Karvachauth day,
It was a fresh new morning in Mumbai, the sun not risen yet but the ladies in Malhotra family was up as the alarm disturbed their precious sleep. Nandini woke up yawning and stretched herself. She sat up, joined her hand in praying Ayiappa and looked for her phone. After finding it she unlocked it only to smile brightly seeing his smiling face on her home screen. Indeed his pic always managed to bring a smile on her lips every morning.

She caressed the screen and then went through her notifications when one of them caught her attention. Message from 'Mani ❤'!

She wondered how did he message her so early in the morning and was about to open it when a knock on the door stopped her. She opened the door to see Nyonika smiling at her. She smiled and hugged her.

Nandini: Good morning Maa!

Nyonika: *cupping her face* Good morning princess! I just came to wake you up, sargi ke liye late na hojaye isiliye!

Nandini: Haa maa mai bas shower leke aane hi wali thi!

Nyonika: Chal theek hai tu aaja ready hoke and tab tak mai baki sabko jaga deti hu, kal raat Mukti and Alya bhi ruk gaye the and I have called Ishu and Neha at 11am. Mehndi lagvani hai na..

Nandini: Ji maa!

Nyonika: *handing her a bag* Acha ye lo, aaj ka tumhara dress, simple hai and sleeveless too so mehndi lagwane mai aasani hogi baki raat ka toh tere pati ne select karke bheja hai so now I cant deny him lekin mai bhi saas hu so mujhe bhi apni bahu ko outfit dena tha!

Nandini blushed a little and giggled at Nyonika's complain. Nyonika then left and Nandini started to get ready. She took a shower, combed her hair, applied a little bit of sindoor and parted her hair such that no one could see. She even wore her mangalsutra but hid it under her dress and rest with her hair. Along with that she wore her earings, knot bracelet, heart chain and applied bindi. Soon she was ready without make up but then it wasnt needed today, the glow on her face was enough to make her look gorgeous and the red dress was complimenting her skin tone very much.

She put her dupatta on one side of shoulder and taking her phone went downstairs to see Navya who stayed at Malhotra mansion last night, Kiran who had come to Mumbai along with Yash and Mukalya sitting on the dining table. She greeted them and went to kitchen to see if Nyo needed any help.

Nandini: *back hugging Nyo* Hmm maa, bohot hi achi smell aa rahi hai, I am dying to taste your food now! *Nyo chuckled* Acha mai kuch help karu?

Nyo: Umm sab almost ho gaya hai tum ye dono bowls bahar le jao mai baki ka mai leke aati hu!

Nandini: *picking the bowls* Ok!

Nyo: Nandu...

Nandini: Haan?

Nyo: Bohot hi pyari lag rahi ho!

Nandini: *kissing her cheek* Thank you maa! And I love the dress!

Nyo smiled and soon both of them settled on the dining table. Kiran served Nyo her food making her smile widely whereas Nyo served all. Yash served kiran making all the ladies smile and admire them. Raj too joined along with Dhruv holding onto a sleepy Cabir!

Cabir: *slumping in chair* Yaar ye suraj itna jaldi kyu nikalta hai? Aaram se naha dhoke 12 baje nikal na chahiye na....

All made a bad face hearing his weird talks while Nyo and Navya were glaring at him!

Raj: *hitting his head* Bakwas na kar!

Nyo: Waise tu utha hi kyu? Bhukha toh tujse raha nahi jana..

Cabir: *bad face* Come on mom, dont underestimate me! Waise bhi Madhubala ke liye kuch bhi!

Navya blushed as he openly said this in front of elders while Mukalya hooted and Nandini nudged Navya passing a yeasimg smile.

Nandini: Waise papa aap kab se maa ke liye vrat rakhte ho?

Raj: *smiling* From the very first year of marriage! Actually papa bhi rakte hai maa ke liye so looking at him I too started!

Mukti: And now uncle Cabir too started and soon Manik will too!

Hearing Manik's name, all Malhotras looked at Nandini who gave everyone a smile assuring them that she is ok! While she too was thinking about him.

Flashback
Nandini had just came to know about karvachauth and was very excited. She came to the room and called Manik.

Manik: Kya baat hai? Iss time hamari begum sahiba hamare liye free hai?

Nandini: Tch... Mani listen na..

Manik: *chuckling* Bolo toh sahi...

Nandini: Nyo maa said that there is karvachauth in next two days!

