Nandini's POV

"Ahh... Here comes Alya..." Dad voiced n all looked at Alya in saree descending with Mom.

She came to the hall n bend down to touch each of the elder's feet n then smiled at Manik n Dhruv which both reciprocate gladly...

Did Dhruv know her? How?

She then stood near me behind our Dad who is seated on the front sofa along with Mom.

"U have beautiful daughters, Murty Ji." Mr. Malhotra said to my Dad with a smile...

"Indeed... n I'm lucky that they r going to be my Daughter-in-laws" Mrs. Mahotra added...

Wait... Wait... They... DILs... What she means by 'they'?... Is she planning two wives for her son???...

All the Murty n even Manik looked at her in confusion...

"What do u mean, Nyonika Ji." Mom asked with confusion all over her face n all others r eagerly waiting for her to answer n clear out the environment...

"Arey Shannoo Ji... we r here to ask for Alya's hand for Manik n Nandini's hand for Dhruv." she completed n this comes as an atom bomb for our very own Nanz...

She was standing there with shock... even shock would be an understatement... her mind is going blank n she could not absorb what she just heard... Her marriage proposal... Here.. right now...

"Arey... Nandu's Shaddi... now... I mean she just came from New York yesterday only..." My Dad said coming out of shock... of course, he does not want me to go away from him so soon... My favorite Dad... I Love U so Much...

"Arey Murty Ji... we r just asking for her hand in marriage... Even Dhruv had to take over my Fashion House... n handle the business here... it will take time..." Dhruv's Dad said out...

"Ji... and it will be great if both the sisters come to our house together... what say bachon?" Mrs. Malhotra said with a smile looking at as... n all we can do is smile...

"I do understand... Okay... If they don't have any problem then we r also okay..." Mom declared looking at dad first then at us...

What does she mean? Now she is putting all the pressure on me... seriously... What the hell???

"Fine... Alya, Nandini... take them to the Garden n talk out... Go" Dad ordered to us... Seriously Dad... u can't do this to me... HELL... Someone save me...

I looked into Dad's eye n he blinked in assurance... but I didn't get to know about what is he assuring me?... Anyways... I followed Alya, Manik n Dhruv to the Garden leaving the elders behind...

-------------------------------------

At the garden

We walked in n sat on the chairs amidst the garden...

our garden is something I like the most in my house besides my room of course... Dad specially ordered to make this as per my choice n the plants n flowers r all I like... Actually every flower has its own beauty n fragrance... So I, myself get confused when it comes to choosing a few of them...

There was an awkward silence prevailing between us while I n Dhruv looked at each other n smile n same goes with Alya n Manik... Even Manik was looking at me... n I saw Alya a Dhruv looking at each other...  u know, if it was the past me, the Nandini before some years, she does not even look it any stranger's eyes leave talk... but now, Arey leave talk, I can even curse any strange to his Ma Behen level...   So, I thought to break this silence...

"U two know each other?" I asked Dhruv n Alya... This is the first thing that came to me just know... Actually today many things happened that I didn't even imagine... but let's start with A B...

"Ya... Hello Mr. Vedant, It's nice meeting u again." Alya greeted Dhruv with a professional smile n forwarded her hand.

"Pleasure to meet u too, Miss. Alya." Dhruv took her hand for a handshake...

"Actually, Nanz n Manik... I told u na that I met Mumbai's best Fashion House Owner's Son, who offered me the job... He is the one I was talking about." Alya continued n I make an o-face...

"so that means u r going to work with my bro...." Manik concluded looing at Dhruv n then Alya.

"Only if she accepts the job offer..." Dhruv added with a smile...

"Of course... I'll be glad to work for ur company... I can be a great turning point for my career." Alya aid with a smile.

"But... I never knew that u r Manik's cousin." Alya said.

"Actually... after mom's death we shifted to Malhotra Mansion on Uncle n aunty's insistence... then after a year I left for New York for further studies n coming back after 4 long years... so, it's just..." Dhruv said before Manik could say something n he sounds low as he remembers his Mom's death... His mom was a Fashion Diva n Designer who died of cancer...

"I'm sorry... I didn't know." Alya said as a sad atmosphere started to form around us...

"Achha Dhruv... u come to India today early morning, right? then how come this Marriage proposal?" I asked diverting the topic n sadness n also I want to know how this mess happened...

