Mukti:
Boy you don't have to be the last one standin'
Boy show me, you could be the one, one, one
The chatter going on amongst the aunties all around the hall turned silent as Aliya turned up some music while Mukti attached the dress mike to her lehenga and walked up in the middle starting up the challenge between the girls and the boys...
Manik raised his brows at Nandini, shaking his head at the choice of the song when he pushed Cabir in front.
Cabir:
Tu ankhiyaan mila ke
Aa mere kol aaja
Ishq diyan gallan
Tu mennu samjha ja
Nandini smiled up at navya nodding at her as she pushed Cabir back and sang ahead while the three girls slayed the party with some amazing moves.
Navya:
Tu gallan badi karda
Ve kar ke vakha jaa
Nedhe nedhe aa tu aaja
Sohneya-ya-ya
Nandini smiled up at her friends as she sat at her place as the artists continued the mehendi when she suddenly jumped at the voice behind her,
Manik:
I wanna see you
Walk like Rihanna
Get all the pounder
Bom diggy diggy bom bom
She burn it up like the summer
She tell me I'm rid of
Bom diggy diggy bom bom
Nandini rolled her eyes at him controlling her laughter at the lyrics.
Mukti:
You've got me like crazy
That you call to me
Abhi:
Bom diggy diggy bom bom
Mukti:
You've got me like crazy
That you call to me
Mukti:
Bom diggy diggy bom bom
Dhruv:
Girl I know you want me
Tennu takeya te ho gaya pyaar ve
You don't believe me
Tennu dil da haal suna
Aliya:
Ve piche mere jaake
Tu akhiyaan ladaaiyaan
Tu dil nu chura ke
Tu chhuriyaan chalaiyaan
Cabir:
Tu gallan badi kardi
Aa tenu samjhawaan
Navya:
Nehde nehde aa, tu aa na
Sohneya...
Dhruv:
I wanna see you
Walk like Rihanna
Get all the pounder
Bom diggy diggy bom bom
She burn it up like the summer
She tell me I'm rid of
Bom diggy diggy bom bom
Aliya:
You've got me like crazy
That you call to me
Dhruv:
Bom diggy-diggy, bom bom
Aliya:
You've got me like crazy
That you call to me
Dhruv:
Bom diggy-diggy, bom bom
The guest cheered on for the rockstars as the party mood changed all around while Manik's cousins too joined in dancing their hearts out.
The song finished when Manik turned to tease Nandini, only to find her chuckling at something as Nyonika sat by her side feeding her some sweets and the artists continued their work.
He noticed Cabir capturing the moment in his camera and made a mental note to ask him for those pictures. For times like these, he thanked Cabir's obsession for the camera a lot.
Whispering something to Abhi, he turned his mike back on. Nandini was busy eating when sudden she heard his voice out from the speakers,
Jadd tainu vekhiya
Pehli vari main taan
Tennu hi takda raiya
She looked up around to find him right in front, with his eyes stuck at her as a smile played on his lips and the music started while he continued singing,
Jachda nahi si
Tere naal main taan
Phir vi jachda raiya
(This video too is so damn cute yr.... Don't u agree?)
Manik continued the song while Nandini sat their smiling up at him while all her friends danced around in their own romantic bubbles.
Soon Aliya, Mukti and Navya joined her as they forwarded their hands towards the artists who just completed doing Nandini's mehendi.
As the song completed Manik took a seat right behind her as he peeked over shoulder, looking at her heena filled hands.
Manik: Its beautiful...
He whispered taking her by surprise as she turned to look at him.
Nandini: It has ur name hidden in its designs....
Manik: Why hidden?
Manik asked focusing on the design while Nandini chuckled,
Nandini: Apparently that's some old game they used to play in ur family.... Mom was just telling me, how dad wasn't allowed to see her for 24 hours even after they got married coz he failed to find his name.
Manik's eyes widened at this new information as he looked up at his parents, arguing over something very cutely.
Manik: Impossible!
Nandini chuckled at him before nodding,
Nandini: He went through just for 3 hours before sneaking past the family...
Manik laughed out at it imagining Harsh doing so and totally agreed at the possibility.
