*NO PROOF READING, PARDON ME FOR THAT*

*BIG CHAPTER AHEAD, NEED A GOOD RESPONSE*

*CONTENT HINDI DIALOGUES, IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND PLEASE DO ASK*

-----------------

"I am not that much handsome...!!" he said and passed a smile at me. And I still kept looking at him. what it is? I don't know who he is? I was still in his arms, he was looking at me, I was looking at me. Can world stop here? Please?

Wait.... I have heard that voice before... but where? This husky voice, this dark tone... I have heard it somewhere, somewhere... but where....? Where? Think Pihu Think...

"Aryaman...." I heard a shout and immediately he made me stand on my feet and in another second I was away from him and I saw someone hugging him tightly. Ouch...!!

I tried peeking through them to figure out who she is, then my eyes fell on the lehenga, it was Nandini Bhabhi's... Nandini Bhabhi? Aryaman? Oh Yeah... her best friend... yeah, that day on phone... he called, they talked... she was sad... he was angry... why? why?

I glanced at them and he was wrapping his arms around her. I turned my face because I don't know why? I just couldn't look at that sight. But why? What it is? Why this guy's one word, one sentence, or one gaze affects me so much? And why I don't like hugging him to Bhabhi... I mean he is Bhabhi's best friend then why? Why so many whys? Aggrr... what the hell...

"PIHU....." I heard someone shout. I shook my head and came out of trance. I looked around to find Manik Bhai standing beside him and Nandini Bhabhi on his other side.

"Why are you zoning out. I am calling you since when..." Manik Bhai spoke.

I shook my head.

"Go... Chachi is calling you." I heard him say.

I glanced at his side and saw Bhabhi and Him talking. Bhabhi looked happy, He looked happy. How conveniently he ignored me. But why should I bother? What is he to me that I am seeking for some amount of attention from him?

"PIHU....." I again heard a shout.

"Haan... haan..." I said.

"Chachi is calling you. Go... Hua kya hai?" Manik Bhai asked me shaking my shoulder.

I shook my head in negative and said "Nahi.... Nothing... Kya Hua?... Mom... Haan... Mom is calling me right... yeah... I should leave. Yeah... Yes... Okay..." I almost fumbled on my each and every word... Agrrrr... I am never like this...

"yes... Go..." Manik Bhai almost pushed me away.

I shook my head and walked away...

Little did I know he spoke "Strange..." behind my back.

-----------

Narrator's POV

Aryaman walked inside the main garden after having a little chat with Nandini, as she was a bride, she was continuously being called by everyone. He smiled looking at all the decorations, flowers, signage's.

"perfect" he mumbled under his breath as he watched Manik and Nandini's portrait photo hanging outside in garden. He caressed it and took a deep sigh.

"Thanks..." he heard someone saying from his back. He turned his head to see Manik standing there with a glass of drink. He offered him the drink and they sat on the nearby bench in the garden.

"Ah... the picture is beautiful. It shows how much you love her." Aryaman said sipping his drink.

Manik smiled and then said "Thanks maine isliye bola that you came. Came even if it hurts to you, still you came for her. So thanks... means a lot."

Aryaman again took a deep breath and looked at him "I don't know; I came here for her or not. But I definitely touched by the action of yours. We don't get along with each other well, still you called me for her leaving all ego aside. It just touched my heart and then I thought if you can take a step ahead, why can't I?"

Manik smiled again. They both sat in silence sometime.

"I am sorry Aryaman. I know how it feels to see someone you love with other person. But... I don't know what to say right now." Manik said looking down.

Aryaman patted his back "it's okay Manik, I understand what you are trying to convey, but let's face it. She loves you, not me. And I am genuinely happy for her, for you. Yes, it's hurts but for her happiness I guess I can give this much."

"Aryaman let's start a fresh. Leaving all grudges and hatred behind. Let's be friends." Manik said extending his hand towards him.

Aryaman nodded and shook his hand.

"Now, because you are my friend. I will find someone way to gorgeous. Trust me bro. bas ye shaadi khatam hone de, phir dekhna. And who knows, what if the girl in your destiny will be around too. Just who knows?" Manik said winking.

