Ohk so.... I m anxious today!
Wanna know why?
Well.... Its bcoz of U all....
I m just so much overwhelmed by ur response in the last update. I usually read them after posting up the next update but this time I read it beforehand and I don't really know if I would be able to stand up to all ur expectations in this part...
Thank u guys for all the love.... And yes, do comment whatever u feel about this part!😘
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The Malhotra Mansion was bursting with Happiness, Laughter and Good wishes as the couple greeted the guests.
Only a limited number of people were invited consisted mainly close friends and family. Nandini being unknown to most of them was gladly moving with Nyonika as she was being introduced to the Malhotra's relatives. Her gaze kept on shifting to Manik every few minutes, who was found looking at her most of the times.
Nyonika: Come I'll introduce u to my Mother.... She has been too eager to meet u!
Nyonika gushed as she held Nandini's hand and took her to the other end of the hall. She sat next to an old lady sitting there and smiled,
Nyonika: Maa.... Meet Nandini!
The lady looked up at her words and smiled broadly,
"My Manu's girl!!!!"
Nandini blushed profusely at her words bending down as the lady kissed her forehead.
Nyonika smiled and patted at her side asking Nandini to take a seat between them.
"She is very Beautiful...."
The lady said to Nyonika making Nandini blush further.
Nandini: Thank u Nani Ji....
"Now u will be in my team ohk and u will have to make sure Manu comes to see me every few days, that guy doesn't listen to me at all..."
Nandini chuckled at her words and nodded.
Nandini: Ohk Nani Ji... I promise I will get him to u, whenever u want!
Rishab walked towards them and interrupted their conversation,
Rishab: Di....
Nandini looked up at him and smiled, introducing him to Nani. Rishab greeted her by touching her feet and then turned towards Nandini,
Rishab: Di, Mom is calling u!
Nandini's smile reduced at his words but she got up excusing herself from the ladies. They walked towards Mrs. K while Nandini noticed Mr. K with a few business associates at the other side of the house. As she reached near Mrs. K, she held her arm pulling her towards a corner,
Mrs. K: What are they doing here?
She asked through gritted teeth making Nandini follow her line of sight to see her talking about Aliya and her parents.
Nandini: Why would they not be here? They are my family and my friend's parents...
Mrs. K: And the people who abandoned ur Mother....
Nandini scoffed at her words, pulling her arm out of his grip,
Nandini: Abandoned.... Seriously? And which Mother are u actually talking about?
Mrs. K: Nandini... I-
Mrs. K started angrily only to stop as Nandini saw her gaze fixed behind her. Nandini turned around to see Aliya's father standing there glaring at Mrs. K.
Nandini smiled softly at him, making his gaze soften towards her as he hugged her slightly,
Aliya's Dad: Congratulations Nandu!
Nandini: Thank u Mama Ji....
Nandini whispered back at him when she heard Mrs. K scoff at her endearment for him.
She looked up to see the two elders glaring at each other while she stood in between them, dreading for any drama that could occur.
Aliya's Dad: So finally we meet.
Mrs. K: Still not sure if I m anywhere near happy about it though....
Aliya's Dad smiled at her words before replying,
Aliya's Dad: I didn't expect any other reaction from u anyways.
Nandini tensed at their words not knowing what to say when he continued,
Aliya's Dad: The only regret is that I couldn't save Nandu from ur claws...
Mrs. K: Huh.... Just ur presense in her life was enough to spoil her. Making her turn into a bitc-
Mrs. K stopped at her words as Nandini felt a hand slip into hers, entwining her fingers immediately letting her know who it was.
Manik: Saying something Mrs. K?
Mrs. K stayed shut at his question, making him nod,
Manik: I thought so.... Anyways, I guess u don't have anything to say now!
Turning away, he pulled Nandini with him and turned towards Aliya's Dad.
Manik: Uncle.... U coming?
Aliya's Dad: Yeah....
They walked ahead as he wrapped his arm around Nandini's shoulder.
Aliya's Dad: I m not leaving u alone with her....
Manik looked at the two of them, as Aliya's Mom too joined the group, and he decided to give them some time. He squeezed Nandini's hand softly, before leaving it and walking away.
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A few minutes later, Nandini was standing with Aliya and Navya talking about something when they suddenly heard the guitar strumming. The three of them turned towards the sound, along with all the guests at the party as they cleared the center of the hall giving some space and manik turned around strumming the guitar.
