"I am seriously not feeling well," Manik tried to convince as Sahiba put the tuxedo on bed.

"Mrs Singh," He pleaded as she didn't pay any heed to his excuses of avoiding the first party of Murthy's grand celebration plan.

"Manik," She gave him a stern look to cut the drama as she was adamant that he had to join them all at cocktail party.

Manik sighed in defeat and tried to put his plea, "What will I do there?"

"You will have some fun there," She checked the suit once again and left the room giving him one warm smile.

Manik retired on his bed with a heavy head which had already gone half dizzy on thought of surviving the upcoming social drama. He checked the suit lying beside him and saw a fine touch of army in every crease of it. He smiled as he realized how thoughtfully Mrs Singh had selected the suit for him.

__________________________

"And this one?" Designer showed Nandini another dress out of his latest collection and she yet again nodded in no.

Designer with an apparent irked face put the dress back. Nandini's room had got invaded by designer of her mom and she had all the intentions to take the perfect revenge.

"So I have just showed you entire of my latest collection and you didn't like any of it," Designer said with a plastered smile trying to gulp the insult.

"They all suck," Nandini said with almost similar plastered smile. Both kept giving each other murderous looks with an elite plastered smile.

"Then, what am I doing here?" Designer said in frustration and tried to sound cool about it.

"Exactly," Nandini fueled the vehicle of insult more.

Designer looked here and there trying to make some sense. Seeing nothing getting worked, he stormed out of the room and his assistants collected his stuff. Giving Nandini deadly glares, they all left the room one by one.

Nandini chuckled a bit and crashed on her bed. Looking at time, she knew what was coming next.

"NANDINIIIIIIIIII"

She heard her mother yelling and she sighed in 'I knew it' .

________________________

Clock hit 7 and men looked at staircase expecting ladies to come down. Madhav and Colonel looked at each other, and then shook their head with a mutual feeling.

Daadu seemed to be as grumpy as he could while sitting in his rocking chair.

Sahiba came down wearing a white saree with a gorgeous shawl and Mr Singh smiled. He and Madhav exchanged looks as Colonel bragged about his punctual wife.

"You look stunning, sweetheart," He complimented as soon as she walked to him.

"Where's Manik?" Sahiba asked looking around.

"He must be..." Colonel couldn't even complete his sentence as they saw Manik climbing down.

Sahiba smiled looking at him as he wore the suit she had given him. As he walked next to them, Sahiba adjusted collar of his blazer and said, "Nothing can beat the charm of an army man. You look handsome, Son"

"Then how come I didn't get a compliment?" Colonel complained like a kid. Sahiba hit him on arm lightly and Manik chuckled.

Manik walked to the Daadu and Mrs Murthy walked down the stairs wearing one of her most expensive saree.

"It's 7:30 and we are still here. My guests must have reached there and I am stuck here," Madhav taunted his wife as she took so long.

"Now where is that brat daughter of yours?" He asked frustratedly.

"Now you know what took me long. Getting her ready wasn't less than a task," Mrs Murthy told and sighed.

"She doesn't wear a sweater with no bottom in your elite party so I had to take care," She added and looked away expecting Madhav to pat her back.

"What?" Manik shouted and everyone looked at him. Manik passed them a sheepish smile and them continued his conversation with Daadu.

"What do you mean by you are not coming? You have to come. What will I do in that stupid party alone?" Manik tried to convince Daadu who had just lied to Manik that he was not coming.

"Calm down my boy. If you promise me a drink, I may change my mind," Daadu put his condition.

Manik pursed his lips in disbelief and mumbled some curses under his breath.

"Fine. Just one drink," He agreed and Daadu smiled in victory.

"Two drinks confirmed," He mumbled and tried to control his joy.

"Dad, we are leaving. All my guests must have reached in hall and host himself is late. Please bring Nandini with you when she comes down," Madhav insisted and walked out.

Estate had many bungalows accommodating the long list of guests and party was at grand hall of their Glass Villa. Colonel and Sahiba too left for venue as Daadu told them to carry on. Manik got settled in one of giant couches as Nandini took eternity to come downstairs.

"These girls, they take so long in getting ready," Manik complained as he checked the watch again.

"With how many girls you have such experience by the way?" Daadu mocked.

"Basically none," Nandini answered as she walked down. Manik frowned listening to her answer and then looked up. She was struggling with her white dress while climbing down the stairs. Her face had tinge of red as she looked hell irritated. Her hair were in an updo and a few stray wisps touched her shoulders as she looked down at her heels. Manik had his mouth open as he saw her walking down. Shock had hit him with a blow as she looked ravishing. She walked closer and lifted his floor swiping jaw up.