"Haan... but kahi dikh nahi rahi..." Aryaman acted as if he was finding someone. They both burst in to laughter.

"But bro... jokes apart. I will definitely find you someone. Remember one thing Aryaman, just don't lose hope, there is someone for everyone. You just have to find that person." Manik said. Aryaman nodded positively.

"Manik..." they both heard someone calling for Manik.

"Ahh... that means friend time over, family time. I'll see you and yes, do eat something or else your best friend will kill me. Okay. Make yourself comfortable." Manik said and he exit from there.

Aryaman sat there closing his eyes and holding the glass in his hand.

"I don't know if I can give anyone the place of Nandini. I do think there is someone for everyone, but can I move on from her? But I am happy for her, yes it hurts but not that much. Did I really loved her or it was just an attraction? So many questions and no one to answer GOD...." He said frustratingly.

"Jab dil aur dimaag dono kaam karna bandh karde, to hume sab destiny pe chhod dena chahiye. The person who is sitting up is watching all of us. Kabhi kabhi kuch cheeze samj ke bahar hoti hai, kabhi kabhi kuch cheeze bahot dard de jaati hai, but you never know ke kab kya plan kiya hua hai God ne humare liye, jo abhi rulata hai wo bad me utna hasata bhi hai. Always keep that in your mind and heart." He heard a magical voice from his behind. He was about to turn his head when he heard her again.

"Aur haan... love hota hai... sab ko milta hai, kuch ko jaldi kuch ko thodi der se. but milta zaroor hai." He smiled at her words.

"Pihu..." he heard again someone's voice and then he turned and saw a girl walking away from him. he kept looking at her and smiled on his own.

"Strange Girl. but was right..." he again looked at the direction where she went and smiled.

--------------

It was Friday now, the day of Mehndi. The whole Malhotra mansion was decorated beautifully. The steps of the mansion were decorated with traditions pots with flowers and holy water inside.

As you walk in you see the garden decorated fully with fabrics and flowers along with the sitting for ladies to sit and apply mehndi.

There was a huge swing which was beautifully decorated with flowers was kept in front of the seating that was especially for bride.

And there were different kind of selfie spots were created in garden.

To make it more fun and happening, the wedding planner suggested the pool party along with the mehndi rasam. So Malhotra's pool area was also decorated with different elements.

Food was served in typical Cart.

There was a Bar in the form of a truck. Punjabis you see.

Inside the mansion too it was decorated beautifully with the flower rangoli and traditional standing diyas.

Pihu was walking down from the stairs adjusting her lehenga, when she bumped in to someone and splash...

"Ahhh.... What the hell..." she yelled on top of her voice. The person with whom she bumped was holding a glass of drink and when they bumped in to each other the drink directly poured over her dress.

"Andhe ho kya?" She said making faces seeing at the stain which was now on her lehenga.

"Oh hello... I can say the same." He heard a manly voice.

She looked up at him and frowned.

"tum...?" She shouted at him. Aryaman almost covered his ears with his hands.

"Why are you screaming? I am right here yaar." He said with an irritated tone.

"Krishnaji...." Pihu yelled losing her eyes looking up.

Aryaman looked up and searched for someone "koi hai kya upar? Mujhe dikh nahi raha?"

Pihu glared him and shouted again "how irresponsible of you, you are walking in the house without seeing anyone. See now my dress is messed."

"to tum bhi to bina dekhe hi chal rahi thi. Why are you blaming me then?" Aryaman too answered back with a fire.

Pihu kept glaring at him, while Aryaman too glared at her.

"You know you...." She pointed a finger at him, he glared her more making her more pissed off.

"aggrr.... Krishnaji... ab kya karu?" she again looked up and said.

"Are Pihu what happened?" she heard Nandini's voice.

"Bhabhi... see na... my favourite mehndi dress got ruined and that too because of HIM... Mom is gonna kill me." She said making cute faces.

Nandini smiled and said "Do one thing, I have a spare dress, go and change. It will look good one you."