Nandini looked ahead confused at it as he winked towards her and started,
O mere mohalle mein
Chaand jo aaya hai
Eid jo laaya hai
Tu hi toh nahi
The crowd cheered loud at his words as they all looked at Nandini. She eyed him as he winked at her before continuing, looking at Nyonika as he straightened up his coat.
Ammi ne meri jo
Suit silaya hai
Khwaab dikhaya hai
Tu hi toh nahi
She couldn't help her laughter at his words as she rolled her eyes,
Haan jiske liye dil bigadne lagaa hai
Woh kaun hai?
Tu Hi Hai....
Rolling her eyes again at his words Nandini looked away only for him to walk closer as he bumped her shoulder,
Jiske liye dil sambhalne lagaa hai
Woh kaun hai?
Tu Hi Hai...
Pushing him away from her, Nandini moved ahead walking away while he continued the song following her like a love stuck puppy.
Door ye kaun hai
Paas ye kaun hai
Khaas ye kaun hai
Tu hi hai.....
Manik smiled at her, while she eyed him pointing at their audience. Manik shrugged at her, giving an I-dont-care reaction as he walked back towards a group of girls winking at them.
Jiske liye maine
Saari haseeno ke
Dil tode jaana hai
Tu hi toh nahi?
Nandini shrugged at his question, moving away while he continued,
Jiske liye mujhko
Jeete hi jaana hai
Beema karana hai
Tu hi toh nahi?
Nandini: I don't think so...
Nandini replied this time only for him to hold her arm as he passed his guitar to dhruv and pulled her closer. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he asked softly,
Aane se jiske aa jati hai saansein
Woh kaun hai??
Nandini blushed at his words, taking his hands off her and turned,
Tu hi hai.
Jaane se jiske jaati hai jaanein
Woh kaun hai?
Tu hi hai.
Door ye kaun hai
Paas ye kaun hai
Khaas ye kaun hai
Tu hi hai
Mere shairon mein ye kaun hai
Meri shayari mein kaun hai
Meri diary mein kaun hai
Tu hi hai…
Tu hi hai.…
The crowd cheered at him while he just smiled at Nandini passing a wink towards her, blushing at it, Nandini turned away.
She took a few steps forward towards Aliya and Navya who smiled brightly at her. She had almost reached them when she heard a few surprised gasps around her while aliya's face was stunned.
Manik: They say it's a blessing if u find a friend in ur life partner.... But I guess I m much more lucky to find a life partner in a friend like U!
Nandini turned towards him in surprise to find him smiling softly at her as he continued,
Manik: 8 months back, on one such night... I was furious, damn furious on aliya for letting herself get hurt just bcoz of the idea she called as love. The same night u can running into our lives, strumming ur guitar in a way only u would and not even in my dreams, I would hv seen this day coming....
Finding a friend in an introvert like u was difficult.... But that was probably the best thing I could hv ever done in my life. This room consists of the people closest to me, but none of them can ever understand the depth of what u have done for me, and that...... That is the beauty of u Nandini. Everyone can see a beautiful girl when they look at u, but then ur Real beauty is Within u, which thankfully U allowed me to see.
And that was enough.... Much more than enough to make Anyone fall for u!
He walked ahead towards her, stopping right in front of her before bowing his head in front of her as he dropped down on one knee.
Manik: I had proposed u out of a blue.... Speaking it out the exact moment when I realised that I wanted to spend my life with u, and as a result taking u completely by shock.... Anyways, here we are on the day of our engagement and so.... Ms. Nandini Kapoor here I m on my knee, just as u wished for, Requesting u again to be Mine....
Nandini smiled brightly at him, holding back her slight tears when aliya stepped up,
Aliya: Not requesting..... We are not agreeing to anything until u Beg for it Mr. Malhotra!
The crowd laughed out loud at it while Nandini chuckled as Manik rolled his eyes,
Manik: Fine.... Begging U to be Mine!
He held out his hand forward towards her. Nandini nodded profusely at him and held his hand, pulling him up as she threw her arms around him, hiding in his chest.
Nandini: U are the most adorable jerk ever..... Wasn't all the attention enough for the night that u made this all the more embarrassing! And after all this I can't even be angry at u....
She whispered into his chest, only for him to hear as her voice cracked at the end.
Manik laughed out at her words pulling out of the hug. He saw little tears at the corner of her eye as he cupped her face wiping them off and brushed his lips at the side of her head.
Manik: Romantic enough for u?
