~PART 1~

It was almost two months since they last met at Murthy's house. All the family members now reached at Udaipur The Oberoi Udaivilas.

It was the day of engagement and everybody in the palace were running here to there looking at all the preparation. Alya was being pampered by all the relatives, while Manik kept busy in his own world. And Nandini being a good sister and daughter helped them in all kind of preparation putting a big size of stone on her delicate heart. She fell weak on each and every day, but she kept reminding herself about Alya and Her parents unconditional love for her. She kept chanting one line and that is 'For Alya... For her happiness.' That's how she gains some amount of courage to plan the wending of her own love.

Nandini's POV

I was instructing the flower boy to put the flower garland at right place when I heard Mom calling me. I turned my head towards her.

"Nandu... some relatives are stuck at the airport beta. Go and get them na. Please." She said from a distance.

I smiled and said "Mom... I'll get them. Don't worry."

She smiled and went back for some work. I took one car along with other just in case of need. The other car was driven by the driver. I was about to sit in car when I saw Manik walking down the stairs talking with someone on phone. He was smiling and laughing. A smile kept on my face too. I haven't seen him smiling since ages. Because of me, I know.

"Madam... chale?" the driver spoke as his car came beside mine.

Manik's attention diverted towards me, I looked away and nodded at Driver. He drove the car out of the palace. I gave one final glance at Manik who was looking at me only. I sat inside and drove away.

I need to stay away from him. that's what I said to myself the whole ride to the airport.

In no time I reached the airport and was standing out for some relatives. One by one some relatives came. I greeted them and made them sit inside the other car.

"Shyam... take them to the palace. Okay?" I said to the driver.

"Madam... ek aur family baki hai abhi." He said.

"koi baat nahi. aap jaiye, main unhe leke aa jaungi." I said with a smile. He smiled back and drove away.

I stood outside of the airport waiting for that one family, who haven't reach yet.

I was still on the pathway, so I walked towards the gate, while my phone rang. I searched for my phone inside my bag while walking and suddenly I bumped in to someone.

Agrrrr.... My dress.....

"My favourite Belgium chocolate Frappuccino....!!! Are you dumb?" I heard a manly voice yelling at me.

I looked up from my dress and saw him. a little messy hair, not so light stubble, sharp jawline and fair skin tone. That's what he was but among all I noticed his expressions. He was looking at the floor like he lost his favourite toy. He was almost on verge of crying maybe....

"And that drink spoiled my dress." I too shouted back at him letting him know my loss too. I again looked down and cleaned my dress a bit.

"Excuse me... miss..." I again heard his voice.

I looked up and his eyes suddenly became soft, a bit.

I glared him "What?"

"well, hello to you beautiful lady." His voice turned in to flirtatious tone. Some time back he was angry and now he is flirting. aggrrrrr what is wrong with this generation.

I rolled my eyes at him and said "I don't have time for this." And walked away not letting him speak anymore.

"are listen... hello... miss... nam to batati jao...." He shouted at my back, but I didn't give any heed to him and walked towards another gate.

After waiting for ten minutes the other guests arrived too and we left the airport as soon as possible because I didn't want to see that jerk again.

--------

Narrator's POV

It was almost evening time, When Nandini walked inside Alya's room fully cladded in a beautiful lehenga.

"Hey beautiful" she said and stood behind Alya, who was sitting in front of the big mirror of her room.

She turned back and faced Nandini "How am I looking?" she asked nervously.

Nandini glanced at her top to bottom and saw her fully cladded in white lehenga with perfect makeup.

She smiled and kneeled in front of her "you look perfect."

Alya smiled and hugged her "Nandu... sab thik hoga na? I mean ye sab itna jaldi ho raha hai... I don't know, I can't believe that I am finally marrying Manik."

Nandini smiled sadly in the hug and whispered "Everything will be okay. Main hu na. main tumhare sath uch galat nahi hone dungi. I promise."

Alya smiled in to hug and broke the hug when they heard their mother calling them both.

