Abhi smiled as he walked to them while they all stared at him in confusion.

Mukti: What do you mean, Abhi?

Abhi: It was not a mere compliment, Mukti. Manik is indeed special for Barbie.

They looked at him wide eyed except for Manik who was not that surprised. Yes, he didn't expect this but then, he was sure there was something she hid behind those beautiful orbs. The way she was taking his nonsense from days, he was sure she felt something for him too.

He came out of his thoughts hearing Cabir.

Cabir: Why would you say that, Abhi?

Abhi: Because I know my Barbie. She doesn't compliment anyone at all. According to her, giving compliments means making them think that they have won the race when in actual it hasn't even started yet.

Manik smiled foolishly while others were just simply surprised.

Manik: I am special.

He murmured, earning all of their attention. Abhi smiled, while his friends had that teasing smile on their faces.

Aliya: Yes Manik, you are special.

Dhruv: Very very special.

Manik grinned like a teenager guy without even shying for a mere second. It was indeed a very special moment for him.

Mukti: See Guys, He is still smiling. Manik, you can also blush, no one is going to inform your Nandini Ma'am.

She teased him, calling Nandini the same way he calls by stretching the Ma'am a little and his eyes went wide.

Was it so obvious? Apparently it was.

While laughing, Abhi kept his hand on Mukti's shoulder, turning her scarlet red then and there. Others gave her teasing looks and she warned them with her eyes to not to tease them.

However, from the corner of his eye, Abhi noticed their looks and Mukti's red face. He smiled and decided to save her from their teasings.

Abhi: Guys, I was thinking why don't we go out for lunch today?

He suggested but mentally face palmed when before anyone, Mukti replied.

Mukti: Yeah, why not? Let's go.

Seeing Abhi's expressions Cabir got the scene and laughed out loud while others didn't need an explanation of what happened.

Cabir: Yeah sure, Lady Bheem. Why not?

Mukti cursed herself and looked at Abhi to rescue her. Aliya let out a teasing 'Oo' from behind making Abhi playfully warn her. He then walked to Cabir and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

Abhi: Cabir Baba, Stop or else you know, you are going to need my help in future too. You know what I mean.

Cabir's eyes went wide as he processed his words. He opened his mouth to reply back but couldn't find any words. Seeing his state, others become confused. Manik came near him and closed his mouth. He turned to Abhi who had a proud smirk on his face.

Manik: Abhi, What did you actually say that the great Cabir Dhawan has no comeback?

Abhi just gave a look to Cabir who came out of his trance and stared at him before composing himself.

Cabir: It is okay, Brother in law. Before that let's help you. You know, Mukti is a tough nut to crack.

He smirked as he saw Abhi's ears turning pink.

Mukti: What are you guys whispering about?

Cabir: Nothing, Lady Bheem. We were not talking about you. I was just warning my brother-in-law.

Mukti and Abhi looked him with wide eyes and others burst out laughing realizing what just happened.

Mukti: Cabir! How dare you!

She glared at him and came forward while rolling up her shirt's sleeve, all ready to punch him but he hid behind Abhi who was looking at her without blinking.

Cabir: Abhi, Can you please stare at her later? Please save me from her.

Abhi composed himself and passed him a glare before looking at Mukti. He opened his mouth but before he could even utter a word, Mukti warned him not to with her eyes.

Mukti: Abhi, Get aside. I will kill this Cabira today.

She was trying to get hold of Cabir from behind him and in this her foot twisted and she was about to fall down on the floor but before she could, Abhi held her through her waist.

Cabir's mouth formed perfect 'O' shape and he looked at others who looked like they would faint. After all, it was not daily they see their Lady Bheem, the tom boy, in a guy's arms. Though they knew she had feelings for this particular guy.

Aliya composed herself and looked at the boys. She giggled which broke their trance including Mukti and Abhi's. Abhi immediately made her stand properly as she straightened her clothes to ease the situation.

Dhruv: So plan cancel?

