Read with a love,
(Chapter is special)

In California,
At evening,

"Aaah ..... I hate this Fucking Malhotra" Nandini went out a frustrated sigh. She was getting ready as a bride for the first time nd instead of getting jittery feelings she was cursing Manik for bringing another 10 layered dress for her like he had bought one for her bday night.

"Feelings r mutual" Diya laughed with her as she helped other girls in putting another layer over Nandini's dress. She was getting dressed by professionals. 

"So r u going to ditch the guy at wedding hall?" One of the girl asked and Nandini made a surprised face as she took their talks seriously.

"Nooo" she screamed horribly and nodded no.

"Girl they r so in love with each other ..... Can't u see her glowing face and also just for u to know ...... They haven't seen each other from last two days just because groom being superstitious is following the Indian tradition" as Diya finished her talk and that girl went aww on the adorable couple while Nandini was biting her cheeks to control her blush.

"Also not to forget he gifted dress of worth rs 11million...... Straight from utmost expensive magzine of world" designer said this nd here Nandini's eyes widened as much as they could. Now she is surely going to kill him for this dress. The diamonds nd pearls in the design are real that's why dress costs in million.

"What he thinks of himself ? ...... Is he the first person who is going to marry? that he is hell bent on getting bankrupted" she gritted her teeth in annoyance. This is height of stupidity, she thought.

"He is not feeling any less than that Nandu ...... It's first time something auspicious is happening in his life .....  Nd he thinks it's because of you, so he wants to give you best out of his capacity" she heard Diya explaining her, and she couldn't help from feeling exuberant. Also she is liking this slow paced friendship between her friend nd love.

"Awww he is love ..... And U r so cute babe" that girl pulled Nandini's cheek making her flushed with shyness.

"My baby is born cute" she looked at door to see her family standing there all ready in their attires.

"Wow mumma u look beautiful" after many years her mother wore a designer gown nd she was looking as beautiful as ever.

"Nd u two r also the most handsome men" she said looking at other two who just pouted for not getting her attention nd looked down. Raman wore dark blue tuxedo nd Rishabh wore Black tuxedo.

"I complimented .....  Still why r u two looking down?" she said going near to them with her heavy dress.

She made them look up by holding their chins only to find their eyes teary. They were trying hard to resist the tears.

"Am I looking so bad that you both are crying" she too pouted and they just hugged her.

"I can't believe my princess is getting married ..... Nd u r really looking this beautiful like real princess, going to marry ur love...... It's very heart breaking ..... I'm not ready yet" Raman cried.

"Me too ..... Dii it's very emotional ..... I always thought I will be happy, sending you but no ..... Fuck this is not so good feeling" Rishab too continued making others chuckled on their cuteness.

"We will take Manik to our home ...... But u please don't cry" she also said honestly with gloomy eyes and they nodded. Her mother slapped her own forehead.

"Yaar u guys are so dramatic ..... Stop being fool nd Nandu don't spoil ur make up" Ishita warned them strictly nd they hugged each other more tightly.

"See Dad ..... She don't want me in our house ...... Aaah" Nandini cried nd they both also joined her.

"Uff ...... Girls do her touch up" Ishita seperated them forcefully. Though she too felt emotional but she didn't want to make others cry before the wedding .

............................. ||

Diya was checking the arrangements and also she was finding hoop bouquet of flowers for herself as she is the only true bridesmaid. Nandini's other friends couldn't join wedding in California because of the shortage of time. Aura didn't come because of her pregnancy.

She took the beautiful hoop bouquet and she turned only to bumped with Abhimanyu who held her securely stopping her from falling. She was looking beautiful in her long, off white gown and he was staring at her without blinking his eyes which made her blush.

"Beautiful" he whispered in daze, then he caressed her cheek and kissed there. He was about to kiss her lips too but before that she saw Jenna from afar and she stepped back.

"We shouldn't be doing this" she said being hurt.

"Obviously not when u are confused and answerable to people" hurt was visible in her eyes and he too followed her gaze to find her looking at Jenna who came there for him and now was going back after seeing him busy.

"Wait" he held Diya's hand who was also going back.

"I'm not answerable to anyone ..... She is my friend only" she looked up with hopes and he nodded in assurance.

Flashback,

"Abhi please ..... Why can't you give us a chance ? ....... Is there someone else in ur life" Jenna asked him just before the wedding night.

"It's not about someone else it's about us too ...... I guess u were right this long distance relationship thing won't work ..... And we will be mess at the end" he said which was in his mind.

"Since u left I never even felt attracted to anyone ...... So we shouldn't decide even before trying".

"It's because u r in my influence nd also because u knew I was waiting ...... But with time it will fade nd u will feel free by knowing I am not waiting either".

"U love someone else right?"