He teased her making her giggle as she pushed him away and Nyonika walked ahead with their rings.
Nyonika: Time for the ceremony!
The two of them smiled at her, nodding. She handed over Nandini's ring to Manik, as he held out his hand, asking her again through his eyes. Nandini forwarded her hand to him, as the crowd erupted in a serious of cheers and claps.
Manik slid the Star ring onto her finger, making her smile broadly. With that she took his ring from Nyonika as Manik automatically forwarded his hand towards her, making her slid the ring onto his second finger.
"Congratulations Guys!!!"
They heard their friends shouting the loudest in the entire crowd as Nyonika and Harsh smiled broadly taking Manik into a hug while Rishab hugged nandini.
Rishab: Congrats Di!
Rishab whispered pulling out of the hug while Nandini's smile stayed intact. He stepped back from her when Mrs. K held her shoulder smiling broadly at her.
Mrs. K: Congratulations Baby....
She said, her voice filled up in love as she bent forward pressing her lips onto Nandini's forehead.
And as for Nandini.... She couldn't help her smile growing as specs of tears came off the corner of eyes again.
Mrs. K: I m so happy for u both...
Nandini: Thank u Maa!
Nandini replied almost immediately, shocking herself as well as Mrs. K who pulled back as Nyonika moved towards Nandini. Nyonika noticed her expressions and hugged her tighter.
Nyonika: Now u r officially my daughter! Congratulations Darling....
Nandini: Thanks Mom...
Harsh too greeted her, to which she responded warmly when Manik suddenly noticed her stiffen as Mr. K stood right next to wish her. Manik knew this was no person she wanted to talk too and immediately held her hand, pulling her in his arms as Nandini looked up at him in surprise.
Manik: So Madam.... Just two days to go for u to be Mrs. Malhotra!
Nandini smiled broadly at his arms resigning into his arms as she replied,
Nandini: Right....
Manik smirked at her, opening up his mouth for another sassy comment when their friends jumped over them.
Mukti: Congrats Love Birds!
They thanked everyone as the guests too greeted them. The party went on in full swing after this, with no drama from the Kapoor devils anymore. The night was almost at its end when Nandini finally took a seat at the corner of the hall, trying to get some alone time without being noticed. She scanned around the place looking at all the guests, seeing most of Manik's extended family chatting around in the hall.
"Tired?"
She heard someone say by her side making her, as the seat next to her got occupied. She didn't bother turning towards him, as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Nandini: No... Not much! Just my feet hurt...
Manik: Can we do something about it?
Manik asked concerned, not really knowing what to reply to her making nandini chuckle.
Nandini: Relax Manik... Its just because of these heels, its too high. I'll be fine once I take them off...
Manik: Ohh ok... Why are u sitting here?
Nandini: Nothing.... Just taking a break! I met ur family tonight...
She said changing the topic as Manik looked all around.
Manik: Yeah... I do hv a big family! What do u think?
Nandini: It'll take some time to remember all of them, but other than that I think I can get used to this...
Nandini shrugged making him smile.
Manik: They all loved u!
Nandini: They did?
Nandini asked, surprise clear in her voice.
Manik: Yeah.... Mom said, they were not so much welcoming towards her as much they are for u!
Nandini: I can never know why! Mom is the sweetest person I hv ever known!
Nandini said as she looked at Nyonika who was attending a few guests.
Manik: That she is....
Manik said nodding in approval as he remembered his chat with Nyonika from earlier that day about Nandini.
Manik saw Nandini's eyes dropping slightly as he spoke up,
Manik: U seem tired.... U should go home and take some rest!
Nandini: No I m fine, ur shoulder is just too comfortable.... And anyway, how can I leave Manik? Its our party!
Nandini said dismissing his words with a wave as she sat straight.
Manik smirked at the shoulder comment but didn't say anything knowing that she was tired.
Manik: Nandini... This party is almost dead, mostly everyone has left. U can leave now! U didn't hv a proper sleep last night as well and tmrw is gonna be a long day.... Haldi, mehendi and Sangeet all together, its gonna be tiring.
He got up from the chair, holding her hand as he pulled her up.
Nandini: But-
Manik: No buts... U r saying Bye to Mom-Dad and then I m officially kicking u out of this party.
Nandini: And who are u to do that?
Manik: Well its my house!
Manik smirked at her making her roll her eyes.
Nandini: Jerk!
Nandini muttered making Manik smile boarder as he replied.
Manik: Witch....
