"Laksh how many times have I told you to keep your gym equiptment properly?" Raj scolded his younger son. "Dekha...Nandu got hurt."

"Im fine Dad." Nandini tried to say.

"Kahan se fine?" Nyonika said, "Meri bechari bachi...it must be hurting na?"

"Ill get ice." Roshni Thakkar, Shravan's wife and Anand's older daughter who had come down a few minutes ago said.

"Roshni Di...its really not needed." 

"Jaanu...your foot is so red, of course its needed. Di dont listen to her." Manik said.

"Okay.." Nandini sighed, " Everyone needs to go to work right now."

"Arre par-"

"How can we..."

"But-"

"No ifs...ands or buts!" Nandini looked at everyone sternly, "Im not hurt that badly and office is important so I want everyone to go right now...Mom & Badima & Muku are here na? I dont need taking care of but if I did...then they can do it."

Then Roshni came back with an ice pack and handed it to Nandini.

"Di...you have to take Gaurav to school and then you have a meeting so pls dont worry about me..."

Everyone looked at eachother as if debating wether or not to go and then finally agreed because none of them could say no to Nandini.

"Acha thik hai...but you take care of your self." Manik kissed Nandini on the forehead.

"Dont worry beta...hum tumhare biwi ka ache se khyal rakhenge." Smita told him.

"Okay..." Reluctantly, Manik, Raj, Anand, Shravan, Abhi, Roshni & Laksh all went off to work while the rest of them stayed at home.

"Nandu...chal aaram kar." Nyonika started to take Nandini upstairs.

"Mom...Im really fine. I dont need to rest."

"Par.."

"Nyonika." Devendra spoke up, "Agar woh keh rahi hai that she is fine then let her be....mujhe paata hai she is your daughter not just daughter-in-law but hamari Nandu bohot strong hai right?"

"Right Dadu." Nandini smiled.

"Ji bauji." Nyonika agreed. She & Smita went back to do the housework while Mukti walked upto Nandini.

"Nandini....are you still okay to come shopping with me, Alya & Navya?"

"Of course Muku...You really think Alya will let me skip this?" Nandini chuckled, "Ill just get ready and come."

"Great."

*********

"Hi Nandu..Mukti..." Navya greeted as she & Alya walked upto the girls and hugged them.

"Hi guys." 

"Oooh we have sooo much shopping to do...Nandini, its going to be yours and Manik's 3rd anniversary soon....you need to get an amazing dress taki Manik ki nazar sirf tumpe rahe." Alya said.

(Navya & Alya's Look)

(Nandini & Mukti's Look)

"Haan par...nothing too fancy okay?" Nandini said. Alya, Mukti & Navya just gave her a look. "I have no say in this, do I?"

"Bilkul bhi nahi." Navya replied. 

*******************

Location: Malhotra Industries

Laksh was sitting in his cabin talking on the phone to his girlfriend, Ankita.

(*Phonecall)

Laksh: Anu baby...kaise ho

Ankita: Im fine Laksh....tumne apne family se baat ki?

L: No not yet...I was going to talk to Bhabhi par unko chot lag gayi and then I didnt get the chance.

A: Laksh...I have already told my parents. Tum kab baat karoge?

L: Acha ok baba....Ill talk to Bhabhi right now thik hai?

A: Kabhi Bhabhi...kabhi Bhai...tum sidhe apne parents se kyun nahi baat karte? Are they very strict?

L: No...I mean Mom's pretty chill and Dad is strict but not too much par mere liye Bhai aur Bhabhi se baat karna zyada asan hai. Im closer to them...especially my bhabhi.

A: Okay...aaj hi baat kar lena unse.

L: Ill call her right now baby.

(*Phonecall Ends)

"Maine ek kaam karta hoon. Ill just call Bhabhi here kisi bahane se. Aisi baatein amne samne hone chahiye...phone pe nahi." Laksh thought to himself before he called Nandini who was at the mall.

(*Phonecall)

N: Haan Laksh bol.

L (Fake crying): Bhabhi!

N (Concerned): Laksh? Kya hua? What happened...why are you crying?

L: Bhabhi...I need your help. Pls office aa jayiye.

