In Dixit's Palace

In the Discussion Room

Each and every member of the family were present in the room to decide about Dev's marriage..

Nandini: Okay guys, the marriage is fixed after 6 days, today, its July 8 and the marriage will be on..

Sid: July 15th..

Soha: Exactly, but it's the marriage day according to Pandit Ji..Which means..

Arya: Which means, other functions like Haldi, Sangeeth and Mehendi will happen before July 15..

Raj ( raised his eyebrow ): So, it means we don't have even a week to prepare for the wedding..?

Nandini ( nodded ): Yup..we don't have at least a week to prepare, but not to worry..we are going to manage it..So, we have prepared the list..

Soha: So, Dev Bhai wants the wedding to be a big fat Punjabi type and so Sona too..Since, Roka and Engagement was already done yesterday, we don't need to think about it..

Arya: On July 13th, we will be having mehendi, at Sona's place..

Sid: Not to forget, both men and women will be allowed, we aren't going to make anything separately, hame tho khoob sare masthi karna hai..

Nandini ( grinned): Point..and the next function, Sangeeth, it won't be on the same day, we will make it on July 14th because we will definitely be tired after putting on Mehendi, we mean ladies and girls..

Sid: Haa patha hai Kameeni, zyada flaunt math kar..

Nandini ( glared ): Oye, tujhse kisine kaha kya ki mere hath mein Mehendi lagao, nahi na, tho tum kyu jealous ho rahe ho..

Sid ( shrugged ): Puh..lease..mein aur jealous..kabhi nahi..Mujhe ya patha nahi ki tum ladkiyan ye Mehendi hi kyu lagathe ho..I mean, some kind of reddish thing on your hand. Just look at the palm of yours, it would be so beautiful aur ye Mehendi lagake hi poora ka laal hi hoga..

Nandini: oh please..if you are jealous just because we are getting something extra to enjoy then admit it..Plus, you won't understand the beauty of Mehendi, uskeliye, ladki hona chahiye..

Sid: Kameeni, mujhe usmein koi interest bhi nahi hai..ladki hona mathlab kisi ki pareshani hona hai so I would never wish for something like that..

Nandini: Teri tho..

She took her slipper and threw it on him..

Sid: Ouch..kameeni, karne se pehle batha nahi sakthi thi..ye cheating hai..

Sid took his juice can and threw it on her and she bent and it got hit on Arya..

Arya ( freaked out ): What the heck..

He threw his shoe on Sid but it hit Dev..

Dev: Kameenon..

Sid ( coolly): Except meri kameeni baakiyon ko tum kameene bol sakthe ho..

Nandini giggled while someone who was enjoying the fight just didn't like the way Sid addressed Nandini as HIS KAMEENI, of course it was Manik Malhotra..

Manik ( thought ): Isse gadha nahi fevicol hi kehna chahiye..arey, wo Nandini ka best friend hai aur mujhe usmein koi problem hi nahi but he doesn't have to claim her, that's my right..Ugh..Nandini Dixit, hadn't he been your best friend, I would have smashed his face with a cake made of wood..!!

Soha ( shouted ): Shut up guys..we are here to have a discussion on Dev Bhai's marriage not to have a shoe fight..so better shut up..

M4 pouted and held their ears..

M4: Sorry mumma..

Soha ( grinned): Good..now, let's continue..On July 15th morning, we will have Haldi and yes since we are Punjabis, we will have all our ritulas too like Kangan Bandhan and so on..

Arya: And then, finally, after all the rituals, we will have the marriage as per the muhurat timing given by Pandit ji..

Nandini: Post marriage rituals, we will have the muh-dikhaai in Kapoor's Mansion..

Sid ( smirked ): Aur phir, raath mein..wo kya ritual tha..

m4 grinned and looked at Dev while he had a blush on his face but he was glaring at them too..

Arya ( grinned ): Hai na ek ritual, buddy is just waiting for it, its called " First night "..

Dev ( glared ): Arya..

Nandini ( chuckled ): Dev, tum Aru ko ghoor kyu rahe ho..its normal right..I mean, every couple will have their first night after getting married..

The elders just shook their heads and smiled at them while Fab 5 and Navya were also enjoying it..

Dev ( whined ): Mums..