Manik: *shrugging his shoulder* Ha woh toh har saal hota hai!

Nandini: *slapping her forehead* Offo buddhu, its gonna be my first karvachauth for you, my first fast! I am so excited! I have heard a lot about it from Amma and Nyo maa and have always been fascinated about it.

Manik: Nai nai nai, you are not keeping any fast! There is no need to keep a fast!

Nandini: Hawww kyu na rakhu? Har married girl rakhti hai and even I want to!

Manik: You wont coz I dont believe in this.. tumhe bhuka rakhke meri toh jaan hi nikal jayegi... kahi kuch ho gaya toh? Waise bhi ye meri long life ke liye hai so agar meri jaan jo ki tum ho usse kuch ho gaya toh kya fayda?

Nandini: Tch Mani how can you say that something will happen? Aapko kaise pata? Nyo maa and amma har saal rakhte hai unhe kuch hua kya?

Manik: Unhe practice hai!

Nandini: *glared* Toh kabhi na kabhi unka bhi first time hua hoga! *he was about to speak when she cut him* Chup.. bilkul chup! Maine keh diya na ki mai vrat rakhungi toh mai rakhungi.. its my right and you cannot snatch that from me! Aise thodi hota hai, I am so excited and sara kuch excitement dustbin mai daalne ko bol rahe ho! Mai toh rakhungi agar aapko khulvana hai toh khulvana warna mai next day tak kuch nahi khaungi ya piyungi! Thats it!

Manik: *horrified* What? Next din tak? No no mai khulvaunga... ek min lekin mai khulvaunga kaise? I am toh here na!

Nandini: *pouting* Then come here please!

Manik: *sighing* I will try! Waise rakhna hi hai toh pani aur fruits ke saath rakho na!

Nandini: *sternly* Mr Malhotra I am keeping this fast following all the rules and that's my final word is that clear?

Manik: Fine then Mrs Malhotra.. even I will keep it!

Nandini: What? You? But why?

Manik: Woh kya hai na meri ek girlfriend rehti hai yaha neighbourhood mai uski long life ke liye..

Her jaw dropped and he chuckled making her glare at him hard!

Manik: Dumbo.. obviously tumhare liye rakhunga just like dad keeps for mom!

Nandini: But yoh have to work upar se uss hot country mai kaise hoga?

Manik: Now you want me to repeat your dialogues? No na so let me do it as well.. tum hi nahi hogi toh mai jee kar kya karunga.. jeeyenge toh saath mai aur marenge bhi saath mai for heaven mai romance karenge!

He winked and she looked at him in disbelief.

Nandini: Kuch bhi anab shanab bolte ho.. thoda toh soch liya karo!

Manik: *shrugging* You are my mirror... tumhare aage kya sochna?

Nandini giggled and he too laughed!
Flashback end.

Her trance broke when Navya nudged her and gestured her to eat.

Nyo: Alya beta Vandita se baat karlena.. she was sounding upset yesterday for not being here today and make your sargi.

Alya: Aunty meri subah subah hi baat ho gayi... she sounded guilty but I told her that anyways I cant keep fast and she has gone for NGO work which is for good cause and those people will bless us only so not to feel guilty.

She sighed while saying this. She looked very down and all could see this.

Nandini: Umm Alya di its ok na aunty nahi hai toh kya hua, hum toh hai, dont be upset!

Dhruv: Nahi Nandini she is not upset because of that.. she is upset because she cant keep a fast this year. *turning to Alya* Baby understand na please.. mai rakh raha hu na tumhare and baby ke liye... you both are my lifelines so if you both are safe.. I will live long anyway! Please dont be sad!

He made a puppy face while Alya's eyes twinkled in happiness seeing his love. She hugged him making others sigh and go awe on them.

Soon they were all done with eating and Nyonika asked them to rest for a while before the mehndi artist comes. Everyone dospersed to there room and Nandini after entering the room remembered Manik's message and decided to open it.

Message: Hey Bacha! Good Morning! You must be wondering how come I messaged you early morning that's because I knew you will wake up early and maybe feel sad because I am not there which I dont want! I dont want even a tinge of sadness in those beautiful pearls of yours which stores only and only love for me! So first things first, a very Happy karvacauth Shona! It is your very special day and I want you to store all the memories you can in your heart ❤. Afterall we have exchanged hearts right? So be happy to keep me happy!

