Nandini's POV

"Seems like you're forgetting who you're, just because Malhotras are showing a bit of importance to you, you middle-class behenji!"

As the words slipped Soha's tongue, all I could do is to look at her stunned and in disbelief. What is she!

"I clearly remember you; you're that girl wearing a 19-century-old cloth to Malhotra's wedding function, right?" she quizzed narrowing her thin-shaped eyebrows. "Right! And that shows, who you are, a middle-class behenji" she let out a shallow sarcastic chuckle.

"I just don't understand, why such a reputed millionaire family like Malhotras are treating you as their princess?" she paused thinking for a second while I just stood shut to hear her out "I'm sure Y.O.U have something to do with this, right?" she suddenly pointed at me with an accusing face.

I was shocked at her statement. What do 'I' have to do with anything? Seriously!?

"Don't give me those innocent looks, okay! I very well know the middle-class people like you; Amir ladka dekha toh chalo... let's get some money from him.
And agar uske family ko impress kardiya toh 'Sone pe suhaga', correct?" she yelled throwing her hands in the air and looked at me with those hatred-filled eyes of hers. 

Her words pinched me. I...I never intend to get money from them. I never want that.

I shook my head not able to form any words from my mouth. "Listen, even if you've succeeded in gaining everyone's attention and care at this moment, it will never be long-lasting." Her tone lowered "You know why, because 'Rishta barabrii walo ka hota hain'. You must have heard it, but seems like you've forgotten it." She paused and her words hit me hard.

Yes! Matches always sustain which are made of the same standard. I've heard of it. Am I of the same standard as Manik?

"No! You clearly know your level..." she demonstrated forwarding her palm down "...and Malhotra's level" her palm raised up above my head.

"So in short, don't let your hopes high!" she whispered leaning on to my ear-side. And all her wors are just roaming in my mind again and again.

"What are you talking about?" comes a voice from our back at that moment and it's Manik who walked in the room with a gown on his hands for me.

Soha immediately turned at him and replied smiling "Nothing much! I was just saying, she doesn't fit in here!"

She gave a brief look at me before adding "... I mean, in this baggy trousers"

"oh! Here is the dress I brought from Navya, you can change it." Manik said forwarding the gown which I took from him.

Our fingers brushed in the process. If it were for me a few minutes before (before Soha's arrival), I'd have blushed in red; but right now, my mind is filled with the hard reality-check I got a moment ago from Soha, and I just walked away to the washroom in a daze.

Putting on my dress, I walked out only to find, Manik & Soha talking till now. An instant question flashed my mind;

Is he that comfortable with her, even more than me? Is that because we aren't of the same status, but they are?

"Okay! I'm not promising, but I'll see if I've my schedule free" I heard Manik say pushing his palm inside his jeans pockets.

"Great! I'll be waiting for you at the party then. See you!" Soha chirped happily at him and left not before passing me a pointed glare.

Manik let out a deep sigh before turning his eyes at me and getting freeze. I narrowed my brows watching his statued form and found him gazing at me from top to bottom.

"This one suits you fully" He whispered before taking his own time in gazing me.

I passed a little smile at him for the compliment before we both head back downstairs to the party.

Then again a thought jumped: It suits me; is it because this gown matches his standard?

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

Running a little breathless over the treadmill, my eyes are focused outside at the city's beauty from the glass wall.
It has been 3days since the celebration party at Malhotra mansion. And in these 3days; I've spent a lot of my brain-cells thinking the words of Soha.

She did speak with her own selfish motive; but deep down, her words do have some point; a bit at least!

From the very start; why did I marry Manik? Because of my Appa. If not for him, Raj Uncle-Nyo Aunty would not have decided to get me married to their son. They would have searched a million-in-one gorgeous, beautiful, highly qualified, talented, smart, and high-status girl for Manik; not an average looking, a college student from a middle-class family.

And why did Manik care for me and want me despite our non-consensual marriage? I believe, he too must have his own criteria for his life partner. Then why me? The answer could be I'm the solution to his problem.

No doubt I'm his legal wife, but am I the suitable one; the perfect one; the one for him?

"Nandini" a loud yell broke my day-dreaming and I quickly turned at the source.

There stood Manik in just his vest and track pant covered in sweat after the morning work-out in the gym room. He has a concerned face looking at me.

"Hun?" I quizzed.

"Where are you lost? I was calling you for last 2minutes," he asked walking to me as I made an O-face.

"Oh! Sorry! I was just thinking about college." I lied. But not fully though, recently college is hectic too.

I switched off the treadmill and slowly walked over it till it stopped. "The 1st year finals will be in a month and before that, the main thesis has to be done." I continued moving down the treadmill and he listened while wiping the sweat off with the towel. "We're going to make it along with one of our senior allotted to us. But I heard that this year the allocation is done by Pandey sir. God knows whom I'll get as my partner!" I exclaimed.

"Don't worry, tell me in case of any problem" he said and I nodded before we left the room to take bath and get dressed for our respective works; his office and my college.

"Wow... Scrambled eggs, Bagels with assorted cream cheese and Assorted fruit yogurt for the breakfast" Manik exclaimed taking a look at the dining table while taking his seat for the breakfast.

"Hmmm..." he moaned lightly liking the taste while I felt good that he liked it. I've put a lot of effort to search for a healthy continental breakfast; one that wealthy people like to eat.

Thinking back, I wondered what Manik would be thinking when I used to feed him my experimental Indian dishes.

"Why are you not eating?" I heard him say looking up from his plate. I shook my head before taking a bite.

The taste is not bad, but it surely doesn't suit my tastebud which like spicy cooked Indian food.
This is how different we are!

No matter what will happen in the future; the Malhotra family: uncle-Aunty, Cabir jiju, Mukti di, Manik; everyone has done so much for me. I'm indebted to them for my lifetime, for everything they provided me with.
If I could do anything to help them; I'll surely never hesitate to come forward. So now, I must help Manik cure his disorder and get well soon. That's my duty; and my responsibility.

"Chalo! I'm done. But you're still lost in your thoughts making the food cold." I snapped hearing Manik's voice and saw him looking at me. I looked down at my half-filled plate and realized that I've slowed my eating while in thoughts.

"Nandu!" He called in a low tone causing me to bob my head up at him. "Are you okay?" he sounds worried.

"I mean, since the last three days, you're lost in your own most of the time... Is anything bothering you? You can always tell me, you know right?" he added. My heart felt so good hearing his concerned words...for me.

I don't know until when I could hear it. Maybe it'll be done once he'll get cured and get the love of his life, isn't it? My heart scrunched at this thought!

"Nahi! I'm fine." I replied with a slight smile. "Bas thoda college studies ki tension hai, nothing serious!"

He stared at me for a minute as if reading my face before nodding "If you face any problem in your studies, you can tell me anytime. I can help you with it since we both are from the same major, remember?"

"Yah! I'll tell you when needed" I added putting off this topic and resume my breakfast.

"Okay then! I'm leaving for the office" he said getting off his chair and walking to wash his hands.

"soo... main attaa hun!" he muttered trailing across the dinning on his way to outside. I looked up from my plate hearing his voice.

"Hmm... Bye-Bye!" I muttered after swallowing the bite and again presumed my breakfast.

Manik observed her as she took her food for some time and then left thinking,

"She has changed!"

*****

So, What do you think is gonna happen ahead?

Any words for Nandini?

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