After a week of staying in hospital, Manik, Manish, Raj, Kabir and their friends were all preparing Nandini's things. Manish, Raj were at home and others were at hospital. Nandini was to be taken home after discharge. Everyone was rushing here and there bringing her belongings when she was sitting on the sofa drinking juice sip by sip and enjoying the scene, she burst into laughter. Everyone stopped and started to look at her then came near her.

Kabir - What are you laughing at? huh?

Nandini - (while laughing) Seeing you guys rushing in and out is quite funny. (laughed loudly)

All - SHUT UP!!!! (Nandini shocked and seeing her everyone burst into laughter and then she started laughing too)

Dr. Batra came in..

Dr. Batra - Seeing you like this, I can say you are quite fine now. But still you have to rest. I strictly prohibits you from walking too much just little walks would do. Infact, Manik, bring a wheelchair from outside. It's better if she avoids walking much and rest much.....

Nandini - Why! Why! Why! (stood up with a jump) See, I am all fine.

Dr. Batra - Nandini, your head injury hasn't healed completely. See, you are still having bandages there. Better listen to me.

Nandini - We can remove bandages...(Manik stared, Nandini bend her head then started weeping loudly but everyone ignored so after few seconds with full attitude) I am not going to sit on wheelchair!!(turned her head)

Dr. Batra - Nandini...

Manik - Uncle, Don't worry. I will handle her.

Dr. Batra - Fine, then I will go first.

Manik - Thank you.

Dr. Batra - It's alright.(and left)

Nandini - So, How are you going to handle me?

Manik - (glanced at Nandini then to others) Is everything settled in the car? (everyone nodded) Great. Kabir, bring a wheelchair.

Nandini - I am not going to sit on wheelchair!

Manik - Let's see.

Kabir brought a wheelchair and placed next to Nandini. Manik held the wheelchair.

Manik - (to Nandini while pointing at wheelchair) Sit!

Nandini - NO!

Manik - Sit!

Nandini - NO!

Manik - Nandini.., Sit here!

Nandini - Manik.., I will not.

Manik - Fine (bent down and went near Nandini)

Nandini - What!! (while sliding back)

Manik - (near Nandini's face) You have two options. First, sit on wheelchair. Second, I will carry you in my arms from here to the car. Choice is yours. 1st or 2nd...

Nandini - (after thinking) I....I.. I choose 'OR'...

Manik - (scoffs) Smart! huh? (went forward and lifted up Nandini)

Nandini - (trying to get down, moving legs and arms) Manik, put me down.. I said put me down!! Can't you hear? put me down!! Manik..... (held her head)

Manik - Nandini! Nandini, you okay?

He made Nandini sit back when Kabir called Dr. Batra.

Dr. Batra - (after checking Nandini) Are you guys small kids? huh? you know, how dangerous it could have been if you two have fallen? Fine, I understand about Nandini But Manik you.., you are mature enough.

Manik - I am sorry, Uncle. But... but Nandini was not sitting on wheelchair.

Dr. Batra - (to Nandini) Why? Why were you not sitting there? If we are saying you have to sit on it, it means it is for your own good. understood? (no response) Understood?

Nandini - Okay. I am sorry, Batra uncle.

Dr. Batra - That's like a good girl. (he left)

Kabir - Hey, Nandini. That...that, Batra uncle....just called you immature. (Nandini turned to him and stared him, Kabir got scared and turned his face while gulping)

Nandini sat on wheelchair and they all went to the car. Manik helped Nandini to get on the car. They all settled in the cars and the three cars left for Nandini's house. All of them were on a leave for two days from campus. Manik, Dhruv and Kabir were driving. Kabir was leading the way, then Dhruv and then Manik as Manik was driving more slow than usual, keeping in mind Nandini's condition.

After an hour, they reached AHLUWALIA RESIDANCE. All the staff was roused to bring Nandini's stuff in. Manik helped Nandini to move in and Kabir brought all others inside.

Manish and Raj were standing at the entrance.

Manish - (hugging Nandini) So, how's my princess?

Kabir - Don't worry. Your princess is.....

All except Kabir - ..all fine.

Kabir - (looked around in surprised manner and nodded) Ya, all fine.

They all started laughing.

