So before starting the chapter I want you to answer a question

What are your thoughts on the concept of arrange marriage??

*

*Murthy Mansion**

We see a girl snuggled in her blanket, sleeping peacefully without any frowns on her face. That's when a lady enters the room and sighs, seeing her still asleep.

Lady: Nandini, beta, uth jao. Dekho, subah ho gayi hai.

Yes, that girl is none other than our very own Nandini Murthy.

Nandini: Kya, Mumma? Subah toh roz hoti hai, aur upar se meri holidays chal rahi hain, so sone do na.

Priya sighs.

Priya: Nahi, main kuch nahi jaanti. Chal, jaldi uth aur freshen up hokar neeche aaja breakfast karne.

Nandini wakes up grumpily, walks toward Priya, who is near the window setting the curtain, and hugs her from behind.

Nandini: Good morning.

Priya smiles at her childish nature.

Priya: Good morning. Now go freshen up and come for breakfast.

Nandini nods and goes, but then comes back and kisses Priya's cheek before running toward the washroom.

Priya smiles and shakes her head in disbelief.

Nandini gets ready and heads to the dining area. Reaching there, she sees her father and brother sitting and having breakfast, while her mother and bhabhi serve them.

She walks over and hugs her father from behind.

Nandini: Good morning, Papa.

Ram: Good morning, princess. Come, have breakfast.

She nods, and after wishing her brother and bhabhi, she sits down to have breakfast.

After breakfast, Ram and Rithwik leave for work, and Nandini decides to meet her friends since she finally has some free time after many days.

She reaches the café and sees her friends waiting for her.

Nandini: Sorry, sorry! I’m late.

Ani: As usual! Nandini Murthy on time—aisa kabhi ho sakta hai?

Nav: Kabhi nahi!

Everyone laughs, and Nandini makes a face.

Nandini: Ha ha, has lo jitna hasna hai. Huh! Pata nahi main tumhari dost hi kyu hu?

They both hug her from either side and say together.

Ani-Nav: Because you love us!

Nandini smiles, and they start chit-chatting.

Nandini: Guys, aaj hum kitne din baad mil rahe hain na.

Ani: I know, right? Sab itna busy ho gaye.

Nav: I agree.

Ani: Achha, guys, I need to tell you all something.

Nandini: What?

Anika looks down and slowly says:

Ani (whispering): My parents got a marriage proposal for me.

Both Nandini and Navya make confused faces and say together:

Nandini-Navya: Hain?

Anika sighs and says:

Ani: Okay, so the thing is, we are meeting after so many days, and in these days, my parents looked at a marriage proposal for me.

Nandini-Navya: What?

Navya: Itna kuch ho gaya, and you didn't even tell us? You left us, Ani! How could you hide such a thing from us?

Nandini: Exactly, Ani! Hume tumse yeh umeed nahi thi.

They both turn their faces in opposite directions, wiping their fake tears.

Anika rolls her eyes.

Ani: Guys, kitna drama karte ho yaar tum dono! Aur sirf rishte ki baat hui hai, kuch decide nahi hua.

They both smile sheepishly.

Navya: But seriously, Ani, are you sure you'll be doing an arranged marriage?

Saying this, she cringes at the thought of an arranged marriage.

Ani: Mom and Dad yahi chahte hain, Navu, so...

Nandini: But Anika, isn't it scary? Like, you'll be spending your whole life with a stranger.

Ani: C'mon, Nandu! I agree it’s scary, but it’s not that bad, though. Like, you'll be getting to know that person each day. And in a love marriage, there’s no surprise, right? I mean, you already know the person.

I don’t know. This is my view, and I’ll try. Let's see what happens.

Navya: Achha, guys, let's go to the club tonight to celebrate this news.

Anika and Nandini both agree, and they head home.

---

**Malhotra Mansion**

We see a boy returning from jogging and heading directly toward the kitchen, where he sees his mother and bhabhi busy cooking.

He silently goes behind his mother and hugs her from behind.

Boy: Good morning, Mom.

Nyonika: Manik, what is this? You're sweating! Go freshen up first.

Manik: But I’m hungry, Mom.

Nyonika (sternly): Manik...

Manik (frowning): Ha ha, ja raha hoon. Mujhe toh koi pyaar hi nahi karta iss ghar mein, huh.

Nyonika: Nautanki! Jao, jaldi se freshen up ho jao. Breakfast ke liye late ho raha hai.

Manik leaves to freshen up.

Nyonika tells Jeevika to go and see if Viren is ready or not.

She nods and leaves, while Nyonika sets the table.

After some time, everyone gathers for breakfast.

After breakfast, everyone leaves for their respective work.

Manik is sitting in his cabin doing some work when four people barge in. They are Fab 5.

He looks at them, sighs, and shakes his head in disbelief.

Cabir: Manik, mere bhai, kitna kaam karega?

Manik continues working while Cabir frowns and sits on the couch, with the other three laughing at his expression.

After some time, Manik finishes his work, closes his laptop, and walks toward the couch to sit.

Manik: Ab bolo, tum sab yaha kya kar rahe ho?

Dhruv: Buddy, hume naya album mila hai, toh socha celebrate karein.

Mukti: Isliye we decided to party tonight.

Manik nods, and after deciding where to go, they all leave to get ready.

---

**At the Club**

Fab 5 reach the club, sit at a corner table, and order their drinks.

Mukti (raising the toast): This one's for Fab 5!

They all cheer, clink their glasses, and drink.

They are all enjoying themselves when Manik receives a call. He walks to the other side, and after ending the call, he notices a girl sitting alone at the bar, busy on her phone. However, he is unable to see her face because of the dim lighting. He gets curious, as it’s very unusual for someone to be alone at a bar, so he approaches the bar.

Meanwhile, Nandini, Navya, and Anika enter the club and sit down to chat. Navya’s phone rings, so she excuses herself and leaves, while Anika goes to the washroom. Nandini is left alone, sitting there and busy on her phone.

Manik orders his drink and notices the girl next to him. She has long black hair and is of short height, but her face is still hidden due to the darkness.

Manik: Isn't it unusual to be alone at a bar?

The girl turns towards him, but his face is also hidden in the darkness.

The girl is none other than Nandini, who is waiting for Navya and Anika.

Nandini clears her throat.

Nandini: That's none of your business if I am alone or with somebody.

Manik: Oh, you know what? It’s really unfair that a beautiful girl is sitting alone without company.

Nandini goes back to drinking her drink.

Manik: Oh, so you're ignoring me?

Nandini: Aah, trying to.

Manik: You shouldn't ignore me.

Nandini: Why not?

Manik: Because I’m someone you need to get to know to love.

Nandini looks at Manik, amused.

Nandini: Really?

Manik: Oh yes.

Nandini: So if I know you, I’ll love you?

Manik: Oh yes.

Nandini: You really like yourself, huh?

Manik: Just hiding my pain.

Nandini laughs, followed by Manik.

Manik: So what's your story?

Nandini: I don’t have a story. I’m just a girl in a bar.

Manik: I’m just a guy in a bar.

Nandini: Oh, good. Then at least we have something in common.

Nandini shakes her head in disbelief.

Before Nandini could reply, her phone rings, and she excuses herself. But before leaving, Manik notices a star bracelet on her wrist.

Manik smiles sheepishly.

Manik: Whoever you are, I’m sure I have to meet you again.

**************************************

Hello everyone!🥰🥰

Any Grey's anatomy fan here😅😅

So here you go with the very first chapter of Arranged Fate

I hope you like it.☺️😊

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Love Twinkle ❤️❤️