonight
The rest hooted at the mention of partying making manik and nandini smile at their excitement.
Manik: yes...tonight lets celebrate!
He said looking at nandini who passed him her beautiful smile which made him grin and soon he got busy with the gang to order their dinner and arranging beer as nandini sat there pondering about what was bothering Maddy.
Happy reading.
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