Shanno ( glared ): Bacho, kyu tang kar rahe ho Dev ko..wo sab baadh mein..chalo aur koi discussion baaki hai..?

They nodded at her..

Poorvi: Ab kya baaki hai..?

Soha: Reception..it would be on July 16th..

Nandini: Now, its done..

Akshara ( smiled): Chalo, ab ek aur function baaki hai..

Swayam ( frowned ): Konsa function..?

Raj: Shadi ke saare functions list main tho hai na..

Shanno: Ye shadi ke function nahi hai, ye kal ke function hai..

Nandini and Soha smiled after hearing it..

Poorvi ( to girls ): Did you forget it..?

Nandini/Soha ( grinned ): Nope..we do remember it..

The ladies smiled at them..

Raj: Arey, can someone tell us what's with this function for tomorrow..?

Shanno ( smiled ): Its Karwachauth, tomorrow..

The men smiled at them in understanding..

Viren ( smiled): So that's why doll and thumblina knew about it..

They grinned at them..

While Fab 5 were damn confused..they didn't have any idea about such a celebration..

Cabir ( to Ladies ): Umm Aunties, What's this Karwachauth..?

The ladies stared at him in amusement while others knew why he doesn't know about it..

Cabir ( apologetic face ): Um sorry Aunty, if you've felt bad..

Akshara ( smiled ): Nahi beta..aisi koi baath nahi hai, we were just amused that you didn't know about such a famous celebration of India..

Poorvi ( glared at men ): You never taught them, did you..??

The men smiled sheepishly at her..

Ranvir ( coolly ): You know, they neither going to celebrate it nor going to be interested in it, then why would we teach them about it..

Shanno, who never interfered in Fab 5's matter due to their immature behavior got annoyed with Ranvir's cool attitude..

Shanno ( glared ): You decided it even without knowing what they want, huh..?

Ranvir made a puppy face, Shanno is just like Trisha and Chhavi when it comes to anger, you should never mess with them at that moment..

Shanno ( disbelievingly ): Now, don't try these faces at me Ranvi Bhayya, it won't work..They are your kids and so its your duty to teach them about our morals and traditions..If they don't want to follow it, then let it be but it doesn't mean you should forget your responsibility..

Ranvir, Raj, Swayam, Akshay and Raj held their ears..

" Sorry, Mrs. Tigress.." they said in unison making her smile, finally..

Fab 5 could only get amazed with their fathers. They never bow down in front of anyone but when they are with their family, they just become someone else..

Poorvi ( smiled ): Chalo, teek hai, bacho, we will tell you, Karwachauth is a festival celebrated in some parts of India, where, women will fast from sunrise to moon rise for the safety and longevity of their husbands..

The kids listened to her carefully..

Manik ( cringed his eyebrow ): You mean, you fast..I think, its nearly 15 hours..

Akshara ( winked ): I think its according to the moon, what if it wishes to come after 15 hours and a minute..?

Manik smiled at her..

Shanno ( smiled): As per the traditions, women have to wake up before sun rise and eat sargi..

Dhruv ( confused ): Sargi..?

Poorvi ( smiled ): Haa sargi..that's the food we eat to keep us healthy next day while we will be on our fast..

Akshara: Sargi includes, pheni, parantha, fruits and some types of sweets or halwa..

Mukti ( frowned ): So, its only for married women..then, why do you celebrate so grandly..?

Shanno: Its not, if you want, even an unmarried woman can be a part of it..You can keep fast for your fiance or your desired man..like boyfriend..

The ladies smiled at them and so others..

Alya ( frowned ): How do you stay empty stomach for 15 hours..?

Akshara ( smiled): You can, if you love your husband to no extent. When you feel like you can't take it anymore, just think about him, you need to think that what if just because of your fast, God decides to extend his life span..You could even stay hungry for more than a day, then..

Alya nodded in understanding while others smiled at her answer..

Akshay: So, its going to be a long day for you ladies, plus you need to wake up early..

Lalith: Its better to catch some sleep..

The ladies nodded and they got up..Soon, everyone were done with their dinner..

Before Sunrise

The ladies were already present on the dining table with their sargi..Akshara saw a person sitting in front of them..

Akshara ( cringed her eyebrow ): Alya, aap yaha kya kar rahe ho beta..?