They turned their face towards the door and saw Mukti along with their mother.

Radhika walked in smilingly and kissed Alya's forehead first. While Nandini stood beside Mukti.

"I can't believe my chhoti si Alya became so big that she is gonna start her new life so soon." A tear dropped from her eye but she quickly wiped it off.

"Haan... aunty... dekho to, aaj to pata nahi mere bhai ka kya hoga. He will be lost in you Bhabhi..." Mukti said teasingly, while Alya blushed.

Nandini just stood there with a sad smiled on her lips. Radhika turned towards Nandini and walked towards her.

"Nandu... you look so beautiful beta. Kuch khaas hai kya aaj?" Her mother asked, Nandini joined her brows together in confusion.

"Haan Mom... mujhse bhi kuch aisa hi lagta hai. Aaj to pakka Nandini ko apna life partner mil jayega. What say?" Alya peeked from Radhika's shoulder.

Nandini shook her head and rolled her eyes.

"You guys dream about that; I have lots to do." Nandini said and walked out.

When she came out, she checked the preparations, food, drinks everything, when suddenly she bumped in to someone.

She looked up and saw Manik standing there in white kurta with white overcoat. He looked down at her and their eyes met.

He kept looking at her and she kept looking at me. None said a word, but there were lot of communications were going through them.

Manik sighed finally and walked away from her in different direction, Nandini kept looking at him. a tear escaped from her eye but she shooed it away and walked in another direction.

She reached at some counter and kept her hands on it just to calm down her inner turmoil.

"For Alya... For her happiness...." She said to herself closing her eyes. Suddenly she felt someone nudging her.

She looked down and there was a small cute baby holding chit in his hand. She kneeled down in front of him and said "hey...!!"

He extended his hand to give her the chit and ran away from her. She looked at the chit with confusion and opened it.

It was a plain simple sorry note.

"Sorry? Manik...?" she asked herself and shook her head and went away.

Soon everyone gathered in the main hall and Radhika called for Nandu to give Alya ring. She came and stood behind her. she gave her the ring. Alya blushed and made him wear his ring. All this while Manik's eyes were only at one place, on her. she was smiling, she looked happy. He thought.

Then Manik took the ring from Mukti and made her wear the ring and all hooted their names.

Nandini hugged Alya and said "Congratulations... All the best for new life." Alya hugged her tightly.

Nandini broke the hug and stood in front of Manik, extending her hand towards him "Congratulations."

Manik looked at her hand and then looked at her again. He shook his hand with her and said "All thanks to you."

She pulled back her hand and walked away from then. She hides herself behind one of the pillar and watched Alya-Manik meeting different people happily. It pained her. she again hid behind the pillar and tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked up to pray aiyappa. She prayed to aiyappa to give her more strength and power to see them happy together.

She suddenly heard a whistle tone, she wiped her tears and walked out of the pillar to join everyone. She heard a magical voice and kept looking at him. he was facing his back towards her.

Saanwali si ek ladki

Suddenly he turned around and seeing him, Nandini widened her eyes wide. The person who was singing and dancing slowly smirked and winked at her. Manik noticed it and kept looking at both of them.

Saanwali si ek ladki dhadkan jaisi dilki

He walked around and sang again. Nandini remembered the face, the stubble, his smile. He was the same person she met today at the airport. She thought.

Saanwali si ek ladki dhadkan jaisi dilki

The guy walked towards Alya and Manik and shook their hands and winked at Alya. Alya laughed at him, while she too danced with him a bit.

Dekhke jiske woh sapne kahin woh main to nahin

Saanwali si ek ladki dhadkan jaisi dilki

The person turned towards Nandini. Nandini was still standing there looking at him like she had watched an alien. He walked towards her and nudged her and asked 'Kahi wo main to nahi?'.

Dekhke jiske woh sapne kahin woh main to nahin

She came out of trance and walked towards her parents.

