Manik: Mom seriously.... This is not the time!

Nyonika: Manik I said now means now....

Manik: But Mom listen-
Manik continued saying when the line went blank as Nyonika hung up the call on him.

It had been three days since the breakfast that Nandini had with the Malhotra's and Now Manik sat their in his cabin staring at his phone with a helpless look on his face.

He looked all around him at the files spread in his cabin before sighing in defeat as he got up. He moved out of his cabin and informed his secretary,
Manik: Puneet, cancel my others meetings for today. I m leaving!

The guy nodded at him as he saw Manik already moving ahead and enter Nandini's cabin. Manik barged into the cabin to see Nandini in a small meeting with two of the members of her team. He recognised both of them to be the guys who stayed back with her a few days back as the guys immediately stood up on seeing him.

"Good afternoon sir!!"
They wished him earning a slight nod from Manik when Nandini spoke up.

Nandini: Hey... What's up?

Manik: We hv to go!
Manik said directly coming to the point making Nandini's eyes broaden.

Nandini: Huh?

Manik: Now Nandini....
He said moving closer to her as he closed off her laptop ignoring the widening eyes of the two guys.

Nandini: Manik, I hv work! And we both hv a meeting to attend in an hour.
Nandini said checking the time.

Manik: Chill, I cancelled it...
Manik shrugged it off before keeping her laptop in her bag and picking up her phone  from the table.

Nandini: But what's so important that u had to cancel the meeting.

Manik: Mom called. She wants me home now.... With U!

Nandini's eyes broadened at his words.

Manik: U coming?
He asked finally straightening up with her stuff. Nandini sighed at him as she turned towards the guys.

Nandini: Ohk guys... Get back to work, we'll continue this later. I want to see the design drafts by tmrw! We have-

Manik: Ohk leave the rest for later, u both can go now!
Manik said interrupting her as he held her hand and pulled her out of the room.

Nandini stumbled in her steps before matching his pace as he pulled her into the elevator.
Nandini: Manik... Why r u in so much hurry?

Manik: Mom and Dad r waiting for us....

Nandini: And?
Nandini asked knowing that he wasn't finished yet. Manik turned towards her with a serious face when the lift reached down stairs and they moved out. Manik walked towards his car and they got in when he said,

Manik: She is waiting for us with a Pandit. He is invited to choose a date for our wedding...

Nandini: Oh...
Nandini whispered looking away as Manik asked in disbelief.

Manik: U r fine with it?

Nandini: I guess I m.... We only told them that we were planning it soon right! Are u not fine with it?

Manik: Of course I m... I just thought that maybe u won't be that fine!
Manik said sighing in relief.

Nandini smiled at his concern as she replied.
Nandini: Manik..... We hv decided to get married, all the proceedings will hv to go on right?

Manik: Right.... Ohk then let's go see when is the big day!
Manik smiled broadly at her as he moved his hand from the gear box to her knee. An instant feeling of warmth came up to Nandini. She had always loved his hand on her knee when he drove, it gave her the belief of his presence inside her and around her.

Her hand reached forward as she placed it on top of his as Manik drove to his place.

Soon the two of them reached their destination and entered the house hand in hand, only to find Harsh, Nyonika and the Pandit already sitting and waiting for them.

Nyonika: Here they are!
Nyonika said noticing them as she got up and moved towards MaNan. She moved closer to Nandini and wrapped her arms around her.

Nyonika: I hope the date finalised is soon enough. I can't wait....

Nandini smiled broadly at her words as she pulled out of the hug.
Nandini: Neither can I...

Nyonika glanced at Manik, who had joined his father before smiled further.
Nyonika: I m sure u can't!

Though she took the reason wrong but still her teasing smile brought up a blush over Nandini's face.

Nyonika laughed at her as they moved towards the others. They joined the others as Nanfini took a seat next to Manik while Nyonika sat with Harsh, closer to the pandit.

The pandit asked Nandini for her date of birth and timing after which he got onto matching the kundlys as per the hindu traditions. The other four got into a random conversation when the pandit said,
Pandit: Congratulations.... Its a perfect match! 33 out of 36 traits match exactly.

Nyonika turned towards MaNan in excitement who just smiled in return as Harsh asked,
Harsh: Ohk then Pandit Ji.... What date according to u would be the best?

Pandit: There are two favorable dates next month.... And then after two months.

Nyonika: I think the one after two months is fine... We need time to prepare also and then-

Manik: No... Next month is best!
Manik said immediately interrupting her.

Nyonika: Manik.
Nyonika turned to glare at him for behaving that way in front of the driver. But even then she couldn't hide the smile on her face.

Harsh laughed out at it when Nandini hit Manik's arm.

Manik: What? Shh...
Manik shut Nandini up as he turned back towards nyonika.

Manik: Mom... The preparations would all be done don't worry. I think we should final the second date next month.

Nyonika bit her lip from laughing at her son as she glanced once at harsh who just shrugged in response.

Nyonika: Nandini, what do u think my dear??
Nyonika asked turning towards Nandini.

Nandini: Umn... I don't knw! I mean I m fine with whatever date u all decide.

Manik: Come on Nandini.... Speak up yr...
Manik whined making her giggle.

Nandini: Ohk u tell me.... When do YOU want it?

Manik: Next month!

Nandini: Cool then I also want it the same time.
Nandini replied making Manik smile broadly.

Manik: Yes! See That's why I love u so much.... So its decided!
Manik said excitedly oblivious to the fact that his parents were by now having the broadest smiles on their faces. Nandini's reaction at her words didn't change at all as she contained her smile as it is. She did realise what he said but what she knew was that it was totally out of excitement and just the Love that he felt for her as a Friend.

