Closing the book she stretched her body and a yawn escaped from her mouth. She covers her palm and stood up and was about walk back inside the room but stopped when her eyes falls on figure sitting in a garden.

Her eyes widen as she noticed her sister sitting there alone and being so lost. She frowns why was Nandini sitting alone in garden at this time but nevertheless thought it checking on her. She headed inside and grabbing a shawl walks out of the door.

She went straight to kitchen and thought of making something warm to drink for them. Decided to make a cup of strong tea she starts prepping for the tea.

Holding the two cups and wrapping the shawl around her shoulder she walks out of kitchen and headed to the garden where Nandini was.

Sitting beside Nandini and softly calling her name out looks at Nandini who got startled as she wasn't expecting Avni to come there at this late. Her eyes widened as she stares Avni who just smiles in return.

Nandini : you scared me Avni. When did you come? Why haven't you slept? It's very late.

Avni sighs and passed the cup to Nandini and starts sipping her owns looking at the scenery.

Avni : I could ask you the question di. Why haven't you slept? What are you doing out this time?

Nandini looks at Avni while keeping the cup down and wrapping a blanket around her body.

Nandini: I wasn't feeling sleepy. I don't know but I feel so nervous and anxious for tomorrow. I mean I never thought I would feel like this. Tomorrow is my engagement day but it feels so different. I feel like within few months later I will leave my family and this home to start new chapter of my life.

Avni: what should I say about this thoughts di? I haven't experienced this feeling yet but trust me when I go through this experience it will hit me with so many emotions. I couldn't even think or imagine leaving our parents. I feel so proud of you di. You found your love and will be starting new chapter soon but I will miss you so much. I don't want to let you go. I can't believe it you will get married soon di.

Both of them cried as they spoke up about their own feelings. Past few days they have been spending family times together and tired controlling their emotions because they didn't wanted to cry front of their parents who wouldn't be able to control their own tears. They can't watch their parents crying.

Nandini wiping her tears off looks at Avni pulling her hug and comforting her. She wipes Avni's tears off and caressed her softly. Avni also stops crying and wipes Nandini's tears away. Both of them were unknown that their parents watching from their balcony and crying seeing both of them.

Ishita and Raman couldn't sleep and decided to sit in balcony when they spotted of them sitting in a garden. Gent couldn't hear much but didn't take any seconds to understand what was happening.

Ishita wipes her tears and rushed back inside followed by Raman to comfort his wife. He found her sitting on bed and crying. He went to her and pulls her in his embrace. He softly strokes her hair and letting her cry. His own eyes were filled with tears.

Both sisters sitting in the garden laughed, cried and shared their own thoughts. They both stopped laughing and decided to return back inside.

They stood up and taking the cups headed in kitchen and washing the cups wishing goodnight went to their room.

Both family were so busy making the preparations for Manan engagements. Neyonika rushing back to forth making sure all the arrangements were arranged perfectly. She wasn't going to make any mistakes in her elder son's engagements.

Everyone stayed awake till late night making all the arrangements were ready for tonight ceremony. Neyonika got up a little late and walks downstairs to find Bebe sitting in room living room and reading newspaper. Neyonika went to her and bending down touched her foot taking her blessing.

Bebe looks away the newspaper and smiles looking at Neyonika. She placed her hands on Neyonika's head blessing her and kept the newspaper aside.

Bebe : why did you wake up this early? Last night you went to sleep so late. You should stayed back in bed. I have told the butlers to make lunch because I thought everyone would be awake by afternoon.

Neyonika : I couldn't sleep any longer. I didn't wanted to stay in bed knowing so many work is depending Bebe. I don't know how everything will be ready on time. You did right about asking butler to prepare lunch. I will check on them. Do you anything to drink? I'm going to make tea for myself.

Bebe : I will have a cup of tea too.

Neyonika nodded her head and went to kitchen. Raj comes downstairs rubbing his eyes. He looks at his mother and puts his head on her lap. Bebe smiles and starts ruffling his hair making him smile.

Bebe : your son is going to married soon but child in you hasn't left yet. When will you grow raj?

Raj laughs out turning his head back away when he heard chuckles behind him. He glares cabir and Mukti who burst out laughed out hearing Bebe.

Cabir : wow Bebe! I honestly missed you so much.

