Nandini's POV

It was almost 11 in night, when I and Alya lay down on the bed. Today she decided to sleep with me. And I was more than happy. Today I needed someone to be with me. And no other person than Alya could be better for it.

I looked at my side and saw her staring at the ceiling. How much I want to share each and everything to you Alya. Today you gain much respect. You are beloved Alya and I promise I will do everything to make you happy and smile.

She turned her head towards me and we both gazed at each other.

"neend nahi aa rahi Nandu..." she said. I smiled and said "so let's talk"

She looked at her hand down and then looked at me again.

"I wanted to ask you something..." she was a little hesitant to ask me. I placed my hand on her hand and blinked my eyes.

"actually I was thinking to ask you from past days, but aisa mauka hi nahi mila." She said. I nodded and gestured her to ask.

"uhmm... Nandu... What... What... do you think of... Manik...?" she asked me looking at me. For few seconds I just stared at her face.

Did she know about us?

"bolo na Nandu..." she again asked me.

I turned my body and looked up at ceiling "Manik..." I sighed and continued "he is perfect. I mean wo Papa ke best friend ka beta hai. He successful, he is caring, he is the best son, best Brother. A very good friend and of course future me a very good life partner. Manik... best hai... perfect hai..." I said in trance.

"hmm... he will be best hubby na?" my trance was broken by her sudden question. I started at her. did I have a doubt that he will be the best hubby? I know he will be. And I find myself lucky enough that he is mine.

I smiled and nodded at her. she smiled and then pulled the duvet up to her chest.

"thanks Nandu... for sharing..." she said and closed her eyes.

"good night Alya..." I said and closed my eyes remembering Manik.

--------

It was almost two months Alya asked me about Manik. We had our final exams over too. From past two months Manik was regularly in touch with Alya. He used to talk with her, he used to take both of us out for dinners and lunches. When I asked him why he was doing it. he said he just want to woo and impress Alya, so that in future there's no space left to say no to us. I used to laugh on him because I know Alya isn't a simple girl. she can't get impressed by just dinners and lunches. A person needs to be inside her heart then only she is impressed.

Manik was on the other side too busy in his work. Of course he was handling Foreign delegates, while Maan uncle was handling national clients. I so wanted to tell him about mine and Alya's talk about him. but every time I just forgot to tell him that. We had a very less time to talk because he was busy and I was busy in preparing for my last term. So our talk was pending.

I took out the book from my bag and gave it to the librarian. Our college was over, but I had some books with me. So I came to college to return it.

I was walking through the college corridor, when a sudden thought hit me. It is the time. Yes, it is the time tell our families that we are in love. But will they accept me? I know my family won't object because Manik is best. But what about Malhotra's? what if they will think that I am a.... oh stupid Nandini, why they will think such things? Mukti is your best friend. Janvi Aunty is love and Maan uncle is just like another father for me. They will... they will be happy knowing about me and Manik right? Yes... they will be.

Suddenly my phone rang showing Manik's name. I smiled and picked it up.

"hi..." I tried to sound happy, but inside I was worried and tensed.

"hey... sounding low? Kuch hua kya?" how, like how he gets to know everything? Itna ache se kaise jaanta hai ye mujhe.

"apne aap se question karna bandh karo and tell me what happened? And where are you?" he asked me breaking my thoughts.

"wo... I am at college. Kuch book the, wahi return karne aayi thi. And Manik...." I stopped my sentence in between.

"hmm... Manik kya?" he asked.

"Manik, wo actually I think... its time..." I said with a sigh.

"time? Time for what?" he asked in utter confusion. God...

"ohh... time to tell everyone... finally Miss Murthy..." he chirped over the call.

"suno... kuch aur bhi batana tha..." I said him.

"hmmm boliye... sun raha hun main..." he said in a cheesy tone.

"wo Manik... that partywali night, remember? That night Alya was asking me about you." I said.

"about me? What?" he questioned.

"yes... that what do I think of you and stuff."

"hmm.. your sister na is actually smarter than you. Wo samj gayi hogi that we are in love with each other. That is why she asked. Ek tum hi ho slowmotion..." he said from the other side.

