Another Week Later..

"What The Hell!!!" Mukti exclaimed loudly making Manik look up from his coffee at the breakfast table and Pallavi stopped with her work of frying parathas from the open kitchen.

"What's the matter? Everything okay, sugar?" Manik asked her, worried as he took another sip from his coffee as Pallavi too came up on the table.

"I just don't believe this! How I mean HOW?" Mukti spoke up again, holding her head between her hands as she threw the card on the table.

Manik picked it up that instant, for he wanted to know what bothered his baby sister so bad!

It was a simple wedding invitation of Nandini, her best friend.

"Mukti? Your friend's getting married?" He asked, confused.

"That's exactly what's shocked me so bad Manik Bhai..!! Nandini getting married? So SOON? I knew she didn't want to. She wanted to pursue MBA after graduating, work in a good MNC. Where did marriage come from?" Mukti exclaimed, her breakfast long forgotten.

"Beta, maybe she has her own will in this? Pallavi spoke up this time.

"Nahi Daima. I know her so well. I'm sure its the doing of that witch step mum of hers and that ghastly step sister. And I know it's solely their plan to send me an invite just a day before the wedding! So that I'm in no way able to help her!! "Mukti reflected bitterly.

"If it's what you're saying, then we need to do something about it." Manik replied, circling the rim of his coffee mug as he looked at his sister.

"Whose the guy anyway?" He asked.

Mukti looked further into the card, and fresh lines of worry descended upon her face.

"Some Harshad Saxena." She read out aloud.

"Harshad Saxena? Now why does that name sounds familiar?" Manik stressed on his memory when it hit him.

"This guy if that's the one referred to in the card, then we need to do something for her immediately. Harshad is rich, but equally rotten from inside. He's a womanizer, married and divorced twice, He's into gambling and from what I know is addicted to drugs too." Manik stated the facts.

"Oh God! Mukti pressed her fingers on her throbbing temples.

"How do you know him Manik? Pallavi had asked.

"During Milan Fashion Week, one of the organizers introduced me to him in one of the after parties. Even then he had a blonde around his arms, was loaded with high alcohol and was groping her disgustingly." Manik recalled, cringing.

"Why am I not surprised? I know what that Reema is worthy of! But the question is why is she getting Nandini married off to a disgusting man like Harshad?" Mukti replied, thoughtfully.

"What if it's for the property? Manik suggested. "You yourself told me once that Mr. Murthy had a lot to be distributed among his children. So considering that Inaya and Nandini are the sole inheritors of the property, maybe she's doing all of this for the money?" He added.

"This could be it Bhai. But whatever it is, I have to do something to pull Nandini out of this mess. I'm not letting Reema do as she pleases." Mukti replied, determined to which Manik nodded.

•••••

The Next Evening..

Nandini dismissed the maid servant who came up to her with a glass of juice.

"Miss Murthy, please have this. You didn't eat anything since morning." The maid servant insisted, sympathetically.

"No Stacy. I don't really need anything right now and I'm not hungry." Nandini replied, managing a smile.

Stacy walked away giving her an apologetic look, closing the door behind her or rather locking it behind her.

It had been the same, Reema had locked her up since the past one week with all the doors grounded, internet telephone wires snapped out. Oh well, if this had been a Bollywood movie she would've dropped over her window or something but in real life, you can't do that when you have a window at a really dangerous height from the ground which would give you nothing except a few broken bones and a mutilated self.

Servants were allowed thrice a day for meals and anything more if she needed.

But it wasn't that she was going to accept this crappy marriage with whoever goddamn it was happening. Nandini has decided, the moment they would come to take her out for the ceremony, she would bolt! Yes. She was going to do that. Run for her life!

If for nowhere then surely to the nearest police station.

Mukti and Manik walked into the venue, which seemed lavish and beautiful. It seemed like a normal wedding ceremony procession if only people knew the dirt deep inside.

A couple of girls walked by Manik giggling and sighing, and he knew they had stopped to take a look at him also talking about him. If it were any other day, he would've enjoyed the attention and smile back at them.

Perhaps one of them would interest him, he would've got her number followed by some civilized dates on dinners and coffee along with some uncivilized kisses and make out, but not today.

It was her sister's best friend and he would do anything for his baby girl...

Even if it meant breaking a head or two...

Though you can't blame those girls can you? He looked so gorgeous!!

No! Gorgeous is too much of a female term for him. He was just MAN!

The cream sequinned salwar kurta suited him, with the sleeves rolled back. All perfect for a wedding.

The lock clicked open again.

"I don't want anything! Don't you guys get it that? I don't want anything damnit!" Nandini snapped irritated without looking up.

"But I surely want you to tell me what's going on, boo?" Mukti spoke up making Nandini's head shot up.

"Mukku!" She sighed and ran up to hug her best friend.

Not relief but yeah some more courage washed up on her, seeing her best friend here.

Mukti hugged her happy as relief washed up upon her seeing Nandini safe and sound.

"But. But. But you need to tell what shit is going on? And why did that witch Reema sent me an invitation just a day before wedding?" Mukti spoke, breaking the hug.

