Part 3A
All the adult members of the Murthy's and Malhotra's settled themselves on the couches in the hall.
Manik , Mukti and Nandini and Navya were still standing.
Narendra... " beta Nandini , Navya tum log Manik aur Mukti Ko apna ghar dikhoa jab tak hum log baakhi ki baatien and sab kuch finalize kar lete hain, and bachcho be comfortable yeh tumhara hi ghar hai..."
Listening to him Navya and Mukti got excited and turned around and wicked each at other hiding from all and gave a thumbs up. As if they got a chance to execute their plan.
Right at that moment a young boy entered the house with a bag-pack on his right shoulder. "hello every one " every body turned around to look at him. He gave a big smile to all. Mahinder said " Malhotra Saab yeh mera beta hai Rishab abhi tution se aaraha hai. Finance mien hai aage MBA karega. Beta come here"
Rishab came and extended his hand to malhotra for a hand shake
" hello uncle how r u " malhotra shook his hand " hmmm tou business mein interested ho good to know " he said
" not really uncle but papa aur bade papa ki wish hai ki I should study business as it can come handy in future so I'm fulfilling their wish. Waise I love music. I have a huge collection of different genre' of music. "
" impressive well, good luck for your future young man waise tumhare interest ke log tumhe wahan milenge " he said and pointed in direction where Manik and all stopped in the midway hearing him come.
Rishab turned and opened his mouth wide and almost ran to them " oh my god you r Manik malhotra right , the lead singer of Fab 5 ' The Rock band' , I can't believe it you in our house " Rishab was so excited seeing them when Navya cut him off and said
" oh hello apni express train Ko Zara dheere karo yeh Sirf hamare ghar mein hi Nahi hai balki hamare hone wale jeejaji bhi hai. Nandini ki Shadi pakki ho gayi hai inse samajh Gaye"... Rishab " what " he literally screamed " sorry sorry , really is this true " he turned to his papa and asked.
Instead of Mahinder narendra replied him " haan haan Rishab abhi abhi baat fix hui hai"
" you know bade papa aap Ko pata hai yeh kitne bade singer hai , Inka band all over the world famous hai and yeh log world tour karte hain concerts Karne ke liye. India mein tou yeh number 1 hai " he took a breadth and "I still can't believe ki itne famous band ke lead singer mere hone wale jeeju hai... Wow... I'm feeling so lucky" watching the excitement of Rishab every one started smiling.
"Can I hug you " he went close to Manik and ask permission. Manik hugged him very lovingly. But feeling a little embarrassed and shy also coz he was not expecting his praise this openly right after his marriage was fixed that too in front of the whole family.
Narendra " mujhe pata tou tha ki you are a singer but itne famous ho yeh Nahi pata tha congratulation beta "
" arey nahin uncle aisi koi baat Nahi hai " Manik tarted blushing with shy ness and end down his head
" jeeju come with me I'll show you my music collection " he held Manik's hand to take him to his room
" ek minute ek minute ghudd sawaar( horse rider) tu abhi abhi Aaya hai pehle fresh ho ja kuch kha le tab dikhaiyyo apna collection. Tu bhi yahin hai aur yeh bhi. Hum abhi Inhe apna ghar dikha ke aate hain kyun Nandu " said Navya separating Manik's hand from Rishab. He turned to Navya and saw Mukti standing watching all the drama quietly.
" you are Mukti Manik jeeju 's sister right ".
" guilty" Mukti said raising her hands up in the air.
Rishab " nice to meet you "and extended his hand. Mukti shook his hand and
" same here". They exchanged some more casual words and Rishab excused himself to get freshen up and climbed up the stairs.
Navya took them upstairs as saying them that they already saw the downstairs part which has...Study, Bade Papa's room ,Amms room , kitchen , Hall which they are all sitting and a Living area and a door which opens outside in the back to a small garden and a dining hall not to mention. A guest room. As they climb up on the right its chacha chachi's room and Rishab 's room on the left its two more bed extra rooms and as you further walk down its Nandini's room. You might be wondering why her room is in the corner coz her room's balcony open to gardens own stairs and open sky. She is a nature lover.
As soon as they all enter Nandini's room Manik got a smile on her face. He thought ' so this is her room well not bad I must say she is a very clean person ' there's a bed right in front and a dresser on the right side of the room and on the left as the door to the balcony and extreme left is the clothes closet and washroom. Manik was smiling to himself when Navya called him and bring him out of his thought.
" Jeejaji aapko pata hai Nandini ka room itne last mein kyun hai kyun ki is room ki balcony se sun set bahut khoobsurat lagta hai aur things golden ho jaati hai"
" Aap chaliyen hum aapko batate hain" and she paused " nai Nandini aapko dikhayegi hum Zara neeche dekh kar aate hain ki Rishab ne kuch Khaya ya Nahi chachi busy Hogi na doosre kaamon mein.. " she turn to Mukti and winked at her and said
" aah Mukti tum hamare saath chalogi hum tumhe garden dikhate hain ".
