A very very Happy New Year to all u lovely people out there......
Let's just wish this year to be the most luckiest one for each and every single one of us!

Here is another update as a New Year present from me to all of u!!
Hope u all like it....

Enjoy Reading!!
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Soon after Manik's final msg to Nandini, Abhi joined the gang when Nyonika asked all of them to come for dinner.

Abhi: Ohh yes... I m famished!
Abhi said immediately getting up as he pulled Mukti along with him.

Navya: By the way... How did ur song come up today? Don't u hv ur deadline in like 3 days!

Aliya: Oh yes we do... I don't even know how are we going to complete it. This time it's like we aren't getting any the lyrics at all.

Nandini: What's the theme?
Nandini asked taking interest into the topic as they sat around the table.

Mukti: Romance... Its a fast beat romantic track, something different.

Cabir: And our romance master Dhruv is not giving us any lyrics... Btw aunty, u won't believe what happened today!
Cabir said turning towards Nyonika.

Nyonika: What?

Cabir: Manik Malhotra wrote a new song! Nothing surprising there but then it was a nyc classic romantic piece...

Harsh: Wow... Manik, and romance?
They heard harsh's voice as he walked towards them.

Manik: Shut it up Cabir.... I just wrote coz the deadlines are here!
Manik said rolling his eyes at Cabir as he took a seat next to Nandini.

Harsh shook his head at their usual banter as he sat with them and nyonika served him.

Mukti: Whatever makes u sleep at night...
Mukti muttered before digging into her food while the others chuckled.

As the dinner proceeded Harsh said to Nandini,
Harsh: By the way Nandini... Well done on the presentation today! It was really very good, ur efforts could be seen...

Nandini: Thank u so much Uncle... I m glad we got the deal, I can't tell u how much excited I hv been for this project.
Nandini smiled broadly at him as harsh nodded.

Harsh: Ohh I know... I saw u! And that's why I m making u the lead for this one. U would be heading this project, not Manik.

She heard Harsh say making her stop in her tracks.
Nandini: Huh??

Manik: Wow dad... Congrats Nandini!!
Manik said smiling broadly at her while she sat there with a blank face.

Nandini: Oh My God are u serious?

Harsh chuckled at her nodding,
Harsh: Obviously... I m serious.... U don't think Manik handles all the various projects alone right?

Nandini: Ohh god... Thank u so so much Uncle! I just can't thank u enough for this.

Harsh: Ur welcome... U earned it!
Harsh said raising a glass towards her as a toast while the others congratulated Nandini.

The dinner continued with some usual drama of how Cabir keeps on stealing food from Mukti's plate when Manik bent closer towards Nandini.

Manik: U wanna tell them all??

Nandini: Hmm?? What?
Nandini asked turning towards him when Manik sighed and pointed towards her phone.

Manik: About our decision?

Realisation drew over her as she choked in her food, coughing out loud. All the others grew silent at this as Manik immediately filled up a glass of water for her.

Manik: Here... Take this!!
He said rubbing her back trying to calm her down.

Nyonika: Nandini.... Dear, are u fine?

Nandini cleared her throat taking a sip of water as she nodded slowly at her. She coughed a few times more and smiled finally before saying,
Nandini: Yes aunty I m fine... Thank u!

Rishab: Di u sure?
Rishab asked in concern from her other side as she nodded.

Nandini: Yes rishu, I m fine relax!
Nandini told him before turning towards Manik in surprise.

Nandini: U mean Now?

Manik: Umn... Yes! The sooner, The better right?
Manik asked with a shrug. Nandini looked at him with broad eyes before she looked at everyone else around them. She turned back towards manik to find him merrily eating his feast. She shook her head at him before softly poking him.

Nandini: Manik....

Manik: Hmn?
Manik asked without even turning towards her.

Nandini: What exactly are u going to tell them?

Manik finally stopped eating as he turned towards her.
Manik: We'll keep it simple... Just that we both love each other. I proposed, u said yes! Done...

Nandini blinked her eyes at his casual smiling face before hitting the back of his head. All the others looked at him while Manik rubbed his head.

Manik: Oww...

Cabir: What happened Nandini?

Nandini: Nothing much.... Just that Manik Malhotra believes that everyone sitting here is a fool except for him and we'll agree to whatever he says.
Nandini replied glaring at Manik, while he continued looking at her in disbelief.

Nyonika: Manik what did u do now?
Nyonika said immediately making Manik roll his eyes.

Manik: Gosh Mom, u sound as if I m 10 and u r scolding me!! Ignore her.....