Aryaman interrupted in between "Haan haan change karlo. But ek minute Nandini... you know what. Log kuch bhi pehnle ache to dikh hi nahi sakte."

Pihu fumed in anger and threw draggers at him, while he stood there with full attitude.

"Aryaman, that was mean. Pihu Go change. That will look nice on you." Nandini said with a smile.

Pihu looked at Aryaman and said to Nandini "No thanks Bhabhi. I am not here to impress anyone anyways. Thanks for the concern Bhabhi..." She said smilingly.

"And... No thanks for bullshits..." She turned her face towards Aryaman and walked away stamping her foot on the floor.

Aryaman laughed as soon as she left from there.

Nandini glared him, Aryaman supressed his laugh but then again burst out laughing.

"Aryaman... why were you teasing her?" Nandini complained.

"Hahaha... it was fun yaa. Waise hai kaun ye mohtarma?" Aryaman asked her.

Nandini smiled and said "Pihu Malhotra, Manik's Cousin."

"no doubt in that. Anger is all visible." Aryaman mocked her.

Nandini glared him "waise jiske baare main tum baat kar rahe ho he is my future hubby okay."

Aryaman flapped his hands in air and said "Ohh... I am scared."

"Waise Pihu Malhotra... I have heard this name before... where?" Aryaman said.

Nandini just stood there folding her arms around her chest.

Aryaman said "Oh... who Londonwali...? Jiski wajah se aapko dance ka bukhar Chadha? Right?"

Nandini nodded. Aryaman looked at the way where Pihu disappeared "So that is she..."

Nandini nodded and said "thank You Aryaman for coming... I can't thank you enough yaar."

Aryaman held her hand and said "Nandini best friends' don't thank each other. In fact, I should be sorry for creating trouble between you and Manik. I am sorry. And I am very happy for you. Genuinely."

Nandini smiled and said "and best friends' don't say sorry to each other. I am happy that you are back."

They both smiled and Nandini soon left him waving at him.

Nandini's Lehenga

Nandini was walking through the corridor and playing with her bangles when someone pulled her behind the big pillar. She sighed and looked at the person.

"Manik...? What is this? Why you always pull me, call me I would have come by myself na... hum aise kyun chori chupke milte hai. FYI, ye shaadi humari hi hai, we can meet." She said rolling her eyes.

Manik giggles and then said "Are chori chupke milne main jo mza hai wo sabke saamne thodi na hai. Haina?"

She shook her head in disbelief and the asked "Achha. Tell me. What happened?"

He made a pout first and then sighed. She raised her brow at him. "What?"

"Mehndi... lagana zaroori hai kya?" he asked caressing his nape.

She opened her eyes wide and then supress her laugh pressing her lips together.

"haan. Kyun?" she asked innocently.

"Yar, Nandini... uski smell mujhe bilkul pasand nahi hai. How I will gonna survive yuck..." Manik said with disgust in his voice.

Nandini pressed her lips more just trying not to laugh.

"Haan, to kya hua. Ek hafte main mehndi fade ho jayegi, tab tak adjust na in the guest room, what say?" she asked him poking her finger on his chest.

He shot a glare at her and then smile fakely. Nandini couldn't control and burst out laughing. Manik looked at her clenching his teeth.

"Haan haan haso... tumhe bada maza aata haina, mujhe aise dekhke." He complained.

Finally, Nandini controlled her laugh and looked at him "Manik... stop behaving like a child okay. Har rasam ka apna ek reason hota hai na. Mehndi ka bhi hai. You know people say if Mehndi ka colour dark aaye na to future husband use bahot pyaar karta hai." She explained him.

Manik again glared her "Matlab agar colour dark na aaya to main tumse pyaar nahi karta?"

Nandini nodded her head in positive.

"bullshit. Ye kaisi stupid rasam hai. Main nahi manta isme. It's all about science you know..." he stopped in between as he didn't know what to say ahead.

Nandini folded her arms around her chest and looked at him "Ho gaya?"

Manik weaved his head dramatically.

"Manik come on... we can make this fun right?" She said holding his hand.

"How?" he asked him folding his hand around his chest.

"see... there's a game. You have to find the name of yours in my hand." She said smilingly.

