Around 10 pm, Manik, Nandini and Kabir reached home. They went in and met Manish and Raj. Raj went out to answer a call. Nandini and Manik were standing while Kabir went and sat beside Manish with a jerk by placing his one arm on Manish's shoulder.

Kabir - Mamu, you know. A very great thing happened today in college. I bet you would jump out of your seat with happiness. No, no. The sky above you will burst, land under you will slide when you will hear that.

Manish - What has happened, my child.

Nandini - Dad, I'll tell you. (moved her face to Manik and winked. Then moved to Manish.

Kabir - (blocked Nandini's way) I will tell.

Nandini - No, I will.

Kabir - I will.

Nandini - I will

Their fight was getting fierce meanwhile, Manik went and sat beside Manish and whispered in his ear.

Manik - Kabir is dating.

Manish - What?(loudly)

Kabir and Nandini stopped. Manish started staring Kabir with shocked reaction and Kabir got confused.

Kabir - Wh...Wh..What..What did you tell him? Manik!!!

Manish - You little brat!! Already. Whose the girl? I want to see my daughter-in-law?

Raj - What daughter-in-law?

Manik - Dad, Kabir has found his better half.

Raj - Wow, That's great. Congratulations Manish.

Manish - Congrats to you too. By the way, Nandini, Whose the girl? Do you have any pic of her?

Kabir was still confused and shocked. Nandini showed them Navya's pic.

Manish - Hmmmm, she is beautiful.

Nandini - Dad, how about I video call her?

Kabir - Stop it!! And you Nandini, are you fine? You will just instantly call Navya and ask her to talk to Mamu. What would be her reaction? Come on.

Nandini - Kabir, I know her more than you. I was just joking.

Kabir - Mamu, you know these two have finally came in public together.

Manish - Really, That's great. okay fine, come let's eat.

Kabir - Huh? That's it? You just said "That's great" to them. Then why did you overreact on mine?

Raj - Kabir, That was not overreaction. Both of us knew they would open up soon. But we never knew about you.

Kabir - Why?

Raj - That's because you always remain busy in your company or college.

Kabir - oh, okay. Let's eat. It's already 11.

They all went to dining area. Nandini switched on TV and was watching news while eating. Everyone was eating together, enjoying and laughing.

Suddenly, they all became quite. Nandini was too focused on Tv.

News Reporter - It's a breaking news. After 5 years it's officially confirmed that government is still working on smuggler gang mission(on which Nandini's mother was working). And....

Manish took remote to turn TV off but Nandini stopped him. Manish got angry, while Nandini was totally focused.

News Reporter - The team working on this project finally made statement regarding the death of one of the most famous hacker "Ms. Keren"(Nandini's mother's professional name). Come let's listen to his voice message.

Voice Message - We are proud to announce this that our member's loss of life didn't go to vain. We are still working on smuggler gang mission. Ms. Keren lost her life while working on this mission. Many thought she cheated on us, but it's not true. We still don't know the cause of her death but we are trying our best to clarify it. And we are making a public announcement to clear everyone's doubt and to give last warning to the smugglers. We are really sorry to Ms. Keren's family for your loss and all the defame you got from that incident. We hope everyone could be proud of and respect Ms. Keren. She was one of the most loyal person, I personally have ever met. THANK YOU.

Nandini - Finally... Thank god. Dad, you should be happy.

Manish - I am!! Nandini. Like Finally.

Nandini slumped down and started crying. She was sitting between Manik and Kabir while Manish and Raj were sitting opposite them. Manik and Kabir moved their chairs towards Nandini. Manik held her hand while Kabir kept patting her. Both of them were trying to console her. Manish asked them to take Nandini outside. They went to garden.

Manik - Nandini, calm down.

Kabir - Exactly Nandini, now everything's fine. So don't cry.

Nandini - Kabir, Manik. (while sulking) These are the tears of happiness. I have waited for this moment from long.

Manik and Kabir hugged her.

