Manik and Nandu join others at the pool.
Nav: Aa gaye tum log? We thought you would take some more time.
Manik: Nav dear, abhi itne bhi bure din nahi aaye hamare ki hame aise time churana padega...
Cabir: Haa haa, who knows better than me how do you guys steal time. Real main Manik, all the karmas that I have collected lying for you and Nandu, pata nahi kaha lekar jayenge mujhe.
Manik: Do not worry, tum nek kaam kar rahe ho...
Dhruv: Haan yeh sahi hai..it is always a privilege to lie for true lovers. You guys are really blessed (looking at Manik and Nandu).
Nandu: Dhruv, aise nahi. I mean I agree that we are really lucky to have each other, but we too have our bad days...we also fight...
Aarya: Fight main we are not interested. Make up ke baare main batao. We are more interested in that...(winking)
Manik: Do not worry Aarya, tu bhi kaafi jaldi hum logon ke jaise hi Nav ke saath make up karega...
Nav blushes and all start laughing.
Rashmi and Anushka gel pretty well with the group and others too are happy to have them.
While the youngsters are doing majak masti, the elders have gotten into a more serious discussion.
Venky: Yaar Lalit, see now even Amma is not feeling well. What we will do is postpone Manik and Nandu's shaadi for at least a year.
Lalit: What are you saying Venky? Mushkil se baachon ne haa ki hai for marriage. Please let us not wait that long.
Gayatri: Venky, one year is too much. We were always demanding marriage soon and now you are directly wanting to postpone it by one year?
Rita: Haan Venky bhaisahab...ek saal thoda jyada ho jayega.
Amms: Aur main itni bhi bimaar nahi hoon Venky ki shaadi ek saal ke liye postpone ki jaaye.
Venky: Haa, i know...but please at least eight months.
Gayatri: What are you saying Venky? Eight months bhi jyada hai...considering the way Manik and Nandu meet and flaunt their relationship to the outside world, it is best they get married soon. And now even they both are ready. And I know for sure that Nandu wants to gets married early.
Venky: Theek hai, tum logon ko jo karna hai karo...
Amma: Venky why are you acting so stubborn?
Venky: Okay after Nandu's wedding we will move to Mangalore.
Lalit: Kya bol raha hai Venky? Jyada pi li hai kya tu ne?
Gayatri: This is ridiculous Venky. Why are you being so unreasonable?
Dadaji: Venky beta, please be clear. What is troubling you?
Anand (Aarya's dad): See I know we are new to this family, but still I feel ki bacchon ki shaadi jaldi ho jaaye toh hi theek hai.
Venky: Anand, no hard feelings, but you are going to get a daughter home. We are going to send our daughters.
Everyone became quiet.
Venky: I cannot imagine the house without Nandu. Aur Nandu jayegi toh Malt bhi jayega. We three will be sitting in the huge mansion like three idiotic bhoots.
Lalit: Venky, I understand, but even Nav will go...We understand the feeling.
Venky: But Nandu will come na...hamare yahan toh ekdum sannata ho jayega.
Gayatri: Venky a girl has to go...even I cannot imagine the house without her, but we cannot keep her home.
Amms: Venky...come on...if you fall so weak, how will Nandu cope up?
Sushma (Aarya's mom): Haan bhaisahab you need to be strong..this is the way how it has to be..
The elders are sitting quietly, each with his own thought, when all the youngsters barge into the room and are greeted by dead silence.
Manik: (confusingly) Kya hua dad? Why this silence?
Before anyone can say anything, Dadi speaks up.
Dadi: Arrey abhi tak we all were talking...maybe now everyone is tired. Chalo bacchon khana kha lete hai...
Lalit: Venky, Anand let us take a walk by the pool...
Venky: Hmm...chalo.
Nandu (going to her Appa): Appa you are looking so pale. Are you not well? Shall we go to the doctor?
Venky: (kissing her forehead) I am perfectly alright. Just need thoda fresh air. You guys start dinner, we will join in some time.