Nyonika hid her smile at his words while Nandini muttered,
Nandini: Not that u r acting any more than 10!!

Manik turned back towards her with a raised eyebrow shutting her up while the rest seemed amused at the two of them.

They dinner soon got over when they all moved back to the living room.
Manik: Now is the time...
Manik said slowly as he saw her sitting on the couch with Aliya.

Nandini's eyes broadened at his words. She saw him moving towards the sofa when held his hand and pulled him back.
Manik: What?
Manik whispered.

She tugged his hand again pulling him back with a glare.

Cabir: Nandini??? U don't seem to get enough of Manik today, do u?
Cabir said with a smirk taking everyone's attention. Nandini felt Manik's hand sitting back, her face turning red in embarrassment.

Manik: Shut up Cabir...
Manik said rolling his eyes as he sat on the floor itself next to the couch his arm resting on Nandini's legs. Nandini looked at him sitting right next to her and shook her head at Cabir's smile.

Nandini: U guys r insane!

Harsh: So when is the album launch?
Harsh asked changing the topic much to Nandini's relief.

Dhruv: Uncle its still a month away, but we'll start the online promotions within a week or so.

Abhi: So when r u guys recording the video?

Manik: Dhruv and Aliya are the leading pair this tym. They'll final the script after we submit the tracks, I guess the shoot too should be soon after. Cabir, me and Mukti just hv to be there for a day or two I think.

Nandini: Romantic shoot haan?
Nandini teased poking aliya who turned red along with Dhruv as the others laughed.

Both of them knew about each other's feelings just the confession was left, well that definitely didn't stop Cabir from teasing them. The conversation shifted when Manik noticed Nyonika and Nandini into some deep discussion about some social event. He straightened up from his place earning Nandini's attention. When she bent closer and asked,
Nandini: What r u doing?

Manik: Its no use delaying it nandini...

Nandini: No one is going to even believe u Manik... U can't just get up and say it!
She whispered back to him which Manik ignored quite well, eyeing Nyonika who was noticing them closely.

Manik: Umn..... I hv something to tell u all!
He said out loud to everyone.

Manik: In fact, we... Nandini and I... Hv something to tell!
He repeated properly this time taking hold of Nandini's hand. Nandini closed her eyes for a second, partly to hide herself from all the attention but mostly in the anger of him being so fast about this entire deal.

Harsh: What is it son?
Harsh asked in a soft yet serious tone. Manik looked up at Nandini before turning back towards harsh as he started,

Manik: Uh.. Dad actually.... Umn... I.. No, I mean me and Nandini..... We r-

Nyonika: Oh my god, U r together, aren't u?
Nyonika stood up from her place interrupting him in all her excitement.

Cabir, Mukti: WHAT?

All of them looked at manan with their mouths hung open while Manik and Nandini both sat there still. Shock clear on both their faces.

Nyonika: Are u serious?
Nyonika asked again taking steroids towards them as Manik got up from the floor.

Manik: If that's how u say it.. Yes... I guess?
Manik said still unsure about how to be replying to her but before he knew Nyonika threw her arms around him, pulling him for a hug. He noticed the stunned expression on Nandini's face before he hugged Nyonika back and broke the hug.

Nyonika: God, finally u two realised... I was waiting for this from so long...
Nyonika said hugging namely as well, while Nandini still seemed to be too shocked to even hug her back.

Cabir: Hang on.... Wait!

They heard cabir's voice in between the surprised expressions of everyone.
Cabir: I guess a few people owe me some money here....
He said as he eyed Mukti and Rishab one by one.

Mukti: Gosh Cabir... Is that all u can think of right now. U'll get the money later.
Mukti groaned trying to get his attention over Manan.

Cabir: No ways... I won the bet, they r together! Both of u owe me 10 thousand each, and I want it right now!

Nandini: U guys made a bet on us getting together? Seriously!
Nandini asked in disbelief.

Cabir: Ohh no... We all were sure u'll end up together. Though Mukti and Rishab here said that it will take at least a year minimum for ur thick skulls to break. So, that's it... I won!
Cabir said shrugging at his explanation as if it was the most casual thing ever while both Nandini and Manik stood in disbelief.

Mukti picked up her purse and took out the money before forwarding it to Cabir.
Mukti: I just hv 6 thousand in cash, u'll get the rest later.

Cabir: No ways.. I want it now!
Cabir shook his head making everyone else chuckle when Abhi took out the rest 4 and handed over to him.

Rishab directly attacked Nandini's purse and took out some of the money along with his.
Rishab: I m not returning u this money di... U made me loose a bet!
He said handing the money over to Cabir who smiled in achievement.

