Was just wondering if you guys are actually enjoying this book. If not, then please let me know✨❤️

Sunday came too quickly to Nandini's liking. It was today that the Malhotra's were coming to see Ananya. To say she was looking forward to the day, would be an absolute lie. She wanted to skip everything and hide in her room but she only if she could.

She was Ananya's elder sister. It would be questionable if she will be absent from there.

Ruhi moved beside her, disturbing her thoughts. Nandini let out a sigh as she bent down to kiss her forehead. She adjusted the blanket over her daughter and stepped down the bed. 

Just then, there was a knock on her door. Expecting it to be a servant, she answered,"Yes?"

"Dii, it is me." Ananya chirped from the other end, sounding so happy that Nandini wondered if her little sister had won a lottery.

Nandini opened the door and Ananya barged in. Dressed in a floral dark green colored dress, she indeed looked beautiful. Ananya was ranting about something but Nandini's gaze stuck on the thin gold  coloured bone square chain bracelet on her wrist.

Bracelet, the one Manik had gifted her.

"Dii! You went shopping with Manik?" Ananya asked, excited as she eyed the diary and the blue box in Nandini's hand.

"Yes." 

"Oh My God! He got this? For me?" She chirped, and looking at her bright smile, Nandini's heart didn't allow her to correct her. Moreover it was only right. She was his to be wife, so what if she asked for a gift that he had bought for her sister instead.

It was okay, Nandini shouldn't have felt bad but she did as she extended the box to her, "Y-Yeah. For -" and before she could complete, Ananya had taken the box from her hand and ran to her room.

"Dii, How do I look?" Ananya asked, moving to the dressing table,"You know, Malhotra's might reach in less than an hour."

"Already?"

"Alreadu? It is past eleven, dii! Are you fine?" Ananya paused and looked back at her. Nandini just nodded but Ananaya walked to her with worry written all over her face.

"Dii, I know it is so difficult for you. But, can you please be there with me?" She pleaded, aware that her sister hated all this. After their mother died of cancer when she was mere three, Nandini had made sure to give her all the love and care just like their mother would have done.

There had not been a moment in her life where she had felt the need of a mother. Nandini was always there and today, when she was going to start a new life, she wanted her sister to be there.

"Ofcourse I will be there, Ananya."Nandini assured,"By the way, you just came to inform me this?" She teased.

"Dii! No teasing!" Ananya whined, walking back to the dressing table,"I actually came to ask for your earrings. The star ones- they will go with this dress, right?" Nandini nodded and shook her head when instead of waiting for her, she herself started finding them.

"So, you finally found a way to steal my star earings?"

"That was the last piece, I let you buy it so I have half rights on it.

"Are you sure? I thought someone used all her monthly allowance on buying those branded dresses so she couldn't buy those earings?"

"You are such a tease di," She pouted as Nandini chuckled and walked to her. She made her sit down and took out her earrings. Ananya smiled as she helped her wear them.

"Are you happy, Ananya?" She asked.

"Of course. Di, Did you even see Manik? How handsome he is!" Nandini frowned.

"And as a person? Do you like him?"

"Oh c'mon Dii! He is Malhotra! Ofcourse, he-"

"So you met him at the party?" Nandini interrupted her in the middle. She watched as Ananya frowned.

"I didn't." She replied," But I am sure he is an amazing person! There's no doubt that a handsome face could be a bad man!" She laughed but Nandini didn't. She couldn't believe her sister just assumed he was a good man on the basis of his looks.

"Ananya, you cannot judge someone on the basis of their looks alone." She tried to make her understand but sighed when Ananya didn't even acknowledge it.

"C'mon, Dii! Stop thinking Manik is anything like Viha-"

She stopped in between, her eyes wide as she realized what she said. She looked at Nandini who had stiffened. Hurriedly, she held her hands,"I am sorry, dii. I didn't mean it. But trust me, my heart says Manik is a good person. I have heard so much about him, a friend of mine works in his company. You know, she told me Manik is not at all arrogant. He is sweet with everyone, helps everyone so I assume, he is really a good person." 

