"Here are the sheets,you all are supposed to write what you wish for this Lohri and we have to give it to the fire, the wishes will reach the god and he would listen to all of us" said Alya.

This was a little game that all of them were given. Everyone was given a sheet of paper, and they were supposed to write their wishes and later give it into the fire. In India,fire is assumed to be the ultimate natural link between human and god. We reach god through fire,the very reason why 'hawans' are conducted. 

Mukti gave it to everyone along with a pen and they began writing.

"You are not supposed to see what I am writing Manik" said Nandini pointing the pen she was holding at him.

"Who said that?" asked Manik trying to peek into her paper again while Nandini glared at him earning a glare back making her glare harder.

"You two , stop fighting. Manik write your own and stop troubling my daughter" said Nyonika looking at the two of them. Nandini chuckled at Manik who had an irritated face right now.

"Whatever" said he before getting up and joining the boys while Nandini continued writing.

"Someone has got a lot to write" said Abhimanyu who sat beside Nandini.

"Ummhmm" replied Nandini "Its eventually about you Bhai" said Nandini

"Me?" asked Abhimanyu baffled "Tab toh mujhe padhna hai" said he before snatching the paper from her hand as she was about to let it in the fire.

"Bhai" shouted she as Abhimanyu ran far behind Ishita while Nandini stood cross armed

"WHAT THE HELL" shouted Abhimanyu after reading what Nandini had written. He approached and gave her a smack over her head.

"What are you two upto? " asked Ishita seeing them fighting , though it was nothing new but they were surrounded by people.

"Read what your daughter has written over here" said Abhimanyu earning attention from other family members who joined them- Fab 5, Navya ,Raj ,Nyonika and Raman.

Not sooner did Ishita read than she started laughing followed by Nandini.

"What's wrong with that bhai? Mom needs someone to support her now" said Nandini to Abhimanyu

"Right,I agree with Nandini, I need  daughter in the house now" said Ishita supporting Nandini.

"Karvao shaadi mujhe kya hai phir jo aaogi vo tum dono ka hi sar khayegi , don't tell me then ki teri biwi aisa kar rahi hai and blah blah" said Abhimanyu before leaving leading everyone around to laugh.

What everyone failed to notice, was Mukti blushing all the time. 

Sound of dhol gained their attention. It was Manik and Cabir rocking the dhols setting the Lohri mood.

Manik approached Nandini and roamed around her playing the dhol all the time,she was smiling looking at him.

O giddeyan di raniye ni bhangre da raja
Aaja lakk nu hilaye hilaye non-stop
Naina nal pee ke aaj na jaavan talli haaye
Chaddi hi jaave teri naina aali dope

sang Manik keeping the dhol aside and twirling Nandini who was joined by Alya and Mukti

Nachde tapde tere nal sohneya ve
Khul gaye black color de
Mere val sohneya ve

sang Nandini while they moved their hands up and down.

Tu kitta jo dil mainu offer
Tu kitta jo dil mainu offer
Jhatpat main mann gayi

sang Navya looking at Cabir while he smiled at her

O mundeyan te kudiyan di
O kudiyan te mundeyan di

O mundeyan te kudiyan di gal ban gayi
O ban gayi gal ban gayi ban gayi
O mundeyan de kudiyan di akh lad gayi
O lad gayi akh lad gayi lad gayi

O mundeyan te kudiyan di gal ban gayi
O ban gayi gal ban gayi ban gayi
O mundeyan de kudiyan di akh lad gayi
O lad gayi akh lad gayi lad gayi

sang all of them together moving their hands and legs in sync.

Hey girl, It's a romantic night
Boys grooving on a groove so tight
Everything's gonna fix alright
Just gal ban jaane do

sang Manik pulling Nandini towards him caressing her cheeks

Jaddon matakdi ae sohni tu lagdi
Aasmaani moon wali light wangu jagdi ae

sang Manik grooving to the beats around her

Hoye oye oye oye when you tell me
When you tell me
Main haan badi hot sohneya ve
Karda hai excited tera thought sohneya ve

sang Nandini taking the lead pulling his cheeks ,smiling at him

Chain gaya mera yaar Canada
Chain gaya mera yaar Canada
Neendar London gayi

sand Mukti interrupting them with a teasing smirk when all of them were there

O mundeyan te kudiyan di gal ban gayi
O ban gayi gal ban gayi ban gayi
O mundeyan de kudiyan di akh lad gayi
O lad gayi akh lad gayi lad gayi

sang all of them together doing the bhangra step

Bhangra ,songs, dance and fun. IT WAS A HAPPY LOHRI!

_______________________

"Mrs.Malhotra the decorations this year are fabulous" said one of Nyonika's colleagues

"Thankyou so much,its all done by Nandini this time" replied Nyonika while gesturing Nandini to come to her. 

"Nandini,she is our neighbour" said Nyonika as Nandini smiled at her and took her blessings.

"God bless you" said the lady.

"Mamma I will just check on the dinner" said Nandini and went to the kitchen 

"All done bhaiya ?" asked Nandini 

"Yes ma'am almost, the dessert is left" replied him

"Oh I will look after it , you please set the food out in the garden" said Nandini while he went out.

Nandini went on to prepare chocolate truffles , easiest and best. She was busy with the batter when she felt Manik around 

"What do you want Manik?" asked she turning  around to see him leaning by the wall staring at her

"You" said he mischievously approacing her while Nandini raised her eyebrows high 

"Well in that case, I am all yours" said Nandini getting back to her work when Manik made her turn back holding her elbow.

"How are you this casual ha? Manik Malhotra is flirting with you and you are busy ? You know girls die to have a smile from me" said Manik leaning towards her

"Its good for they are dieing Manik, I won't have to kill them" said Nandini having a fake smile ,rolling her eyes at him , putting the batter in the oven and going out while Manik stood confused

"Did she just roll her eyes at me!?" wondered Manik before following her out in the garden