Malhotra house: Breakfast table: 8:30 am:

All are present except Dhruv. He has left for college as he has to catch up with Shahid and discuss the marriage application and date. Last night Manik's words has made his mind to solve this matter as soon as possible before some other problem knocks at the door. Meanwhile, he has been asked to contact Nandini as Manik can't meet or call her. Her phone is switched off and they can easily guess what would be the situation in Murthy house. Sometimes two people who are truly best for each other will have to face greater obstacles in order to be with each other. Manik is ruminating over all the messy situation while sipping on his tea.

Nyonika: (Inquisitively) "Kya sochia tanne? (What have you thought?)

Manik can whiff the heat in her tone but still prefers to fake ignorance.

Manik: (Reluctantly) "About what?"

Nyonika: "About your marriage. I have started looking for a perfect pretty girl who can be an ideal daughter-in-law of this house."

Manik didn't expect it at all. He thought that Nyonika is talking about Nandini. She is anxious about if Manik has left his obstinance to marry Nandini. Only Nandini. But this new shock is out of his syllabus. He widens his eyes at his over-enthusiastic mother.

Manik: (In a surprised tone) "Mom! What are you talking about? I am not going to marry anyone. How can you even think like this? Dad, please make her understand."

He turns at Shrikant with helpless eyes.

Nyonika: (Sarcastically) "You would have done it happily, Manu if I had mentioned that Madrasi girl's name. And don't try to involve your father in this matter. That lady didn't insult him but me."

Kausar: (Sternly) "Nyo, don't make it an ego issue. I know they have insulted you but that doesn't mean you will pressurise your son for this. He loves that girl, Nyo. How can he forget her so easily?"

Nyonika: (In a sad and frustrated tone) "Manu loves me too, Mummy and is it my fault to demand some obedience from my own son? Isn't it his responsibility to take care of his mother's wish? Is this pressurising?"

Shrikant: (Suddenly chides) "Yes, this is pressurising. Nyo, I told you many times that I am not going to get my sons married so soon. Manik is only 23. He has just joined a job. He has some dreams, some ambition. You can't ruin them by putting this big responsibility on his shoulders so soon. I have supported you in Nandini's matter because you are right on that point but that doesn't mean you will stretch this issue so far that you can't even see your son's future. He agreed to come out of this relationship, right? Then why are you making all things more complicated? He will focus on his career. That's it. No marriage, no Nandini, no other girl. And that is final."

Shrikant throws the napkin on the table and quits his seat. His face is red in fury. He doesn't like any quarrel during meals.

Kausar: (Composedly) "When he is ready to forget Nandini then why are you annoying him? Let him be like him. Give him some time."

Nyonika wraps the dupatta around her waist more tightly and knots the ends in exasperation.

Nyonika: (Angrily) "Okay, give him time. Baad me mainu na daso ki time nikal gaya. (After that don't tell me that time is over) Iha Madrasi kuri huna mere ghara jhagra karva rahi hai. (This Madrasi girl is now causing quarrels in my house) Rabba mainu chak le." (God please call me to you)

That was enough for Manik. He can feel Nyonika's sentiment but that doesn't mean she keeps on blaming that poor soul for everything. Manik gets up from the chair and turns on his heels to leave.

Nyonika: (Concernedly) "Khana to khatam kita ja. (At least, finish your food)

Manik: (In a melancholic tone) "I had enough. Now, you enjoy yours, Mom."

He exits with strides. Nyonka looks at Kausar with brimming eyes.

Kausar: (In a grave tone) "Don't push him to an extent that he takes any drastic decision. It won't be good for you."

........................................................

Murthy House: Living room: 9:30 am:

Kishori, Vimesh and Rituja are sitting in the living room while Nandini is in her room and Harshad is getting ready to leave for his school. All have done their breakfast and now discussing an important topic before leaving for their respective jobs.

Rituja: "Amma, nowadays you are being too sceptical. You suspect every single thing about Nandu. Because of you, Vimesh even restricted her from going out. You even have confiscated her mobile. We are getting her married soon too. Now, what can she do? How can she meet that boy? It's impossible."

Kishori: (In a sarcastic tone) "I wish I could have been so relaxed guardian like you. For your kind information, she did meet that Punjabi huduga (Punjabi boy) that night when we actually came to know that Nandu is fooling us."

