Carrying the frames, I stepped inside the walk-in closet, opened the drawer, put the frames inside, and closed the drawer.

Then I looked for clothes, and I realised that my closet is filled with a new set of clothes that I haven't seen before.

I frowned and shook my head in disbelief. Taking the dress, I went inside the washroom.

I took the world's time and got freshened up. I got dressed in a plain blue frock and a flapper with beautiful cream Printed dupatta.

Entering the bedroom, I put my dupatta on my bed and started to dry my long hair. It took me 30 minutes to make them completely dry. I gathered my hair and set it on my back. I laid on my comfy bed, covering it myself with a blanket, getting tired.Entering the bedroom, I put my dupatta on my bed and started to dry my long hair. It took me 30 minutes to make them completely dry. I gathered my hair and set it on my back. I laid on my comfy bed, covering it myself with a blanket, getting tired.

My eyes were getting heavy and drowsy. I didn't know when sleep consumed me because of tiredness....

"Nandini Getup" 

"Come on, let her sleep. She must be tired."

"She needs to get up; it's almost night.

I heard some voices. I opened my eyes a little and looked around to see Ami and Mama sitting on either side of me. I got up a little and leaned back on the headset on the bed.

"What are you both doing here? I muttered and rubbed my eyes. My voice got heavy because of sleep.

We're here to wake you up," Ami said, and I looked at her. She was unpacking my things.

"I'm still tired, Amii, please. I yawned and put my head on Mama's lap. "I knew you would be tired. That's why I was stopping her." Mama replied lovingly. Ruffling my hair

"Your hair has grown pretty long, Nanhii," Mama said, touching my hair. I nodded, still nodding, and my eyes closed.

"And my baby has grown beautiful too," Ami said, looking at me. I tell you, they both sometimes love me, but I love when they pamper me.

"Why are you unpacking my bag, Ami, and why is my closet filled with new clothes? I frowned and got up from Mama's lap. And sit straight.

"Your baba and papa shopped for you," Ami said, looking at me with a smirk.

"But why? I have lots of clothes, Ami, I whined. Both ladies chuckled, making me roll my eyes at them as I have too many clothes, half of which I haven't even worn yet.

"They thought that your taste would have changed after going to Australia, so they shopped for new clothes. Don't worry, we were with them. Mama spoke smilingly, cupping my cheek. With love

Guys, I just told you this. I'm the same as I was before, I replied with a triumphant expression.

"And I don't like it when I don't wear old clothes that everyone brought me with so much love that they got wasted," I uttered, being upset about it.

"Don't be upset about this. Anyway, come and have dinner. We made everything your favourite. Ami Touching my cheek with love, I nodded my head in Yes

They both walked outside. I just got up, freshened up a little, and walked out.

"Kabir and Saad, stop fighting you both. These cookies are for Nandini. I saw Pupho yelling at them. I smirked and walked ahead.

Aww, thank you, Pupho. You made cookies for me with your beautiful hands. I hugged her from behind and gave a teasing smile to Saad and Kabir. They huffed.

Even though I'm your child, Ma," Saad complained about making a bad face.

"Mee too. Kabir did the same thing, while Pupho took one cookie, broke it in half, and put it in their mouths. I chuckled

Then Saad and Kabir looked at each other and then at my plate, and I understood what they were trying to do.

"Don't you even try to take my cookies; you guys used to do the same in childhood, and I used to cry buckets, I muttered, glaring at both of them.

Yeah, and Bro used to make you laugh and beat both of us for making you cry. Kabir spoke, smiling slightly. I smiled, remembering it.

By the way, why haven't you asked anything about him? Ami asked, looking at me, and the smile disappeared from my face. Everyone looked at me. I looked here and there and avoided their gaze, which controlled my nervousness.

Erm, it's just that I forgot, and I know he's not here, so I didn't ask about him. I mumbled, giving them some excuses, while Kabir and Saad raised their eyebrows at me and smirked, looking at me.

These cousins, I tell you,

"Where is my grandfather, dad? I asked, changing the topic while we heard the voice from behind.

"I am here, princess. I turned and looked at my grandpa. With a smile but a frown Seeing him look weak and tired

I ran towards him and hugged him. He caressed my hair lovingly, and I smiled.

"How are you? How's your health? Where were you? Are you fine? I bombarded him with nonstop questions.

"Calm down, princess; I'm fit and fine. He smiled, opening his arms.

"Hey Grandpa You still look handsome," Saad said in a playful tone, while Grandpa chuckled and hugged him. "You both have grown so much. Grandpa spoke, looking at both of us.

"You said the same thing to me when I came back from a trip. Come on, Grandpa. Kabir rolled his eyes at him while others chuckled.

"Because that's true," Grandpa said. Giving him a shut-up look in which Kabir made whatever face

"By the way, Grandpa, why do you look old to me? Kabir teased him, touching his white hair, "I think your eyesight is weak. Grandpa replied, glaring at him.

Kabir, behave; he is your grandpa. Papa warned him.

"Come on, Papa, don't come in between us, right, Grandpa? Kabir spoke, hugging Grandpa and putting his head on his shoulder cutely. I smiled at them.

"Of course, my boy, it's between me and my grandson. Grandpa replied, siding with Kabir.

"Dad, you are spoiling him," Papa said with a bad face. Seeing them team up

So what? It's my wish," Grandpa said proudly.

Jaanat, please handle your husband," Grandpa said playfully. Making everyone laugh, and Mama got embarrassed.

Anyway, let's go hand in hand and have dinner, kids." Grandpa Said And we all walked to the dining table.

We finished our dinner with some fun teasing and laughter, but I missed him. Yes, I did.

I don't know why!

I looked at Mama. She was looking at everyone, and her eyes were teary. Papa consoled her. She must be missing him too.

I walked towards her and hugged her, patting her back slowly to comfort her.

"It's okay," I whispered in her ear. She nodded, wiping the corners of her eyes. Everyone looked at us.

Relax, she's just emotional, I clarified, breaking the hug.

Mama, why don't you ask Bhai to come back when you are missing him so much? Kabir spoke about getting up and hugging Mama!

"He's busy handling the business over there; he might be busy, but I don't want him to get disturbed. And he said he would come when he gets time," Mama said, taking his side, and Kabir rolled his eyes listening to her.

Yeah, we are hearing this daily," Kabir said with a sad smile. I was surprised to see him like that.

"Why don't we tell him that Nanhii is here? Maybe he can come. Ami suggested listening to this. I choked on the kabab that I was having and coughed badly; my face drained out all the colour. Baba made me drink the water caressing my back.

"Are you okay, Bacha? I nodded my head, yes, with watery eyes because of coughing.

"So what say you? Ami spoke, getting back to looking at me and then at everyone.

No way!

No, don't tell him that I'm here; I don't want you guys to even mention my name in front of him, please. I yelled, looking at everyone, and they gave me surprised looks.

"But why, baby, is there any problem? Baba asked, looking at me and getting confused.

"There is no problem, but I don't want him to come back because I'm here; I want him to come back by himself, not because of me. As you guys said, he is busy, so I don't want to be a disturbance to him. I won't like it, so please accept my request. I said, looking at everyone. They nodded in agreement, understanding me.

Then we continued what we were doing. Just like this, having fun with some emotional moments And gossip, and the day ended.....1 year later

The year passed by so quickly that we didn't realise it. Many things changed, like Saad telling everyone about Eshal, and now they are getting married in a month. And I'm the happiest person, as my bestie is becoming my bhabhi. Everyone has seen me, Eshal, and they even talked to her through calls and video chats. Everyone loved her, and I have become a cardiologist now.

Wallah Finally

For now, I'm getting ready to go to work. I combed my long brown hair and clipped it in half-sections at the back.

I wore a yellow long shirt with a side cut, paired it up with black tight jeans, wore yellow flat shoes to complete my look, and carried a plain black stole in my hand.

I wore a yellow long shirt with a side cut, paired it up with black tight jeans, wore yellow flat shoes to complete my look, and carried a plain black stole in my hand.Nanu, where are you heading to? Ami asked, coming into my room suddenly.

"Obviously for my job, Ami, I replied, taking my white coat in my hand and looking at her.

BTW, I'm here to tell you that Manika is coming back. She spoke, looking at me. I stopped whatever I was doing.

Listening to his name, I felt my heart stop beating for a moment. I put my hand on my heart to calm myself down. His name is enough to make me freeze.

What's wrong with me? I took a deep breath.

Oh, that's nice. I said it calmly, like nothing had happened. I looked at Ami, and she looked surprised at my answer.

"Won't you ask when he's coming? Ami asked again, confused by my reaction.

No," I said, making whatever face

"Really? What's your reaction? " Ami asked, frowning, Yeah, so how should I react? I asked, shrugging my shoulders.

"Nandini, why are you behaving as if you don't care for him anymore because I know you do? Ami spoke, holding my hand and turning me to face her.

"Ami, yes, I do care about him; he's my cousin, I replied. Looking at her, I know what she's trying to hear.

"But he was your best friend too; you used to spend all day with him; you used to like him a lot more than us; what has changed now? Ami asked a little loudly, and I was surprised by her behaviour.

"You are right, Ami, I used to like him; he was my best friend. Mom, past tense; we were just kids at the time. And now that we have a gown, we've lost the connection. He's busy in his life, and so am I. He is just a part of my memories, as I have spent my entire childhood with him, so I can't forget that. He is coming back; it's good. I'm happy for Mama; she missed him. He's coming. I'm going to meet him. As he's my cousin, I'm going to treat him like just a cousin. That's it. He's not my best friend anymore. I shouted angrily. And left from there.

Why does he affect me so much?

Manik Malhotra, My childhood best friend, or should I say he used to be, When we were kids, he used to care for me and protect me. He used to fight with his brother for me. That's how I liked him. With his care, we used to spend all day together. I got so attached to him, and suddenly, out of nowhere, he said he wanted to become a businessman like his father. He was 17 at the time, so I just supported him, but then one day he decided to go abroad for further studies. I wasn't happy with his decision, but I didn't want to snatch his dream. Everyone felt happy except me. I was happy that he was trying to fulfil his dream, but I was scared. I didn't want him to be away from me; I was scared to lose him.

But somehow he managed to make me agree, and he left for London when he was 18. After that, he used to send me letters, and he used to call me every day. But after some months, he stopped doing that. I thought he might be busy, so I didn't stop. I used to email him every day, but I didn't get a reply. And after some weeks, even though I stopped doing it, I didn't get any response from him. It was hurtful for me. He just forgot about me.

That's how we lost contact. And I lost my best friend. And just once I wanted to meet him and ask him so many things and question him, but now I can't do it. I don't have that courage, and neither do I care!

Thinking about it, I don't know when tears rolled down my face. I touched my cheeks and wiped my tears harshly.

Pondering about it, I just left without having breakfast.