The next day was so much rush going on all around... Why? I know!

"Nandu... We r going. Tell girls to get Navya ready n come fast." Aunty said n ran out holding the essentials bags. All r running like there is some fire on their feet.

I shrugged n entered to my n Navya Di's room only to see her cousins n friends making her ready while she's sitting on the stool in front of the mirror since like one hour.

I check her out... She's in a green lehenga with hair tied in a french braid n flowers knitted on it, big size earrings, n beautiful floral neckpiece... Just beautiful!

"How is she looking Nans?" Maya, one of her cousin asked me as she noticed me looking at her with a smile.

"Pattaka" I made all laugh.

"Haann... Cabir Jiju toh flat hojayenge!" Sweta, one of her friend teases making Di blush.

"Areyy... Woh toh pehle se hi Di pe marte hain!" Adyasha, her 18yrs old cousin said making all laugh. Adya is such an extrovert n friendly too.

"Oh no! Main to bhul hi gayi... Aunty told to come fast n she already left... we r late!" I said so that they will make their make-up touch-up fast.

"What?... Jaldi Chalo." Navya Di got up startled.

"Arreeyy... Itna bettabb" Megha Di teased her n they walk out helping her with the dress... Megha Di is married to a lawyer.

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

We reached Malhotra Mansion which is decorated like anything... like a bride. It is full of people here n there n mostly women n girls in colorful dresses... 

In the entrance, the cameraman asked for a pose n all stood around Navya Di posing... I too clicked their picture along with cameramen... Happy pic!

"Arey Tu bhi aana!" Megha Di saw me clicking their pic n called me to join. I happily did keeping the camera aside. And we posed few times crazily n all the while smiling...

Ah, I forgot to tell, I'm wearing my Ammi's two-piece dress which once Appa gave me. It's surely a bit old fashioned n old design of Ammi's teenage time, but it is dearer to me, My Ammi's dress.

Then all the girls settled down on the seats arranged on the lawn n the Mehendi Ceremony begins with Jiju's mom starting a design on Navya Di's hand which further continued by the professional Mehendi artists...

All the girls n women along with jiju's side got engrossed in applying Mehendi on their hands by the artist While enjoying the Bollywood songs playing on the background.

I saw Jiju standing with his bro n friends at the drinks counter n staring at Di... So sweet! I took the pictures to capture the moments... Cute moments!

When suddenly I spot someone whom I didn't wanna see... Jiju's Bro, Khaddus. sitting at the stairs step along with teenagers, maybe his cousins, with coca-cola in his hand. He caught me staring at him n smirked immediately making me turn my gaze n flew in thin air... Phew!

I walked to the ladies where they r applying henna n released the breath that I was holding unknowingly.... all becoz of that Khaddus. I still remember yesterday evening when we went to Jiju's beachhouse...

We enjoyed the beach view n ran on sand n water for sometimes n then had ice-cream, then came back to the farmhouse to get freshen up n have dinner there, arranged by my Jiju.

I was so in, checking the pictures I clicked while walking, that I didn't notice n dumped into someone hard n the Canon Camera fell from my hand...

"No..." I gasped but before the camera crashed into pieces it got caught by a hand... I thanked my Ayyiappa zillions time n sighed in relief.

"Oh! Thank u so much... thanks a lot that u saved the camera. Agar yeh tut zata toh main Di ko kya kehti? Accha hua aapne bacha liya.
Tum thik to ho na?" I asked with care after ranting but was still looking at the Camera which traveled up with the hand.

"I'm ok" comes a reply in hoarse male voice forcing me to turn my head upwards to see the savior of my Camera. It was Manik Malhotra... His mere presence is so awkward for me after the first meet; that my mouth sealed automatically.

"I was asking my Camera" I whispered forwarding my hand to take the Camera. He took his hand back not giving me & I saw his face showing disbelief. Now what?

"U like photography?" He said turning his eyes from me into the camera screen.

"No" I said meekly n tried reaching the camera to which he stretched his hands upwards n looked into the pictures. I tried reaching the camera but couldn't.

Why? becoz of my small height? no way! I'm 5'5'' okay?  I've a perfect height. Hun!

He is so Lumbu... giant monster!

"Tum meri secret admirer ho! I see...
By the way, Nice picture." he said with a smirk n left before handing over the camera on my hand. I was dumbfounded to say anything.

I looked at the photo he complimented n my eyes went wide...

"What the?" I freaked out looking at the direction he disappeared.

What might he be thinking about me? Secret admirer?  I propose to him?  
Hell!

"Nandini" I heard my name n looked around to see Di's friends r calling me. They r done with their Mehendi on hands.