"What happened?" Daadu asked looking at her tacky dress with a frown.

"Your daughter in law happened," She explained.

"This is tragedy," Daadu exclaimed and Nandini chuckled.
"I feel like throwing up. What did she do to me? I need water," She said with a frown.

Manik was still looking at her in shock as she glided across the room in that gorgeous dress.

"What's wrong with him now?" Nandini asked Daadu as Manik didn't seem to come out of trance.

"You look different," He mumbled.

"Happy realization, Manik," She mocked

"He is stuck in a tuxedo. Don't mind," Daadu answered and three of them burst into laughter.

As they walked out of house, they saw a carriage standing in front of them. Gypsy horses were looking as pretty as ever and a smile crept on Nandini's lips. She undoubtedly loved those creatures.

"Who travels in a carriage these days?" Manik growled as carriage took its own sweet speed to reach the venue.

"Apparently my son is obsessed with horses," Daadu said and Nandini glared him.

"And my granddaughter too," He added and Manik shook his head.
"Where am I stuck?" He mumbled and looked at heavenly night view of estate.

Carriage halted in front of a beautiful glass Villa. Nandini snuggled in Daadu's elbow as cold touched her bare shoulders. It was insanely cold to wear an off shoulder dress but her mother had made sure she wore that cold catcher only.

Trio reached the grand setting and looked around to see people having utterly dramatic meet and greet session.

"I am finding a comfortable corner," Manik said and walked away.

"I am just gonna look around...for a soft drink corner," Daadu said and started to look around.

"And I am just gonna... well...who cares," She shrugged her shoulder as she was left alone by not-so-gentlemen.

She walked around with absolute idle mind and heard her mother calling her name, "Not again."

Nandini walked to a group of people where her parents were busy. Nandini stood next to them as they behaved utterly sweet in front of some super elite group of idiots.

"Nandini, Meet Mrs Kapoor," Her mother introduced her to a lady and she smiled forcibly.

"And this is their only son, Vivan," She then moved to a young lad who had 'I am here to impress you' written all over his face.

He took her hand for a kiss and Nandini almost killed him in her mind.

"Nandini, Would you mind showing Vivan around?" Her mother tried to push their ever so impossible ship into water, which Nandini was going to make sure, was muddy.
Nandini mumbled, "What if I say yes?" And her mother gave her a threatening glare.

Vivan started to follow Nandini as she looked around to find an escape.

"By the way, You look gorgeous, Nandini," He tried to start a conversation.

Nandini gave him a forced smile and again looked around to find those two escaped traitors.

"Are you looking for someone?" He asked as Nandini walked looking around and ignoring him completely.

"Yeah! I am looking for my ex boyfriend," Nandini said casually and Vivan spitted the drink which he was trying to have.

"What?" He shouted as he couldn't digest the news she broke on him.

"Yes, He said he would be around and now he is nowhere to be found," Nandini confirmed and Vivan still couldn't gulp it down.

"You invited your ex to your father's party?" He asked almost singing in shock.

"Yeah," She replied and shrugged her shoulders.

"There he is," She said pointing towards Manik who was comfortably settled in one of chairs near bar.

"Hello sweetie," She addressed him dramatically and walked to him.

Manik looked here and there, and then at her who was walking to him with an apparent trouble written all over her face.

"Who is sweetie?" He asked as she reached him with a fancy guy following her with a lump in his throat.

She hugged him and whispered in his ear, "You."

Manik's eyes bulged out as she kissed him on cheek and withdrew. He looked at her with a big 'Are you alright' face and she just smiled with 'you are doing this for me, please' look.

"But who calls her ex sweetie?" Vivaan cribbed like a kid as he saw his 'mom had feed me about you' girl getting all mushy with her ex.

"EX????" Manik let the shock out with an prolonged exclaim.

"Yeah, we just broke up in the carriage when you tried to smudge my lipstick. Don't you remember?" Nandini said with a utterly dramatic blush.

"WHATTT?" Manik shouted in shock as she knitted her own version of horror story.

"He tried to kiss you?" Vivaan asked in a heartbroken tone.

"Now what can I say," Nandini tried to blush while Manik shook his head in denial.

"She has gone mad," Manik intervened but Nandini barged in saying, "I had gone mad that I broke up with him over such stupid reason."

Manik shook his head and he looked like he was convicted to hang till death.

"Nandiniiiiii," He growled as she kept uttering bullshit.

