Happy Janmasthmi! Nand gher anand bhayo jai kanaiya lal ki!

Disclaimer: All the rituals in this story are taken from google so any mistake, I apologize. I do not intend to hurt anyone's feelings!

Engagement evening,
Murthy farmhouse,
Soon all the ladies moved down where gents were waiting for them. They all were awestruck by their beauties whereas Abhi, Manik and Naira giggled seeing them. Manik moved closer to Cabir and Naksh and spoke.

M: *smirking* Mere dono bhaio pls apna muh toh band karlo you guys are looking like a lovesick puppy.

Listening to this both looked here and there closing their mouths but how can our Cabira not reply?

C: *smirk* Woh toh dekh lenge who is more lovesick, Nandu ki entry to hone do! *Manik glares at him who was obviously unaffected*

The ladies came near them. Raj, Raman, Manish and Naitik appreciated their wives by their eyes to which they blushed. Naksh went forward and taking Keerti's hand in his, kissed it.

Nak: *kissing her knuckles* You look beautiful sweetheart! 😍

Whereas our Cabira went forward cupped Navya's face and kissed her forehead.

C: *dramatically* Madhubala kisse marne ka irada hai, hum to already mar gaye aap pe! 🙈

Both the ladies blushed to no limit whereas others hooted for them. Manik went and side hugged Naira and praised her to which she gave him a toothy grin, thanking him. Elders (Kiran, Yash, Kishori and Suhasini) now entered the hall with panditji who went to stage and started with the preparations for Roka.

Ya: Are waah meri bachiya toh badi pyaari lag rahi hai.

Ki: Sach! Bhagwan kare aap sab ko kisi ki nazar na lage.

Nyonika 👇

Ishita 👇

Akshara 👇

Swarna 👇

Naira 👇

Navya 👇

Keerti 👇

Raman 👇

Raj 👇

Top: Naksh, Cabir and Abhi
Bottom: Naitik and Manish 👇

panditji: * to Ishu and Nyo* Beta ab roka ka mohorat ho gaya hai to ladki ko le aao.

I: Ji panditji! Keerti, Navya and Naira jao beta usse le ao!

Ra: Nahi Ishu, mai or Raj jayenge apni princess ko lane. Chalo Raj!

All smiled at them and asked Manik to settle on the couch made for Manan. Here Raj and Raman moved upstairs and knock on her door. As soon as the door was opened, they were stunned by her look. She truly was looking like a princess.

N: *twirling around* Appa, papa mai kaise lag rahi hu?

Raj/Raman: *side hugging from both sides* Bilkul princess jaise! Hamari princess!

They both forwarded their hands in front of her like a gentleman. She giggled and held both hands, walking in the middle reached the staircase. She gasped at its beauty. It was just the way she dreamt of. She looked at her fathers teary eyes when they smiled, wiped her unshed tears and nodded in a no!

Stairway decor 👇

They moved downstairs and reached to the stairs of the stage. Manik was just lost in her beauty. His eyes weren't ready to leave her face. He didn't even notice her attire yet; he was just gaping at her face which was filled with innocence and beauty. He unknowingly stood up, went towards them and forwarded his hand.

M: *forwarding his hand* May I?

She looked at both fathers who smilingly nodded and handed her hand to his. She gave him a nervous smile to which he gave her an assuring smile. He led her to the couch, and both settled down together.

M: *whispering in her ear* Someone is looking very beautiful and shining more than the stars today! And I am glad that angel is going to be mine. 😍

N: *blushingly whispered back* Thank you! You are looking handsome too! 🙈🙈

Unknowingly his cheeks too got heated up. All others were looking at the couple in aww, blessing and praying to god to always keep them happy! The photographers were capturing the moments to cherish them forever.

Nandini and Manik 👇

Panditji then started with the roka rituals. First Ishita did Manik's tika and aarti, fed him sweets and gave him with many gifts. He bends down and took her blessing to which she blessed him happily. Then Nyonika came forward put a red chunri no Nandini, did her tika and aarti and fed her sweets. She too gifted her lots of clothes, jewellery, makeup, etc. After that one by one all family members gifted them something. With this the roka ceremony ended.