Saanwali si ek ladki

The slow music started, Maan asked for Nandini's hand for dance, she happily agreed and danced with him. Alya and Manik were too forced to dance with each other. Alya danced happily, but Manik's eyes were at her. Soon Maan turned her around and she found the same person standing there with his hands extending towards her asking her to dance with him. She looked at him and denied happily and walked away.

When she was walking away, she heard him singing lines. A small smile appeared on her face but she shooed it away.

Uski ghani zulfon mein kiski taqdeer hai

This time Manik encircled his arms around his shoulder and sang the song looking at Nandini, while Alya stood beside Nandini happily.

Uski haseen aankhon mein kiski tasveer hai

The person smiled and walked around the two girls and extended his hand towards Alya, she happily accepted it and danced with him, while Nandini turned her face away.

Aata nahin mujhko yaaken par kahin woh main to nahin

Saanwali si ek ladki

Nandini was talking to one of the relative, when she heard a guitar tune, which directly ran through her spine. She turned her face to see a manly figure playing the guitar. The person turned around and she saw the new guy playing the guitar so affectionately, a smile appeared on her lips. She kept looking at him smilingly.

Here, Manik's eyes were travelling from Nandini to him. She was smiling, he was smiling. That somewhere pinched him, irked him.

He walked towards her and sang the lines taunting her. Nandini became conscious and looked away from him.

Yahan wahan kahan kahan jaane rukti hai uski nazar

The mystery guy came and stood beside Manik smilingly. He walked towards Nandini and stood beside her and then looked at her. he winked at her while she smiled shaking her head a bit.

Waise to main hoon bekhabar itni to mujhko khabar

Koyi bhi hai hai woh hai yahinKahin woh main to nahin

She turned her back towards everyone, while she heard her whole family singing the song dancing with the mystery guy happily. She laughed and kept looking at them adoring them.

Saanwali si ek ladki dhadkan jaisi dilki

Dekhke jiske woh sapne kahin woh main to nahin

Finally, everyone was asked to do couple dance. Alya and Manik went first, then The person extended his hands towards Nandini. This time Nandini smiled and accepted. They danced a bit and then changed the partners.

Saanwali si ek ladki dhadkan jaisi dilki

Manik pulled her closer to him and danced with her. While Nandini became uncomfortable in his hold. Soon the lyrics changed and the guy dragged her out of Manik's hold, while Manik kept looking at her going to other man. The Other Man. This burned him inside and he went to bar and had a large peg and drank it immediately.

Dekhke jiske woh sapne kahin woh main to nahin

Kahin woh main to nahin ...

-----------------------

~PART 2~

After the song ended, Nandini was talking to some relative, when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned around to see the same guy standing there with a smile.

"Hi..." he said smilingly. She smiled and said "Hi... we meet again."

He nodded and said "Well, jinka milana likha hota hai, wo kahi na kahi, kabhi na kabhi mil hi jate hai."

Nandini laughed and asked "Are you stalking me?"

"well it's worth stalking you. Lady..." he said and took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.

Nandini became a bit uncomfortable, so she pulled her hand back.

"Uhmm... This is Nandini Murthy. Alya's sister." She said.

"I know. This is Madhyam Kapoor. Manik's cousin." He said. She smiled.

"Waise Sorry..." he said caressing his nape.

"Sorry? Why?" she asked raising her brow.

"in the morning, I spoilt your dress so." He said. Nandini just smiled.

"So... there's something inside your room. just to make it up." He said casually.

Nandini shook her head and said "hey... it's okay. Hota hai. No worries. You don't have to make it up. It's really fine."

"I have to. Please." He said making a cute pout.

"I spoilt your dress, so just thought to gift you another dress..." He said with a sly smile.

"That's so sweet of you but.... It was not needed seriously..." she said fondling with her dupatta.

"Oh come on Nandini... now at least no formalities... please..." He said in a pleading tone.

She nodded and smiled.

"I see you people know each other..." they both looked at their side and saw Manik standing with a glass of drink in his hand. Nandini instantly looked down.