Cabir: Mom anything serious? (after the three leave for a walk at the poolside)
Mom: No re...Chalo let us have dinner...Cabir help me serve your signature dishes.
Manik makes a note to ask his mom later. The three dads come back after 15 minutes and everyone has dinner and finally everyone leaves for their homes.
The Murthy's are bidding goodbye and Lalit and Venky hug each other. Venky sees Nandu and Manik looking at each other.
Venky: Manik, why don't you drop Nandu?
Nandu: It is okay Appa, I will come with you all.
Manik: Yes Appa. We will meet tomorrow ...
Venky: No, no today is your special day. You drop her.
Manik and Nandu are confused and so are others.
Venky: Lalit, need some time before I compose myself. Because I know the moment we reach home, she is going to bombard me with questions about my mood in the party. For once I wish she has a night out.
Lalit: You do not worry Venky. (Calling out to Cabir and Aarya): Do you guys have any important plan for tomorrow? If not then do a night out with Nandu and Manik at the apartment. Take Nav and your other friends also.
Cabir: (puzzled) Sure dad. We always are looking out reasons for hanging out. But kya hua hai?
Venky: Woh I am just a jittery about Nandu's wedding..cannot handle the fact that she will not be at home. I know it is silly, but still...I just need time to compose myself. I do not wish to fall weak in front of her. She has waited for this for a long time. I do not want to dampen her spirits. I know I am overreacting but cannot help it.
Cabir (seeing Manik and Nandu leaving in Manik's car): Manik, ruk party karte hai.
Nandu: No I cannot, need to go home.
Aarya: Appa se permission le li hai humne.
Appa: Haan beta, go enjoy.
Finally everyone disperses.
Nandu: Manik, Appa was acting a bit strange na.
Manik: All parents were acting a bit strange.
Nandu (smiling): Woo hoo...we are going to the apartment. Rashmi and Anushka are not coming ..waise theek hi hai...
Manik: Hmm...
She keeps her hand on Manik's hand which is shifting gears.
Manik: Tum baaz nahi aaogi na?
Nandu: No...human being is so greedy na...we always want more.
Manik: Accha, what does my naughty, greedy human being want now?
Nandu: Woh I am glad that we are going to the apartment, but I wanted us to be alone. With Cabir and Dhruv and Nav and Aarya around, we will have to cater to them also na.
Manik: Hmm...let us see how the night shapes up.
Manik stops the car in the parking lot and before Manik can get up from his seat, Nandu crosses over and sits on his lap.
Manik: (looking at her fondly) Sab aate honge.
She pays no heed and starts sucking on his earlobe. She knows for sure that he loses his sanity with that.
Manik: Nandu, please do not trouble me...
Nandu tries to go closer to him when they hear the sound of a car approaching. Manik pulls her close and gives a closed lip kiss on her lips and she gets off just in time. Manik comes out, locks the car, and waits for others to come. They all proceed to the apartment.
Cabir: So finally we reach. What a day man...
Manik: (looking at Nandu) Hmmm what a day...
Nav: Nandu let us make coffee...
Nandu and Nav change into night wear and go to make coffee. They find the guys in the balcony. Cabir is sitting on the swing and Nandu looks at Manik. He gives her a faint smile as in let it be. Nandu is a little irritated in her mind as she is very possessive about the swing at both places, apartment as well as Taj Lands End, because of the intimate time they have spent on it.
Nav and Nandu settle themselves down on the carpet and so do Manik and Aarya and Dhruv.
Cabir: The view from here is so good...Manik. After a long time, I have come here.
Manik: Haan the view is mesmerizing (looking at Nandu who blushes under his gaze).
Dhruv: We had a flat in the next wing, but we sold it off while purchasing our present bungalow.
Aarya: Oh...a flat here is worth keeping.
