Chapter 1
There was a lot of hustle bustle, in the hall of the Taj hotel ,Mumbai. It was the engagement ceremony of Nandini murthy and Manik malhotra. Everyone was watching the couple that was standing on the stage, whispering to each other what a beautiful couple they made. Everyone was happy. But there were two souls that were hell nervous. Its not everyday that you get engaged right?
"Nandu, manik ko ring pehnao" said her mum sweetly caressing her hair. Nandini looked at her mother and father standing beside her, and her three best friends Alia Mukti and Navya standing behind them, giving her an encouraging smile. She looked towards the crowed, and in the front she found cabir, shooting the whole ceremony on his handi cam, and dhruv and Abhi standing beside him and giving her a broad smile. She felt content, happy to be surrounded by all her loved ones. She turned and looked in front of her, she saw the person she will be spending her life together. She didn't dare to look into his eyes. But she had to, as he forwarded his hand, she held his hand looked at him and put the finger on his finger.
"Ab tumhari baari manik, go for it" said his mom, happily. He smiled, and held her hand, he felt electric, llike some new found energy in him. He felt her hand shivering a little, and it took him no time to understand that she was nervous. He held her hand tightly, and looked into her eyes, and smiled. Assuring her that its okay, that he is there. She gave him a small smile. Seeing this manik thought that something's wrong, maybe she wasn't happy with the engagement. Maybe she didn't like him. He decided to talk to her somehow. As he slid the ring in her finger, there was a huge round of applause, before they know it they were being hugged by their parents, each other's parents. Nandini was being hugged by her friends. They posed for some photographs, and then came down the stage. Everyone congratulated came them, and they reolied with smiles on their faces. Soon nandini was dragged by her friends to a side for touch up. Aliya, mukti, navya took her to a room, to give her a touch up.
"Nandu tu khush hai na iss rishte se?" asked navya. Nandini smiled at her over caring friends and said"ofcource navya main khush hu, khush kyu nahi houngi?" "but you don't even know him, plus he lives in London nandini. Tune shaadi ke liye haan kyu bola?" asked mukti. Nandini smiled and said, "dekh mom dad wanted me to get engaged, they found manik good enough for me so I said yes. Dekh I know, shaadi n all thoda werid lagta hia, but I'm not getting married now am i? I agreed to this rista only on one condition ki first I'll complete my studies, mera music mein ek career ban jaaye then only I'll get married. And luckily manik had also put up the same condition, ki he wants to complete his studies, settle down in his dad's business and his music career and then only we'll get married. Ab samjhi?" nandini said with a million dollar smile.
Aliay sighed, and sadi" but nandini he stays in London, how will you get to know each other? I mean what about love? tum toh love mein bahot believe karti ho, uska kya?" "Wahi toh meri tension hai, I am engaged to manik, but main unhe jaanu kaise? i want to know him, wo kaise hai, his likes dislikes and everything but unfortunately wo log aaj hi wapas jaa rahe hai, dad ko kaam hai meeting n all so mom bhi unke saath and manik ke parents ko bhi London mein sab sambhalna hai so wo sab log jaa rahe hai" she said sadly. Mukti sensing her sadness, she tried to change the topic" waise, unhe and all haan? Tu use aap kehke bulae gi? Abhi se?haan?" she said with a teasing smile. "mukti, kyat u bhi, and yes aap is better I feel more comfortable" nandini said blushingly. And with that started the teasing session.
Soon they came down after finishing their touch up. Manik was standing on a side with his cousin,, when he excused himself and went towards the stairs from where nandini was coming down. He stood and the end of the steps and as she came down she saw him, and their eyes met. He like a true gentleman, forwarded his hand to nandini, and she smiled and gave her hand in his. Her three best friends smiled at this, and wished good things for the couple. Manik holding her hand took her to the dinner area where all the relatives and their families were there. Seeing them together everyone smiled and blessed them in their heart.
Clearing his throat, manik said "um, hum dinner kar le?". To which nandini just hmmed, as she was to shy to say anything. He let her to a table and pulled a chair for her and made her sit. He sat beside her. And waited for the waiter to serve them. The gang who was wastching this from a distance, looked at them and sensed a little awkwardness, so they decided to clear it. All of them went there and,
"hey guys would you mind if we join you?" asked cabir with his signature smile. Manik smiled and said, "not at all man, come on". All of them settled themselves on the round table. "hey, we haven't really met, like officially. I'm mukti nandini ki best friend" she said with a smile. "I;m abhi" "I'm cabir" "I'm navya" "I'm dhruv" "I'm aliya". They one by one introduced themselves. Manik smiled and now was at an ease. "hey guys, really nice to meet you all" he said genuinely.