"very funny Manik... but usne kuch particularly nah puchha I mean..." I tried to justify myself.

"ohhooo... Nandini... listen, usne puchha tumne bataya, it's okay. Ab hum ghar pe kab bata rahe hai, ye tum mujhe batao. Because I am quite excited to tell Mom." He said.

I smiled and said "main bas ghar hi jaa rahi hu, lunch pe Mom ko bata dungi."

"bata dogi na pakka?" I could feel desperation in his voice.

"ha bata dungi..." I said closing my eyes.

"okay then... ek kaam karta hun... main bhi lunch time pe ghar jaake sabko sab kuch bata dunga... aur suno... kitna time ho gaya hum kahi bahar nahi gaye hai akele. So aaj kahi chale? Bahar?" he asked me.

I smiled and said "Manik... aaj nahi... let me spend time with Mom and Papa, let me at least see what they have to say about us. Phir ek baar sab thik ho jaye phir chalenge bahar." I explained him my situation.

I heard him sighing deeply. "I miss you Nandini... I so want to come to you and hug you... bas ab wait ni hota."

"I too can't wait Manik... just a day more and everything will be okay." I said.

"hmm... just one more day Nandini... and you will be mine." He spoke and my cheeks turned red instantly.

"Bye Manik..."

"bye... and... I love you..." he said.

"I love you too..." I said and cut the call. I looked at my phone and smiled like a fool. Yes, now it is the time, I can't wait more. He can't wait more. We can't wait more to be with each other.

Narrator's POV

Nandini reached her house after talking with Manik. She walked inside but she didn't found anyone, so she walked straight to the stairs. Suddenly Radhika came in front of her grinning and twirled her around jumping in joy...

"Nandu.... I am so happy..." she spoke.

Nandini made her stop and asked "Mom... what happened? Why so much excitement?"

Radhika stood in front of her grinning and said "Alya ne Manik ke baare me sab bata diya hai hume"

Nandini stood there, shocked and surprised. How did Alya knew about it and when did she tell everything to them. There were so many questions running in her head. But her mother broke her chain of thoughts.

"Nandu... kuch bolegi? Aur tune hume kyun nahi bataya hmm?" she asked the question which Nandini was avoiding.

"Mom... wo actually main batane hi wali thi aur..." she said, but Radhika cut her in between.

"chal wo sab chhod... sun... aaj maine aur tere Papa ne Malhotra's ko officially... rishte ki baat ke liye bulaya hai." She said.

Nandini blushed and looked down. she couldn't imagine that her parents took all the things very positively. She was getting scared just like that. She looked up at her mother and smiled.

Her mother smiled back and asked "are you happy?"

Nandini nodded her head frantically which made Radhika laugh. Suddenly they both heard a chirpy voice coming from stairs...

"Nandu... you back...." Alya said excitedly from stairs and ran to her. she hugged her instantly.

"I am so happy...." She said in the hug. Nandini hugged her back and said "I am happy too..."

Radhika looked at her both daughters and a tear of happiness came in her eye. She quickly wiped it and smiled.

"Chalo chalo. We have to prepare lot things." She said and both the girl broke the hug.

They all started doing preparations. After the preparation as suggested by Alya, both the girls went to parlour to pamper themselves.

Here in Malhotra mansion, Manik entered tossing his keys in his hands at lunch time. He saw his mother and sister standing in front of him with their hands on their waist and a grumpy expression on their face. He stopped at his place and raised his brow.

He walked closer and asked both of them "What?"

His mother came close to him first then his sister came and stood beside his mother. He watched them patiently but nothing was making sense.

"you lied to me?" his sister's sudden question took his all attention.

"what lie?" he asked.

"matlab bagl me chhori aur gaon mme dhindhora." His mother said folding her hands near her chest.

"what? Kya bol rahe...." He stopped and tried to think on what she said. Did they mean that...

"Ha... we know..." his sister said in a serious tone.

"uhmm... wo... main.... I was... about to tell you guys... isiliye main..." he fumbled on each word.