Dhruv: The main reason of selling it was that it had become my pad for the nights with different girls. The society people objected. Before my parents could get to the bottom of it, I suggested to sell it. I was a zombie during those days and my parents were happy that I was at least showing some interest. So they agreed to sell it off. Manik, a new project is going to be launched near Mount Mary's. They have duplexes and triplexes. Dad is thinking of buying one or two. Why don't you also try?
Manik: Dhruv, too many properties, it gets difficult to manage.
Dhruv: No I mean selling this one and buying a new one.
Manik: Dhruv this is already a five bedroom hall. The rooms are big and airy and bang opposite to the sea. And most importantly, this flat is very special to me and Nandu. We have made a lot of memories here.
Aarya: Just out of curiosity Manik, in spite of having such a big flat, why do you go to a hotel to spend time with each other.
Manik: You know just before the party which Sam threw, Nandu and I had come here and suddenly I hear the lock being opened and our parents come here for drinks and dinner because Otter's has gone for renovation. It was quite a shock to us. So tab se, I decided to go to Taj Lands.
Nav (laughing): Wow...that was something...
Manik: Something? It scared the daylights out of me. But thankfully, all was well...
Cabir: Nandu why are you so quiet?
Nandu: Nah quiet kaha...listening to you all.
Aarya: Waise Cabir, samajh na, she is not used to having all of us around, in this apartment at least.
Dhruv: Haan woh toh hai...
Nandu: Guess am a little tired that is it...Didn't you guys find Appa's behavior wierd? Hope he is fine.
Nav: Of course he is fine. So Nandu, shaadi ke baad tum Malt ko bhi lekar aaogi?
Nandu (smiling): Socha nahi..but it will be difficult for him to stay alone without me.
Cabir (sensing where this conversation could lead): Manik, you have good competition.
Manik: Hamesha se hi tha...he is her first love.
Nandu smiles, but does not say anything. She picks up the cups and takes them inside.
Cabir: So what is the sleeping arrangement bro?
Manik: All rooms are ready and spic and span. Can choose any.
Cabir: This is not what I meant. You know right what I am asking.
Manik: Nandu and me share the last room. The rest are free.
Dhruv: Manik, Nandu seems a bit off.
Manik: Hmm...do not worry..she will be alright.
Nav brings a pack of cards and Manik and Nandu look at each other, but settle to play with others. After playing cards for about an hour's time, Nandu looks really tired and Manik decides to pull out of the game.
Manik: Guys it is close to 3 a.m. Me and Nandu are going to sleep.
Aarya: Yes...
Manik: And yes, please do not get up early okay?
Cabir: Chance hi nahi bro.
Everyone retires to the rooms, Nav and Aarya in one room and Cabir and Dhruv settle for different rooms.
Manik and Nandu come to their room and Nandu goes to the washroom. Manik settles himself on the bed and waits up for her. She comes quietly and goes and sleeps on the other side of the bed.
Manik: Hey, kya hua baby?
He goes over to her side of the bed and hugs her from behind and kisses the back of her head.
Manik: Nandu, please bolo.
She just turns to him and hugs him and starts crying.
Manik: Listen kya hua Nandu? Did I miss something?..please bolo.
Nandu (trying to hold her sobs): Manik, mujhe coffee banate samay strike hua why Appa was looking lost. Woh, though he wanted us to get married soon, he will not be able to accept the fact that I am no longer going to be staying there.
Manik: (hugging her close) Nandu, this is unavoidable na...
Nandu: Haa it is, and Manik I am such a selfish daughter. I still want to marry you at the earliest.
Manik (smiling): I am honored. Nandu, you and Appa are at different stages in life. And your feelings and emotions correspond perfectly to the present stage in your life as well as where Appa is. His princess is going to get married and will be staying at another house and you are going to be starting a new life which is of your choice with your husband.
Nandu: Hmm...Manik I am not selfish na for wanting to marry soon...
Manik: No you are not..
Nandu (snuggling more into him): What would I do without you?
Manik: The same that I would do without you ... become mad and insane.
Nandu: (kissing his neck) Manik, I need you.
