Abhimanyu: Com'on guys, there's still two days for engagement. We can see each other.

Abhimanyu whined making them all laugh and shout a no in return. Okay, there was this rule where the bride and groom could not see each other after engagement until their marriage. Abhimanyu just found out about it before sometime. He didn't even get time to prepare and suddenly there was a line in between the hall, dividing two sides.

Now, Mukti was on the other side with Fab5 and he was here, on the other with his friends.

Mukti: Abhi is right, this is too much.

Manik: It is not. It is the rules!

Abhimanyu rolled his eyes.

Abhimanyu: So you know what rules mean? Com'on!

Nandini: Bhai!

Abhimanyu turned to her and she gestured to him to bend down. He did, with his ear near her mouth.

Nandini: I will help you sneak to the other side, don't worry -

Manik: Don't even think of sneaking in here!

Nandini stopped with wide eyes and stared at him. How did he know? The others standing behind her laughed because they knew her enough to know what her plan must be.

Abhimanyu shook his head in dismay.

Abhimanyu: I will see you when you need my help, Manik.

Manik's smirk faltered and he looked at Nandini and then at him. This time, it was Abhimanyu who looked so smug.

Manik: Fine, as long as we don't see it, we will pretend it didn't happen.

He shrugged the embarrassment that crept over him when everyone except Nandini laughed out loud.

____

Veebha was not someone who would sit silent and let others insult her. She was fuming in both anger and jealousy. She did not know what was between Manik and Nandini but she knew they had a history where they both liked each other.

Mr.Khurana: I can't believe you can't even make a man fall for you, Veebha!

Veebha: I can! If not for that Nandini. Manik does even look at me when she is in the room!

Mr.Khurana: Then try more! Dress nicely! Approach him somehow. Veebha, we need this wedding. Once we associate with Malhotra's, Niyonika will control Manik and we will be rich. Just think.

Veebha: What rich, dad!? Nothing is happening. That Niyonika Malhotra talked so big! Manik doesn't even respect her!

Mr.Khurana shook his head in return. He couldn't believe his luck. He had such a good chance but his daughter would not make use of it.

Mr.Khurana: You are useless!

He snapped at her and left.

____

Two days later, on the day the engagement was to happen - the Malhotra Mansion was all in chaos. There were so many guests invited that Manik wondered what his mother actually wanted.

How little did he mean for her to show him off this way? Was it so important for her to control him? Did she think she could do it because they had the land on him? He almost laughed at the sheer audacity. God knows if the marriage did happen, Manik would take the ownership of the land and divorce Veebha.

Cabir: Manik - What are you doing here?

Oh right. Manik was at the terrace, away from everyone else. He still had to get ready.

Manik: Nothing. Did everyone arive?

Cabir: Almost. Mukti was looking for you, she looked upset.

Manik let out a sigh. He understood her. Mukti had been silent and accepting for his almost non-existent excitement for both the weddings. He was happy for her, no doubt but then, his own life was such a mess.

Manik: I will be there.

Cabir: No, come with me.

With that, Cabir was dragging him down. They were passing by the corridor when they saw Veebha going in Nandini's room. She didn't look anywhere but straight away walked in. They exchanged glances and just when they were about to check, they were called by Dhruv from behind.

Veebha on the other hand only made sure Nandini was not in her room. She had seen her with her friends which meant her room was clear and her outfit for today was on her bed - untouched.

Veebha: Just you wait, Nandini. I will teach you a lesson today.

She smirked.

____

Niyonika: Exchange the rings, now.

Niyonika smiled - evil as always and Manik almost rolled his eyes infront of hundred of guests. She was doing it deliberately.

Veebha: Wait, Nandini - can you click our picture when we make each other wear the rings?

Nandini: There are photographers for that.

Veebha: I know. I just need to send this one to my friend immediately, she couldn't attend my engagement you see. Please.

She added at the end, feigning innocence. Nandini glared at her as she extended her phone. But before her, Aliya took it.

Aliya: I will click you and Manik, Veebha. I take good pictures.

Veebha forced a smile at her. Nandini looked at Manik and then backed away. His eyes followed her even when he stood beside Veebha, made her wear the ring and posed with her.

Nandini moved away when she couldn't bear it any longer. And as if the whole universe was conspiring against her, Veebha followed her after sometime.

Veebha: Nandini, it is your brother's wedding, won't you dance?

Nandini smiled sarcastically.