Nandini filled her on everything and by the end of it, Mukti had her fists clenched in anger.

"You don't mind me calling names to your step mother do you?" Mukti asked, making Nandini laugh in days.

"Go Ahead! I lost count of the swear words, I've used for her in the past 1 week!" Nandini replied and laughed again as Mukti swore on Reema.

"How did you get in? She let you?" Nandini asked her best friend.

"She didn't want to, but then I know how to work my words right through her!" Mukti gave her a devil grin.

The door opened again, and Inaya walked in carrying Nandini's jewellery and lehenga for the ceremony. Mukti looked at her distastefully as Inaya looked rather wrong in her silver lehenga which has a painfully revealing neckline and putting up all the wrong portions of her body on display.

Nandini couldn't help but chuckle as she heard her best friend snort for Mukti was not only a stunner but a high end fashion crazen. She wasn't crazy about brands or tags but rather classy outfits.

"Let's get the bride to be ready!" Inaya spoke in a stinging tone, keeping the stuff down.

"Get the hell out Inaya!" Nandini snapped, viciously.

"Now, Now, Now. That's no way for a bride to talk!" Inaya replied, taunting as she folded her arms.

"Look, whatever your name is Pinaya or Inaya, I don't care. But it's better you get outta here, otherwise I won't hesitate in kicking your ass out of this room!" Mukti spoke up, firmly.

Inaya took in a sharp breath in anger as she walked out, stamping her feet in anger.

"Now she'll bring up Reema." Nandini added.

"Let her, I don't care." Mukti replied.

And sure enough, Reema walked in a few seconds later.

"I see. Seems like your best friend has worked up as a courage booster ain't it? I shouldn't have let this vixen in." Reema spoke with bitterness.

"I think you need to mind your tongue wherever my sister is concerned!" A husky voice spoke up from behind, and Manik walked in closing the door behind him.

Nandini could feel the air of authority around him as he came in to stand in front of Reema and Inaya, who in turn narrowed her eyes at him while Inaya immediately let out a dreamy sigh.

"And not just my sister for the record, any other woman. Specially if it's your daughter." He replied, his tone stern.

"And whoever are you?" Reema crossed her arms.

"Manik Malhotra! Ace Fashion Photographer!" Inaya sighed before Manik could speak up.

"There! That's my introduction, and to add Mukti's brother." Manik replied, folding his arms with a cute smile.

"And why exactly do you think that you're allowed to speak in our family matters?" Reema added, bitterly.

"Because your family matters aren't that much personal anymore? I've to admit Mrs Murthy, I'm a bit nosy. You see I can't let this shit happen to Nandini." Manik replied, still with that darling of a cute smile.

Inaya sighed to which Reema nudged her hard.

"Yeah boo! I really forgot to tell you, the guy your darling step mother is marrying you off too is double your age, almost 40+. Is a pathetic womanizer, alcoholic, drug addict and yeah, has a daughter of your age from his first marriage and has already been divorced twice." Mukti spilled out the beans to her best friend.

To say that Nandini was shocked won't be justified. She wasn't because she had known Reema for all these years....

She hadn't had the guts to harm her but yes, she could do a lot more than a physical damage...

But before she could speak up, there was Manik speaking again.

"I understand if you're not exactly affectionate towards your step daughter Mrs Murthy, but still stooping to such low heights? What if someone did the same thing with your daughter?" He demanded, crossing his arms.

"Are you all trying to give me a moral science lesson here? I'll do as I please and you both will get out!" Reema snapped at Mukti and Manik while the latter just gave her a smile again.

"He's got a gorgeous smile!" Inaya gushed on him much to Mukti's amusement.

"Unfortunately No, Mrs Murthy. You see, if you try to force Nandini with that douchebag I'll have to call the police and then they'll deal with you the way they should! Manik replied, politely yet the steeliness was so evident in his voice.

Nandini looked at him, her eyes soft. Who were they? To be very honest, no one. Just a girl whom she termed as her best friend and her brother. Yet they're fighting and standing up for her as if she'd known them for years.

"Threats Huh?" Reema's lips curved into a devilish smile.

"Now that you've threatened me, go ahead! I won't get her married to Harshad and even disperse off all the guests but what about her then? Sure she can live with you, but you're aware that Nandini is a blossoming young woman and you're a grown up man. You do realize what people are likely to think about you both?" She added, looking at Manik menacingly.

Mukti watched as her brother's sharp jawline set up in hard grim line as disgust drew upon his face.

"You sure do know what such women are termed as, Don't you Mr. Malhotra?" Reema added, her tone taunting.

Nandini winced at tone with which she referred to her and Manik as her fingers tightened. How disgusting was she?

"If that's the case then.. " Manik spoke up again as he walked across the room and came to stand in front of Nandini.

"I'll marry her!... Nandini? Will you marry me?" He held out his hand to her.

××××××××××××××××

So how was the update?

Some words for Inaya and Reema?

Mukti is bff goals! Isn't she?

Manik's Personality? 😍

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*I shall update my other stories whenever I'll be fine... Got allergic and have rashes all over, so updating this one as I had it drafted earlier! Apologies people..... Hope you understand!