Hello sweeties.

How are you? I hope everyone's doing well.

*_* for Nandini's thoughts, Italics Manik's thoughts

Now, without any further ado,

I present to you the most awaited chapter. Word count: 2053.

Hope you like it

Have fun reading.

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"Common guys! Manik, you have to propose, not talk." Navya said while Nandini rolled her eyes at her. Manik chuckled.

"Ok, here goes nothing." He said stepping back from her.

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"So, Nandini." He spoke pausing for a moment to look at her.

It's easy Manik... Just propose to her! Ok!!

"Will you marry me?" He said with a shy smile looking into her eyes finally when something landed on his head.

Pachak*

Manik touched his wet hair, he had a shocked expression on his face. He turned around to see Neyonika glaring at him.

"Manik! Propose aise karthe hai kya? I taught you better than this." She scolded him in front of all while Manik couldn't conceal his horror.

He actually thought they were just joking when they said about the water balloons. But to think his dearest mom would be the one to hit him first.

Soon Cabir followed by throwing his water balloon on Manik's face. The water dripped down his face, Nandini looked at him a little worried meanwhile Manik gave her a tight-lipped smile and wiped his face.

"Arre Bhai nak math katwana hamari." Dhruv spoke while Manik rolled his eyes and focused on his task. He quickly recalled if he ever watched any proposal.

Let's do this Manik! Koi nahi koi nahi. You can do this.

"Miss. Nandini Murthy, would you give me, Manik Malhotra, the chance to put a ring on your left ring finger forever?" He spoke, his voice smooth as if he had already proposed to many people. Sadly, another three balloons landed on his head and soon others followed the suit until he was dripping from head to toe.

"Left ring finger? Common Manik tu usse kabhi bhi ring pehna saktha hai. Uss me kya khas hai?" Aliya spoke while Mukthi threw another balloon.

"Mukthi Bas kar yaar, mujhe propose karne de gi ki nahi." Manik said seeing her about to throw another one.

"Me kya karu Manik. That was literally the bakwas proposal I ever saw." She said while Manik facepalmed.

Kya karu? kya karu? Kuch toh socho manik! He thought when he heard the others shouting.

"MANIK MANIK MANIK MANIK"

He felt even pressured as water dripped down his forehead when Nandini held his hand.

*It's all your fault Nandini! If you just didn't agree with this game. But this was DJ's idea and all of my relatives know about this. And they don't know about the contract.

Only Navya knows. I don't know why Navya readily agreed to this. If I didn't agree they will be disappointed but that's fine. The only thing I care about is that DJ will be suspicious. One thing I know about DJ is he won't stop until I tell the truth. I need to appear happy.

Although I am literally getting married to a stranger, if I feel sad or appear sad they will stop the entire marriage. I know them, they will never agree to contract marriage. That's why I don't want them to know about this contract. That's why I agreed.

I thought Manik will refuse but they didn't even ask his opinion. I wonder If he thinks it's my fault. I won't blame him for hating me. After all, I deserve it.*

"Are you ok? I am sorry." She spoke sadly while Manik finally paid attention to the beauty in front of him.

He chuckled all of a sudden making Nandini confused. Manik couldn't help but laugh seeing her like that. It was really a funny situation for him. He never thought of getting married but here he was, trying his best to propose.

*Was he laughing at her!?*

Nandini left his hand and turned away with a frown.

Manik smiled widely as he held her hand and went down on one knee making all the girls squeal especially Ishita and Neyonika who clung on to their respective husbands in joy.

"Ms. Murthy, First of all, I am not really smooth in saying cheesy lines nor do I know any Shayaris." Manik spoke making Nandini chuckle.

"A few days ago I was a complete stranger to you and so were you to me. I never thought our paths would cross. Even if they did I don't know how it would have turned out.

You are something I never expected. I mean in a good way." He spoke raising his hands in surrender while Nandini shook her head smiling. Manik proceeded to hold her hand again.

"I am not a romantic but I promise to take care of you. I can assure you that I will stay by your side as a friend whenever you need it.

And I don't have much to say. But one thing is you don't need to change for me because the reason I agreed to marry you was that you are you... You are special.

I have never met someone like you. Truthfully.

I don't have a ring nor a 'will you marry me' sign. I know this is definitely not the best proposal. Ok, the worst proposal ever as Mukthi said.

But Will you please marry me?" He spoke while everyone cheered for him.

"YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!"

"Yes," Nandini muttered after few minutes looking straight into Manik's eyes who smiled.

Manik finally stood up while still holding Nandini's hand. DJ frowned at Manik. He considered two possibilities.

One, Manik would say filmy lines copying others.

Two, Manik would just say plain Will you marry me.

If either one happened he would have definitely tried to stop the marriage because they wouldn't be able to live like that. If they don't be comfortable with each other then how can he expect Manik to take care of his beloved granddaughter?

He failed to consider the third option. Manik did give a proper and good proposal. Which grandfather or father wouldn't be happy to know that their doted granddaughter or daughter wouldn't need to change her ways. She can be like herself even after getting married.

His thoughts were interrupted by Navya.

