Murthy House: Nandini's bedroom: 24 hours before the marriage:

Nandini pulls the drawer of the cupboard and takes out a folder. She comes to the bed and empties it on it. Some papers and certificates get spread on the bed.

Nandini: (Mumbles) "Manik told me to carry any age proof. I think Aadhar would be fine. In case the address proof is needed."

She fishes out the Aadhar card and keeps it aside.

Nandini: (Utters in low voice) "I don't need to carry any extra clothes. Manik is buying the saree and the mangalsutra (Nuptial chain). Should I wear the Jhumkas (A kind of earrings) that Mom made for my wedding?"

Nandini comes to the cupboard once again and opens the locker to take out a jewellery box. After a brief thought, she opens it with hesitant hands. All the gold glitter that turns Nandini's face sulky.

Nandini: (Murmurs) "I am sorry, Amma. I know it is your dream to see me wearing all these but right now, I can't fulfil your wish. But I am not wearing these pieces of jewellery in your absence either. I promise the day I and Manik will marry with all rituals, with everybody's consent, you will see me in your wished bride avatar."

She takes out the jhumkas and keeps the box again inside the locker. After that, she transfers the Aadhar card and the earrings into her handbag and keeps all the extra papers in their previous place. She glances at the clock. Her forehead lines with worry. She has less time and there are lots of things to do. The first thing is to talk to Harshad. Only he can help her to execute the first step of this plan. Nandini unbolts her door and comes to Harshad's room.

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Murthy House: Harshad's room: 24½ hours before the marriage:

Harshad: (In a sceptical tone) "You need to meet Gayatri for class notes? But Nandu you can call her to come over here, right? You know Amms has forbidden you to go outside. Especially after the drama, you did yesterday with Adhiraju Swami. I mean seriously! How could you manage to come up with such innovative ideas all the time...ha...ha...it was literally out of the box."

Nandini is standing in front of Harshad keeping her hands on either side of her waist while Harshad is sitting with his laptop on the bed. His words flare her nose in exasperation. She hasn't come here to blush by hearing her praise.

Nandini: (In a stern voice) "You also had thought out of the box if you would have been in my place. But don't worry. Very soon you will get the opportunity to show your talent."

Harshad frowns at her with perplexion. Nandini sits on the bed with a thud. Her face is emitting both the emotions...happiness and sorrow.

Nandini: "Harshad! Amms never allowed me to call you Anna. Now, I can relate to and understand the reason behind it. But that doesn't deny the truth that I always have considered you as my brother. Thank you for understanding my emotion. I know you are not ready...in fact, you are not in that situation to confront Amms or Appa and tell them that even you consider me as your sister and want to marry your chosen girl. But someone has to take the first step and here I am that person. I can't sacrifice my happiness in the name of my family's old stereotypical beliefs. But in this, I want someone who can help me even if it's a secret help."

Nandini keeps staring at Harshad for a while. Her eyes have a plea.

Harshad: (In a determined tone) "Tell me! I am there for you."

Nandini: (In a grave voice) "Can I trust you?"

Harshad: (Sighs and utters) "You can trust your Anna."

Some moments of silence linger in the room air. Nandini inhales sharply.

Nandini: (With determination) "We are going to get married. I and Manik. It will be a court marriage for now just to ensure that Amms or Appa can't force me or you and me to get into a meaningless relationship. I have no other option to avoid this situation."

Harshad: (In an alert tone) "And that's why you want to go out. Nandu, are you planning to leave this house forever? As far as I know, Manik's parents are also against of this relationship. How would they accept you in their family? Have you thought about all these? Marriage is not only about two people. It's about two families. And here all are against this alliance."

Nandini: "I am not leaving this house. Nor Manik is going to tell his family about this marriage right now. We were not planning for this either but Amms' obstinance to get me married to you so soon left me with no other suitable option. We are just doing this for security."

Harshad closes the laptop flap and gets up from the bed.

Harshad: "How can we make this possible? Amms remains at home all the time. And tomorrow even Ritumaa has off. How will you get out of this house avoiding them?"

Nandini: "And that's why I have come to you. Plan something."

Harshad keeps mum for a while. His eyes are alert. Suddenly he rushes toward the cupboard and takes out a shirt, pant and a jacket. He turns at Nandini. His eyes are emitting jest.

Harshad: "Tomorrow when I will be leaving for my school, wear these and wait at the backyard door. Come to my bike as soon I arrive. Take my bike and reach the court."

Nandini shuttles her perplexed eyes between the clothes and Harshad's face. In a fraction of a second, his idea seems crystal clear to her. A 'V' forms between her eyebrows.

Nandini: (In an unsure tone) "Harshad...have you ever looked at us? Your body and height...my body and height...there are no similarities. And more of that, you are a boy and I am a girl. How can we manage it? Amms and Mom will catch us then and there."

Harshad: "I haven't told you to come in front of them in this attire. If they see you from a distance, then it won't be very difficult to fool them. We just have to be swift and on the time. By the way, are you carrying any bags? Then I will suggest you not carry anything."

Nandini: No, I am not. In any case, I will be back by the evening. There is no need for a bag."

Nandini takes the clothes from Harshad's hand and heads to the door when Harshad again calls him.

Harshad: "Nandu, just a minute..."

He lifts the helmet from the table and gives it to Nandini.

Harshad: "For extra safety. I think it would be sufficient to hide you."

Nandini giggles and grabs the helmet.

Nandini: "I promise. At your time I will give you my saree because you definitely won't fit into my stitched clothes....ha...ha.."

She exits with a beaming face.

Harshad: (Mumbles) "All the best, Nandu. I hope all will be well at the end."

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Malhotra House: Manik's bathroom: 10 hours before marriage:

Manik: (On mobile in a low voice) "Yeah, yeah got it. You will be in pant shirt and jacket. By the way, will you be able to ride the bike? If you want, I can send someone to pick you up from there. You just have to wait on the road."

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Manik: (Giggles) "Okay. I have full faith in you though I didn't know that you can ride a bike, Ms Murthy. You are not as docile as you appear.

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Manik: "Okay, jokes apart. Say my thanks to Harshad. He came out with a good plan. My advice to involve him turned out to be a good decision....SEE. Okay..now come to the point. I will be at the main gate of the court. Dhruv and Shahid will also be there. 12 pm sharp. Bohot mushkilse time mila hain. (We got the time after a lot of effort)

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Manik: (Excitedly) "Okay goodnight....aree...listen...listen. Don't forget to carry your photo identity. Rest I will manage...saree, mangalsutra and condom."

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Manik: (In a pretentious surprise) "Why are you shouting? Do you want me to do it without a condom? Aree...aise kaise? (How so?) How a marriage can be completed without the first night. It's ritual, Nandu. At least once...Achha achha (Okay, okay) joking. You always become serious. I am sparing you this time because it's only a court marriage but I won't after proper marriage. Remember... Hello...hello.."

He puts down the call. A nonchalant smile creeps on his lips.

Manik: (Giggle) "I just love teasing you. Tomorrow you will be mine...forever. Mrs Nandini Manik Malhotra. Finally, Malhotra weds Murthy."

Author's note: A long update. You all can thank me for that.😉😉 So, all planning is done. Very soon Manan will be one but wait....unfortunately nothing is so smooth and easy in their life.🙄🙄 So, be ready for more twists and of course a riot of laughter.😉

Love

Suk❤