#5000 words.

Manik's POV:

Imagine this...

"Manik saala rukh rukh kuch mat bol" and here came the inner monkey interrupting me again. He takes out his pocket mirror and combs his hair checks if he looks proper and I stare at him annoyed.

Writerji can you please make something clear to me, Who's the hero me or this idiot? Why does he involve so much into each and every scene of mine?

"What the fuck is your problem?" I question him gritting my teeth.

"Kuch nahi I am back here to greet all of my fangirls and tell them that I missed all of them a lot!" He speaks smiling like a buffoon and winks while I roll my eyes at his show.

"Lol! You really have the nerve to think that you have Fangirls? Keep dreaming then I am not gonna burst your bubble." I answer him.

Now let's get back to our story so where was I?

Yeah, we were here,

Imagine...

"Manik rukh jaaa kuch mat bol" inner monkey stops me again.

"Ab tera problem kya hein idiot? I let you even greet your non-existent fan girls too but also you still intrude me" I complain.

"Woh kuch nahi... whenever you ask us to imagine us stuff it's a bit wild and thoda adult content jyada hein unme like last time so just warning you again so that your imagination is decent or else my fangirls will hit you with eggs and tomatoes" He preaches and I feel like banging my head somewhere.

(Inner monkey here is referring to the chapter where Manik actually asked people to imagine about a pretty lady and some other stuff. Chapter name- Detectives and Icecreams )

"Monkey ji ab meri shaadi ho gayi hai aur meri patni bhi hai, ab I am totally decent and changed ok?" I say scolding myself internally for listening to this idiot monkey.

"Ok I will believe you" he says and walks away.

Now let's continue...

So imagine...

"Nahiiii ruk jao...." I heard a feminine voice which was quite similar to Chipmunk's voice and I clenched my jaw trying not to snap.

"Aap kaun hein madamji?" I asked breathing hard trying to not yell. Why is everyone interrupting me today?

"That doesn't matter. Now stop wasting my time and let me greet my fans" she says haughtily and waves at some non-existent fans.

I stare at her confused, wondering why both of these weirdos are interrupting me today.

I decide to not say anymore and enter into my sulk zone thinking about how worse my day started.

I come out of my sulk zone due to the loud shrieks of two weird animals. And in my line of vision, I see Aryaman and Dhruv groaning and rubbing the back of their heads.

"Cabir Bhai why did hit both us huh? What did we even do?" Dhruv asks and Aryaman nods his head in acceptance to Dhruv's words. Cabir Bhai smirks at them with his hands placed on his hips.

"It was Aryaman and Dhruv na! Then why did you call them animals" The madam from before who looks like a mini version of Chipmunk emerges again and questions me.

"I called them animals because it was Dhruv and Arya. If it was someone else I would definitely consider them under human beings" I answer winking at her and she nods knowingly.

"Aree naa kaam chutiyo leave those damn cell phones of yours and stop playing Pubg while you sit for breakfast at least! You are grown-ups now.
Stop behaving like teenagers." He scolds them. While I smile happily seeing them getting scolded royally.

"Cabir Bhai we aren't roaming like we don't have any job though...I and Manik manage the dance school whereas Dhruv manages his beachside restaurant and also studies for his MBA exams side by side what else you need?" Aryaman exclaims.

"Idiots, what's the use of studying this much if you still have the maturity of kids huh? Did you even look at how you guys were behaving? Shouting loudly 'kill him! kill him!' or else saying ' oh my god I am gonna die! Revive me soon!' Be more mature guys ." Cabir Bhai said imitating both of them and I start laughing loudly.

"What do you mean by more mature bhai? We are already mature enough." Dhruv speaks supporting Aryaman.

"Then think beyond your age idiots. Being mature is not enough in this competitive world. You should always be more than what's needed."

"Yeah, you are damn right Cabir Bhai they definitely need to get proper scoldings! Look at them always behaving like kids. Behave like grown-ups guys. Think beyond your age." I state trying not to smile.

"So you want both of us to behave like grown-ups huh?" Aryaman asks me pointing at him and Dhruv and I nod my head in confusion thinking why did he specifically ask this.

"Guys the breakfast will be served soon so get up and wash your hands" Chipmunk said placing the plates on the dining table and starts walking back to the kitchen.

"Nandini bhabhi" Aryaman calls her in a sugary tone and Chipmunk stops abruptly and turns back.

"Haan Aryaman batao, You need something?" She asks and I can see her cheeks coating with a red hue because of Aryaman calling her 'bhabhi'.

"Woh kya hein na bhabhi, I and Aryaman have a doubt" it was Dhruv who spoke now. I could see a naughty glint in his eyes which meant trouble for both Chipmunk and me.