But suddenly Mukti and Janvi were laughing like hell seeing Manik all flushed and scared. Manik looked at them as if they were some aliens.

"what? Kya laga tumhe ke hume kuch pata nahi chalega?" Janvi asked.

"par... aapko pata kaise chala, I mean..." he asked caressing his nape.

"Alya ne bataya..." this time Mukti said. He smiled and mentally thanked Alya.

"matlab Bhai aap to meri hi best friend ke sath hmm?" Mukti nudged him playfully.

He blushed and his cheeks turned red instantly.

"oh my god...!!" his mother shouted suddenly... both Manik and Mukti looked at her with shocked expression.

"Mom... kya hua?" Mukti asked.

"mera beta blush bhi karta hai... haye...." She said looking dreamily at him. Manik again blushed hard and then looked down.

"Mom... aap bhi na..." he said.

"achha ab blush karna bandh kar aur sun... Murthys ne hume aaj officially dinner pe invite kiya hai. Rishte ki baat karne ke liye." His mom said smiling.

He looked straight up to her and grinned like a teenage boy and hugged her instantly "really? Oh my god... I can't believe this..."

"you have to believe it..." she said in the hug.

"you are happy na?" Janvi asked him breaking the hug.

Manik looked at her and said "yes Mom... I am very happy..." he smiled. Janvi too smiled and caressed his cheeks.

"Mom... ab senti mat hona aap... chale bahot sare kaam hai..." Mukti said and side hugged Janvi.

She nodded and they both went to look after some work, while Manik ran up to his room.

As soon as he reached in the room, he took out his phone and called Nandini...

Here, Nandini was with Alya pampering herself. Suddenly her phone rang and she excused herself and went out to talk.

"hello..." she said over the call.

"hii... so... I am invited officially today at your house." Manik said making Nandini blush.

"yes... tumhe pata chal gaya?" she asked.

"of course... Mom ne abhi abhi bataya... I can't wait for tonight... I am so excited..." joy and happiness was clear in his voice.

Nandini sighed and said "yes... even I can't wait..."

"So Miss Murthy, be ready because I am coming to get you... soon you will be Mrs. Malhotra..." he said.

Nandini blushed and said "Can't wait Mr. Malhotra."

Suddenly she heard Alya calling her "Nandu... come na waha kya kar rahi ho?"

She nodded and said "haan... aayi..."

"Manik... will talk later okay. Bye..." she said.

"Achha suno..." he said from other side.

"haan..." she said.

"I love you and wait for me okay..." he said making her blush again.

"bye." She said and cut the call. she smiled to her fullest and went inside.

Manik too smiled and blushed and looked at himself in the mirror. He grinned and shook his head.

-----

Nandini's POV

I looked at myself in the mirror. The red anarkali was fitting me perfectly on my body. I have let my hairs opened because that is how he likes it. I did a little make up to enhance my facial beauty. Not forgetting red lipstick which he loves. Definitely.

I blushed and caressed my lips. I twirled around happily and laughed. How much happy I am right now. I closed my eyes and prayed to God that please make everything okay.

"Nandu... ready ho gayi k nahi beta?" I heard Mom calling me.

I saw her appearing adjusting her sari in my room. I turned and twirled around. She laughed and then came near me.

"you are looking so pretty." She said kissing my forehead.

I blushed and said "Thank you..."

"Mom...!!!" we both heard Alya calling her coming in my room.

I saw her wearing deep blue coloured full length anarkali looking all beautiful and pretty. She was looking more beautiful than me. I smiled and shook my head.

"what happened?" Mom asked turning towards her.

"this earring... dekha na... ye pehni nahi jaa rahi..." she nagged like a small child. I wonder if I would not be there for her, what she will do. I sighed and walked to her. I adjusted her hairs behind her ears and made her wear her earring.

"and It's done" I said smilingly again putting her hair back on it's place.

She smiled and hugged me "Thank you Nandu... pata nahi tere bina mera kya hota..." she broke the hug smilingly.

"wahi jo tere bina mera hota..." we both smiled and turned towards Mom. She was having teras in her eyes. We both looked at each other and rushed towards her.