" haan haan chalo " and she showed a thumbs up to Navya.
Before they get the reply from Manik or seeing Nandini's reaction they both walked out of the room and closed the door lightly.
Nandini walked to the door of the balcony and opened it and went out
Manik thought ' at least I got the chance to talk to her, but what should I ask her. Arey yaar yeh kitna sharmati hai main puchun bhi to Kya puchun and kaise' and he too came out.
Nandini was standing near the railing of the balcony playing with the corner of her dupatta feeling very nervous. Her hands and feet are getting cold. She saw through her side view that he too came out. She thought
' now he will definitely ask me something because since we agreed on the proposal my sixth sense was just bothering me that he wants to talk to me. I don't know how but I was having this feeling that he was looking for a chance. Aiyyappa please help ' she raised her eyes ' please aisa koi question na ho jiska main answer na de paaon please'
And she closed her eyes
" Hi" she shot open her eyes hearing his voice coming from not far away.
She turned a little and saw him standing not more than a foot away from her bending down on the railing keeping his hands on it. He tilted his head a little to take a look on her face but it is hiding with her hair.
" Navya was right the view of sunset really looks beautiful from here and the atmosphere looks so calm and peaceful .. " he said holding his hands together and he was trying to make himself and her comfortable talking randomly
She didn't answer any thing just rolling her duppatta on her fingers..
" nervous" he asked turned again to look at the sight of her face. She lift her face to look at the view. He can feel that there's a few sweat drops forming on her forehead.
He turned towards her totally facing her completely and said
" kitni ajeeb baat hai na ki hum Dono bina ek doosre ke bare mein jaane bina ek doosre se baat kiye we agreed on this relation" he was looking at her trying to see her face fully. But the view is blocking by her hair. He sooo wanted to move her hair and tucked it behind her ears but he is stopped himself..
" tum kuch bologi Nahi" he asked her not getting any answer from her.
" main... I... " she starts stammering, it seems like the words are stuck in her throat trying to come out but for some reason they didn't.
" main... Kya bolun" atlast she said something he thought and her voice goes straight from his ears to his heart. He closed his eyes and took a deep breadth without making her realize what he is feeling right now
Manik was actually enjoying her nervousness the way she is struggling to talk and playing with her dupatta. He likes it. Because he never paid any attention to any girls out side his family. Mukti Aliya were very close to him and he never saw them being shy or nervous. He smiled said " acha yeh batao tumhe music pasand hai" trying to lightening the mood for both of them.
" yes I like it " very casual answer he thought
Manik... "Which type of music "
Nandini..." I like soft music, something which gives u peace and calms you down"
Manik... " do you like to sing "
Nandini still playing with her dupatta not looking up answered him " ya a little jab hum mangalore mein thei amms use to teach me singing but after mama is gone we moved here to Mumbai and amms left music and I got busy in my studies"
Nandini just said it all in one go
" wow that was fast l'm sorry about your mom " he said seeing her still playing with the dupatta he gets a little annoyed
" you know what tumhara dupatta phatt jayega agar aise hi if you wrap it around your fingers so aggressively "
Nandini stopped Rolling the dupatta and suddenly lift her face to look at him. And they both started laughing.
Manik thought what a beauty even when she laughs it is like a melody and is going inside me. Her laugh is also musical. She turned and went to the chair and sat on it Manik also came and sat beside her on another chair.
" Atlast you laugh Maine soncha ki tum kitna kam bolti ho mujhe laga its gonna bhi very difficult to balance the communication in future. Coz you won't talk that much "
" aisa Nahi hai I was a little nervous and still am woh... " she paused and said " this is the first time that I'm talking to a person whom I'm going to get married... And alone... So I was feeling a little uncomfortable ..."
" Nandini why did you agree to this proposal " Manik all of a sudden asked her which make her more worried and she started looking here and there.
She didn't answer. " Bolo na Nandini kyun ki haan " Manik asked again trying to read her face but she didn't look up
" I respect my papa a lot,he make this decision for me so..." She paused
" so without seeing me and meeting me you said yes " Manik got surprised hearing her
" I trust him a lot he is my father and I have full faith in him,, whatever he'll think or do for me will be good ".
" Trust... Faith... You are right these are the basic foundation for all the relations"he looked up in the sky and pushed back his hair with his hands and again look back at Nandini " Alright lets begin our new journey with this too things, for me if there is no trust in any relationship than it cannot survive,so we will not hide any thing from each other... How ever bad it is...or worse it is we will share it with each other and try to solve the situations... What say"
Nandini got panicked hearing him. She started fidgeting with her fingers and thought ' now what should I do.. Should I tell him about Aryaman. But how will I tell him I just met him... And I don't even know how will he react...how can I explain him...it's very difficult for me to trust somebody else so easily and so fast ..."
