"Manik, this is the last time that I am asking you to go take a bath" said Nandini ,irritated. It was almost afternoon, 11:30 and this man who also was a father to a 5 year old girl was behaving like anything but a father.

"Mamma 2 minutes, the game is about to finish" said Amayra getting back to the video game that she was so addicted to these days, credits Manik. God knows how did he get into this interest of video games and as a matter of fact, that led Amayra into all of it too. Not that it was bad but then it also is when you do not pay heed to anything happening around you.

Nandini had had enough and she stormed across the room taking out the main plug of the PlayStation from the port.

"What the fuck Nandini" said Manik gaping at her. Not very suprising but what followed surely was.

"What the fuck Mamma" said Amayra as Nandini stared at her blankly and then agressively at Manik,while he looked at Nandini sheepishly.

"Amayra who taught you that word?" asked Manik looking at Amayra but at Nandini through the corner of his eye.

"You said it Dad" replied Amayra innocently as Manik stared at her and then at Nandini smiling as Nandini threw a cushion right at his face.

"Yahi sab sikhana tum use aur use kuch keh to to mujhpe chillane lagna. You guys know what, just do whatever the fuck you two wanna do. I am going" said Nandini before leaving the room slamming the door behind her.

"Tumne bhi bola ab, do not blame me alone for it" said Manik shouting loud enough for Nandini to hear.

"Amayra, please don't say that ever again not infront of Mamma atleast if you want your dad alive. " said Manik picking up Amayra and placing her on the bed and passing her her colouring book.

"Now you colour and I will go bath and then.." said Manik taking out his towel to be interrupted by Amayra.

"Then we will have to please Mamma" said Amayra making Manik chuckle as he nodded and went in the washroom.

Nandini was getting down the stairs furiously mumbling all the curses that she ever could for Manik.

I am so done with all of these antics of Manik. This is what he's teaching Amayra, spoiling her literally. These two are getting on my nerves now, thought Nandini.

"Woah who had troubles my daughter so much?" said Raj looking at Nandini , rage radiating out of her. Nandini looked up to see Raj and Nyonika looking at her smilingly. She literally ran into Raj's arms as he embraced her with all the love.

"Dad, what a surprise. I thought you two would come straight to Udaipur" said Nandini hugging Nyonika who kissed her forehead swinging her to and fro.

"Thought the same but we wrapped up with work early and so thought of coming straight here." told Nyonika as Nandini nodded at her.

"Also, those Design Cube people are coming today,I told you na" said Raj as Nandini nodded in realisation. Raj had told her when she last talked that there was an interior company of India which was interested in collaborating with the Malhotras for a project in Europe.

"Where is my princess?" asked Raj looking around the house.

"Your son is busy spoiling her" said Nandini, getting all annoyed again."I am so done with him I swear" said Nandini complaining.

"Nandini, will you stop with your rants now. Let them sit in peace for some time atleast. Nyonika, Raj come . I will just call for refreshments" said Ishita.

"It's okay Ishita. After so many years, do you really think we need formalities. Leave it, come I will help you." said Nyonika as Ishita smiled at her and nodded. Nevertheless, she sent juice for Raj.

"Chal tu bata, what did that duffer do?" asked Raj sitting on the couch as Nandini sat beside him.

"You won't believe me Dad. He taught Amayra that 'fuck' word. That is how he well he is grooming her" said Nandini annoyed.

"Seems like someone is complaining about us" said Manik from the stairs spotting Nandini and Raj talking. With all those expressions on Nandini's face, it was not very hard to make out of what it was all about. Amayra quickly ran into Raj hugging him tightly as Raj picked her up in his lap while Nandini stood up leaving the hall passing a glare to Manik .

Manik moved towards Raj looking in Nandini's leaving direction.

"Manik what am I hearing. Why are you troubling her?" asked Raj

"I missed you too Dad" said Manik settling beside him passing him a sarcastic smile.

"Shut up, Amayra you and Manik together are troubling my daughter a lot haan" said Raj looking at Amayra who got into his arms snuggling more into him.

"Not me dadu, only dad" said Amayra as Manik passed her a 'seriously' look.

"Really. Now come to me for late night ice cream drives" said Manik tickling her as she chuckled.

"Hello Uncle" said Abhimanyu touching Raj's feet who made him sit beside her.

"Hii Abhi. Congratulations beta" said Raj smiling at him which he returned back generously.

"Manik, I had to go to the office. We have some clients coming over" said Raj informing Manik

"Dad, I would come too. I anyways am idle here" said Manik "It's also been so long since I have been there"

He was sure he had not been there since they were in London.
"Sure, it's your office. But you can't say you are idle here. You have a tough job to do" said Raj looking at Nandini who was talking to Suman regarding something. Manik followed his gaze to look at her just when she turned towards him. Passing him an ignorant look, she continued with her talks as Manik sighed.

"I know right but while we will be back, I guess the fire would calm down" said Manik as Raj chuckled.

"Dad,I will go seen mom and then meet you at the office" said Manik

"I will also go to office dadu" said Amayra looking at the two of them.

"Arey ofcourse baby. Dadu is taking you to the office today" said Raj picking her up in his arms and moving out towards the car.

Manik went in the dining hall to see Nyonika helping out Ishita with certain somethings. He hugged her from the back startling her but as she recognised her son, she patted his cheeks smiling at him.