"Ya... I came today at 4:30 am only... n Dad, Uncle n Aunty were up to receive me that early... After I came home, I got to know that they r going for Buddy's...(pointing towards Manik)  I mean Manik's Marriage proposal today... n when I asked for the girl... I came to know...

... FLASHBACK...

 Nyo:  "Dhruv Beta... u must be tired... u go n sleep tight... if u could get up before 10 then u also join us... we r going to Mutry's Mansion for Manik's marriage proposal."

Dhruv: "Murty's Mansion?"

Surya: "Ya... Mr. Venkatesh Murty, one of the top reputed businessman of India, his daughter is going to Manik's bride."

Dhruv felt like he had heard this name... Venkatesh... Murty... MURTY... OMG... Nandini's Dad... NO...

Dhr(shouted without filter): "No... u can't do that... I like her... she is my GF... n I wanna marry her..."

the elders became SHOCKED...

Raj: What???

Surya: "what r u saying Dhruv? Alya is Manik's GF... How can this be possible?"

Dhr: "No Dad... She is my.................. Wait... Alya? Who is Alya?"

"Alya is Manik's GF, his would-be wife, Mr. Murty's daughter... Who else?" Nyo said getting confused like others as just a few seconds before he is saying that she is her GF n now he doesn't know who is she?

" Murty Uncle's daughter Alya... Oh... She is Nandini's sister" Dhruv finally cracked the whole case but he thought very loudly that everybody heard...

"Nandini...??? Dhruv! Make it clear... What r u saying?" Dhruv's Dad Surya asked not getting anything n other two r standing with frowned face trying to understand everything.

"Dad... Actually I like a girl in New York where we r in Designing University... Nandini Murty, Mr. Venkatesh Murty's Daughter... She is my GF n we r thinking of marriage... So, When u took Murty Uncle's name I thought u r talking about Nandini n I reacted... Sorry everyone." Dhruv finished with an apology n Malhotra couple let out a deep sigh whereas Surya is looking at his son without blinking...

"Bhai... u also got ur Bahu... ur son is also very fast... u don't have to take tension" Nyo said looking at her brother in law's state n laughed along with Raj.

"Toh... Let's ask for the hands of both the Murty daughter's at a time... What say Bhai Saheb?" Raj said... n Dhruv Shy...

............ Flashback END............

"Oh... so this was what happened...." Alya said after listening... whereas Nandu is in deep thoughts...

"But how come I didn't know anything about this?" Manik asked with confusion face.

"Buddy... u r sleeping in ur room that time... Aunty said that u came home late n tired so she didn't wake u up" Dhruv cleared his confusion n he makes o-face.

Watching Nandu in thoughts Dhruv turned to her n holds her hand making her look at him n started...

"Nandu, I know it is very fast... this marriage proposal is so sudden. u just came back yesterday n u have to focus on ur career... even I didn't want it to happen like this... it's just that I said all that in misunderstanding n they came here with my marriage proposal... but u don't have to worry... if u don't want it to happen now then I'll just talk to them n try to make dad understand n..."

"Dhruv... it's not that I don't want this marriage to happen... we've talked about it na?" Nanz started cutting Dhruv n he nodded.

"Dhruv, when u proposed me for the marriage I said yes, remember... so I don't have any problem... I just want that let this marriage happen after few months so that I could get a proper job n my career will be settled..." Nanz added to make him understand. While Manik n Alya r just looking at them n listening.

"Okay... I'll make sure that this marriage will not be before u get settled in ur career." Dhruv said with a faint smile which she returned gladly.

"Finally... all set." Alya said as soon as she felt that our long talk is over n we straighten up.

"So, let's go in n say our decision to them which is yes for all I guess?" Manik said getting up from the seat. While rest of us nodded getting up n walking out of the garden.

"Arey wait..." I said n they stopped in their track to home.

"What happened, Nandu?" Dhruv asked concernedly.

"Woow... I have something for my would-be jiju" I said searching for something in my purse while Alya smile knowing what is it n boys stood in confusion.

"Here... for u. It is what I could feel ur taste is like after listening about u from Alya... hope it is up to ur likings." I said n forwarded a small box while he took with confusion in his face.

He opens the box to find a brooch n he raised his eyebrows n gave an impressive look.

"Oh... the royal style... Do u like it Manik?" Alya asked after looking at it while I'm impatiently waiting for his answers in words.

"Ya... Thanks." He said.   Really!!! from the look on ur face I thought ur r going to praise me a little but no ... arrogant Malhotra.

