TUESDAY
MORNING, 10 a.m.

Manik: aunty can I meet nandini now please?

Sheetal: she is still sleeping beta...I went to wake her up a while ago...but she asked to give her some more time as she had slept late.

Manik: its ok...I will wake her up...its important to talk to her that's why!

Sheetal: is there any problem manik?

Manik: NO!! NO!! Absolutely not...its just related to the events preparation , nothing else!

Sheetal: ok come I will take you to her room

Manik: no its ok ..I know the way..don't stress yourself

Sheetal: I know that beta but actually guests are here , they can consider it wrong..you going alone in her room..moreover you both are not engaged yet..so come..let's go!

Manik: (understanding) oh!! Ok..let's go

KNOCK KNOCK!!

No response from nandini.

KNOCK KNOCK!!

Again no response.

Sheetal: I think she is still sleeping. I will open the door!

Manik: ok

As she opened the door, they were welcomed by loud music and nandini shaking her bums and doing thumkas, crazily. The room was sound proof , so the loud music was not audible outside. Had sheetal heard the music outside she wouldn't have allowed manik in, because she was aware of her daughter's craziness. Whenever nandini misses doing her yoga, she makes up for the loss by dancing.

Garm hawa di udi gubaari
Family de haath ni aari
Jugni dugni chamak chingari
Monsoon se halki bhaari
Warning public mein jaari
Aap sambhaalo jimmedari..
Baat-vaat kardi ai
Haath-vaath maardi ai
Bethe kabhi na back-seat

Banno tera swagger laage sexy
Banno tera swagger...
Banno tera swagger laage sexy
Banno tera swagger laage sexy
Banno tera swagger.. Sexy!
Banno tera swagger..
... Sexy.Banno.

Gunn chhatiso gold hai tere na silver na copper
Haath lagaade jis subject pe usme nikle topper

Udd jaaye apni hawaa thaam ke
Pankh nikal aaye proper
Bannde pe ehsaan hai tera
Maan liye jo offer
Sune nahi zidd kare karaari
Us par ye hoshiyari
Jugni dugni dhaar kataari..
Aa ri jaa ri samajh ni aa ri
Bhaagegi galli mein saari
Karo ji bharpoor taiyaari
Kood-faand kardi ai
Chhalaang maardi ai
Dikhdi nahi relaxing

Banno tera swagger laage sexy
Banno tera swagger... sexy!
Banno tera swagger laage sexy
Banno tera swagger laage sexy
Banno tera swagger.. Sexy!
Banno tera swagger.

Manik was dumbstruck by her innocence and cuteness. He had discovered a new side of nandini today, that she can be crazy too. She had tied up her front hair in to two cute pony tails and the rest of the hair was left loose. She looked like a kitten in her pyjama and sleeveless tee with the two pony tail.

Nandini was unaware that she now had an audience to her private performance. On the other hand sheetal was red with embarrassment . after all which would-be-mom-in-law would like her would-be-son-in-law to be witness to the craziness of his would-be-wife , that too just before getting officially hitched??

Manik was enjoying her performance . he even thought of giving her company but the thought of sheetal's presence stopped him. It didn't seem that nandini would stop anytime soon, so sheetal called out "NANDINI" a little loud to be heard over the music.

Nandini heard it and turned around thinking its just her mother but was stoned in her place seeing manik there. He gave her a sexy smirk and life infused into the stone.

Nandini: wo..wo...mai...dance kar rahi thi...(said softly)

Then she realised her hairstyle, so she quickly took out the bands from her hair and moved awkwardly and got down the bed and turned the music off.

Sheetal: manik tujhse kuch baat karne aya tha, mai chalti hu , tumlog baat karo
Sheetal left. Complete silence in the room.

Manik: you dance really well, I must say.

Nandini was embarrassed , so she was looking down constantly avoiding eye contact with manik. So he went close to her and held her chin. She looked into his eyes.

Manik: why are you so quiet?

Nandini: you must be thinking I am a gone case!

Manik: (slight chuckle) and why would I think so?

Nandini: because you saw me dancing like that...

Manik: if your mom wouldn't have been there, I would have danced with you..then I would have been a gone case too?

Nandini: no..but..

Manik: shhh! We will do more of such crazy stuffs after marriage ..ok? now stop sulking..see what a beautiful morning it is..don't spoil it. Today everything has to be perfect. So give me your smile...(she smiles)...now..this is a perfect start to a perfect life ahead.

Nandini: I am really lucky to have you manik!

Manik: ahh finally!!!! I get to hear that (if you remember their phone conversation in

Nandini: manik you will always love me like you do now na??(baby tone) even if I do crazy stuff like the one you were witness to just now ?