He teased and Mukti cleared her throat, giving him a quick glare.

Manik: Yeah, why are we wasting time now? Where are you guys getting lost? Don't you wanna go out now? Com'on guys, Let's go, I don't want to see any adult movie here.

He looked at others by the ends and Mukti scowled at him. He gulped and took a step back seeing her all ready to pounce at him. She suddenly picked up the Cabir's drum sticks from the side and ran towards Manik who has by now started running all around the jam room.

Cabir shouted at her for his drum sticks as she tried to get hold of Manik who was still teasing her.

Mukti: Shut up, Cabir. I am not going to leave this Manik Malhotra now.

Manik was near the door. He was laughing loudly and didn't realize when the door opened and Nandini walked in and he banged into her. They both fell on the floor with Nandini under him with his both hands on the either sides of her head.

All of them went silent and expected Nandini to push and yell at him but nothing sort of that happened. Infact they found themselves gaping at them as both Manik and Nandini were lost in each other's eyes.

Aliya, Mukti and Dhruv were tensed for their bestfriend. Abhi was shocked. His barbie fell down on the floor and was laying down under a guy, totally lost while Cabir was by now sitting on the ground parallel to them.

Abhi's phone pinged and he snapped out of his thoughts. His eyes fell on Cabir and it widen seeing hos position as Cabir was by now sitting on the ground leg-crossed, his chin on his joined palms with his elbows resting on his knees for support.

Abhi: If my sister ever fell for this joker, I pity her Ayiyappa!

He murmured and looked at Mukti, Dhruv and Aliya who were still staring at Manik and Nandini. He coughed and they looked at him. He gestured them to come and they nodded. The trio sat beside Cabir on their knees looking at Manik and Nandini.

Few minutes had passed but there was no change in Manik and Nandini's posture. After a few moments, they all found themselves sitting in the same position as of Cabir's.

Abhi: Guys,

He whispered but nobody heard him.

Abhi: Guys, What are they doing?

Cabir: Swimming?

He whispered back and they all mouthed "What" making him sigh. He turned to Manik and Nandini.

Cabir: Manik, Listen!

His voice was again just a mere whisper. They were so lost in the moment that none of them realized that they were whispering when they could talk.

Mukti: Nandini Ma'am?

Abhi: Barbie! Manik!

Aliya: Guys, wake up.

This made them look at Aliya who was busy in staring at Manik and Nandini.

Cabir: They aren't sleeping, Aliya.

Aliya smiled sheepishly while others shook their head in disbelief.

Having enough of their staring game, Cabir shaked Manik's arm slightly.

This time Manik looked at him for a second before he stared back at Nandini. After two seconds, his eyes widen and his head snapped at Cabir, then at Nandini and then at others who were sitting in the same Indian style. He stared back at Nandini who mirrored his expressions now.

She in a reflex pushed him and stood up while he fell on the floor.

Nandini: What the hell? Where were you lost?

Manik: (to himself) Yeah like she herself wasn't lost!?

Nandini: What? What did you just say?

She questioned him and they all could feel her getting more and more angry with each passing second.

And then all of the sudden, Manik raised his hand and caressed the back of her head. They looked at Manik wide eyed for his guts while Nandini stared at him with shock all of her place.

Manik: Are you okay?

Nandini: Huh?

Manik: Are you fine?

He asked again and she nodded robotically, as if hypnotized by his eyes. It was until Cabir cleared his throat and Nandini realised what she did. She pushed away Manik's head with a stern glare.

Nandini: You-

Abhi: (Interupting her) You here?

Nandini: I guess it is my office and I can go where ever I want to or do I need to ask your permission now, Mr.Thakker?

Abhi didn't reply but looked down feeling hurt and this angered Manik.

Manik: He just asked you causally. And if not he then we can ask you why you are here because at this time, this jam room is provided to us.

Nandini: Oh just shut up! Don't forget that you are here for a contract which I can break with a snap of my fingers.