"Yeah, you can ask" Chipmunk answers and her face morphing into doubt.

"When will you be pregnant with Manik's child ?" Aryaman asks her casually and I widen my eyes at this. Cabir bhai spats out the water he was drinking and Chipmunk is at loss of words.

"What the heck!?" I exclaim and Chipmunk silently stares at me.

"Umm...Excuse me?" she says still trying to decipher what to answer.

"Aree we need a child from you the soonest possible ok! Being Manik's best buddies it is our duty to take care of the child and we are really eager to play with your child. We want to take that baby boy or girl to school and then help him or her to do the homework. So please gift us with a little Manik or Nandini " Dhruv says and I feel that he sounds like a dad or mom who asks their newlywed son for an offspring.

"What are you saying Dhruv?" Cabir bhai asks entirely confused.

"Why the heck are you guys speaking like my grandparents?" I shout.

"Bhai and Manik, It was you people who said that we need to act more mature rather than playing Pubg. You and Manik said that we need to think beyond our age. So that's what we are doing. If thinking like how our age people do was enough then we would tease Manik and Nandini bhabhi. But you said we need some more extra in this competitive world so here we are asking something extra and beyond our age" Aryaman explained coolly and Cabir bhai stood flabbergasted while Dhruv was grinning proudly.

By the end of Aryaman's mini-speech Chipmunk's face turned to a shade of beet red and I felt like running away to Amazon forests and never come back.

How am I supposed to come out with a perfect comeback when they already embarrassed me to the core?

" I am water need thirsty " Chipmunk declares and rushes into the kitchen.

We all realise how she messed her words and laugh out loudly.

She's so cute man!

We all were having breakfast in a peaceful silence when the devil aka dad decided to break it.

"So, Manik what are your plans for next?" Devil asked in a strict tone and I gulped because I didn't want to have this kind of conversation with him right now.

"Devi- I mean dad Woh...I still want to continue what I am doing presently." I mutter waiting for him to scold me like he always does.

"So you have no plans of settling down at all and you still want to be the same irresponsible brute you were even after marriage?" He grumbles in anger and I hear collective gasps from the other people sitting on the dining table.

Chipmunk who was sitting beside me stares at Devil wide-eyed and I sigh inwardly cursing the timing of this moment. I know that Devil will definitely ask me about my career options. And I know that if my answer is not something he wants to listen he will react in a horrible way. But a part of my heart expected that today at least he will not bring this topic. I was joining the family for a proper breakfast after many days so I just hoped that things will be different. I just hoped Devil will understand me and give me a chance.

"Raj stop scolding him. Have some trust in him." Pankaj chacha tells and Devil turns a deaf ear to it.

"Raj he is joining us for breakfast after a long time can't you let this topic slide for once please?" Neyonika mom pleads him but Devil keeps on staring at me.

" I can't keep quiet and let the topic slide Neyonika. He's married now and he has to take care of Nandini too. So now at least he has to join the company along with Cabir. What's the use of the MBA degree if he ain't doing anything related to it?" Devil questioned and Mom had no answers now.

" Dad sorry for interrupting but can I say something?" Chipmunk said and I stared at her thinking what is she going to speak.

" I don't think Manik is being irresponsible in any way. He's taking steps towards his dreams so, what's irresponsible in it?" Chipmunk questioned him again and I could feel the rapid beating of my heart.

She was taking a stand for me?
She was supporting me!?
And that made me so happy. And at this moment rather than feeling sad for the words Devil spoke, I felt happy because there was someone to support me.

"But, Nandini till how many days will he continue this? Having a stable career is important also right. " Devil counter backs.

"Uncle can you please explain what do you mean by 'a stable career' " Chipmunk asks and I look at Cabir bhai for some help. I don't want Chipmunk to ruin her bond with my father because of me.

"Nandu chod na yeh sab and dad aap bhi let's stop this conversation here and talk about something else na" Cabir bhai pleads.

"No, Cabir why should we stop it? We definitely need to know what dad expects from Manik. Shouldn't we dad?" she exclaims.

Devil nods positively at this. " A stable career includes something which provides you with a sense of security and satisfaction Nandini. It should let you lead a comfortable life at least."

" Good definition dad. Then I really do think Manik has a stable career. He's satisfied with what he's doing and I think with our both earnings together we can definitely have a comfortable life." She explained.

"But Nandini what about status in society, doesn't it matter? My elder son is working for our company and is known everywhere. He earns somewhere in crores per annum whereas Manik..." Devil trailed off and I could feel my face turning red due to the humiliation.