Manik: (cupping her face) I love you and I will always do..only you...I will love your craziness, your boldness, your childishness...to sum up I will love all of you...

And he kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes. As he released her , she hugged him, tightly.

Nandini: I like to be in your arms like this. I feel protected, secure ,content and happy.

Manik smiled to himself and tightened his hold on her.

Manik: and I m glad that I can make you feel so.

Just then aliya , mukti, navya barged in, calling out "NANDINI" . till the time manik and nandini realised and pulled apart, the tridevi' were already well inside. As soon as they realised that they trespassed on their privacy, they blurted "ooops!! Sorry". Till then manik had left nandini and she blushed.

Navya: sorry we will come later

Aliya: yeah we did not know that you two are together.

Mukti: yeah lets go

Manik: guys..stop!! relax ...its ok..I was about to leave anyways..so you girls continue...and yeah tell me where is dhruv and cabir?

Mukti: bhai they are in the hall where the ring ceremony is to be held.

Manik: ok bye!

Manik reached for the door.

Nandini: manik...wait..! (turning to girls) guys 2 mins..

Tridevi' nodded their heads.

Nandini and manik at the door.

Nandini: manik, amma said you had come to talk about something???

Manik: no yaar..I just came to see you, so that my day starts on a good note but I had to lie to aunty so that she allows me to meet you..(smiled sheepishly)

Nandini: oh like that!! Ok then bye...

She kissed him on his cheek , smiled and pushed him out the door and closed the door quickly. Manik touched the spot where she kissed and walked away smiling to himself.

Aliya: nandini do you know how to play the piano?

Nandini: hmmm I have learnt it but I m out of touch for quite a while now. But why are you asking?

Navya: nandini dekho shadi THE MANIK MALHOTRA ki hai aur hum sab jante hain ki use music se kitna pyar hai, toh islye fab 4 sare events ko musical banana me laga hua h. Manik toh gaane k lye eveready rehta hai toh usey rehne do..tum ar manik 2 songs as a couple perform kar rahe ho aur we want ki tum ek song solo perform karo on a piano. It would be a surprise for manik. Song, lyrics, tune ready hai..aliya tumhe samjha degi...

Nandini: wo toh thk h , even I like the idea but piano yaha kaha se aega?? How will I practice?

Aliya: arey you can practice on my keyboard !! wait I will go and bring.

Aliya leaves.

Mukti: nandini abhi 11 baje hain , beautician 5 baje aegi..till then you can utilise the time.

A resort staff came with a trolley full of food for nandini.

Staff: ma'm ye manik sir ne bhijwaya h apke liye!

Nandini: ok aap waha rakh dijiye.

Just then sheetal and chachi entered.

Chachi: nandu tu ne breakfast kiya beta??

Seeing the food and the staff.

Sheetal: ye kisne mangwaya?

Staff: ma'm ye manik sir ne nandini ma'm k lye bhijwaya h. (turning to nandini) ma'm apko aur kuch chahye? (nandini shook her head) ok . I will leave. Have a nice day ma'm.

Sheetal and chachi smiled on seeing manik's concern for nandini.

Chachi: nandini tu toh bari lucky h jo manik jsa life partner mila h..acha acha chal ab sharmana band kar aur breakfast kar le jaldi se..

Nandini had her breakfast. Aliya came back with the keyboard. Girls gang got to their mission.

Tuesday
Evening 7:10 p.m.

All the guests from both the sides were assembled in the huge hall. The whole palace cum resort was decorated like bride with exotic flowers , drapes and curtains. The lighting was done in exquisite patterns. It truely felt that it was the marriage of the prince and princess of the palace. Stage for the couple was set up on the other end of the hall opposite the stairs. A second stage was set up for fab 5 and in the other corner DJ had been setup.

Manik was dressed every bit like a handsome prince , directly out of the dream lands of any girl.

Alok introduced him to his family and friends. When alok introduced manik to amms, both looked at each other, trying to remember something as amms found manik's face familiar. Manik touched amms feet and then smiled and said "guru ma, pehchana mujhe?" amms was startled as only her students called her with this name, but she couldn't remember so she just smiled. Manik understood so he tried to remind her " guru ma , santok yaad h apko?? " she suddenly got a flash in her mind with that name and remembered everything " oh my god!! Ha santok...aah sorry manik..meri bhi umar ke sath memory weak ho rahi hai..sorry kanna, kush raho" till that time whole of the guest including fab 5 had surrounded them and were trying to understand the matter.