Somewhere down the line, Manik knew she got angry because of his tone and also because he sided with Abhi, so he didn't say anything to her but Aliya snapped at her.

Aliya: Don't you think you have too much attitude of your wealth and position?

Nandini: Excuse me? I have money and position so I am showing off, why does it bother you? No actually, who are you to question me?

Aliya: I am your sis-

Nandini: Stop right there, Aliya Murty. You are not my sister. You are just a step sister who thinks I am snatching away her rights when in actual the rights were never hers.

Abhi sighed knowing where the matter was going. There was no end to their fight.

Abhi: Okay, you two, please calm down!

He turned to Aliya who was fuming in anger.

Abhi: Aliya! Please

Nandini: No, let her speak!

She turned to Aliya and spoke.

Nandini: Aliya, Speak up. Amn't I right? I shared my father with you but what did you do? Did you share your mother with me? Tell me, You expect me to accept you as my sister but did you even for a second, accept me as your sister?

Aliya looked down, embarrassed for she every word Nandini said was absolutely right and somehow each and every person present there was aware of it. Aliya and her mother had always expected Nandini to share her everything with them while they never took her as a family.

Seeing the matter becoming sensitive, Dhruv came forward and stood beside Aliya.

Dhruv: She didn't meant to hurt you, Mam.

Nandini rolled her eyes dramatically while Aliya just sighed.

Nandini: You are her boyfriend from few few years but I know her right from my childhood. I know what she meant and what not. You don't have to tell me.

Hurt flashed over Dhruv's face as she questioned their relationship which angered his friends too but nobody expect Manik could find the courage to step infront of her.

Manik: It is enough, Nandini. You are dragging the matter now.

Nandini: Stay out of it, Mr.Malhtora. I am not interested in having any conversation with you and it is Mam for you, you are no one to call me by my name.

Manik looked at her hurt and she realised what she said. She clenched her fists as she eyed his hurt expressions.

Manik: I was just-

He stopped as she showed him her palm before letting out a frustrated sigh.

Nandini: You know what, Just go to hell, all of you. Just don't come infront of me.

She turned around to go but stopped as Abhi called her from behind.

Abhi: Mam?

Nandini: Now what?

She snapped back in anger and instead of Abhi, this time Mukti came forward.

Mukti: Actually we want to go out for lunch. Can we go?

Nandini: You can go-

They all smiled and Nandini continued.

Nandini: But except Mr.Malhotra. I have to discuss some business with him.

Cabir: But how can we go without him?

Nandini shrugged her shoulders, gesturing them to decide while Manik stayed silent.

Mukti: I guess you don't know about us Mam, We, Fab5 always go together.

Nandini: and I guess you don't know me Miss. Vardhan. I don't take a no as an answer.

As Mukti opened her mouth to snap back, a worried Abhi and Manik shook their head in no. Seeing it, Nandini smirked adding more to Mukti's frustration.

Aliya: Guys, Let's just cancel the plan.

Dhruv, Mukti and Cabir nodded but Manik shook his head in no.

Manik: No Guys, Don't cancel your plan because of me. You guys go ahead. We will go together some other day.

He didn't want them to cancel their plans because of him. Also, he knew why was Nandini doing this. She was pissed off the way he had spoken against her. It was written all over her face but he also knew she will never accept the same.

He gestured Cabir who eventually got his message while Nandini got busy in her mobile while waiting for his decision.

Cabir: Manik is right I guess, we all should go.

Dhruv: But Cabir, what about Buddy's lunch?

Nandini: You do not have worry about lunch. He will have his lunch with me.

She replied casually and every head in the room snapped in her direction. On not hearing any response she looked up and shook her head in disbelief.

Nandini: What?

She sighed again hearing no reply from them.

Nandini: Stop reacting like this! Mr.Malhotra, Do you have any problem?

Manik nodded in no but he was still very much shocked.

Manik: Yeah

Nandini: Come, Let's go then.

And with this took Manik with her while Abhi jumped in happiness seeing the evident changes in his Barbie.

To Be Continued.