Hey, Fam. :)
Happy Reading...
Morning, Malhotra Mansion
Manik woke up first and saw Nandini snuggling into him.
Manik(excited): Happy Birthday, birthday girl.
Nandu(smiled): Thank you, birthday girl’s boyfriend.
Manik(chuckled): Ab jaldi uth and let's get ready before everyone barge into the room for wishing you.
Nandu(sleepily): Nahi na, Manik. Aaj ka date change kar de and tell them, today's not my birthday. Mujhe sona hai.
Manik(reasoned): Murthy, hume hamare parents ko batana bhi hai na about us before they get to know from somewhere else.
Nandu got up suddenly making Manik worried.
Nandu(panicked): You ok? Kal sab sapna nahi tha na?
Manik(chuckles): Nahi, Nandini. Kuch sapna nahi tha. We were on the cliff yesterday night and tune apna birthday celebrate kiya by cutting a pizza.
Nandu(sighing in relief): Oh yeah. How much I was worried about missing my pizza.
Manik(glared): Matlab tu mere liye tensed nahi thi?
Nandu(huffed): Dude, stop being jealous of my pizza.
Manik pouts which she ignores and gets up to leave but sits back holding her head.
Nandu(frightened): How can I go home? How will I answer their questions? Main puri raat ghar se bahar thi.
Manik(rolling his eyes): Murthy, yeh first time nahi hai jab tu yahan par rukhi hai. And tu aise panic kar rahi hai as if Ishu maa aur papa are the most orthodox parents and you are scared of them.
Nandu(pouted): Arey, even I get scared.
Manik(sarcastically): Agar tu sach unse darti hai toh ab tak you would have been some excessively good - mannered girl.
Nandu(offeneded): Kya main tujhe sanskari ladki nahi dikhti?
Manik(seriously): Sanskari? Meaning kya hai?
Nandu(coolly): Mujhe kya pata. Tujhe agar main lagti hun toh tujhe meaning pata hona chahiye.
Manik nods his head in disbelief when his mobile buzzes with Raman’s call.
Nandu(scared): Manik, papa ko kya bolenge.
Manik(glared): Shut up, Murthy. Let me ask them to come here. Dono ko saath bata denge?
Nandu nods.
Call
Manik(smiled): Morning, Papa.
Raman(questioned): Morning, Son. I just called to ask you if Nandu’s there?
Manik(informed): Haanji Papa. She is with me. Actually, kal cliff se aane mein late ho gaya toh we sneaked out here.
Raman(happily): It's ok, Manik. I don't need any explanation till she is with you. In fact, I am very happy, things seem sorted between you two.
Manik(looking towards her with a smile): Haan, it’s sorted.
Raman(excited): Acha where’s my birthday girl. Agar woh ghar ayegi toh mujhe wish bhi karna hai.
Manik(hestated): Papa, if you don't mind, aap yahi aa jao na Ishu maa ko lekar. Nandu bhi yehi ready ho jayegi.
Raman(suspiciously): Sab theek hai na.
Manik(assured): Haan Papa. Everything's fine. Aap bas aa kar Mom Dad se baat karte rehna, hum half an hour mein niche aa rahe hai.
Raman(casually): Ok. See you in the living room.
Call Ends
Manik(advised): They are sorted. Apne friends ko bhi message kar deta hun to come here. Tu yahan ready ho ja. I am going to my room.
Nandu nods and goes to the washroom. Meanwhile, Manik too messages their friends and goes to get ready.
Half an hour later
Everyone, elders, and friends were sitting in the living room and talking some random stuff when Manik and Nandu came together. Seeing them, everyone wished Nandu on her birthday when Cabir asks her.
Cabir(hopefully): Nandu, tujhe maine cake bachakar rakhne bola tha na. Where’s my share?
Nandu(sadly): Cabir, I know tune bataya. But maine cake cut hi nahi kiya na. We had cut pizza instead of cake.
Cabir(hurt): Why?
Manik(disbelievingly): toh yeh reason tha tere pizza ka?
Nandu(controlling her laughter): No yaar, I really love pizza.
Cabir whines while Nandu explains to him how delicious the pizza was when Manik speaks.
Manik(politely): Guys, I have something to say. Do minute ke liye shaant baitho sab.
Nandu and Aryaman were in their own eye talks. He smiled realizing the topic.
Manik(holding his hand out): Nandu, tu idhar aa.
She goes and stands beside him. Holding her hand tightly, he takes a deep breath.
Manik(announced): Nandu and I are in a relationship.
While everyone were shocked for a second, they all screamed in excitement the very next moment and jumped together on both of them for a hug. Cabir, who stood silent since the news, pushed everyone making them break the hug and went to Manik with a sad face.
Cabir(giving him a disheartening look): Baby, you are in relationship phir mera kya?
Nandu(excitedly): Manik, main bataun?
Manik(sighing): please.
Nandu(putting her hand around his neck): Cabir, aaj se main Manik ki jaan, tu iska jaanwar. Main iski baby, tu iska bhoot. Main iski..
Cabir(folding his hands): Behen rehen de. I am happy with Navya.
Everyone chuckles when Manik realizes their parents didn't speak a word from the time they announced. He goes towards them and makes both the couples sit together. Taking Raman and Ishita’s hands into his, he speaks looking into their eyes.
