Writers PoV
"Are bhai kuch leke aao."Raj said loudly and Neyonika came out of the kitchen followed by helpers who brought out plates and plates of food.

"Kya hai Raj aapka?"She slapped his shoulder making him laugh loudly.

Myra quickly picked up the samosa and dipped it in the spicy chutney and gobbled moaning at the taste.Rehaan admired her but at the same time shook his head at his wife.

"Raman lo lo,bhabhiji aap bhi lo."He urged forwarding the plates to them and they agreed grabbing one each.

They had gathered to discuss the dates for Manik and Nandini's wedding and the roka.The younger clan were sitting on the side couches and listening to the conversation unfold.

"Toh Raman roke ke liye we can do it on the coming Sunday."Raj proposed and Raman nodded.

"Ha kar sakte hai.We have a few days in hand and also maa aur papa ko bula lenge kyu Nalini?"He asked his wife and she nodded.

"Ha.The day they heard about Nandini's wedding woh toh jhat se aana chahte the lekin meine rok liya.Ab I think they won't stop."She laughed at her parents shaking her head.

"Accha Nandini aur Manik tu bhi tum dono ko koi problem hai?"Raj asked and they both shook their heads. "Okay then Sunday ko roka hoga."He declared. "As for the wedding roke ke din pandit jo ko bulakar dates te kar lenge."He suggested and the rest nodded.Manik and Nandini smiled looking at their friends who hooted.

It was 9 at night and they had settled for dinner.The whole allotting work,making plans had taken up the entire evening. "Manik please pass this to Nandini."Neyonika handed him the bowl of aaloo gobi.

"Nahi mom use pasand nahi hai."He stated and served himself.

"Waah bhai do meetings mein bohot kuch pata chal gaya hai Manik ko."Raj teased and Manik widened his eyes on understanding what blunder he made.

"Uhh ha dad woh we talk on the phone."He smiled nervously and replied only to get looks from everyone.

"Manik phone and all ha.Not bad."Rehaan teased earning a death glare from Manik while Nandini blushed.

"If these talks are done can we continue."He spoke trying to change the topic but failed miserably.

"Kyu Manik tujhe Nandini ke baare mein baat nahi karni?"Alya asked innocently but Manik and Nandini both knew their friends were anything but innocent.They were devils.Manik just shook his head and continued eating ignoring everyone.As for Nandini the poor girl couldn't have been more embarrassed all thanks to Manik and her friends.

After the dinner was over the Murthy clan decided to leave along with Fab5. "Sunday it is then."Neyonika hugged Nalini.

"Sunday it is."Nanlini smiled.

"I'll call you."Manik side hugged Nandini and she nodded. "Aur tumlogo ko toh mein baad mein dekh lunga."Manik said to Fab5.

"Chal chal darte nahi hai tujhse."Dhruv brushed him off and Manik rolled his eyes while Nandini let out a giggle.

"Chalo bye guys."Nandini bid bye.

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Nandini's PoV
We all came home and I freshened up quickly cause Manik was supposed to call.It was 11 and he didn't call so I called him.

"Hello."I answered falling on the bed on my stomach.

"Nandini thoda bhi nahi reh sakti Manik ke bagair?"Bhabhi teased and I closed my eyes biting my lip.

"Umm woh jaruri kaam tha."I lied through my teeth and she laughed.

"Sure jaruri kaam hi hoga."She teased further and I could hear bhai laughing at a distance.

"Woh Manik kaha hai?"I asked flicking the hair strands off my forehead.

"Woh toh kahi bahar gaya hai."She said and I frowned.

"Yeh kaha gaya ab?"I whispered to myself but bhabhi heard me.

"Itni yaad aa rahi hai toh yaha aaja."I heard her laugh and I could feel the blush increase.

"A-aisa kuch n-nahi hai bh-bhabhi.Mein kal baat karlungi."I stuttered badly.

"Kaun hai bhabhi?"I heard Manik ask.

