"How can you get married??", Manik asked as if I didn't fall into the eligible marriageable species.

"What sort of a question is that Manik??", I pulled my dupatta from his hand and placed it neatly over my neck.

"You are marrying me okay", he commanded me shamelessly.

"Huh!!! In your dreams", I attempted to leave when he stopped me.

"Listen Ms. Murthy..stop testing my patience..you know I won't let you get married to anyone else"

"Seriously Manik..do you think I am scared of you??I am getting married and I am happy about it. Dhruv is a guy 100 times better than you. He doesn't hurt me doesn't humiliate me. He is nice to me and respects me."

"You mean I don't respect you!! Tell me..Why are you doing this Nandu?? I told you I am sorry..please.. Nandu don't do this..you know I love you", his tone was more demanding than pleading.

"But I don't and stop playing these games..What do you think?? By acting all cute and innocent I will come running into your arms..No Manik I have crossed that phase..you don't affect me now." I tried to release myself from his grip.

Manik pulled me into a hug forcefully. My protests were futile with his strong arms binding me. My tiny figure seamlessly blended into his masculine chest. His hands traveled through my shoulders to my back and finally rested on my waist. With my head placed sideways on his chest I could hear his heart beat. I had been close to him before in fact closer but for the first time I felt his heart beat. He did have a heart. I don't know why I let him hold me like that maybe it was soothing, it gave me peace, it relieved me of all the stress I was surrounded with. I had lost myself in that moment.

"Arey wah!! Wahan neeche Aunty is getting worried that you will be married soon and would leave her aur yahan tum logon ka romance chal raha hai."

I literally pushed Manik away from me as the words struck me. Varsha my best friend was standing at the door and stared at us she was watching a B grade hindi film. Manik as usual was indifferent in fact looked irritated that I broke the hug. If it was up to his wish he would tie me along with him and roam around the whole world like that. Varsha's eyes shortened in scrutiny.

"Nandu he doesn't seem that guy whose photograph I saw.."

I was looking for excuses and gestured Manik angrily to look elsewhere who was probably still in awe with my cute little face.

"Hang On!! Why do you look so familiar to me??", Varsha inspected him closely as she moved closer to him, "So you are Manik Malhotra.."

"How do you know me??"

"How do you know him??"

We both exclaimed in unison and our pitch went a little higher than usual in shock for me and surprise for him.

"Wow!!You leave me a message on fb and then you forget conveniently..How mean is that??", Varsha crossed her arms and asked.

I couldn't understand what she was talking about but figured out as I glanced at Manik trying to not meet my eyes.

"Hmmm!! I didn't reply because you had hurt my best friend very badly and I was not sure if you genuinely were sorry but now that you have made your way here that too to her room without my help I can assume that you really meant what you said."

Manik nodded his head up and down in agreement like an excited school kid.

"You know what I was really really mad because you left Nandu in this condition...awww", I pinched her hard not to utter anything further.

The words in this condition were enough to raise Manik's suspicion but Varsha was smart to just divert.

"Yeah in this condition..see she looks so pale and weak..it is all because of you Mr. Manik Malhotra", she rubbed her arm to let the pain of my pinch settle and faked anger at him.

"I am sorry that I have hurt your friend but I promise to take care of her from now on." Manik stated in an earnest tone.

"You surely know how to impress people..when Nandu told me about what you did to her I wanted to rip your head but now...now you seem sincere.. so you are allowed", Varsha resigned happily and gave a side hug to Manik.

Manik gleed like an idiot to get the first yes for our relationship and I looked at them like a fool. It was me who they were discussing and my opinion was not even bothered. I should have gotten used to it though as it had been happening to me quite a lot off late. I pulled Varsha aside and pushed and rolled Manik towards the door. He was enjoying the free merry go round and sealed his lips on my cheek before he was finally out.

"Oh God Nandu!!! he is so handsome... so cute... so sweet..please please maaf kar de use.. mere liye please..you just can't let his killer boy out of your life.", she was excited god knows for what.

"Are you done?? I am sick of him and please ab tu mujhe irritate mat kar"

"Fine baba I won't ..acha did you talk to Dhruv??"

"No wait I will just call him", I dialed his number but he didn't take it.

I called him again and this time he cut the call. He messaged me that he was coming to my place. He had something important to talk. I got a little worried at first thinking of Manik. He was as such enraged at the mention of my wedding and now if he meets the guy heaven help him. But then thought it would be a great idea to have Mr. Malhotra a taste of his own medicine.

Varsha had some work so she left after sometime. I went downstairs to receive Dhruv who would be there any moment. As I took the stairs I saw Nanu along with Manik, Cabir and Mukti. Cabir and Mukti gave me strange looks may be Manik had told them about my wedding. They would have come to know about it anyways so it was okay.

They all looked serious. My heart sank what if Manik had told Nanu everything about us? It was not difficult for him. He could go to any extent to crush the last bit of self respect I have. How will I face Nanu?? My steps went slower and it literally took me eternity to reach them. I came and stood behind Nanu with my head held down. Nanu suddenly realized my presence and turned back.

