Manik had to look away when the girl, who was often referred as a devil stepped down the stairs, breaking the small eye-lock with him.

Harshad on the other hand was going to kiss Aliya's forehead but stopped in mid.

"Bhai, I don't like it when you kiss her forehead! You can kiss only Nandu's head."

A nine year old Nandini had whined over the silliest matter. Her brother had just kissed the small girl's head who often tease her for almost everything.

Harshad let out a laugh as he bobbed his head," Ofcourse, Bhai's head kisses are only for his princess."

"Promise Bhai?"

"Nandu Promise."

Harshad gulped, the memory still fresh in his mind as he glanced at her who pretended like nothing mattered, but Harshad knew better.

Others seemed to be confused on what happened except Aliya and Shelika for they knew about the reason too. It was childish but it was a promise Harshad made to his nine old sister, who was his life once and no matter what happened between them, he still couldn't bring himself to break this one promise.

Aliya smiled while Shelika made a bad face that nobody noticed. Aliya then moved to Nandini while her friends met Harshad and Shelika.

Before Aliya could even approach her, Nandini stepped back, streching her hand for a hand shake.

Nandini: Welcome back, Aliya.

Aliya: Thankyou di.

Nandini: You should have atleast informed you were coming today. I-

Shelika: So now she has to take your permission before coming in her own house?

Nandini: One second, what did you say, her house? Excuse me, Mrs.Murty- Let me remind you, I am the equal owner of this house and it belongs to me too.

Shelika glared at her for saying it infront of Aliya's friends. She had always told everyone that her late husband named their house on her daughter's name and she has taught Aliya to do the same, though Aliya never did but Shelika wasn't aware of it.

Nandini: And Don't forget, this house is made by my father and at present, I am running it.

Harshad: I give equal share in it, Nandini!

Nandini: But your dear mother and sister don't but anyways, I am in no mood of your baseless arguments. Spare me!

Rolling her eyes in irritation, she started walking out of there. Shelika opened her mouth to argue again but Aliya stopped her in between.

Aliya: It is okay, mom. Leave it. We all are tired so please excuse us.

Shelika nodded and Nandini who was going to climb the stairs called the servant and asked them to show Fab5 the guests rooms listening which Shelika again cut her in between.

Shelika: Aliya has her own room, Nandini. My daughter will not stay in the guest room!

Harshad tried to interrupt, knowing why Nandini did so but till then, Nandini's patience was already broken.

Nandini: Do you have any basic common sense, Mrs.Murty? Aliya's room is not clean yet because she didn't inform me before coming here. If she had informed me I would have asked the servants to clean it. But since she didn't, her room is dirty just like your thoughts!

Nandini was done, so done. First this old woman would make a scene if any servant touched Aliya's room to clean it when Aliya wasn't there, and now when her room is not clean and she has to stay in the guest room, then also she has problem.

Shelika nodded, scared hearing her loud sound. She didn't even care that she had insulted her at the end. Nandini left from there in anger without glancing at anyone else. Shelika sighed and patting Aliya's cheek she walked towards her room while servents showed Fab5 their rooms.

After freshening up they all gathered in Aliya's room. They all were casually talking when all of sudden Manik asked a question hearing which everyone fell silent.

Manik: Aliya, you said Harshad and Nandini share a very beautiful bond but what we saw downstairs was something completely opposite to it.

Fab3 also nodded their head in yes agreeing with Manik.

Aliya: Guys, even I am equally shocked. Something big might have happened and I need to find that what happened here that changed bhai and di's equation so much.

Mukti: but Aliya why do you want to know about it? It is good na no one is talking to her. Infact You should be happy.

Cabir: Right! Wait, don't tell me you have suddenly started accepting her.

Manik glared at him for being sarcastic at such a serious situation.

Aliya: There's nothing like that, Cabir. You know, it is just- Nandini di had only bhai and her group in the name of family and she was really pampered a lot and now if Harshad bhai hates her so much, then there must be a very big reason behind it right?

They all fell silent, agreeing to her.