"Matlab in your mehndi." He asked pointing at her hands. She nodded happily.

"Aur agar dhundh liya to?" He asked narrowing his gaze at her.

Nandini smiled and said "Then you win a prize. You can ask me anything for prize"

Manik eyes glittered and he said excitedly "Anything?"

Nandini smiled and said "Anything..."

"Wow... chalo.. to abhi prize decide karle?" Manik said and rubbed his hands together.

Nandini nodded and wrapped her hands around his neck "How about a long passionate kiss hmm?" She said huskily.

Manik opened his eyes wide first but then wrapped his hands around her bare waist and pulled her closer.

He acted as if he was thinking deep. Nandini waited for his reply.

He looked at her and then nodded in no "Nahi... no.. no kiss..."

Nandini looked all shock and asked him "no..." She shook her head.

He said shrugging his shoulder "no..."

"you don't want to kiss me?" she asked him innocently.

Manik chuckled "Are wo to main aise bhi kar sakta hu... demo dikhau?"

"manik... be serious... we are talking about the prize na... so what do you want as a prize?" She asked him.

Manik nodded and then pulled her closer "A Promise..."

She looked at him with confusion all over her face "A promise? Matlab?"

"A promise to stay by my side always. Even if I am wrong, I am angry, I am sad, I am hurt, whatever the situation is. A promise to grow old with me, to take care of me and to let me take care of you. A promise to raise our child with all the love and care. A promise to let me love you till my last breath and a promise to love me till the end Nandini..." He said looking deep in to her eyes.

She smiled and looked down and then looked up again with all pride.

"Manik... why are we marrying each other?" she asked smilingly.

"Because we want to be with each other till end, because we love each other." He replied.

"Exactly. Manik ye promise main tumhe already kar chuki hu. I will be with you till end, chahe whatever the situation is. I have already promised you to love you till end. I have already promised you to make your future bright with my presence. I have promised you already that you will be the father of my child Manik. I have already promised you to grow old with you. Because I love you Manik. I love you." She said holding his face in her hands.

Manik smiled and kissed her one palm and mouthed a 'Thank You'.

"sachhi main tumhe kuch aur prize nahi chahiye?" She asked just to lighten up the mood.

He shook his head and said "no..."

"And what if I want to give you that prize?" she asked caressing her chin.

Manik smirked "so you can. I don't really mind."

"toooo..." she said and leaned towards him.

And within a second her lips were on to him pulling him over her completely. This time Nandini was dominating it and Manik let her take the lead. He just blended his lips with hers and followed her every step.

They broke apart when they felt breathless.

"I love you..." Manik said pecking her nose. She giggled in response and rested her arms around his neck.

"now close your eyes." He said smilingly. She frowned and asked "Why?"

"Are you forgot? Gift time Madam..." he said.

Nandini unwrapped her hands from him and nodded in yes. She closed her eyes and smiled.

"Okay no cheating..." he said. She nodded and gave a thumbs up to him.

He smiled looking at her and then kneeled down in front of her. he looked up to see her still closing her eyes.

He took out something from his pocket and smiled looking at it. he pulled up her lehenga a bit and then held her one feet.

She opened her eyes immediately as soon as she felt him holding her feet "Manik... Ye tum..."

"Shhh....." he said looking at her. He showed her the gift which was making light noise. She smiled seeing it.

It was very beautiful gold anklets.

He made her both one by one and then stood up. She waved her feet in air making noise from her new anklets.

"liked it?" he asked her smilingly.

"very much... kitne sundar hai na... par ye kyun?" she asked.

"tum sun sakti ho iski aawaz...? Waise to mujhe pata chal jaata hai when you are around, but this sound will be the physical proof of your presence in my life and in this house." He said stroking her cheek.

She again smiled and shook her head "Aapko nahi lagta Mr. Malhotra ke aaj kal aap kuch zyada hi romantic aur philosophical baatein karte hai"

He smiled and nodded in yes.

"it's all because of you." He complained.

"achha.. now it's my fault. How?" she asked him again.

"because your love makes me crazy and make me do crazy things. That is why." He said and entangled their hands.

