They were in the car going to the farmhouse from the temple in silence. Soon they reached the farmhouse and Nandu was about to get out when he held her hand.

M: *to driver* Tum bahar jao for now, park when we come out.

He nodded and moved out. Manik smiled and cupped her face looking deep in her eyes. All he could see was happiness which made him smile widely. He leaned and pecked her forehead making her smile.

M: Thank you for coming in my life!

N: *smiling* Friendship mai no sorry, no thank you!

M: *laughing* This was a good one!

N: I know Nandini Murthy is the best.

M: Ahem... you mean Nandini Manik Malhotra! *she blushed and nodded* Ok we don't have much time right now but take rest for a while before all the rasams begin and yes, call me when you are free ok?

N: Ok! And you too sleep for a while.

He nodded, came out of his side and moved to hers to open the door. Both went in Murthy garden where lunch was arranged. All had light brunch in the temple too, so everyone ate a little. Nandini was told to go to her room and change but not to remove her sindoor and thaali tied by Manik until evening. Malhotras went to their house with Cabir and Naksh promising to come back soon to help making the arrangements. Nandini changed and lied on bed. She immediately fell asleep being tired, same was the case with Manik.

Manik's sleep was disturbed by a call. He groaned and picked up without checking the caller ID.

M: *groaning* Kon hai yaar?

Caller: What the hell? Is time kon sota hai?

He woke up with jerk and gulped his saliva.

M: Woh I was tired. Sorry na baby!

Caller: Aww... chal thik hai, but tune itne dino se call kyu nahi kiya? Uss gadhe ne bhi nahi kiya.

M: Are Muku baby mai na woh busy tha.... you know Naira bhi ayi hai! *guiltily* And I have a relative's wedding here so.. (Haha yes it was Mukti! Don't worry guys Manik is most genuine in my story 😜😂)

Mu: Are waah Naira! Ok chal maaf kiya! Acha sun hum trip pai jaa rahe hai to Ooty! All Vedants! In fact, we are in car!

M: Oh, wow nice! Car trip? Buddy and Alu kaha hai?

D: Hi buddy!

M: Hey kaisa hai? Aren't you driving?

A: No, I told him not to, driver le liya.

M: Good Alu! He should enjoy rather than driving.

They chit chatted a bit and hung up. Manik was feeling very guilty of lying to Fab3 but he was helpless. He was thinking this when his phone rang, it was Nandu.

M: Hey! What happened, tumne abhi call kiya?

N: Aap hi ne toh kaha tha!

M: Oh, ha I forgot!

N: Manik aap thik toh hai? Coz I don't think so..

M: *startled* Are I am fine.... tum na kuch bhi sochti ho!

She disconnected the call on which he frowns. But the next moment it rang on a video chat displaying her name, so he plastered a fake smile and picked it up.

N: Manik kya hua?

M: Nandu kuch nahi hua sachi.

N: *frowning* Manik you can't lie to me.. I can read your face!

M: Woh nothing it's just I was talking to Fab3 and I had to lie to them so...

N: *sighing* I understand Manik. But don't worry woh log samjenghe, trust Ayiappa! Sab thik hojayega!

He nodded. Her words made him feel good.

N: Manik ek baat puchu?

M: Hmm....

N: Do you trust me? Can you confide in me?

M: *instantly* Of course I trust you, why do you ask?

N: Woh you were so hesitant on telling me why you were upset so...

M: *sighing* It's not about trust shona! I just didn't want to make you upset. It's our day and I wanted you to be happiest, that's it!

N: Aur aapka kya? Manik do you think if you are upset on our day then me being happy is worth it?

M: Acha baba sorry!

N: Nope sorry se kaam nahi chalega! You must promise me that you won't hide your feelings from me!

M: *smiling* Nandini promise! Khush! *smirking* Waise abhi abhi shaadi hui aur abhi se wife mode on?

N: *frowning* Matlab?

M: Are reading my emotions and all that! Matlab shaadi ke thode time baad if I go out with some girl and lie to you, toh tum toh easily pakad logi!