Nandini: That song was amazing....
Nandini said finally appreciating him making Manik give her one of his most dazzling smiles.
He was about to say something when he heard Nani Ji calling him and immediately excused himself from there.
"Don't u sing??.... I m sure he would love if u sing something for him!"
She heard a girl saying, who was just applying the Mehendi on her hands.
A surprised expression came onto Nandini's face while the the other artists shushed the girl immediately.
Nandini looked up to see Aliya, Mukti and Navya too smiling up at her. She turned her gaze around to find Dhruv standing the closest and called him closer before telling him a song for him to turn on the Music and asked her the mike.
Surprise came over all their faces as the girls exchanged glances while Dhruv smiled up at her and nodded before walking away.
Aliya: U sure? We know u don't like singing with audience....
Nandini looked all around her, as the people chatted away before her gaze fixed over Manik who was sitting on his knees in front of Nani as she supposedly ordered him for something.
Nandini: I don't know.... I just feel like it right now!
Nandini whispered back, answering Aliya's question while Dhruv returned with the mike. Nandini requested Mukti to fix the mike as both her hands were still busy with wet heena.
The was some soft song going on in the background until she motioned Dhruv to turn up the Music to her song while she turned her mike on.
The music filled up the hall but no one seemed to noticed anything until she finally sang,
Nandini:
Dhaani si dhaani si
Sharbati paani si
Dheere dheere se
Teri chahat chadhti hai
Manik's head snapped towards her as soon as she started. His eyes broad towards her with shock. While nandini got up from the bed walking towards him. As his shock dissipated he saw her asking him to join in.
Nandini:
Thodi naadaani si
Thodi shaitani si
Dheeme dheeme se
Teri aadat badhti hai
Manik smiled up at her as he stood up closing in the rest of the distance between them. While nandini started moving her feet in a few dance steps as he joined her.
Manik:
Tu hai toh mere ru-ba-ru
Par kya karun
Yakeen hi nahi aata
Shaam se subah karun
Dekha karun
raha bhi nahi jaata
Nandini stopped dancing as she turned to face him completely, before continuing the chorus of the song,
Nandini:
Afeemi afeemi afeemi hai yeh pyaar
Afeemi hai tera mera pyaar
Manik smiled up broadly at her as he wrapped his arms around her waist moving with the tune, while nandini too moved her arms around his neck, leaving them hanging, making sure not to spoil her mehendi. While a lot of other couples too joined them, obviously leaded by his own father, as Harsh pulled Nyonika towards the centre. Manik and nandini turned their focus towards the two of them before continuing,
Both:
Ho.. Afeemi afeemi afeemi hai yeh pyaar
Afeemi hai tera mera pyaar
Khumari khumari na aaye re karaar
Afeemi hai tera mera pyaar..
Nandini:
Thodi pighalti hoon
Thodi phisalti hoon
Ghash khaake teri hi
Baahon mein girti hoon
Thodi sarakti hai
Thodi khisakti hai
Neeyat bigad ke ye
Tujhse hi sambhalti hai
Manik took her hands in his, smiling up at her mehendi as he grazed his finger on her ring.
Manik:
Tere mere faasley
Bas aaj se
Saanson hi saanson mein gumne lage
Tere mere raaste
Bas aaj se
Ho.. aankhon hi aankhon mein milne lage
Both:
Afeemi afeemi afeemi hai ye pyaar
Afeemi hai tera mera pyaar (x2)
Khumari khumari na aaye re karaar
Afeemi hai tera mera pyaar..
------------------------------------------
Later that day, Nandini lied down on her bed quite early at around 10 in the night. Well it wasn't because she was tired, but because Nyonika had clearly ordered her to take as much rest as possible. And for the last two hours that she had returned back home, she already had received 6 calls from Nyonika reminding her to take rest.
Not wanting to get any more calls, she dropped a msg to her stating that she was finally going to sleep. Half an hour later, turning and twisting on her bed Nandini tried her best to let sleep take over her but all that came onto her head was that this was IT. She was getting Married in a matter of few hours. She looked around her room, fixing her gaze at the pictures she had with her father and a few with Rishab before sighing.