She looked at him all in aww and tip toed and pecked his cheeks one by one saying "I" "love"

And then last she pecked his lips and completed her words saying "you"

He smiled and kissed hard on her cheeks.

"Nandini... come one beta... it's time for your mehndi..." they heard Nyonika calling her.

He again pouted and she giggled. "Come on... a bigger prize this time promise. Chalo ab..." she dragged him out.

------

Pihu went inside the kitchen just to clean her stain from her favourite lehenga.

"Krishnaji... like how? How can you do this to me? Aap use mujhse dur nahi rakh sakte kya? Ek to pata nahi last night maine kya kya bol diya use. Pata nahi kya soch raha hoga mere baare me. Aur upar se ye stain... aur phir usne bola that main pretty nahi dikhti... kya main sach main pretty nahi hu?" she pouted.

"par uski opinion itni matter kyun karti hain mujhe Krishnaji...? Why? kyun hameshaa..."

"uhmmm..." she heard someone clearing his throat. She turned around and saw him standing there.

She turned around again and cursed her fate looking up at her 'Krishnaji'.

"uhmm... Pihu..." he called for her and her heartbeat went on race.

She turned around and faced him "now what?" she asked acting all cold.

He saw her cleaning her stain from her lehenga frustratingly. He sighed and went near her and held her hand. She opened her eyes wide and looked at him.

He blinked his eyes at her and cleaned her stain from her lehenga. Every time when he got a little near, her heart went off duty as it missed a heartbeat. She was breathing heavily. She looked down seeing him cleaning her lehenga. She smiled a bit, but he looked up and she again made a cold and expressionless face.

"Thank you..." he said standing straight in front of her.

She made a confused face "Thank you?"

She rolled her eyes and said "the word you are looking for is sorry."

He shook his head smirking "Thank you is the right word."

"for what?" she asked him confusingly.

He smiled and said "for last night." She looked down immediately remembering her words from last night to him.

He turned around to go out of the kitchen, but he stopped in midway.

"was just teasing you. You look good in every attire you wear. Because you are inside out beautiful." He said and winked at her and went out.

She stood there still, trying to embrace the new feelings which were developing inside her, inside her heart.

She blushed and turned around looking down. she shook her head smilingly blushing and went out.

-----

Nandini made to sit on the beautifully decorated swing while other ladies sat around the swing on the individual sittings. Nyonika took care of nach gana too, so few old ladies were there who kept playing dhols with spoon and sang few Punjabi wedding songs as the rituals.

All the males too joined the ladies in mehndi ceremony.

Music started playing by the ladies and Pihu's attention diverted there. She smiled and ran and sat beside the ladies who were just starting a Punjabi wedding song.

Mmmm...

Pihu smiled and started nodding at their words trying to understand what they were saying, while ladies kept singing the song playing dhol.

Munda thoda.. offbeat hai
Par kudiya de naal.. bohat sweet hai

Soon Pihu stood up from the seat and came centre of the garden and lips sync the song while dancing around Manik, nudging and poking him in between.

Munda thoda.. offbeat hai
Par kudiya de naal.. bohat sweet hai

Soon she dragged Navya and Mukti with her and they all danced in the centre grabbing everyone's attention.

Dhongi sa ye bada dheeth hai
Viral hogya ye Tweet

Suddenly in between Cabir jumped and sang the song dancing crazily. Nandini laughed seeing him dancing, while Manik face palmed himself.

Par phool wool karne mein cool
Tu badi tezz katari hai

Dhruv and Abhimanyu too joined them in the dance and did some thumkas with them singing the song.

Shagan teri ki, lagan teri ki
Humne kardi taiyari hai

And then they all turned towards Nandini who was happily hooting for them and danced in front of her. Manik walked towards her and asked her to join him, but she showed her palms to him which were full of wet mehndi.

Nachde ne saare ral-mil ke
Aaj hil-dul keLe saare ke saare nazare

Manik shook his head and walked behind her and gave a light peck on her cheek in response Nandini blushed and looked down.

Pihu dragged him with her and they all did the signature step dancing crazily.