Cabir: Wow.. I earned 20k rupees in just a minute!
Cabir smirked keeping the money in his pocket while Mukti threw a cushion on his head.

"And u thought, they won't believe us!"
Nandini heard a whispered next to her and looked at Manik, who himself looked as shocked as her.

Nyonika: If u guys r done, can I plz concentrate back on my kids...
Nyonika asked in frustration before she pulled Nandini into a hug again.

Nyonika: God I m so so happy...

All the others too finally got up and before Manik and Nandini knew they were being pulled together into hugs from everyone.

Harsh: I m so happy for u my boy!
Harsh said hugging Manik.

Aliya: Now we know how writing a Romantic song suddenly became so easy...
Aliya said teasing Manik.

Cabir: Oh yes... It finally makes sense haan?
Cabir too joined her when Aliya sat back.

Aliya: But come on guys... I want all the details, when did this happen? And how?
Aliya clapped her hands in excitement soon joined over by Nyonika as well.

Nyonika: Oh yes... I also want all the details...

All of them sat back at their places, pushing Manik on the couch together when Nandini noticed Manik's pale face.

Mukti: So who confessed first?

Manik: Nandini!
Nandini: Manik!
Both of them said together earning weird glances from all the others.

Aliya: Huh??

Both Nandini and Manik looked at each other and then at the others when Nandini held Manik's hand tighter, before she started speaking.

Nandini: Umn actually we both did...

Cabir: Both?

Nandini: Yes... U guys remember that day in Goa, during the Party where I was quite drunk!! Well, after u all left the club Manik may or may not hv given off everything out in open that night, only to believe that I won't be able to remember anything the next day. But apparently it became one of the only things I chose to remember, though I wasn't quite sure if he actually said that, or if I dreamt of him saying anything like that.
Nandini smiled softly as she shared a soft look towards Manik who immediately smiled back and joined.

Manik: But then she came up with all of it again and almost brutally made me agree.....
Manik said earning a smack from Nandini.

Aliya: OMG...... That's so cute!
Aliya said clapping her hands in glee while Nandini almost stopped herself from rolling her eyes at their obvious shitty story.

Nyonika: But why didn't u tell us earlier..?
Nyonika asked suddenly, her smile decreasing just slightly. Nandini looked up at her, guilt taking in on her for lying to them. She could see the happiness on Nyonika's face but knowing that it was all a lie made her heart swoon.

Manik: I m sorry mom....
She heard Manik say as she turned towards him to find him looking down trying to avoid an eye contact with everyone.

Manik: I didn't want anyone to know about us....
He said slowly before looked at their entwined hands.

Manik: I knew about my feelings for Nandini very clearly, but I didn't want to take any step until I was sure about what it is!!! And by the time I realised it, I was already on my knees asking her to be mine forever and marrying me!

Nandini: And I said Yes...
Nandini whispered after him, loud enough for everyone to listen to her. Manik looked up at her from their hands to find her already smiling at him, making him smile broader.

None of the two noticed the stunned expressions on all the faces around them. After what seemed like forever Manik noticed the silence around and turned to find all of the eyes fixed on the two of them. Nandini too followed his gaze only to feel nervous about their reactions.

Manik waited for them to say anything before finally speaking up,
Manik: Mom-Dad... Guys... Say something?

And the next they knew all of them jumped over Manan for a group hug.
Dhruv: Congratulations guys!

Cabir: I still can't believe it! This is amazing.....

Nandini: Umn... Guys.. I m choking!
Nandini somehow managed to say in between all of them only to hear them chuckle as they broke the hug.

Manik to chuckled at Nandini's expressions when he noticed his parents and Rishab standing behind their friends. Manik got up and walked forward standing in front of his father.
Manik: Dad?

Harsh smiled broad at him before pulling him into a tight hug and patting his back.
Harsh: I m so happy for u my son! I m sure, this is going to be one of ur best decisions ever....

Manik smiled at his words breaking the hug when Nyonika pulled him into one after kissing his forehead.

Nandini moved closer to Rishab to find him smiling brightly at her.
Nandini: U r the only real family that I hv Rishu... I can never move onto this without ur consent..... Are u happy?
She asked him in a soft whisper, making sure for only him to be hearing her when Rishab hugged her tight.

Rishab: U deserve all the World's Happiness Di.... And I just want that for u!
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How was the update people?

Don't forget to comment and continue showering ur love and support to me and my stories all through this New Year, in the same way as u hv been doing earlier.

Love,
Navya😍