"Nandini ka call tha lekin she said woh kal call karegi."Bhabhi stated.

"Nahi bhabhi."I immediately retorted earning a laugh from all three of them.I was on speaker.Shit! "Mera matlab hai ab."

"Rehne do Nandini,why are you trying to come up with reasons."She laughed.

"Bhabhi phone do na."I heard Manik whined and I smiled to myself.

"Ha baba deti hoon.Itni kya jaldi hai."She said.I could hear a little bickering happening and after a few more minutes I heard the door being shut.

"Finallllly."He sang and I giggled.

"Stupid itna time lagata hai koi call karne mein?"I scolded him.

"Are meine bola tha call karunga kab karunga yeh nahi bola tha."He pointed out and I rolled my eyes.

"Accha okay."I said and pouted.

"Toh Nandini Roke ke liye kaun kaun aayega?"Manik asked.

"Nana,nani and I think chacha,chachi will come.Dii aur jiju ka bata nahi sakte."I answered clutching the pillow to my chest.

"I hope dii and jiju come I'll get to meet their little one."Manik cutely admitted making me giggle.

"Aradhya is no more a little girl and she has become very naughty."I said remembering the one time I went to visit dii.I slept off on the bed and the little girl chopped my hair.I shuddered with the memory.But she was super duper cute.

"Doesn't matter.I hope she comes."Manik stated and Nandini hummed. "Nandini neend aa rahi hai toh so jao."

"Nah I am fine."I said.I drank water and sat comfortably on the bed changing my position.

"What are you doing tomorrow?"He asked me.

"Nothing much but I have to meet Alya tomorrow and uske baad I am having lunch with Rohan."I stated mentally ticking off things that I had to do tomorrow.

"Accha."He dragged making me hum. "Aur yeh Rohan kaun hai?"He inquired.

"Areeee Rohan re.I have mentioned him before.You know I met him a month back.He was a client."I said trying to make him remember. "Aise kya kar rahe ho Manik meine bataya tha tumhe."

"Accha bataya hoga I might have forgotten."He stated carelessly. "But why are you meeting him?"

"He kind of became a friend and as soon as he came to know I was starting with my own fashion line he wanted to meet me to discuss a few things."I explained and he hummed. "Itne questions kyu puch rahe ho?"I asked.

"Ku-kuch nahi.Bass ai-aise hi."He stuttered.Manik Malhotra stuttering.Hmmm!

"Are you jealous?"I smirked.There was long silence and I pulled my phone away to see if the call was on and it was. "Hello?"

"Yes."He answered.

"Huh?"

"I am jealous Nandini."He stated and my eyes widened. "I don't want to loose you to anyone."He answered.

"Oye Manik Malhotra itni jaldi toh nahi peecha chutne wala.You are stuck with me for life.Toh ab jhelo."I giggled.

"Believe me or not I would love that."He seriously said.

"Manik I love YOU and nobody else."I emphasised on the you. "Toh you don't have to worry."I said and he hummed. "Waiseeeee jealousy mein hi sab hota hai ha?"I laughed and he joined in knowing what I meant.

Flashback
"Manik meine kaha na nahiii."A 20 year old Nandini fought back with Manik in the middle of the canteen.

The scene was similar to the one when they had met but there was a slight difference.They were strangers then but they were dating now.

"What do you mean nahi?You are not going to stay back with that stupid boy."Manik stated.To say Manik was annoyed would be an understatement.He wanted to pull his hair out.Fighting with Nandini was never easy.She never gave in.

"Manik it is just today.Mein thodi na roj rukne wali hoon.You cannot do this everytime."Nandini shouted at him.

Since they were yelling they were getting looks and stares from people in the canteen at a regular interval.Their friends were eating like nothing had happened.They knew it was an everyday scene.

"Cabir samjha yaar ise."Manik slapped Cabir's head who glared at him. "Mujhe mat ghasito beech mein."He answered resuming his eating.