"hey Manik... Congratulations bro... You got lucky there..." he said and pointed towards Alya who was now talking with some aunties.

Manik walked towards him and stood beside him facing Nandini. He smirked and wrapped his one arm around Madhyam and said "only I know how lucky I am... nai Nandini...?" Anger was clearly dripping out of his tone.

"Uhmm... Madhyam, I'll see you around. Yeah. Bye..." She walked away leaving two brothers staring at her disappearing.

"Isn't she beautiful?" Madhyam spoke in trance.

"she is...." Manik too whispered in a trance. But he came out when he registered his words.

"Bro... aate hi shuru? I mean, it's my wedding come on leave at least my Sali... not her Madhyam..." Manik said sipping his drink. His last words were in a very cold tone.

Madhyam turned towards him "Yar... you know, I am a person who loves flirt, but seeing her, I guess... what should I say... I mean, she is perfect... she is beautiful, she is smart... a perfect girl who every guy desires for..." He said with a smile.

Manik gritted his teeth, but smiled.

"I mean you got her sister right? So let me be lucky also..." Madhyam winked at him and walked away.

Manik clutched the glass in his hand tight and gritted his teeth. He looked at Nandini who was talking with Mukti laughing and smiling.

Leaving his in a world of sorrows, she is laughing. He thought and walked away.

Nandini's POV

I walked towards Mom, when she called me. She introduced me to her more relatives and Janvi aunty too introduced me with some of their relatives.

I was walking towards back to Mukti, when I felt a tap on my shoulder, I looked at my side but found no one and then I turned my face towards my other side and oh... I got scared.

"Madhyam... you scared me..." I said holding up my breathe.

He laughed and said "oh am I?" I glared him.

"I am so sorry... but I was bored. Aren't you bored. I mean..." He said. One could clearly say that he is irritated.

"no I am not bored." I said wrapping my arms around my chest.

"but I am so you have to talk to me... I don't know much people here... and they all are so clingy dude..." I laughed on his complaint.

"Someone is laughing their heart out, isn't it Manik?" I heard Alya saying coming towards me with her hand wrapped around Manik's hand.

I glanced at their hands and looked away.

"hey... Alya right? Or should I say Bhabhi?" Madhyam said and I could feel Alya blushing.

"So Nandini... aisa konsa joke Madhyam ne sunaya that you were laughing so much. I mean I too want to hear some good joke." Manik asked me looking at me. I could feel his piercing gaze on me. I did not dare to look in to his eyes and kept my eyes away from him.

"Are we were talking about you two only. Alya, I was saying that he got so much lucky. I mean look at you... He really got lucky man..." Madhyam said side hugging Alya. I smiled a bit.

I heard Manik chuckling and then saying "Mera bas chalta to main Alya se shadi hi nahi karta...."

And my eyes shot up at him. No.... don't utter a word manik please. Don't ruin it Please...

I saw Alya and her face was pale, White. No expressions on her face. I could see tears started forming in her eye.

"Balke direct use ghar pe hi leke aa jata." Manik said smilingly pulling her closer to him.

I breathe heavily and closed my eyes just tried to register what he said.

Alya smiled faintly and said "Manik can be funny at times..."

"yeah... very funny..." I heard Madhyam saying.

I was about to walk away, when I felt a hand holding my hand. I immediately turned my face to look at the person. I hoped for another person holding my hand, but it was not him. I should be thankful that it was not him.

"Madhyam...?" I asked and I glanced at Manik, who was digging his fingers in to Alya's waist and glaring at my hand which was now Madhyam was holding

"I am sorry... uhmmm you are forgetting something?" he said.

"what?"

"as I was guilty of spoiling your dress, you should also be guilty for spoiling my favourite drink." He said.

"I am so sorry... uhmm..." I was fumbling on my words.

"You should be and for that you need to come with me tomorrow and give me the same drink." he raised his bro.

I bit my lower lip and said "uhmmm... Madhyam I am very busy... shadi hai na to..."