Alya ( smiled ): I want to be a part of it too..For Dhruv..

The ladies smiled at her, Alya started eating when she spotted someone chatting with Soha and Navya who were also having their sargi..

Alya ( whispered ): Nandini..

Alya was shocked to see her. Neither Nandini is married nor she has a boyfriend, then what is she doing here..

Alya: Nandini, what are you doing here..?

Nandini stopped talking and looked at Alya..

Nandini ( shrugged ): Well, its Karwa Chauth, so I obviously am having my sargi..

Alya ( fake smiled ): I can see it, but my doubt is you aren't married and you are single, so I was just curious..

Nandini ( fake smiled ): Alya, Akshu Ma said right, even a non-married girl could be a part of it and so I can. I don't need a boyfriend too, after all, one day I am going to get married for sure, so this fast is for HIS LIFE..

Alya stared at her in shock while others smiled at her..

Shanno: Chalo, jaldhi hi apne sargi khatham karo bacho..

They departed to their rooms, once they were done with the Sargi..

Next Day

Post-Pooja

Today, none of the men were present on the table while Peter has kept the food for youngsters..

Youngsters came downstairs ready to go for their works..

Cabir ( confused ): Where are our fathers..?

Soha ( smiled ): Today, they won't be here..

Dhruv: Why..?

Soha: Since, the ladies are on fast today, men won't eat anything until they break their fast.

Fab 5 smiled and they felt a lot of admiration for their fathers..

Sid ( emotionless ): Princess, chal..we will leave..

Soha: You will have to have your food, you know we don't like it..

Dev ( sighed ): Teek hai meri ma..hum office jaake khana khayenge, but very light..

Soha ( grinned ): Kaafi hai..

Fab 4 were confused seeing it, why would the boys won't have food and why Soha is saying she and someone else won't like if they don't have food, they aren't fasting, right..

Arya: Munchkin kaha hai..?

Voice: Over here..

They turned to the voice and smiled at her..

Manik ( whispered ): Beautiful..

Sid: Kya Kameeni..kithne der lagathe ho tum..?

Nandini ( glared ): Kya mein tujhse mere liye wait karne keliye bola..agar nahi tho tum yaha khade kyu..

Arya ( annoyed ): Yar, phirse shuru math hoja..I have a meeting in half an hour..kripya aap hamare saath aayiye..

Sid ( scratched his nape ): As much as I remember, you used to hate Shakespeare that I used to doubt, have you ever come across him if he wasn't dead, then you would have locked him up in a room and killed him by just opening your mouth, you never brush, right..Then, why are you being dramatic, its a Shakespeare thing, right..

Dev face palmed while girls giggled..

Arya ( sarcastically ): Jab Shakespeare ki athma tumhein hai tho mujhe uskeliye hatred tho nahi hona chahiye, we are best friends..Hatred turned into Love..

Sid made a bad face..

Dev: Bas bhi kar yar..bohath saare kaam baaki hai..

Nandini ( teased ): Haa haa..dev ko tho Sona se milna hai, chalo chalo..

Dev ( glared ): Ruk tu, mein bathatha hoon tujhe..

Dev ran behind Nandini and M3 followed them laughing..

Manik ( smiled ): They are just another example of pure friendship..

He too walked away along with Cabir and Dhruv while girls followed them..They decided to have food from canteen as even they didn't want to have food when the elder ladies were fasting..

In Dreamland

Lunch time ( Canteen )

Since, it was lunch time, staff members were in the canteen including Fab 5..While Manik was staring at the entrance every now and then because Nandini was nowhere to be found. He was quiet hungry since he skipped his breakfast due to workload..He is sitting only with a cup of coffee in his stomach which might have got digested by now as it was in the morning..

Cabir ( teased ): Manik, she will be here in any moment, kuch tho khalo..kab se wo bechare khana tujhe dekhke has rahe hai..

Manik glared at him..

Dhruv ( smiled ): Haa buddy, you even skipped your breakfast, right..Have something..

Manik ( smiled ): I will buddy..

Cabir: Yeah, once he feels her presence around him..

Manik glared while Dhruv chuckled. Mukti too smiled while Alya was sitting with her phone, she looks quiet tired..

Dhruv ( coldly ): Alya..why aren't you eating anything..?

