Hola... I am back... yes... a little late, actually quite late... Sorry... and also a small chapter. Have been busy since ages... but manages to write something for you all, can't promise anything when will i write back, but yes will try to write in some time which i get free. 

Hope you all enjoy MaNan's first meet...! 

Also Thank you all so much for such good response, I know I kinda disappeared again after posting chapter 1 but hey i come back too. So support me in this chapter also...

*NO PROOF READING PARDON ME FOR THAT*

*INLINE COMMENTS ARE LOVE <3*

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My house was on fire while I was all chilled out sitting in my room, already dressed in blue full length casual floral dress. Although Mom had given me a whole half an hour lecture on why am I not wearing tradition salwar suit and wearing this dress. But I was never a fan of traditional wears and when I am meeting someone I don't want to create a false personality in front of him.

Also, Bhai was a little disappointed with me. He wanted this guy to come home and meet me and every one of us. But as usual I have to be stubborn. I told everyone that I will meet him only when I meet him outside these four walls and that too alone.

Dad was already okay with whatever I said, he just wanted me to meet this guy. Mom nagged a bit but Bhai being Bhai knew that I have already plans.

How sweet, he knows me so well...

Thankfully Mukti was and is always a peacemaker between us and finally it was fixed that I will be meeting this guy... uhmmm... what's his name... some... Malhotra boy, Outside of my house and also alone.

"Nandu... ready?" Mukti came in and asked me.

I smiled fakely "of course... Abhi shadi karado meri... sabki tension khatam" I spoke twisting my lips.

"Nandini... Please... We all love you, we have always and we will till our last breath. So stop being so mean to us." Mukti scolded me adjusting the watch on my wrist.

"Now shut up and let me do some make up on you." She said and started doing touch ups on my face.

"Nandu..." I heard the my over dramatic Mom from my back.

"How beautiful you look Nandini..." she spoke admiring me in the front mirror.

She was looking at me like she was watching me for the last time and tomorrow I'll be gone forever. God...

"Mom... stop looking at me like that... I am not going already... I am just meeting the guy..." I told her and stood up from my chair.

She put a kala tika behind my ear and murmured something closing her eyes.

Surely praying that today my marriage gets fixed.

"Okay... now shall I go? If you don't know it's already 5:30 and I have to reach, there by 6. You know I am punctual about my meeting times." I spoke and walked to take my bag.

"Oh hello, you are not going there for some business meeting okay?" Mukti yelled from behind as I exited my room and came down.

I saw Dad already sitting down with his evening coffee and gave me a full smile. I tried to smile too.

"To main... jau?" I asked looking at all of them.

They all gave each other a look and then Mom came to me "I know you don't want to marry but just try adapting the fact that sooner or later there'll be someone who will be an integral part of your life. Just like I have your father, Mukti and Kunal have each other. Okay?" She explained while I just nodded and smiled.

I walked towards Bhai and stood in front of him.

"I needed to ask you something." I spoke and he suddenly jumped in happiness.

"I knew it... at the end you are a girl and you are meeting a guy, so you will be nervous, chal koi ni... main hu na... Main aur Mukti hum... kahi side pe beth jayenge okay... chal..." Bhai spoke out of nowhere. Wait what?

"Bhai no... what are you saying?" I spoke halting him in his track.

He turned back and saw me.

"To... what you wanted to ask?" He asked confusingly.

I walked to him and extended my hand "Aapki car ki keys..." I spoke and gestured him to give the keys.

He frowned instantly and cringed his nose "no... I am not giving you my car..." he spoke almost immediately.

I folded my hands and spoke "soch lo... I might end up saying no to meet the guy..." I blew some air on my nails. How convenient it is when they want me to listen to them, put some conditions in front of them and voila... your work is done.

"Kunal... it's just the car... give her the keys..." Dad spoke. I could see him greeting his teeth.

"Fine..." he threw the keys in my hands and I grinned.

"Thank You... tumse kuch kaam karana kitna easy hai Bhaiiiiii.... Awwww..." I teased him and walked out before he kills me.

The car was a gift by Dad and Mom to him on his 18th birthday. It was his favourite car, he never ever... like never ever gives his car to anyone. Not even Mukti...

"Chudail..." he yelled behind my back and I ran out giggling.

I sat inside the car and caressed the steering wheel.

"Hi baby... Missed me? Aww... I missed you..." I spoke to the car.

"Let's go and meet Mister... Malhotra..." I spoke and ignited the engine.

In no time I reached the restaurant in which I was supposed to meet the guy.

I walked out and sighed. Suddenly all my courage went in to dustbin. I mean, I am meeting someone who I have never even seen in my entire life. I don't even remember his name except his surname.

What if, he is some psycho? What if he'll be some really angry man? Will he understand what I am going to tell him?

And suddenly I remembered... "Shit..."

I don't know how he looks or something, how am I going to know that he is the guy.

I closed my eyes and cursed myself.

I sighed and walked inside leaving all up to the God. Help me please.!

I opened the door of the restaurant and instantly greeted by the voice of Wind chime on the entry. I hurriedly closed the door only to see the people sitting there. I have to look for a guy who must be alone.

I looked around only to see few tables were empty, few were filled with some random people.