Manik - Okay, Nandini would you like to eat ice cream outside?

Nandini - At this hour? No way. And which stall will you find now?

Manik - Leave it to me. Just say yes or no?

Nandini - Manik, only half an hour is left for 12 am. Where will you get ice cream. Stop joking.

Manik - Nandini, yes or no?

Nandini - Okay!!

Manik - I am bringing car to gate. You two come there.

Manik left and brought the car. The three of them went to nearby restaurant and enjoyed ice cream. They were laughing and were enjoying the moments. Finally, they went home. It was 12 am already. They were shocked when they went in. All lights were switched off. It was all dark.

Nandini - Dad, Uncle. Where are you?(while coming in, there was no response) Manik, You know why isn't anyone answering?(Manik didn't respond) Manik!! Manik!. Kabir!!! Kabir!!!

All - Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Nandini. Happy birthday to you. (Manik was holding a cake and they all circled around her) Happy Birthday Nandini!!!!!!

Nandini was looking really happy, she cut cake and fed everyone with it. All were happy to see her happy.

Nandini - I see, I see. Now, I know why they took me out at this hour.

Manik - We were actually tensed about how to take you outside. And then I thought of taking you to eat ice cream.

Nandini - ohhh..

Manish - Nandini, Here's your gift from me.(while putting a necklace around Nandini's neck). How's it?

Nandini - It's really beautiful. My initial is in it. Love you dad.

Raj - Here's mine.(it was a branded watch)

Nandini - It's beautiful. Thank you uncle.

Manik - It's my turn now. Nandini, give me your hand and close your eyes.

Manik tied a bracelet around her wrist and asked her to open eyes.

Nandini - (while looking around bracelet) Wooowww Manik. It's really beautiful. (she noticed something) There's even your initials printed on it "M.M". I love it.

Manik - I know it's quite a couple thing and not worthy to be given on birthday. But..

Nandini - Oh come on. I love it. Where's yours?

Manik - How do you know, I have one too?

Nandini - You just mentioned it's a couple thing sooo. Give me yours.

Manik - Here(while handling bracelet)

Nandini tied bracelet around Manik's wrist.

Nandini - Remember to never loose it!! (she turned to Kabir and passed a smile)

Kabir - Mine is nothing you could wear. Here(he handed her a gift)

Nandini took it and unwrapped it. She was shocked when she unwrapped it. She hugged Kabir. It was Nandini's portrait. Kabir made it himself.

Nandini - It's amazing Kabir. I don't know how could I forget that you are such a great artist.

Manish - You can forget anything. You even forget his real name. It's nothing in front of that.

Nandini - Dad, it's not necessary to bring it up.

Kabir - Oh yes, Nandini. Please call me K.D. only. I am quite habitual to it.

Nandini - Okay. And regarding this portrait, I'm gonna hang it on my room's wall. Thank you all. I received a lot of precious gifts. But it's a pity Manik will not be here tomorrow in campus.

Raj - Why? Where's he going?

Manik - Dad, I have to go to check office infrastructure. The architect has to leave to abroad. So, it's the last day.

Raj - You should have accompanied Nandini.

Nandini - (went to Raj) It's okay uncle. Kabir and all my friends would be there. And yes, let's go to sleep. We have to leave early in morning.

Manish - Nandini, one gift is left. I promised you to give you something from your mom's side on your birthday. Here, it's a diary today. I tried to read it. But she has used only code language to write it so I was unable to read it. I hope you will crack the codes. Now go to sleep. And yes promise me, you will sleep now instead of reading it. You have to leave early so it's better to have a good sleep. Go.

Nandini - Okay. I promise you. Love you dad. Good night. Good night everyone.

She took all the gifts with her. She hung portrait on wall and put diary in her almirah's locker. She went to sleep then.

The next morning,

Manik left for office and Kabir, Nandini left for college from home.

It ends here.

Thank you all for your reviews and votes.

Hope you will like this chapter.

Your writer,

Jass