Alya got nervous, she didn't tell anything about her fast. Since the day she insulted Sona, Dhruv was giving cold shoulder to her and point to be noted, she is feared of it, she doesn't want to lose him, he is the one whom she could call as her's completely..

Alya: Wo..nothing..I am not hungry..

Mukti ( confused ): You didn't even have your breakfast, how come you are still not hungry..?

Dhruv too noticed it, he was worried for her but didn't show it, he wanted her to realize her mistake and until then he won't budge, even if it will take ages..

Alya ( nerovus ): Kuch bhi tho nahi, I am not hungry..

Dhruv: Mukti, rehne dhe..If she wants to eat, she will, why are you bothering her..?

Mukti sighed, she knew about their fight and so others..Manik and Cabir looked at each other with a frown on their faces..

Manik: Buddy, what is it..? Why are you being so cold with Alya..?

Dhruv ( emotionless ): Me..? Why would I be..? I am speaking with her just like how I speak with you guys..

Alya felt hurt, he is speaking as if they are just friends, not husband and wife..

Cabir ( sighed ): Dhruv, we can see everything..

Dhruv ( sighed ): Come on guys, you are just overthinking. I am not giving any kind of cold treatment to any of my friends..End of discussion, cause I am done with it..

Cabir was about to speak more when Manik held his hand and gestured to look at Alya who was sitting with moist eyes but she didn't allow the tears to come out..

Manik ( whispered to Cabir ): Not now Cabir..we will talk with buddy, later on..

Cabir nodded at him in understanding..Manik stared at the entrance again, yet she was nowhere. He roamed his eyes in the entire canteen to see none, but he spotted William..

Manik ( frowned+whispered ): William is here..Then why isn't she here..? William doesn't come to canteen until and unless Nandini have her food from here, then where is she..?

Manik got up from his seat..

Mukti ( confused ): Tu kaha ja raha hai..?

Manik: I will just come, Mukti..

He walked towards William..

Manik: Um, William..where is Nanz..?

William stared at him with cringed eyebrows..

William: And, why would I say it to you..?

Had it been the previous Manik, he would have felt offended but not now, he knows William is someone important to Nandini so she would never like if he insults him even after getting a nod from her for a second chance to their relationship..Moreover, he knew he was being a jerk..

Manik ( calmly ): Look, you might be knowing we are family friends, so I am here to ask about my Dad's best friend's daughter, I had to keep a check on her as per my Dad's wish..

William got convinced..

William ( nodded ): Fine, she is still in her cabin..

Manik ( surprised ): What..? But why..? She has to have her lunch..?

William ( shrugged ): Well, its Karwa Chauth, I think that's the way to pronounce it, I am not so familiar with Hindi words, so that's the reason, she isn't here..

Manik was more shocked. Why isn't she having food if its Karwa Chauth, they aren't in India thinking that if they have their food, maybe other ladies will feel bad.

Manik: Thanks William..

William ( smiled ): With pleasure..

Manik decided to check on her to clear his doubt. He walked out of canteen only after dropping a message to Cabir that they can leave when they are done with their Lunch..

In Nandini's Cabin

Nandini was working on her laptop, she was feeling a bit of tiredness in her body but she knew only work could make her ignore it..She said William to have his food as usually, he doesn't have his food without her since she has a habit of skipping meals, but on this day, he would go and finish his lunch alone..

" KNOCK " " KNOCK "

Nandini: Come in..

She was still working, when she heard the click sound and she heard the footsteps too. She could see from the corner of ehr eyes that someone was standing in front of ehr table..

Nandini ( still working ): Yes..what is it..?

" May I know why are you still working..? " asked the person and she instantly recognized his voice..

Nandini ( whispered ): Manik..

She looked above to see him staring at her curiously..

Nnadini ( frowned ): What are you doing here..?

Manik ( sighed ): Can I speak with Nandini Dixit..?

She stared at him in confusion and then it hit her that they are their work place..

Nandini ( smiled ): You are speaking to Nandini..

That was it, he started shouting..

Manik: Really..? Then you might know that I would be wishing to see you in the canteen but no, you are still working..How much more will you work..?

She was too shocked with his sudden outburst..

Nandini: Manik..hold on..Hua kya hai..why are you so worked up..?

She got up from her chair and walked towards him..He glared at her..