"Mukti talk to him.I cannot deal with him right now."Nandini grabbed her bag and dashed out of the canteen.

Nandini actually wanted to stay back in college with her classmate Arjun to study for a test which was the very next day but Manik being Manik wasn't allowing her.It was a stupid reason but Manik being an over possessive and an over protective soul couldn't understand that.

"Yaar yeh ladki pagal hai."Manik rubbed his hands on his face. "Tumlog kuch kaam ke nahi ho."He pointed at his friends and ran behind his girlfriend.

"Nandini....Nandiniiii ruko yaar."He pushed himself through the crowd when he spotted her walking towards the ground.He stifled a laugh at how cute she looked.She looked like Jerry walking in anger.

Nandini ignored his calls and continued walking murmuring to herself. "Samajhta kya hai apne aap ko,huh.I am not going to give into his stupid demands all the time.Aaaaaah."She screamed at the end at being pulled into an empty classroom.

She widened her eyes on seeing Manik. "Chodo.......chodo mujhe."She pulled out of his hold ready to go out but he pulled her towards himself locking the door and pushing her towards it making sure she doesn't hurt herself.

"Nandini please listen to me.Agar koi aur hota toh I wouldn't have said anything.That guy isn't really nice."He tried to explain but Nandini shook her head.

"Manik mujhe thodi shaadi karni hai uske saath.I just want his help with a few math problems.Aur toh aur I am meeting him in broad daylight."She reasoned with him trying to keep her anger in check.

"Phir bhi."

"Phir bhi kya Manik.It is all your fault.Yeh sab classes bunk karne ki wajah se hua hai.Agar classes bunk nahi karti toh yeh situation aati hi nahi phir."She yelled like a mad woman.

"Accha matlab everything is my fault ha now?"He fired back with equal anger.

In their little fighting spree they didn't notice how close they had come.Their bodies were almost sticking,Manik's both hands were on either side of her face trapping her and their lips were inches away their nose brushing when either of them moved.

"Are you jealous?"Nandini breathed out tired.

"I-I am not jea-jealous."Manik averted his gaze looking at the door behind her.

Nandini made him face her,her hands on his cheek. "Manik I like you okay.Mein aise hi nahi bolti I really mean it."She said softly this time.

"Nandini I don't trust him.He...he is not how he looks."Manik tried to explain.

"Manik I am strong enough to protect myself.I'll put the karate to some good use."She winked making him chuckle. "You don't have to worry."

"Hmm."He hummed not completely agreeing but rested his forehead against hers.

Manik opened his eyes and his gaze lingered at her lips.He licked his lips as Nandini opened her eyes and saw his gaze on her lips.Her eyes flickered to his lips and settled on his eyes.Manik inched a little ahead their nose touching.Nandini inched a little ahead nervously making their lips brush.Manik breathed hard and kept his lips on hers,kissing her.His mouth was hard on hers,then he put both arms around her and pulled her against him. His lips softened. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart, taste the mint still on his mouth. She wound her hands into his hair, as she'd wanted to do since the first time she'd seen him. His hair curled around her fingers, silky and fine. Her heart was hammering, and there was a rushing sound in her ears, like beating wings.It was soft yet passionate at the same time.Everything they both expected it to be.

Manik broke the kiss feeling her out of breath and rested his forehead on hers.Both their eyes still closed catching their breaths. "Wow."Manik uttered and Nandini blushed. "Though that is not how I expected my first kiss to be.I wanted it to be perfect with you."Manik pouted.

"With you anywhere is perfect Manik."She stated looking in his eyes.

Present
We both chuckled recollecting our memories.We spoke for a little more time but we ended up sleeping still on call.

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Sunday came soon or maybe that is what they felt.Both the houses were busy in getting things ready.While Nandini's nana,nani her chacha and chachi and also her dii and jiju came along with their daughter on Saturday.

"Maa mein aati hoon."Nandini got dressed in simple jeans and a top and was already to set her foot out.