Maan: manik beta hame v batao kya h ye sab?? Tum nandini ki amms , i mean kishori ji ko pehle mil chuke ho??"

Manik: dad aapko yaad h space academy jaha se main music me training le raha tha??

Maan: haa toh?

Manik: training ke last year me mangalore me ek workshop attend karne gya tha mai..yaad hai?

Maan: ha

Manik: wo guru ma ki hi workshop thi!

Maan: ohhh toh tumne inse classical music ke basics sikhe the?? I am so obliged to meet you maa ji..(folded his hands to greet her.)

Neyonika: ji sach me hame apse milne ka mauka mila, we are really lucky. But manik...maa ji tumhe santok kyu bula rahi thi??

Manik: actually mom , student list jo send ki gyi thi guru ma ko,, usme mera naam galat type ho gya tha...jab mai mangalore pahuncha toh guru maa mujhe santok hi call kar rahi thi..toh maine documents check kye toh matter samajh me agya..but fir maine rectify ni kiya..i let her call me with the same name..

Amms: pehle pehle mujhe manik bahut arrogant laga tha, islye mai ise bahut punish v karti thi...but as i got to know him , his love for music and how talented he is , my view changed, moreover he never disobeyed me even when he knew i was wrong. He is really a gem. It is only today and now that i get to know that he is the heir of malhotra empire!! I must say maan and neyonika , apne ise bahut ache sanskaar dye hain. Abhi ka pata ni uss samay manik bahut impulsive aur gusse wala tha. Abh bhi wahi haal hai??

Neyonika: ji apne sahi kaha ye impulsive ar gusse wala tha, but abhi bahut change aya hai, thora mature toh hua h mera beta..(she pulled his cheek lovingly)

Cabir: acha uncle aunty ab nandini ko bulae?? Bechari wait kar kar k thak gyi hogi..(chuckled)

Sheetal: ji mai le kar ati hu

Aliya: aunty if you don't mind , can we girls go and bring her?

Amms: ha kanna jao...jaldi le kar ao!

As the girls left everyone dispersed to talk in their own groups. Amms , sheetal, alok , abhi , chacha and chachi were talking together.

Amms: alok , tumne manik ko hamara son-in-law banana ka faisla ekdm sahi liya, he is a diamond , i must say.

Chachi: par amma , manik mangalore aya tha toh mai kese ni mili?

Amms: shanno , tumlog Mumbai aye hue the vacations me tab ye workshop hua tha, islye ni mili tum.

Alok: amma aap manik ko pehle se janti hain, ar use pasand v karti hain, ye jaan kar mai relaxed hu ab, pehle thore doubts the ki decision sahi hai ya nahi...

Amms: nahi alok ekdm stress free raho, manik dil ka saaf larka hai.

Everyone present in the hall were waiting for nandini. Manik was desperate of them all. Aliya, mukti, navya had gone to fetch her. Suddenly music started playing and everyone instantly looked towards the stairs. There she was...every bit looking like a princess.

Her dress was a blend of traditional and modern. Her hairstyle was so unique and the make up was point on, neither too much nor too less. Nandini definitely stood out among the four of the girls, i.e., aliya, mukti , nandini, navya, coming down the stairs. A whisper ran through the guests " she is really beautiful" "neyonika and maan are really lucky to have a daughter -in-law like her" "she complements manik". Malhotra guest started praising neyonika and she thanked them

(aayeeye aapka intazaar tha - 2
der lagi aane mein tumako shukrr hain phir bhi aaye toh
aas ne dil ka saath na chhoda vaise hum ghabaraayen toh) - 2
aayeeye aapa ka intazaar tha - 2

manik , dhruv , cabir moved towards the girls and forwarded their palms. Alia took dhruv's hand and moved aside. Manik and cabir forwarded their hands to nandini and navya respectively but realising that mukti will be left alone, they both forwarded their other free palms to her at the same time. Mukti smiled as she saw abhi coming to her rescue.
Abhi: well if you don't mind , I can be of little help here.

And he forwarded his palm to mukti , she quickly took it and stuck her tongue out to manik and cabir.

They all laughed in unison. And moved forward with their ladies. Manik was not able to take his eyes off her " you are looking beautiful and yeah I love you" he whispered in his husky voice in her ears. She looked at him for a moment and then looked down smiling. As they came up on stage. sheetal made nandini sit on the sofa and manik sat beside her.

Initial rituals of giving gifts to manik and blessing was done, then neyonika came and put a duppatta on nandini's head, applied tika and gave gifts to her and everyone blessed her.