Navya, Mukti, Abhimanyu, Alia, Dhruv - (to Manish) Hello, uncle. (to Raj) Hello, uncle.

Manish and Raj - Hello(while smiling) Let's go inside. Come.

They all settled down and juice and snacks were served to all except Nandini.

Nandini - (after looking at all) This is discrimination. Total discrimination.

Kabir - What happened? Which elections are you going to fight, that you are suddenly talking about discrimination.

Nandini - You all are having juice and snacks except me only. Why?

Kabir - So, it was this. Thank god, you are not fighting elections otherwise people would have said: see, Kabir's sister lost the elections (miserably).

Nandini - SHUT UP!!

Manik - (while nodding) That's right. It's discrimination with you.

Nandini - (smiling brightly) So, I am also getting it. Good, litchi juice and chocolate cookies, potato chips. That's it for now.

Manik - (smiled at Nandini) Don't overthink. (he put his food stuff on table and asked the helpers to take them back and give him the same as of Nandini then to Nandini) Now, it's not discrimination with you.

Nandini - (frustrated) (sighed) Nothing else then..... give me atleast a glass of water.

Manik - Sure. (gave her a glass of water)

Servant brought servings for Nandini and Manik.

Manik - (to the servant) Excuse me. Whatever you will cook for Nandini make it two servings, one for me also.

Servant - Okay. (he left)

Nandini - Manik, you don't need to torture yourself. The soup I am drinking day and night for days is not less than any torture. Just eat like all of them.

Manik - Don't worry about me. Just drink your soup. (patted her head)

Mukti - Lovely....

About an hour later,

Alia - Nandini, why don't you show us your house? We have to leave soon....

Manish - Leave.. where, child? You all are staying here, all preparations are already made. Stay here.

Alia - No uncle. It would be inconvenient for you all. We will just book some rooms in nearby hotel and will come back tomorrow morning.

Navya - Right.

Manish - What do you mean by right, Navya? You guys are all staying here. That's it.

Nandini - Guys, if dad is saying this much, just stay. Come on.

Mukti - But..

Nandini - But what, Mukti? Just stay, that's it or I will not talk to any of you.

Navya, Alia, Dhruv, Mukti, Abhimanyu - Fine. Fine...fine..fine..fine. We will stay.

Nandini - Good. Come, I will show you my Home Sweet Home.

Manish - Nandini, you stay here. Manik will take them. You should rest first.

Nandini - Dad, Doctor has suggested me to walk also...(with cute face)

Raj - She is right, Manish. She should walk also. That's good for her body.

Nandini - See...

Manish - Fine, but be careful.

Nandini - (winked) Okay. Let's go.

They started ground floor from drawing and ended at memories wall. The wall was full of pictures of Nandini, Kabir, Kabir's parents, Manish, Nandini's mother, Manik, Raj and Manik's mother. All were looking closely to the wall. Dhruv and Abhimanyu were a bit startled with a photo.

Dhruv - (to Nandini while pointing at a picture) Whose this?

Nandini - My sweet Mother.(smiled brightly)

Dhruv and Abhimanyu - Okay. okay

Abhimanyu - Seems like we have seen her somewhere before!!

Mukti - Stop overthinking!

Abhimanyu - Right.

They then moved to 1st floor, looked carefully at the detailing of the house and were all impressed.

It was time for dinner now. They all gathered on dining.....

Abhimanyu - Uncle, your house is really great and elegant.

Manish - Thank you. I am glad you liked it.

Abhimanyu - (smiled shyly) Welcome.

Mukti - What are flattering yourself for? He didn't praise you.

Everyone laughed.

Abhimanyu - Uncle, your house is quite detailed. I liked the designs and work. By the way, Which architect?

Nandini chocked to her food and everyone started looking at Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu - Oh.. Sorry. I forgot, you are an architect.

They all started laughing and enjoyed their meal. Then after two hours they all went to sleep. Dhruv and Abhimanyu decided to sleep in same room while girls picked separate rooms. Manik and Raj also slept there.

Around 2 am,

Abhimanyu suddenly woke up shouting 'I got it!'

It ends here.

Stay tuned to know what Abhimanyu got and what happens next.

please do votes, comments and shares.

Your writer,

JASS