"Tu kaha jaa rahi hai?If you haven't forgotten aaj tera roka hai.Chup chap ghar baith."Nalini glared at her making her pout.Nandini looked at her nanu who nodded.

"Nalini jaane do use."Nanu said. "Par papa."Nalini interrupted."Nandini jaldi ghar aaja na."Nandini nodded.

"Chal mein aata hoon tere saath."Niraj stated getting up. "Dada."Aradhya looked at him with a puppy face and Niraj shook his head.

"How am I supposed to say no to that face?"He nudged her nose with his finger and picked her up and walked towards the door. "Bilkul apni maa pe gayi hai."He mumbled under his breath and Nandini giggled.

"Toh kaha jaana hai?"Niraj asked getting into the drivers seat.

"I want to buy a gift for Manik."Nandini said earning a teasing gaze from her jiju.

"Mall?"She nodded playing with Aradhya who was sitting on her lap.

"Tune bataya nahi Nandini that you were dating him.Chachi kuch bata rahi thi but this girl snatched my phone."He laughed.Nandini continued telling him everything while he shook his head. "I didn't expect you guys to do this Nandini.Jhoot?"He gave her a disappointing look and Nandini hung her head.

"I know jiju lekin...we were left with no option."Nandini explained.

Niraj nodded and the rest of the journey was a silent one with Aradhya blabbering something or the other.

On entering the mall they entered the jewellery store.Nandini searched for something and her eyes landed on a necklace.It was a silver chain and it had a mic pendant.Nandini instantly liked it and it reminded her of Manik. "Excuse me can you please hand me that."Nandini pointed out to that necklace and it was handed to her. "Can you please engrave a date on this?"Nandini asked and the guy nodded.

She packed the gift and they left the mall. "Why this gift today?"Niraj asked.

"We haven't gifted anything to each other."Niraj looked at her surprised and Nandini looked at him giggling at his expression.

"What do you mean?"He asked.

"Matlab we only gifted each other on our first anniversary but after that we decided that we will gift when we start our life together."She explained further. "Today is our first step so this gift."She smiled adorably looking at him and he shook his head.

"What if he forgets?"Niraj asked.

"He won't,I know so and if he does trust me he'll make it up to me."Nandini grinned making Niraj smile.

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"Nandini tu ready hui ki nahi?"Arohi entered her room to find her sister all decked up in a lehenga looking gorgeous as ever. "Oh my god.Aaj toh Manik ke hosh udane wale hai."She stood in front of her and put a kaala teeka behind her ear. "Kisi ki najar na lage tujhe."

"You all look soo pretty."She commented looking at her mom,nani,chachi and her dii.

"Thanks bacche lekin aaj toh centre of attraction tu hai."Her mom winked at her and Nandini blushed.

"Chalo we have to leave late ho jayenge."Sushma,Nandini's nani ushered everyone out.Nandini carried her phone and Manik's gift and left her room.

She was trying to manage her pallu when she heard whistles and she widened her eyes. "God you guys."She shook her head hitting her forehead watching them being filmy.

"Dii kya lag rahe ho aap.Jiju toh gaye."Niru teased her and she slapped his shoulder whilst blushing.

"Hayee sharama gayi bechari."Her nani teased. "Naniiiii."Nandini whined making everyone laugh.

"Nikale?"Her father asked and they all nodded.

The roka was held in a banquet so that everyone would be comfortable.The arrangements were already done as Fab5 had done it with the help of Niru and Niraj.

Nandini entered the banquet to find it beautifully decorated.It was all purple,just the way she liked. "This is all sooo pretty."She admired while Niru and Niraj laughed.

"Tera jo pati hai na he wanted everything to be perfect."Niraj whispered in her ear and she flushed red.

In all this chaos,Nandini forgot the piercing gaze of her lover who stood gaping at her from the stage.