N: *smirking* Oh but why are you worried about this? Matlab agar tension lena hi hai toh iss bata ka lo na ki shaadi ke baad if I went out with a boy and lie to you, toh aapko pata bhi nahi chalega!

His mouth was hung open by her reply. She burst out laughing seeing his expression.

M: *possessively* Shut up ok! You are mine and just mine!

She laughed and hung up leaving him restless. He started pacing around his bed.

M: *in mind* What the hell! Pagal hogaya hai Manik, woh mazak kar rahi thi aur tu restless horaha hai. God, Krishnaji kaha phasa diya! Why did I tease her in first place? Just the thought of her with someone else is making me restless..

Giving up, he called her. Navya received the call from other side.

M: Navya, Nandini ko phone do!

Nav: Kyu jijaji, uske bina raha nahi jata kya?

M: Nahi abb do!

Nav: *giggling* Someone is so desperate!

M: Yaar yaha mai pareshan hu aur tumhe tease karna hai!

Nav: Par aap pareshan kyu ho?

M: Yaar tumari best friend ki wajah se!

Nav: Usne aisa kya kiya?

M: Ummm... kuch nahi tum use phone do pls!

Nandini was busy in something so she did not notice Navya receiving her call and didn't know who was on call. Navya smirked realising that and kept the phone on speaker gesturing Nandini to speak!

N: Hello?

M: Shona! Yaar this is not fair tumne phone kyu cut kiya? Now tell me you were joking before!

Nandini who by now totally forgot the topic burst into laughter remembering it!

N: Oh god Manik! Aap abhi bhi vahi atke ho? Like seriously? I was just joking chill!

Manik sighed in relief but she was still laughing uncontrollably making him annoyed.

M: *irritated* Shona yaar stop laughing!

N: *still laughing* I cant Manik! Hahah! The Manik Malhotra meri itni choti baat pai restless hogaye! Tch... tch... tch...

M: Tum na... Tum milo mujhe.. mein batuanga tumhe The Manik Malhotra!

N: *innocently* Maine kya kiya?

M: Woh toh milne ke baad bataunga Mrs Manik Malhotra!

Nandini turned and was shocked to see Navya! She then realised that her phone was on speaker!

N: Shit!

M: Kya hua?

N: Are phone speaker pai hai and Navya room mai hi hai!

M: *shrugging his shoulder* So what?

N: What do you mean by 'so what'?

Before he could reply, Navya snatched her phone!

Nav: Ok enough! Jijaji use ready hona hai chooda rasam ke liye! So, bye! *smirking* Waise.. do you want to say bye to your shona?

M: No thanks Salli sahiba! But Navu tu meri behen hai na, pls yeh shona wali baat kissi ko batana mat!

Nav: Ok! Mujhe kya milega bhai?

M: Are abb tu apne bhai se bargain karegi?

Nav: God bhai aap pe seriously Cabir ka asar ho raha hai! Kitna drama karte ho! Fine I won't tell anyone!

M: Good girl! Kisi ko bataye ya na bataye, Cabir ko maat batana warna mujhe pagal kardega woh ladka! Ok bye!

She laughed and disconnected. Turning to Nandu she smirked, while getting the clue, Nandini just grabbed her suit and ran in the washroom making Navya laugh hard! She came out looking a total pataka!

Nandini 👇

There was still time in the rasam so Navni decided to take selfies. Nandini's hair was open so she parted it in such a way that her sindoor can't be seen. They took selfies and posted on Instagram.

#selfielovers#crazytimes#beautifulday#traditionaltoday#selfiewithbestie#Missingnehu @navya_khanna @neha_khanna

They immediately got response from neha!
"Aww.. missing you cuties too"

N: "really... Arya gives you spare time?"

Ne: "🙊🙊"

Author's note: Hey guys, how's the update? Like it? What part do you like the most?
So I called it bonus part as I uploaded before target was complete on the last one because I just thought you guys deserve it! Secondly, no targets for this one! Just complete the one from 16A for 16C! Punjabi wedding in next one!
Lots of love from Vaish