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...

Niyonika's voice brought me to the reality. We are no longer standing in Manik's garden and we were almost near to the main entrance of the mansion. Thankfully everyone are still at the party hall.

But when did we reach here? Weren't we exactly in his private garden? Maybe we reached till here after running and chasing with each other.

I didn't want Niyonika to spot me with Manik so I hid myself in the shadows of a pillar. Once Manik was sure I wasn't visible to Niyonika he proceeded to speak with her.

"That's the best news I heard, Manik. Finally, you will be married and we all will be happy." Niyonika started walking towards us and I clutched my dress in fear.

What if she sees me here?

Manik raised his palm at her indicating her to stop on her tracks. "You heard me right. Now get out. There's nothing to discuss."

She smiled from ear to ear. "Ofcourse, I have to go now and announce to the world. Thanks for reminding me, Manik. Come soon and we can celebrate."

She sprinted towards the mansion leaving us alone. I sighed in relief as soon as Niyonika left the place without spotting me in his garden.

"She's gone. Let's talk." Manik called me and I am back to the angry version.

"Talk about your marriage preparations? We have nothing to talk!" I shouted and began walking back to the garden.

"We still have a lot to talk, Nandini. We have to finish everything this night." He followed me.

"As far as I remember you openly agreed to marry Alya with your mother. So please spare me some sanity and be happy with your happy family."

"It was an accident. If I wouldn't agree she would create a huge drama here and would get you in trouble."

I laughed. "Manik, be thankful that I do not have my heels with me, if not there would be another round. You could say my name instead of Alya's. The problem would be solved."

He ruffled his hair. "Which part of ' I can't marry you' you don't understand?"

"Sorry, I forgot. You love me but want to marry Alya. Amazing reason!"

"What about you, huh? Atleast I am practical enough to marry Alya, unlike you who is ready to marry Harshad without any security. That manipulative, broke ass out of all people in the world!"

His words weren't for Harshad but for me and my ability to chose a life partner. I stared at him unable to give him a counter back as I comforted my sad self.

Our conversation was interrupted with a huge cheering sounds coming from the party hall. If my guess was correct Niyonika has already announced Manik's and Alya's marriage.

"Congratulations,Manik! You chose a perfect person as a life partner. Not everyone can be as lucky as you to get a person they want in their life." My voice broke. "Just like Alya is your choice, Harshad is  my parents choice. And I would not tolerate you making fun of their choice next time."

I ran away from him and opened the door of Manik's bedroom from the garden and shut it on Manik's face. He banged the door to let him inside but I locked it and did not allow him to come after me.

"Why can't you stay at one place and listen to me completely?"

"We have nothing to talk, Manik. Our world is really different now and I realised it very late. You have people waiting for you at the party. Have fun and happy new year!" My body shook as I sobbed.

I still felt Manik's presence behind the door and I didn't want him to hear me sob, so I walked out of his room and ran into my new room. I stood in the centre of my room and looked at my reflection in the huge mirror.

I do not have the shawl on me, my dress is not in the right places, my hair is untied, my lipstick is smudged, dry tears staining my cheeks, and what not! I am so thankful for the dim light which made me go unnoticed by the people at the party and also the loud music so that I can cry loudly here.

"Congratulations Boss!" I heard a huge cheer from the people and I can say Manik made his entry into the party.

He gets to enjoy the party with amazing food, people and his soulmate whereas I am stuck in this dull room with empty stomach. That's unfair!

My eyes fell on Mr. Pillow Malhotra and a evil grin formed my face. Get ready to face my wrath you monster.

...

I woke up the next day as I felt my body sore since I slept on the floor. I found Mr. Pillow Malhotra in my arms as I hugged him while sleeping.

Damn it! I remembered trashing this pillow in unrecognisable state and then crying my heart out while picking up everything and repairing him to his old self. I hugged the pillow to my chest and fell to floor as sleep took over me.

Wow! Nobody should celebrate New year like me.

I decided not to let last night's mess effect me and looked for a fresh start. I hopped into the shower and got refreshed. I looked at the wardrobe now filled with clothes the designers made for me and my own pillow cover dress. I had a difficult minute to choose between theirs and mine.