"Now relatives and relatives, It's our Nandini Murthy's turn." She announced in the mike while DJ paid extra attention to Manik's face. He would see if his to be grandson in law dared to give his granddaughter hard time. Meanwhile, the situation was the same as Raman who narrowed his eyes at Manik.

Manik feeling weird as if someone was drilling holes in his head looked around to see the two possessive Murthy men.

He immediately turned away from their gaze in fear to see Nandini about to go on one knee.

He immediately stopped her by holding her elbow. Nandini looked up in confusion.

"Nandini kya kar rahi ho? marvaogi kya?" He asked with a troubled expression as he lowered his head. His forehead was sweating a little. Nandini was still confused and turned her to see DJ and Raman looking at Manik or more like glaring at him.

Seeing that they have been caught DJ and Raman immediately hid behind their wives.

Nandini chuckled again. She stood up straight and held Manik's hand. She suddenly frowned and there was silence for a few minutes. Everyone was confused, Ishita was literally panicking inside. While Navya bit her lip.

"Manik, Sab toh tum ne bol diya ab me kya bolu." She spoke in an aggravated tone making the tense Manik laugh. Nandini smiled widely seeing that her trick worked.

"I will try my best to keep that smile from fading away in this lifetime.

Will you marry me?" She spoke making everyone go aweee at her. Even Manik blushed at her proposal.

"That's my granddaughter," DJ said happily laughing.

Nandini tilted her head in confusion seeing Manik not replying when she saw him lower his head to hide his smile.

"Yes, I will," Manik spoke while Nandini smiled again widely.

"It's not fair Manik bhaiya ko hi maara hai Nandini didi ko kisi ne kyun nahi maara balloon se?" A little girl spoke while Navya smiled mischievously.

Pachak*

Water dripped down Nandini's face as she opened her mouth wide in shock while Navya giggled.

Everyone started throwing their balloons at the couple. While Manik unconsciously shielded Nandini from their attacks who looked at Manik in a daze.

Navya eventually hit Cabir and Mukthi who started the water fight.

Later FAB4 and Navya got scolded and went to change their dresses along with Manik and Nandini.

Neyonika called kaka in their house to bring some clothes. Nandini and Navya went to their room and got changed and came outside to see FAB5 still wearing the same clothes while Drying the water with towels.

"Manik," Nandini called out to him who was talking to Mukthi and Aliya.

 "Can I talk to you for a second?" Nandini asked while Manik nodded his head and looked at Mukthi who pushed him forward while giving a thumbs up before resuming her talks with Aliya.

Manan went towards the balcony where they first talked.

"I am so sorry Manik. I thought they would ask your opinion too." Nandini spoke with a distressed tone.

"It's ok Nandini. It was fun. I mean in the future I bet you would be laughing remembering this day." Manik spoke with a small smile.

"I guess," Nandini spoke looking at the hustle-bustle in the garden.

"Nandini," Manik called while Nandini hummed without turning towards him.

"Do you like me?" He asked shocking her.

"What!" She exclaimed while Manik understood his blunder.

"Sorry, I meant as a friend. Do you think we can get through this happily?" He spoke rubbing his nape while Nandini chuckled.

She nodded her head.

"I don't know about the future, Manik. But right now, for me, this is more than enough. I am happy to see my parents happy. And everyone else." She spoke while Manik looked at her.

She was standing beside him with her hands on the white railings looking down while her eyes glowed showing her genuine emotions.

He felt peaceful, something he feels when he is with his family.

"You guys are here! Common everyone's waiting for you guys. Manik go and get changed." Ishita spoke with a smile as she nagged at them playfully.

"Alright, Alright," Nandini spoke as she raised her hands in surrender yearning a chuckle from Manik.

Meanwhile, Navya who was looking at Manik and Nandini from below thought-

I know this is a contract marriage for them. But I hope they give their relationship a chance. Because from what I saw back there, it didn't felt like they were just acting or were forced to do this.

I just wanted to see if they were comfortable with each other or not. That's why I agreed to Rishu's and DJ's suggestion. Seeing them happy together and smiling...

Seeing Nandini smiling like that and making cheesy lines again made me really happy. I hope she moves on with him.

A tap on her shoulder broke her thoughts.

"What are you doing here?" Cabir asked Navya looked at him for a second before shaking her head.

"Nothing let's go chomchom." Navya spoke while Cabir made a bad face.

"When are you going to stop calling me Chomchom?" Cabir asked keeping up with her as they walked inside.

She stopped all of a sudden keeping her elbow on his shoulder and making a thinking gesture.

"Never." She spoke giggling before going away leaving a speechless Cabir looking at her in disbelief.

Soon It was time, the engagement proceeded as it should. After exchanging rings Manik and Nandini sat at the two seated sofa and greeted every relative.

I was reaching night when everyone from the Malhotra family departed to their mansion bidding each other farewell.

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hey guys...

please, please, please do tell me how the chapter is.

And do comment on Manik's and Nandini's proposal. I need to know if there must be any modifications.

How was the conversation between Manan guys?

How were Manik's three tries? And Neyonika's reaction to his proposal?

How were the possessive Murthy men?

Stay tuned to know more.

Your's one and only

Harmony.