| Word Count: 4k+ |

Ganapati bappa.....

Moryaaaaa

Question for the first chapter:

"Who" is the definition of destiny for you?

Here's the first chapter. Do tell me how did you find our Manik, Nandini, Mannat and Anurag.

Do inline comment and vote

Happy reading

Dated: 24th October, 2022

Mumbai:

"Manik Malhotra you better come here and sit if you don't want to witness my wrath!" Manik gulped inaudibly at Neyonika's warning. He quietly came and sat beside her.

"You cannot always scare me like this." Manik huffed laying on her lap.

"Now tell me. Why don't you want to get married?" Neyonika asked ruffling his hairs.

"Mumma who gets married at 27?" Manik asked back.

"Ha neyo, 27 is too early. Do one thing, search for his bride ones he reaches 72." Raj intervened their conversation. Manik rolled his eyes listening his father's sarcasm.

"See. He's so right." Manik seconded while Neyonika twisted his ears making him yelp in pain. "Oucchhhh mumma."

"What haa? 72 mein shadi? Maar khani hai mere haatho ki?" She twisted it even more.

(You'll get married at 72? You want some beatings?)

"Owwww mumma sorry sorry. Now leave please." Manik some how came out of her hold.

"Just see the girl ones. I am sure you'll like her." Neyonika grinned.

"What do you mean? You've already seen her?" Manik asked.

"Yep. I mean the photo." Neyonika replied shrugging making him sigh.

"Okay, where's the pic?" He asked in defeat.

"It's with Anurag. Get it from him." Neyonika shrugged while Manik passed her a horrified look.

"Mar gaya." He murmured. Face palming himself, he made way towards his room to find him giggling on some topic, which is obviously him. "Just great."

(I am dead!)

Manik coughed loudly to gain his attention.

"Ha Manik. Bol." Anurag asked seeing him on the door.

"Woh...ahem.." He cleared his throat. "I want that picture." Finally he thought.

"Which picture?" He asked confusingly. Come on, he knew who's pic he's asking for.

But playing an innocent card was a must right.

"Arey hers." Manik tried explaining.

"Hers who's?" Anurag questioned. Manik huffed in irritation and sat with his. How is he suppose to ask her pic straightforwardly?

"Tu de rahe hai ya nahi." Manik asked out of irritation.

(Are you giving it to me or not?)

"Arey but what?" He continued the play.

"Anuu." Manik's irritated voice came out. Anurag chuckled out loud.

"Here, your pic." He passed him a photo. Manik for now ignored that emphasize Anurag gave.

"I am your elder brother. At least give some respect." Manik smacked his heads saying so.

"Woh toh hone se raha." Anurag shrugged. Manik shook his head in disbelief and moved out after taking the pic.

(That won't happen!)

"Finally." Manik huffed plopping himself on the sofa of his room. He looked at the pic that was now laying on the bed. Reluctantly he picked it up and glanced at it.

She is..beautiful.

"So she's the one." He sighed looking at the pic. "Hmm. Let's meet you Miss. Murthy." He pondered, his gaze still stuck at the picture.

***

"Mannat I don't know okay." Nandini cribbed loudly over the phone.

"Bro meet him just ones." Mannat shrugged casually.

"Urghhh....chuck that." Nandini groaned. "You tell me. When are you coming to Mumbai?"

"Arey meri jaan I'll be there with you soon." Mannat announced.

"Aaja yaar." Nandini pouted.

(Please come na. )

"Acha Nandu I think there's an important call. I'll call you later." Duo bid byes and ended the call.

Nandini sighed and peeked a glance at the pic which was on the night stand of her room. Gulping a huge amount of saliva, she marched towards it and picked it up.

Her breath hitched looking at the pic. He looked....hot.

"So he's the one." She murmured to herself. "Let's meet you ones then Mr. Malhotra."

She kept the pic back and ascended down stairs. She came down and sat on the sofa taking Neil and Shweta's attention.

"Nandu kanna. You need to get ready right?" Shweta spoke seeing her in casuals.

"Ha amma. I'll get." She lazily spread on the sofa and said so.

"Nandini." Her stern voice made her pout.

"Shweta." And soon enough her pout changed into a smirk when her appa came to her rescue.

"Hush. When appa here, why fear." She sighed in relief again laying down.

"Kanna but you need to get ready na." Neil tried.

"Okay!" Shweta's mouth fell open at her immediate agreement.

"Haw. When I say, you pout as if I've asked for your kidney, while he just says for ones, an immediate okay?" Shweta complained. Nandini showed her tongue and ran away. Neil laughed out seeing Shweta's face.