Mukti and cabir stops laughing taking their sit opposite them. Cabir winched rubbing his head when he felt someone smacking his head. He turns his head around and his wife glaring him.

Raj : Navya beta. You did right. He deserves to be beaten up. Look at him how he was laughing.

Navya : I know uncle. I'm sorry behalf of him.

Raj : beta, you don't need be sorry. Look how shameless your husband is still laughing.

Navya looks at cabir who was still chuckling. She shook her head and sits next to Mukti ignoring cabir. Dhruv and Alya comes out of their room and looks confused wondering what happened.

Alya : what happened to cabir? Why is laughing?

Raj : nothing Alya. He's crazy. Ignore him.

Neyonika comes out of kitchen with everyone's tea as she could hear the rest voices and thought to make extras. She placed the tray on coffee table.

Neyonika : have your tea then freshen up. You all look zombies. Then lunch will served.

All of them nodded and starts drinking the tea whereas Neyonika not seeing her sons thought to wake them but when she turns around she saw Manik and Neil coming down the stairs.

They both come down and sat down next Neyonika greeting everyone. Everyone returns the greeting and starts talking about tonight. Neil placed his head on Neyonika's shoulder feeling sleepy.

Neyonika smiles and pats his cheek. Once everyone finish drinking the tears moves back to their room to freshen up. Neil walks into his room and checked his phone to see if he received any messages from Avni.

He sits down on bed and dials Avni's number but the call went unanswered. He sighs and dropping a messaged puts his phone on charging and went to washroom to freshen up.

Responding to Neil's message Avni went bank inside and grabbing her dress, jewellery and make up she walks to Nandini'a room. Entering inside the room she found Nandini talking over the phone.

Smirking to herself and knowing she would be talking to Manik thought to tease them. She went closer to bed and keeping everything snatched the phone from Nandini and puts it on a speaker and mouth to speak. Nandini tries go grab phone but Avni pulled back and shook her head.

Manik : love, why aren't you saying anything? You didn't tell me. Are you blushing? Oh no. I wish I was there to witness your blush love.

Nandini's cheeks turns red hearing Manik and mostly when Avni is sitting there listening to their conversations. Her eyes widen as she watched Avni walking away with the phone into balcony.

Nandini sprinted out of bed and follows Avni into balcony and found her laughing with Manik. She quickly snatched the phone and turning louder speaker off glares Avni move aside.

Nandini : Mani. Stop laughing,I love you. Bye I'll talk to you later.

She quickly ended the call without waiting for his response and look at Avni who smirks in return. Nandini lightly smacked her head.

Nandini : you are becoming to naughty being with Cabir. You need to stay away from him.

Avni laughs and pulls Nandini back inside and making her sit on the stool and back hugs her. Nandini smiles and looks at Avni who holds her ears muttering a sorry. She chuckles and shook her head.

Nandini: when I will get chance to tease you? What is happening with you and Neil?

Avni : why are you thinking about my love life di? Nothing is happening between me or Neil.

Nandini smirks and was about to tease her but stopped when they heard a knock. They turned their head around and found two beauticians.

Avni hits her head and leave Nandini moving to them and welcomes them in. They walked inside and looks at Nandini with a smile.

Avni : this is the soon to be bride. My Di, it's her engagement today. You need to get her ready.

The beauticians looks at Avni and nodded their head and asked Nandini how would she like to her make up to he be like. Nandini told them how she wants it.

Girl : Nandini, we will arrange our stuff while you get change.

Nandini nodded her head and taking her lengha weng to washroom to change. Nandini comes out dressed in a blouse and on top wore bathrobe.

She sat down front of the mirror and the two girls starts getting her ready whereas Avni went downstairs to check up on her parents.

Ishita and Avni walks inside Nandini and found her all ready. Ishita's eyes tears up as she saw Nandini. She held her tears back and walks towards Nandini.

Nandini turns around and looks at ishita with tears brimming in her eyes. Ishita cups Nandini's face and kissed her forehead.

Ishita: beautiful. I can't believe it you grew up so fast. Look at you already starting new journey of your life. It feels like yesterday we were holding you in our arms. I'm so proud of you princess.

Nandini smiles and holding her tears back looks at Avni who smiles crashing into Nandini's arm.

Avni : you absolutely look stunning Di.

Nandini smiles and broke the hug cupping Avni's face and wipes the tears up and shaking her head.