"Nandini Kahan Khoi ho" Nandini came out of her thoughts.
" Ok ok don't panic... I know I know... We just met ... And you r confused that how can you trust a person you just met... I know it's not that easy... But we can give it a try right... So relax" he tries to calm her down seeing her getting panicked.
Nandini looked at him with her eyes wide open... Than agiain she looked down and
' Aiyyappa how did he know what I was thinking? Did I think aloud ? Like how? Am I that obvious...
" you are lost again,, I think tum bolti kam Ho and sonchti ziyada ho" he said bending a little to see her face.
" l'll make it easy for both of us let's start It with being friends and we will take it from there, how about that..." He wait for her answer. She didn't say anything. He takes out his right hand from his pant pocket and extended it to her and " if you hold my hand than I will think that you accepted my offer. " he smiled at her.
She looked at his hand with out raising her head. Her heart starts to beat faster. She wants to hold it. Her mind is saying that isn't it too early, but her heart is saying no just think about it since we started talking it feels like I know him for a long time. In her heart and mind dilemma she didn't even realize when she lift her left hand and put it in his hand. She came back to her senses when she felt a hold on her hand. She raised her head and look at him. He was staring at her with a cute smile.
" thanks for accepting my friendship "
He held her hand and gave little squeeze. She felt weird kind of a feeling in her stomach. Her hand is cold. " your hand is so cold Nandini... I can understand u are nervous... Even I'm feeling the same way... This is all new to me too...But I think we'll make a good team. " he put his left hand on top of their hands not letting it go.
He thought ' this feels so right it looks like it's gonna be a very interesting and fun filled ride'.
" you know something Nandini, when mom and dad talked to me about this proposal, I got a little hesitant... I was not ready for such a big commitment yet... To be frank Maine shadi ke baare mein soncha hi nahi tha... I thought pehle Mukti ki shaadi ho jaaye phir sonchenge Abhi jaldi Kya hai" he paused and took a breath and continued " but jab maine tumhe dekha I couldn't say no" he bend down a little and try to look into her eyes.' Aiyyyappa yeh Kya ho raha hai... I didn't even realize maine kab apna haath uske haaton mein de diya... And he is saying everything to me about himself... Main kya karun... '
" Nandini Tum kuch pareshan lag rahi ho , do you want to say something... You can share anything with me don't be shy..." He said watching her felt there is something which is bothering her. "Nai aisi koi baat nahi hai" she said ' Aiyyappa main kaise bataon ki even I was not ready for this marriage and still have doubt and important part is I have a past which I don't want to remember ' she thought.
" dekho I can see that there's something which is bothering you... aur ek hi mulakhat mein kisi se sab kuch share karna... Not possible I know, but Tum mujh par trust kar sakti ho... Give it a chance".
' oh Aiyyappa again trust... wohi to karna mushkil hai... Main Kya karun '
" I... Woh... " as soon as she started "ahem ahem... I didn't want to disturb your little quiet time but have no choice " Navya entered the balcony giggling." Sab neeche aap ko bula rahe hain"... She said. Nandini takes her hand back without letting Navya know. Manik thought ' what timing '
And got up from the chair. Navya left
Nandini also got up to leave but Manik grabbed her hand from the back and make her stop. Nandini 's heartbeat stopped and she got frozen at her place. Manik came near her very slowly and whispers in her ear... " our conversation is incomplete we will continue soon" and left her hand and walk out of the room smiling to himself.
'What just happened ' Nandini thought. ' Aiyyappa why am I feeling like this he is effecting me this much l never felt this way even with Aryaman. '
Manik came downstairs and Nandini came after him.
" Aao beta Manik Nandini yahan baitho " said narendra.
" Nandini Tum yahan Aao mere paas baitho " said Nyonika Nandini sat by her.
" Manik we talked to pandit ji and he said a very shubh muhurat 7th day from today... So we all decided that on next Sunday we finalized your wedding. What do you think?" Malhotra said
" In a week " slipped suddenly from Manik's mouth " I mean to say ki mujhe..." He cleared his voice and continued " mujhe to koi problem nai hai but I think you should ask Nandini also".
" Nandini ko Kya problem hogi " said narendra
" nai bhaisahab Manik bilkul theek keh raha hai... Yeh Nandini ki bhi life hai she has the right to decide too" said Nyonika looking at Nandini with a warm smile. " bolo beta Tumhe yeh decision manzoor hai" she asked her.
Nandini whispered "ji" that's it.
Every one was very happy hearing her answer and the one person who is the most happiest is Manik. He was smiling like crazy. Mukti and Navya standing and listening to this whole conversation goes to Manik and Nandini and hugged them.