"Yes?"

"Tum bhi Mehendi lagao!" Maya said. I smiled nervously. So much I wanted to, but I can't becoz it's the henna color will stay when I'll be back home n what will I say to Salinimaa!

"Nini ko Mehendi se allergy hai... wo nahi lagayegi." Navya Di covered for me. I turned to her to see her arms full of designs n now work is going on, on her legs.

I exchanged smiles with her.
Yes! I did discuss the Mehendi problem with her yesterday before going to bed n she told she'll handle it.

I walked a bit away from there as I don't want more question answers n lies. I am busy capturing pictures of everyone busy designing their hands, smiling, talking, laughing, gossiping with friends n romancing too...

certain one came in front of my camera screen n I kept the camera down to face him. I gave him a questioning look to which he smiled.

"Hey! I'm Ashutosh" he forwarded his hand n I looked at his hand, then at his face, handsome though...

"Hello... Nandini" I shook hands with him while he was smiling like an idiot.
Well, it's good to smile.

I tried pulling my hand back but he had held it tightly, still shaking me hand n smiling at me.
Weirdo.

"Umm... hand" I said so that he'll leave it.

"Very soft hand" he replied making me surprised. Oh My!

"Can u leave my hand?" I get straight to point but politely. I gestured him through eyes which he followed.

"oh! It didn't felt like I'm holding any hand. it's soft na isliye..." he kept smiling. Maybe he just smiles always. I nodded in understanding n started to move from him.

"Hey! Why r u taking pictures?" He asked walking beside me.

"Why? Is there any problem?" I frowned.

"No not that. There r many cameramen but I saw u taking pictures instead of applying Mehendi. So I asked." he explained n smiled at last.

"Hmm... but The bride asked me especially to capture exclusive moments for her... N I'm enjoying it. Moreover, I'm not interested in Mehendi art on my hands." I said n started to move fast as he's not leaving me.

"Umm... so u r from the bride's side... I'm from the groom's side. His friend n partner." he said n I just nodded.

"So what u do?" he asked suddenly.

"Why?" I asked as I'm not interested in any sort of friendly n extra friendly conversation with any boys n then get into trouble. I've always kept myself away from boys. I surely have guy friends but they r through my girl friends as their boyfriend or close friends who became a friend to me through others.

"Like that only... Actually interested in knowing sweet girl like u" He said smiling sheepishly while I looked at him trying to form words to give him indirect rejection to his indirect signal.

"Ashutosh" came a shout from his back making him turn, in response. There comes The great Khadoos... no actually Smirking monster!

"Hey Manik! How r u, bro?" Ashutosh hugged him after a handshake... Seems like friends!

"I'm good" he answered him then turned to me with angry eyes.
Now What? How come one is smirking a moment back n angry the next moment? Wait, Is he pregnant?

I couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle to my thoughts, earning both of them's glare at me.

"Ummm... I should leave" I ran before they could say anything to me.

I was running to save my life from the two unwanted people sticking to me; one flirt another angry hulk... But both r handsome!

"Sorry" I muttered as I dumped into someone unintentionally.

"Oh no! r u blind? U messed my Mehendi!" A yell came in reply. I looked up to see The kissing girl, Soha checking her Mehendi hand with frowned n angry face.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't saw u coming" I said lowly trying not to mess with anyone when I came here to enjoy my time.

"I know that. How can u see when u r blind? ... Oh Wait! Are not u the same middle-class behenji in churidar..." She said scanning me from toe to head.

"I can see... U don't even have any dressing sense. wearing an old rag for millionaire's Mehendi function.
I understand, after all, how can someone like u afford a classy dress for wedding functions of high-class people like us."  She taunted with her bitter mouth. I felt hurt when she called my Ammi's dress as an old rag. I just turned from there with hurt eyes n a sad face.

"Arey puttar, yahan aao" Called Jiju's Dadi who was standing not so far. She's really sweet n welcomed Di like so much care n respect. She's the one managing everything in Punjabi style.

I just gave a faint smile n walked to her. She bends a little n cleaned my dress near my hips.

"Yahan par Mehendi lag gaya tha... Wapas jake ispe nimbu ragad dena, saaf ho jayega" She said ever so softly that I smiled to her covering the hurt I was a moment back.

"Yeh tumhare Maa ke kapde hai na?" She asked looking at my dress n I was shocked as to how does she know.

"Bahut hi sunder hai yeh. Tumhari Maa ki choice kaphi acchi hai. ...Isme tum bhi bahut sunder lag rahi ho... Bas hamesa haste raha karo" she said caressing my cheeks n I felt so warm by her words n touch.
I like her!

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