Nandini: 8 months back, had anyone even mentioned that I will be getting married this year, I would hv probably flipped at that person.....
She muttered to herself as she shook her head.
Nandini: Crap! What's with this anxiety....
She thought out loud before pushing the duvet down and turning onto her side as she closed her eyes.
5 minutes later, she heard a click from her room's door as it was opened. She kept her eyes still, knowing it must be Rishab to check if she was asleep on not. She was well aware of how her brother worked as a spy for Manik, telling him everything he wanted to know about this house that Nandini chose to hide.
She heard soft footsteps nearing her, feeling strong gaze at herself when a soft hand caressed her hair. Her mind suddenly, alerted feeling the unknown touch knowing this person was no way Rishab when she felt the bed dip by someone's weight as the person sat by her side.
She didn't know how many minutes passed away with no action from this intruder, but she was very alert knowing danger was sitting right by her side. Something within her was telling her to spring off from her bed shouting out loud but somehow she was scared and it made her stick to acting like being asleep.
She felt the person hold up her hand, tracing the henna design on it before a warm breath fanned her forehead followed by a soft kiss and a whisper,
"Daddy Loves u Princess!! He Loves u the most.....
Always Have! Always will!"
She entire body warmed up at the words. All her fear disappearing in an instant.
She knew this voice.... She knew this person. She knew Who was it sitting so close to her, showering her with such love filled words.
Suddenly all too soon she felt the weight missing from her bed as the person got up and she heard the door being closed again.
Opening up her eyes, Nandini looked all around her room in a daze, Was she just Dreaming! Her hand moved to her forehead, feeling the warmth of the kiss still present. No this was real....
She looked at the closed door as a lone tear left her eye, flowing all the way down her cheek, soon followed by a string of more tears. Her gaze fell on her side, as she found a small gift bag kept there.
Confused at it, she picked it up, checking the contents of it only to have her tears increase. There was no way, she had ever expected this to happen.
Biting her lip to stop herself from crying out loud. She got out of her bed without even thinking twice and picked up her phone and car keys along with the gift bag before leaving her room.
Driving off away from her house, she just wanted to be somewhere peaceful. She didn't exactly pay attention to where she was driving to until she found herself in front of a beautifully decorated Mansion. Picking up her phone from the passenger seat, she made a call and waited for two rings only to be answered by a sleepy voice.
"Nandini... Go back to sleep or Mom will seriously be very angry tmrw morning when she-
Nandini: Manik....
She whispered stopping his banter as she gazed back up at the Mansion.
Nandini: Can u please step out of ur house? I m waiting for u in the car right on the other side of the road.
Manik seemed instantly alerted by her words as he sat up on his bed.
Manik: Huh... Here! Nandini what happened? Are u fine? Did someone do anything?
His panic made her feel guilty immediately for disturbing his sleep but she still spoke up,
Nandini: Manik... Shh, relax! I m fine... Just please step out, I need to tell u something.
She whispered to him as she heard shuffling of some stuff behind him before the call was disconnected. 5 minutes later, she saw the main gate open up slightly as Manik looked around the road before he recognised her car and crossed the road before getting in the passenger side.
Manik: Nandini... What happened? What are u doing here?
He asked her directly before looking closely and reading her face.
Manik: Have u been crying?
Nandini hands flew up to her face, no finding any tears, making her look at him confused.
Manik: I know u better than u think... Now will u please tell me why have u been crying?
Nandini looked down at his question, not exactly knowing what to say when it suddenly struck her head thinking why was she even there. Why did she wake him up from his sleep when at normal condition she would have loved to drive off at some place where she would find her peace. She looked up at his concerned face before shaking up her head.
Nandini: Ohh shit.... I m so sorry Manik, I woke u up... I don't know what I was thinking.... I just wanted to drive off somewhere alone but instead I came here! I really shouldn't have disturbed u and -
Manik: Nandini... Nandini!
Manik said stopping her banter as he held her hand.
Manik: I m more than glad that u chose to come here Okay! Stop stressing urself out. Relax!
Taking a deep breath nandini looked the other side before nodding her head softly. None of them said anything for a while as Manik sat there holding her hand before she finally broke the silence.
