MaNan FF : Blame Game

part 4

The stranger's eyes twinkled with mischief as he went on, voice dipping into playful rhyme.

"Guess fate played a cruel little joke on me.. If I had met you earlier, who knows what could be?"

Manik quirked an eyebrow, his mind sneering, lips curved in a humourless smirk.

"Yeah, if only you came earlier. I could've been spared the performance. and from this circus of a marriage."

He watched the two of them - Nandini in her perfect red gown, the stranger flashing easy smiles - and a dry, bitter thought crossed his mind

"They actually look made for each other... him with his cheesy lines, her with her sugar-sweet act.. Just perfect couple"

On the outside, Manik stayed silent. On the inside, he was already mocking them both.

"God... if only you had sended this guy Earlier in her life." Manik thought bitterly.

Nandini extended her hand warmly. "I'm Nandini Malhotra," she said with poise.

"Hey. I'm Arjun singhaniya" he replied..

Nandini's eyes flickered again - this time with recognition. "Are you related to arvind singhaniya?"

"yes..I'm his grandson.. Recently moved back from London." he replied warmly..

Nandini had a surprised smile on her face.. Arvind singhaniya.. He have Big name.. She didn't knew about him having a grand son..

"Nice to meet you arjun" Then, almost instinctively, she turned to the man behind her. "And this... is my husband. Manik Malhotra"

Finally, Manik turned, his eyes cool as ever. He gave a polite nod, voice dripping with practiced charm

"Pleasure."

Aditya smiled, unfazed by the lack of enthusiasm. "Hello Mr malhotra. Dadu have always talk about you so much, that now i feel like, I've always known you "

"i hope it was all good" Manik said with a small smirk

"Yes it was" arjun said with a smile and looked at the nandini again "You're a lucky man, Mr. Malhotra. She's extraordinary."

Nandini's cheeks glowed at the compliment, her lips tugging into a smile she couldn't hide.

Manik chuckled under his breath, masking it as amusement.

"Extraordinary indeed... in ways you can't even imagine." His sarcasm hung in the air, sharp and bitter.

Arjun, ignoring the undertone, continued speaking with warmth. Each praise, each light tease made Nandini laugh freely-something Manik hadn't seen in a long time. Watching them, he tilted his head back slightly, sighing inwardly.

"Really, God? Couldn't You have paired her with him instead? They look so picture-perfect-fake smiles, polished compliments, pretentious charm. A match made in heaven."

A sudden vibration in Arjun's pocket broke the moment.

He glanced at his phone, regret flickering across his face.

"Excuse me... my dadu calling.. But, Mrs. Malhotra, you've made my evening brighter. And Mr. Malhotra..." he gave a courteous nod, "you truly are a fortunate man."

As he walked away, he glanced back one last time at Nandini, he smile and left to see his family.

Nandini sighed softly, turning toward Manik. Her eyes sparkled. "He's so cute and charming, isn't he?"

Manik's jaw flexed as he muttered under his breath, "You like anyone with money and a fake mouthful of praises."

Her brows knit. "Did you say something?"