My eyeballs ran more and stopped when I found someone already looking at me from almost at the end of the room.

The only thing I could make out from far was his sharp jawline, A fair skin. I sighed and started walking towards his direction. Just when he saw me walking he stood up and I was almost near.

The first expression I had was he's damn tall must be around 6 feet and look at me I am so short.

I walked more close when I could clearly see his face. For a moment I forgot everything just because the face was so charming and beautiful, why would he want an arranged marriage?

I stood just in front of the table while he was at the other side.

"Uhmm... Nandini?" He asked me. The deep husky voice created havoc inside me. I have never felt such things maybe because I have never met someone with such intention.

"Uhmm... yes... you?" I stopped as I tried to remember what was his name. Shit... so embarrassing.

"Manik... Manik Malhotra." He said smiling softly.

The first time his lips took my attention and also the mole above his lips.

"Uhmm yes... Hi." I extended my hand.

He looked at my hand and then at me. He extended his hand and joined my hand with his for a shake hand.

"Nice to meet you" he spoke smiling. I smiled back and pulled back my hand. He gestured me to sit.

I took the opposite seat and the waiter served us the water.

I gulped some amount to gain some strength.

He looked at me and then around while I too looked down because I found the pattern on my dress more interesting. Nah just kidding. What should I even do? What people speak when they just have met.

"Ahm... Awkward." He spoke and I looked at him. He was smiling looking at me.

"Yeah... I mean..." I couldn't even frame the sentence.

"I know. Meeting a complete stranger and that too for the entire life's bond is quite.... weird." He spoke looking at me.

I nodded and looked away. Come on say it and run. That's what my inner self suggested me.

"What will you have? Let's order something" he suggested again and called the waiter.

"One lemonade for me and..." he ordered for himself and then stopped looking at me.

"Ice Tea..." I spoke.

"Yeah and Ice tea for the lady. Thank you." He spoke and smiled at the waiter. He bowed down and walked away.

He cleared his throat to take my attention towards him.

"So..? I mean... tell me something about you..." he suggested.

I looked at him and then took a long breath.

He looked at me weirdly but I made myself that now I am going to say what I want to.

"I don't want to get married." I spoke and looked away.

"What?" He asked softly not understanding my words.

I sighed and put my hands on table. It's time to face.

"See Manik... I don't want to get married. I have few dreams which I want to complete before I enter into someone's life. I have a career goal which I want to achieve." I spoke confidently.

"Moreover, I don't believe in marriages. They ruin everything. Especially a girl's life. And... I see myself on top, shadi and all... it just messes up things." I spoke looking afar.

I sighed and looked at him who was looking all shocked and stunned by now.

"all in all... just say no for wedding." I spoke my final words.

"Ma'am... Sir... Your order." The waiter broke his staring game at me.

He extended the Ice tea towards me and gestured me to drink it while taking a sip to his lemonade. He's cool with whatever I said?

"then why did you come here to meet me at first place?" he finally spoke.

I let out a deep breath and sipped ice tea.

"do you really think that I came here with all my wish?" I asked back. I mean I thought he's smart.

"did they force you to come over here?" he asked back.

"none of your business... I could not see my parents unhappy... just to make them happy I came here. That doesn't mean I will marry anyone." I spoke looking at him.

He looked away once and then again turned his gaze to me. He placed his hands on the table and entwined his own fingers. I kept observing his movements.

"Do you think that I am an orthodox and will not let you or any woman work?" he asked back. I mentally rolled my eyes, like why? why do a woman have to explain herself so much?

"and do you think that I am an ideal wife for you?" I asked back.

Questions and questions, but none of us was ready to answer.

"look Manik, I am a very practical girl. This marriage haunts me. And even if the partner is so supportive but there will be issues which I don't want in my life. Better yahi hai ki, tum na boldo." I answered.

He took a deep sigh and leaned his back to the chair again.

"then why don't you say no? why do you want me to be a villain." He raised his brow.

I looked away licking my lips "Because it doesn't matter if I say no. but it does matter when you say no. I hope you know that at least." I looked at my watch.

"Manik... you seem to be a nice person. And you deserve someone who look after you and love you which I cannot. I am sorry but now I have to leave. bye." I stood up and take out some money from my purse and kept it on table while he kept looking at my every actions.

"Listen, you don't have to..." He spoke as soon as he saw me keeping money on table.

"My share... I don't have to be dependent on anyone, I can earn on my own and I don't need any man to fulfil my wishes. Thanks... Nice meeting you." I spoke lastly and walked out.

I sat in the car without looking back and looked out of the window.

"Please... just over this right here..." I prayed to God.

Little did I know, as soon as I walked out Manik smiled a bit on his own.

"Stubborn... and difficult.... Deadly combination... But I like it..." he said to himself and laughed looking at some money in front of him.

"Sir...." The waiter came and gave him the bill. Manik paid him the bill and asked him to take the money which I have kept there.

"Sir but you paid the whole bill..." The innocent waiter asked.

"this is the tip from the lady..." He said and smirked.

The waiter happily took the money and went away.

"Nandini Murthy... It was nice meeting you...." He whispered before standing up and smiling fullest. 

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