"Oh come on.... I need to see Udaipur too. I will be great company. Wanna join?" He asked smilingly.

"I would love to but..." I tried to speak

"Come on Nandini... go... show him the city na. aur shadi main abhi time hai. She'll come Madhyam." Alya said from my side. How can she do that?

I glanced at her side and saw Manik looking here and there and then glared at me. I immediately looked down and nodded.

"yeah... tomorrow morning. Superb... I'll see you." He said and started walking away not before leaning to me and whispering "I'll be waiting... for tomorrow."

I looked at him and he winked at me and went away.

"Alya.... Beta come here..." I heard Mom calling Alya. She went away saying she'll see me around.

I sighed and I was about to walk away, when I again held by one strong arm and this time it was too tight.

I felt him pulling me almost our bodies touching together.

"Manik... leave... koi dekh lega... chhodo..." I kept chanting and trying to get out of hold looking here and there checking if anyone seeing us.

"Manik..." I yelled at him looking at him.

He had some kind of pain in his eyes, the same pain from which I am going through.

"you know na... I hate you...." He spoke so coldly that I almost looked at him with teary eyes.

"I hate you so much... that it hurts... you getting it?" He came close to my face forgetting that we were in public, where I and he doesn't share this kind of relation.

"Manik.... Chhodo..." I again started struggling in his hold and he pushed me away in a swift moment and I was far away from him in just a second.

I looked at him "lo... chhod diya.... jaise tumne chhod diya..." he spats at me and walked away angrily.

I turned around and wiped my tears lightly holding my sob.

"Nandu... come here..." I heard Mukti calling me. I smiled still in tears and said "Haan, aayi..."

I composed myself for the last time and walked towards Mukti.

It was a new morning as decided I and Madhyam went to explore the city. To my surprise when I told Mom about it, she seemed so happy that she almost pushed me out with Madhyam.

We wandered around a lot. We went to City palace and its museum. We had lunch in a great Indian restaurant. We shopped in the local market. We even went to a good coffee shop to grab his favourite frappe. All in all, we had fun. Madhyam is a person who can make friends very easily. I am glad that he is my friend now.

I sat with a matka tea in my hands and sat beside him on a rock.

According to the driver the sunset from lake pichola is must to see when you are in Udaipur so here we are, seeing sunset from the lake pichola. And it is seriously very beautiful and serene.

"It's peaceful. Isn't it?" he asked me. I looked at far and just hummed it.

"I thank my stars that I came here, I could see this beautiful sight. Overseas is also nice, but India is India. I missed this" He sighed and I smiled.

"Actually we should thank Alya and Manik for marrying, because of them I am here." He said in a playful tone and my smiled instantly got vanished hearing their name, together.

"ek baat puchhu..." he asked. I looked at him and nodded.

"I heard that, you, Alya, Manik and Mukti grown up together. You were like so much in to each other. Jaise Alya ko pyaar hua Manik se... kya tumhe kabhi nahi hua?"

I smiled at his question and kept quiet. What should I answer? That yes pyaar hua, bahot hua. But my sister wants him.

"tumhari chuppi ka answer me haan samju ya naa?" he asked sipping his tea.

I chuckled a bit and then turned my body towards him so now I am sitting with my front towards him.

"yes I love him and I love my sister too." He stopped drinking his tea as soon as he heard my answer.

I giggled and said "he is my best friend, and I love him like that only. Seeing them marry is world to me. The both person you love are getting married, what can be more great than that?"

He smiled and nodded. He gestured me to drink the tea and I nodded.

"Hmm... tum batao, I mean I never heard of you from Manik..." I asked.

He sighed "I was very small. Like tinny vinny, when we shifted there. Dad established his business there, so it was very rare for us to come here. I remember once I came here, we met too, but you were too busy in playing with Manik. I felt jealous" he leaned me and said.

I laughed "that was the time when we were kids. Bade hote hote sab badal jata hai. Responsibilities, family ki Khushi, all the aspects come in front of you." I said and looked far at the sun who was settling down.

