|| ENDLESS LOVE || -- A MaNan FF

|| Chapter Twenty Four ||

#Note : Surprise !! Haha since you guys are such lovely readers and some of you tried to be cute with me asking for an update, I sneaked in some time to post for you guys :) #HappyReading #Cheers 

I just tucked in Tara and walked to the balcony where Manik was sitting with Nikki. I had told Manik about how he asked me earlier if papa had left us again. So, he wanted to talk to him. Manik was in a rocking chair and Nikki was lying on his chest cuddling close.

"How is school buddy?"

"It's okay."  Nikki replies in a very low voice.

"um, is Rob staying away from you?"

"uh-haaa"

"Good boy. Did you make any new friends?"

"I made oneee."

"Acha? what's his name?"

"It's a girl papa."

Manik smiles "Really now? What's her name?"

"Jeanie.."

"Jeanie!? Better behave with Jeanie son. We don't want her parents banging our door. Do we?"

"No."  Nikki replies innocently.

"Manik, it's getting late. Everyone is waiting for us."  I remind him.

Manik walks inside with Nikki and puts him on his bed and I tuck him in.

"I love you a lot kiddo and I am not going anywhere. Even if I do, I will always come back. You get that right?"  Manik asks Nikki.

"You won't leave?"  Nikki asks without looking at any of us. Manik looks at me so surprised.

"Never buddy. Not even if your mom kicks me out."  Manik smiles kissing his forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too papa.."  Nikki kisses him back making Manik grin widely.

"More than mumma?"  Manik asks laughing.

"I love mumma more.."  Nikki maintains.

"Manik?"  I nudge him.

"Kya? I can't even try?"

We stay for a few more minutes with the kids and join everybody else in the garden. They were all changed and dressed in casuals. Cabir and Dhruv were having a beer chatting; and Jo was grilling us dinner. Mukthi, Alya and Navya were busy talking about jewelry and shoes. They came back to check on us after a week.

"We should have some music here, like old times. Manik, sing something - humare liye nai sahi toh Nandini ke liye."  Cabir winks at him.

Mukthi was sitting quietly, smiling, looking at Manik who was laughing carefree and relaxed, pecking me on my cheek every now and then. It was just like old times -the whole family together. Cabir wouldn't stop teasing everyone around, especially Manik and I. Mukthi looks at me and her eyes were filling up and she goes inside.

"Mukthi! Whats wrong?"  I follow her inside as nobody else notices.

She sees me and stops and wipes away her tears. "I am just happy Nandini. We are all together and it just makes me feel so good seeing everyone so happy."  she smiles.