Secondly, dont exert yourself, my jaana is very delicate and you are already low on energy today, I am not saying not to enjoy, but also take some rest too! I will wait to see your mehndi today... umm maybe... but that doesnt mean you will apply a big design because I am not there to take care of you so make it quick. Baki toh I know our family, they will take care of you seeing the fact that they already treat you as their princess which is true as well.. you are indeed their princess and my queen 😘!

Shona I have not been very expressive during our marriage period and it is you who have tought me all this and I always wanted to cherish those small moments like selecting outfits for you, spending money on you, fulfilling your wishes, being that love sick puppy but alas that situation wasn't opt for it but now I want to do all this. Love sick puppy toh you have already made me... ya you know ek smile tumhari mil jati hai toh I melt right away and about sticking around their girl all the time like those Romeo type of boys, well lets just say our time hasn't come yet but I could atleast select an outfit for you today which mom would not have given to you yet because I asked her not to, you will get that in evening. I want you to dress up in the outfit I have sent for you, maybe you can say that I want to contribute a little bit on your special day today or maybe I want you to feel my presence near you by wearing that outfit. And yes, I do apologise in advance for my choice wont be as best as yours but utni bhi buri nahi hai yaar... I guess. I want you to adore yourself today jaan for everyone should witness how lucky I am to get landed with an angel in my life. I want that the moon envy you today for my star is more prettier to me than that moon 😍. I want you to see yourself in the mirror the way I would see you as you and me are not different!

Promise me bacha you wont let sadness linger around you while the others are happy for I will feel the worst if that happens! Baki toh I will compensate when I come back. I love you and take extra care of my bacha ❤! I will try my best today to come but everything depends on the meeting that will happen today. Wish me luck my lucky charm!

As soon as she finished reading, her face was covered in tears yet a big smile lingering on her lips. She sniffed cutely and called him up but immediately disconnected thinking he must be in the meeting.

Nandini: *in mind* Bohot bure ho aap Manik bohot bure.. pehle kehte ho ki rona nahi and then itna pyaara message karke emotional kar dete ho... kya karu mai aapka? But Ayiappa seriously thank you so much for choosing him for me! I love this man beyond limits! Mai hamesha aapse complain karti hu na? I am sorry, but kya karu, aap bhi toh itna precious tofa deke usse mujse dur rakh rahe ho.. I dont know anything, anyhow you have to send Mani to me today to break my fast! Mai bol deti hu aapko!

She was talking to her Ayiappa when she heard a voice and quickly turned her back to door and wiped her tears.

Nyo: Nandu...

Nandini: *turning to her and smiling* Ji Nyo maa?

Nyo: *narrowing her eyes at her face* Tu royi?

Nandini: *chuckles nervously while looking away* Mai? Mai kyu roungi? Nahi toh mai nahi royi!

Nyo: *sitting next to her and turning her face towards her* Maa hu mai teri saas se pehle... jitna bachpan tune Ishu ke saath bitaya hai utna hi teenagehood mere paas bita chuki hai tu! You cant lie to me or hide your emotions!

Nandini immediately hugged her tight as she closed her eyes letting few tears flow while Nyo caressed her head letting her calm down.

Nandini: *breaking the hug after a while and wiping her tears* Maa I am ok! Thodi emotional ho gayi thi bas.. waise bhi I have promised someone that I will try my best to not be sad so I wont be sad now!

Nyo: *kissing her forehead* I know mere dono bache strong hai and tu dekhna rabji bhi teri madad karenge... tu sache dil se vrat rakh rahi hai so unhe Manu ko bhejna hi hoga aaj! Hmm?

Nandini smilingly nodded.

Nyo: Acha leave that, I am here to give you this! Dekho pasand aaye?

She handed her a red velvety box making Nandini confused. She took it and opened it to see a beautiful pair of kangan. Her eyes twinkled seeing it!

Nandini: Nyo maa ye bohot pretty hai lekin achanak kyu?

Nyo: Achanak kaha? Aaj karwachauth hai and Maa hamesha mujhe and bhabhi ko new jewellery deti hai iss din so I too wanna follow that tradition! So here it is! Meri maa ke, yani ki Manu ki nani ke hai!

Nandini: *frowning* But Nyo maa fir toh yeh Navya ka bhi right hai na..

Navya: *from doorstep* Humare beech kabse formality ho gayi Nandu?

Both ladies turned to her and she walked in smiling.

Nandini: Its not about formality Navu..

Navya: *glaring at her* Hum batate hai tumhe baad mai.. mom aapne bulaya?