Nandini ( pouted ): Arey mene kya kiya..

Manik: Nandini..why are you still working..Its lunch time..

Nandini avoided eye contact..

Nandini: Uh..wo..actually, I..I wasn't feeling hungry..yeah..

He stared at her and then lift her chin up and made her look in his eyes..

Manik ( softly ): Is that so..Or, are you hiding something..?

Nandini ( nervous): What..? Wh..why would I hide something from you..?

Mnaik ( sarcastic grin ): Because, you are avoiding eye contact plus you are being nervous..? can someone get nervous without any reason..?

Nandini made an irritated face..

Nandini: Arey bola na mene..I am not hungry..

Manik ( innocently ): Then, why was William telling that you are working just because its Karwa Chauth..?

Nandini's mouth went wide open..

Nnadini: What..?

Manik nodded with a grin..She bit her lips and scratched her forehead..

Nandini: Um, you know, its Karwa Chauth, so I thought, not to disrespect it..

He got annoyed now, he pulled her by her bare waist making her breathe hitch in her throat..He smirked seeing his effect on her..He caressed her waist..

Manik: Jhoot bolan tumhare bas ke baath nahi hai, Nandini..spill it..what is it that you are hiding from me..?

She was lost in his touch and also, she didn't know how to say the truth..

Nandini: Manik..please..I don't want to..

Manik ( coolly): Fine, then have food from here..

Nandini ( widened her eyes ): What..? No..

Manik: Why not..? Come on, I am hungry, I will have my food with you..

Nandini: Manik, why are you staying hungry for me, go and have your food..

Manik: Arey wahi tho keh raha hoon, I will order food for us and we will eat together..

Nandini: Manik, I said I am not hungry..

Manik ( adamant ): No, you are eating with me and I won't hear a No..you better get it..

Nandini ( pissed ): Why don't you uinderstand Mnaik, i won't eat..?

Manik ( shouted ): Why..?

Nandini ( shouted ): Because, I am fasting..

And then she jsut realized what she said after seeing his shocked eyes..

Manik: What...?

She face palmed and shook her head..

Nandini: god, why do I even have a mouth..?

He lift her chin and stared in her eyes..

Nandini ( sighed ): Its Karwa Chauth and I am also fasting..

Manik ( frowned ): Its for married women and to-be-married or someone with boyfriend..then, why are you fasting..?

She started looking here and there..

Manik ( sternly ): Nandini..

Nandini ( huffed ): I am fasting for you..

His eyes widened at her answer.

Manik: What..?

Nandini ( nodded ): I am fasting for your longevity of life..

Manik didn't know what to say, here he was trying to mend their relationship thinking he has to gain her trust, her Love all over again but then he is getting to know he doesn't need to take any effort in getting a place in her heart, because for her, he means everything that she doesn't even care about her hunger for she can keep a fast on his life's longevity..

He caressed her cheeks and spoke softly..

Manik: Why..? When I was the reason for your tears..? Why..? When I was the one who walked out of your life when I should have taken your hand in mine, to make US forever..?

Nandini ( smiled ): I don't know, I just knew that no matter what, I won't be able to give my life partner's place to anyone else, except you. Maybe I hated you for my tears but then it was just a part of mine, the rest just longed for you..

He smiled with a bit of tears in his eyes..

Manik: You didn't break your promise..

Nandini looked at him confused..

Manik: To always remember me in your prayers..

She smiled widely, he remembers that night, when he saw her for the first time, praying for him, that was enough for her to know he could never forget their memories, be it bad or good..

Manik ( softly): Can I get a hug..?

She just banged in his chest and he secured her in his arms and lifter her off the ground..

Manik: You make me smile like an idiot, you know it right..!!

Nandini ( smiled ): And you make me believe in fairy tale's Prince Charming and a happily ever after with him and I know you would be knowing it..

They smiled in contentment. He kissed her forehead with she still being in his arms and she kissed his cheeks in return..They stayed in each other's arms with a smile on their lips..

In Dixit's Empire

Viren's Cabin

They were some people assembled in the cabin with serious faces and they were none other than the elderly men of the family..

Akshay ( shocked ): You mean, you saw baby princess in Manik's room..?

Raj ( nodded ): yes..

Ranvir ( shocked ): you mean, you saw baby princess in Manik's arms..?