"Mom... What happened?" we both asked. She shook her head and kissed both of us and then said "I love you both..." we smiled and hugged her.

"We love you too..." we said together.

"Are... kitni der....?" Papa walked in wearing his kurta looking all dashing. As soon as he saw us, he looked dreamily at us and sobbed a bit.

"Radhika... meri betiyaan itni badi kyun ho gayi?" he said wiping his tears. I and Alya looked at him aww expressions. While Mom rolled her eyes.

"let's go... Malhotra's must be on their way. Nandu Alya, bulau tab aa jana thik hai" Mom instructed us and walked out.

I turned towards Alya and she jumped in joy "Oh.... I am so happy...." She jumped like a child and hugged me. I hugged her back. I am going to miss you baby sister... I sighed.

Soon we heard Mom calling us down. I held Alya's hand and we both walked down hand in hand. All the Malhotra's were dressed beautifully. They all stood up and as soon as they saw us coming down.

I couldn't look up because of my shyness, but something made me look up and that was his intense gaze. He kept looking at me proudly making me go red all.

I again looked down and continued walking. We saw them settling again on the sofa. I and Alya stood behind Mom and Papa's seat.

I looked at Manik and he was looking at me only. He was beautifully dressed in his black kurta with white patiyala.

I can drool over him life long, but Mom's voice broke my trance.

"Are... why are you both standing here? Come on sit." Mom said dragging both of us towards the centre.

"haan, beta... Alya... come sit beside Manik..." Janvi aunty said and that one statement made me turn around her. she was extending her hand towards Alya who was standing beside me. Alya accepted her hand and sat beside Manik. I looked at Manik and he was confused too. I looked at Alya and observed her. she was blushing... she was blushing...

"Kya Manik... tum to bade chhupa rustom nikle. Matlab meri hi beti ke sath hmm?" Papa asked him teasingly and I looked at papa with all shock over my face. I turned my face towards him and he was looking at me only.

I stepped back and again stood behind papa understanding what is all this.

"Mom... I need to talk to you... it's very urgent" I heard Manik saying.

"Are abhi kya? Pehle jo bolna tha wo bataya nahi ab sab baat chit engagement ke baad. Haina Alya?" Janvi aunty asked Alya.

And my breath got away. tears ran down my eyes, I turned and cried. Without letting anyone know. I can't let them know. No...

"Mom please understand... it's urgent..." Manik again said.

I wiped my tears and came in front. Manik looked at me with guilt all over his face. I shook my head at him. he widened his eyes first. I shook my head again looking down. I couldn't gaze at him. I am not that strong.

"Are Nandu... jaoo sab ke liye juice aur nasta leke aao..." Mom suggested. I nodded silently still looking down controlling my tears and ran inside the kitchen.

As soon as I reached the kitchen. I leaned on the kitchen slab and cried. Tears were flowing out of my eyes. They weren't stopping.

"Alya loves Manik" I said unconsciously... and with a thud I sat on the floor. the pain in the heart was too much to bear for me.

"Alya loves Manik..." I sobbed holding my heart. How can I be so stupid? So stupid? I didn't see the love for him in Alya's eyes. How can I fall in love with the same person my sister love? How can I?

I palmed my face and sobbed more.

Every time she asked about him was for her, not for me. I am so stupid... so stupid...

Kya karu? Sabko sab batadu? Phir Alya? Her happiness? Nahi... I can't lose her. wo mujhse nafrat karegi jab use pata chalega that I love....

No.... that can't happen. No...

I wiped my tears hastily and took the tray from slab and walked out. I adjusted a fake smile on my face and walked out.

I put the tray down on the centre table exactly in front of him. HIM...

He gazed at me with painful eyes and I turned away from him. I am sorry Manik. I am sorry.

"Main abhi aayi..." I said to Mom and she nodded. I ran upstairs to my room and leaned on the wall beside the door hiding from my family and from him. I can't go... I can't...

Kya karu? Kuch samj nahi aa raha... Manik... I love... I love him... But Alya loves him too... I can't back stab her. I... can't...