Nandini : thank you. You also look gorgeous Avni.

The beauticians complimenting the then walks out of the room leaving them alone to have their own moment. Raman walks into the room and looks at them. He moves to them and hugs his both daughters and pecks their head complimenting both of them.

Whole malthora mansion was decorated and full security was provided outside of the mansion. Tight security was arranged by Neil and Raj who didn't wanted a news of Manan engagement leaking into media people. Manik and Nandini wanted to keep engagement ceremony private with their closet family invited and friends only.

All guest starts to arrive and Raj, Neyonika and bebe welcomes them standing by the entrance. Raj smiles brightly when he spotted a car that belongs to Murthy's. The driver opens the door and Raman walks out of the car followed by ishita.

Nandini and Avni also comes out of the car and follows behind them parents. Raman and ishita hugs Raj and Neyonika greeting them. They bend down to touch Bebe's foot but she pulls them into a hug.

Neyonika hugs Nandini and breaking the hug cupping her face placed a kiss on her forehead.

Neyonika: you are you planning to kill my son. You look so beautiful Nandini. He will go crazy seeing you like this.

Nandini's check heats up hearing Neyonika and looking away she moves to Raj hugging him. Raj chuckles and embraced her in his arms.

Raj: Neyo don't tease my princess. You look absolutely gorgeous princess. Looks like someone is going to have a hard time.

Nandini being shy stayed in Raj embrace. Neyonika hugs Avni tightly and whispered something into ears making her eyes widen. Neyonika broke the hug and chuckles at her expression.

Exchanging hugs and kisses they started to move inside where the function was going to be held.

Manik stood between his friends on the stage and was struggling with their teasing. Everyone didn't leave any opportunity to tease Manik. He couldn't escape from there nor yell at his friend. Hopelessly he stood between them bearing all the teasing.

His eyes roams around finding his love impatiently when his eyes found eyes who walked in front either side her parents and sister and behind them was his family walking towards the stage.

His smiles wider as he watched her flawlessly gracing herself holding the lengha and walking ip towards him. His eyes tears up as he steps away from between his friend and gets down the stage forwarding his hand towards her.

Nandini looks at him with a bright smile and placing her hand in his climbs the stage together.

( Nandini's attire)

( Manik's attire)

( Avni's attire)

( Neil's attire)

They didn't looked away but continued to stare into each others. Nandini was first one to bend her he's down and flushed when she heard weirds of coughs around her. Manik sent stern glares to his friends and looks at his family who smiles at them.

Everyone gathered up around the stage and pushing Manik aside hugs Nandini while teasing her.

Neil : Bhabhi, you look so beautiful. Look at my brother. He can't even take his eyes off you Bhabhi.

He broke the hug and looks at Nandini who blushed at his remarks. He chuckles but immediately stopped when his eyes fell on Avni who secretly sneaked into his heart. He couldn't stop looking at her away.

His breath hitched up when he found her watching beside Nandini. All he could dream was their own engagement. He looked away when he heard his mother calling his name. He looks at Neyonika.

Neyonika: I think all of the guest have arrived. We should start the function.

Neil looks at his mother and nodding his head climbs the stage and went somewhere. All the guests turns their attention towards the stage when they heard announcements about exchanging rings.

Neil rejoined back and stood beside Avni brushing his shoulder against hers. Her eyes met his. They stared looking into each other and immediately looked when they heard Mukti saying something to Manan. Neil purposely brushed his shoulder against hers and winks at her making her cheek flushed.

Nandini and Manik stood opposite each other and was ready to exchange the rings. Avni took a plate that had a rings into and walks past Neil almost stumbling on her heels but Neil held her arms.

Neil : watch your steps. Be carefully. You okay.

He looked very concerned and she blinks her eyes at him assuring she's okay and moves closer to the couple. Neil stood right behind Avni.

Some actions wasn't hidden by many pair of eyes and felt something sparking between them but didn't get involved and secretly wished to come true.

Manik took the ring and looks at Nandini before taking her hand in his and sliding the rings in her ring finger. Everyone applaud loudly. Nandini smiles through her tears gazing at the ring in her fingers.

She was going through a lot of emotions but she held her tears back and holding Manik's hand took the ring and slips into Manik's ring finger.

Everyone started to applaud for them and their family happily smiled at them. Manik looks at her and stepped a closer placed a kiss on her forehead and embrace her tightly in his arms.