"Manikkkkkk," She chirped like typical girl and clung to his arm.

"Mammaaa," Vivaan cried like an overgrown baby and walked away stomping his feet.

Nandini sighed in relief while Manik had dug her grave in his mind.

"What was that?" He asked getting rid of her grip.

"That was I rescuing myself," She stated casually and gulped a drink from the counter.

"You used me," Manik accused her as if she had sold him. Nandini giggled as he narrowed his eyes and looked at her accusingly.

"No, I just took a little help," She stated and took another drink.

"NANDINIIIIIIIIIIII"

She heard her mother growling behind as she had her back turned on her.

"Not again," She sighed and palmed her face.
_____________________

Everyone laughed aloud as 'The ex' misunderstanding got cleared by Mrs Murthy over dining table with a little help of Manik. Nandini killed a potato with fork as her mother told everyone how naughty her daughter is. Manik seemed to be taking pride as he was the conciliator there. Vivaan passed some 'You are so naughty' looks to Nandini with relieved smile. Nandini had planned a mass murder as she killed the baby potato in anger. Manik smirked as he saw her fuming in anger and she gave him 'This party is gonna end soon' look. Daadu was busy gawking wine bottle indifferent to all the human circus.

Dinner got over and people seemed to slip in mild mood of night. Soft music played and slowly everyone seemed to have waltz skills which they desperately wanted to show.

Vivaan asked Nandini for a dance and she gritted her teeth. She wanted to smash his face with anything she could get her hands on but then a face peeped in with a smirk. Manik was looking at them with a simper which was enough for Nandini to get instigated.

"Time to have some fun," She mumbled and took Vivaan's hand. Both walked to the dance floor and Manik walked to the bar. He sat there with a drink in hand and tried to tease Nandini with that victorious face of him.

Nandini and Vivaan started to move on music and war seemed to be on halt as she forgot to spare a glare to Manik. Manik too got busy with his thoughts. Her giggle touched his ear and he looked at her. She was laughing genuinely at something. Vivaan had his hand on her waist as she laughed her heart out. He looked away shaking his head and ordered another shot. Daadu joined him at bar and he sighed in relief. 

"Glad you are here. I was bored watching PDA," Manik stated.

"What PDA?" Daadu asked all perplexed. Manik pointed at Nandini who was dancing with Vivaan.

"That's not PDA. That's my granddaughter having some fun," Daadu replied and took a drink.

"I mean why people dance? This is such a weird practice," Manik said in apparent irked tone.

"You should dance too," Daadu answered.

"Are you even listening to me?" Manik asked all irked.

"Yes I am listening. And I am seeing too," Daadu said.

"Go grab a waist son. Don't boil your blood," He added.

"I am not grabbing anything," He scowled and grabbed another drink.

"Hmmmm," Daadu exclaimed.

Nandini now had her back turned on Manik and Vivaan was intently looking at her while she was busy looking around.

"Is he gawking at her lips?" Manik asked as he tried to read Vivaan's gaze.

"Is this my age to notice all that?" Daadu scolded.

"Get a girl and get on dance floor," He added with an apparent annoyance.

"How to get a girl? I mean how to ask these girls?" Manik asked being a bit honest.

"Now I have to grab a girl for you. What kinda days are these?" Daadu complained and looked around.

He called a girl who seemed to be some guest's daughter and happened to know Daadu. Giving her hand in Manik's hand, he said, "Now go and burn the dance floor."

Manik took the girl on floor with utmost care and Nandini saw him being a total gentleman as he walked the lady to a safe space. Putting his hand on her waist, he started to do some learned steps and then looked at Nandini and Vivaan. 'I am not looking at you' turned into 'This is next dance war' in almost 15 minutes and then there was a contest. Pulling partners like props, doing some super difficult steps, getting awkwardly close;  they both scared the shit out of their dance partners and spectators. Their dance partners were in daze as they were being part of 'Now watch me grab my partner's ass' contest. Embarrassing competition came to a finale as DJ stopped the music seeing the hall almost empty. Vivaan was overwhelmed but hell tired so he retired. Manik's partner ran away before Manik could literally choke her with 'How it was just a dance' explanations. Manik walked closer to Nandini as she took off her heels and held her chin high.

"Such a fun night," Manik elated matching the pride and loosened two more buttons of his sweaty shirt.

"It was beyond awesome," She bragged and opened her tied hair.

Both stared each other in utter smug and then walked away in opposite directions.

"This is best night," Daadu said gulping the nth shot.