Nandini made a bad face while Nyo chuckled.

Nyo: You know I always feared ki agar mujhe aise bahuae mili jinki ek dusre ke saath banti nahi toh mere bacho ko hi alag kardengi dono and yaha toh tum dono ek dusre ke liye lad rahi ho! *both of them smiled* And Nandu who said I haven't kept anything for Navu... see I have this payal, its your dadi's which she gave to me!

Navya: Bohot sundar hai mom!

Nyo: *smirking* I know aaakhir Malhotra's ki choice hai!

Nandini: *rolling her eyes* Maa not you too.. aapka self obsessed beta kam hai kya?

Navya: *jumping in* Are ek nahi dusra wala bhi waise hi hai...

Nyo: *laughing* I guess its in their Malhotra blood and its diluting in mine too.. koi baat nahi jaldi tum logo ko bhi asar ho jayega!

All three of them laughed and chatted for a while. Soon Ishita and Neha came so a servant came to call them and all three went down. They all greeted each other, hugged each other and settled on the couch. MukAlya too came down and Mukti hugged Ishita who smiled and hugged her back.

Ishita: *cupping her face* Kanna sargi ache se khayi thi na?

Mukti: Yes amma it was very tasty!

Ishita smiled while Nandini pouted.

Nandini: Not fair Amma aapne mujhe nahi pucha..

Mukti showed her tongue to Nandini who made a bad face.

Ishita: Mai kyu puchu? Mai teri saas hu kya?

Nandini: *whining* Nyo maa dekho na..

Nyo: *side hugging* I am there na for you!

Nandini: *kissing her cheeks* I love you!

She showed her tongue to Ishita and Mukti while everyone laughed. Soon mehndi artists came and it was all chaotic as everyone were discussing on which design to go for. Soon enough they all settled with their design and the artists started.

Nandini looked around and asked Nyonika.

Nandini:Nyo maa dadi, dadu, papa sab kaha hai?

Nyo: Maa papa room mai hai actually they are tired from yesterday's journey and tere papa ka toh puch hi mat, aaj ke din bhi unhe office dikhta hai.. sometimes I wonder that he loves his office more than me!

All the ladies laughed going awe on her.

Ishita: Nyo, Raman bhi toh office hi gaye hai... actually MI hi gaye hai so paka ye dono kaam kam and timepass zyada kar rahe honge... inko bas saath mai bitha do, bak bak bak chalu.. and they call us talking machine!

Nyo: *bad face* I know right! Hum ladies ko toh aise hi blame karte hai ye log, bas friends milne chahiye fir dekhlo inhe.. rukne ka naam nahi!

Mukti: Waise aunty upar terrace pe wahi kaam ho raha hoga!

Ishita: Matlab?

Neha: Are Cabir, Abhi, Arya and Dhruv upar saath mai hai so decoration kam aur masti zyada kar rahe honge...

Arya: *from behind* Oh hello Mrs Khanna tum kyu itna jal rahi ho as if you people are sitting quite!

Alya: *defending Neha* Why are you saying anything to her? We ladies are good at multitasking unlike you boys... ek kaam karne mai kitna time lagate ho!

Nandini: Bas bas are hum aaj ke din atleast ye ladies vs gents rehne dete hai! This is endless!

All laughed and nodded. Arya too left taking the tool he came to take. Nandini looked around and saw no one paying attention to her so she bend down and whispered in the artist ears who smiled and nodded.

Nandini: *whispering* Can you please add a 'M' in my design such that no one can see?

The mehndi artist did so. Soon they were done with the mehndi and all went to their rooms to rest a bit along with boys too!

Author's note: Hey guys! Surprise! I am back with an update early this time... so how was it?

I know its an abrupt end but I wrote it in bulk and it crossed 6000 words so I decided to split it in half. I don't know I am feeling inspired I guess, haha! Thought this one is not small either, its crossed 3100 words.

Not much Manan but I think you all might have enjoyed it as its family and the thing is not all updates can be filled with Manan na... well lets not keep you in suspense and I would say that Manan will meet in the next part. Happy?

Complete the target on this one fast as I have the next one nearly ready so till you complete the target, I would complete it and keep it edited and ready to publish!

Pls vote if you liked it, drop long inline comments and follow me!
Silent readers, it won't take long to press that star button so pls do!
Target :- 730+ votes on this part for next update!
Lots of love from Vaish! ❤