Trying to update every week :)

These few chapters are going to be more of a filler chapters before the story picks up it pace, so bear with it please..

Also, the response on the last chapter was a bit disappointing. So I will be really glad if you guys tell me if there was something wrong with the chapter? Was there something lacking? I can only improve if I know where I need to.

Hopefully, you guys will enjoy this one ✨🌸

Nandini paced around the room in nervousness. She was going paranoid. It was her engagement today and she was all alone in the room. The stylist and the makeup artists had just left the room after making her ready.

Nandini didn't like her makeup. She wasn't looking pretty. They didn't even listen to her and she was going to get each of them fired.

You look pretty mam, is what they told her. But Nandini didn't feel pretty enough to face Manik or the guests.

Her father along with Ruhi was probably busy attending the guests downstairs and Ananya was nowhere to be found. Nandini didn't try to locate her either. The arguement from three days before was still fresh in her mind. Nandini was not the one to hold grudges but she was the one to keep hold onto the hurt. She didn't want to face Ananya.

Manik was getting ready in the other room. While he insisted on staying on a call with her, she knew there were people - his cousins or friends wanting to be there with him. The engagement venue was decided to be Murty Mansion and there were only limited guests invited.

Nandini didn't know what was she supposed to do. Her eyes pooled with unshed tears and she took a deep breathe to control them. Ruining her makeup and dress was the last thing she wanted to.

She doned a pretty blue lehenga that day, with golden work all over the blouse and upper and the bottom part of the skirt. Nandini had liked it the moment her eyes fell on it and if not for her engagement, she would have probably bought it just to add it in her wardrobe.

Nandini's pace was broken with a knock on the door.

"Yes?" She answered and the door opened to reveal Niyonika along with Soha and few girls Nandini didn't know who were they.

"Nandini," Niyonika walked forward, eyes widening in surprise and lips curved in a smile,"You look so beautiful bacha."

It was the first time and warmth hit Nandini harder than ever. A tear managed to slip from her eye and Niyonika wiped it before she could.

"Oh bacha, why are you crying? You should be happy today." Niyonika was suddenly so glad Manik told them to come here - he knew Nandini would be all alone and nervous. A form of sadness took over Niyonika as she realised how lonely Nandini must have felt - all alone with no one beside her.

"I- do I look good?" Nandini couldn't help but ask. Niyonika nodded her head.

"Ofcourse. I must say, my Manik is going to look so dull infront of you."

"And he is going to be whipped for you." Soha added from the side and as Nandini looked at her, Soha smiled at her,"You look gorgeous."

"Thankyou."

"Nandini, let me introduce you to these troublemakers - " Niyonika referred to the excited girls standing behind her. Three, the taller of them was Nisha, she was Manik's bua's daughter. To Nisha's right was Priya and Sneha, and they are Manik's Maasi's daughter.

They all surrounded Nandini, asking her to click pictures with them, or where she did she find the gorgeous piece she was wearing. They assured her she looked pretty enough and they indulge her in random conversations, telling her stories of the people - of their parents and other siblings Nandini hadn't even heard of before.

Her socializing points were near to exhaustion but Nandini tried her best. She wanted to make efforts. She wanted to mingle with the people close to him.

"Ugh - Manik? Where is he?" Nandini questioned in between. The three girls looked at her with teasing eyes.

"He is with the boys." Nisha told her. She was the oldest, and married. Nandini was in awe seeing how beautiful she looked in the dark blue colored saree and all the married signs.

"They are probably giving him some tips." It was Sneha and she said it like it was some top secret. Nandini caught Niyonika shaking her head in disbelief while Soha rolled her eyes in sarcasm.

"Tips about?" Nandini wasn't sure if it was okay to ask but she did anyways.

"Nandini, ignore these troublemakers," Niyonika came forward and Nandini gasped when the elder woman pulled Nisha's ear," Sneha, what did I tell you about teasing Nandini?"

"Ow- Sorry, Maami. I won't tease her now, leave my ear no!" Sneha winced in pain and Nandini almost stood up from her seat to stop Niyonika but the elder woman left her ear before that.

"Good. Next time, I will complaint to Manik."

"Manik Bhai won't say anything to us." Priya, the youngest of them who seemed like she was in seventh or eighth standard spoke.

"He will." Soha intervened.

"Manik bhai never scolds us." Priya kept her point.

"Priyu, do you know who she is?" Soha pointed at Nandini who said nothing but listened to her.

"I know, she is Manik bhai's wife."

"Yeah, and what does uncle do when you tease your mumma?"