Nandini: May I ask why are you so obsessed with me today? Is your would be husband too busy to give you any attention, Veebha?

Veebha gritted her teeth in anger but then smiled a force smile.

Veebha: Of course he has. I just want to show him my dancing skills. He should know how lucky he is, no?

Nandini rolled her eyes. She knew Veebha was planning something but she didn't know what. As she agreed for a dance and the way Veebha's smirk widened, Nandini knew there was something missing. She looked around, noticing how there were no elders from their families around.

They danced on a bollywood number and Nandini thanked her stars for seeing the girls practicing on it before. She had little to no idea of bollywood songs and the last thing she wanted was to fuel Veebha's ego.

Veebha already looked like she had won a lottery. Nandini still didn't understand why. It was only when she twirled again, she felt her blouse slide against her skin, her dori coming undone next. Nandini almost shrieked and she heard her friends shout for her. She caught Veebha smiling at her.

However, before she could even stop, someone was hugging her from behind and she was engulfed in two large arms, completely hiding her from everyone's view. Their friends had surrounded them immediately.

Nandini: Manik?

Manik: It is okay. Nothing happened.

Nandini nodded. She gulped, still feeling hazy after the incident. Manik saved her from such embarrassment and humiliation. He gave her his blazer and did the buttons for her.

Abhimanyu: Are you okay, barbie?

Nandini: Yes.

Aliya: How could this happen? It was a designer piece!

Mukti: It is okay. Accident happens, Aliya. The good thing is Manik saved the day.

Nandini: It wasn't an accident.

They all looked at her confused except for Veebha, and now Cabir and Manik who had gotten the idea what might have happened.

Aryaman: What are you saying, Nandu?

Nandini: She did it.

She pointed at Veebha who looked taken aback by the sudden accusation. Nandini didn't seem hesitant as she stood up and walked to her.

Nandini: I should have known. You keep picking on me for some reason and you insisted I dance.

Cabir: And that's why you even went to her room!

Veebha looked shocked at being caught. She thought she made sure nobody saw her.

Cabir: Me and Manik saw her going inside Nandini's room before. Due to all the work, It just slipped from our mind.

Before anybody else could even say anything. Manik was holding her shoulder and turning her around. The next moment, his raised hand met her cheek with a loud sound.

Manik: How dare you!?

They all shouted his name but he was way too furious to hear anything. God knows what would have happened if he was not fast enough. This woman didn't deserve to be treated as a woman.

Veebha: Manik! How can you slap me for her!?

Manik: Shut up! You are still asking me how I can? How could you do this? Being a woman and doing this to another woman! Are you not ashamed!?

Veebha: At least I don't try to seduce someone's fiance!

Manik: Veebha!

Nandini: Wait-

Manik stopped and Nandini turned her to face herself this time.

Nandini: I don't need to try to seduce your fiance, Veebha. You think you would be marrying him if I was interested?

Nandini chuckled as Veebha glared at her for her words but even she knew it was the truth. Everyone knew Manik wouldn't stop, not until Nandini would tell him to.

Nandini: You don't have to be so jealous of me. Whatever chance you have with him, you are just ruining it. And -

With that, Nandini slapped her on the other cheek. Veebha gasped, palming her hot cheek now.

Nandini: Don't you dare do this the next time.

Veebha: What- How dare she!

Aliya: Can you stop now, Veebha? We are all trying so hard to co-operate with you. We all love and care for Manik but if you do this, we will be forced to ban you from any ceremony henceforth.

Veebha: It is mine and Manik's wedding too!

Mukti: That's why we are warning you!

Veebha: You- You guys can't talk to me like that!

Aryaman: Guess what? The world doesn't revolve around you. We are tolerating you just for Manik but I think you should really leave now, Veebha.

Veebha: What!? It is my engagement!

Dhruv: The engagement you ruined yourself. Manik, please ask her to leave.

Veebha turned to him with hope. Manik wondered what even made her think he would even think twice about it. If anything he was embarrassed. He could not even look at Nandini or anyone for that matter.

Manik: Veebha, leave.

Veebha: You do know you will have to answer my father about my absence, right?

Veebha looked like she was on fire. Manik gave her no heed as stared at him, waiting for him to stop her before she eventually walked away.

Manik apologized to Mukti and Abhimanyu for ruining their day and didn't stay there either. As he walked away, Nandini wondered if he would be okay.