"Tumhe pata hai main yaha kyun aaya hu?" he asked out of nowhere.

"Haan... tumhare Bhai ki shaadi hai." I said sipping my tea.

He chuckled and shook his head. He turned and looked at me "Shadi karne."

I looked at him and he kept looking at me. Suddenly I felt jitters inside me. I felt uncomfortable.

"Uhmm... chale, it's getting late... sab rah dekh rahe honge." I said standing up from my seat.

He nodded and stood up too just after me.

"yeah and it's getting cold too." He said. I nodded and rubbed my hands on my arms. Suddenly I felt warm fabric touching my arms, I looked beside me and saw him making me wear his jacket.

"It's okay I am fine." I said shaking my head in disapproval.

"take it. It's okay. It's cold. Kal wapas kar dena." He said with a smile and walked away.

Soon we reached the resort and stepped out of the car. We walked inside.

"yar, from tomorrow again those aunties will cling to me. Had hai Matlab" he again nagged.

"perks of being good looking." I said and laughed.

"you think I am good looking?" he leaned to me and whispered. I almost arched back to maintain some distance.

"but hey... I should be gaining attention from hot chicks right, not from old bhabhis..." he went back to his original position and giggled.

I too burst out laughing on his stupid jokes.

"Madhyam... you seriously crazy. Tumhe pata hai na tum thode crack ho." I said.

"if that can make you smile, I'll be that. Good night." He said and walked away winking at me.

Little did I know there were two pair of eyes watching us laughing and talking. One's happiness has no boundaries, while other was burning from inside. One was my mother whose happiness was clearly visible from her face and the other one was Manik, who was burning from inside seeing me laughing and smiling with other person.

I smiled and shook my head and walked towards my room, when I saw Manik standing there gritting his teeth. His jaw was tightened, I looked at his hands which were in to a tight fist.

I ignored his presence and started walking towards my room, when he pulled me so close to him that we were just one inch away. our faces were almost too near

"manik kya kar rahe ho, chhodo... leave... Manik ko dekh lega... please..." that was my usual dialogue now. He just doesn't lose the opportunity to make me embrrras. Jitna use dur rehneki koshish karu, utna hi pass aa jata hai wo.

But instead of listening to me, he made his grip tight on my waist and dig his nails in my skin. It started pains me.

"Manik it's hurting..." I closed my eyes to control my ache.

"And it's hurting me too.... You have fucking no idea about it..." he almost yelled at me.

"Manik koi sun lega. Please..." I almost begged him to leave me, but he was too adamant to leave me.

"I. DON'T. LIKE. IT." he said coldly pulling me more close to him, our lips almost touching each other.

"Manik...." I whispered and gulped a big amount of saliva.

"I really don't like it..." he caressed my lips with his thumb. I closed my eyes feeling his touch on my lips. I longed for it, I missed it, his touch on me. I missed us. I missed him.

"I love him. I love Manik..." I remembered Alya's word and I opened my eyes instantly. I looked at him, his eyes were close and he was leaning to me, to kiss me.

I pushed him away with great strength and he fumbled back on his steps. He looked at me with wide open eyes, I bet he was still in trance.

I turned my face away from him and caught some breath. I licked my lips and said "it's very late. Go..."

I said and ran away from him without even looking at him.

I reached my room and locked it. I panted heavily because of my constant run towards my room. what if I didn't stop him today. I could have made a big mistake. How can you fall weak in front of him? you have to be happy in front of him, so that he can move on. You can't fall weak Nandini... no... not now.

I composed myself and walked inside the washroom to freshen up.

-----

I was arranging my clothes, when I heard a knock on my room door. I glanced at the wall clock and it was almost 10.

Kaun hoga. I thought buts shrugged my shoulders and opened the door to see my parents standing there with a smile.

"Mom... Papa... aap log?" I asked. They nodded and I gave them space to come inside. I locked the door again and went to them.

