_______________

I tossed and turned on the bed while staring at the handkerchief in my hand. I brought it closer to my nose once again and inhaled it. It smelled like him. I looked closer at it to find the letter ' M ' embroided on it. Probably his mother made it for him. I thought.

It was 1 o'clock at night and I wasn't asleep yet as I was busy remembering the moments between him and me. A smile formed on my lips as flashbacks flooded me where I sat behind him on his bike, how we sat there staring at the sunset on the seashore, how he gave me his handkerchief, all of the moments spent with him today were so precious.

I picked up my phone from the side table and typed his name in my contacts. I still remember that curious face Abhi had when I had asked him for Manik's number after dinner today but I covered all up by arranging a date for him and Mukti di.

I then went to his WhatsApp profile to see his profile picture but then I remembered he has to save my number for that. Being disappointed I was going to keep the phone down but then thought to give it a try.

He has my number saved already! I sat up on the bed in shock and stared at his photo. How did he even- Did Abhi give him? I thought once but then him being such a possessive brother, he wouldn't have. Maybe from my assistant? But then she would have told me. He must have bribed her. I got sure of this that he bribed her and laid back on the bed to stalk his picture.

He looked so handsome and with that tiny smirk on his thin lips.....Was I falling for him? I stopped dead thinking about this and shut my phone. It wasn't like I didn't feel good around him infact I really enjoyed his company, I..I liked being with him but then it scares me that too much closeness with him would make me fall for him.

I was fighting with my thoughts when my phone buzzed with a message and I swiped open the phone.

Manik :

Hey!

Are you serious? Did he..did he just message me? I screamed internally. But why was I acting like my celebrity crush just messaged me? I thought but then calmed my self down and waited for 3 minutes to reply to not to look like a desperate bitch that I am.

You :
( Here 'you' refers to Nandini. )

Hey, who is this?

I didn't want him to know I already had his number so acted like I didn't know him.

Manik :

Don't you remember me, Elena? Ah..those times we spent in Virginia..don't you remember those? I am hurt! :(

Oh so that was the reason why I could see his profile picture. He mistook me as his friend. But who was this Elena?

You :

Oh, you are Manik! I am sorry I lost my phone and then all the contacts too got deleted.

I had no idea what I was doing but I enjoyed it.

Manik :

Oh..okay but do you remember what you promised me when we last met?

You:

Umm..no I forgot, sorry.

I didn't forget, I didn't even fucking know who Elena was in the first place.

Manik :

Are you even Elena Gilbert? She would never forget the promise to let me meet Damon.

Is he even serious? Like what the fuck? I wanted to bang my head somewhere when I received another message from him.

( For those who don't know who Elena and Damon are. They are fictional characters from a show called The Vampire Diaries. )

Manik :

C'mon Nandini, I know this is you!

You :

And how?

Manik :

I just know. By the way, you should sleep. Kids should sleep early.

You :

Oo..hello Mr. Whom are you calling a kid? I am 21 years old.

Manik :

I am calling you a kid! Ever looked at your height?

You :

Stop it before I block you! Good night. 🙄

Manik :

See you are so childish! Anyways good night! See me in your dreams! ;)

_______________

• Morning •

" Where are you going, Nandini? " Mom asked once I entered the living room and saw Mukti Di with her parents present there. " I was going to Navya's house. " I replied. " Go in the evening right now Mukti and her parents have come to discuss about her and Abhi's marriage dates. " She said and I touched their feet to take blessing and then sat beside Dad.

" Mukti's Dad has got some work to do in New York and we wanted Mukti's and Abhi's marriage to happen before that so we have come to decide the dates. " Her mother spoke and I nodded while passing a small smirk to Abhi who was slightly blushing hearing about his marriage.

" So are the dates decided? " I asked them. " Yes we have decided. The haldi is on 24th of March, Sangeet is on 25th of March and Marriage is on 26th followed by reception on 28th. " Dad announced reading out from the piece of paper he had in his hands and then removed his glasses to look at us.

" How will we even prepare for this? Like this is so early! With no gaps in between. " I said as my head was already spinning. How the hell was I supposed to get ready with all the stuff plus I was from the groom's side and his sister! " Calm down, Nandini we have a few days that is why we asked you to have a talk with us. Today you girls go and buy all the dresses and jewellery while we will look after the guests and arrangements. "

He said keeping a hand on my shoulder and I nodded. " Can I call Navya too for shopping? " I asked for permission and Mom nodded when the adults got busy with their talks and I quietly sat beside Mukti Di while passing a smirk to Abhi. " Umm..if you want we can also buy the things you will need for honeymoon. I hope you know what I mean. " I said and she glared at me. " Oww! " I said painfully as she twisted my ear and then palmed my mouth to stop the scream.

" Behave yourself soon to be sister in law. I am way older than you! " She said with her big eyes glaring at me and I quickly shut up. As I looked at Abhimanyu it was him who was smirking now and I rolled my eyes.

______________

" Aunty this colour suits you, take this saree. " I said giving her the peach colour saree from the bundle making her smile. " Your choice is really nice, Nandini. " She said happily and I smiled. " Nandini why don't you go with Navya and buy dresses for yourselves? I am here with Mukti and her mom. " My mom said to me and I nodded as me and Navya stood up from our seats.

" So less time. " Disappointment was clearly visible on her face as she spoke to me. " I know right. I had the same reaction when I heard about this. " I said to her sadly looking for some dresses. " Listen, did Abhimanyu plan the bachelor party? Cause if they are planning there is no way girls are backing off for this! " She asked lowering her voice. " I don't know, I will ask Manik since he and his friend Cabir are very close to Abhi these days. " I spoke.

" Don't tell me that weird Cabir is also coming. " She asked as her expressions changed and I laughed. " Yes, he is! " I replied making her roll her eyes. We very well knew that Cabir liked Navya alot that is why he was following her everywhere which Navya told me yesterday. " He is a total weird, I am telling you! " She said shaking her head.

" I didn't ask you about your and Manik's friendship. How's it going? " She asked. " Um..ya we are doing well. " I replied and wanted to end the topic then and there since I didn't want her to know about what all happened between us yesterday. I looked at her who was busy finding a dress for herself and I sighed.

" How about this one? This one looks so pretty on you! " She said and I looked at the mirror to check it. " No this colour is too dull. Take red. " Someone spoke out of no where. " And who are you to tell that to her? " Navya argued with him. " Her friend. " Passing her a sarcastic smile he gave me the red lehanga. " What are you doing here, Manik? " I asked him.

" I am here to help Abhi with his dresses. " He spoke casually and I nodded. " Wait, I was angry on you. So get lost. " I remembered the last night chats. " Yeah so another reason she will not wear the red lehanga. " Navya spoke snatching the red lehanga from me but I didn't give it to her. " No..I..i will wear it. I like it. " I said softly while looking down at it.

" Urgh..whatever. " After saying this she went to get a dress for herself while I saw Cabir too following her. " Don't worry he won't eat her up. " Manik assured me. I looked at him from top to bottom and then walked away from him, ignoring him. " Listen, I was just joking last night. Don't take it seriously. " He said holding my hand but I removed it.

" Manik! Come here. " Mom called him and he nodded. After staring at me for the last time he went to her.

What is he? Wasnt he supposed to make it up to me? That crocodile! I will kill all the boys in the world if I can....except my crushes.

______________

🌚 yay! Do tell me did you enjoy the update?

Vote and Comment.

Thank you!