Manik: So.....
Nandini suddenly heard Manik ask slowly as the two of us stood in the living room while the others moved ahead to leave. She stopped at her place and looked up at him.
Nandini: So?
Manik: Ready to get Married?
She saw him giving her a teasing smile making her hit his stomach.
Nandini: Stop teasing me u brat....
Nandini whined making him laugh as he stepped back saving himself from her.
Manik: Come on Nandini... U love me much more than that, U can't hit ur fiance' like this!!
Nandini simply glared at him but couldn't hide the small smile highlighting her face. Both of them continued looking at each other before Manik lifted up his hand in surrender.
Manik: Fine... I back out! U win....
Nandini smiled broadly at him and smirked,
Nandini: U never had a chance over me!
Manik waved off her words as he held her hand in his and whispered further,
Manik: Well, I m just glad... They believed us quite well!
Nandini: Yeah... I don't know how!!
Nandini said back much more to herself than to him before finally looking up,
Nandini: Manik this is it... We lied they believed! But after this.... I don't wanna lie further, lets try and be as much honest as we can from now.
Manik cupped her cheek before replying.
Manik: Hey... We don't hv to lie from here Nandini. We r getting married and its a Truth.
Nandini nodded softly at his words and smiled when they heard a voice.
"There u r.... I hv been waiting for u!"
Both of them looked up to see Rishab and Nyonika standing there at the door. Nandini immediately stepped back from Manik and picked up her bag,
Nandini: Yeah, lets go!
She glanced at Manik once more and walked towards Rishab.
Nandini: Bye Aunty, thanks for the dinner... Good night!
Nyonika: Good night my dear!
Nyonika smiled back at her as nandini and rishab moved ahead.
Nandini: Night Manik...
She called out casually without even turning around and Manik shouted back,
Manik: Good Night... Bye!
Soon the siblings walked away while Nyonika walked towards Manik.
Nyonika: U just made me the happiest person Today.... I m so happy for u son!
Manik: Thanks Mom... Its late, u should go take some rest!
Nyonika smiled at him with a nod and walked away. Manik too walked up the stairs until he heard Nyonika call him,
Manik: Yes Mom??
Nyonika: Invite her for breakfast tmrw mrng!
Manik: Sure...
Manik smiled at her before finally walking away.
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Nyonika: These are so delicious.... I didn't know u cooked Nandini!
Nyonika said as they continued with their breakfast.
Nandini: Ohh I do, in fact I loved cooking....
Her voice getting softer at the end.
Nyonika: Loved?
Nandini: Umn.. I... I don't get time to do that quite often now!
Nandini said softly brushing off the topic while Manik stoped eating as he kept his hand on her knee under the table. Nandini looked up at him from her plate getting a soft encouraging smile from his side.
Nyonika: But u really didn't hv to get this for us!
Nyonika said in her cheerful voice not noticing their exchange.
Nandini smiled brightly, her mood lifting instantly at the change of the topic as she replied.
Nandini: Actually Rishab loves these scrambled egg tacos. Since it was just the two of us for breakfast, I decided to make these for him today. I was already half done by the time Manik called me, so I just got some here!
Nyonika: U have to give me the recipe for this later...
Manik: U should even make that Veg Biryani for them someday. I m sure Dad is gonna love it!
Manik smiled turning towards Nandini, when Harsh joined into the conversation.
Harsh: Oh yes... I m a big time foodie! U should definitely.
Nandini: Sure... But even manik kinda helped me a lot that day when I was cooking so it was a joint result I guess...
Nandini replied remembering their time in Bangalore when she was kinda successful to divert his attention from his Di by cooking together.
Nyonika: Manik helped u in cooking?
Nyonika asked shocked making nandini nod while Manik simply rolled his eyes.
Manik: Chill Mom... We were both very free and I just did that coz I didn't want her doing all the work while we were there in-
Manik stopped abruptly in his words as his smile faded away. He lied both his hands on the table fisting then together for not being able to tell his parents.
All the other three noticed his sudden change when Nandini realised why he stopped. She moved her hand over his and squeezed it in reassurance Manik looked up at her as she turned towards his parents and smiled softly and finished his sentence,
Nandini: While we were away the week before!
Nandini noticed the change in Nyonika and Harsh's expressions but didn't want their mood to shift as she continued,
Nandini: But aunty Manik did make some amazing sandwiches for breakfast...
Manik felt her entwining her fingers with his and smiled at her not letting his mood dampen.
Nyonika and Harsh noticed her action as a broad smile formed over Nyonika's lips.