"Come on." He cheered her up, side hugging her which caused her lips to stretch.

Soon enough door bell rang taking their attention.

"Is it them?" Swetha asked in confusion. There was still time though.

"Not this soon. Check." Neil said. Swetha opened door to find Mannat standing their with a wide grin. She immediately jumped on her mother for a big hug.

"Hello Mumma Papa." She ran towards Neil after coming out of Swetha's embrace. Neil's arm automatically embraced her.

"Thank God you came. I cannot handle Nandu." Swetha walked towards them after closing the door. She shook her head saying so.

"Mumma woh mere se bhi handle nahi hoti." Mannat came out of embrace and palmed her face saying so.

(Mumma even I cannot handle her.)

"I can hear everything." Nandini's voice came out from her room. "Mannu kamini. Tu upar aa." They chuckled while Mannat moved towards her room. She opened to find Nandini standing there holding two outfits.

(Mannu you idiot, come up ones.)

"Mannu I am confused." Nandini whined.

"Wear anything. You'll still look like witch." Mannat plopped on the bed saying so. Nandini's nose flared and kept the dresses on the bed. Marching towards her, she caught the hold of her neck. "Aaj tera khoon." Mannat freed herself and chose the outfit.

(I'll kill you today!)

"Ja bey. Get lost and wear this one." She handed her the dress and pushed her into the bathroom. After a few minutes Nandini came out wearing the dress. "You look good for a change." Mannat complimented.

"I always do." Nandini winked effortlessly at her, saying so. Mannat smiled sarcastically and made her sit for hair and minimal make up.

"You're ready meri jaan." Mannat grinned wide on her talent.

"He's down here. Isn't he?" Nandini nervously asked. Mannat shrugged gesturing that she has no idea. "I am nervous." She admitted.

"Use your sixth sense. It'll give all the answers." Mannat recommended, side hugging her. Nandini nodded and looked at the mirror in front of her.

Her life will change today.

Either in a good way, or bad.

Meanwhile downstairs Malhotra Family had already arrived. They were served refreshments. Shweta has already informed the duo about their arrival.

The nervousness was evident in both of their expressions. Sweat grazed their plams and feet impatiently tapping the floor as their heart accelerated to another level.

Manik:

Chaos around me was far peaceful than the turmoil of thoughts that swirled within me. I had so many questions and strangely, I couldn't even ask anyone for answers. Because these were the queries I had to resolve. More like, we have to.

Anurag beside me didn't help either. He was not simply ready to shut his mouth. I somehow managed to shut him up and focus on my inner turmoil.

It sounds really good when a boy and a girl meet for marriage, talk and decide their decision. But it isn't really easy as they show. Post marriage is a different thing.

But those individuals who were living all by themselves were now going to get bound with each other's responsibilities. There are thousands of thoughts. And to be honest, I am scared.

What if I failed this relationship?

What if I failed in taking up her responsibilities?

The questions were eating me up. The uncertainties, the fear of letting her down. Everything was a mess inside.

One cannot expect me to sit their calmly and say a yes. It just takes every ounce of our brain to come into a conclusion.

My chain of thoughts broke when I found someone, whom I assumed to be her, ascending down the stairs in red churidaar, shimmering with little glitter. Surprisingly there was no blush on her face but very little make up. Her eyes holding a bit of kohl, lined with eye liner. Lips shaded with a very light pink shade, bangles clinking with every move and hairs that rested delicately over her petite waist. But what caught my attention was her palms that held each other so tightly, afraid that she might break her bones. The nails of her thumb slowly scratched over other, clearly depicting the nervousness she carried.

I found her lifting up her eyelashes and looking at me, who was wearing white shirt and jeans. She looked at me, top to bottom and then averted her gaze. Her nervousness was evident, and so was her inner turmoil. She walked up to my parents and touched their feet, followed by a gentle greeting to Anurag.

Okay Mr. Heart pumping organ, calm down!

End:

Nandini:

"She's our daughter, Nandini's sister. Mannat." Amma introduced. Mannat joined her palms together in order to greet them. They smiled fondly and greeted her back.

We all were seated, aunty and mom, dad and uncle, me and Mannat, Anurag and him. 

Soon enough everyone took their respective seats. There were discreet conversations going on but amidst of all this, two souls for whom this entire thing is planned up, were sitting there ideally, dealing with their inner turmoil.

Those simple jitters in me were not letting me speak anything. And by looking at him, I could make this out that he was equally nervous. His fingers played with each other and I could feel him refraining from tapping feet over the ground. He had his twin along with him but it wasn't difficult for me to make out who is Manik and who is Anurag.

Courtesy?