"Manik I know tere se raha nahi jaa raha par control kar yaar."Dhruv whispered in his ear but Manik just pushed him still stuck on Nandini.He was drinking in her beauty.She looked a goddess walking towards him.As if in a daze Manik walked towards her and forwarded his hand and that is when she noticed someone.

Nandini looked at his hand and then at him.She kept her shivering hand on his and let him walk her down.Nandini looked at him and he looked like a greek god.His sherwani fitted him perfectly.His hair gelled to perfection,no strand out of place.He smelt like musk making Nandini swoon and there was a smile than the usual smirk on his face.A small but a genuine smile.She gulped her saliva nervously and she blushed looking at him and her gaze automatically moved to her feet.

He made her sit and bent down to her level.He gazed in her eyes and Nandini was hypnotised. "You have me starstruck today.I expected you to look pretty but you have just bowled me today."He confessed.Nandini smiled more like blushed and averted her eyes down.

Manik settled besides her not leaving her hand nor did Nandini try to take her hand back.At this point Manik didn't care if his father came to know about them.He was just lost in her today,he was lost in the magic Nandini had created.

Their friends and family were a little surprised.Manik and Nandini were people who never really showed affection in public.Their friends had seen them for five years and they had only ever seen them fight in front of them.Never compliment each other or being lovey dovey.

"Chalo."Neyonika broke everyone's trance bringing them back from their thoughts.

She walked towards Nandini and kissed her forehead. "Bohot khubsurat dikh rahi ho."A cute smile adorned Nandini's face.She bent down to take her blessings but Neyonika stopped her.

"Gale milna agli baar."She warned her and Nandini giggled before hugging her. "And puttarji stop gawking at her."Manik widened his eyes passing a sheepish smile to his mother while Nandini blushed looking at him.She was sure going to blush the entire night today.

"Mom look at her.What do you expect."Manik had said.

After the ceremony was done Manik and Nandini were sitting while their friends were teasing them. "Mashouuuu."Aradhya ran to him and hugged him. "I missed you."

Nandini looked at him surprised and Manik winked. "I missed you too."Manik kissed her cheeks.

Thankfully their Manik's dad  was busy attending other guests or it would have been a task explaining how she knew him.

"Aru yaha aao baba.I have to feed you."Arohi walked towards her. "Niraj get her here.Khaana khana hai use."She ordered.

"Lets get going naughty girl before your mother explodes on both of us."Aradhya giggled along with others present there as Niraj took her and followed Arohi.

"Manik I cannot seem to take my eyes off you."Nandini whispered looking at them.Manik looked at her and smiled.

"Perfect click."Cabir exclaimed standing besides the photographer and broke their trance.

They looked around and saw almost everyone looking at them.Nandini blushed and quickly moved away and Manik just smiled making everyone laugh.

"Cabir."Manik called out and did some eye gestures and he nodded.

"Kya hua?"Nandini asked to which he mouthed a wait.

"Yeh le."Cabir gave a neatly wrapped box to Manik and went away.

"This is for you."Manik handed her the box.

"Thankyou."Nandini smiled sweetly at him. "That reminds me."She turned to spot Niraj. "Jijuu."She shouted so he could hear her over the music. "Jijuuuu."She shouted again and he looked at her raising his eyebrows.

"Gift."She mouthed and he nodded. "I also have a little something for you."She turned towards Manik. "Accha tell me isme kya hai?"She was bouncing on her feet.She was one impatient soul.

"Uh huh,not happening.Ghar jaake khud dekh lena."Manik shook his head immediately averting his gaze.

"Pleaseeee na."She whined showing a puppy dog face.

"Nahi ha Nandini.Khud dekh lena baad mein.Humesha you show that puppy dog face.This time not happening."He said and Nandini nodded twisting her lips.

"Here."Niraj handed her the bag and she mumbled a quick thankyou and he left.

She gave Manik the bag and saw him opening it. "Hello ghar jaakar yaha nahi."She stopped him and he pouted but nodded.