Nyonika: So when did u two decide the big day to be?
Manik turned towards Nyonika chuckling at her sudden excitement as Nandini replied,
Nandini: We didn't actually talk much on it...
Manik: Yea... It just all happened out so soon! We didn't get time for it, but soon I guess?
He said more as a question as he turned towards Nandini. Nandini smiled at him and nodded softly.
Nyonika clapped her hand together once as she immediately chipped.
Nyonika: Amazing.... I m gonna make this a super grand wedding. U know I already hv idea sorted out. We can either hv a big fat wedding with a numbers of guests and all the festivities, or else we can even plan a Destination wedding with just family and close friends and then give off a grand reception party here. Destination weddings are quite in these days, but then its upto u guys how u would want it. In fact we can even-
Harsh: Darling calm down.... U will literally scare off the girl even before she steps into the house.
Harsh said holding her hands calming her down. Nyonika gave them a cheeky smile and looked at Manik and Nandini sitting there with blank faces.
Nyonika: Sorry... I just got excited!
Nandini laughed out softly at her,
Nandini: No need to be sorry aunty... But even if I don't run away, I m sure ur son might run away by all of this, taking in the way he is literally crushing my hand right now...
Manik left her hand that he was holding tight looking up at her in guilt as Nandini pressed it softly,
Manik: Sorry...
Nandini chuckled at him shaking off her head and turned back towards Nyonika.
Manik: Umn... Mom!! Relax okay... I really don't wanna know all ur elaborate plans as such. Why don't u just keep it to urself and tell me only what I hv to do in it.
Nyonika rolled her eyes at his words and muttered,
Nyonika: Such a bore... Like father, like son! I really don't know what do we see in these men...
She directed the last sentence to Nandini making her laugh out loud while the two men just rolled their eyes.
Nyonika: No I m serious... I m stuck, but u still hv time ohk, think about it!
Manik: No, don't... Mom, stop giving her ideas ohk!!
Manik said immediately as he turned towards Nandini.
Manik: U too are stuck now... Bare with it! U don't hv any option.
Nyonika, harsh and Nandini laughed off at her words when Nyonika said,
Nyonika: Ohk... Enough of teasing around. I was thinking we should start with taking the Shagun and asking for Nandini's hand from her parents officially... Then we will decide the date together! Have u guys, told them about the two of u or not?
All the laugher died down in a second as Nandini's face turned pale.
Nandini: Umn... We... I mean.... No! We haven't...
Nyonika and Harsh looked at her confused at the sudden change when they looked at Manik who had his gaze fixed over Nandini. Manik moved his hand back over her knee in support. Nandini closed her eyes for a second before she looked up and gave a small smile to Nyonika and Harsh.
Nandini: I.. Plz excuse me, I'll just be back!
She got up from the table before they could say anything and moved right upstairs towards Manik's room.
Manik: Sorry Guys.. I'll be back!
Manik said hurriedly as he got up as well, when Harsh stopped him.
Harsh: Manik.... Is everything alright?
Manik turned towards them again and gave them a small smile.
Manik: Yes Dad don't worry..... But lets just save this conversation for some other day ohk?
Nyonika nodded at his words and immediately replied,
Nyonika: Its alright... U go up, I think she needs u!
Manik smiled gratefully at her and moved upstairs getting into his room after Nandini. He entered the room to see her sitting on the bed with a blank look on her face. He moved inside at sat by her side without saying anything.
Nandini: I should tell them.... They deserve to know!
Her heard her whisper as if talking to herself.
Manik: It's ur choice, when to do that. But I would like to be there when u do so.... I don't trust him enough for letting u do it alone!
He said slowly, holding her hand softly.
Nandini shook her head and turned to see him.
Nandini: I didn't mean that.... I meant ur parents! I should tell them about Mr and Mrs Kapoor.
Manik: U don't hv to....
Nandini: I want to Manik! If I m gonna be a part of this family, I want to do it right! I can't hide such a major part of my life from them. I wouldn't want Mr and Mrs Kapoor moving around here faking their so called love for me as they do publicly.
A slight smile formed onto his face as Manik pulled her into a hug.
Manik: Nandini, u know u r one hell of a person!
Nandini: I m still hoping u say it in a good way...
Nandini whispered back making him shake in silent laughter as he broke the hug.
Nandini: I want u to tell both of them. I don't know if I would be able to. I hv never... Told anyone but u about it all.
Manik: Let's tell them together?? U know I m right here for u, right?