"I don't know ...... But I know I don't love you ...... And I don't want to give u fake hopes ..... And it doesn't mean I didn't like u because I did nd now too I do .... I admire u so much but it's not love" .

"I guess u r right ...... We shouldn't spoil what we had ...... Have a great life ahead ..... Nd we will be friends if u need any help in future" . It was hurting her but she knew he is right. This attraction will fade away.

"Sure" he kissed her forehead.

Flashback ended. (He didn't share his flashback with her)

"I won't deny that I have hopes ..... So for my sake please tell do we have hope? ...... I'm so tired of continuous anxiety and sorrow" her eyes were gloomy which pricked his heart.

"Let's not rush ...... Take it slow ...... We r broken so let's heal each other first ...... There are spaces in our hearts let's fill them" he wiped her tears and she smiled.

"It won't be easy but this time I won't let you go" she made a promise at which he smiled. He really wanted her to give him assurance too. He can't handle another heartbreak from same person nd even she can't handle any heartbreak.

"U look handsome ..... My frienddd" she kissed his cheek and ran away making him smile.

............................. ||

"Is the road clear?" A person of age 50 said it from the other end, he was sitting inside the hotel room.

"No ...... In fact security is very tight ..... No extra person is allowed ...... Even cameramen nd reporters have separate invitation card with their ID and photos on it" his p.a. who was present at the given location gave him the details about on going things..

"Bribe anyone to do our work ...... I'm ready to give any price ". Old man suggested.

"We can't bribe anyone ....... Nd we shouldn't if someone gets caught they will be alerted nd u won't have this chance again".

"So what u think I should go there in disguise of reporter or cameraman?"

"Sure if you want to watch the scene live". He smirked.

"What do u mean?"

"Drone cameras are there for live telecast so u know what I mean".

"Ten lakhs will be transferred to ur acc for this brilliant idea".

"Make it to one crore...... Nd watch how I am going to implement it".

"It's too much but if work is done then it's urs".

"Find one camera man ...... Kidnap him nd wait for me ...... Also send me pic of him".

"U r planning to disguise?".

"I have no other option than winning".

"U can get caught too ....... Trust me security is very tight".

"I fear nothing ..... Now do ur work". He smiled evily and went to execute his plan.

..........................||

On the other side,

Manik was getting ready but he couldn't control himself from getting lost in the thoughts of his brother who would have been the most excited nd happiest person on earth by seeing all of this. Not to forget he would have cribbed for the title of best man at wedding.

"Why so obsessed with white man?" Abhimanyu asked him while designer was fixing white bow on Manik's collar. He saw Manik being lost somewhere and he knew what he must be thinking.

"Yeah even it's not Nandini's most fav colour then why?" Swaroop also asked while tying his own black tie around his neck. He was wearing a black blazer and pant with white shirt tucked inside. Manik just sighed at changed of the topic.

"White resembles her ...... And I want our life just like her peaceful nd serene". He said with a natural small smile. He looked at his own handsome reflection into the mirror and wondered how he got so lucky to have this moment in his life. It started nagging his subconscious but he ignored the uneasiness naming it nervousness because of first time.

"Sometimes it gets so hard for me to believe this is the same Manik Malhotra whom I know" opening the nip of Kohl Abhimanyu applied behind Manik's ear to protect him from evil. While doing that he came so closer to Manik and that got noticed by Diya who came there following him.

"Ohh God" she exclaimed loudly to which they three looked back at her, Abhimanyu just turned his neck while staying close to Manik.

"Tell me this wedding set up is for MaNan nd not for Abhimanyu nd Manik" she said with such a seriousness that made Abhimanyu jumped 10feet away from Manik and Manik just rolled his eyes at Swaroop who was laughing.

"I'm warning u ...... Dare u cheat my sister" Rishabh came forward to threaten Manik which made him chuckled from inside.

"U miss misconception ...... FYI ur friend is pregnant with MY child ..... That means I'm not gay nd even u must be knowing Abhi is straight too" Manik smirked at the end and he spoke without thinking which made two of them embarrassed.

"And u mister ...... Do u think ur sister will keep me alive if I cheat her ?" He asked this to Rishabh who nodded in no by lowering his head.

"Guys stop being unreasonable ..... Nd Manik u have event to look for" Swaroop said being rational like always.

"Yeah actually ...... Tell me exactly when u r going to launch the song ..... Nd yeah in next 10 mins u have to give small IV" Abhimanyu again ran back to his previous place and talked with Manik.

..................||

"So Mr Malhotra how it feels to get marry?" A reporter in his early 50's asked this to Manik as he was giving interview.

Whole area was decorated with most captivating decorations and cameras all over the place as the whole banquet hall was designed for outdoor wedding. Also there was big screen set for projection of their new song.

"Well u can see it on my face ...... I think today I am looking more expressive" his face was adorned with the breath taking smile.

