Manik reached Nandini's room and found her sitting on the bed. Without saying a word, he walked toward her and bent down to treat her feet.

Nandini looked at him and said, "Manik, what are you doing?"

Manik replied, "What? Bring your foot here."

Nandini hesitated, "Manik, it's okay, don't touch my foot."

Manik gently insisted, "Don't tell me you believe in all this, Nandini. Come on, give it to me."

Nandini realized arguing would be pointless, so she gave in. Manik carefully applied ointment and wrapped a crepe bandage around her foot.

Manik, still focused on her foot, said, "Now listen, tomorrow, no more hopping around like this. One day, stop these monkey-like stunts. It's just Mehndi, you don't need to walk, and I will be right beside you. I don't care what others think. Fine?"

Nandini, wide-eyed, responded, "Manik, do I look like a monkey to you?"

Manik was stunned, "What the hell? Out of everything I just said, that's what you heard? Nandini, okay, sorry. Did you understand everything else?"

Nandini replied, "Hmm, okay..."

She said it so cutely that Manik couldn't help but smile. He hugged her and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

Manik said, "Good, now sleep. Night!"

Nandini, smiling, replied, "Night."

Manik left her room, and Nandini whispered to herself, "I'm lucky I have you, Manik."

That night, they both fell asleep, waking up early the next morning.

Nandini wore a beautiful green saree, as all the ladies were dressed in sarees for the morning ceremony.

They all sat together for breakfast, with Manik staying close to Nandini the entire time. As they walked downstairs together, Manik held her protectively.

The family was surprised to see the "oh-so-private couple" walking together in front of all the guests. But they were happy, and everyone adored the couple.

When they asked what had happened, Nandini explained about her sprained foot, and now Abhimanyu was by her side, staying protective.

At the dining table, Ishita said, "Naira, Nandu, the kids... Inaaya is coming today. Try to stay calm, especially you, Naira. Please, it's your wedding."

Naira screamed, "WHAT?" while Nandini choked on her food. Manik immediately gave her some water.

Manik gently said, "Easy, Nandini, please."

Nandini nodded, still feeling a bit shaken.

Naira, annoyed, said, "Mom, we won't say anything if she stays in her limits. Kartik, stay away from her. I'm telling you."

Kartik jokingly replied, "Of course, I will. She's clingy, you know?"

Ishita warned, "Kartik, your wedding's coming soon, so you'll be spared. Manik, be careful."

Nandini immediately looked up at Manik. He caught her gaze, understanding her silent request, and nodded. Nandini smiled back at him.

They had already developed a deep understanding between them.

Inaaya, Nandini's cousin, had a tendency to show off. She came from a family who wasn't wealthy, but she always tried to make herself seem like the best. Her father owned a showroom, and her mother was a housewife. They lived in a small town, and Inaaya would only meet Nandini and her family at weddings. Inaaya's family lived in a modest 2BHK flat, but Inaaya was constantly trying to compete with Nandini in everything, from her career to her fashion sense, and even intelligence.

Inaaya always wanted Abhimanyu's attention. She couldn't stand him paying attention to Naira or Nandini. She had always wanted him only as her "brother," but this pushed her further away from him.

Inaaya and her family arrived at the resort by the afternoon. Manik was with Nandini in her room when Naira barged in.

Nandini, surprised, said, "Naira, what happened? Take it easy."

Naira said, "Di, you two were just talking, right? Nothing that we can't interrupt. Come on, Inaaya is here."

Nandini frowned, "Oh, that's why... Don't even talk to her."

Naira ignored her and started dragging her when they heard Manik's voice.

Manik called out, "Naira, easy. Her foot is still healing."

Nandini and Naira both melted at his concern.

Naira apologized, "Sorry, Jiju, I'll take care."

Nandini smiled at Manik and said, "I'll be fine. You rest for a bit."

Inaaya had come with her parents and her "boyfriend," who she didn't love, but was only after for his money. He was well-settled, living alone in a 3BHK, and she saw it as an opportunity.