My lovely sister.

I tell you, the day she came to know about this alliance, she found out every single detail about him, his work, his choices, his family and every single thing. Being a writer, it wasn't difficult for her to get information. The way she described him made it clear for me.

"Nandini." My thoughts were disrupted when I heard aunty calling me. I immediately looked at her and smiled. She spoke further, "What are your hobbies?" As my mom gestured, I moved a little closer to her. I could make sure that this conversation will be audible only till us.

It took a minute for me to countdown my hobbies, keeping my answer short and words respectful. My breath heaved but eventually, nervousness disappeared in thin air as I found her company comfortable.

"And what are your future plans?" My heart thumped loudly in fear. Will they ask me to leave my job? Are they expecting me to be a housewife?

I mean it's not that being a housewife is bad, but medical was my dream job. It...it won't be easy.

"I mean, career wise. You wish to complete your specialisation I assume?" She cleared her question. Relief washed over my face and slowly all the nervousness was disappearing into a thin air.

"I have thought to, but things depend on the future too." I replied softly.

She asked few more questions. This was more like a chit chat session than the enquiry one. She is good. In fact very.

End:

"I need to enquire you." Mannat stood beside Anurag, asking Manik. The brothers looked at her in confusion.

"Sorry?" Anurag asked.

"Would you mind to move?" Mannat smiled sarcastically asking so.

"And why would I do that?" Anurag asked back.

"Because I need to enquire him." She pointed towards Manik. Manik just shifted a little from his place, scared.

"But I won't move." Anurag was adamant.

"You have to." She prompted.

"Anu!" Manik whispered taking his attention. "Kyu panchayti kar raha hai?"

(Why are you quarreling unnecessarily?)

"From now. I'll move, but I need something in return." Anurag smirked.

"What?" Manik uttered. "You are my younger brother. I should be threatening you. Not you." He exclaimed softly in his ears.

"Okay then, I'll be comfortable here." Anurag stretched his neck, showing his comfortability.

"What do you want?" Manik finally asked.

"That's a good choice." Anurag grinned. "Little brother, next eight muffins of yours, are into my account." Manik made a horrified look.

"You..."

"Bhai are here for your alliance. I shall allow his shorty to take your interview." Anurag grinned and spoke without giving Manik a chance to say.

Their attention drifted towards Mannat who was standing there looking at them, as if they were alien who landed from Neptune.

"Miss. Shorty, you can take this interview." Anurag smiled calmly and moved aside.

"Sure Mr. Jerk." She smiled back and sat beside Manik, making a good distance. Anurag was now beside Nandini, who was sitting their quietly as elders were busy with themselves discussing about further.

"So...what do you wanna ask?" Manik asked seeing Mannat staring at him suspiciously.

"Mannat Murthy." She introduced herself.

"Manik Malhotra." He introduced back.

"Do you drink?" She shot her first question.

"Not a habit. Occasionally." He replied.

"Brief your 'occasionally' please." She further asked, placing her palms under her chin.

"Ones in a month or two." He answered shifting comfortably.

"Smoke?"

"Left months ago." Came out his immediate response.

"Girlfriends?" Came another question.

"Nope!"

"Drugs?" His eyes widened. "No." She herself concluded seeing his reaction. Manik looked here and there, trying to take in her questions.

"You are marrying because your mom told you to?" Mannat raised her eyebrows asking so.

"If it had not been my consent, I wouldn't have land up here." He replied. Mannat nodded in affirmation.

"Okay, look bro, I won't beat the bush around." She turned towards him and her voice changed to serious one. "If you two agree for this alliance by any chance, you better keep her happy. I don't know about her, but I won't keep my hockey sticks to myself, if you cause any trouble to her." She sweetly spoke to which he chuckled.

"Deal." He showed her the thumbs up to which Mannat reciprocated and sat erect. 

On the other side, Nandini literally palmed her face when she saw Mannat talking with him. Knowing how her little sister is, she prayed to her aiyappa. She was afraid that Mannat will scare him to an extent where he might also run away.

"Ahem?" Her chain of thoughts again broke as she found Anurag trying to gain her attention. She shook her head to clear of the thoughts and turned towards him.  "Hi, I am Anurag Malhotra." He introduced, grinned wide.

"Nandini Murthy." She replied.

"So, what is your favorite movie?" He excitedly asked. Nandini chuckled seeing his excitement.

"Well, it actually depends on what I see last." She started. "But all time favorite is Twilight, or Harry potter." She said.

"Thank god you see movies." Anurag sighed in utter relief.

"Why thank god?" She asked in confusion.