"We can see that ...... Another question have you planned something special for the woman u love as a wedding gift" another reporter asked and the love word made him numb and he realised they never named their feelings.

"For now u can see the set up is ready for India's first ever collaborative song with America ...... And this is dedicated to my would be partner...... That's why it will be released just after her arrival" he gave a diplomatic answer. Obviously he is not going to share all his plans, it's very first for him to share about his personal life.

"Okay ...... So the most awaiting question ...... Who is the bride?" He publicly never revealed her name socially for safety purpose and also because she didn't like media 24*7 in front of her.

"There she is coming ..... My woman" he pointed to the aisle from where she started coming with her father and all cameras nd people turned to her side. Meanwhile he gave thumbs-up to editors and signalled them to start the song as soon as she reaches near him.

She looked back at her friends who were holding the tail of her dress and they passed each other a gloomy smile. At the same time three of them were missing Karan but without any word they smiled at his memory.

Manik stood at his place which was for groom with his colleagues on his sides and kept looking at her way. As she was nearing, his heart started beating rapidly nd when he saw her clearly his heart missed the beat. She was literally looking fairy on the earth, dressed as his bride in white bridal gown. The warmth engulfed his heart with her each step and that reached upto his eyes. He never felt these surreal emotions ever.

"Manik" he never realised when she reached near him.

"U r crying" she touched his teardrop before wiping it and her touch melted his heart, freeing the tears to go out of their territory, his eyelids.

"Manik" she became worried nd cupped his cheek with one hand. Others also became worried seeing the monster crying limitlessly.

"U look like a walking death of me ......  Why so gorgeous my lady" he said in between the tears and looked into her eyes, making her feel heaven in his eyes.

"Nd I just realised u never cried for me before" she said the first thing came into her mind which made her exhilarated.

"Nd i made u cry so many times" he also wiped her lone tear which flowed unknown to her.

"I guess everything was worthy for this moment ...... I never saw u like this" she confessed it for real.

"Even it seems unreal to me ...... How I get to see this moment nd i can't explain which deep spaces u have filled in my life ..... Thank you" even her parents eyes got teary who also witnessed the on going scene. Nd others blessed them in their mind.

"Stop being so cute ...... Or i will kiss u before the marriage" she made him chuckle in between the tears.

"Stop being horny" Swaroop whispered in her ears.

"Can't help ...... My man is looking so freaking hot in white" she whispered back which went unheard by others except her friends. He was looking drop dead gorgeous dressed in all white, even his brochure is a white rose.

"He is twinning too ...... Nandini he is so whipped" Diya also whispered nd they both nodded. Nandini also noticed his efforts nd she became little emotional from inside but didn't show it. Her father gifted him the suit but Manik himself chose the outfit.

'What?' Manik raised his eyebrows at three of them nd they just shrugged mouthing 'nothing'.

"Nandini ...... Ur gift....... Just before the marriage" he showed her way to the screen. Nd they stood at there position for wedding, far from screen.

"I want it in ur voice too ..... Just before our wedding night" she whispered in his ear making them go red and he nodded.

......................... ||

(So the fusion song is mixture of Perfect and Humdard songs)

(Song started with Perfect, I'm not putting all the lyrics but just one or two stanzas ..... That because it's needed for a scene)

I found a love for me
Oh darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
.
.
.
.

Song ended but Manik asked them to keep playing it in the background with low sound. And turned to look at the reaction of audience, everyone was spell bounded with the beauty of the song nd video was highly impressive, actors did their best and also locations were mesmerizing with best directing team nd production house. Everyone was sure this is going to be a real hit.

"How was it?" He asked to the woman of his life and saw her in tears.

"I'm happy that I didn't apply Kohl today ...... Because u r hell bent on making me cry every now nd then" she was complaining but he thought of something else. He rubbed his finger behind his ear where Abhimanyu had applied Kohl.

"What?" She asked when he put his finger behind her ear.

"Just protecting u both from evil eye" he said innocently and she fell again for this baby man. Though her mother has did that earlier too but he doing this hit her differently.

"Can u stop being so cute" she asked and kissed his cheek, she couldn't resist more.

........................||

Well I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love, to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own

(It was playing in the background as they took wedding vows)

"U may kiss the bride" Finally priest gave him his right on her as a husband.
He was fine during vows but as soon he realised now she is his wife he went numb, anxiety surfaced his brain nd his hands nd feet went cold making others stunned at his silence.

"Manik" she held his cold palms in her warm hands and called him softly. He looked at her nd she gave him assurance that they are fine and everything is going to be all right.

"U may kiss the bride" father announced again and she pressed his hands, mouthed 'I'm yours' and blinked her eyes. She tried to be strong because she knows he is terrified nd she will make him okay and familiarise with the change, they need some alone time after the marriage and before the wedding dinner. Also she has special plans for dinner to celebrate her love for him.

