Hello sweeties.

Sorry for the delay!

Hope you like the chapter.

Have fun reading.

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Murthy Mansion

"Amma!!! Aap Appa se kahoon niche uthre. I have called a bloody electrician and he will be here in 5 mins. Aapke Ram ko zara niche bulao" Nandini spoke huffing at the man standing on the stool and arranging the lights of the disco.

"Arre princess ye toh choti se kaam hai! Woh electrician bahar ka kaam dek raha hai na. Leave this to me!" He spoke as he fiddled with the lights.

"APPA!!! Aap gir gaye tho choti baat nahi hogi. God!!! Why do you have to be so stubborn!" Nandini spoke holding the stool still and keeping an eye on her father.

"Ayyo aiyappa! Aap ye kya kar rahe hai!" Ishitha looked at the scene shocked and let go of the plate in her hands making it drop with a huge sound and at the same time, the disco lights turned on.

"Arre Ishu! Tu bohot dramatic hai" Raman spoke as he carefully got down from the stool while Ishitha narrowed her eyes at him. Seeing her like this Raman smiled sheepishly.

"Dramatic nahi practical hoon. Aur aap bhi kya apne aapko javaan samaj rahe hai... Haddi tooti toh Ishuuu karke mere paas mat aayiyega" Ishitha spoke rolling her eyes as Raman made a face.

"Accha accha ab chalo ladke vaale aajayenge aur hum abhi tak tayyar nahi hain!" Ishitha spoke pushing Raman along with her.

"Offo ye dono bhi naa" Nandini spoke chuckling at the way her parents always interacted.

I used to dream of finding such love. But life doesn't give everything to everyone. 

And I have decided to settle for what life will give me. Especially if it means to see my family this happy.

To me, my happiness doesn't matter... At least that's what I have learnt from those years in New York.

Hey aiyappa... I know I am selfish... But just this... Please keep them happy and healthy...

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Malhotra Mansion

"Manik!!!" Neyonika yelled as she pushed Mukthi into the car as she raised her hands in surrender.

"Mom! I absolutely hate this dress." 

"You look absolutely stunning dear" Neyonika spoke rolling her eyes.

"I look like a- a!"

"You look like a girl, Chudail" Manik spoke coming next to Neyonika who hit his shoulder playfully.

"Bhai! Mujhe ek aur baar Chudail kaha toh bhabhi ko shaadi karne keliye tu nahi rahega!" Mukthi warned showing her index finger while Manik stuck his tongue out making fun of her.

"Accha achha tum log car mein beito! We have to leave now. Late honge toh accha nahi lagega." Neyonika spoke pushing Manik inside beside Mukthi who raised her fist at him and hit his shoulder hard which made him cower-

"Mumma dekho naa!" He whined as Mukthi smiled in triumph.

"Mujhe kuch nahi dekna. Let's go. Pata nahi iss ki shaadi pe jaa rahe hai ye pehli birthday per. You both act like literal children!" She chided them both who pouted at the same time.

"It's her/his fault" They both spoke pointing at each other while Neyonika rolled her eyes for the Nth time.

"Aapne inn donoon ko ek car mein kyun bithaaya? Chaliye ek car mein hai toh mujhe yaha kyun bithaaya!!!" She whisper yelled at Raj who looked offended at the accusation.

"Arre meine kaha baitne ko kaha tha! Tumne hi toh inn donoon ko car mein-" He ubruptly stopped looking at the smile on Neyonika's face which said bolo naa aur bolo.

Looking at them like that both Manik and Mukthi snickered.

How amazing would it be to have such a relationship. But it's okay. Friendship is better suited for him anyway.

Manik thought as a smile slowly formed on his face.

"Kya bhai bhabhi ki yaad aa rahi hai kya?" Mukthi whispered laughing while Manik rolled his eyes still smiling as he playfully bumped his shoulder with hers who returned it back.

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Murthy Mansion

"Nandu kya tu ready hai?" Ishitha yelled from downstairs while Nandini tugged on her left ear ring for one final check and walked out.