" tou theek hai kal hum Roka and engagement saath kar lenge and coming Friday and Saturday mehndi and sangeet and Sunday ko shaadi.. " says Malhotra facing narendra
" Kya bolte ho murthy" " haan theek hai I don't have a problem" said narendra happily.
" bhai sab Kya main kal Nandini and Navya Ko subah shopping ke liye le Jaaon evening function ke dresses ke liye agar aapko koi aiteraaz na ho tou" Nyonika asked.
" arey bhabiji is mein aiteraaz kaisa Nandini aapki hi ki tou hai aap jab chahte le jaasakte hain " replied narendra.
" Bhai I'm so happy for you" said Mukti.
Nyonika kissed Nandini's temple after Navya hugged her." God bless you... Hamesha Khush raho..." Namratha ,chachi and amms also hugged and blessed her Nandi went close to her father. He stands up and kept her hand on her head and said. " I'm proud of you " his eyes were getting wet...
Malhotra also came and kept his hand on Nandini's head.
" attention everyone..." Said Rishab " now that every thing is finalized and itna Acha occasion hai can I request something " every one looked at him with a questioning look.
" Manik jeeju can you sing something thing" he asked.
"Haan haan beta kuch sunao na... Rishab Hamesha tumhari awaaz ki taareef karta hai". Chachi added.
" I'll bring the guitar " Rishab ran to his room to bring the guitar. Navya brought a high stool from the kitchen.
Manik sat and the stool and started to play the guitar.
Dil kyun yeh mera shor Kare
Dil kyun yeh mera shor Kare
Idhar nahi udhar nahi
Teri ore chale
He looked at Nandini who is standing behind her father looking at him lost in his voice. She got startled looks here and there
Zara der main
Yeh kya ho gaya
Nazar milte hi
Kahan kho gaya Bheed mein logo ki woh hain wahan
Aur pyaar ki mele mein akela Kitna hoon mein yahan
Dil kyun yeh mera shor Kare
Dil kyun yeh mera shor Kare
Idhar nahi udhar nahi
Teri ore chale
Nandini so lost in his voice that she didn't realize that she is staring at him smiling widely
Shuru ho gai kahani meri
Mere dil ne baat na mani meri
Had se bhi aaghe yeh guzar hi gaya
Khud bhi pareshan hua
Aur mujhko bhi yeh kar gaya
Dil kyun yeh mera shor kare
Dil kyun yeh mera shor kare
Idhar Nahi
Udhar nahi
Teri ore chale
As soon as Manik finished every one claps their hands and Rishab hugged Manik and said " thanks jeeju". Manik was looking at Nandini to see her reaction.. But she was looking down trying not to show her blush on her face to him coz she new that he was trying to express the situation of his heart by this song.. She was ready to run out from from here not handling the constant glare from him looking here and there other than him.
" Ab Hume chalna chahiye kal ke liye preparations bhi Karna hai " says malhotra.
Everybody greeted each other and walkes out of the house one by one and came near the parking. Mukti , Nandini were exchanging hugs and Manik was watching them.
Manik wanted to say bye to Nandini but he was not getting a chance. Mukti saw his restlessness and smiled mischievously and fell down as if she tripped. Nandini who was standing nearby on the lawn came to her and asked " Mukti are you alright " Manik also came to her " you ok Mukti..." " ya yaa bhai it's just that ". Mukti saw both Nandini and Manik standing by her " nothing I just tripped... And I'm fine... Now you guys can say bye to each other " saying this she just moved away from there.
Without wasting any time Manik came close to her and looked at her she was looking down.. He lift her face with his right hand to take aloof at her face. She was still looking down. " bye... I'll see you tomorrow "...he whispered getting a little more closer to her. Her cheeks were turning pink by his mere touch and so much of closeness ... She said " bye"... " jab kisi se baat karte hain to Nazar neeche Nahi rakhte" ... She raised her head very slowly and said " bye " again. He smirked a little and said " take care " and walked off... Nandini was freezed at her place seeing him this much close to her...
At Malhotra Mansion
Manik in his room took out his wrist watch and put it on the night stand and open the drawer and took out the the bracelet and looked at it. And thought' I will give this backto you on a very special moment'. He think something and got up put the bracelet back.' I forgot to take her number how will I talk to her.' Right at that moment Mukti knocked his room door and asked " bhai can I come in "... " haan haan aaja tu kab se permission mangne lagi"
" ab aadat Dani Hogi kyun ki kuch hi dinon mein yeh room Sirf aapka Nahi rahega kisi aur ka bhi ho jaayega"... Mukti started to tease him...
" bahut badmaash ho gayi hai" Manik gave a pat on her head "...
"Sorry sorry... But I have something for jo aapko bahut Kaam ki hai"...
"What" Manik asked.
Continued in part 3 B
Shortly
Thanks for all the comments . Do comment again.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