"My wife" he whispered on her lips before kissing her slowly for 10secs. He didn't want to let go of her lips but he restrained because of her parents.

"My husband" and she pecked his lips when he moved back, making the crowd chuckled. Nd she blushed.

Teri muskuraahatein hain taakat meri
Mujhko inhee se ummid milee
Chahe kare koi sitam yeh jahan..
Inmein hi hai sada hifazat meri
Zindghani badi khoobsurat huyi
Jannat ab aur kya hogi kahin

He heard the faint voice of ongoing song and felt connected to the lyrics. Today he felt them residing in him nd he was living it.

He find her smile as pure as baby when she smiled as his wife and that moment wasn't less than heaven but out of nowhere her smile turned into the scream, frightening him to no extent as she screamed when suddenly bullet pierced through her stomach making everyone shocked and stunned.

"Nandiniiiiiii" he screamed at the sight. Before he could catch her they heard the voice echoed in the auditorium.

"Now u may know how it feels to lose ur child" he looked everywhere before going to her. She was holding her stomach and wailing in pain and again from air another bullet passed through her heart making her collapsed in the arms of her friends and Manik who just reached there on time.

"Nd this pain kills u when u know u can't have it ever again" another line echoed which others heard subconsciously because they were trying to absorb the scene happened in front of them.

.................. ||

"Nandiniiiiiii" he was picking her up but she denied.

"Manikk" she wailed in pain.

"Don't worry nothing will happen.  ..... I will save u" he said in hurry and her parents and everyone agreed for that. Though subconsciously everyone knew it's probably a waste of time.

"Please don't make me helpless more than already I am" she said and stayed in her position only. Her half body was breathing slowly on him.

"Please" And in between all the Chaos she looked at her only escape, Swaroop, only sensible person present there. He was crying looking at her nd exactly understanding her unsaid condition which he hated the most at that moment. He nodded in no before she can ask but she pleaded with those painful eyes nd as always he accepted her demand with a heavy heart. He knows she has lost her battle nd like a true friend he has to be her strength in that moment.

"Shutt upp everyone" he roared stopping everyone.

"Please stop being impulsive and at least hear what she has to say ..... Fo..r one la..st  tim..e" he couldn't control his emotions in last nd burst into the tears.

"Are you mad she has lifetime to say whatever she wants. ...... But right now we need to take her to hospital" Manik said desperately.

"Manik stop it nd listen to her please"

"Consider it as my last wish" this time she spoke stopping Manik's movements.

"Why u being so stubborn?" He cried being paralysed in front of her.

"Mumma papa thank you for giving me a life which I lived without any regrets or wishes ..... Nd also for little brother" she said looking at them who were wailing in unbearable pain.

"Thanks my friends for making it beautiful journey" she passed half look into everyone's way. It was getting difficult for her to breathe as bullet has hit her arteries.

"And Manik" she caressed his cheek and tried lifting her body but she couldn't.

"We r forever ...... If there is place far from hell nd heaven then we r going to meet there to complete our family, I will wait ..... Sorry I couldn't make u a father" she breathed with difficult, she was fighting for few more seconds.

"I had so much to say but death came sooner than expected" she sighed before taking one more breath.

"I love you Manik, hopelessly and unconditionally" she confessed honestly looking into his eyes trying to make him see that she is ecstatic and she is not regretting loving him even at this moment too.

"It's true love mamma ...... Because even at the last moment of my life I can't think anything other than loving him" her mother burst into new stream of tears by looking at her smiling daughter.

"Nandini u r going to be fine ..... We r going to live together forever. ..... Just don't lose ur patience" he was hating her for making him useless like this.

"Manik u r stronger than this my love ...... Please don't spoil my last moment".

"And give last kiss to ur wife, Mr husband" she tried lifting her injured self up but she couldn't.

"I love you Manik" with lots of efforts she hardly pecked his lips and took her last breath on his lips before her soul left her body through her mouth.

Her body collapsed on him blocking his every nerve to feel anything and making him numb for his existence. After a second he took a breath only to realise he didn't even get the chance of expressing his love to only person whom he loved in his life.

"She didn't hear my I love you too" he said and stayed in same position like breathing dead body, he didn't even moved or touched her body which was laying lifeless on him.

Lautoonga yahaan ,
Tere paas main Haan.....
Vaada hai mera,
Mar bhi jaaun kahinn....

Song ended in the background as everything went silent just like his unwanted life.....

..........................THE END .............................

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the end?
(Story ends here but I will publish one epilogue. Please do read that too.)

This is not the abrupt decision, I had already decided to end the story within 50 chapters Nd today it's ended. I was planning to end it in Feb only but so much happened in my life nd things got delayed. ND STORY WAS ALREADY PLANNED IN THIS WAY.

................ Aish ❣️..............