"Even I got one from her, Buddy... These r her own designs." Dhruv said showing the brooch he was wearing that I gifted him.

"u design?" Manik asked narrowing his brows.

"Ya... I'm a jewelry designer. ...  Let's go in..." I said with a faint smile in walked to the hall followed by others.

In the Hall

"U came... sit" Dad said to the boys n they took their seats.

"Beta come here" Aunty call us n we too sat on the couch beside her. Alya next to her n I next to Alya.

"So... what's the answer beta?" Dhruv's Dad asked us but looking at me... I know, all r waiting for my answer only.

I took a deep breath a nodded in yes with a smile...

"Congratulations... now my two sons r going to get married." Mr. Malhotra said with happiness.

The elders greeted each other r exchange sweets.

"So, Pandit Ji... Are both the pairs kundali matching?" Mom asked the old age man sitting a bit far in the chair with his books n some palm leaf open... I completely neglected his presence in this chaos...

"Ji Ji... Beta... These two kundali r match made in heaven... it is auspicious match with cent percent compatibility." Pandit Ji said with glittering eyes like he had made some gold coins.

"Whose match is auspicious Pandit Ji?" Aunty asked him.

"Ah... it's... Manik n Nandini." He said turning the pages n reading the names on it.

"What?... Pandit Ji... u r suppose to match Manik n Alya kundali n Dhruv n Nandini's kundali... u made an exchange." Dad made him understand politely whereas others r making faces...

This old man... God knows what is he looking at n What all is this Cundali n all! *Sigh*

"Oh... Wait a minute..." He said n stared to scroll the pages once again...

"Manik n Alya match n Dhruv n Nandini's kundali is also a match... no problem in this marriage but I suggest performing a Hawan Puja before the marriage for both the brides..." he said after a good 10 minutes n the ladies nodded in agreement.

"What r the dates, Pandit Ji?" Dad asked him.

" For engagement, there is a date on the 13th of next month n for the marriage one date is after 2 months n other after 6 months then after one n half year... but if u ask me then the date after 6 months is more auspicious one which comes once after every 7 years... so I suggest u prefer that date... otherwise ur wise." Pandit Ji said with his suggestions.

"We r fine with engagement after one-month n marriage after 6... What say, Samdhan Ji?" Aunty asked mom.

"Okay Ji." mom answered with a smile n they laughed... All r happy with this...

Suddenly my phone vibrated with a message...

( U okay with the dates or will talk to Aunty???      --  Dhruv)

I looked at him n found him looking at me only... I gestured him with my hand n he smiled.

-----------------------------------------

I landed out of my car in front of a huge stylish building... "SPARKLING STAR"...

I checked my watch... it's 2:10 pm... n I have 20 minutes with me before the interview... As soon as they left I have my lunch n hurriedly got ready n here I am... I adjusted my formal dress n looked myself in the mirror for the last time before entering the building.

This outfit is not at all revealing, in fact, it covers up my whole body from the top, up to the knees n I'm wearing high heels to give myself a professional look... I just hope they like it... In New York, all praised my professional outfits n professionalism.

"Hello... I'm here for the Interview for the designer." I asked at the reception desk.

"U have to go to the Last room on the 7th Floor." The girl replied with a smile.

"Thank u" I said n walked to the lift.

I reached the 7th floor to see about 30-40 people waiting for their turn in the waiting room... A lady came to me while I was standing there in confusion.

"R u here for the interview?" she asked.

"Yes...I'm here for the Interview for the designer post." I replied.

"Oh designer from abroad?" she said checking some list in her hand.

"Yes... I'm Nandini Mutry fro..." I added.

"Okay... u sit there. I'll call u after few minutes." she said cutting me & walked hurriedly to the last cabin... Maybe to the boss or the interviewer.

.....

.....

"U can go in now." she informed after 5 minutes n I nodded getting up n walking to the last cabin.

I knocked on the door.

"Come in" a hoarse bossy voice came from inside.

I opened the door n stepped in. The sight I saw in front of me made me shocked to the core...

'What the Hell is happening today... Shock pe Shock... Shock pe Shock... today is 'Shock day' for me...'

SO, Which part of the update u like the most?

What shock did Nanz get now?

Stay tuned for the next update which is only after a lot of votes n comments...

So, don't forget to click on the 'STAR BUTTON' on the right corner n post ur opinions on the post...

Thanks...

Lots of Love...