I cried more and sat on the floor folding my knees.

"I can't... I can't" I spoke still sobbing.

Manik's POV

When Mom told Alya to sit beside me, I was shocked. I didn't understand her at first, then I came to know what she was talking about. They thought that I love Alya... but I don't love her. I love Nandini... I looked up at her. she was confused too. She looked pale.

I need to tell everyone that this is not right. I tried speaking with Mom but she conveniently ignored me. Nandini was ignoring me too. When she put the tray on the table, I looked at her with hope and pain, but she turned away. Away from me? Why? she gestured me to not tell anything to everyone. Still she doesn't want to share it with anyone. I can't believe.

But I don't care what she is up to. I need to tell Mom. I even tried talking to Alya, about it, but every time Mukti disturbed us.

"actually... I need to use the loo" I said awkwardly looking at all of them. They all looked at me first with shock but then Harsh uncle nodded and smiled. I stood up and ran upstairs behind her.

I need to find her. we need to tell everyone that we love each other and we want to marry each other.

I saw her room door was open, I ran inside and called for her "Nandini..."

I looked at my side and she was sitting on the floor folding her knees up to her chest crying. I sat beside her and wiped her tears.

"why are you crying haan? Unhe koi misunderstanding ho gayi hai. Come on stop crying" I said still wiping her tears and I made her stood up.

She looked at me with pain and sadness in her eyes. I shook my head and said "Nandini... what is there to cry. Hum abhi niche jaake sabki misunderstanding clear kar denge. Come on"

I tried dragging her with me. But she didn't budge a bit. She stood glued to the wall. I got confused, why isn't she moving. I stood in front of her and caressed her cheeks to clear the traces of her tears.

"Baby... come na... let's go down." I again tried dragging her. she looked down not meeting my eyes. What is wrong with you Nandini? my heart shouted.

"Nandini... come... naa.... Niche sab ko sab batana hai..." I whispered. Finally, she looked up at me.

"Manik... wo..." she broke the eye contact to avoid me.

"Wo kya?" I asked.

"I think.... I think we should just... just end... end it..." she said taking breaks in between. I stood there numb and shocked. What she was trying to say. End what?

"End what?" I asked.

She looked at me and said "end this relationship"

My world came crashing down. this feeling... I can't even describe how it feels. It is like someone was stabbing my heart with a sharp mirror, which was causing me pain... immense pain.

"no... stop joking Nandini... dekho... ye... ye time nahi hai... to joke. Come let's go down" I tried to change what just she said, but she didn't move.

"Manik.... Alya loves you" she said looking at me with teary eyes.

"so...?" I asked her back.

She looked down and sobbed a bit. I felt my cheeks getting wet. I didn't know I started crying.

I shook her holding her from shoulders and asked "So Nandini....? so what?"

She stayed quiet and numb.

"Nandini... I love you...." I said crying.

She shrugged off my hands from her and said "We can't be together Manik..."

She looked away from me and I stood there numb. How can she just break everything? Who gave her the right? I am not listening to her bullshit. I am not letting her go away from me.

I started walking towards the door saying "fine...... tum nahi batana chahti... main bataunga unko..."

"I am using the blank promise." She said in a trance and I stood at her room door holding it.

I turned my face towards her and her face was all blank. Blank. I couldn't even read her. I couldn't even think of what was going inside her, what she was thinking.

"no... no... no no no... you... can't do this..." I freaked out rushing towards her.

I held her arms and said "Please... don't do it..."

"baby listen..." I said and held her face in my hands lovingly.

"I will make everything okay. Tum Alya ki tension le rahi ho na... main samjaunga usko... tum chinta mat karo... chalo abhi niche... chalo..." I said.

"Manik please... go away..." she pushed me away from her crying.

"Alya.... Alya... needs you... she loves you" she said looking at me.

"are I don't care..." I shouted on her. she jumped on her place.

"I don't care... I love you... I... love... you.... Can't you get it" I said holding her crying, yelling and what not.

"Manik I am using the blank promise. Tumne kaha tha. I can use it whenever I want. I want it Manik. I want you to be Alya. I want you for Alya..." she said wiping her tears.