Manik: Even me, but ghai ghai main forgot to get protection.
Nandu: I hate you for it.
Manik: Hmm...even I hate myself for it.
Nandu: Sometimes I feel that I take physical intimacy as a balm for my wounds. Of course, the want is there, the enjoyment is there, but still...feel as if it is some sort of an escape route sometimes...when we are together, nothing matters Manik. I just seem to forget everything...like when we had not set a date for the engagement also, tabhi also I used to feel ki once we come together, sab theek ho jayega...i mean it is unusual na...I basically had a problem with you, I mean not with you, but problem about a certain aspect related to you and to escape from those thoughts, main tumhare paas hi aati thi....
Manik: Now that is quite a topic to talk on at 3:30 in the morning when both of us are dead tired. We will discuss this in Goa, okay?
Nandu nods and he kisses her tenderly and they drift off into a peaceful sleep.
Nav and Aarya finally shed some of their inhibition and climb a few steps of intimacy, though do not travel the road of intimacy till the end. They are happy and content to be with each other.
Nandu stirs around 8 and that wakes up Manik. He always loves the way she sleeps so close to him and fits in so beautifully in his arms.
Nandu: Please so jao.
Manik: Hmm...
Manik is super surprised when Nandu starts moving her hands on his body and at one point takes her hand inside his shorts and starts stroking him. Manik begins to grow in her hands and in response takes her lips for a deep kiss. She keeps on stroking him in the confinement of his shorts and he at some point stops touching her and just begins to enjoy the erotic massage that Nandu is giving him. He realizes she has not woken up completely, she is still sleeping. Finally, when he is about to reach his climax, he removes Nandu's hand just before ejaculates. He gets up to clean himself and changes into another shorts and goes back to sleep. Nandu again comes close to him and sleeps with her head on his chest. Manik too falls asleep and finally when he wakes up, it is close to 11. He sees Nandu is not in the room and goes out where she and Dhruv are having tea.
Dhruv: Arre aaja.
Manik greets him and kisses Nandu on the side of the head.
Dhruv: Chal, Manik am leaving as I have something lined up. See you day after at the airport. Waiting for the trip.
Manik: Anushka is coming na?
Dhruv: Haa she is ...
Dhruv leaves and Nandu brings tea for Manik. Aarya, Nav, and Cabir are still sleeping. Manik pulls her in his lap and kisses her neck.
Manik: Kya hua tha tumhe? You drove me crazy with your touch.
Nandu: Woh I...
Manik: Bolo...
Nandu: I dreamt about us...so I felt like touching you.
Manik: Kya dream dekha?
Nandu (blushing): That we are in a cabin in the woods and .....
Manik: Do you know how cute you are looking right now?
Nandu: Yes....I can see it in your eyes...
Manik: Nandu, I thoroughly enjoyed the massage. Thank you dear.
Nandu: You are welcome. (She says his name as if to say something) .Manik....
Manik: Pata hai...tumhe ghar nahi jana...as usual.
Nandu: Hmm...facing Appa would be a little awkward.
Manik: Behave normally. If you fall weak, he will too. You are my strong baccha na?
Nandu: Hmm (she hugs him while still in his lap.)
Their moment is broken when Cabir walks in.
Cabir: Good morning. Sorry disturb kiya.
Nandu: Sorry mat bol Cabir...Goa main tujhe aur Rashmi ko bhi disturb karenge.
She begins to get up from Manik's lap but he pulls her back and holds her securely.
Nandu: Manik...
Manik: I am feeling good.
Nandu: Cabir, I have made tea. Please take na.
Cabir: First let me freshen up...
He goes in and Nandu looks at Manik.
Nandu: Kya Manik...woh sharma gaya.
Manik: Yeh mera kal ka badla tha....the way you were staring and instigating me in the party.. and with everyone around, I had to behave normally....
Nandu: (kissing him slightly on the lips) You are cute.
Manik: (deepening the kiss) Hmm...that I am.
After some time Aarya and Nav come out, all five of them order breakfast after which they leave for home.