Amms gave dakshina to panditji and he left after blessing all. Then everyone came down the stage and Cabir played some soft music in the background. Naira and Navya went on stage and stood with Manan's ring. Navya standing behind Nandini, handed her Manik's ring. She looked at him, but he didn't forward his hand, so she took his hand in hers by herself and slid the ring on his finger. Everyone hooted whereas Nandini blushed and Manik smiled. Then Naira extended Nandini's ring to Manik who forwarded his hand asking for hers.

M: *smiling* Can I do the honours?

She smiles, gives her hand in his and he slid the ring in her ring finger. Everyone clapped for them. Manan got seated and others got busy in themselves. Manik was continuously caressing the back of her hand with his thumb which he never left after making her wear the ring. She was smiling and looking down, trying to control her thumping heart.

Manan's rings 👇

M: *caressing her hand* Are you ok? Tired?

N: *smiling and looking up to him* No I am ok!

M: Nandu aaj raat if you are free, kya hum kahi jaa sakte hai? I mean just our garden. Only if you are comfortable.

N: *looking in his eyes* I am always comfortable with you.

Hearing this his heart swelled with happiness. This is what he wanted from day one, her to be comfortable with him and hearing this from her mouth gave him immense satisfaction. Their trance broke when they were called for dinner. All settled down on the big table with Manan next to each other still holding hands.

C: So aaj bhai and bhabhi ek dusre ko kilayenge.

Manan: *wide eyes* Whatt?

R: Ha bacho, koi problem hai kya?

Nak: Chachu lagta hai inhe hamare samne sharam aa rahi hai!

Ab: If you want, we can give you guys privacy!

Nai: Good idea Abhi bhai! Mai do plate ready kar deti hu or di ke room mai bhijva deti hu.

Na: Are Naira do kyu? Sirf ek hi kardo, dono share karenge kyu jijaji?

Manan were completely red with their teasing. No one was allowing them to say anything. Manik was fake glaring at everyone trying to hide his blush. Finally giving up he looked at his both mothers with puppy eyes.

Ny: Bas bhi karo ab!

I: Ha kyu mere bacho ko tang kar rahe ho? Koi kahi nahi jaa raha!

Ke: Bilkul sahi mami, koi kahi nahi jaa raha. Navya tum ek plate serve kardo, dono yahi pe share karlenge, kyu devarji and devraniji?

N: *cute pout* Di not you too!

All laughed at their condition. Navya served a single plate and passed it to them. They had to eat from the same plate having no other choice. Lekin mann mai to ladoo phut rahe hai dono ke 😜😜! They all started eating with Manan eating very slowly, their fingers brushing each other's. Manik was passing the items disliked by Nandini on her side as he came to know about it. She was looking at him with a cute pout, but he was smirking at her and teasing her more. All were noticing Manik's naughtiness from the corner of their eyes and giggling silently, but none said anything in order to not make them uncomfortable. With lots of teasing and fun, the dinner ended. As everyone was exhausted they moved to their room and Malhotras to Malhotra house.

Nandini went to her room and received a message from Manik to meet him in half an hour in Murthy's front garden to which she agreed. She sat on the dressing table taking her makeup off when her eyes fell on her ring. She caressed her ring and went in her thoughts.

Nandini's POV
This is such a blissful feeling. I never knew that being someone's fiancee gives you such happiness. This ring is the symbol that I belong to him and Ayiappa I always want to belong to him. I don't know what these feelings are yet, but I am loving this confusion too. Kash yeh pal yuhi ruk jaye, kash mai is beautiful feelings ko kaid karsaku humesha keliye. I never want to let go of this. Aaj ke woh sare lamhe mai kabhi nahi bhul sakti, it's so special or abhi to yeh first function tha aur kahi honge, hamari kitni yaade banegi and yeh hame strength degi alag rehne keh liye. Ayiappa, kya ye hum karpayenge? For our family? For our parents?
Nandini's POV end.

Chucking all her thoughts and after praying to her Ayiappa to always be with her, she went to washroom and changed in her PJs. Well, Manik's condition was no different, he was thinking the same.