"Cabir you started working in the company when you were 22 right and instead of working in the company if you would have worked somewhere else what would your starting salary be?" Nandini now questions Cabir bhai.

" It would be around 8- 10 lakhs per annum maybe" Cabir bhai mumbles.

"And Manik what about you how much do you earn?" She asks me.

"Woh...Nandini " I trail off unsure of what to say.

" Just tell me Manik" She orders.

"Around 80k - 1 lakh per month depending on the modelling advertisements I get and the no. of students joining the dance school." I mutter.

"So basically your earnings are the same as any of the people working in the company at the starting level. Dad, have you heard this? I know Manik is not as reputed as Cabir is. But please understand that he is at least starting somewhere and give him some time. Who knows he might achieve greater stuff and make everyone here proud of him. " Chipmunk suggests and Devil quietly nods his head.

We resume back to having our breakfast and throughout the breakfast, Devil is oddly quiet as if he's thinking about something.

Writer's POV:

After the not so calm breakfast, Manik went to his followed by Aryaman, Dhruv. Alya and Navya settled in Navya's bedroom chitchatting about general topics whereas Nandini and Cabir sat in the living room along with the remaining elders except for Raj who went to his bedroom.

"And like that, I asked the hottest girl of our class out for a date" Cabir completed the story of his first date which was actually a dare given by Nandini.

"Nandini was so naughty then! But it's nice to see how both of you bonded so strongly. But Nandini may I ask you how could you find a best friend in this ajeeb jaanvar?" Pankaj asked Nandini in a playful tone.

"Pankaj chacha mein jaanvar nahi hun aap aise kaise keh sakte hein?" Cabir whines and Nandini giggles listening to him.

"Woh kya hein na uncle I was an animal lover back then and Cabir was the cutest of all the animals I could find in my college so yeah that's how I chose him!" Nandini exclaims giggling and Cabir playfully hits her on the side of her head.

"Neyonika mom aap toh kahiye in logon ko that they should stop teasing me. Pankaj chacha and Nandini tum log bahot bure ho. And Nandini I will definitely take revenge for this! Remember every dog has a day." Cabir exclaims moves away from Nandini pouting at her.

"Very bad Nandini subah subah Cabir ko itna kyu sathaa rahein ho?" They heard another voice in the background and they turned their heads only to find Nandini's Parents standing there.

"Mom, Dad aap idhar " Nandini exclaimed happily and walked towards them.

"Namaste Neyonikaji, Namaste Pankaj bhaisaab " Nandini's mother greeted both the elders and they did the same.

"Waise Srikanth were you missing your daughter so much that you are here early in the morning?" Pankaj asked Srikanth.

"Well, that's one of the reasons we are here. But we have something more important to talk to Nandini." Srikanth told taking Pankaj in a hug.

"Neyonikaji kya hum Raj se mil sakte hein?" Archana asked.

"Haan bilkul. He's in our bedroom we can go there if you are ok?" Neyonika said.

"Yeah let's go up. Nandini you also come with us." Archana said.

Nandini quietly followed Srikanth and Archana to the bedroom wondering what her parents wanted to say.

While in Manik's room:

"Waise Nandini is really brave you know, I mean she is the only person who can speak to Raj uncle in such a tone and also convince him. For the first time in my life, I have seen uncle so quiet without any comeback" Dhruv says while munching on a bag of potato chips which he has taken from Manik's secret cupboard where he hides all his food.

"I know right. She looked so cool and sassy back then. I was actually fangirling on her." Aryaman says while trying to pick a handful of chips from the bag but failing to do so.

"What a freak! Guys, you already ate a lot for breakfast and again you are freeloading on my snacks. Don't you have any shame or remorse? Always stealing my food!" Manik exclaims as he comes out of the restroom wiping his hands.

Dhruv and Aryaman just ignore what he said and lie down on the bed still munching on the chips and scattering the chips all over the bed.

"Guys at least stop throwing them on my bed yaar. And you know what I am going to change the passcode of my secret cupboard. You always steal half of my food and I have nothing to eat at midnight when I am hungry" Manik says angrily and opens his secret cupboard to change the passcode.

"Yeah change it. You know we can actually give suggestions also, change it to 'cutie chipmunk' " Aryaman says getting up from the bed.

"Wait wait you can change it to 'chipmunk is love' this is much better" Dhruv suggests.

"And why would I change it to Nandini's name come on guys stop being this cheesy" Manik stutters and he could feel his cheeks turning red due to her name.

"Oh, cheesy aur hum? Then what about you Malhotra you were awake the entire night yesterday just because you wanted your wife to sleep peacefully?" Dhruv questions.