Manik :you look enthral love. You look so stunning. This stunning only belongs to me. I love you so much.

He pecks her head and broke the hug and shook his head when his friends sliding away hugs Nandini and congratulated.

Neil : welcome to our family Bhabhi. Congratulations.

Nandini smiles and side hugs him. He also hugs her back with his eyes gazing at Avni who was busy talking to Neyonika. His cheek slightly heats up when he heard Nandini saying something.

Nandini : isn't she beautiful Neil. You both will look so perfect together. Now I can't wait to see you both in relationship. She will be so lucky to have you Neil.

Neil looks at Nandini who caught him staring Avni.

Neil : Bhabhi. Keep it secret. You can't tell her yet.

Nandini chuckles and shakes her head.

All the guests starts coming up the stage and congratulating the couple. Manik and Nandini stood beside each other, with Manik's arms securely wrapped Nandini's waist. They both looked so tired smiling at everyone.

Nandini tiptoes and kissed Manik's cheek when no one was noticing them and mutters.

Nandini : I love you so much mani.

Manik's eyes widen when realisation hits him. He smirks and pulls her closer and thought of teasing her about the stunt she just pulled.

Manik : I didn't knew my love could even do this. You had to take a lot of courage love.

She slaps his chest hiding her face into his chest. He chuckles and kissed her head with a smile.

Sitting down she felt so much pain rushing down her foot. She hated wearing heels. Her eyes snapped looking down she felt someone touching her foot.

She quickly pushed the hand away and got surprised when she found Neil sitting beside her lowering himself.

Avni : Neil. What are you doing? Everyone is watching us. How can you do this?

Neil : I wasn't doing anything wrong Avni. I was helping you out. My feet must be sore. Take off your heels. Why do you have to torture yourself? I have been watching you winching in pain. I can't see you like that. Please take it off for me.

He got his owns way melting her heart. She didn't have a heart to refuse his request. She nodded her head and bends down taking her heel off when he stops her. She confusingly looks at him.

Neil: let me do it. I don't want boys staring at your back.

His voice held jealously. He looks so cute when he's jealousy. He hadn't fail to notice how those creepy men's is staring at his possession. One day he was going to show whole world the girl sitting next to him belongs to him only. Only him.

Her stomach was filled with butterflies and her body shuddered up when his cold fingers brushed against hers bare skin. He took her heels off and smiled when she released a breath.

Neil: Avni, I have to admit something. You look absolutely gorgeous. I can't even take my eyes off you. Do you know what you are doing to my heart?

He whispered softly making her eyes widen and her face flashes at his small confession. Neil chuckles at her flushed face and thought how lucky is he to have this amazing woman beside him.

Nandini smiles widely as she watched little interaction with Neil and Avni. She prayed to god wishing to see them together. Her thoughts were broken by Manik who scooted closer.

Manik : where are you lost love? You shouldn't been thinking about anything else than your man beside you.

Nandini : mani, look at them. How perfectly they look beside each other?

Manik follows Nandini gaze and look at his brother and Avni talking. He was so grateful knowing his brother found a girl like Avni.

Manik : you are right love. They do look perfect together.

They couldn't stop themselves admiring them whose love was going to grow so much stronger and deep.

The night just began. Everyone having light dinner moves to dance floor and starts dancing with their own respective partners.

Manik looks at his Nandini and forward his hand.

Manik: may I have a dance with most beautiful woman?

Nandini smiles and nodding her head placed her hand in his and moves to dance floor.

Neil looks at Avni who was watching everyone dancing.

Neil : do you want to dance Avni?

Avni : I do but my feet hurts so much. I don't think u can do it Neil. Why are you sitting here? You should then.

Neil : how can I dance if my partner is sitting here? I won't dance without you.

Avni : wasn't I supposed to be your partner just one night?

Neil : I never said anything like that. If you want I can make you my whole life partner, what do you say?

She looks at him and laughs out hitting his shoulder. He also chuckles and looks at her who smiling so gracefully. Her smile makes his heart swooned.

Avni : you will never stop Neil. If you are going to protect me then I'll dance with you.

Neil grins and excitedly stood up and holds her hand.

Neil : I will always protect you.

He whispered to her as they walked to the dance floor.

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Hope you liked the chapter.

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