Manik's POV:

Every girl deserves to be loved and taken care of like a princess by a Man. And that is what every parents expect from the groom for their daughter.

Even chipmunk's parents expect the same from me. They want me to cherish her and love her. When they look into her eyes they need to find them shining with happiness which comes from marrying a person who loves her forever. But the truth is different. I can never love chipmunk and our relationship is temporary. But I will give her all the respect she deserves as my wife. I will take care of her until we are together.

Today morning when I went downstairs after completing all my chores I saw a shocked expression on devil's face. As I came into his line of vision I saw him looking at me with a sarcastic look.

The look which is very common for me.

The look which shows the dissatisfaction devil has towards my career.

The look which always questions me "Why are you not as successful as your elder brother Cabir?"

But along with the feelings of sarcasm and disappointment,that look carried shame and regret too.

That look questioned me "Why did I give birth to a son like you?". And then I knew that I am stuck in a problem again. Devil aka my father may be disappointed with me but will never regret giving birth to me. We both may not talk to each other but we do love each other and that is why we fight with each other a lot.

Then I saw the photos of me and chipmunk sitting very comfortably on the table and challenging me to say something about those. I was happy that the truth came out but I was not happy with the way it came out.

Shit!!

If the photos are sent here then the photos might have been sent to chipmunk's house too. That means she is facing all the questions from her family alone. I don't want to leave her alone. In the coming six months what ever problems I and her will be facing due to the lie of our relationship I want to face and fight them to together with her.

I took my bike keys and ran outside and started my bike. I drove towards chipmunk's house but not before texting Cabir bhai that to bring my entire family to Murthy Mansion.

As I expected the photos were sent to chipmunk's house too. I stood by the hall of the house analysing the situation. Every one in the Murthy family were also shocked to see those photos that they didn't see me standing there. I saw Chipmunk who was scared to tell her father about our relationship.

"Can you explain what are all these Nandu?" Chipmunk's father asks her and his tone very soft as if he is speaking to a child lost in a funfare.

This is the time where I need to stand by her and face the family. I might be asked many questions by her family but I need to be patient and answer them. After giving myself the required pep talk and motivation I speak.

"I will explain to you Mr. Murthy" and then I walk towards chipmunk who was standing there all alone in front of her family . I could see her body trembling slightly from the fear. I take her small hand into mine to say that 'I am here you are not alone'. I didn't know it was right or not until I realise that it comforted her. I could feel her body relax slightly and found her releasing the breath she was holding back. I couldn't understand why she was this scared in front of her own parents.

I caress her hand with my thumb and then speak again "There is nothing more to say sir it is as shown in the pictures I and Nandini are dating from the last six months and we are deeply in love with each other. We want to get married and start a family Sir. But we can't be together if we don't get your blessings and my family's blessings Sir." In my periphery I also saw that my family entered the house.

"I met Nandini six months back sir. At first we weren't the greatest team in the world but as the time passed we started understanding each other and then we fell for eachother madly. When you announced about Nandini's marriage with my elder brother Cabir I felt as the if someone punched the life out of my body. I couldn't think properly. The only thing I knew is I need her to be with me forever. I can do anything to keep her happy. So, please give her to me Sir."

"Manik even though you love my daughter madly I can never give her to you. She is elder to you by four years. And a woman marrying a guy younger than her is a taboo in our society." Her father said.

"If you are speaking about our age difference sir then I can happily accept that Nandini is four years more experienced than me in living a proper life sir. And with her experience I know that she can handle me very well and take care of me like a Mother. I am very happy to know that she can play a multiple role in my life with her experience. For me sir age is all about experience and maturity & love is something beyond all these limits." I spoke confidently.

"If you think you are playing it smart Manik then no you aren't you are just being impulsive and you are taking decisions in a haze. Let go of Nandini,Manik ." her father said.

"What all I said were facts sir and I am not being impulsive. And NO I am not letting Nandini leave my life so easily sir. I am sure I am the right person for Nandini because I know what Nandini is worth of and I know that I can cherish her and treasure her properly for my whole life. I may not be the perfect man in the whole world. I do have my flaws but when I am with your daughter I am at my best. She brings out the better in me and makes me thrive for being the best person to her. I will never stop Nandini from following her dreams. I will give her the freedom to express herself and nourish her talents. I want to be a home to her where she can rest her soul after fighting the world. I promise that I will protect her no matter what and Manik Malhotra keeps his promises." I say everything I wanted to say to her parents.