Finally the ring ceremony started.
Neyonika gave manik the ring. He took nandini's palm in his and slid the ring . manik was looking at nandini to gauge her expression if she liked the ring or not. Nandini was looking down then she saw the ring and she instantly looked up at manik. A slight smile playing on her lips. "she liked it" manik thought. Then sheetal gave nandini ring and she put the ring in manik's finger without holding his palm . she looked at him if he liked the ring or not.. he secretly winked at her. The hall suddenly burst into loud thunder of claps. Murthys and malhotras hugged each other "officially nandini hamari hui ab!!" alok , abhi hugged manik.

After everyone got settled , rishabh popped up with his pre-planned request "jiju ek gaana suna do please...mai live performance dekh lunga aaj fab 5...fir kabhi mauka milega ya nahi...please!"

Manik: (unaware of the fab 4-rishu plan) champ but koi apni hi shadi me gaata h kya!! Sab hasenge mujhpe...and rahi baat live performance dekhne ki toh next concert ke 2 special pass arrange kar dunga mai tumhre liye and molly ke liye!! Pakka"

Rishabh : (realising plan is failing) nahi jiju please...sheetal chitti aap hi bolo na..

Sheetal: manik beta , do it for him na! Please?

Manik: are aunty aap please kyu bol rahe ho!

Sheetal: abhi bhi aunty???

Manik: (not getting the point) huh??

Sheetal: call me mom now..I am your mother-in-law now!

Manik: oh yeah! ma..ap please mat boliye, bas order kariye...

Many among the guests including neyonika and maan started chanting" we want to hear a song "

Manik looked at nandini. She smiled cutely as if saying "I can't help u this time Mr. Malhotra". Manik got up and signalled fab4 to come near, who were acting innocent spectators till now.

Fab 5 discussed something.

Manik: (loudly) ok ok..if sheetal ma wants it I will sing.

Fab 4 went to setup the instruments while manik signalled navya to join nandini on the stage. While she was coming manik whispered in nandini's ear " this song is just for you...feel it" they made eye contact and nandini whispered back "I will" till then navya came and manik left to join fab 4.

Nandini was talking to navya..just then she heard the tune and signalled navya to listen.

Manik strummed the strings of the guitar and started singing looking at nandini with intensity of the lyrics reflecting in his eyes.

Oho...oho...oho..oho...oho...
Bheegi bheegi sadkon pe main
Tera intezaar karun
Dheere dheere dil ki zameen ko
Tere hi naam karun

Khudko main yoon kho doon
Ke phir na kabhi paaun
Haule haule zindagi ko
Ab tere hawaale karun

Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
Karam re, karam re
Tera mujhpe karam hua re

Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re

Cabir joined with his drum beats and dhruv backed up manik with his guitar.

O ho...

Tere kareeb jo hone laga hoon
To toote saare bharam re

Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
Mukti entered with her electronic guitar.

O ho...

Baadalon ki tarah hi toh
Tune mujhpe saaya kiya hai
Baarishon ki tarah hi toh
Tune khushiyon se bhigaya hai
Aandhiyon ki tarah hi toh
Tune hosh ko udaaya hai

Mera muqaddar sanwara hai yoon
Naya savera jo laaya hai tu
Tere sang hi bitaane hain mujhko
Mere saare janam re

Sanam re, sanam re (sanam re..)
dhruv sang the background lyrics with manik.

Tu mera sanam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re (sanam re..)
Tu mera sanam hua re
Karam re, karam re (karam re..)
Tera mujhpe karam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re (sanam re..)
Tu mera sanam hua re

O ho...

Mere sanam re mera hua re
Tera karam re mujhpe hua ye (x2)

As the tune ended, there was stun silence in the hall. Nandini s eyes became a little moist with intensity of the music and lyrics, but she controlled herself blinking her eyes quite a few times to prevent the tear from escaping her eyes. Rishabh was the first one to clap which brought others out of the trance and they clapped.

Moving ahead with the plan , fab 4 eyed each other and signalled mukti for something. While cabir took the mike and announced " ok ok I know that was intense, but to lighten the mood, mukti has something to say but of course through a song, com'on everyone cheer up for mukti "

Female:
(Aaj Hai Sagaai
Sun Ladki Ke Bhai ) -2
Zara Nach Ke Humko Dikhaa
Aaj Hai Sagaai
Sun Ladki Ke Bhai
Zara Nach Ke Humko Dikhaa
Kudi Ki Tarhan Na Sharmaa
Hai Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja
Haan, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

As abhi is not into singing, it was pre- planned that, cabir will sing on his behalf. So accordingly cabir acted and signalled to abhi "bhai main hoon na!!" and started singing.