"Accha we will have to post a picture to introduce you.Are you fine with it?"Manik asked Nandini and she nodded. "Toh raat ko I'll send pictures to you select and send me okay?"He asked and she nodded yet again.

"Manik,Nandini hume do dates mili hai.You guys choose which one you are more comfortable with."Neyonika and Nalini walked towards them and they both nodded.

"Toh the first date is towards the end of the next month and the second date is three months from now."Nalini told them the dates. "Tumlog aapas mein decide karo and tell us."Nalini said and they nodded.

Manik and Nandini looked at each other and they knew the date had been fixed. "Mom the date after three months."Manik said to Neyonika.She looked at both pf them and nodded. "I know you want to start your fashion line before being a Malhotra also yeh phase enjoy bhi karna hai."He side hugged her and Nandini nodded.He knew her well.

"Manik,Nandini chalo dinner ke liye."Manik handed the bag to Cabir and asked to keep it safely and followed Nandini.This girl and her love for food!he thought.

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After the ceremony was done they both left to their respective places.Manik bid bye to everyone and after taking the gift bag he entered his room.He bolted the door and quickly freshened up.Sitting on his bed he took the box out.A letter came out with it.

Dear Manik,
Our first step towards togetherness.I don't know what to feel,I don't know what I am feeling honestly.I just know that I am looking forward to spend my life with you.I hope you have music with you all throughout your life Manik just the way you will have me.A small gift to mark the beginning of our journey.I hope you like it Manik.

I love you❤️

Manik kept the little note to the side and opened the box that was wrapped with a ribbon. "Wow."That was the word Manik uttered looking at the necklace.When he looked closely he saw the date engraved. "She remembers."He mumbled with a smile.

Flashback
"Nandini you know whenever we gift each other in future na."Manik started only to be interrupted by Nandini.

"Tumhe kaise pata we will be together in future.Mein meri guarantee deti hoon.But you?Will you be able to handle my clumsy self?"Nandini teased crawling towards him with a teasing smile.

"Ha baba I'll handle your clumsy self,your mood changing self,your foodie side,your rude side,your Chandler side,your.....aur koi your side ho toh woh bhi.I'll handle everything.Tum distract mat karo."He narrowed his eyes at her while Nandini ended up giggling.

"Accha bolo."She gave in side hugging him

"Toh whenever there comes a time to write date on gifts na write the date when we first met.The canteen.I want to remember you from then even though we started dating a year later.Thik hai?"He explained and Nandini nodded.

"18-4-2015  that is what it will be then."Nandini nodded.

Present
Manik put the necklace around his neck and kissed it.Manik was never going to remove it,that was a given.

Nandini on the other hand changed into her night clothes and sat on the bed to open the box.A letter sat in it making her smile.

Pyaari Fiance
I am glad that I am getting a chance to spend my life with you.I couldn't be more honoured.I love you and will always love you Nandini.There is a little star for my star cause you have been shining for me from the time you have entered my life and I want you to remember what you mean to me.Happy Roka Nandini!

I love you❤️

By the end she had tears welled up in her eyes but a never ending smile on her face.She opened the box and a gasp escaped he lips. "This is sooo beautiful."She whispered tracing the necklace with her fingers.

She removed the necklace she had been wearing and wore the one Manik gave.

"I wish you were here to make me wear this Manik.I absolutely love it.Thankyou soooo much😘"

Nandini sent the message and in return received his text.

"I love the necklace Nandini.Thankyou very much.I love you soo much❤️

Ps-I'll thank you in my style the next time we meet😉😍"

Nandini blushed a little but she typed in.

"I'll be waiting🥰."

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Hellllo guyssss! I know it's been a few days lekin mann nahi tha likhne ka.But I am here now.

Most importantly please tell me how I m at this.Is the writing good,is the story interesting cause I am getting very mixed reactions and I am confused.I want to improve so jo bhi views ho are welcome

Stay safe,stay healthy,stay home

Love,
Your Writer.