Dhruv's POV

"Swati, arrange a meeting with Mr. Vishwas n bring me all the files of Miss. Thakur's wedding dress designs." I order my P.A. whiling leaning on my chair in my cabin to which she nodded.

"And also... ask Miss. Alya to get the designs ready by tomorrow." I added while she was about to leave... n she left.

Mentioning her name... I got the flashes of her kiss... with Manik, two days before. I happened to get to the dining table with others when I found Alya missing...

She was sad before with the dare of kiss... It strangely worried me... I walked away searching for her n find her at poolside... kissing Manik, her BF...

But... I should be happy na? that she is happy with her BF n not sad anymore... but watching her kissing, got some lump in me... twisting n wailing... it felt strange...

I just walked away without disturbing them... like I can't see that anymore...

That's so strange of me!!... Everything is so right; I & Nandini r getting married, which I always wanted... similarly Alya n Manik n she is too happy.......

But still, something seems so wrong! What? ... And Why???

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Nandini's POV

I'm currently walking at the office corridor catching the busy city view outside through the glass... while plugging in the earphone listening to 1990s Hindi songs...

It's not like I'm fond of 90s Hindi songs but it's more like I'm trying myself to completely think n visualize the old n traditional concepts n likings... Well, these songs r not that bad...

For two days now, I have been searching n reading articles on traditional jewelry; history, importance, stories behind them n what not!... I must say, India is not one country; it is a cluster of varieties of communities... I mean, Oh My God!!!... there r so many different traditions with their own different cultures, morals n guidelines...

Till now... I have none of the slightest idea of what I'm gonna design... And on the top, my head is bursting due to this continuous sticking to laptop day n night.

I saw Soha moving her lips... saying something... ... So, I pulled out the earbuds n allowed her to talk...

"So, seems like u r done with the designs, that u have a lot of time enjoying ur music." Soha commented.

"Nothing of that sort... just refreshing the mind for few minutes." I replied politely, not picking up any quarrel, after all, one should keep one's professional image intact n tactfully control its frustration, Right?

"Anyways... Manik is... I mean, Manik Sir is calling us in his cabin." She said correcting herself... Something I doubt what she thinks of herself... Sir's Girlfriend or wife... And what about professionalism... her dress is so revealing, showing her cleavages n mid-thighs...

We walked to sir's cabin when my mind goes to the scene I saw that night party... Manik n Alya kissing at the poolside...

At first, when I saw Manik's expression; irritated n unhappy type n then suddenly left the game, walking out fastly... So, I felt like checking on him... And I searched for him to finally spot him at the poolside with Alya...

That kiss... I mean, it's normal for a boyfriend-girlfriend to kiss, hold hands n be lovey-dovey... but, I don't know why I felt something strange which created a pang of pain in me... It was different... like someth....

"Nandini..." it broke my thoughts n I saw Sir calling for me... Oh no! What did I miss just now?

"Yes Sir?" I replied instantly.

"What about u?" he asked raising his brow... n I had not heard what he was saying about?

"Sorry Sir, Can u please tell, about what u r asking?" I tried asking politely n not offend my boss to which he exhaled an audible breath...

"What's ur progress in making traditional designs?" he asked in angry annoyance n again my mind strikes back... Which situation I'm in!

"I'm gathering ideas about it, Sir" I answered honestly but the look in his face says that he is going to outburst.

"Means u have no idea about ur designs YET. " he came in his ever-so bossy tone but now it's more like a frustrated tone too...  I just nodded.

"What the hell u think u r doing? ... Soha has completed 2 designs n working on next one... n here u r still thinking" he shouted angrily. I just looked down as it hurt getting scold by boss... that too, in front of someone else.

"Now, Punishment..." he declared n I looked up to him shocked...

What the hell?... I still have more 7 days to complete the designs... then WTH is this?

"But... Sir..." I tried to state my point but he abruptly cut me...

"U'll complete 1 design today itself before leaving... n u'll sit here... in front of me till then.... No excuse." he ordered dangerously leaving no space for my point.

'i don't get him... one time he is so friendly, sweet... n other dangerous Monster... Khadus Boss.'

Soha left the cabir happily giving me smirk... 'Now, Why is she smirking?... God!'

Knowing there is no use to disobey him, I walked to the door.

"Can't u understand what I said?" Sir spoked while I was about to open the door. I turned n give him a confusing look not getting what he meant.

"Where r u leave, now?" he questioned. ... Oh! this is what he meant!... Can't he ask clearly, Monster?

"Sir, I'm going to get my tools n paper... for designing here." I answered. n he nodded before turning to his work. ... Arrogant much!

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Manik's POV

Shit Man!

