”
The Murthy Mansion was unusually quiet that morning. Sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows, painting patterns on the marble floor. The house was alive with subtle movements—servants quietly arranging the breakfast table, the soft hum of a ceiling fan, and the occasional laughter of Zyaan as he chased Arhaam around the hallway. But in Nandini’s cabin, the air was heavy.
Arhaam sat cross-legged on his mother’s bed, idly scrolling through her phone, his small fingers tapping with more confidence than his age should allow.
“Eeww, Mumma, you’re smelling,” he remarked, wrinkling his nose.
Nandini froze. “It’s blood’s smell,” she said softly, rushing to the washroom.
After her shower, she returned, fresh but tense, her eyes scanning the room to find her little son watching her intently.
“Arhaam,” she said, in her usual calm but firm tone, “how many times must I tell you—don’t come here alone. Go with Navya or Bhai. If no one is available, call me first.”
Arhaam simply nodded, understanding it was his fault. But his next words made Nandini’s chest tighten.
“Actually, Mom, I don’t feel like staying there when you are not with me,” he confessed, looking down at his hands.
Nandini’s heart ached. “What happened, sweetheart? Why so sad?”
“Nothing,” he replied softly.
Her gaze softened. “By the way, your plan that morning was very clever.”
Arhaam grinned. “Which plan?”
“You know… when I scolded you for no reason so everyone got tense. You played it perfectly, and Bhai didn’t scold us for being late.”
“Oh, that! I know! I’m good. My plans are always perfect.”
Nandini chuckled silently in her mind. Like father, like son…
---
The cabin door creaked open. Steve, her assistant, appeared. “Ma’am, some people want to meet you.”
Nandini’s eyes narrowed. “Bring them in.”
Cabir, Dhruv, Mukti, Aliya, and Manik entered quietly. Tension hung in the room like a thick fog. Arhaam’s small gaze darted between them, sensing the weight of the adults’ emotions.
Nandini’s voice was cold. “What are you doing here?”
Navya tried to speak, but Nandini cut her off sharply. “Sorry, Navya, but you don’t have the right to speak right now.”
Cabir stepped forward. “Nandini, please—listen to us.”
Her eyes, sharp yet tired, met his. “Listen? You have words, but do you have actions? Do you know what your absence did?”
Mukti’s voice trembled. “We know one apology won’t fix the past. But we are guilty. We—”
Aliya added softly, “We can’t undo what happened, but we’re here to make it right.”
Dhruv nodded. “We can’t understand what you went through. But we want to try.”
Cabir’s gaze softened. “We weren’t there when you needed support. We failed you. But we’re here now.”
Manik, who had been silent, observing every movement, finally spoke. His voice was calm, yet heavy. “I… I don’t have words to undo the past either. But I want to try. I want to be there.”
Arhaam, sensing the tension, tilted his head. “Don’t you have to say something, Mr. Manik Malhotra?”
All eyes turned to Manik. He swallowed hard.
“I… I am not your age. But I will try, Arhaam. And Nandini, I know I hurt you. I can’t erase it, but I want to make it right. Step by step.”
Arhaam’s small face lit up with a curious smile. “So… will you… be my Dad?”
Manik’s throat tightened. “Yes… I will try to be. But I need your trust, little man. That’s all I ask.”
---
Later that day, Fab 5 gathered in the mansion’s sitting room. They had planned this trip for weeks—not for leisure, but to apologize and make amends.
Manik’s eyes were fixed on Nandini’s room door. He had been thinking… Arhaam’s habits, his little gestures, even his stubbornness—everything reminded him of himself. And that realization shook him to his core.
Cabir noticed his friend’s pensive expression. “You’re thinking about him,” he said quietly.
“Yes,” Manik admitted. “I see… pieces of me in that boy. And I want to be the father he deserves. I don’t know how yet, but I will.”
Cabir placed a hand on his shoulder. “We all want to fix things. Let’s do it together. Fab 5. We start with apologies.”
Manik nodded, feeling the weight on his chest ease slightly.
---
In the mansion courtyard, Arhaam and Zyaan ran around, laughing, playing tag. Cabir joined, surprising both boys with his sudden agility and energy. Zyaan clung to Cabir, giggling, while Arhaam hesitated, observing his mother through the window.
Nandini’s heart clenched. She watched the sight—Arhaam’s laughter, Zyaan’s joy, Cabir’s gentle care—and felt tears prick her eyes. Her family, broken for so long, was slowly finding pieces of happiness again.
Manik watched from the balcony, silently vowing to himself. I will earn my son’s love. I will make Nandini trust me again. No matter how long it takes.
---
By evening, Fab 5 convened in Nandini’s cabin. Their plan was simple but risky: apologize sincerely, acknowledge their faults, and start rebuilding trust. Manik would focus on Arhaam, Cabir on Zyaan, and the rest would support Nandini in any way possible.
Manik took a deep breath. “Tomorrow, we start fixing everything. One step at a time. But this time… we won’t fail. Not again.”
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden shadows through the Murthy Mansion. Silence fell, but it was a silence filled with hope—for forgiveness, for love, and for a family slowly reassembling itself.
Cliffhanger: Somewhere, unseen, a shadowed figure watched the mansion with a heavy heart… waiting, planning, and holding secrets that could shake everything Fab 5 had worked for.
--
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Humesha A MaNan FF (COMPLETED)
FanfictionManik Malhotra And Nandini Murthy Once Upon a time when they were together forever but something happens and they got separate...!!!!!! will destiny brings them together or They will be just a imaginary couple..!!??? Peek Into know the story and d...