Male:
Sabh Ko Nachaoon
Nach Nach Ke Dikhoon
Aa Mujh Ko Gale Se Lagaa
Sabh Ko Nachaoon
Nach Nach Ke Dikhoon
Aa Mujh Ko Gale Se Lagaa
Munde Se Zara Aankh Lada
Munde Se Zara Aankh Lada
Hoi, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja
Hai, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja
O Soniyee...
Sar Pe Sajaa Ke Sehraa
Baarat Le Ke Aaon
Dulhan Tujhe Bana Ke
Doli Mein Le Ke Jaoon

The cher-chaar between the boys and girls continued especially mukti and abhi. Elders were also enjoying. No one doubted abhi or mukti, as they were doing it so playfully!!

Female:
Bholi Samajh Ke Mujhpe
Na Daal Aise Daane
Shaadi Nahin Karoongi
Ja Maan Ja Deewane

Meanwhile manik saw that everything is so synchronized, from the steps to the lip-sync, he was sure that everything was preplanned. He bent down a little and whispered to nandini " it is all planned, you know" she looked at him with wide eyes "is it? Really??" manik replied " I m not sure, but definitely it is not spot on, that's why they were so busy these days, all of them including navya and abhi , I saw them together many times, but every time they shrugged it off,...I m now wondering that they have planned a lot, you and I must be on high alert, u don't know them!!" and he rolled his eyes.

Nandini asked "what do you mean? Why should we be alert?" manik replied " my fab 5 sense is warning me, I hope I m wrong, just wait and watch , you ll know for yourself" and he chuckled a bit.

Nandini was amused " fab 5 sense, wow , interesting, I had heard of 6th sense, you have one extra" and they both chuckled slightly to avoid attention.

Male:
Sun Albeli
Meri Tanha Akeli
Abh Kat Ti Nahin Ratiyaan

Female:
Jaa Re Harjayee
Chal Chod Kalayee
Sabh Dekhti Hain Sakhiyaan
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja -2

Male:
Hoi, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja -2
O Maan Ja...

Female:
Kehti Hain Meri Sakhiyaan
Dil Mein Hai Chor Tere
Kyoon Haath Dho Ke Aise
Peeche Pada Hai Mere

Male:
Sakhiyoon Se Apni Keh Do
Ke Beech Mein Na Aaye
Ban Jayein Meri Saali
Jija Mujhe Banaayein

Female:
Main Na Aaon Tere Sang
Tere Ache Nahin Dhang
Na Aise Baat Badha

Male:
Mujhe Karna Tu Tung
Abh Band Kar Jung
Aa Ban Ke Dulhan Ghar Aa
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Female:
Haan, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja
Haan, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Female:
Aaj Hai Sagaai
Sun Ladki Ke Bhai
Aaj Hai Sagaai
Sun Ladki Ke Bhai
Zara Nach Ke Humko Dikhaa
Aaj Hai Sagaai
Sun Ladki Ke Bhai
Zara Nach Ke Humko Dikhaa

Male:
Sabh Ko Nachaoon
Nach Nach Ke Dikhoon
Aa Mujh Ko Gale Se Lagaa

Female:
Kudi Ki Tarhan Na Sharmaa

Male:
Munde Se Zara Aankh Lada

Female:
Hoi, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Male:
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Female:
Hai, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Male:
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja, Hoi...

Female Chorus: (aliya, mukti , navya)
Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa
Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa
Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa
Aa Aa Aa Aa Aa

Male Chorus: (dhruv, abhi, cabir)
Hoi, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja
Female Chorus:
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja

Male:
Hoi

Female Chorus:
Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja, Tu Meri Gal Maan Ja..

All the youngsters joined the dance and had a lot of fun. Manik and nandini were sitting on the sofa and enjoyed the teasing session between the guys and gals!! Overall the mood was set up for fun and frolic. Fab 4's first plan was successful as everyone enjoyed a lot.

Then all the guests moved towards the food arrangement that was done.
Punjabi people are high on energy whereas tamilians are sophisticated people. Alok and sheetal had lived in Mumbai for a long time so they had adopted its ways. Shanno chachi was Punjabi so her husband, son and amms were aware of the Punjabi blood. But the rest of murthy side was typical tamilian, so they found it difficult to mingle with malhotra side, but the fun mood setup by fab 4 helped to break the ice, this was seen during the dinner time as Punjabi-tamilian convo started a bit paving way for more such convo during the course of the marriage.

In India, marriage is just not about two people, especially if its an arranged marriage. In Arranged marriage, the two families become an integral part too!! Punjabi - Tamil, its the weirdest combo!
____________________________________
Credits to the writer- Manini Mehra