Nandini: She came into my room Tonight!
Manik looked up at her words in surprise as nandini slowly turned her face towards him with her eyes glistering due to unshed tears.
Nandini: Mrs. Kapoor..... She came into my room thinking I was asleep. She sat by my side for some time, caressing my face and doodling over these henna patterns. And then she planted a kiss on my forehead before moving out.
Her tears finally flowed down her eyes, while Manik sat there shocked. His usual reaction at that woman's name was anger, but this time he didn't know how to react. Nandini bent forward and took out the gift bag from the dashboard and handed it over to him.
Nandini: I found this by my side after she left....
Hesitantly leaving her hand, manik took out the content of the bag to find a small box and a letter. Opening up the box, he found a beautiful ring shining in the darkness of the car making him confused as he picked up the letter.
Keeping the ring aside, he held up the letter and turned towards Nandini as if asking for her permission before reading it when she gave him a slight nod and he turned on the light before reading,
This is the last thing belonging to ur father that I have. Somehow, it was the only memory of his that I wasn't quite willing or able to throw. I guess it's time for u to have this ring now.
It was our 5th wedding anniversary, u were not even 3 years old by then... And ur dad wished to gift me a ring as a present. As always he sucked at choosing something himself and so he decided to take me to the store so that I could get whatever I liked for myself.
We reached the store, with u jumping excited in ur dear daddy's arms. U liked the store very much as the glittering jewels on the showcases took over ur fascination. As we sat in front of one of the counters, u wriggled ur way out of his arms and moved to the other side, leaning onto the glass in pure admiration. I took about half an hour to decide what I wanted, but all that time u stayed still at the place where u were. Both of us found it odd for u to be so silent and still as it was against ur nature. Ur father moved towards u and asked u what u were looking at when u pointed to this ring.
"It is so beautiful daddy!" U exclaimed loudly taking the attention of the entire store as the staff smiled in Aww while ur father just laughed out loud.
"It is baby... But it is too big for u right now! Maybe a few years later we can come again and buy it for u."
"No.. I want it now! I want it now daddy...." U wailed in his arms for the ring and he being the person he was bought it immediately. The happiness on ur face was all he could see at that time, not paying any attention on how he was spending obnoxious amount of money on ur silly demand.
By the time, we reached home that night, u didn't even remember anything about the ring and were busy playing with ur dolls. I still remember how he had kept that ring into his locker, telling me that he'll gift it to u, as his blessing, the day u will get married. He wanted it to be something, u would look at and know that no matter what the situation is but he is there for u.
Though none of it matters anymore and there is no way u would even remember this, but this is for u to keep.
Congratulations!
Looking up from the letter, he turned towards her to find silent tears flowing down her eyes. He held her hand again, entwining his fingers with her without saying anything when she spoke up,
Nandini: I didn't even recognise her touch Manik. She sat by my side, touched my face and it was almost like a strangers touch. In all these years, I have drifted so much away from her that it seems Unreal that she is my mother. But then she spoke up, she told me that Daddy loves me, she called me 'Princess' the name that he had given me, and for the first time in all these years I found my mother back. For the first time in these 20 years, her voice was the same tender lovable voice that once read stories to me while I slept. The voice that made me feel secure and loved. She told me that Daddy loves me Manik..
Manik: He does Love u nandini.... U know that right?
Nandini looked blank at his words for some time before she nodded softly,
Nandini: Yes... I know he does!
Manik turned towards the ring on his lap as he slowly took it out of the red cushion in the box and looked at it closely. Nandini followed his actions but didn't speak up anything until he sighed, and picked up her hand which was entwined with hers.
She now noticed his thumb twiddling with her engagement ring when Manik spoke up,
Manik: This ring has ur father's blessings in it nandini.... And we both know how much it means to u, having this exactly on the day when we are going to step into the next chapter of our life together.
A fresh tear fled down Nandini's eyes as she looked up at him and then towards the ring.
Manik: And since we are in this Together... I want to add another meaning to this special ring Nandini. This is the all time symbol of Love that ur father has for u, and I want this to also symbolise that just like him, u will also find me by ur side Always...
Nandini gasped at his words, her eyes broadening as Manik finally looked up at her.