Nachde ne saare ral-mil ke
Aaj hil-dul keLe saare ke saare nazare

Khasma nu khaane!

Soon drinks got served and as a typical Punjabi family, all the ladies and gents took the glasses and danced crazily in between the music.

Hadipa... Hadipa...

Again those ladies sang some few Punjabi lines with music and Pihu listened it very carefully.

Hallu bade karaar
Karam na laalu bade karaar (aa ha!)
Chadh chadh ke chaubaar
Karam naal sweetu aaja maar (aa ha!)

Again she came in between and danced beautifully. Aryaman was walking towards the main hall and she bumped in to him. She ignored him and danced in front of him, while Aryaman shook his head and smiled seeing her craziness.

Hallu bade karaar
Karam na laalu bade karaar (aa ha!)
Chadh chadh ke chaubaar
Karam naal sweetu aaja maar (aa ha!)

Chak De!

Pihu danced around Nandini happily and made her stand on her feet for dancing. She showed her the signature step, so that Nandini could copy her. Nandini kept smiling seeing her.

Munde plenty mere layi hogaye senti
O tere layi hogaye senti
Tere layi hogaye senti

Nandini did the step just as Pihu did and Pihu gave a thumbs up to her and pushed Manik towards her. They both collided with each other and smiled to each other.

Tere liye main set hoon
Iss baat ki guarantee

Soon Manik too danced singing the song, while Nandini blushed and Walked around, while Manik kept following her behind dancing here and there.

Par phool wool karne mein cool
Tu badi tezz katari hai

Shagan teri ki, lagan teri ki
Humne kardi tayaari hai

Again Manik held her from her arms and pulled her close to him and sang the lines confidently. He almost gave her the idea that this time no coming back. This time he will take her with him forever. She blushed and pushed him away.

Sehra baandh, tujhe kood-faand
Tujhe le jaana iss baari hai

Pihu came beside Manik and then She extended her hand towards Manik, in response Manik gave her a clap in her hand and then both brother and sister did the signature step smiling and laughing.

Nachde ne saare ral-mil ke
Aaj hil-dul keLe saare ke saare nazaare

All the ladies were now done with the mehndi and almost all the mehndi were till now dried. The pool party was going crazy with the food and drinks. All of them again gathered there with fun mood. DJ was setup and loud music was definitely giving a hint to nearby neighbours of a big fat Indian wedding.

Pihu went and stood beside the DJ and gave a thumbs up to him and danced on the platform which was made for DJ setup.

Zor-zor se shor-wor kar
DJ gaan bajaane aa

She went near Aryaman and pushed him a bit and danced in front of him. While he stood there with an embarrassed face which Pihu enjoyed the most.

Ruthde ruthde jija fuffad
Humne saare manane haan

Cabi dragged Aryaman in the centre and made him danced too. Soon he too got charged up and danced fully with Cabir, Dhruv and Manik.

Zor-zor se shor-wor kar
DJ gaan bajaane aa

Ruthde ruthde jija fuffad
Humne saare manane haan

Again Manik went near Nandini who was sitting in between Nyonika and Shanno and dragged her from her seat to the centre. And made her dance while Nandini stood there laughing seeing Manik dancing madly.

Par phool wool karne mein cool
Tu badi tezz katari hai
Shagan teri ki
Lagan teri ki
Humne kardi taiyari hai

Pihu came in front of them and sang the lines as a warning.

Nachde ne saare..

This time Aryaman came and stood beside her and did the same and looked at her.

Nachde ne saare..

At the end Manik dragged Nandini with her and stood between Pihu and Aryaman and all sang the song with full on masti and danced on it. Anant, Nyonika, Raj, Mira, Shailesh, Shanno, Amms, Mukti, Abhimanyu, Cabir, Navya, Dhruv, Alia and most importantly Aarush and Abeer too danced with all of them happily and laughingly.

Nachde ne saare ral-mil ke
Aaj hil-dul ke
Le saare ke saare nazare

Aryaman looked at Pihu who was dancing crazily with Aarush and smiled on his own and again concentrated on dancing.

Nachde ne saare..