"Y-Yeah, okay." Nandini remembered the day she met Manik, or when she went to his office. Ananya's friend was not wrong, Manik indeed was a very positive person. He was younger to her, but still had so much experience and knowledge. She smiled at her sister who rambled about something and left the room to get ready.

"Manik!" 

Manik shrieked, missing a stair as he heard his mother yelling his name for the nth time. Late Late Late, He was so damn late. But it was not his mistake that he could hardly sleep last night. It was a big day today, and he was nervous.

"Maa, I am here! I am ready. Calm down." He coughed, rubbing his chest to calm himself down while Niyonika shook her head in disbelief.

"Again late, Manik! We have to leave. " She chided,"Are you ready?"

He nodded, nervousness catching up with him again as he looked down at himself.

"I look okay, right? I should have worn that white one, Maa! I will go and change. Just wait." He mumbled and stepped ahead to go but before that Niyonika caught his arm with a chuckle.

"Are you nervous?" She asked, a smile making its way on her face and Manik nodded, unable to say anything else.

"You look absolutely handsome, bacha." She assured but Manik shook his head," You do, don't worry."

"Niyo! We have to leave! Are you both done?" Raj walked to them, setting his wrist watch. Manik nodded his head firmly.

"But where's Cabir and Soha?" 

"In the car already. Let's go."

Manik nodded again, huffing as they walked out. He was about to sit inside when his father called out for him. 

"Yes dad?" 

"I have already said this before, but I am saying again, You don't have to be nervous about it, Manik. We are not fixing the alliance against your wish. If you don't like her, all you have to do is say-

"Dad- I like her!" He exclaimed, cutting his father in between who ended up laughing at him. Manik looked down, pink creeping on his ears and neck as he cleared his throat.

"We are getting late, let's go dad."

It was not easy, Manik had certainly expected it to be a little difficult but now, when he was walking behind his family towards the huge gate of Murty Mansion, he felt he was entirely wrong.

It was difficult. A lot. 

His heart was beating loud in his chest. His palms were almost sweaty as he tried to set his tie for the fifth time. He looked good, he was sure but he was nervous. 

Did Nandini feel the same right now?

"Manik, Come fast," His mother called,"Ananya might be waiting already!" She teased.

Yeah, Ananya might be waiting-

Wait, Ananya?

Manik's face went pale.

Ananya?

Did he miss something?

"Maa-" He started but they had already reached inside. 

They were greeted by an elder servant. He took them to the hall where Mr.Murty was already present with Ruhi. Ruhi was colouring a picture and blabbering something while Mr.Murty listened to her attentively. He picked up a color to help her but Ruhi slapped away his hand muttering something under her breath which made him laugh.

"Sir," The servant called, gaining his attention,"Malhotra's are here." 

"Okay, Go and call Nandini." Mr.Murty ordered as he gave a quick glance to Ruhi before standing up greeting the Malhotra's. Niyonika nudged Manik's shoulder to go and touch Mr.Murty's feet. Manik, frozen but moved ahead to do so but Mr.Murty was quick enough to take him in a hug. 

"Ananya was already getting patient to meet you, Manik." Mr.Murty said. Manik's heart sank more.

Ananya.

Not Nandini. 

But who was this Ananya?

He needed to clear this misunderstanding.

"Maa, I need to talk to you." He spoke hastily to his mother.

"Not now, Manik." She gritted her teeth knowing he might want to get away from here,"We have something important going on here." 

"But what I have to say cannot wait, Maa." He urged, desperate to clear the whole misunderstanding, "Please Maa, Listen to me."

Niyonika looked at him with hesitation. He nodded and she sighed, turning to Raj. She mumbled something, and Manik watched as his father passed him a worried glance before nodding his head.

"Mr.Murty, we will just come." Niyonika stood up and Manik followed. He turned and someone or to be precise a woman, collided with him.

"Careful." He muttered but frowned when the woman shrieked and hugged him tightly, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Manik!" She called out.

"Excuse me." Manik forcefully broke the forced hug. The woman in his arms resisted but Manik pushed her away gently. He frowned, staring at her face, and asked.

"Who are you?"

Everyone gasped.