"Aapke hone wale pati ko in sab cheezo mein zara bhi interest nahi hai." Anurag sighed dramatically while Nandini made an 'oh' face.

(Your to-be-husband has no interest in movies.)

"Really?" Nandini asked in surprise. "Ittu sa bhi nahi?" Obviously, Manik is a rockstar and has no interest in movies. This combination is same like fridge having no ice creams.

(Not even this much?)

"I know na, I am telling you bhabhi, he's very boring. After marriage if he bores you na, just pull his ears and make him do something interesting." Nandini restrained herself from laughing out as his sentence. "No bhabhi, I am serious. You know how much he irritates me." Anurag cried while a laugh escaped her lips.

"Okay then, I'll help you in pranking him after marriage." Anurag's eyes twinkled and duo hi-fied. Manik's quizzical gaze witnessed everything.

He was clear that if Anurag's eyes showed some excitement, which means there is danger for him.

"God help me." He looked up praying so.

"Nandini Manik." Neil called out taking their attention. "Why don't you both have some conversation and also look at the house?" Everyone understood his motive and Manik looked at his mom who just nodded. He got up ones Nandini stood from her place. Duo moved out of their family's sight. 

Anurag saw Mannat looking constantly in the direction from where they left. He rolled his eyes and sat beside her.

"Miss. Shorty, there is something called privacy if you don't know." He commented sarcastically.

"Mr. Jerk, there is something called concern if you don't know." She snapped back.

"My brother won't kidnap bhabhi. So just zip your oh so pretty mouth and sit here." He said, making himself comfortable.

"Even if jiju wants to, he won't be able to." She replied, shifting comfortably.

"But he won't!" He exclaimed.

"Even if he does, he won't be able to." She repeated.

"But he won't, I said na." He glared at her.

"He won't be able to only." She fought. They glanced at each other angrily and with a jerk, turned to the opposite sides angrily.

Manik:

We entered the drawing room. We sat on the chair, opposite to each other.

"So..." I halted abruptly realizing how was I going to address her and gulped down that word. "I mean, Miss. Murthy. Manik Malhotra here." I introduced himself.

"Nandini Murthy." She introduced back softly. And then what followed was the silence between us. We had no idea about what to speak. Post a few minutes, I decided to initiate the conversation.

"So...?" I tried initiating a conversation.

"So..?" She repeated. And again there was a silence.

"You are a doctor?" And I asked the dumbest question ever.

Great.

"Yes." Her voice. Damn. I loved that sound to my ears. "And aap...?" She abruptly trailed.

"I am a singer, but we also manage Malhotra Industries." I completed her sentence.

"Toh..aapko kya kya pasand hai?" She questioned hesitantly.

(So, what else do you like?)

"I am a singer, so singing. I love cricket, food and.." I had to trail off having no idea about what I like and what not. She may be realized my situation and nodded, looking down. "And..what about you?" This time I asked.

"I like cooking, singing and.. umm." A chuckled escaped my lips realizing that she faced the same situation like I did. A soft chuckled left her lips too. She probably understood why did I laugh. Those chuckled turned into a heartily laughter, where our awkwardness slowly disappeared into a thin air.

We continued our conversation. She asked a few questions. Even I did. And in amidst all this, I realized that she is a girl who loves to be within herself, without any distraction and interaction from outer world. She has made up her own universe, where she's happy. And I'll be greatly honored if she gives her will to let me into her world.

We were about to get up but something struck my brains and I glanced at her. She probably realized my gaze on her and turned towards me.

"Was there no confusion from your side about who is Manik and who is Anurag?" I understood that she knows that I am Manik. I knew it from the time she checked me out. But then even my father gets confused at a time about who's Anurag and who's Manik.

I saw her getting nervous and biting her lips. What was the matter? She raised her eyelashes to look at me, who was already looking at her with one eyebrow raised.

"Mannat gave me a good description about you. So it wasn't difficult." She meekly replied.

Ah, Mannat. Dangerous girl I tell you. I'm afraid she'll make us break up even before we patch up.

Help me god!

"Let's go?" She asked. I nodded and we came out. I opened the door and gave her way to move out. I moved after her. We were ascending down the stairs.

"Ouch." I saw her leg which skipped a stair. I doubled up me speed and she automatically caught hold of my hand to prevent herself from falling. I tightened the hold and waited patiently for her to stand comfortably. She put some amount of pressure and stood erect. An unknown sighed escaped my lips after finding her fit and fine.

"You should be more careful." She made a sorry face listening my voice. I shook my head on disbelief and we finally moved down without slipping and falling.

Elders were still busy to notice our presence while our younger twins...were sitting against each other. I glanced at her who had the same confusing look. She looked at me to which I shrugged.