Manik: And Harshad said she is all alone that means even her other friends aren't with her.

Aliya: I don't know about anyone but there is one person who can never leave her side alone.

Dhruv: Aliya, leave it. Don't stress over this so much.

Aliya nodded and everyone decided not to think about this topic again but Manik was silent. The brown orbs he saw downstairs, held more than a story and Manik wanted to know all about it.

They all went downstairs to see Harshad, Nandini and Shelika sitting on the dinning table. Nandini was sitting on the head chair working on her laptop while her plate laid untouched beside it. Shelika was sitting on her right side and Harshad beside Shelika.

They settled down with Aliya sitting beside Harshad and Dhruv sat beside while Manik, Cabir and Mukti sat opposite to them. Harshad starting feeding Aliya who was more than happy to eat from her brother's hand. All smiled at their bond except Nandini who didn't even know what was happening around her.

As she looked up, her eyes fell on Harshad and Aliya who were now laughing on something. She was taken aback for a second before she ignored it and ate her dinner silently.

That day, Nandini was the first to finish her dinner and leave dining table and somewhere, they all knew why.

The next day, Nandini was already out of the mansion for work when Fab5 came down. They had their breakfast and decided to go to visit Nandini's office today after breakfast.

Aliya wanted to meet someone and she knew she would find him here.

When they reached their, they were surprised seeing the extremely huge building that was one of the most beautiful buildings in NewYork.

Entering inside, they saw all the people working very actively. Though the atmosphere is almost the same in Malhotra Industries, yet there was something different here. There was pin drop silence everywhere except the typing sounds or footsteps of employees.

They reached the reception where a girl around their age was attending a call. As she saw them, she made it quick and turned to them.

Receptionist: How may I help you, Sir?

Aliya looked at the batch on her pocket which read Miss Alina.

Aliya: Alina, we are here to meet Nandini di.

Alina looked surprised, maybe because she called Nandini di or they didn't know.

Cabir: Why are you so surprised?

Alina: Actually sir, till today nobody from her family has came to visit Nandini mam.

Alina's reply surprised all of them but they composed themselves.

Aliya: Nobody comes to meet her?

Alina: No, Mam. Infact no one from her family is allowed in her cabin.

Aliya: Okay. We will be in the office only, inform her that Fab5 has came when she will be free.

Alina: Yeah Sure, Mam.

They all roamed around the office until they came across a cabin where Mr.Abhimanyu Thakker was written. Below the name Manager" was written in small bold letters. Aliya stopped in mid and they all were confused seeing her reaction. She was going to knock on the door when they heard a voice, or a shout to be precise.

The voice was coming from a cabin which was only a few steps away from where they stood. They walked towards the cabin and saw the door open.

There stood Abhimanyu Thakkar with his head bend down and beside him was standing Aman, Nandini's personal assistant. Nandini was practically fuming in anger holding few papers in her hand.

Nandini: This! Is this the result you give me!

Throwing the papers on the desk infront of her in anger, she stared at Abhimanyu who couldn't even bring himself up to look at her.

He had disappointed her, once again.

Nandini: Abhimanyu Takkar, I am asking you! What the hell is this? Is my company a fucking joke to you!

Abhimanyu: I-I am sorry. I-

Nandini: What should I do with sorry? hah! I don't even know Why I have even appointed you in my company even after knowing that expecting something from you is totally waste.

Abhimanyu: It is not like that. I did my best but at the last moment-

Nandini: at the last moment what!? Again an old excuse that at last it got ruined. Once again you proved me how big of a fool I am to trust you!

The double meaning behind her tone was understood by everyone while Abhimanyu just looked down while Nandini turned away her face realising what she did.

Abhimanyu: I am sorry.

Nandini: Keep your sorry with yourself and get lost from here. Arrange some different hotel and this time I won't tolerate any mistake.

Abhimanyu nodded and came out from her cabin. As soon as he turned, his eyes fell on Aliya and her friends. He smiled as Aliya ran to hug him.

