Malhotra Mansion

Manik came home late at night and saw the lights of his parent's room still on. He moved further and saw his parents adoring an album. He knocked on the door.

Nyonika: Come, Manik. Why are you standing outside?

Manik: Uhhm... I thought you guys are busy so, I didn't know would it be okay to interrupt you both

Raj: Oh come on, Manik! You can never disturb us. Look, we were seeing our wedding album and your childhood albums.

Manik: Your wedding album! That's my favorite.

The trio sat together and enjoyed the memories of Raj and Nyo's wedding. Out of nowhere, Manik asked

Manik: Mom, you both had a love marriage?

Hearing the question, Nyonika laughed while Raj glared at her.

Raj: Don't ask bete (son). I had to do so much work to impress her but, madam didn't even acknowledge my efforts.

Manik: Then?

Nyonika: Then when your dad came back home, he got a surprise from his father that his marriage is fixed.

Raj: And it was one of the best surprises of my life.

Manik looked confused but didn't question his parents as he didn't want to spoil their moment. Raj looked at Manik's face and chuckled

Raj: My father had fixed my alliance with your mom.

Manik: But didn't he ask you before fixing your marriage?

Raj: No. According to him, I was lattoo (mad) for your mom. He had once seen me trying to impress Nyo and then he took out the information. He was very much impressed with your mom as she was an excellent student and an amazing cook. According to your grandfather, a girl needs to excel in two places i.e.: cooking and career. If a girl is good in academics then, she can easily get a job and start building her career.

Manik: Woah! My dadu (grandfather) is so cool. Even at that time, he supported mom to build her career.

Raj: He did. In fact, he encouraged her to start her jewelry line and see where Nyo has taken it today.

Manik: Indeed! She has done a commendable job. She has made M Jewellers one of the top jewelry brands in India

Nyonika: Leave all that. Manik, you tell me what have you decided?

Manik placed his head in Nyonika's lap and shared his worries with his parents

Manik: I'm confused, mom. My thoughts are all over the place. I'm afraid. What if I fail to reach their expectation? What if I fail to keep her happy? What if I won't be able to fulfill my responsibility? What if I'm not someone they would want for their daughter?

A smile appeared on Raj and Nyonika's face on hearing Manik. Their little love has grown up to be a fine man. Even before knowing anything about the girl and her family, he was worried about them. How did they get so lucky to have him as their son? Though he becomes an angry young man when he's kept in dark or when someone close to him lies to him, his heart is of pure gold. And his worries about the girl's family just proved it.

Nyonika: You won't fail anyone, my son. You've proved yourself countless times in the business world and now it's time for you to prove yourself in your personal life. If you like the girl, then only we'll proceed further. If you both approve of each other then, you'll have someone for you. Someone solely for you. With whom you can share your worries, joy, stress, and happiness. Everything you do will affect her and vice-versa. Are you getting me, bachha (my dear)?

Manik: Yes, mom. I'll meet her as I know you people will never be wrong when things concern me.

Raj: That's like my rockstar.

Manik: But dad, please don't tell them about my singing secret.

Raj: This is wrong, bachha (my dear). We shouldn't start a new relationship on the basis of lies.

Manik: I know, dad and I understand your concern as well. It's just that I'm not ready to reveal it as of now. I promise I'll tell them about this soon.

Raj: Okay. Now go and sleep. We are going to meet them tomorrow.

Manik: Okay.

Manik tightened his hold on Nyonika's waist and slept in the most peaceful place in a child's life. No matter how big the child is, he/she will always need his/her mother's warmth and comfort in life. 

Next morning; Malhotra Mansion

Manik came to the breakfast table already in a semi-formal dress. He was wearing a yellow t-shirt with faded blue jeans and a blue blazer. He had a Tissot watch in his left hand and his signature bracelets in his right hand. He had opted for formal black shoes to go with the suit.

He descended the stairs to see his parents ready in their outfits and they were checking all the gifts that are to be taken by them to the girl's house. His mother had adorned a blue saree with black velvet border while his father chose to wear a black suit complimenting his mother's outfit.

Nyonika: It's good that you came, Manik. I was coming to call you only.

Raj: Shall we leave now? The Murthy's are waiting for us.

Manik: It's 9 in the morning, mom. Why will they wait for us early in the morning?

Raj: Manik, the journey there is almost an hour. So, to reach there by 10:30, we'll have to leave now.

Manik: Okay. So, how are we going?

Nyonika: We both will go in my car and you come in yours. All these gifts will be arranged in my car. Sounds good?

Raj: Sounds perfect. With this arrangement, I'll get some time alone with my wife without you interrupting us, Manik.

Nyonika: Shut up, Raj. Now you both go and bring the cars. And Raj please don't forget to send the location to Manik's car.

Raj and Manik: Aye Aye Captain!

Manik and Raj got the cars and Nyonika got the gifts settled in her car. Once done with all that, Raj gave the car keys to Nyonika and said

Raj: It's your car so, you should drive. Anyways, I'm not in the mood to drive. When I can have such an amazing view, why waste the opportunity by looking at the roads?

Manik: Dad, even I'm here.

Raj: So? Oh! Now, I get it. You're jealous that you don't have anyone to gaze at, right? Don't worry, you'll get your girl today and then you can gaze at her all you want. No one will disturb you, son.

Nyonika: Stop teasing my son, Raj and get in the car. We have to be there on time.

The cars zoomed out of the Malhotra Mansion to reach their destination i.e., Murthy Mansion. It was located in the suburbs of the city just like Malhotra Mansion but in the opposite direction of Malhotra Mansion. Mr. Vikram Murthy wanted his family to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Though he wanted the best for his children, he made them strong and ready for the challenges of life that they'll have to overcome in order to get success in life and not just in business.

Malhotra's reached the Murthy Mansion around 10:10 and they made their way to the entrance. A lady in her late 40s opened the door and was surprised to see the guests earlier than the expected time. She welcomed them inside and called Vikram.

Vikram hugged Raj and greeted Nyonika. Manik bent to touch his and the lady's feet and they blessed him wholeheartedly. They all sat and started talking randomly. After a few minutes, Nyonika asked about Nandini. Sapna, Nandini's mother asked the servants to call Nandini.

Soon, Nandini descended down the stairs with a young guy beside her. Hearing the voice produced by the anklets, Manik got curious to have a look at the person wearing those. Nandini soon reached the living area and Manik got dumbstruck looking at her. She was looking beautiful in a red color suit. The color of the suit was complimenting her soft white skin. Manik kept gazing at her and she looked down sensing his gaze on her. A red hue appeared on her cheeks due to his gaze. The way she was looking down made Manik smile a bit at her shyness and nervousness.

Raj, who was sitting beside Manik asked him that was only audible to him

Raj: So, kaisi lagi humari choice?

Manik: She is Beautiful

Manik spoke still lost in her beauty and Raj chuckled which brought him out of his trance and he started looking here and there.

Precap: First talk