"Arey Nandini acha hua tum aa gayi chalo you also come with us"

"Kahan", I asked in a relieved voice as I realized everything was as it was.

"We all are going for the factory visit..tum bhi chalo hamare saath..waise bhi tum jab se wapas aayi ho kahin aati jati bhi nahi ..so come with us", Nanu wrapped his arm around me and nudged me to say yes.

"Haan Uncle..I mean Mr. Mehta..It would be great if Nandini comes with us..I will have company", Mukti ensured her part comfortably.

"Nanu..woh..actually Dhruv ka message aaya tha..woh milne aa raha hai."

Manik's expressions changed as he heard that name from my mouth. Just a name was enough to make him restless and hiss in annoyance. Just then Dhruv entered and greeted everyone. He took Nanu's blessings by touching his feet and I looked at Manik. He stared at him pathetically and glanced back at me with a look "Are you serious about this nerd??". I felt like punching him for acting so mean. But whatever it was it was a treat to watch Mr. Manik Malhotra like that.

"Dhruv beta hum sab factory visit pe ja rahe hain ..tum aur Nandini bhi chalo..as such it is you who would be looking after the empire eventually."

Dhruv looked at me for permission. A true moron he was, he needed me for everything even to nod his head in a yes or no. But before I could suggest something Manik interrupted.

"Yes why not..you should come with us..zara hum logon ki bhi jaan pehchaan ho jani chahiye na", Manik stated in a plain commanding tone.

Mukti and Cabir exchanged helpless looks. They knew Manik was losing it and hell even I knew it. I quickly shifted towards Dhruv and slid my hand to hold his arm and looked at Nanu who smiled back in consent. Manik face was going every shade of red to depict his anger, annoyance, dejection and helplessness all at the same time. We walked out; there were 2 cars for us. Manik divided it for us and as per his convenience. Nanu, Mukti and Cabir left in one car and Dhruv and me got stuck with Manik. Manik volunteered to drive; I called Dhruv to sit with me.

"Main driver nahi hun..one of you come to the front"

"Dhruv peeche baithega", I announced with an air of arrogance

"You want to come to the front.", Manik said with a mean smile

Dhruv saw us arguing like kids and finally moved to the front seat. Manik adjusted the rear view mirror and gave me an evil smirk. I looked away in irritation and our not so happy journey started. I kept quiet and Dhruv was as such a quiet guy. I remembered he wanted to talk to me about something important but how do we talk with the monster around us. The unwanted silence irked my monster and he started.

"So Dhruv..right..Dhurv ..Dhruv", he tried to fit in the name in his head. Some attitude this guy had, "So how do you know Nandini..I mean how much do you Nandini??"

"Matlab??", Dhruv was confused as always

"Matlab..now that you want to marry her you should know na how is she..what she is like?"

"We know each other pretty well..and just stop staring at him like that", I interrupted to help the helpless Dhruv who had started sweating at Manik's tone and looks.

"Wait na Nandini let me talk to your so called would be husband..acha do you know she likes rain and corns to go with it, she knows how to shave really well, do you know she gets confused with lanes and directions, she doesn't know how to wear a saree and that she can't walk in stilettos and that she makes awful dhoklas and that she is scared of cockroaches and that she is very stubborn and that she wants to be like her Appa and Mom, she doesn't feel ticklish on her waist, that she has a mole behind her neck has a small cut over her cleav..."

"Manik just stop it!!", I had to cut him because he had decided to narrate the whole 3 and a half months of knowing each other with every tiny detail. Manik had to show Dhruv that he knew me more and was closer to me. It didn't matter as such because with Dhruv I didn't have to worry. But what if Dhruv got intimidated and blurted the truth to him.

"Dhruv doesn't need you to know me..Now just concentrate on driving and take left from here", I directed him curtly.

Dhruv looked scared. He was as such a weak hearted guy and Manik's overpowering personality bogged him more. We reached finally after Manik's oral marathon. Both the morons got down before me and pulled the rear doors open on either side for me to step out. Some chivalry they had to show or so to say out show each other. I took Dhruv's side of the door and literally saw smoke coming out of Manik's ears in anger and jealousy. But I didn't care and walked off.

Nanu had reached before us. We ganged up and went inside. Nanu proudly gave everyone a tour to the whole manufacturing unit from spinning to fabric forming, coloring, finishing everything. Cabir and Mukti successfully managed to restrict Nanu's attention while Manik was busy in pulling me by his side. Dhruv attempted quite a few times to talk but every time he came near me, Manik intruded in between. His childish manners were getting too much. He was behaving like a kid who couldn't share his Mom with anyone. I called out Nanu and engaged Manik with him somehow and sneaked out with Dhruv. I grinned at Manik as he couldn't free himself.

"Dhruv I am sorry about Manik", I apologized because I had to.

"It's okay Nandini you don't need to be sorry..If I may ask is he the one.."

"Can we talk about you it is more important..did you talk to Krissane??"

"Not yet..she went to Goa to meet her family she will be coming day after tomorrow and I will tell her."

"What are you saying Dhruv?? We don't have time..My family has already started with the arrangements.."

"Nandini there is something important that I need to tell you"

"What??"

