Murthy House: Vimesh and Rituja's bedroom: 10:30 am

It's been 1 week since both the families of Manik and Nandini came to know about their court marriage. After that, they decided to get Manan married with proper rituals and pompousness. However, the final date, venue and rites are still stuck to some mutual settlement. Nyonika wants an elaborate and majestic Punjabi shadi while Kishori and Vimesh want a traditional and sober Kanadiga maduve samarambha. After a lot of argument, talk and bickering, all came to a conclusion that both the rituals will be followed. First, they will tie the knot in a Kannada wedding and after that, they will get married with Punjabi rituals. It will be hell tiresome for Manik and Nandini but they didn't have any other option by which they can maintain a wave of peace between their crazy families. Today Manik's grandmother Kauser and his mother Nyonika are coming to Murthy's house for fixing a marriage date. Shrikant has some important work but he will be available by phone. In any case, he doesn't have any opinion on a date. But of course, the venue will be decided by him only after discussing it with Vimesh. On the other hand, Manik and Nandini are temporarily forbidden to meet each other until they get married with full rituals. Needless to say that it is Nandini's Amms' restriction. Kishori doesn't have much faith in a court marriage. It's said that humans have an uncanny attraction to those which are forbidden to them. Manik and Nandini are not any exceptions to this. Since they got restricted to meet each other, both are urging to break that constraint. Finally, they found out a way and planned to meet in the temple near the Murthy house. Both chose the time when Kauser and Nyonika will come to Nandini's house as all the Murthys will be engaged and won't concentrate on Nandini. All the day passed seamlessly. However, a matter was bothering Rituja for the whole week and it's good to be discussed with Vimesh right now. Contemplating that, Rituja enters their bedroom having a cup of filter coffee in her hand. Vimesh is checking some answer papers sitting on the bed. He took an off to attend the Malhotras. Rituja observes her husband and squints her eyes to initiate the talk.

Rituja: (Carefully) "Can we talk for a while? I have something to discuss."

Vimesh: (Without looking up) "Yes, we can. Let me finish this one."

He ticks some answers quickly, signs the paper and bunches up all the answer sheets to pile them up on the study table. Rituja gives the coffee cup to Vimesh.

Vimesh: "When will Manik's family come? Arrange some good snacks and coffee for them. They shouldn't complain about our hospitality."

He sips on his coffee and makes a satisfactory sound.

Rituja: (Calmly) "They prefer tea to coffee. Vimesh...uuummm...are you still upset with me?"

Vimesh arches his brow in confusion.

Rituja: (Leaves a sigh) "No...I mean I hid the court marriage incident from you."

She halts instantly as she doesn't know how to put the matter. Vimesh reclines on the bed rest. His face is mirthless.

Vimesh: "I was initially but then I analysed the whole thing. I tried to see it from your angle. I know it was equally shocking for you but as a mother and a well-wisher of her child, you did right. You might look for a suitable time to tell me that."

He keeps the empty cup on the side table and sits squarely.

Vimesh: "You know, Ritu; when I came to know that Nandu married Manik without our knowledge, I was very angry with her. I felt that I will never talk to my daughter. But when she confronted my anger with logic then I realised that she truly respected my teaching and values. I always taught her to be fearless about her thoughts and choice and she proved it."

Rituja: "That means you are happy with her decision? You accepted Manik as our son-in-law wholeheartedly?"

Vimesh takes a second to answer. It seems he is mustering his thoughts.

Vimesh: (Composedly) "I am with her decision. I hope she will be happy forever. And Manik...well, I can't say. It's a mixed feeling you know. I am feeling a bit jealous of him. He ultimately stole my daughter from me."

Rituja gapes at him. He just said that? Vimesh observes her reaction and then chuckles.

Vimesh: "I know you have built up a good rapport with that Punjabi boy but I will take time. He will have to prove himself as a good son-in-law along with a good husband."

He chuckles again. Rituja understands that her husband is happy with his daughter's choice and doesn't have any malaise in his heart for Manik. It's just a matter of expression. Vimesh is not good at expressing his love.

Rituja: (Smiles) "You are such a coconut! Hard from outside but soft from inside."

Rituja pecks his cheek and gets up from the bed. She has to take care of the evening gathering. Vimesh touches his cheek and widens his eyes.

Vimesh: (Teasingly) "This is for what? Don't say our crazy son-in-law again intruded my house and you have to cover it up by bribing me like this. I still remember that night. You were quite aggressive."

Rituja never expected this from her reticent and staid husband. Her ears turn red with embarrassment.

Rituja: "Have some shame. Your daughter is getting married."

Saying this she leaves without waiting for any retort from him. Vimesh chuckles at her.

Vimesh: (Mumbles) "Yes, she is getting married but I am not feeling old yet."

He pulls the answer sheets again to concentrate on that.

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

Malhotra House: Manik's room: 11 am

He is loitering on his bed while talking on the phone with Nandini. A mischievous grin is playing in his eyes. It's fun to tease Nandini.

Manik: "Excited to meet?"

Nandini: "Why? You aren't? Then cancel it. In any case, I will be more useful and needed at home during the hi-tea conversation. You know, your mom and my Amms. They always fight like USA and Russia. I can be the peacemaker."

Manik: "Oh, hello! Peacemaker...I was the one who convinced your deadly grandmom. She finally fell for my charm."

Nandini: (Scoffs) "Really? And who impressed your mother India? She hugged and kissed me. Remember?"

Manik: (Casually) "That is her nature. She boils like a volcano and then instantly cools down by listening to some flattery."

Nandini: (Yells) "What? I was flattering with Anuty? Aiyoooo. You flattered my Amms. You flattered my Mom too. Remember how you kissed her in court, pretending like a smitten son-in-law?"

Manik: (Teasingly) "To tumhe jalan ho rahi hai? (So, you are feeling jealous?) To aaj mil lo mujse. Tumhe bhi kiss kar lunga. (Then meet me today. I will kiss you too.) I am generous, you know. Bhed bhao nehi karta. (I don't discriminate.)"

Nandini: (yells) "Manik, you! Meet me today. I will teach you what is generosity."

Manik: (Huskily) "Yes, please. I am dying for it. Should I use some mint?"

Nandini: (Confused) "Mint?"

Manik: "Of course. I don't want to be embarrassed because of bad breath. On the other hand, your generosity shouldn't be interrupted by any unhygienic issue."

Nandini eventually groks his meaning. Her cheeks turn red and hot. This boy is a master at teasing her.

Nandini: (Chides) "Manik, you are impossible. I am not coming. Keep waiting."

Manik: (Giggles) "You better come. Nehi to ghar me ghuske kiss le lunga. (Otherwise, I will kiss you by entering your house) Amms will say. Aiyoooo...shameless boy. Ha...ha..."

Nandini utters an embarrassed 'SHUT UP" and cuts the call. Manik rolls on the bed laughing out loud. Only then Nyonika enters holding two Kanjivaram sarees in both hands. Lookingperplexed.

Nyonika: "Sara din phone naal chipkya rehnda ae. Dekh, main ki pawa? (Whole day you remain stuck to the phone. See, what should I wear?)"

Author's note: In the next chapter cute couple Manan meet, Malhotraand Murty's friendly encounter and some funny moments will be there. Keep reading. 🙏❤️