 "Kaisi hoon mein?" She spoke grinning widely while Ishitha gave her a huge smile.

"Meri laado! You look sooo beautiful. Nazar naa lage kisiki." She spoke applying teeka behind her ear while Nandini grinned even wider.

"Teek hai I'll leave you both alone. Come to the hall soon." She spoke leaving the two besties together.

"Loveeeee! You look soooo pretty!" Navya spoke jumping up and down holding Nandini's hands who laughed happily looking at her bestie cum sister's excitement.

"Accha achha gir jayegi. Calm down babe!" Nandini spoke hugging Navya who happily returned her hug.

"Diiiii jiju aagaye!!!" Rishab yelled while Nandini widened her eyes.

"Issne jiju kabse bulana suru kiya?" Nandini narrowed her eyes at the room's enterance while Navya chuckled at her reaction.

"Jab se usske jiju ne tujhe propose kiya. Well you can't deny it wasn't a good proposal. No words of love... Just promise of a hamesha" Navya quoted making Nandini blush.

"Of course we don't love each other. We just met like what? a month or so before... I don't expect things from him... I hope he doesn't as well. I just honestly don't even know what I want..." She spoke sighing while Navya wrapped her hand around Nandini's shoulder.

"You know love, it's alright to slowly find out what you want. You don't need to rush it. You have a lot of time together and a contract that allows you space just in case something goes wrong. I know it feels like a lot right now but that's probably just the environment making you talk... Just give it time and let your heart do what it wants to." Navya spoke while Nandini sighed in defeat.

"You are right navu... I just-"

"Di!!!" Rishab opened the door making Nandini and Navya jump.

"Rishu meine kaha tha door ko-" Nandini's voice abruptly stopped looking at the guy smiling sheepishly behind Rishab.

"Sorry- Hope I'm not interrupting but tumhari mom ne kaha and meri mom ne order di tumhe bulane ko... I didn't know where you were so I asked Rishab." He spoke in one breath making Nandini chuckle. All those complicated thoughts seem to disappear all of a sudden.

"No jijuuu you are not interrupting" Navya spoke with a wide smile looking back and forth between them.

"Accha chal Rishu. Nanz tum jiju ke saath aana." Navya immediately slipped away saying this making Nandini glare at her back.

"So..." Manik started as she moved towards him.

"So..." She mimicked making Manik chuckle.

"Toh dekhao tumhari mehendi" Manik spoke turning towards her while she immediately put her hands behind her.

"Arre aise kaise dekhadoon!" She spoke grinned playfully while Manik rolled his eyes.

"Nandini" He called trying to sound stern but a smile leaked from his lips.

"Yes Manikkkk" She drawled while he chuckled at her and moved forward in attempt to catch her making her avoid him and run to the other side of the corridor. Manik chuckled looking at her running back and followed her always letting her be a few steps ahead of him.

She looked back running and laughing seeing him trying to catch up. 

"Nandini" Manik yelled widening his eyes as she stopped just a second before making sure not to collide with the person infront of her.

"Oops sorry!" She spoke chuckling and raising her head to look at him.

"Nan- nandini.." Veer spoke as he extended his hand to hold her arm. Looking at him Nandini's face paled as if all the blood in her was drained.

"Don't you fucking dare touch me Veer" She spat at him moving back in disgust tripping on her saree.

"Nandini-" Veer came forward immediately to catch her but she pushed herself back even more if possible. She would rather fall than get his hands on her.

Luckily before she fell Manik caught her from behind.

"F*ck! Are you okay?" Manik spoke pulling her towards himself making her stand straight.

"Let's just go" She just held his kurta and whispered so low that he wouldn't have heard it if he wasn't paying attention to her.

"But-" Manik stopped looking at her pale face that was still glaring at the man infront of him.

"Let's go" He spoke giving the man one last look in confusion and wrapping his arm around her shoulder as he guided her back to the main hall.

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- Harmony