Priya gasped, remembering her father who would refuse to give her chocolates if she teased her mother. She looked at Nandini with wide eyes,"Bhabhi, you won't tell Manik bhai, no? He won't give me chocolates." She cribbed.

Nandini nodded," Do you want chocolates? I have some."

Priya blinked at her but didn't ask and Nandini had to applause the little girl for her manners. She looked hardly thirteen but so well mannered.

Nandini smiled before taking out the chocolate she keeps in her bag always and hand over it to Priya. Priya looked at Niyonika first and when the elder lady nodded, it was only then Priya took the chocolate.

"Thankyou bhabhi!"

And much to Nandini's surprise, Priya leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Nandini smiled, feeling happy for the first time from the morning.

Maybe this was what it meant to be with the people who admire you, love you and look forward to be with you. Maybe this was how it felt to be loved and admired.

Maybe this was what real family looked like.

The rest of the night was kind of a blur for Nandini. One moment she was walking down the stairs and the another she was standing infront of Manik on the stage and putting the ring on his finger.

One moment they were sitting on the chairs on the stage, Manik was introducing her to his friends from University and the guests were congratulating them and the another they were standing in the center, hands wrapped around each other and bodies swaying with the gentle melody behind.

Manik's hand rested on her lower waist and hers trailed and settled on this broad shoulder. Their steps matched easily - having practiced the whole evening yesterday. At their left, Raj and Niyonika were dancing. Manik's Bua and Uncle were dancing to their right and there's another couple Nandini didn't recognise.

While she was busy noticing the surrounding, Manik's eyes found his brother and he nodded his head. Cabir took the hint and walked to the dj, asking him to play the song Manik had asked him to earlier.

All I do is think about you -

The melody started and Nandini's ears picked up the song. She had heard Manik humming it before several times, though she didn't know the lyrics.

Manik's eyes found hers and he smiled,"Are you comfortable?" He wanted to make sure.

Nandini nodded. She was comfortable to her own surprise, yet her nails dig into his hand at times - Nandini didn't realise and Manik didn't bother mentioning it. He wanted to make this day memorable for them.

… All my friends talk about the night we met
Can't remember what I said?
But bet it wasn't cool (bet it wasn't cool)

And as the lyrics hit their ears, Manik twirled her - twice and gentle before holding her back in his arms. Nandini heard the lyrics with intent this time.

The night we met. She repeats the words in her head. Ruhi's birthday party. The lyrics fit their first meet and Nandini blushed at the next set of words as they fell in her ears because Manik's eyes gave away his feelings.

I was close to death with you in that perfect dress
Knowing that it's heart or head
Breaking all the rules (breaking all the rules)

Breaking all the rules. Yeah, because Manik was supposed to marry her sister. Nandini looked down, at the feeling of their engagement ring in his ring finger sliding across her skin while her own shone brightly on his shoulder. It made her shiver - Manik was touching her. She had never been intimate with him - with anyone other than Vihaan.

At the mention of his name, Nandini could hardly breathe. She came to her senses when Manik twirled her again, he held her close most of the time. He had probably sensed the tremble in her figure.

… No regrets, not even the nights we spent
Finding out what patience meant?
Holding up a mirror to myself
Learning to reflect

The song continued, and Nandini hated and loved the way it fit them perfect. As if it was written keeping them in mind. As if they weren't a tragedy but a beautiful fate meant to happen.

Because, love like this doesn't come around all the time
Letting you get away would be a crime
'Cause half of your heart makes a hole out of this heart of mine

Manik leaned down this time, his breathe fanning on her cheek. Nandini let out a shaky breathe, her grip on his shoulder tightened and Manik smiled as he brushed his lips on the bare skin of her cheek.

"You look so beautiful, darling. Thankyou for trusting me."

Manik knew what trust meant to her. He leaned away, and Nandini missed the warmth that left her at instant. A whine escaped her, conveying the yearn for his touch and Manik let out a small chuckle,"Can I kiss you?"

… Ooh, all I do is think about you
All I do is think about you
All I do is think about how your leap of faith made me put all my faith in you

Nandini was so in the moment, there was nothing holding her back. No past, no Vihaan or no fear. It was Manik. Just Manik. Manik's eyes on her, Manik's hands on her. Manik standing infront of her or Manik talking to her. Just Manik. Manik. Manik.

So Nandini nodded, eyes fluttering close and the rest of the song faded away as Manik leaned down to put his lips on hers, lifting her feet off the ground slightly, and tightening his arm around her waist, he kissed her - slow and gentle.

It took her breathe away.