Raj ( nodded ): Yes..

Ravi ( shocked ): You mean, you saw them both sleeping in each other's arms...?

Raj ( gritted his teeth ): Yes..

Akshay ( shocked ): You mean..

Viren ( annoyed ): Shut up guys..kabse you mean you mean kehke rakha hai..ek simple sentence nahi samaj sakthe kya..Raj caught Manik and doll in Manik's bedroom, sleeping in each other's arms, mind you just sleeping, nothing else..

Akshay: Abey tho kya karoon..? Jab " kabhi nahi ho saktha " ho raha hai tho shocked hona hai na..

Raj: Yar..yahi tho mene dekha hai and we interrogated about it with them..?

Ranvir ( shouted ): What...? You asked them were they sleeping with each other..Abey khudke bache hai, sharam hona chahiye tum dono ko..

Viren ( irritated ): What the hell..hum aisa kyu poochenge..We just tried to get the truth out of them..seedhe pooch liya tho kuch nahi milega..

Rohit ( raised his eyebrow ): And, what did they say..?

Raj: Well, I just got to see my son speaking bullshits, i mean, he said he jog for wenting..

Swayam ( shocked ): What does it even mean..?

Viren ( coolly ): Simple, he meant he went for jogging, wo bhi raath mein, actually he meant in morning..

Raj: Phir usne kaha he was sweeping, instead of sleeping..Kinda weird, Manik Malhotra is famous for bullying other par yaha khudko bacha hi nahi paya..

Viren: And I got to see doll sweating in nervousness..

Ranvir: Daal mein kuch zaroor khala hai..

Akshay: Yar, maana ki tujhe daal pasandh hai par ab situation kuch aur hi hai..khana chod aur bache pe concentrate kar..

Lalith: Tum dono chup raho..Raj, Viren..what do you think..?

Viren: Something is happening between them..

Suddenly, Akshay remembered something..

Akshay: Yaar, mujhse ek galathi ho gaya..

Raj: Yar please, ye math kehna ki Cabir ke ek bhai bhi hai, iss umar mein bachon ke samne sar chuk ke baath bhi nahi karpaoge tum..

Viren ( horrified ): Kya..ek aur beta..Akshay yar, paida karne ke waqt soch nahi saktha tha hame bete tho kuch zyada hi hai aur betiyan kam..

Swayam, Lalith, Ravi and Rohit just face palmed..the rest 4 are always like this, pranksters forever..

Ranvir: Yar phir bhi, mujhe iss umar mein chote beche ke khayal nahi rakh saktha..aaj kal mere pressure level thoda high hai..

Akshay ( annoyed ): Chup kar saalein..mujhe bath karne do..mera mathlab ye hai..ki I have just forgotten that we just need to speak to Cabir to get the truth about Manik and Princess..

Raj ( sarcastically ): Yeah right, you would get the entire thing out of him. Tum pagal hogaya ho kya..Manik and Cabir are each other's mirrors. They trust each other a lot, isiliye unn dono ke secrets kabhi bhi bahar nahi aaega..

Ranvir: Ye bhi tho ek point hai, if Dhruv is his buddy then Cabir is his soul brother.

Rohit: Koi aur batha nahi saktha..What about girls..?

Lalith ( sighed ): Nahi yar, they are just like M5, will never ditch each other, I have seen them fighting but it would never last for more than a day..

Ravi: Ab kya kare..

Viren ( smirked ): Jo karna hai, wo mene already kiya hai..

" Aur wo kya hai.."

Raj ( smirked ): The moment we got a doubt on them, we have appointed a bodyguard for them, he is our trustworthy guard and he will get the information about Manik and Love..he will be keeping an eye on them when they are at office..

Akshay: I must say, quiet intelligent..aakhir dosth kiska hai..

Ranvi: Mera hai..

Akshay glared at him..Soon, Viren got a call in his mobile..He checked the caller Id and his smirk grew wide..

Viren: its the guard..

Swayam: Put it on speaker..

Viren kept it on speaker..

Viren: What is it you've got, James..?

James: Sir, I had kept an eye on them and..

And what they heard just widened their eyes..They whispered in shocked tone..

" Manik and Doll were together in her cabin for the entire Lunch break.."

To be continued..