Alya's POV

"Alya, Call ur sister n ask where is she?" mom demanded as we; me, mom, Sweety Massi, Nyonika Aunty, and Dhruv entered the Market complex to shop for our engagement rings n dresses.

Nandu n Manik r also supposed to join but Manik said that he had some work to wrap up so we should head on, and nandu said she just hit with a wonderful idea n needed some time to sketch it down... so, she'll be late too.

As we walked to the dress shop first, I dialed Nandu's no. and talked to her.

"What did she said?" Massi asked holding a saree on her shoulder with mom n Aunty helping her choose. Dhruv is just standing there with nothing to do much as it is ladies' section.

"She's on the way with Manik." I said and walked to the corner to heck some gown for me till they choose their sarees.

I am looking at some of the gowns out of which I liked the red one, green, and another blue one... There r so many others too that I liked. So I just decided to keep on checking n siding my choices which I'll show to others n will choose the final one.

"Red one will suit u better" I got startled by the sudden voice from my back n jumped on my place before turning back.

"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't intend to scare u" Dhruv apologize to which I gave him a calm smile.

"U here?" I asked eyeing to the other corner where mom n Aunties r busy with sarees selection.

"Ya! actually, I was getting bored standing alone while they r busy with their ladies talk." He smiled sheepishly to which my eyes traveled to his lips n I remembered that incident which sent sparks in my nerves...

Flashback

"Alya, Sir asked to gather up the files of previous Fest n prepare the designs, colour, texture plans accordingly." Informed Swati, Dhruv Sir's P.A.

"Okay, where can I find it?"

"That was 3yrs back. so I think it will be in the rack of the old office room."

"Old Office room?" I asked frowning as it was previously Ex-CEO' cabin which now turned into a storage house of files, mannequins, dress materials, etc. That place was itself a big mess to find something from it.

"Ya, probably. And I'm sorry as I can't accompany u searching for it as I'm off for preparing the conference hall for the upcoming meetings." She gave a pitying look. I nodded in understanding n sighed before walking into the mess room.

After like, One hour or more long search I kinda completed almost whole of the files in my reach. Now, only the top racks r left which I couldn't reach with my height, so, I pulled a stool nearby n used it to increase my reach.

I was turning pages of files while standing on the stool. And finally, when I found the file, in excitement I jumped a bit trowing my hand in victory, but unluckily, the heels slip making me gasp...

I closed my eyes tightly, leaving myself in the mercy of God to save me from breaking my bones before my engagement... and suddenly I felt electricity spark traveling in my spines n I'm hanging in between the air with stong hold on my body.

Instantly I open my eyes only to see my face close to Dhruv's n his hand around my waist holding me firmly in the air. then I realize his lips on the corner of my lips n a moment ago our lips brushed past causing the spark.

Carefully he placed me down on my heels which we stood in awkward silence. I couldn't get why those sparks suddenly. It's not like I haven't kissed before... but this mere touch sends so many signals in my nerves, heart pumping fast, arteries rushing ith blood making my face hotter n redder.

"What r u doing here?" he spoke which made me think his voice as husky... What's wrong with me?

"I'm here for this file." I manage to utter with my ragging nerves.

"U should be careful while standing on the stool with ur heels on. And next time ask for someone's help." he said n dashed out. But more than his words, my mind was still stuck on his lips... on mine... n the spark. Damn!

"that green one is not that bad either" his voice pulled me out of my flashback n looked to see him watching different dresses.

I chuckled my thoughts n sparkling feeling n got to engage in choosing my dress for the engagement in 2 days.

On the other side,  Nandini's POV

"Labon Ko Labon Pe Sajao
Kya Ho Tum Mujhe Ab Batao
Labon Ko Labon Pe Sajao
Kya Ho Tum Mujhe Ab Batao "

I lipped the song playing on the music system in the car while I was sitting with my eyes on the phone, ears on the music playing on the background n a happy mind as I'm successful in completing my designs beforehand this busy week of my engagement.

"Labon Ko Labon Pe Sajao
Kya Ho Tum Mujhe Abb Batao
Tere Zajbaaton Mein Mehki Se Saason Mein
Yeh Jo Mehek Sandali Se Hai..."

I turned my head from my phone to Manik who is driving the car right now as he switches off the music all of a sudden.

"Why did u turn it off? I'm enjoying the song" I demanded while he kept his eyes on the road and a stern face all along.

"But I am not" he kept it short making me frown.

"Okay! Then we can change the song" I said turning the music on hitting the song once again in the closed car with me n him with A.C. turned on...

Pee Loon Tere Neelay Neelay Nainon Se Shabnam
Pee Loon Tere Geelay Geelay Hoto Ki Sargam
Pee Loon Hai Peenay Ka Mausam
Tere Sang Ishq Taari Hai
Tere Sang Ik .....

And once again he turned it off abruptly. I looked at him questioningly.

"I'm not in a mood." he said still his eyes on the road. I sighed before turning to my phone.

Even though my eyes r on the phone, my mind is wondering in Manik's weird behavior since a week. I mean, he used to stare at me during our meetings and when I turn to meet his eyes, he'll turn abruptly involving himself in talks or files. Then when we used to talk about our works he keeps it short n precise with me. After the club itself, he barely talks with me or smiles or mingles as a friend; he only keeps a stern bossy attitude around the office n completely ignores me.