Manik's POV
I still don't believe it Krishnaji! (Haha I am a Kaira fan too, so I took Kartik's Krishnaji! Hope you don't mind my other Kaira fans!) I am engaged! That too with such a beautiful angel. Farishta hi to hai, mujhe kab apni taraf khich liya, na use pata chala na mujhe. It's only been a few days we met aur abb usse dur rehna mujhe pasand nahi. But in all this I realised we hardly met or talked to each other. I want to know her more, talk to her more, be with her more! What are these feelings Krishnaji? I think I li... like her! Yeah, I think I do! Kyunki yeh sab feelings mujhe kabhi nahi hui and I want to explore it more as I am loving it. Abhi se mai usse dur nahi reh paa raha hu, toh shaadi ke baad jab vo UK wapas jayegi to mai kya karunga? It will be so difficult, but I can't even show it to her as I want to become her strength not her weakness!

Manik's POV end.

Both changed in their Night dress and met at the garden. Seeing each other they smiled and Manik gestured her to walk. They were walking a bit apart. Nandini wanted to hold his hands bit was hesitating. She would forward her hands towards his slightly while walking beside him but take it back. This was completely new to her and she herself didnt know why she wanted to hold his hand but all she knew was there hands together fitted well, it gave a certain warmth and assurance to her. She loved that feeling. Finally, building enough courage, she holds his hand and looks at the other side closing her eyes tight feeling shy. He looks at her surprised as it was the first time Nandini initiated something but his expression turned to amused one seeing her half face left uncovered by her hair where there was tinge of red on her cheeks, eyes shut tight and a beautiful smile lingering on her lips. He smiled and hold her hand tighter to which she looked at him with a shy smile making him smile back wider. (Guys I love this kyy scene!) They walked to the far end of the garden, hand in hand, where there was a bench. They settled down when Nandini initiated a convo.

N: Manik aapne mujhe yaha kyu bulaya? Kuch kaam tha?

M: Kyu you didn't want to come? Or kya mai tumhe aise hi nahi bula sakta?

N: *looking down* Maine aisa kab kaha? Woh toh bus hum kabhi aise bina kisi reason nahi mile isliye..

M: *smiling* I realised that and that's why I called you! I want to be with you, talk to you and get to know you. Acha you tell me about your lifestyle in UK.

N: *innocently* Meri life toh ekdum boring hai. Morning mai after yoga and breakfast, I go to hospital fir after coming back, I cook for myself and talk to everyone here. Then I have my dinner, go through SNS and sleep reading a book. Aur kabhi kabhi bua ke ghar jati hu ya fir arneha ke ghar bhi jati hu or they come to my place.

M: *wide eyes* You live alone? Matlab I thought you lived at bua's place.

N: Nope I wanted to be independent, so I live in an apartment near bua's house but weekends pe I stay at her place or Arneha's place. Aap bataye, how did you think of starting your own company? It would have been difficult isn't it?

M: Well that was my dream. Bachpan se I have seen dadu, dad and chachu working hard to bring MI where it is now, and I too wanted to do something on my accord so here I am. About being difficult, yes it was but working in MI taught me a lot. Then after a year of struggles I am feeling a bit stable now and now I am working with international companies too.

N: *holding his hand in her palms* I am proud of you!

M: *glistening eyes* Sachi?

N: *giggling* Muchi! Waise you believe in forever, right?

M: *surprised* Tumhe kaise pata?

N: *pulling her imaginary collar* It's a talent Mr Malhotra! * both laughed* Just kidding, some things I see in your actions which made me think so. Firstly, you love watching the stars and water at beaches too which both are infinite. Secondly, you named your company Infinity! Thirdly, this! *she pointed at their engagement ring* again an infinity symbol!

M: *mischievously* Hmm so Mrs would be Malhotra is stalking her fiancee. You are right, I believe in forever and this *showing their entwined hands* is for forever.

Saying this he cupped her face and leaned forward. He looked in her eyes to see any reluctance but found none instead she moved closer. He slowly leaned and placed his lips on her forehead. She closed her eyes as a reflex feeling the moment. It was beautiful!

Author's note: Hey guys, hows the update? A big one for you all! 2200+ words! Do tell me how is it!
Also please give suggestions for sangeet as I am blank on what to write about it!

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Lots of love from Vaish