Seems like I took out all the frustration of that Mr. Sharma case on Nandini.... She is not at fault... I understand, Traditional designing is not her style... she is new to it... n it still has 7 days' time... She is roaming around with earphones, doesn't makes her lazy n idle.

Working in Malhotra Industries along with this is really a headache... There any mistake or irresponsibilities, result me in lashing my anger over here... now on that poor thing...

A knock on the door...

"Come in" She entered holding her tools n paper rolls n a laptop bag in her hands. She settled on the couch in front n opened everything to work on it...

Finally, she wore her glasses n started browsing in her laptop...

She looks cute in big round glasses, hair tied in a pony, crop top n fitting jeans... Just Perfect.

A smile crept on my lips thinking this... but suddenly realization hit...

'Manik, STOP checking out ur employee n ur would be Sister in law, Understand?'  I ordered myself n get my head into my work...

.... ....

........

After long hours of work silently, I looked at her... She is munching a Cadbury chocolate holding in her left-hand n sketching something with her right... Making faces with a weird expression... I wonder What is she designing?

It's more 30 minutes to lunchtime... n I finally was able to finish the first half of my work today. So, I thought to observe her...

After so time, her mobile vibrated in call as she has kept in silent mode... she checked her screen n looked at me...

Suddenly her looking at me felt like me getting caught while staring at her... in the awareness, I said her to pick her phone up.

"Hello, Alya"

"No... I've to design."

"What?... Mom told u... So, u go n pick her up... Why r u pushing me?"

"U r doing it on purpose na?... I won't spare u."

"But... I really can't go."

"But... Hello... Hello... Cut the call, idiot."

She looked at me with a faint smile getting that I heard her one-sided talk... But where must she go n to pick up whom?

"What happened?" I asked her softly.

"Actually Sir, Alya said she has to attend a meeting urgently n Mom told her to pick up Sweety Massi (Aunty) from the station. As she came here to attend our Engagement function..."

"But there are still 15 days to the engagement?" I asked as to why is she coming so soon.

"Ya... She is always an early comer."

"Then What's the problem?" I asked again.

"The problem is... As Alya couldn't go, she wanted me to go... So,..."

"U can go... I think u have finished one sketch, Right?" I asked her as she was just now sketching one.

"Umm... Not exactly..." She answered nervously. What does she mean by that?

"Show me" I ordered firmly putting my hand forward to which she smiled nervously holding the paper. ... Now, this is more suspicious... I'm more curious now.

I walked to her n took the paper from her to get shocked...

She designed a pendent of angry roaring Gorilla... n had written on the bottom 'Monster Boss'

Nandini's POV

Oh My! ... Stupid Nandini... how can u write something on that paper?... He was already angry on u... u didn't even start today's 1 sketch instead made that angry face... on the top, u wanna go out to pick Massi... n now u made him more angry... U r so gone... No one can save u now...

I looked at him to see him already looking at me with an angry mood... I smiled nervously.

"So, I am this monster boss..." he whispered showing the piece of sketch n leaning down to my face... As a reflex, I leaned back at the sofa.

"No... not .... u" I could barely say due to the closeness. It's not like I have never been close to any guy... but it felt something different... different enough to make me speechless.

"then?" he said huskily coming more close to my face... our face just a bit away from me... lips too close... n eyes looking deep into my eyes... he was still in that position for a while, even I didn't protest... surprising myself... ... but his eyes were so manipulative n captive as if holding the power to control me...

He started leaning more close covering the gap for air between us... with his hands on either side caging me...

"Maniiiikkkkk"

a man suddenly rushed into the cabin calling him n probably saw our position making him stress the words...

Manik hurriedly get back n stood straight... even I got up n straighten myself looking here n there.

What an embarrassing moment! ... And that too with my WOULD-BE-BROTHER-IN-LAW...

Shit!

"What happened Cabir?" Manik... I mean Manik sir asked after straightening himself.

"Just wanted to call u for lunch... But, unfortunately, disturbed ur...." Cabir sir said teasing ... and this makes me more embarrassed...

"Shut up Cabir!... It's not like u think" Manik Sir said.

"Like I think? ... What???" Cabir Sir acted innocent...

What am I doing between these friends? .... Making myself more embarrassed?

"Sir... Can I leave for the day?" I asked hoping him not to get angry n say yes.

"Ya.. Go." he said n I walked out as quickly as possible taking my belongings.

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

Cabir's POV

"So, Shaddi canceled." I asked him taking my seat on the couch while he sat at the front one.

"Why?" he asked frowning to my question.

"Arey! of course... u changed the girl na... the how can u marry another one?" I said as a matter of fact.

"What nonsense Cabir!" Manik shouted making poker face.

"Okay... Ok... " I said raising my hands in surrender.