N: But...what happened? Kisine kuch bola? Manik ne danta?

L(Still fake crying): Nahi Bhabhi...just pls come. PLEASE.

N: Haan Haan....Ill come right now okay....

L: Bhabhi....pls kisiko kuch kehna mat.

N: Nahi kahungi....Im coming.

(*Phonecall Ends)

After hanging up, Laksh smiles and wipes his fake tears away. "Im sucha great actor....ab bhabhi will come in two minutes."

Meanwhile back at the mall Nandini is super concerned for Laksh.

"I have to go to the office." Nandini told the others as she walked back to them. They were now sitting at the food court with a few bags in their hands.

"Now? Why?" Mukti asked. "Kuch hua hai?"

"Nahi Nahi...I just have some important things to do." Nandini lied.

"Par humari shopping?" Alya asked.

"I know...Im sorry. Alya, Navu pls shop on my behalf okay?"

"Haan we will but....you are okay right?" Navya asked.

"Im fine...." Nandini said.

"Ok....take the car." Mukti said.

"Nahi thats fine Muku. You will need the car more, Ill take a rickshaw."

"Rickshaw? Kyun? Gadi toh hai....Ill just go with Alya & Navya."

"No seriously Mukti....I dont need the car."

"Par-"

"Maine kahan na...its not needed. You keep the car. I have to go now." Nandini then left and took a rickshaw to Malhotra Industries. 

****************

"Laksh...Im here...bol kya hua?" Nandini entered Laksh's cabin.

"Kuch nahi!" Laksh grinned.

"What! Laksh I was so worried!"

"Sorry Bhabhi but I really needed to speak to you....varna woh naraz ho jayegi." 

"Woh? Kaun woh?" Nandini asked.

"Woh....BhabhiIhaveagirlfriendandIwanttomarryher." Laksh mumbled.

"Kya? Say clearly Laksh."

"Bhabhi....actually I have a girlfriend. I met her in college and I really really love her. Mujhe usse shaadi karni hai." 

"What...Sach mein?" Nandini asked excited. "Who is she? Naam kya hai uska? Do I know her?"

"Haan bhabhi sach mein." Laksh laughed, "And her name is-"

"Nandini?" At that moment Manik entered the cabin. "What are you doing here? You should be at home, tumhe chot aayi thi."

"Arre Manik...bhaar mein gayi meri chot....you wont believe what Laksh just told me." Nandini squealed. "Laksh ko pyar ho gaya hai."

"Seriously?" Manik gave Laksh a questioning look. 

 "Idea!" Nandini yelled suddenly scaring Manik & Laksh. "Laksh tu apni girlfriend ko mere aur Manik ki anniversary party pe bula....with her family...aur humare ghar ke badon se main baat kar lungi."

"Sachi bhabhi? You'll talk to them?"

"Of course."

"Yes! Bhabhi I love you, you are the best!" Laksh hugged Nandini tightly.

"Oye, Bhabhi ke chamche. How come you told Nandini before me? I mean, Im your older brother and you never told me about your girlfriend."

"Manik...mujhe bhi toh abhi abhi bataya na?" Nandini said, defending her devar.

"Yeah but he still told you first." Manik pouted.

"Sorry bhai....but Bhabhi is the best person to convince Dad. You know na he thinks im not responsible enough, he never would have agreed. Aur vaise bhi, aap hi humesha kehte ho ke aap aur bhabhi do jism ek jaan hai.....phir main pehle aapko kahun ya bhabhi ko, its basically the same right?"  

Nandini stifled a laugh and high fived Laksh while Manik glared at his brother. "You-"

"Manik..." Nandini intervened. "Tum please mujhe ghar drop karoge? I need to tell everyone. Ghar mein shaadi hogi!"

"Woah...calm down woman!" Manik laughed, "Pehle let the families meet and agree na? Then shaadi hogi."

"Haan toh...woh bhi ho hi jayegi." Nandini said, "But mujhe sabse pehle jaa ke ghar walo ko yeh baat batani hai. Toh chalo."

"Ok Ok Ok Jaanu...relax. Chal raha hoon main." 

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

Note: Hey Readers! Pls comment and let me know what you think so far.