"Woh...woh I just wanted her to sleep peacefully. And she's my girl ok! So I need to take proper care of her" Manik asserted trying to control the uncontrollable blush on his face. Aryaman and Dhruv let out a chuckle seeing his red face.

Only his Chipmunk had the charms to make him blush so much!

"Manik dude... we both are really really happy for you." Dhruv says taking Manik in a tight hug.

"Nandini aka your Chipmunk is a right choice for you dude! I mean I never expected you to move on so easily from Andy yaar. But Nandini made it possible, I am really really happy for you. And today though the way she supported you..she rocks man! Never let her go." Aryaman said joining the duo in the hug.

Manik sighed inwardly because none of his friends knew the truth. But he was happy since they were happy for him. Without any words, Manik just hugged both his friends tightly thinking about his future.

Little did Manik know that what his friends said would indeed become true in the coming future.

Here the situation with Nandini was not simple either. She was sitting in front of the three people who were like the turning points of her life. She was playing with her fingers nervously, feeling like a school student sitting in front of her principal.

"Nandini stop being so nervous beta. I am truly shocked now. Are you the same Nandini who stood up for my son and lectured me when I was being wrong?" Raj responded in a playful tone to calm her nerves.

Nandini silently nodded at this. " I took Manik's side because he does really deserve a chance to prove himself. And I really did feel that you were being a typical Sharmaji kind of dad by behaving like that...I mean you can't expect him to be a replica of Cabir..they both are different people and have different goals" she explained.

Raj smiled listening to this. As expected she never fails to surprise him due to her righteous and straight forward nature. And that's what he liked the most about her. She is honest and real unlike most of the people.

Nandini's parents also grinned listening to her. They didn't know the entire story but they trusted her enough to know that she only spoke and supported people or ideas only if there were in accordance with her morals.

"Raj I feel that I lost something very precious by sending her here. So, make sure that your son takes proper care of my daughter or else he will be done for good" Srikanth exclaims still grinning at Nandini.

Nandini gasped listening to her dad. This was the first time her dad acknowledged her as his daughter and she wanted to dance in happiness.

"Now I think we should stop beating around the bush and come to the point directly. Look at Nandu she's so worried already." Archana said and gestured Srikanth to continue.

"Nandini...we are here today to mend few things between us..." Srikanth pauses breathing loudly trying to calm him down. Archana grabs his hands and rubs it urging him to continue.

"Nandini...I know that the relationship we share with you is really unconventional and we needed some time to accept everything which came on our way" he continues

"Oh God, I should come to the point directly and stop freaking so much.
I wasn't this nervous when I was proposing to your mom also! Ok, so can you give both of us as in your mother and me a chance to normalize our relationship? Can you accept us as your real parents?" Srikanth asks Nandini who stares at them without blinking.

Without any words, Nandini just nodded her head in a yes trying to control the tears which were going to spill out of her pretty eyes due to happiness and surprise.

Looking at her response, Srikanth and Archana smiled gleefully at each other and then engulfed her in a warm hug thus completing their family.

Nandini tightened her hold and held them closer to her silently thanking her Aiyyappa for giving her parents again.

They broke the hug happily smiling at each other. Then they presented her with a key and Nandini rose her eyebrows to ask what is it.

"It's the key to your new house. Where Manik and you will be staying from now onwards. A gift from Srikanth and Archana." Raj answered and Nandini stared at her parents surprised.

"Well, we thought that it's better if you newly-weds stay alone with each other for better understanding." Archana explained and Nandini's face turned bright red on the thought of staying alone with Manik.

"Please don't tell us that you don't want this. I mean come on you get to spend some quality time with my handsome son and fulfil all your fantasies. " Raj teased her and she blushed more.

"Uncle please at least you don't tease me. Cabir and other people have teased me enough" Nandini whines and Raj laughs at this and takes her into a side hug.

"So, batao acha laga surprise?" Raj asks.

"Haan bahut acha laga. Thanks, mom and dad" Nandini thanks them with a bright smile on her face.

"Ok, then I have some work to do. You spend some time with your parents" Raj says and leaves the room.

Nandini's POV:

I come back to my room thinking about the new flat gifted by mom and dad and how they finally accepted me.

I am really happy but kinda worried too...

How can I share flat with that ostrich dumbo all alone?

I mean after whatever happened today morning I am sure that he definitely doesn't know how to keep his hands to his self.

He keeps on stealing kisses from me and I really don't know how to stop him.

" Is it because you don't know how to stop him or you don't want to stop him?" Dj Nandini asks smirking cleverly and I palm my face because I don't know the answer myself.