Nyonika: Pandit Ji... We'll go for the date that they have chosen. Can u plz see the exact days and time for the other ceremonies?

Pandit: Sure... I'll make a list and send it to u!

Nyonika and Harsh thanked the Pandit soon after which he walked off when Nyonika turned back towards Manan and took both of them in a tight hug.

Nyonika: Congratulations...

The two of them got out of the hug when Nyonika turned towards Nandini.
Nyonika: Nandini, I promise u this is gonna be a dream wedding. There would be everything that u guys would ever want and I m personally gonna make sure of each and every detail. Ohh yes, especially ur dress... U r gonna be the most beautiful bride there ever has been. And then I hv to renovate Manik's room also, we'll change it the way u two like, its too boyish now if u ask me, not exactly a couple room. I-

She stopped in between her words and looked at Nandini in concern,
Nyonika: Hey.... Why are u crying? I m so sorry Nandini, I just got too excited. I mean its ur wedding we will surely do it all ur way, if u don't want something then let that be.

Nandini immediately shook her head in a no, stopping her from saying any further.

Nandini: Thank u... Thank u so much aun- Mom... Thank u for all of this!
Nandini said to her softly with a slight smile on her face.

Nyonika caressed her cheek, wiping off her tears with a broad smile on her face.

Nyonika: I got my daughter back Today!

Nandini smiled at her words as she turned towards Manik.
Nandini: Thank u for giving me a Family again!

Manik: U know u don't need to thank me Nandini...
Manik said back to her before pulling her into a hug. Nandini tightened her hold around him as silent tears flowed down her eyes.

For almost all her life, she had waited for someone to care for her this way. Changing hostel rooms and a few rented flats became her home. The place she lived in now, seemed more of a hotel room to be used just to sleep and now here she had these loving people already thinking about her choices and her dreams.

She knew this was gonna be her family. But now she realised that she had actually forgotten all the love and care that came from a family. The feeling of warmth she got in that one embrace was so overwhelming that she couldn't just stop her tears.

She felt Manik's lips brush on the top of her head softly, leaving a feather like kiss which immediately seemed to calm her down. The ring of her phone made them break the hug. Manik wiped off her tears whispering softly,
'U Fine?'

Getting a satisfying nod from her, he left her hand allowing her to receive the call.

"Yes Rishu!"
Nandini said picking up the call as she excused herself away from all the others.

Nyonika noticed her going out of the room when she turned towards Manik to see his eyes fixed on Nandini's back.

Nyonika: I can't tell u how glad I m that u chose her! She is a gem...

Manik nodded at her words as he replied,
Manik: Maybe even the best one in that!
---------------------------------------------

Nandini: Let them be Rishu... I would hv anyways not attended it.

Rishu: But Di how can they even tell u to-

Nandini: Relax rishu... I'll handle it when I get home okay. Anyways, I hv something very important to tell u, I'll see u at home okay?

Rishab: I m going out to the club tonight with my friends Di... Anything important?

Nandini: No no its fine.... I just had something vefy good to share. U go on, We'll talk tmrw!
Nandini said brushing off the topic. Soon she disconnected the call before moving back to the living room as she joined the others.

Manik: No Mom... I don't know all this, u should discuss this with Nandini better. I m fine with whatever she wants.

Nandini: Discuss what with me...
Nandini asked going towards them as she sat next to Manik. As she sat Manik immediately held her hand, entwining his fingers with hers as he rested their hands together on his thigh.

Nyonika: We were just discussing whether u guys want a destination wedding or not.

Nandini: Umn... The idea is not that bad but I don't think we can arrange all that in such less time. Moreover we can also plan it here itself in Mumbai.

Harsh: Yeah... I think Nandini is right. See for the rituals I think we can plan it here in the Malhotra Mansion only and then the main wedding, we would book some hotel near the city. What do u think Manik?

Manik: I don't know... As u wish!
He turned back towards Nandini telling her to speak up.

Nandini: I think its perfect.... This way it would be convenient for our guests as well.

Nyonika: Ohk so that's decided. We'll plan it in Mumbai itself. We need to start the preparations as soon as possible, there is not much time. We will hv to decide the theme for all the events tmrw anyhow.

Manik: Don't worry Mom.... It will all be done. But for now, I would hv to excuse myself. Today is the deadline for the album. We hv to reach there in an hour.

Harsh: Ohh yes yes... All the best son! I m sure this album will also be a super hit as the others.
Harsh said patting his back.

Manik: Thanks dad... But chill!! Its just the final recording today.... The launch is gonna be a month later.

Nandini too got up after him and greeted Nyonika and Harsh a bye. She turned towards Manik and asked,
Nandini: Would u drop me back to office Manik? I hv got to take my car...

Manik: No ways... U r coming with me, I need u there!
Manik said holding onto her arm as he pulled her along.

Nyonika shook her head at her son's childishness while harsh simply smiled watching them move out of the house.

Harsh: Ur son is whipped!

Nyonika: Like father, like son!
Nyonika muttered under her breath but was heard clearly as she received a smirk from her husband.

Harsh: We both know u r not complaining darling....

A blush crept onto Nyonika's face as she rolled her eyes and walked away, with her husband following the path.
-----------------------

A very very Happy Makar Sankranti to all u people. All the gujarati's in the house... Special wishes to u all!

Well, sorry for the late update as I was traveling since the last few days. This year we all decided to celebrate sankranti in Gujarat for the first time ever and so I got quite busy with all the relatives and all.

Anyways.... Do mention ur views about the above part.

Lot's of love,
Navya😘