"By the way, I forgot to ask... How was the kiss?" I added with a smirk.

"I didn't kiss Nandini... Cabir" he stated.

"When did I say u kissed Nandini?" I asked innocently.

"Amm... I thought u might have misunderstood our position a time back... It was just I was angry on her.... that's it." he explained.

Hmm... Manik Malhotra explaining himself... *Smirk*

"Why r u angry on that pretty girl?" I asked him with the flow.

"See this..." he said handing over a paper he was holding.

I saw that keenly for a minute n .... burst into laughter...

It was damn funny!!!... 'Manik as angry gorilla'

"Shut up..." he said throwing the file kept aside, on me which I caught... still laughing.

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

On Sunday

Murty mansion

"Sweety Di... Why r u in a hurry to make breakfast today?" Shanoo asked while cooking in the kitchen early at 6 am.

"Arey Shanoo... today it is not Shubh (good) to eat anything after 8:15 am today till 1 pm... So, let's eat before that." Her sister answered while helping her make breakfast as soon as possible.

Sweety Reddy, sister of Shanno Murty... Very traditional n knowledgeable about astrology, even it's great follower. She follows astrological words in sleeping, eating, traveling, the start of any new work, everything... She is also knowledgeable about their South art n cultures n ornaments... a big fancier of pustainee (patrimonial), old ornaments... 

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Mr. Murty was going through some files sitting on the couch of the hall. While the two sisters; Shanno n sweety r busy gossiping about their family, children, food, this n that.... Alya is busy with her make-up n fashioning in her room... ... And Nandini... She is very happy.       U know Why?... Becoz her Massi came at just the right moment.

Actually, Murty sisters r not that much fond of Sweety Massi as she always used to nag in everything they do n forced them to follow her astrological predictions, which these sisters think is nonsense...

But, yesterday when Nandini picked her up from Station, apart from her non-stop nagging, she accidentally mentioned her traditional ornaments... And u might have guessed What?... Nandini just dances on the chance n took her to different Jewelry shops n gathered a lot of valuable info. regarding traditional jewelry...

'She is not that bad... Actually, she is quite talented, I must say' Nandini thought, praising Sweety Massi while noting down the points in her diary which she always kept with her for her Designing... it contains her short notes n also her rough designs with its story.

The doorbell ring n a servant opened revealing a tall man in his casuals standing there with some packets in his hand...

"Manik beta... come in beta." Mr. Murty said getting up for welcoming his would be Son in law. Manik smiled stepping in a few steps but stopped hearing a voice...

"Anarth ho gaya! (Catastrophe happened)" Sweety said out loudly who looked at Manik entering. Shanoo, who believes her sister's astrology got worried as to what went wrong, while Mr. Murty shooked his head lightly getting that his Son in law would face this as the first thing...

Here Alya n Nandini too came out of their rooms n leaned on the stairs to get what's going on down at hall...

"U r Damaad (Son in law) of this house, right?" Sweety asked Manik who stood still at his place facing the new face, strangely dangerous vives r coming from her, he could feel... He just nodded to her answer.

"Hmm... It's not right muhurat (good time) to enter the house... And on the top, u stepped in with ur left leg first..." Sweety added making Shanoo more worried... while Manik is too much confused as to what she is talking... He didn't calculate his steps being right or left leg... n how does it matter?

Murty Sister's walked down with the idea what is happening... n Manik is soon going to fall in one restriction so as to nullify this wrong deed he did...

"Manik beta... She is Sweety, my sister." Shanoo introduced looking at Manik's confused face... Manik instantly bent down to touch her feet taking blessing n also touched Mr & Mrs. Murty's feet.

"Sanskari hain ladka" Sweety commented at his gesture earning smiles.

"Aunty, Mom asked to pass on this to u." Manik said giving the packets to Shanno which she took. There r many things getting exchanged since a few days between Mrs. Murty n Mrs. Malhotra in the pretext of double marriage...

"But... Since the wrong is done... Manik, u have to stay here up to 8 pm at least as it is not good luck to step out before that. Okay?" Sweety declared her restriction making Manik horrified.

'What will I do here from 4 to 8 pm? I've works pending... n I called Cabir to meet me in the evening too...' He thought.

"But Aunty, I have meetings" he tried to oppose but whom is he saying?

"If u don't follow this then it will bring bad luck to u, ur wife, this house..." Sweety literarily threatened to which Manik makes an unbelievable face. He doesn't want to disrespect anyone's belive even though he thinks this is all bullshit.

Seeing her condition n imagining his thoughts Nandini couldn't help but chuckle which she had held for a moment...

Hearing her chuckle, all shifter graze to her making her straighten her face.

"I came for taking some snacks." she said before entering the kitchen to fetch some.