With that they started talking, while having dinner, and everyone found manik really nice and they gelled up soon. They were soon really comfortable with each other. They started talking to each other like they were some long lost friends, pulling each other's legs happily. But still manik and nandini had not spoken to each other. Just a few glances, and when ever he looked at nandini, she blushed. And he loved to see her blush.Manik also found nandini's friends really nice and was happy that he had made some new friends. They were talking about college and music, just then, "wait wait wait, you guys are into music too? Wow, that's awesome, music is my passion" said manik excitedly. "into misic? No no no, its our passion" said dhruv happily. "except for me, normally I manage these abnormal people" abhi said cheekily. And everyone made a face. "wo sab chod, manik tujhe pata hai nandini sings? Sings kya she's a fabulous singer" cabir said proudly. "Really..." he said eying nandini. Nandini looked at him staring at er and her cheeks went red. Everyone noticed it and "ahem ahem" all of them coughed, and brought them out of the trance. And got back to their talks. They genuinely had a great time. Nandini was really happy that manik had gelled up so well with her friends, who were now his friends too.
After they all finished their dinner, they were proceeding towards their parents. "kya chal raha hai?" asked manik. "kuch nai, bas ab nikalte hia function toh khtam ho gaya hai sab guests bhi chale gaye so ab hume bhi nikal na chahiye, the flight is at 1:00 am. And its already 10:00pm. We should leave. " said manik's dad. "wahi toh hume nikalna chahiye, chalo" nandini's father agreed. And saying this they stood up. Hearing this nandini was upset. She wanted to know manik, spend time with him, fall in love maybe. But how will this happen if he's going aways. With a pang in her heart, she started to move with them.
They all reached the parking lot. Manik and nandini were with the gang,
"Chla bro have a safe flight" saying this cabir first hugged manik, "thank you" he said with a smile. One by one everyone hugged manik and wished him a happy journey. He was overwhelmed. "I know its too soom to say this but I'll miss you guys, today was great funn" he said scratching his forehead. "aww, manik we'll miss you too" said mukti. "and don't worry hum teri nandini ka pura khayal rakhengey okay?" said abhi stressing on the word TERI NANDINI. To which both manik and nandini blushed. "see guys they are blushing" said alia, making them blush some more. With that, everyone bid bye to manik and nandini, making promises to stay in touch.
Slience. Pin drop silence was there. They were standing there alone wasiting in the parking lot waiting for their parents. Both of them wanted to talk to each other, but didn't know ehre to start. Staling glances at each other they stood there silent. Manik wanting to break the awkwardness, was about to to say something just when their parents car pulled up. They got out of the car and, "Um mnaik ek kaam kar, tu nandu ko ghar leja she had to change tub hi wahi change kar lena you have your extra clothes with you right?" manik's dad said with a smug smile. "um.." manik started but was cut short by nandini's mother, "haan beta, kyuki hum sab ka sara luggage already malhotra mansion hia so hum waha change karke tum logo ko airport milte hai okay?" she said. "kya hua manik, bolna you have an extra pair of clothes in your car right baaki ka sara luggage toh malhotra mansion mein hai, hum le ayengey okay" nyonika said. "jee, mom" said manik. "okay toh chalet hai, btw have fun kids" said nandini's daddy, with a wink. Seeing this both of their's face turned into an O'.
As they left, manik and nandini proceeded towards manik's car. They reached the car and manik opened the door for nandini and she sat inside. As they sad, manik drove the car. The silence was killing both of them, both wanted to talk to each other but they didn't know where to start. Manik finally breaking the ice said, "nandini". As he said her name, her heart skipped a beat. She just hmmed. "tum is riste se khus toh hona?" he asked carefully. As she just hmmed. He suddenly stopped the car and turned towards her and "nandini, kya main tumhe khukhaar lagta hun? tumhe kya mujhse dar lagta hai?" he asked. She was shocked, her eyes shot up and said, "nai nai". "toh phit tum kabse hmm hmm kyu kar rahi ho baat karo na mujhse" he said sheepishly. Both looked at each other for a second and then burst out into laughter. "dekho nandini, tumhe mere saath awkward feel karne ki zarurat nahi hai, I'm your fianc now okay" he said with care in his eyes. She nodded. "good toh bolo kyat um is rishte se khush ho, please sach batana, because ceremony ke waqt tum bahot nervour thi soo..kya tum nahi,..." but he was cut shot by nandini, "arey nahi nahi, I was just nervous like any girl would be right, but iska matlab yeh nahi ki I am not happy. Actually I'm really happy. Jab mom dad ne bola tha about this rishta, tabhi bhi, mujhe sirf ek hi problem thi ki meri studies and career, so I wanted ki sab hoke main apne career mein settle ho jaau uske baad shaadi, and luckily aap bhi yehi chahte the, so everything fell into place." She said with utter most sincerity. "pehli baat, aap nahi tum, aap feels to old please?" he said with a pout. She laughed, and said, "tum" and smiled. "and secondly, main bhi yehi chahta tha. I wantd to achieve something in life phir shaadi" he agreed. "ab chale ghar jaake change karna hai, warna late ho gaye toh flight miss ho jayegi tumhari" she said. He smiled and said, "yes chalo". And drove the car to her home.