It is lunch time and Abhi prepares lunch as Mukti is not feeling too good. Hence they even had to skip going to Malhotras last night.
Abhi: Mukti, wake up. Come chalo, lunch is ready. I have made simple dal, rice, and potato sabji.
Mukti (getting up): You should have ordered from out.
Abhi: Could have yes, but did not...waise bhi you are not feeling well. First trimester hai..so it is better to have home cooked food.
Mukti: Haan woh toh hai...yesterday these guys would have had fun na..but was really feeling very queasy and tired. Phir we have not told the elders also. So I thought it is better to give it a miss.
Abhi: So when are we going to tell the elders?
Mukti: Goa se aane ke baad, we will hold a small house party. Tabhi bata denge...
Abhi: Great idea. I am so excited about Goa.
Mukti: Me too. Last two three months were very stressful. Really looking forward to some great time.
Abhi: Hmm...seems Cabir and Dhruv are getting their new friends.
Mukti: Is it? Hope they gel with the group. You toh know na, mere face par ekdum dikh jata hai.
Abhi: Madam, shaant. Hope for the best.
At the Malhotra bungalow, Manik's parents and dada dadi are having lunch.
Rita: Kal Venky bhaisahab jyada hi emotional ho gaye the na...poor Gayatri had to keep her feelings aside unhe dekhkar.
Dada: Haan Rita, kisi ko toh strong hona hi padega na.
Lalit: Even I feel very bad that Nav will have to go. But as Venky pointed out, jara dilasa hai ki Nandu aayegi, we will get to see their new domesticated life....lekin Murthy's will feel very lonely. I am sure Manik and Nandu will go often to visit them, but still it will not be the same na.
Dadi: Haan Lalit...bilkul sahi kaha...but we really cannot do much to help. This is how it has to be.
Rita: I hope Mangalore jaane wali baat Venky bhaisahab seriously na le.
Lalit: Nahi lega woh. It was just a reaction.
At Murthy's house also, same discussion is going on.
Amms: Venky are you feeling better now?
Venky: Haan Amma. Woh sorry for yesterday.
Amms: No need of sorry. Nandu is going to be very close to us. And Manik is an extremely nice and decent boy. Plus they are family to us. We know Rita and Lalit and even Manik's grandparents in and out. Cabir is a sweetheart. Sam is adorable. Nav is like a sister to Nandu. Itni acchi family mili toh aur kya maang sakte hai bhagwan se hum? Our Nandu is really lucky.
Venky: You are right Amma. Aur hamari Nandu kya kam hai? She will just dissolve like sugar dissolves in milk.
Gayatri (with tears in her eyes): Yes aapne ekdum sahi kaha...I too will miss her, but what is more gratifying than to know that our daughter is in good hands?
Suddenly Malt rushes down the steps and goes and starts scratching the main door indicating them to open it. Shree opens it and Malt jumps on Nandu who is standing at the door with Manik.
Amms: Arrey Manik, come in.
Malt does not let Nandu enter so easily and keep on jumping at her and barking to express his happiness. After about ten minutes, he becomes calm, but only after Nandu has picked him up in her arms. She pats his back to calm him. Manik is looking at both of them and thinking in his mind, "Shaadi ke baad I will not be surprised if Malt wants to sleep between both of us."
Appa: Manik, we have an offer. Nandu ke saath Malt free.
Manik: Appa, woh offer na bhi ho toh bhi Nandu usse lekar aayegi.
Appa: Manik, beta, I know I do not need to tell you this, but she is my life. Please take good care of her.
Manik: Appa, she is my life too. And thank you for trusting me all this while.
Appa: We just trusted Nandu's trust.
Manik: (looking at her fondly as she is busy playing with Malt): And your trust gave her more strength to trust me and that gave me more strength to overcome my fears.
Manik and Appa hold hands and smile at each other from their hearts.
How is this part friends? Please comment and let me know. Be prepared for the Goa trip!!!!