Nandini: I know....
Nandini nodded softly at him as she took a deep breath as she got up. Manik too got up and entwined his hand with hers,
Manik: Lets go!
Both of them moved down stairs to see Nyonika and Harsh had just finished off their breakfast as they got up from the table.
Nandini: Uncle... Aunty! If u both have some time, I would like to talk to u...
Nandini said taking their attention.
Both harsh and nyonika smiled at her as they all moved to the living room and settled down. Manik took a seat right next to Nandini, with her hand on his thigh, still entwined together with his.
Nandini: Umn.... There is something about me, that I hv always kept hidden from everyone. I don't really hv any particular reason or excuse for this, but that courage just never came onto me to open up to anyone.....
Nandini started very slowly looking down at her lap, before she finally looked up straight at the two of them and raised her voice confidently.
Nandini: I m not a Kapoor.... I just use that name on paper, bcoz of my family. I like to introduce myself as Nandini Moorthy, as that is my father's name. My father is Mr. Nandkishor Moorthy. I... I lost him at the age of 4, soon after which my mother remarried.
Harsh: I m so sorry for u Nandini.... But I knew ur father, though just professionally, but he was really a Man of respect.
Nandini: That he was.... And even though I was very young at that age but I still remember him well, and I know that he was an amazing father, an amazing husband and an amazing person as well...
Nyonika: He has to be... He has made u what u r!
Nyonika said smiling softly at Nandini, making nandini too smile at her.
Nandini: Well as for now.... I... I don't really share a good relation with Mr and Mrs Kapo- I mean my parents... We are not.... They don't... I...
Manik: They don't actually think of her as a daughter or even treat her as one...
Manik spoke up immediately as he saw nandini fumbling at her words. Nyonika gasped at his choice of words while Nandini just closed her eyes.
Harsh: Manik... That's not the way to talk!
Manik: I m sorry Dad... I know, its not the right way. But, if we are talking about them then I don't care about anything. They are-
Manik said until he felt nandini pressing his hand tight. He looked down at their hands to see Nandini grip tightening. Both Nyonika and Harsh too noticed it, as Manik sighed. He softened his voice as he started again.
He repeated the entire thing that Nandini had once told him at their place on the hill and even adding on to what he had heard on knowing them, but still left off the details as he knew Nandini wouldn't like it.
Manik: They just wanted to use her for her father's money but when they got to know they wouldn't get much, they pushed her away. They even blackmailed her to get back to India, just so they could present the entire ideal family facade in front of the world.
No one said anything as he finished when Nandini looked up and said softly,
Nandini: I have not had a real family for a very long time after my father, and so I just wanted u to know all this, before I enter this family.
Nyonika got up her words and moved towards her making Nandini stand as well, she cupped her face before saying.
Nyonika: U are already a part of this family Nandini.... And I m proud of u today!
Nandini smiled broadly at her words as tears filled up her eyes while Nyonika planted a kiss on her forehead.
Nyonika: U r gonna be my daughter from now on...
Nandini left Manik's hand as she hugged nyonika tight. Soon she broke the hug as harsh too hugged her.
Harsh: Welcome to the family my dear...
Nyonika: I would love if u call me Mom from now, that is if u like...
Nyonika said caressing her face. While Nandini smiled broadly while nodding her head.
Nandini: I would love that too....
Nandini turned towards Manik and smiled brightly at him mouthing out a 'Thank u' at which manik just smiled and wiped off her tears.
Nyonika: So, how are u both planning to tell them?
Nyonika asked as they settled down.
Nandini: I don't know.... But I know that we would hv to think this through coz they are not going to take it well. I don't know how will they react at it.
Manik: I don't think we should tell them now. We'll inform them when the right time comes.
Manik said as Nyonika and Harsh nodded at him while Nandini sat still thinking about it.
Nandini: I don't really care if Mr Kapoor wants to be there or not. Coz I would happily be a moorthy on my wedding day and keep him out of it. And as far as Mrs Kapoor is concerned, she can be there if she wishes to.
She said softly.
No one said anything at her words and simply nodded until Nandini looked up and smiled softly at Nyonika and Harsh.
Nandini: I don't know how to Thank u both for supporting me like this... I was just so nervous..
Harsh: U don't hv to thank us Nandini... This is what family does, right?
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I don't really know how was this update guys!
I m not quite well, and this was all I could come up with. Hope u all find it satisfying enough.
I'll try to come up with the next update soon. Till then do vote and comment ur views.
Love,
Navya😘