Take the example of yesterday only;

"Oh! Sorry" I murmured as I dashed into a hard chest while I was running out of the office after work. I looked up to find Manik holding my arms supporting me from falling n looking intensely at me.

"Oh, Manik... U r leaving already?" I asked friendly as office hours r done now.

"ya!" he whispered before turning to leave for the parking lot to grab his car. I too followed as my cab is yet to come. And right, I don't bring my car to office as mom said not to drive during the rush hours in Mumbai roads.

"Umm... Manik, u..." and before I could say anything he just entered his seat, pulled on the gas n drove away.

Well, that was a bit rude. he didn't offer a ride like he used to, even though I used to deny saying my cab is on the way, he used to wait for n talk till I grab the cab. But he just left.
That somewhere hurt!

But u know what? after a while when I get into the cab n it started to drive, my eyes suddenly caught the sight of black Mercedes starting from the roadside from my back.
That was Manik's car.

Weird! Strange! Very!

We reached the market complex and head towards the others. Then we choose dresses for elders n for Alya, we finally selected a red designer lehenga with full sleeve blouse. She tried it on and looked really pretty on it.

Then it was my turn to choose one... when I suddenly caught one dress which shines with light... maybe it was not really appropriate for engagement but I insisted on trying it. And when I came out of the trial room...

All eyes r on me with amusement. First, I looked up to Dhruv to which he smiled indicating it's perfect then Alya's face says what I wanna hear, Mom, Massi n Aunty r literally staring at me checking me out... and Manik, his eyes r dark with some expression which I couldn't even understand.

"U r looking fabulous Nandu" Alya commented.

"Right. It suits u perfectly. It's just a simple shiny two-piece white dress but u look like an Angel with it." Nyonika Aunty commented.

"Ya. It's looking good on u." Mom said.

"Right. But will it be okay to wear it on engagement?" Sweety Massi asked. I know she prefers mainly red, pink, orange or something like those dresses which make u look like a bride... traditional bride. Tha's why I was reluctant to try it, but I was mesmerized by its shine that I couldn't resist to wear it once.

"Of course, Sweety Ji. It's their engagement and they should wear the best they like." Aunty argued to Massi.

"Nandini... u take this." She said turning to me making me more happy. Today seems to be a happy day for me.

Massi didn't say anything as they think Ladke-wale's words r final. For this, I'm so of a Fan of my future Sasu Aunty(Mother-in-law's sister).

Then Dhruv chooses a white Achkan and Manik a red one with color coordination with respective partners.

Then finally with all our shopping, we head for ring selection... we roam around 3 jewelry shops for the same. and every time, Mom n Aunties used to stuck at the shop looking for some neckpiece, earrings and all... so we decided to choose for ourselves.

"I'm hungry" I voiced as my stomach growled with the smell coming from the nearby food court as we r moving on the corridor of jewelry shops.

"Ok... I'll set something for us from the food court." Dhruv said.

"Till then, we'll check this shop, maybe we could get us a perfect ring." I suggested to which all nodded n Dhruv left for the food.

"Umm... I'll just come from the washroom." Alya said as we r about to enter the shop. We nodded n she left. With that Manik & I entered and looked for the ring.

We looked around to get more or less the same designs...

And when we r running our eyes around, Manik stopped with a spark on his eyes and said

"Show me that" he pointed to a particular ring with a gemstone inside the glass screen. The seller boy instantly paced the ring in front of us. He took it in his hand n pulled out his left hand gesturing me to place my hand to try the ring on. I did as said as Alya has not arrived yet to try it on. With that, he slipped the ring in my ring finger of the left hand and pushed it tightly. I felt it was a bit tight but didn't protest as the ring he selected is really amazing...

"It's beautiful" I murmured looking at the ring with twinkling eyes.

"Right" I heard to look at him who is already looking at my eyes.

"Wow... u've selected one for u" Alya's voice broke our eye lock n we looked here n there.

I wonder why I always lost in those brown mesmerizing orbs...

"Umm... This is for..." I was about to say that this is for her selected by Manik, even though I loved it. But before that, she cut me...

"Woww... Bhai, show me that one" she turns to choose one n put it on.

"How is it?" she asked excited showing the ring on her finger...

"It's awesome, Alya" I said as I liked it too. They did have a good collection of rings here.

"It's amazing. U should take it." Manik said n Alya smiled fully. I looked at him confusingly as I thought he'll ask her to take the ring he selected for her. But he just turned his head from me.
Now, he is back to 'Ignore Nandini'. What's wrong with this guy?

"Okay, I'll take this. And Nandini, u take that." Alya said making me conscious that the ring is still on my finger. I tried pulling it out...

But it's stuck. it's so tight that it hurt pulling it anymore. Alya too tried helping but Manik gave a cold shoulder. Before the jewelry boy walkout to help me, Manik spoke

"We r buying it anyways. U can take it out later on. Now just get me the bill" He ordered with a not-so-interested tired tone. Alya agreed as we all r tired n hungry. Me too.

With that, we got the call from Dhruv saying he has arranged the food and Mom n Aunties has started eating also. So, we just bought these two rings n left for the food court.

Do tell me which ring u like the most?

And which dress too?

Few words for Manik's behavior? 
*SMIRK*