They reached her home and she opened the door. It was a really big mansion but she lived there alone. Due to the carpet, she stumbled and was about to fall. She closed her eyes in anticipation but she did not fall. She had two arms holding her from her waist. She slowly opened her eyes and saw him looking into her eyes with so much care and concern, she felt him touching her bare waist and that was sending shivers down her spine. Holding her like that was sending electrifying his body too. "manik mujhe chodo please" she said in a small voice. And immediately make her stand and let her go. "thank you" she mumbled. "um, where can I change?" "there, it's the guest room" she said pointing towards the room. She nodded and went inside the room holding a small bag in his hand. She too went to her room to change.
Once changed, she came out and saw manik standing near a wall looking at pictures that were put up. There were pictures of her and her parents, her with her friends and some childhood pictures. She came and stood beside him. He looked at her and smiled. "chale" she said. And started to move just when she was moving towards the door she heard him say, "nandini?" he called out to her. She turned and he continued "tumhe mujhse formal hone ki zarurat nahi hai, you can be comfortable with me okay? Main tumhe khaa nahi jaunga, atleast shaadi se pehle toh nahi" he said adding a little tease in his sentence. She blushed hearing his last line. And just smiled.
They both proceeded towards the door and once out she locked the door. They sat in the car and moved to the airport. Manik started their conversation and nandini too repliesd and talked with him easily. Nandini was much more relaxed now, she was getting comfortable with manik. And manik was happy that she was getting comfortable with her. They talked about their friends, college and MUSIC. Soon they reached the airport. And saw their parents already waiting for them. They walked up to them.
It was time to leave. Nandini was really upset, first her parents were going back and second she would not be able to spend time with manik, she wanted to know him fall in love maybe,but they all were going back. The announcement was made, and they started to leave. "bye mom bye dad " said manik. This caught nandini's ears while she was hugging her parents goodbye. She looked at manik who was smirking at her. "bye beta, take care okay?" raj said. They hugged him. Nandini was shocked, this didn't go unnoticed by their parents, so sarika explained "manik ab yahi rahega nandu, he is going to study in your college only, uska admission bhi ho gaya hia" hearing this nandini was happy, nah really happy, but tried to keep a calm composure. "manik chahta tha, ki wo yahi rahe, after engagement, so that tum logon ko time mile ek dusre ke saath, jaan sako ek dusre ko, and romance bhi kar sako" raj said in a teasing manner. To which manik blushed, and said "kya dad aap bhi".
"Nandu, kya hua tu khush nahi hai manik yaha rehne wala hai yeh sunke, kaho toh wapas leke jaau use?" asked nyonika teasingly. To which nandini immediately said "arey nahi nahi khush hun main bahot" defensively. And reallising what she had just said and how they all were teasing her she blushed. Manik smiled hearing her, and rest laughed.
"Before leaving we need to talk to you" started raj. "haan, hum charon chate hai ki after manik is settled in the malhotra mansion, I guess ek week lagega tujhe yaha sab apne hisab se karwane mein right?"
"yes dad" manik agreed. "soo good, toh we want ki after a week nandini bhi yaha malhotra mansion, mein aake rahe abse" raj stated. "kyaaa?!" said nandini shocked to the core. "nandu, shant beta, baat toh sun, dekh tu us ghar mein akeli rehti hai, you know hume teri kitni chinta rehti hai right, its not that safe for you to stay there alone, hum waha the tab tak theek tha, but ab manik yahi hai so why not?" said rishi. "but aise kaise" manik said, sensing that it would be awkward. "dekh, we are modern baccha, we trust you guys ki tum log aisa kuch nahi karogey jisse hume sharminda hona pade right? Bas toh phir we trust you both" said sarika. "exactly, plus nandini ki safety bhi zaruri hia and manik yaha hai toh hum sab ko koi chinta nahi hogi" said nyonika.
"Okay, ek week ke baad I'll shift" she said looking at everyone. "and aap log chinta mat karna, main hun yaha nandini bilkul safe rahegi" said manik with determination. And every one smiled. Nandini was touched with those simple words. Just then the last announcement was made, indicating that they have to leave. So hugging their parents, and taking their blessing they let them go.
As their parents proceeded they watched them go inside, just when raj turned around and said "son, different please" with a smirk. And the rest three laughed. They knew their kids were responsible enough to make their own decisions and above all they trusted their kids very much. Hearing him both them blushed and just looked down.
Once their parents were inside, they turned around and started to go. Nandini was walking with a smile on her face, manik looked at her and smiled. He knew she was happy that he didn't go. Nandini kept walking but manik stood there looking at her, she realized that manik is not beside her, she stopped and looked back. She saw him smiling, and he said, "Puchogi nahi ki main kyu nahi gaya?"
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So here it is guys, the first chapter.
How was it?
Stay tuned to see what happens next.
Lots of romance, teasing, friendships coming your way!
Please Like, Comment because that's what keeps me going.
Love you all.
Mini. 😳
Kumkum Bhagya
Anupamaa