"Nandu... I can't accompany u to ur reunion party tonight... I urgently need to gather up some sketches ready for tomorrow's meeting... Sorry dear." Alya said as soon as Nandini came out of the kitchen.

All were sitting in the hall talking casually or should I say, Sweety, inquiring from Manik... But hearing Alya's word all became attentive.

"Nandu, u didn't tell us u r going somewhere?" Her dad asked as she hot not told anyone yet.

"Dad, I got to know a time back n asked Alya to accompany... I was going to tell us just away." She explained truly.

"OK..."

"U can't go" Sweet Massi dropped the bomb on her.

"U two sisters should not step out from this door till tomorrow. Today's Muhurat is all haphazard n bad." She added while Nanz stood with her eyes wide.

She really wanna make it for the reunion party of her 12th batch... She wanna get back in touch with her old school friends... And this is the best opportunity.

"But, Massi... I really wanna go... plz" She pleased with puppy face that didn't work on her n to not make her listen to any of her requests she stood up n left.

"Mom... Plz try to understand." Nandu turned to her mom hoping she would allow her n make her sister understand.

"She is saying for ur own good Nandu..." her mom said before following her sister to her room.

"Dad... u..." Nandu started only to get cut...

"Not drag me between u, Mom-daughter, Princess..." He said before walking to his room with his files... n not before exchanging a smile with Manik.

All left leaving spectator Manik, sorry Alya n a hell pissed Nandini in the hall... Nandini shoots angry glares at Alya who smiled sheepishly.

"Why do u have to mention that in front of Massi?" Nandini asked Alya.

"I never knew she is going to add on restriction to this too." Alya answered shrugging her shoulders making Nandu sigh audibly. She knew Alya is not at fault. It's just her Massi's calculations n traditional beliefs which she is familiar with.

"Is she always like this?" Manik gets into the conversation.

"Yep!" Alya replied.

"Hmm... but she is not bad at heart... neither her intentions r wrong. She just had some old astrological believes that we find strange n unbelievable in this era." nandu added to which he nodded in understanding.

"So, ur outing canceled... n my meetings too, I guess." Manik said taking out his phone to message.

"U r going to follow her words." Nandini asked surprised as she thought him to unfollow this nonsense belives of her Massai.

"Yes, I guess." he answered making Nandu impressed as he is respecting elder's words even if it seems odd.

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Nandini's POV

Knock Knock

I sneak out of my room holding a bundle of jute rope,  secretly looking here n there, checking if anyone is there outside...

Alya opened the door after some knocks n I rushed into her bedroom closing the door behind me.

"Nandu... Why r u all dressed up?... And what is this for?" Alya asked the first thing as she scanned me from top to bottom.

"I'm going to the reunion party." I said not much to her shock as she knew I'm thinking of some mischief.

"How?" came a voice from the balcony n I peeked back to spot Manik.

"Oh! I never knew u were here." I said as I might have interrupted their couple moments.

"No worry, I'm just grazing the stars outside as she is busy with her work." He explained.

"And I'm about to leave as my curfew time is over." he added as it is past 8.

"No, wait... Can u drop me to the party?" I asked him.

"But u r restricted to go out, right?" he asked thinking I'm going to disobey her.

"Correction... She said not to step out from the door... n I won't" I said shrugging my shoulders to which they raised their brows.

"I'm going to climb down this balcony." I said out my mischievous mind.

"I knew it... u'll come up with ur twisted plans to go out." Alya said making me laugh.

"But what about others? They'll search for u in dinner." Manik asked.

"Alya... u've to handle them, babes... I'll climb down from balcony with rope n Manik will drive me there... Then I'll be back in a cab within 3hrs, I guess... Till then u have to manage them." I said my plan.

"OK... But it might be dangerous to come back alone in a cab late at night." Alya said worriedly.

"Yes... It will be very dangerous... for them... if they try to touch this girl." I said pointing myself with an attitude. I had learned taekwondo during my school days.

"Ya.. Ya..." Alya said while laughing with me. Manik too smiled with amazement in his eyes for Nandini...

"Ok... So, let me go before anyone found out." I said turning to balcony.

"Wait... first apply some makeup toh!" Alya stopped her dragging her to the mirror n apply light mascara n foundation.

"Finished..." Alya said after finishing her work on Nanz's face.

"How is it Manik?" Alya asked him turning to see him sitting on the side couch looking at them...

He was so much in Nandini's trance that he just smiled mouthing 'Perfect' n showing with his fingers...

Nandini noticed him through the mirror n felt some unknown heat surfacing n adding more colour to her blussy cheeks...

How is this long update?

Stay tuned for a party with Manan... n getting to know Manik's first crush.

Excited???