Zehnaseeb

23. Birthday

Ansh was sitting in his room gazing outside of window. One more birthday without anyone beside him. He was missing his parents, his siblings. Their fun, birthday celebration. Not that he was so fond of birthday parties but they all used to enjoy a lot together. He was feeling very lonely. He thought, atleast this year he will be able to celebrate his birthday with Nandini and Malhotras happily. Because everything was getting on track. But No! He was so wrong. This pain, sorrows and sadness are what his companions from last 3 years and they will not leave this easily.

He knew, what he did wasn't at all acceptable. His behaviour, accusing eyes hurted her. He shouldn't have turned his face away from Nandini when she needed him most. He shouldn't have left her when she was broken hearing Manik's harsh words. Hell, he shouldn't have even let Manik scold her at first place. She was already sick and Manik's words scratched her old wounds. He should have stopped him but he dint. Because he thought it was necessary for her to know that how much she matters to everyone around her and her ignoring her health was the last thing they all could bear.

He was scared. After so long he saw her smile, her chirpyness, her happiness. She was slowly started living her life normally. He dint want her to suffer anything now. He was getting his old Nandi back. He dint want to loose her. He surely was angry for her carelessness though it was unintentional. But more than that he was scared. A father inside him was scared to lose his daughter again!

He also dint like the way Manik poured his anger on her. But it wasn't only his anger. It was his fear, his love, his insecurities. Same like him. Just that he dint voiced it out like Manik did. He agree that Manik went overboard but then he understood him. His emotions were at peak. He knew, Manik dint mean anything he said. It was only his anger. They both were hell protective and possessive for her. One scratch on her and they would set world on fire. But it wasn't only her fault anymore. He knew they had messed up and have to take great efforts to make it up to her. Especially, Manik!

__________________

Cabir rang the bell of Murthy Mansion and butler opened the door.

"Bar- Nandini is home right? I'm here to meet her." Cabir told butler when Abhi came there.

"Who's there Ramesh- You?" Abhi asked him being surprised. Cabir had cold expressions.

"You are one of the Fab-5, drummer Cabir Malhotra, right?" Abhi asked with a hint of surprise and slight smile. Cabir gave a curt nod.

"You here? I mean, suddenly-"

"I'm here to meet my sister. My barbie." Cabir said rolling his eyes.

"Your sister?" Abhi asked confusingly. Cabir gave him death glare.

"Yes, Mr. Abhimanyu Murthy. My sister! The one whom you abandoned and blamed for the crime she never committed. Nandini Murthy!" Cabir announced proudly while Abhi was taken a back. How he knows it all? And why the hell he is speaking to me like that? Nandini complained about me? He thought.

Reading his expressions Cabir chuckled.

"She never complained. She even fears to take your name. You can imagine to which extent you must have broke her. Anyways, Ansh bhai and barbie is our family and he only told about it. I don't feel necessary to explain you but I heard you have bad habit of assuming things on your own and accuse the person without any reason. So just cleared out. Now, don't you dare to accuse her again. Because I can't bear a single tear in my sister's eyes, unlike you!" Cabir said calmly yet dangerously. Abhi fumed.

"Listen here, Mr. Cabir! You can't threaten me standing in my own home. It's my family matter and you are no one to order me. Dare not to raise your voice on me again." Said Abhi gritting his teeth angrily. Cabir laughed.