Here Manik too saw Nandini dancing happily, he went to her and pulled her close to him and nuzzled his nose in her hairs and she giggled out loud feeling ticklish.

Nachde ne saare..

But at last Amms caught him being cosy with Nandini and twisted his ear making him hiss and sang the last line of the song. All the people laughed on Manik and then Nandini kissed him on cheek happily in front of everyone.

Khasma nu khaane!

----------

"maza aa gaya haina aaj?" Pihu said sitting on the big table which was kept outside in the garden for dinner just for the family. Everyone was settled there Murthys, Malhotras along with Dhruv, Alia and Aryaman too.

"Seriously... I never had this much fun. Mehndi rasam is not that much bad." Manik said smirking. Nandini glared him.

"Bhai ye rasam to khatam ho gayi. Ab kal haldi hai. Aur haan Nyonika beta. Actually tumse kuch baat karni thi." Amms said turning her face towards Nyonika.

Nyonika said "ji Maji kahiye."

"Wo zarassal. EK rasam hoti hai humare main, jisme Shaadi se ek din pehle Dulhan apne ghar Matlab apne sasural nahi jaa sakti. Matlab kaha jata hai ki 24 ghante pehle use apne ghar yaane maayke me bitane chahiye. To bura na mano to kal Nandini ki Haldi Murthy Villa main hi hogi." Amms explained. (Pardon me if there is no such ritual, as I wanted to add it, just for fun.)

"uhmm.. haa Amms, it's okay. Meri haldi bhi wahi ho jayegi haina Mom..." Manik said putting a morsel inside Nandini's mouth.

"But Manik. You can't leave the house. Ye bhi ek rasam hai, jisme Dulha apne ghar se niklata nahi before one day. Sidha Ghodi pe chadhkar hi jata hai Apni dulhan ko lene. Haina Mom?" Mukti said in a serious tone.

Nyonika sighed and nodded "koi baat nahi, kal haldi dono ki alag alag ho jayegi. Isme kya hua. Waise bhi parso hum aa hi rahe hai Nandini ko lene."

Nandini smiled and nodded. But Manik growled and said "no... ye itni saari rasam karni hi kyun hai hume. Are kya fark padta hai Mom."

"Manik rasam to rasam hoti hai, Maine ki hai, tumhare Bhai ne ki hai, Tumhare Chachu ni ki hai, tumhe bhi nibhani padegi na." Anant said making him understand.

"no I am not doing such stupid rasam wasam. You all are making more and more new rasam every day. I am not in to this bas. Meri haldi kal Nandini ke ghar hi hogi bas." He said angrily and stood up. He walked inside angrily.

All sighed sadly, But Nandini interrupted all.

"Are why are you all sad. Thoda sadu hai I know, but main mana lungi. Aap sab log kal ki taiyariyaan kijiye. Main abhi aayi." Nandini said smilingly. All grinned again and Pihu gave her a thumbs up. Nandini blinked at her and walked in.

She walked inside the room and saw him searching something in the closet. He was almost throwing all the clothes angrily.

"kuch dhoondh rahe ho?" She asked softly.

"Nahi..." he replied in plain simple tone. She shook her head and then sighed. She made him stand aside and took out his tracks and vest for his change. And passed it to him.

"Gussa nahi karna chahiye na?" She said again softly.

"haan to main...." He was about to sap her angrily but stopped in the middle.

He turned and took out his kurta and wore the vest "if you are here to make me understand about the ritual, then abhi se bol raha hu, main nahi manuga. Kal haldi tumahre ghar main hi hogi meri bas."

Nandini held him from behind and hugged him tight "Why are you being so stubborn. Sirf ek rasam hai Manik."

He broke the hug and made her stand in front of him "it's not just a rasam. I have to stay away from you and that too for 24 hours. One whole day Nandini and I can't afford that, what if..." he stopped in between.

Nandini smiled and said "what if Manik? Ke main wapas kahi bhaag jaungi? Yaa phir main kahi chali jaaungi?"

Manik looked down and said nothing.