I shook my head rapidly and said "no... I am not giving in to this... no... I am going to tell everyone everything"

I started walking but she stopped me by holding my hand "agar tumne kuch bhi bataya to trust me Manik... you won't see me ever again"

Her words rang in to my ears scaring the hell out of me. I can't believe what she just said. Why she was doing it? why? why she is making everything so difficult?

"Why?" I asked turning back to her.

She looked at me with teary eyes "because I love Alya... she can't get hurt Manik... you are the best... and she is perfect for you..."

Alya... then what me Nandini? you don't love me? Why? why so much pain? Why?

I left her hand and walked out wiping my tears.

"I hate you Nandini... for doing this... I cannot forgive you" I said standing at the door step of her room. tears ran down my cheeks again making me weak and weaker.

"achha haina Manik... you can now move on with Alya..." she said. I can't believe she just said that. I turned back and saw her back towards me.

This is not my Nandini. she is someone else. I don't know her.

I walked out leaving her alone.

Narrator's POV

Manik walked down stairs and saw everyone at the dining table. He composed himself and then went to everyone.

"are kaha reh gaye the tum?" Janvi asked her.

"wo Mom... actually... I need to go somewhere. I have some urgent work. I'll see you at house. Bye" he said in one sentence and without giving any heed he walked out.

Alya stood up from her chair and ran out behind him.

"Manik...." She called for him from behind, when he was about to sit inside his car.

He stopped and stood closing the door. Alya ran to him and stood in front of her. she breathed heavily at first and then looked at Manik who was looking at everywhere but her.

"Manik... actually I wanted to say sorry to you..." Alya spoke holding his hand. Manik looked at her and then at their hands.

"wo... ye sab itni jaldi ho gaya. I know me tumse baat karna chahti thi par... wo Mom aur Janvi aunty... wo itne excited the ke main mana hi nahi kar payi. Aur jab Mom ne Janvi aunty ko bataya about my feelings to unhone bhi kaha that you... love me..." as soon as Alya spoke those words, his eyes shot up to her.

"tum gussa to nahi ho na?" Alya asked him again.

He took his hand back from her hold and looked here and there.

"Alya.... Woo.... I need to talk to you about something" he said. Alya nodded smilingly.

"I am using the blank promise"

"agar tumne kuch bhi bataya to trust me Manik... you won't see me ever again"

Nandini's words rang in him mind making him confused.

"bolo na Manik...." Alya asked him curiously.

He shook his head in a trance and said "kuch nahi...."

"Manik actually I wanted to ask you something" Alya said fidgeting with her dupatta.

Manik nodded in order to gesture her to continue.

"am I your first?" she asked looking at him. his eyes instantly shot up to her.

What he supposed to say? That no you are not his first? His first and his last would be her sister? She will be hurt badly hurt.

His eyes roamed around and stuck at one place. There was one girl standing at the balcony looking at him. they were far from each other yet he can clearly read her eyes. She was crying, he was crying. Both of their hearts were paining, bleeding.

"No.... you are not my first" he said looking at the girl at Balcony.

He felt his hand was being held in to soft palms, he looked down at his hand. He saw Ayla's fingers tangled with his.

Tear ran down from his cheek when he heard Alya saying "It's okay Manik... but I promise you that I will be your last.... I.... I love you Manik...."

Manik nodded still looking down and then composed himself.

He looked up at her and smiled fakely. He patted her head and then left her hand. He glanced at the balcony again. Nandini has already turned her face away from him.

He sat inside the car and drove away leaving one sister in happiness and another one in pain. But what was his mistake? He was in equal pain.

"I am sorry Manik... I am sorry.... But I love Alya more than you.... I am sorry......" Nandini spoke looking at Ayla's happy face who was going inside happily. She sobbed hard and sat down on the floor crying. 

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sad?? me too.... 

This is the final warning for all who are seeing the story but not voting for it. Tell me if you dont like it. i'll stop it here itself. i write for you guys and you guys sometimes just depress me with the response. 

Thank You....