Nandini looked up at him to see his smirk as she remembered the day when Fab5 visited her house for the first time and they got into the same kinda argument. A similar smirk came onto her face as she wrapped her arms on her chest.
Nandini: Dog!!
Manik: Bitch...
Nandini: Dick!!
Manik: Prick!!
And the very next minute both of them were laughing their guts out, standing in the middle of the hall and laughing at curse names.
Nandini: U do know that u are still not allowed to call a girl that right?
Nandini said somehow controlling her laughter while Manik seemed to have no barrier as he continued laughing and just shook his head. Nandini shook her head with a u_can_never_change expression when she looked around to see the entire hall had turned silent as everyone's attention was fixed at the two of them.
Manik noticed her face turn red as he stopped laughing and realised that his loud laughter did take up all the attention. He rubbed his neck looking at everyone around before speaking up or loud.
Manik: Sorry... The joke was damn funny I guess!
Everyone chuckled at the couple while Manik held Nandini's hand and walked straight towards Nyonika.
Manik: Mom!
Nyonika nodded at him as she excused herself and joined the two of them.
Manik: Mom actually-
Nandini: Manik... I can talk for myself!
Nandini said immediately scolding him while Nyonika chuckled at Manik's pout.
Nandini: Actually mom I wanted to ask would it be fine if we leave! I m feeling a bit tired and-
Nyonika: Of course dear... The party is already over, u should go and get some rest! The next two days are gonna be much busier... And we don't want the bride to look tired right?
Nandini:Yeah, Thanks Mom!
Nandini smiled gladly at her while Nyonika caressed her face.
Nyonika: Go get some good sleep! I'll see u tmrw okay?
Nandini: Yes..
Nandini picked up her phone and dropped a msg to Rishab asking to get Mr and Mrs K outside while Harsh joined Nyonika and MaNan.... Nandini wished him good night and was about to leave when Mrs K walked towards them.
Mrs K: Mrs Malhotra, It was an amazing party.... All the arrangements are awesome!
Nyonika: Oh thank u so much! It's so sweet of u to say so...
Nyonika said smiling softly at her with Harsh while Nandini stared blank and Manik tried to control his glare.
Mrs. K: If it's anything we could do for tmrw's function then plz feel free to tell me....
Nyonika: Oh no its all done! U don't need to take the trouble...
Mrs. K: Come on... What's the trouble in this, we are all family now!
Nyonika smiled at her words while Nandini snorted out loud.
Nandini: The crowd has almost gone now.... I don't think, u need to continue ur drama anymore!
Mrs. K: Nandini-
She narrowed her eyes at Nandini and started saying something when Nandini blocked her again.
Nandini: Its ok Mrs. K that was sweet of u to ask.... But now I m really very tired and would want to leave... Plus Mom-Dad too have a lot of relatives to attend to! So I think we should leave!
Mrs. K stared blank at her passing one glance at Harsh and Nyonika, who stood there awkwardly. She turned back glaring towards nandini when manik wrapped his arm firmly around her shoulder, giving off his msg as she turned around and walked away.
Nandini immediately relaxed at her retrieval and sighed. She looked up at Harsh and Nyonika, as a guilty smile took up her face.
Nandini: I-
Harsh: Good night my child.... Go get some rest!
Harsh said keeping his hand on her head stopping her from apologizing.
Nandini nodded at him and turned to leave. They saw her walking outside, as she waved a bye to Mukbhi and Cavya as Dhruliya had already left. She was almost at the door when Manik snickered,
Manik: I'll be back!
Harsh: Finally.... Well, I was waiting for u to say so!
Harsh muttered making Manik smirk as he ran behind her. He joined her by the door as the Kapoors too followed them and they walked out.
They walked in silence to the cars as Manik opened up the door for Nandini. She smiled up at him and sat inside as he closed the door for her.
Manik: See u tomorrow!
Nandini: Right.... Tomorrow!!!
Nandini muttered nodding at him as she yawned softly.
Manik smiled at her, hitting the side of her head.
Manik: Good night sleepy head... Don't sleep on the way, I won't be there to put u on bed.
Nandini nodded at him with a smile as Manik greeted Rishab with a hug and then opened up the door for Mrs. K out of curtsy.
Manik: Good night, Mr and Mrs K, thank u for tonight!
Mr. K nodded at him with a straight face as they sat inside and Rishab took the wheel, driving them away.
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Until next time😉
Love,
Navya😍