Manik: As we step into this new life, I want u to know that I'll be there Always!
Nandini: No... Please don't Manik....
Nandini spoke up shaking her head furiously as she snatched her hand away from his grip. A combined look of shock and hurt flashed his face as he saw Nandini thread her fingers through her hair.
Nandini: U can't promise me that Manik... I don't want u to.
Manik: But-
Nandini: Manik... Manik just hear me out.
Nandini said as she turned fully towards him holding both his hand in hers and calmed herself down.
Nandini: Manik Malhotra, u r farmost the best person I have ever known.... And undoubtedly the only person I m closest to. I want u to remember this always! Okay. But Manik, I m this completely psychotic girl who was made by God just to live life alone, because that's what I m and I know this. And on the other hand, You are just... I mean, You are You! All these amazing traits that make u this person. And even now, just a few hours before getting married to u, I know that u r doing all this just for Me. No matter how much u say this is what u want, I don't want to Hold u up and Cage u into something this strong, that u wouldn't be able to break in the future.
Manik seemed shell shocked by her words as he opened up his mouth to say something and then closed it again not knowing what to say, continuing his gold fish action until Nandini spoke up again,
Nandini: If u really want to promise me something, then Promise me to hold my hand only until u would want to. Ur Di up there has hope to see u falling in Love and making the most of ur life with that One person, tell me that I would be the first one to know when u find that Love. Promise me that u would not Hold urself back, just because of some hypothetical chance of me being hurt, coz believe me I would be the happiest person to see u smiling broadly all ur life. This is an open ground we are gonna walk into. Can u do that?
Manik was taken aback by her words before a smile crept on his face, he picked up her hand again and slid the ring onto her finger as a tear fled down her eye before she threw herself into his arms.
Manik hugged her back, trying to calm her down when he heard her breath slower down.
Nandini: Thank u!
He heard her soft whisper as she broke the hug, getting back onto her seat before looking at the ring on her finger. Manik didn't say anything, giving her the time she wanted when suddenly he heard a soft chuckle erupt her mouth.
Manik: What's so amusing here?
Nandini: The western culture says the second ring after the engagement that the guy gives the girl, is the wedding ring.... If we were not in India, it would hv meant that u just married me on a road side.
Manik laughed at her words noticing the point and then said,
Manik: Aren't u supposed to be the one in white? Well I m not complaining as u do look quite cute in what u r wearing right now!
Nandini looked down at herself and groaned putting her face into her palms,
Nandini: What was I thinking when I stepped out in this?
Manik laughed at her embarrassed face before pulling her hands away,
Manik: Ohh come on!! I think u look quite good.... And well, the mehendi has its own effect out there.
Nandini got the teasing tone in his last line as she smacked his arm.
Manik: Oww... Stop with the violence woman!
Nandini: Jerk! Now get out of the car and go to sleep.
Nandini snapped pointing at his door while Manik held his hand upto his heart.
Manik: Did u just ask ur fiance to buzz off??!!
Nandini widened her eyes at it and asked,
Nandini: When did I say that?
Manik: Well u meant that!
Nandini: Urgh.. Manik seriously? Its almost 1 am and as Mom said, I need my beauty sleep tonight.... So now Get out and let me go!
Manik shoke his head laughing softly at her as he opened up the door and got down the car. He moved towards the driver's side and bent down to the window as she opened it up.
Manik: Go home straight haan! No wandering off....
Nandini rolled her eyes at his words before nodding,
Nandini: Yes sir... Anything else?
Manik: Yes... I m waiting for ur call. So call me as soon as u reach.... U have 15 minutes to do that or else I'll be out on the streets looking for u!
Nandini: Manik stop being crazy... I m not a kid!
Manik: Its almost 1... I m already not liking u driving back alone this late, so just suck it up and do as I say.
A soft smile came onto Nandini's face as she nodded.
Nandini: I'll be fine... Calm ur pants and go sleep.
Manik: I m waiting for ur call Nandini...
Nandini: Yes yes I get it... Bye now!
Starting the engine Nandini pushed him away from the window as she drove off waving him a bye.
------------------------------------
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Love😍
Navya!