"Shayad aap bhul rahe hai ki shaadi meri nahi, Laya ki hai. You should spend time with her." I said folding my dress.

"Nandu... aa beth, baat kar ni hai." Mom said. I froze on my spot. Do they know? Did they saw me with him?

"Kya... baat?" I asked gulping my saliva.

"Are... aa beth to..." papa said extending his hand towards me. I smiled and gave my hand in him. he made me sit between them.

"Tum jaanti ho na, jitni humare liye Alya hai, utni hi tum ho." Papa said caressing my hair. I smiled and nodded.

"Alya ki Khushi main hum itna khush ho gaye ke tumhe puchna hi bhul gaye... Kya tum kisi se pyaar karti ho?" Mom asked holding my hand.

I glanced at her... what should I answer to you Mom? That yes, I love someone, I love him whom my sister loves, whom she is going to marry. It's very late to ask Mom. And it's very late to tell you anything.

"Haan..." I said ina trance.

Mom and Papa exchanged looks and then asked "Who?"

I smiled and lay my head in Mom's lap "I love... You... Alya... Papa..." And Manik...

His name didn't come out, but my heart said it. to me.

"Agar aisa hai to... Beta... wo... Madhyam..." Mom said and I instantly got up from her lap.

I raised my brow at her.

"Nandu... Madhyam is a very nice guy. Your Mom told me you spent a good time with him today. Nandu, if you don't mind think about him. we like him. he's perfect for you. No pressure okay. Think..." papa said to me smilingly.

"haan, aur Shadi ka mahol hai to..." Mom tried to speak but I interrupted her.

"mom Please...."

"I know what you are trying to say, but I am now just concentrating on Alya and Manik's wedding. I hope you understand." I said standing up.

I heard them sigh and then walking out pecking my head.

I lay down on the bed, but couldn't sleep, so got up and walked out to the place where I love to sit.

--------------

Narrator's POV

Radhika walked towards Manik's room and knocked on it. Manik turned around and saw her standing there.

"Did I disturb you?" she asked smilingly.

"No not at all aunty... come..." he smiled and gestured her to come inside. He made her sit on the bed and he himself sat on the front chair.

"First of all... ab to Mom bulao. Hmm?" Radhika complained. Manik smiled faintly and nodded.

"Kahiye... kuch important...? Alya thik hai na?" He asked out of concern.

Radhika nodded and then said "I am here to talk about Nandini..."

Manik straighten himself and asked "What... about... her?" he stammered almost.

"tum uske best friend hona? Tum to sab jaante hoge uske baare main?" Radhika asked.

"haan... ab sirf best friend hun..." Manik said in a trance.

"Manik I am worried..." Radhika said and looked down. Manik came out of trance and said "Mom... kya hua? Why are you worried?"

"I don't know... sehmi sehmi si hai kuch din se Nandini. hasti to hai, par uski maa huna, uski aski nakli smile pata lag jati hai. Pata nahi aisa lagta hai ki kuch galat hai... phir jab Alya ko aur tumhe sath main dekhti hu to lagta hai sab sahi hai." Radhika smiled.

Manik smiled and looked down.

"Par beta... pata nahi... Nandini ke andar kay chal raha hai. Tum to jaante hi ho, chhupana bahot achhi tarike se use aata hai, bas batane main thodi pichhe reh jati hai." Radhika said and Manik nodded "who else can understand this better than me." He whispered to himself.

"Manik... Main chahti hu ke wo bhi khush rahe, jaise ke aaj thi..." Radhika smiled.

Manik joined his brows together and asked "Matlab?"

"Matlab... Madhyam... I think he's perfect for her... Uske sath time spend kar rahi hai. Khush hai, smile karti hai... mujhe lagta hai, Nandini ko Mdhyam pasand hai, tumhe kya lagta hai?" She asked.

Manik's smile vanished as soon as he heard about them.

"I don't know... meri baat nahi huyi iss bare main Nandini se..." He said looking down.