"Tell us Chipmunk, the whole India wants to know. How do you feel when My boss aka Manik touches you?" Monkey Manik asks now and I hit him with a pillow.

"Stop it, people, I am already tired of all the teasing from everyone. Now you both don't continue the same" I say annoyed and they nod their heads like good kids.

"Chipmunk" I hear another voice which disturbs my inner monologue. I turn to find Manik standing there staring at me with a bright smile.

And in a matter of seconds, he runs towards me and engulfs me in a tight hug. I couldn't support the sudden impact and as a result, we both fall on the bed beside us with him on top of me.

"Thank you! Thank you very very much" he whispers staring right into my eyes and I feel my heart beating erratically.

" Ho Dhak Dhak karne laga , Ho Mora jiyare darne Laga" Dj Nandini starts singing this song and dances along with Monkey Manik teasing me.

And I see Ostrich inching his face closer to mine.

Aiyyyo No No!

He's going to kiss me OMG!!

I cover my face with my palms to stop him from doing whatever he wants to do.

"Nandini Neyonika mom is call- Omg what the freak?!!?" Cabir's voice breaks our trance.

I immediately push Ostrich aside and get up from the bed trying to set my saree properly. And Cabir stares at us with a dirty smirk on his face.

"Nandini I was just kidding when I said you that Manik is not romantic as me paagal! But tu ne mere words ko itna serious le liya hein and you even tried to prove me wrong! Acchi baat hai!" He says and I stare at him with ' I will murder you wala stare'.

"Waise you know these rectangular planks here, they are known as doors. You need to close them when you are involved in stuff like this! " He says tapping the door of our room.

"And haan come down after completing whatever I interrupted, mom wants to speak to you" He says and walks out of the room grinning at me like a clown.

I turn my head back a glare at the idiot who caused cause all this while he sheepishly smiles at me.

"Manik Malhotraaa today you are really dead in my hands" I yell at him and throw the AC remote at him which he dodges.

I start throwing all the random stuff I find and he dodges them running away.

"Nandini I am your husband yaar you shouldn't hit me like this-aah," he tells and then shrieks in pain when the perfume bottle I threw hits his shoulder.

"Manik idiot Malhotra stop running away" I exclaim running behind him searching for more things with which I can hit him.

After running around the room thrice we both are tired and settle on the bed panting.

" Idiot! Dumbo! Monkey! Donkey! Buffalo! Pig! Dog! it's all because of you. I am so embarrassed to even look at Cabir now" I say punching on his biceps and all he does is to stare at me like I am a madwoman.

"You know you forgot to add cat, gorilla, elephant and rest of the animal names in the list," he says and I glare at him and punch him more strongly on his chest now.

"Stop it Chipmunk. Your punches don't even hurt, it feels like you are giving a massage to me" He speaks as a matter of fact and I stop doing it.

"And waise why were you covering your face back then huh? I was just coming closer to you since I found something stuck in your hair" he says and removes some small dust particle stuck in my hair.

Ohhh! So he wasn't going to kiss me then.

"Wait! You are blushing that means you thought something else" He exclaims widening his eyes and I shake my head in a no rapidly.

"No, you really thought something, didn't you? Omg don't say me that you thought I was going to kiss you" He asserts and I gasp loudly. Shit! He guessed it.

"No, No why would I think like that. Manik Malhotra, I am very decent when compared to you" I exclaim strongly.

"Tch tch, you are so dirty-minded Chipmunk! Like seriously how can you think like that" He says in an innocent tone.

"Stop it ok! Not even in my wildest dreams, I will never do stuff like kissing and cuddling with you. It's so disgusting to even think of that" I say making a dirty face at him.

"Like I would do! Trust me Chipmunk the feelings are mutual " He says shrugging his shoulders.

We both glare at each other as if that would turn the other person into ashes.

"Nandu di Neyonika mom is calling you" Navya shouts loudly from the living room.

"I am coming" I shout back.

"I hate you so damn much " I mutter staring at him angrily.

"Same here!" He shoots back at me.

Not saying another word I move out of the room and praying to Aiyyappa to give me loads of patience to handle this weird creature called Ostrich.

            ----------------------------------
~Somewhere between our laughs, long talks, silences and stupid little fights we found love~

Author's Note:

Hello!
So here I am with a new chapter. And this time I updated early! * proud of myself*

So how was today's update?

Chipmunk and Ostrich are fighting again. *sighs*

But don't you think both of them are being childish? I don't even know how are they going to share the flat.

And what do you guys think will they patch up soon or will they continue fighting like this?

Do let me know your thoughts people.
And yeah read the chapter twice, thrice as many times as you want to but please make sure to vote and comment!