But I chose to pick theirs as it's a fresh year and these are new clothes. But none of them were my style, all these dresses reached till my ankles and were odd! I wore a dress and decided to give it my touch by tearing it till my knees. I wore the torn fabric over my shoulder creating a cape for my dress.

Damn girl! I am telling again I must be a fashionology surgeon!

I walked out to have my breakfast and saw Manik at the dining table. I ignored him completely and served myself the food present on the table without questioning if it's edible or not.

A few minutes later the table was filled with Niyonika and Alya. Niyonika could not stop her excitement about Manik and Alya's marriage. She was the only person who is talking at the table while none of us had a smile atleast.

Manik immediately left the table and the servants cleared his plates.

"My Queen, Did you clearly hear Manik wanting to marry me?" Alya questioned.

"Ofcourse, how else would I know? I am finally so relieved that he agreed to marry you."

"With whom was he speaking?" Alya questioned once again and I coughed gaining Alya's attention to me.

"Nobody. He was alone in his garden was speaking to himself. Maybe his love for you is making him to only about you." Niyonika playfully shoved Alya's palm from the table.

"Manik and speaking with himself? Interesting." Alya sipped her juice all the while looking at me.

I felt uncomfortable and left the table and decided to sit in the living room. Manik was already there sitting on the sofa and I halted my steps as soon as our eyes met.

"What took your attention first thing in the morning, Boss?" Alya said from my behind and casually walked and sat closer to Manik.

Closer than anytime! She's got her right afterall.

Manik did not answer her and began looking at his documents. Alya leaned  towards him and began questioning about the clauses in the document and he explained without hesitation. She had her hands on his shoulders supporting herself while speaking with him.

There's was no awkwardness between them, there was no tension, no drama, tears, no quarrels, and no pain. They were so natural as if they were made for each other. I am just an outsider.

At the same time I saw Harshad walking into the mansion and I decided to play perfect couple as well.

"Harshad, let's sit here and talk for a while." I smiled at him.

Harshad shook his head and did not even spare a glance at me. "I am busy."

I felt alone. He couldn't even spend a second for me and I felt Manik's taunting look at my back.

I wanted to request Harshad to spend time as a normal couple but I noticed a blood stain on his shirt sleeve. I gasped, "Harshad, are you okay."

Harshad immediately looked at Manik and me before taking a huge breath. "I am alright, honey." He said cupping my face. "You worry so much about me, the door handle scratched me. That's it."

I smiled at Manik getting Harshad's attention. See, he is not that bad as Manik portrays him to be, infact even if Harshad doesn't give me attention I have to give it selflessly as he was in this mess because of me.

I held his palm within mine and examined it with a sad face. "Let me perform a surgery on you and you will recover within a few days." I smiled giving him hope.

"No." He shrieked but calmed himself immediately. "You are worrying for nothing, I just need a bandaid."

"Perfect. Let me bring it for you. You know we care about each other a lot making us a perfect couple in the whole world." I yelled the last sentence so that Manik could hear me.

Harshad pulled me close. "Let's go to my room. We can do it there."

His closeness made me awkward. I pushed him away and still smiled so that Manik wouldn't understand my feeling about Harshad. "Why to your room? We can do it here, infront of everyone, especially in this living room."

"No, dear. Let's go to our room, I have something to speak with you." He whispered in my ear.

Stop touching me, you pig!!! I don't know why I am cursing Harshad without his fault.

"But ..."

"We need privacy!" Harshad pulled me by arm to his room and I followed him having no choice.

"Cabir!" I heard Manik shout from the living room. "Why the hell are my important documents lying around with some trash papers."

I smiled, a genuine smile. Finally, I am a grown up and I could make the Mighty Boss jealous! He must understand what he is missing. Manik must understand he is missing a princess who would give her entire world to her husband!

I went inside Harshad's room with all these thoughts in my mind and gulped as soon as Harshad locked the door from inside.

...

How is the update?

What are your thoughts on Harshad?

What do you think of Alya?

Do you have any ideas for Manan scenes you wish to read?