"Aa gaye aap log finally." My younger one spoke up.

(So finally you both are here)

"What took you both so long?" Anurag enquired like an ACP.

"The same thing which will take you long after a few years." I patted his back saying so. Anurag rolled his eyes and now, we were the center of attraction.

"It's nearly eight. Let's have dinner?" I sighed in relief as no one asked about our decision.

It would have been embarrassing.

Soon enough we moved towards the dining table. My dad and her dad sat together and so did our mothers. I sat beside Anurag, while she took her seat beside Mannat. Dinner was served and it was actually tasty. We, youngsters had our dinner silently while elders continued their discreet conversations.

"So Mannat beta, what do you do?" My mom asked her.

"I am a writer aunty." She replied shortly, smiling fondly. I saw my mom nodding but then my gaze turned towards Anurag who seemed least interested. I frowned and nudged him asking about it. He simply shrugged off the matter.

Weird.

We were done with our dinner. It was the time for us to move out. We bid byes to each other. My tongue itched to say "bye Nandini" but knowing the surrounding and situation, I decided against it.

Huff, arrange marriage and its siyappe!

End:

"Mr. Jerk." Anurag heard a voice from behind. He turned to find Mannat standing their, huffing as if she had come running towards him.

"Yes Miss. Shorty?" He asked turning towards him. "If you are here to say any sorry(s) or apologizing, then I forgive you." Before she could say anything, he spoke. She shut her eyes in irritation and looked at him.

"That's a misconception." She passed him her lip tight smile. "I needed jiju's number from you." She said grinning wide.

"May I ask why?" He folded his hands in front of his chest asking so.

"No you may not. Now give me the number." She replied, smiling.

"I won't." He turned to leave.

"Look, seedhe seedhe maang rahi hu. Dedo!" She threatened him.

(Look, I'm asking straightforwardly, so you better give me)

"Look, mein seedhe seedhe mana kar raha hu." She stomped her foot listening him.

(Look, even I'm denying straightforwardly)

"You're giving me or not?" She glared him hard saying so.

"You are so boring." Anurag rolled his eyes saying so. "I'll send you the number." He again turned to leave.

"Akkal ke andhe, mera number toh lete jao." She palmed her forehead saying so. He smiled, being embarrassed and took her number. She went into the house while he drove off to his. In his way, he sent her the number to which he got an immediate response.

(Idiot at least take my number.)

"It's fun to tease her." Anurag thought, chuckling.

"So Manik, what have you thought?" Neyonika asked to which Manik sighed.

"Maa I'll tell you soon. Pakka." He prompted to which Neyonika nodded.

"But how did you find Nandini?" She further asked.

"Jaana hai usse." He whispered, looking particularly no where. Anurag heard this and chuckled out. Manik glared him and smacked his head to which he yelped.

(I want to know her.)

Meanwhile on the other side, Murthy(s) were sitting in the hall doing their respective works. Mannat was preparing for her next project, Nandini was going through the hospital details, Sweta was going through her phone while Neil was reading newspaper.

Swetha kept her phone and shifted the attention towards Nandini.

"Nandini." She called out taking her attention. "What have you thought about this alliance?" Suddenly all of their attention was on Nandini.

"Maa how can I decide this just in one meet." She slowly spoke.

"Ha beta. But how did you find Manik?" Sweta again asked. Nandini looked at her, unknown to what was she suppose to speak.

"He's...he's good." She replied shortly looking down.

"Good or very good Nandu." Mannat winked. Nandini rolled her eyes.

"Shut up." She tried shushing her.

"Arey answer na." Mannat nudged her using her elbow to which she chased her down the entire house.

"Mannat I'll kill you." Nandini ran behind her to their room.

"For that you need to catch idiot." Mannat shouted running even faster. Neil and Shweta were chuckling seeing them.

It is indeed true that one cannot decide to spend life with the person with whom they have just met.
They needed to understand each other's world.
And in this case, they were willing to.

_____________

"Oh they are so cute." Aiyappa gushed over them.

"My creation." I boasted while Aiyappa rolled his eyes.

"Shush." He shushed me to which I made a bad face.

Precap: "Pre-relational moments"

So here's the start to this book. I don't know how did it go.

I tried giving the importance to both the couples. And I'm yet the same till end of this book.

No major villains nothing. Just a book with all those moments a husband wife or girlfriend boyfriend experience.

Please tell me how did you find this chapter?

Few words for Manik Nandini's meet?

Mannat and Anurag?

Excited for our MaNan's marriage?

Stay tuned to know further.

Lots of love

~
Mahak