Manik(explained sincerely): Ishu maa, Papa, we unexpectedly confessed yesterday but that doesn't mean we will continue this relationship without your permission. If you aren't agreeing with this decision of ours, we will remain as friends just like before. Mom and Dad se jyada I’ll respect whatever your decision would be because yeh aapki beti ka sawaal hai.
Raman(sternly): Nandini, Manik akela bol raha hai. Don’t you think even you should convince us?
Nandu lazily goes towards Nyonika and Raj and stands in front of them.
Nandini(questioned): Dad, Barbie doll, you both love me, right?
Raj, Nyo(happily): Of course, Nandu.
Nandu(raising an eyebrow): Do you guys have any objection with whatever Manik has said just now?
Raj(squealed): Of course, no. We are hell excited.
Nandu smiles at them while Manik chuckles at their excitement. She then goes towards Raman and Ishita and kneels down beside Manik.
Nandu(whispers to Manik): Aur lines bol. Impress them.
Manik(glaring her): Papa, I know we are still young and you are in doubt about us. But trust me, I will never intentionally hurt her and I promise, I will protect her always. You will always be her first hero. And I will never make her cry. But if you still don’t want to accept this, I promise, we won’t disobey you.
Raman(patting his head affectionately): Manik, I have always trusted you with my daughter. I can never doubt you. There’s no one perfect than you but I don’t trust my daughter.
Nandu(disbelievingly): Maine kya kiya?
Raman(teased): I believe every word of his, he won’t make you cry. But tera kya? Main apni aankhon ke samne Manik ki zindagi barbad nahi kar sakta.
Manik who understood the tease in his voice tried hard not to burst out laughing.
Nandu(in a fake hurt tone): Aap mujh par shak kar rahe ho? Mujh par. Let me prove you wrong.
She stands up and pulls Manik up.
Nandu(questioned): Manik, aaj tak maine kabhi teri aankh phodi?
Manik(nods): No.
Nandu: Did I ever slap you?
Manik: I guess, No.
Nandu: Did I ever punch you?
Manik(pouts): Bahut baar yaar, Nandu.
Nandu(frowned): Is it? Acha question change. Did you ever cry after I punched you?
Manik: No.
Turning towards Raman, Nandu grinned.
Nandu(proudly): Dekha Papa, I never made him cry. Aage bhi nahi karungi. Aur waise bhi I know you always wanted a son like Manik, ab free ka mil raha hai toh accept kar lo na. Baad mein itna acha ladka nahi milega aapko.
Cabir(mutters): First time dekh raha hun, ek beti apne boyfriend ko accept karne apne hi baap ko dhamka rahi hai.
Nandu ignores him without a comeback confusing everyone including Cabir.
Nandu(impatiently): Papa, jaldi batao na.
Manik(gritting his teeth): Nandu, humne unka acceptance lena ka plan kiya. Blackmail karne ka nahi. Speak politely.
Giving him a look, Nandu sits beside her father and says.
Nandu(cutely): Papa, aapko hamesha Manik jaisa ladka chahiye tha na. Isiliye I proposed him.
Raman(surprised): Tu Manik se pyar nahi karti?
Nandu(stated dramatically): Main kyun pyar karungi usse. Yeh sab maine aap hi ke liye toh kiya hai. He is my birthday gift to you.
Raman(grinned excitedly): Thank you for the gift, Nandu. Mujhe mera gift bahut pasand aaya.
Nandu grins. Manik and Ishita roll their eyes on their drama. While everyone else chuckles.
Nandu(casually): Mumma, aapko bhi manana hai kya?
Before Ishita could answer, Manik side hugs and says.
Manik(bragged): Meri Ishu maa mujhe na bol hi nahi sakti.
Ishita pinches his cheeks lightly and smiles widely.
Raman(contented): Manik, not only us, even Raj and Nyonika always wanted to see you both together. If there’s anyone who could take care of Nandini, more than us, that’s you. We were always worried about her but I guess aaj se hamari woh tension bhi tum ne dur kardiya. I will proudly announce the world that you are my son.
Manik gets emotional seeing which Nandu goes to Nyonika.
Nandu(hopefully): Barbie doll, aapne bhi ek beti ke liye wish kiya hoga na. Aren’t you both proud of me? Won’t you proudly announce the world that I am your daughter.
Everyone chuckles at her. Manik, who understood the reason behind her drama mouthed a ‘love you’ to her to which she secretly winks making him chuckle.
Nyo(excitedly): Of course, we are proud of you. I always wanted a daughter. Ab main apne sare wishes tere saath pura karungi.
Nandu(curious): Wow. Kaise wishes?
Nyo(declared): We will go shopping together.
She makes a horrified face and goes to Manik.
Nandu(pulling his hand): Boyfriend, save me.
Manik chuckles and takes her into a side hug. Nyonika distributes sweets to everyone when Nandu goes to Navya and says.
Nandu(smiled wickedly): Navvu, dekh mera boyfriend kitna sundar, susheel aur adarsh ladka hai. Tere boyfriend ne kabhi aisa kiya kya?
Navya(frowned): Nahi.
Nandu(advised): Chod de Navvu use. Hum kisi aur ko dhoond lenge.
Cabir(glared): Maine kya bigada tera?
Nandu(smirked): Revenge, Cabir.
Cabir pouts when they hear a voice.
“Guys, I am in love”
Turning towards the door, they see Soha with a wide smile.