The others were confused while Dhruv could only want to hold her hand and drag her back. Though he trusted her but seeing her in someone's arms burned his heart. He literally sighed when she broke the hug.

Abhi: Aliya, How are you? When did you came back?

Aliya: I am fine, Bhai. I just came yesterday and what is this? Why was Nandini di shouting at you like that?

Hearing Bhai, Dhruv sighed and they all understood who Abhi was. Aliya has once told them about him.

Abhi: Ah, that was nothing. Let's not talk here. If by any chance Barbie came to know, she will kill all of us. Come, let's go to my cabin.

They all nodded and walked towards his Cabin. Abhi already knew about Fab5 so there was no need of their Introduction. Aliya introduced Abhi to Fab5.

Manik was extremely silent and didn't even greet Abhi confusing all of them.

Aliya: Manik, Where are you lost?

Manik snapped out of his thoughts as he looked at her. Shaking his head in no, he turned to Abhi who had a knowing look on his face.

Manik: I think I have seen you somewhere.

Abhi chuckled nodding his head which confused all of them.

Abhi: Ofcourse, you have. I am a businessman, NA Textiles is mine. You must have seen me in business meetings.

They all looked at him shocked as if they had heard something wrong

Cabir: Abhimanyu, If you are so rich then why the hell you are here working as a manager?

Abhimanyu: Guys, I am really sorry but I can't tell you anything. Aliya, a lot has changed in the past two years but why are you all here?

Aliya: I wanted to meet you, Bhai. I knew you will be here but I didn't know I will see you like this. Even Harshad bhai was talking so rudely with Nandini.

Abhi sighed.

Abhi: He hates her.

Aliya let out a gasp from her mouth hearing Abhi for it sounded unreal. Harshad hates Nandini? How can this be possible?

Aliya: How can Harshad bhai hate her?

Abhi: I can't tell you, Aliya. And please don't ask Harshad anything regarding it.

Aliya nodded, knowing it could worsen the matter.

Abhi: Okay, so guys you can see the office if you want. I am busy right now or else I would have myself showed you around.

Aliya: but you can continue your work later na. Please come now.

Abhi: Aliya I am seriously sorry. She will not leave me if the work is not completed. I don't want her to shout on me please. I know she will hurt herself later for hurting me.

Manik: If she loves you so much, then why does she even hurt you at the first place?

Abhi: She doesn't want me to know that she still loves me.

Cabir: Don't mind me asking, Abhi but were you and Nandini a couple?

Cabir was scared thinking Abhi would get offended but to everyone's surprise he ended up laughing out loud.

Abhi: No No Cabir! You are taking it all wrong. We weren't a couple, and neither we can be in future.

Mukti: But you just said she loves you?

Abhi: Mukti, Manik and you love each other so that means you are lovers? No, Right?

Mukti: Err.. You are right!

Cabir: Yeah. I am sorry, Abhi.

Abhi: It's Okay, cabir. It is not the first time someone has asked me this. So I don't mind.

Manik: Not first time means?

Aliya: Manik, You know whoever see their bond na think that they are in relationship.

Aliya's words made them smile while drifted back into the past. He shifted in his eyes, wiping the corner of his eye and seeing this Cabir decided to interrupt.

Cabir: Okay enough of being emotional guys!

Abhi: Yeah, Cabir is right. Let's stop these emotional talks.

Manik: Okay, Abhi we will leave now. See you later.

Abhi: Yeah anytime.

He hugged Aliya once again and they walked towards the door. Before stepping out, Aliya stopped and turned back.

Aliya: Bhai, Where are they?

Her voice was low but was audible to all of them present there. Abhi was a little taken back but composed himself.

Abhi: I can't tell you, Aliya. Time will give you all answers of your questions.

Aliya nodded and Fab5 went from there. Fab5 saw the whole office and they went from there to roam around NewYork. It was surely a very beautiful place, and everything was damn beautiful. They enjoyed and around six, they all returned home.

However, as they entered inside the scene unfolding infront of them stopped them on their places.

To Be Continued.