"Manik for how many times I have to tell you that I am here, this time I am not going anywhere. Aur sirf ek din Manik, phir I will be right here beside you. And it's not like I am alone all the time. Manik I will be with my family. Jitney saal tumse dur rahi hu, utna unse bhi to huyi huna? Aur ab to parso se I will be staying here, par unke pass to ab main reh hi nahi paaungi. Let me cherish some moments in that house too. Please Manik. Let's not spoil the mood. Please." She said with a smile.

Manik sighed and dropped his shoulders low "are you sure I mean we have to stay away for that?"

She nodded in positive.

He again sighed and smiled "Okay... cherish your moments but just for 24 hours okay then you have to come with me here and phir no going anywhere."

Nandini smiled and shook her head.

"tum pagal ho." She said and hugged him tight.

"wo to main hu." He said and tighten the hug.

-----------------

Aryaman dropped his legs inside the cool pool water and watched the stars. He smiled a little and then saw the deep blue water.

He felt another pair of legs slipping down the water silently beside him. he turned his gaze and saw Pihu sitting beside him.

"Tum?" he asked.

She nodded and extended her hand towards him and smiled "friends?"

Aryaman almost chuckled and then asked "Suddenly....?"

Pihu sighed and said "aisa laga that you need a friend to let it all out, so just thought to be that friend." She again extended her hand towards him.

He smiled and shook his hand with hers and they both shared a smiled. She pulled back her hand and sat beside him quietly watching the water surface.

"it hurts na?" She asked suddenly.

He looked at her confusingly and asked "What hurts?"

"seeing the one you love or you felt for, marrying and happy with other person." She said looking at him.

He smiled and looked down and motioned his legs inside the pool "yes... it does hurt. But not now, seeing her happy."

She smiled again and she too motioned her legs inside the pool.

"you know I sometimes wonder that what is love? Phir main apne Mom dad ko dekhti hu, bade papa aur Badi Maa, Abhimanyu Bhai and Mukti Bhabhi and Manik Bhai and Nandini Bhabhi..." she said and he turned his face towards her.

"They are all meant for each other. That is why they are so happy and content." She said with a smile.

"You know Krishnaji... unhone sabke liye koina koi banaya hai. Mom kehti hai. Jaise Manik Bhai ke liye Nandini Bhabhi, waise hi tumhare liye bhi koi hoga. Kahi na kahi, duniya ke kisi kone main. You just have to wait for the right time." She said looking at him.

"I don't know if there's someone or not, but I don't know if I can ever give Nandini's place to anyone." He shrugged his shoulders and looked away.

"When that person will enter in your life na. Tab tumhe pata bhi nahi chalega when she will take her place and make her place permanent in your heart. Be aware." She said and nudged him.

He chuckled and shook her head.

"bahot jaanti ho pyaar ke baare me?" he asked her.

She nodded and said "bachpan se dekha hai sabko ek dusre ke pyaar main, so bas. Pata hai."

He nodded and sat sighing. Again a complete silence in the atmosphere took place.

"tumhe kabhi pyaar nahi hua?" he asked looking at the blue water.

He heard her sighing deeply.

"ho raha hai shayad..." he heard her saying. He looked at her and saw her smiling at him.

He got confused by her so mature behaviour. She stood up taking her heels from the floor and started walking away.

"Suno..." he called for her.

She turned her head "haan..."

He kept looking at her for few seconds and then asked "when I will need a friend, will you be there?"

She nodded her head and said smilingly "chahe to aazma lena..."

He smiled by her answer and shook his head. She smiled too and walked away leaving him alone.

"she is something... she is different." He said and sighed smilingly. He too stood up and walked away.

~The fool moon witnesses the talk and the untold talks of their eyes. Maybe starting of a new story, the story of already written destiny.~

******

Wohooo.... Big Update... Haa?

Chalo Ab comment fast fast...

And do let me know what do you think about Aryaman-Pihu jodi? How they are doing in my story? DO you liking the character of Pihu?

And yes shippers of Aryaman-Pihu... what should we name them? sugeestions are welcome, Please do inline comments....

And Yes, Next will be Hopefully 'The Unknown fate' Please do check it...

And give your love to that story as well...

Untill next time, tata...