"to Manik baat karo na. Pucho use." Radhika said and sighed "manik main chahti hu, meri dono betiyaan khush rahe, ek ne to khud apne liye ladka dhundh liya, But Nandini, main jaanti hu use, wo aisa kuch karegi hi nahi. So isiliye main chahti hu ke Madhyam aur Nandini ki shadi ho wo bhi tumhare aur Alya ke sath" Radhika said and Manik slumped on the back of the chair.

"Mom...." He said and tried to speak something, but words didn't come out.

"Kya hua?"

"it's too early... Aap Madhyam ko ache se jante bhi nahi and we can't force Nandini right?" he said holding her hand.

"we can't, but you can. Wo tumhari har baat manti hai. Aur raha sawaal Madhyam ko janane ka, to wo tumhara Bhai hai, aur itna trust to main tumpe karti hu." Radhika smiled and caressed his cheeks.

Manik just smiled and nodded.

Radhika stood up and walked out not before turning around and saying "Manik... I hope you make her understand. I want Madhyam to be her future. Will you do that for me?"

Manik just kept looking at her and just nodded his head, but inside it was paining him. only listening to her name with someone else made him go crazy. It pained him so much. How will he tell her to get marry another guy? It is the same situation from which he had passed. It's a role reverse, then it was her who was forcing him and now it's his time to force her.

---------

Nandini sat down on the bench wrapping a shawl around her body and looked up. The stars, they were the one with whom she was still living. They were the one who kept him alive inside him, even she wanted to end it from her side, but those stars were adamant to leave her.

"What's up?" she heard a similar voice and looked at her side to find Madhyam sitting beside her.

She smiled and said "Hey... you up?"

"When you are up, how can I sleep?" he said pushing his hands inside his jacket.

Both sat in silence for some time.

"you like stars?" he asked looking up at the sky.

She smiled and said "I like them, because someone loved them"

Madhyam smiled and turned his face towards her "that someone is definitely not me."

Nandini nodded and said "it's not you."

He sighed and leaned his back on the bench.

"Nandini... I know what you are thinking..." he said looking at up.

She turned towards him and saw him looking up. She too leaned on the bench "Madhyam... it's too early to think anything."

"I know... and even I am not forcing you. But just wanted to tell you something."

"Nandini... I might be flirt, funny... but I too crave for a person who can just be mine. I want to shower all my love to her. You know I never thought of what kind of girl I want to spend my entire life." He said still looking up.

"But when I saw you" he turned his face towards her and said "that's when I knew that I need a girl like you. Tum apni family se itna pyaar karti ho, I wonder jab puri life tum kisi ke sath bitaogi to how much love you will give to him."

Nandini looked at him and then turned her face.

"Nandini I know you don't love me. But my love is enough for us." He said.

Nandini closed her eyes and a tear escaped from her eye.

"I just need one chance to prove that I can make you happy, aur pyar ka kya hai, wo to baad me bhi ho jayega. Haina?" he said sitting beside her.

"But yes, even if your answer is no. humari friendship nahi tutegi. I don't want to lose you Nandini. not as a friend at least." He said and Nandini opened her eyes and looked at him.

He smiled at her and she smiled back. They both again looked at the sky to gaze at stars but there was two people who watched them.

"They look so perfect together, just like us. Haina?" Alya asked wrapping her arms around his waist.

Manik kept looking at both of them and said "haan... just like us..."

Alya turned towards Manik and said "Manik... I love you.... You are everything I wanted..."

Manik smiled faintly and nodded. Alya hugged him tight and watched her sister with Madhyam smilingly.

While Manik wrapped his one arm around her and kept looking at Nandini who was looking up to stars. Stars which he loved and that's how she liked them.

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Hellooo... Back again, as promised with a full part... I am satisfied with myself this time.

What you guys think, please do drop your precious comments....

And So sorry for not replying to anyone, want really in mood, but now i can reply, so bring it on...!!!

Chalo will go and come back with another story update...

Until then, tata.....