And then it is like everything becomes still and covered with the thick mist of tension since none does speak a word.

"You younger ones just stay in the room here we elders need to speak about this" Nandini's mother speaks breaking the silence in the room.

"Raj bhaisahab aur Neyonika bhabhi aap bhi chaliye hamare saath study room mein. Srikanth tum bhi aao." She continues.

And slowly all the elders leave the living room making the four of us youngsters the only ones in the room.

Archana Murthy's POV (Nandu's mom):

In my whole life there were many situations which I am not proud of and there were moments which brought out the imperfect human in me, I did many mistakes but after seeing my daughter,Nandini I can say that of all the times I had Nandini growing up was the best time. She is most precious of all the gifts God gave me until now.

I know that I and Nandini don't have a normal relationship like all the mother daughter duos. But whatever relationship we have I know that she loves me and I too love her.

A daughter's marriage is a dream come true for parents. The little bundle of joy who once walked with them holding their big hands in her small palms now will be starting a family of her own. The tiny palms which once played with her mother's shawl will be running an entire house hold in an efficient way.

But, what I know from my experiences is running a household is not an easy task and the responsibility may sometimes bruise the relationship you have with your life partner and I don't want that to happen in Nandu's life. I don't want her to be more hurt as she already has a lot of scars of her past imprinted on her fragile heart.

I am happy that Nandu found some one who makes her feel special and gives her all the happiness but I am not entirely ok with the society which will point at Nandu's character and call her a 'Cougar'.

Manik turned out to be a mature guy even though he seems too young to understand the depth of relationships and from his words before he seems to be the one who can cherish Nandu.

But I am still hesitant.....
It's about my daughter's life and happiness.
Is Manik the right person for her?

Amidst all the thoughts brainstorming
my mind I forgot that all the elders were present in the study leaving the younger ones in another room.

I stared at my husband to know what he is thinking but his head was hung low not making it possible for me to look into his eyes.

There was an awkward silence in the room until Rekha decided to speak something.

"Archana didi hum log tho modern era mein hein aur bacche jab ek dusre se itna pyar karte hai tho humein issein jyada aur kya chahiye??"

"Neyonika ji aap bhi kuch boliye mujhe pata hai ki Nandu beti Manik se umar mein badi par aap unka umar nahi maturity levels dekhiye. Hamari Nandu beti bahut acchi hai aur voh jab kisise pyar karti hai na toh woh apni zindagi bhar karti rahegi."

I felt sad that I don't have the relationship Rekha has with Nandini.
She understood Nandu better than me and considered Nandu's happiness above all the norms of society.

"Srikanth bhai aap bhi toh kuch kahiye kya aapko lagta hai ki Nandu kush rahegi Cabir se shaadi hone ke baad jab woh Manik se pyar karti hein?" Santosh spoke.

That was when Srikanth looked into my eyes asking for an answer. Looking into his eyes I knew that even Srikanth wanted Nandu's happiness but was scared about his daughter getting hurt. We both knew that she had many scars which were not beautiful. And that she truly needs someone who loves her scars equally.

"I have known Nandini for ten years now Srikanth and according to me your daughter is very responsible. She never takes decisions which are wrong for her. Let me tell you something Srikanth society makes rules based on its comfort and I don't think that we need to give importance to that society which is as weak as a house made of playing cards. I need my son's and Nandini's happiness .
Even though Manik may seem stubborn he is really good at heart. He is my son and he will never let go the hand of the person he loves. So,Can my son marry your daughter Srikanth?? Raj spoke. He was the person who understood Nandini's pain and brought her out of the darkness.

Srikanth sighed a little and then spoke" I am giving your son one the most important things to me in this world. Tell him to take proper care of my daughter and respect her. If I see my daughter shedding a tear then I will make it sure that Manik will be regretting every second of his life".

I just nodded looking at Srikanth. Let us give a chance to them.

"I am very happy with your decision bhabhi ji I promise you that I will take care and treat Nandini like she is my own child" Neyonika said.

I smiled at her and thanked her through my eyes.

"Then let us share this news with the children too what are we waiting for?" Raj exclaimed.

Rekha and Santosh nodded excitedly and went out to share the news.

What about Navya then whom will she marry??

Can Cabir be the right person for her??

I need to speak to Rekha about this.

*********************

*Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever*