Apologises for the late update..🙈❤️

And I usually don't write Part A or Part B, so I hope this works out - it is my first time dividing the chapter this way.

My exams are going on, and I won't be really free until 16th of February. So I don't know when I will be able to update next. Hopefully, soon. Until then, enjoy Reading!

"A-Appa, What do you think of Manik?
Should I- I give him a chance?" Nandini had no idea what was she expecting from her father, to be happy with her decision or get angry at her.

Her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest. It was not a question for her father to answer. It was just a doubt in her heart to let him know, that she was indeed willing to give Manik a chance.

After spending hours and hours, thinking about what Manik said, what her father told her, she decided it wouldn't be that bad. Life was not taking her anywhere. Her daughter was the only reason she was even breathing at this moment.

Although Nandini knew she was capable enough to grow her daughter, she knew she would never be able to fulfil a father's place in her life and Nandini didn't want her daughter to grow up without knowing how it feels to be loved by her father.

A father was important. She couldn't deny.

Mr.Murty smiled, because he knew his daughter enough to know what was going in her heart.

It was a risk, she was aware. Her father was too because he kept staring at for a few moments before he burst out in a huge fits of laughter.

"A-Appa?"

Embarrassment hit her at once, like a loaded truck and her father only laughed more. Nandini wanted the earth to tear open and swallow her whole.

"That little brat!" He laughed more, not even trying to hold it in and shook his head in utter disbelief, "he won.!"

"What? What are you talking about, Appa?"

Nandini frowned in confusion.

"Yesterday, when Manik came home, I told him you would never say yes and he challenged me he would make you say yes in less than three days." Mr.Murty smiled this time, embarrassing her further. Three days. She said yes within a day itself.

A challenge. She had to praise the audacity of this man. She thought he was only there to know of her health, but turns out he had more plans. Not that she was angry. Infact, she felt her cheeks heat up and mentally slapped herself for it.

Her father laughed out loud once again.

"A few meets and he has really started to know you." Mr.Murty commented. He knew his daughter was a little hard to study. The amount of pain she had endured in her life, it had shaped her in what she was today. He didn't know if he could trust Manik with her but then, Manik has not given him any reason to say no.

While Nandini just shrugged her shoulders, not knowing how to handle the situation. Her burning cheeks were of no help either. She chided herself in her heart, what was she even? A fucking teenager?

That was not how grown up ladies behaved.

Before Nandini could punish herself more in her own head, Mr.Murty cleared his throat with a gentle smile. He was certainly aware of everything going in her head.

"Nandini, bacha don't be so hard on yourself. Let your heart love, you deserve it."

"And Ananya?"

Her question was met with silence for Mr.Murty had nothing to tell her.

Ananya wouldn't take it in a light way.

And she didn't. Ananya made a huge fuss over the whole matter, complaining how insensitive it was of them to go ahead with this alliance. Mr.Murty scolded her, even though he was more worried for her than angry.

At the end of the day, Ananya was also his daughter and equally dear to him.

Now, Malhotra's and Murty's were not exactly friends. They were more of buisness partners, but wanted to change the relationship into friendship with the wedding between their children.

But sometimes, things don't work the way we want them to. They all misunderstood the situation making a big mess. Now there was this awkwardness between the two families.

Thus, Mr.Murty being the elder, took the responsibility to handle the matter. He personally called Raj and invited the whole family for lunch three days later, all the while apologising about how things works went that night.

He was still somewhere sour with the way Manik's parents had behaved last time but then, he knew about Malhotra's. They didn't have a name in the business for no reason. Mr.Murty had always heard good things about them, and after meeting them, he could see himself. They were nice people. His daughter liked Manik, so he could let it slide for this one time.

Afterall, it was her happiness that mattered the most.

Manik was simply elated. To say he had never expected his parents to agree for the lunch wouldn't be wrong. Manik expected an argument or atleast his mother to make him understand to let go of his feelings for Nandini but there was nothing.

That was the sole reason he didn't even look at her when she came in his room while he was getting ready for the lunch. She was already ready, dressed in a grey colored saree and Manik sulked in his mind for not being able to compliment her.

Manik could see the slight acceptance on her face. He knew once she was in his team, nobody could really stop him from getting married to Nandini. Not even his father.

"So, Are you going to continue to pretend like I am not here?" His mother chided, clearly upset at his ignorance.

"Maa," Manik let out a sigh,"I am sorry." He exclaimed. Niyonika tried to intervene but before that Manik continued,"I know my feelings for Nandini - they sound cliche to you. You and dad, you both probably think it is a crush, and maybe it is. I really don't know. I just know I am genuine about it. I like her, Maa. Please, understand."

Manik sounded so helpless as his mother stared at him in conflict. She understood, but she had her own concerns.

"I understand. Trust me, Manik, your dad does too. But do you understand the matter? For you, it is about getting married but marriage is just not about seven vows, a nuptial chain and vermilion. It comes with responsibilities. Nandini - " Niyonika paused, a sigh looked at him,"I am not staying Nandini is a bad choice. I am sorry for my previous choice of words but bacha, Nandini has been married before. You don't know why did she get a divorce. You don't know her mindset. What if tomorrow, both of your point of views clashed and you two are unable to make this marriage work? Have you ever thought how bad it would be for that three year old kid? How bad of an impact it will leave on Nandini?"

Niyonika was not wrong. Manik didn't know what to answer. She sighed and made him sit on the bed.

"Today, Let your parents talk when we go there. We are not your enemy, Manik. We care for you."

"I understand, Maa. But just because there is a possibility of this not working, I can't back out, right? You always told me, try your best. If it happens, good otherwise, it was not meant to be. Ruhi - I know she is just a child. I understand your concern but trust me, Maa. I want this. I want to give this a try."

"Fine, I will talk to your father." She smiled when Manik smiled wide, finally happy.

"Okay, now tell me Maa, do I look fine?"

He was not wearing anything grand. No matter how much he wanted to, Manik settled on a white t-shirt, blue pants with a blue denim jacket. His hair a little messy and sleeves of the jacket, half folded.

While Niyonika laughed at the relief in his eyes, for he could finally ask what he had been wanting to from the time she entered his room.

She chuckled, pinching his cheeks,"My handsome bacha," she patted his cheek in pure admiration," You really like her so much?"

Manik nodded, ears turning red and Niyonika wondered if the mention of the lady alone made her son so happy.

"I will go see your father, get ready."

Manik nodded instantly, trusting her. Niyonika smiled leaving the room while Manik let out a breathe of relief.

Atleast he had his mother on his team.

What it is to be beautiful? Nandini had never found the right answer. She always smiled when anyone told her she was just so beautiful, so pretty.

Her father told her, Ananya did, even her three years old Ruhi did many a times, and Vihaan - even he did in the past. Nandini believed them. All of them, because that's all she had known all her life. To believe what her loved ones told her. Her opinions were not any better to her ownself. Others always made more sense.

Nandini pouted, a debate in her heart on whether to apply the blush on cheeks or not. They were pink already, she didn't need it. But then, makeup does make her feel pretty. She smiled at herself, sliding the brush across the softness of her cheeks.

Today, Nandini had chosen to wear traditional. It was the same piece Ananya and she had bought two months back. It was so pretty and Nandini couldn't help but buy it. Even though she no longer wears traditionals, having it in her wardrobe won't hurt right?

Ananya had once told her men might go after women who wear shorts, but it is always the women in suits, or sarees that have them in daze.

Nandini didnt want that. She didn't want Manik in daze. She didn't want to smitten him. No, she only wanted to look pretty, to see him smile at her.

The silver bangles were cold againsy the pale complexion of her hand, the silver earrings weighed heavy in her ears. The blue bracelet was like a chain binding her down. It was to keep her grounded, to remind her of her reality.

Nandini doesn't remember the last time she wore the accessories without feeling them pull her down. Every single piece of jewellery was like a shackle keeping her pinned to the ground even when it shined prettily against her skin, making her look more pretty than they were.

But then, to have something, you have to pay the price.

Nandini learned it the hard way.

She stood, there infront of the mirror letting the two and a half meter clothe rest on her shoulder - an olive green colored duppata paired with her blue suit. She then looked in the mirror.

She looked pretty. And that was all she needed.

Voices from downstairs made her aware of the Malhotra's arrival before a butler came to confirm the same. Nandini was nervous as she casted another look to herself in the mirror before walking out of the room.

