Next day
In Malhotra Industry

Manik went to Nandini's cabin and said,

Manik:- Nandini leave those files and let's go.

Nandini:- (confused) Where???

Manik:- Mom is waiting for us in the shopping mall. She asked for your help in choosing an engagement ring and dress for Inaya. As you know mom is too old fashioned and traditional minded so I can't trust her with the selection.

Nandini:- But how can I choose? I mean meri pasand Inaya ko assi lagagi ya nahi?

At that time Inaya came there and said,

Inaya:- Exactly. Manik baby, why don't you take me with you?

Manik:- Inaya as I told you mom is too old fashioned and traditional minded. So she doesn't like the bride and groom to be together before marriage.

Inaya pouted sadly and seeing this Manik warped his hands around her shoulders and said,

Manik:- Awww don't be so sad, baby. You know Nandini's choice is really very good, that's why I am taking her with me.

Inaya:- Okay but I want everything to be the best for me.

Manik:- As you wish my princess.

Seeing their open pda Nandini's blood boiled but she couldn't do anything. How she wished to punch Inaya and break her pretty nose. Alas! She can't do that. Nandini's was lost in her thoughts when Manik said,

Manik:- Nandini...Nandini.....

Nandini:- Yeah.

Manik:- We are getting late. Let's go.

Nandini:- Okay let's go.

At shopping mall

Nandini was selecting ugly things purposely and seeing this Manik said,

Manik:- Nandini what happened to your choice today?

Nandini:- (innocently) Why what's wrong with this dress.

Manik:- Yellow, seriously? Who wears a yellow dress in her engagement?

Nandini:- But it will look good on Inaya.

Manik:- Bullshit. Uncle please pack that red dress.

Neonika was controlling her laughter seeing Nandini willingly choosing ugly things. Poor girl was literally burning in jealousy.

Neonika:- Let's have lunch first then the jewelry shop.

Manik:- Yeah, I am damn hungry.

They went to the food court and Manik ordered food for them. When the food arrived Manik was going to take a bite from his plate when Nandini held his hand and stopped him,

Nandini:- (angrily) Manik are you mad?

Manik:- (confused) Why? What happened?

Nandini:- You have an allergy to mushrooms and this dish has mushrooms in it.

Neonika:- Wow Nandini being his mother I also forgot that he is allergic to Mushrooms but you still remembered.

Manik:- Oh shit. How would I know they put mushrooms in it. Okay I will get something else for me.

Manik went to get another meal for him when Neonika again said,

Neonika:- Nandini, are you sure you don't want him in your life?

Nandini:- Aunty, Manik loves Inaya.

Neonika:- But you were his first love.

Nandini couldn't say anything and Manik also came back with his meal and they started having lunch together. After lunch they went to the jewelry shop but this time Nandini's eyes twinkle seeing a beautiful diamond ring and she asked the shopkeeper to show that ring to them.

Nandini:- Look Manik, this ring is so pretty.

Manik:- Yeah. Do you like it?

Nandini:- Of course. Inaya will love it.

Without saying anything Manik pulled out her hand and made her wear that ring.

Nandini:- What are you doing?

Manik:- Size check kar raha tha. Inaya said your finger size and her finger size are the same.

Nandini:- (sadly) Oh okay.

They bought that ring and Manik dropped Nandini while going home.

At Night
In Nandini's apartment

Nanadini was sitting beside the window, lost in her thoughts when Aarav came there rubbing his eyes. He pulled her dupatta to gain her attention and said,

Aarav:- Mum.

Nandini looked down and saw her cute little son. She picked him up in her arms and said,

Nandini:- (smiled) What happened baccha?

Aarav:- (rubbing his eyes) Nini.

Nandini:- (kissing his cheeks) Aww my baby is sleepy? Okay go to sleep.

Nandini hugged him tightly and roamed around the room. When he fell asleep she made him sleep on the bed and kept thinking about their future.

Nandini's pov:- Am I doing right? What about Aarav's future? What will I answer him when he will ask me about his father? He has the right to know about his father and I can't snatch this right from him. Today or tomorrow Manik will also get to know about his son. Then what?

Few days later
At Malhotra Mansion

Malhotra Mansion was decorated like a newly wedded bride. Today is Manik's engagement with Inaya. Neonika was so excited for her son's engagement. Finally her son is getting married but Raj wasn't happy at all. He always wanted Nandini as his daughter in law. He was upset about Aarav. Poor boy not even getting his father's surname. Nandini Murthy is too adamant to raise her son without any help from Malhotras and Raj was totally helpless here. He can't even force her as it's a matter of her self respect. Soon guests started arriving. Raj and Neonika welcomed them. Then few of Manik's cousins and Inaya's friends requested them to dance. So Inaya wink at Manik and went to the dance floor. She started dancing while singing,

Itna makeup lagake kab tak rasta dekhu sajna
Main pagli nai jo saal bitaun piya o tere bina

Tere sang kadam bhar ke main
Taron tak sath chalungi
Kuch tare chun lena
Is baar meri tu maang sajana

Sabki baratein aayin
Sabki baratein aayin doli tu bhi lana
Dulhan banake hum ko raja ji le jana
Sabki baratein aayin

Kangan mein diamond asli
Har ik ki nazar hai fisli
Ik tu hi missing sight se
Mere lips pe hansi hai nakli

Aashiq mera jaali nikla
Vaade ka khali nikla
Itna kyun soch raha jaldi
Tu hero ban ke ana
Sabki baratein aayin
Sabki baratein aayin doli tu bhi lana
Dulhan banake hum ko raja ji le jana
Sabki baratein aayin

(Inaya was teasing Manik by this song and Manik was smiling all the time. Then he went to the dance floor and started dancing with her while singing,,,)

Vaade poore main karunga
Fere bhi sath hi lunga
Thoda wait tu karle baby
Taaron se maang bharunga

Doli hai ready kabse
Toone call kiya tha tabse
Sherwani raste mein hai
Sehra bhi order karwaya

(Inaya pushed him playfully and said,)

Chal hatt...

(Then Manik again started dancing while singing,,,)

Sabki baratein aayin
Sabki baratein aayin doli main bhi launga
Dulhan banake tujhko sang apne le jaunga
Sabki baratein aayin

Sabki baaraatein aayi doli tu bhi lana
Dulhan banake humko raja ji le jana
Sabki baaraatein aayi

After song ended Raj called Manik and Inaya on the stage for engagement. Manik held her hand generally and was about to slide the ring on her finger when suddenly Nandini came there and said,

Nandini:- Stop this engagement.

Target:- 225 votes and inline comments.

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I know it's a very short update. But I have exams starting from next month. So I am quite busy with my studies. Though I will try to give a big update next time. Till then enjoy this one. Share your opinions with me by your comments and of course don't forget to vote.
Take care
Bye
Nahar...😘😘😘