Inaaya noticed Nandini walking with Naira's support, even though she could walk fine on her own. But the protective family was there, as usual.

Inaaya sneered, "Why are you walking like that, Nandini? I haven't even done anything yet."

Before Nandini could respond, Naira shot back, "You won't be able to do anything. Just step aside."

Without even acknowledging Inaaya, the sisters sat on the couch, only briefly greeting her parents, as they were nothing like their daughter.

Inaaya started bragging about her boyfriend's wealth. "He does this, he lives here, and we're getting married in the biggest wedding hall in our town."

Naira, curious, asked, "Celebrities? Who's coming?"

Inaaya smirked, thinking Naira was jealous. "A lot of them. Katrina, Salman, Madhuri Ji, and, of course, business tycoon MANIK MALHOTRA."

Nandini's attention immediately turned to Inaaya. The entire family was now watching her.

Inaaya's boyfriend, too, was wondering whether Manik was actually invited.

Nandini, curious, asked, "How do you know Manik?"

Inaaya smirked, "He's my best friend, Nandini. Don't be jealous. I'll introduce you to him."

Just as she finished speaking, Manik came down the stairs, calling out for Cabir but his gaze was focused solely on Nandini, making sure she was okay.

Ishita, noticing this, invited him to sit beside her.

Inaaya was stunned.

Manik casually asked, "So what's going on here?"

Naira grinned, "Talk to your best friend."

Manik replied, "Best friend? Here?"

Naira continued, "Yes, Jiju, are you coming to their wedding too? The biggest hall, even Salman is going."

Inaaya immediately caught the "Jiju" part and exclaimed, "JIJU?"

Naira teasingly said, "Introduce yourself to your best friend, Jiju."

Manik held up a hand, "Shh, for a second."

Nandini calmly said, "Let him speak."

Manik turned to Inaaya, "Hey, it's Nandini's fiancé."

Inaaya's eyes widened in shock. Once again, Nandini had snagged the best bachelor in the world. But this time, Inaaya was determined to win Manik over.

Inaaya, still shocked, said, "Hey, Manik. How are you?"

Inaaya moved toward him, intending to hug him, but Manik completely ignored her, instead turning his attention back to Nandini.

Everyone noticed his cool demeanor, and no one could help but admire it.

Manik asked, "How's your foot?"

Nandini grinned, "It's fine now. I can even run, honestly."

Manik, teasing her, said, "Shut up, Bandariya."

Nandini smacked him lightly on his shoulder, and he let out a hearty laugh. They continued chatting with Naira, Kartik, and Abhimanyu, all laughing together, while Inaaya and her boyfriend sat alone, once again ignored because of their own nature.

Kartik and Manik had become great friends, laughing and joking with one another.

The elders were busy talking when Nyonika realized the time.

Nyonika said, "Girls, come on, get ready. Nandu, I'll help you."

Nandini replied, "Mom, I'll get dressed and come. You get ready, and do my makeup too, cool?"

Nyonika smiled, "Coolest."

Manik watched the two of them, feeling relieved. He was certain that he would never have to choose between his partner and his family, unlike any typical family drama. He admired their bond and loved the peaceful connection they shared.

Lost in his thoughts, he saw Nandini standing up.

Manik called out, "Nandini, wait."

Nandini sighed.

Abhimanyu teased, "Seriously, Bandariya, wait a minute."

Naira added, "Yeah, let me get you ready first."

Nandini laughed, "You're the bride, not me. Go pamper yourself."

Naira playfully replied, "I'm the bride, so whatever I say goes. Now, pamper me. Come on, let's go!"

It felt like Nandini was going to war with the three of them helping her get ready.

In the midst of all this, Inaaya hatched a plan.

Inaaya thought to herself, "If I want to marry Manik, I'll have to impress his mom or maybe turn them against Nandini. Come on, Inaaya, I can do this, and I will. This time, Nandini won't get ahead of me."