"You had asked na what is it that my parents agreed to this marriage..I know the reason..your Nanu is supposedly transferring your Surat textile mill to our name"

"What??," I had got the shock of my life. I knew what that mill meant to Nanu.

"Yes I overheard his conversation with our lawyer and he is planning to do this before the marriage itself. If I am not wrong the papers will be ready in a day or two. I actually thought that you might not know about it, so just came to tell you this."

I really didn't know how to react and before I could ask or say anything further we had to be disturbed by none other than Mr. Malhotra. Manik sensed there was something wrong as he saw me a little stressed and immediately charged Dhruv.

"Kya bola tumne Nandini ko?? Nandu are you okay??", he asked in a concerned tone

"Nandini I think I should leave..tum Nanu ko bol dena and I will see you later.", Dhruv excused himself and left.

How could Nanu hide this from me? I had to talk to him ..Does Mom know about it??the questions were increasing and so was my anxiety. I wanted to ask Nanu straight away but he was busy with Mukti and Cabir besides I couldn't stress him in any way. The only person who could give me my answers was Mom.

"Nandini you don't seem okay..we should go to the doctor..I have been asking you repeatedly..I can see that you are not well", he tried to check if I had fever or something.

"Manik please take me home"

"But??"

"Can you drive me home?? or should I leave on my own??", I asked in an annoyed tone

"Okay Fine!!", he gave up.

All through the way Manik studied my restlessness to reach home. I knew he wanted to ask but I didn't want to divulge anything to him and kept looking outside the window till we reached home. As soon as we reached I leapt out of the car and warned Manik not to follow me. I went inside and looked for Mom; the most probable place that I could find her at that hour was the kitchen. I hurried and pulled her to my room upstairs.

"Nandu beta aaram se,tumhe aaisi halat mein careful hona chahiye"

"Mom do you know that Nanu is transferring his Surat textile mill on Dhruv's dad's name??", I asked the moment I pulled her into my room.

Mom looked shocked and worried at the same time. I understood that she was very much aware of the happenings and she could just utter, "Who told you??"

"How could you hide this from me Mom?? We all know what that mill means for Nanu. It is his first establishment. He is so very emotionally attached to it and those pig heads bartered it for marrying me and you agreed to it. Why Mom why?? Why did you hide this from me?"

"Kya kar leti tum jan kar?? What else did you expect Nandini?? Did you really think that the world in full of honest and big hearted people?? Why did you think those people would say yes to a girl who is pregnant with someone else's child?? The price that we are paying is nothing in comparison to the humiliation we would have faced otherwise."

"Price!!! Am I a commodity Mom that you are trying to sell??", I was heartbroken at the mention of that word.

"Oh please!! Nandini stop these emotional talks..Papa and I have thought over this decision very well and it is good for all of us."

"Really Mom!! you think this is the solution to all our problems..what is the guarantee that these money minded people won't ask for more of such favors in future..Are you okay to send your daughter to a family of vultures?"

"Nandini listen beta I know what you are talking about..but Dhruv is a very nice guy and if I am not wrong he is the one who told you about this..after marriage you would shift to London with him and you wouldn't need to stay with these people..please beta don't do any such thing which would again bow our heads down..this marriage will give your baby a legitimate name, a secured future..don't you want that??" Mom said with teary eyes.

I looked at Mom as she wiped her tears. It made me helpless. What was everything coming to? I had made my family feel so miserable that they had to bow down to those filthy people. Nani called out for Mom and she left where in I stood still thinking. Guilt engulfed me, I knew I was not going to marry Dhruv somehow and this would again break their heart and morale. All the options and choices were narrowing. I felt like crying out loud. I badly needed someone to confide on my vulnerability and insecurities.

Suddenly I felt a strong jerk on my arms to turn backwards. Before I could realize anything I felt a familiar pair of lips crush mine. My eyes widened to register the face of my monster. Manik pressed his strong palm behind my head to increase the force and intensity. My hands were useless in pushing him apart.

"Thank You", he left my lips for a fraction of a second to mumble the two words and went back to his work.

The second one was more passionate and his lips literally intended to gobble mine. I moaned softly in his mouth. I couldn't deny I needed it badly, the assurance that those pair of lips could give were irreplaceable. He left me again to utter as well as breathe.

"Thank You", he looked into my eyes for a moment and again took my lips into his and sucked them tenderly. This time he was in no hurry and took his time to enjoy every bit of it. I was exhausted and didn't even attempt to protest. I knew he would leave me when he was out of breath and I didn't care about mine. He left me finally god knows after how long. I felt weak on my knees and would have probably fallen if he had not been holding onto me tightly. When I came to my senses in a bit I pushed him away. He was smiling at me like an idiot. My lip color was smudged onto his completely. He turned back to leave and I ran after him. I clenched his shirt and made him face me and cleaned the color on his lips with my dupatta. His naughty smirks increased at my frowns and I was done, he bent his head further down.

"Thank You", he brushed his lips again for a second, the smile was somewhat stuck on his face. He released me and walked out of my room.

Note:

Comment guys..I am posting daily for such mild response :((   ......Thank u to those you comment regularly and cheer me up