Rituja and Vimesh: (With gaped mouth) "How do you know?"

Kishori: (In a triumphant tone) "Because I keep my eyes and ears open unlike you both. They met I know but where I don't know. I am telling you Ritu, do something soon or anything can happen. I don't believe that insolent boy at all. He is spoiling our kanna."

Rituja is about to part her lips to reply when their servant Rama comes from outside.

Rama: "Nandinigagi ondu parcel bandide. (A parcel has come for Nandini) Avala sign agatyavide." (Her sign is required)

Vimesh: (With frown) "Parcel? Let me see."

Both Vimesh and Kishori come to the main door and see a courier boy is standing outside with a box.

Kishori: "What is this? We haven't ordered anything."

The courier Boy: "I don't know, Ma'am. We are just asked to deliver the consignment. You ask, Ms Nandini Murthy. This is her parcel only."

Vimesh: "Okay, I will give her. Give it to me."

He stretches his hands to hold the box but the delivery boy moves his hand so that Vimesh can't touch it.

The Courier Boy: (Humbly) "Sorry, Sir. I can't hand over the consignment to anybody except Ms Murthy. I even need her signature. I am bound to my job, Sir, please call her."

Vimesh: "But.."

His words get interrupted by a voice from the back.

Harshad: "Call her, Uncle. Manik can't come in a parcel, right?"

His tone has jest which minimises the lines of worry on Vimesh and Kishori's forehead.

Kishori: (Authoritatively) "Rama, call Nandu kanna."

Within 5 minutes, Nandini comes. It seems that she is also a bit surprised. Before she could ask anything or Kishori can question her anything the delivery boy forwards the box to her.

The courier Boy: "Ms, your parcel. You ordered some books. Here it is."

Nandini holds it in a spellbound state. The person who is standing in front of her is none other than Shahid; Dhruv's friend. In a blink of an eye, the whole thing gets clear to her. Manik has taken the first step to their goal.

Nandini: (Enthusiastically) "Oh..thank you so much. I was really waiting for this. Actually, my exams are coming and I am not being able to attend my classes."

She arches her brows at her Amms and Appa. Both break their eye contact with her.

Nandini: "Where do I have to sign?"

Shahid: "Here, Ms."

He forwards a register and Nandini signs it. Shahid leaves after giving an eye-to-eye secret message that both Vimesh and Kishori fail to whiff. Nandini is about to head to her room when gets halted by Kishori.

Kishori: (Sternly) "Wait, kanna. I am very happy that you are still taking your studies seriously. Otherwise, you have disappointed us to an extent."

Harshad: (In a relaxed tone) "Come on, Amms! Nandu never neglects her studies. Go, Nandu. Unpack the box. Check if all books are okay."

Nandini again steps forward to leave but Kishori again calls her.

Kishori: "Unpack here. Let me see your new books."

Nandini and Harshad look at each other. Dissatisfaction and worry are palpable in Nandini's eyes. Rituja comes forward.

Rituja: (In an embarrassed tone) "Amma...please!"

Vimesh: (Sternly) "Amma is right. Open it Harshad. I want to see the books."

With a hesitant pace, Harshad picks the paper cutter from the side table and unpacks the box. Nandini feels like fall right there with her numb limbs. But the sight again places her heart in its right place which was almost into her mouth.

Rituja: (In an annoyed tone) "See...all are books...and band new. They are English literature books not any filmy magazines by the way. Nandu, go kanna. Do your studies. In any case, your studies are getting hampered for this detective drama. I am sending your filter coffee."

She leaves after honouring her mother and husband with a glare. Harshad too leaves giving a disappointed expression to this duo. Nandini comes to her room and keeps the box on the table. A mischievous smile creeps on her lips. She takes out an envelope from her pocket that Shahid transferred to her when Kishori and Vimesh were busy scrutinising the box. It is called a spartan meets a spartan. Nandini opens the envelope in hurry. It's a 3-4 pages form. A marriage application form. Along with this, a tiny chit is there.

"Sign it. Keep the balcony door open at night. I need to love you."

Your Punjabi Munda.

Nandini: (Blushing) "Punjabi Gunda. I also need to love you."

Author's note: Some steamy🔥🔥and adventurous encounters of Manan are there in the next part. 😜😜😜Stay tuned.