Downstairs, the air was awkward but the elders seemed to pull it off. They were all in the living area, still greeting or more like talkin' to ease the situation.

Nandini's eyes fell on her daughter first, who was giggling at something Manik's brother - Cabir, who was sitting on his knees infront of her - said.

A little away, Manik stood admiring them but then his face adored a slight frown. Nandini wondered the reason behind it. Before she could ponder more, the bangles in her hand stole his attention with their little jingle.

She watched him look at her, pupils widening and crimson creeped to Nandini's cheek instantly. His reaction reminding her of the day, they first met. Ruhi's birthday - Nandini would never forget the day.

With her head bend down, and her fingers tucking an abandoned hair strand away from her face, behind her ear in an another futile attempt, Nandini walked her way to him.

One

Two

Three

And a few more steps before she stood infront of him, heart pumping loud in her chest. Manik looked more handsome from near than from far.

"Hi," Manik's voice held the gentleness that always managed to leave her dizzy. Nandini wondered if it was only her or was he like that to everyone?

She had plenty of time to figure that out.

For now, Manik was waiting her answer,"H-Hello," she cursed herself for the shutter but was glad when Manik's smile only widened.

"Nandini," He exclaimed, trying to find the right words,"How are you?"

A stupid question. He knew but he couldn't help asking. Manik's mind was all fuzzy, his heart a thumping mess while his subconscious kept screaming at him for acting like an idiot.

A suit, duppata, earings, bangles and the makeup - Nandini looked pretty as always. He wanted to compliment her, specially because he could the extra efforts she had taken today to get ready.

A chuckle left his lips, realising she had indeed overdressed in the need to look pretty but not that he minded. She could wear whatever she liked, and she would still look the same pretty in his eyes.

"Manik?" Nandini called out for the third time. He looked like he had fallen in a trance. She shifted in her feet, uncomfortable and he finally blinked.

"Are you okay?" She asked, not realising it was because of her. She was making him feel all those butterflies in his stomach he had always heard about.

It was exactly the same, he had read in books. The butterflies, they danced in his stomach whenever she looked at him, talked to him, took his name.

"Yes, Yes ofcourse," He rubbed his nape, embarrassed and looked behind to see no one,"Where did others go?"

"Lunch?" She replied,"it was ready, so everyone moved to eat."

"Oh," Manik nodded, still didn't move from his place. It took him another moment to realise that Nandini was waiting for him to move.

"Ah, please - let's go." He guided her ahead, she nodded as they walked to the dining table.

If everyone noticed their absence, nobody really commented. Manik pulled out the empty chair for her at the right side of Mr.Murty who sat on the head chair. Cabir who had taken the chair beside it, stood up to sit on the other side of Soha and gestured Manik to sit beside Nandini.

Manik did, muttering a small thankyou but Cabir only chuckled at his whipped brother.

After Nandini greeted his parents, and Cabir and Soha, everything fell silent, and to ease the situation - Mr.Murty initiated a talk with Manik. The two fell in easy conversation and the others listened, while speaking in between.

Moments later, the silent lunch transformed into a one filled with talks and laughter. Mr.Murty and Manik's father surprisingly striked a conversation from their college times. The awkwardness vanished completely.

Little Ruhi who was previously sitting on her Nanu's lap, shifted on her mother's in the middle of eating. Nandini only cooed at her, talking to her in baby tone as she fed her the food. Ruhi ate until she decided it was enough.

Ruhi refused to leave her lap, and sat there like a good baby until, Nandini's earings really caught her attention. She giggled, hooking her tiny fingers in it and talked gibersh when her mother removed her fingers and scolded her gently for it.

Nandini chuckled, trying to feed her another bite but Ruhi pushed away her hand and wriggled on lap to get down.

Nandini struggled, Ruhi had managed to tangle her tiny feet in her long duppata, and now she was getting fuzzy. Nandini knew it was only moments away before she would start crying, disturbing the elders who were in a conversation.

Manik, who had been admiring the mother and daughter let out a chuckle. He shook his head with a smile, and raised his hand to help her but the moment he did, he froze at his place.

Because Nandini, instead of taking his help - flinched away.