"I missed you mom" said Manik as Nyonika turned hugging him.

"Missed you too baby" said Nyonika ruffling his hair "where is Amayra?" asked Nyonika looking around . She had not seen her since she was there.

"Mom, dad has taken her to the office and I am going too." told Manik

"Arey I was excited to see her. Raj did it intentionally I know. " said Nyonika saddened.

"See her in the evening now and give your husband an earful" said Manik leaving the hall giving a quick hug to Ishita.

Manik thought of informing Nandini and so he marched towards her as she looked at him.

"Nandini, we are going to the office. I am taking Amayra along" said Manik looking at Nandini who nodded at him as he turned to go.

"Manik your phone" said Nandini passing him his phone which she had borrowed earlier to make a call.
Taking it from her, he passed a smile before leaving.

"Your mother-in-law is here na?" asked Suman

"Yess" said Nandini smiling at her.

"So you will have to be low in your behaviour now. Sad" said Suman jokingly as Nandini nodded denying.

"She's not like that" said Nandini gratefully.

"Yeah good for you but still, would she not mind you being utna free jitna rehti thi pehle?" asked Suman

"Not at all. Infact you won't believe when I say it, she is a lot cooler than me" said Nandini as Suman looked at her amused.

"Girls, come here"called Ishita from the dining hall. Nandini and Suman entered there to find almost everyone there, the ladies rather. Not many guests were at home though, most of them were to reach Udaipur straight. The ladies included Nandini's paternal aunts,two of them, maternal aunt,Nyonika, Ishita, Nandini's maternal grandfather and her cousins. That is all. Nandini settled beside Nyonika followed by Suman.

"What are you all upto?" asked Suman looking at Ishita.

"Nothing much, we were planning a ladies Sangeet before the wedding so how does that sound?" asked Ishita.

"Sounds good but are we replacing that with the Sangeet. Why should men have no fun?" said Nandini

"No we are not replacing it with the Sangeet and ladies Sangeet is not about just fun and dancing beta. You remember after your and Manik's wedding we hosted a small function for all the ladies of the house?" said Nyonika

"Yes Mamma and we had all that bangles, jewellery and all" said Nandini remembering that function. It was fun as far as she could remember. It basically was just ladies choosing from the variety of bangles and jewellery available.

"Exactly that" said Nyonika.

"Yeah so that's good. But I doubt if I have an extra outfit" said Nandini

"Don't worry , I have something in store for you" whispered Nyonika in her ears making her grin wide.

"Problem solved , it's on mom" said Nandini as Ishita nodded and chucked at her. She felt really really happy and grateful that her daughter had Nyonika as her mother in law. She was thankful each and every day for her.

"Manju di, could you help me with this packing please" asked Ishita looking at her elder sister who immediately agreed to help her. All of it was mostly being handled by the staff but Ishita wanted to recheck all the shagun and stuff that had to go personally.

"Aunty you really are very cool as Nandini said" said Suman looking at Nyonika in all aww while Nyonika gave her, her bright smile.

"See I told you" said Nandini hugging Nyonika from the side.

"I mean Nandini you are so lucky. I really was into that zone where I believed all mom-in-laws were venomous lol credits my mother. You know how she behaves with bhabhi at times" said Suman as Nandini nodded her head in understanding.

"I would like to talk to your mother in that case beta. And trust me when I say it, we are so lucky to have Nandini in our family. She is such a sweet girl , she handle the family beautifully , how can I or rather anyone be bitter towards her" said Nyonika tightening the hug which Nandini and her were still in. Suman smiled looking at the duo. She manifested exactly this.

"Okay Nandini, come I will show you what I have for you" said Nyonika getting up "Suman you too join us beta, you will get bored here" said Nyonika looking at Suman who nodded at her.

The three ladies were sitting in Nandini's room . Nandini and Suman were talking randomly while Nyonika was searching for something in her bag.

"What are you looking for Mamma?" asked Nandini.

"This" said Nyonika taking out a red bag from her suitcase from which she further took out a beautiful green floral saree.

"Look at this Nandini" said Nyonika passing it on to her.

"THIS IS LITERALLY SO PRETTY MAMMA" said Nandini touching the material which was soft as cotton. She was not sure if it was purely chiffon, it was not too slippery as it seemed to be. The cloth, the embroidery screamed elegance.

"Please say you have got this for me" said Nandini looking at Nyonika with puppy eyes as she chuckled and nodded at her . Nandini hugged her very tight muttering numerous thankyous in her ear.

"You can wear this at the Sangeet. I got this from New York only. I saw this really pretty Indian ethnic showroom there and I mean it when I say they have a beautiful collection. I have even brought something for Mukti and Alya and Suman, this is for you"  said Nyonika passing her a packet that had a beautiful yellow embroidered suit.

"Aunty this is not needed at all. Please you don't need to.." said Suman hesitating.

"I want to beta please take it. You are Nandini's family and I am meeting you for the first time. Please accept it" said Nyonika sweetly and softly.

"But you must have brought it for someone Aunty. You surely were not aware of me meeting you" said Suman

"Not at all trust me. I just liked this piece very much but I have a lot of yellow. I still bought it and now I know why" said Nyonika smiling at her .
Suman looked at Nandini who urged her to take it. Suman thanked Nyonika smiling. She was surely a lady of grace, thought Suman.