"You know we should plan such trips often."Nandini sighed in bliss looking out through the window.

"Ha yaar.It feels nice to have the entire family together."Myra said snuggling into Rehaan who pulled her closer to him.

They were on their way to Alibaug with the entire family riding together in a mini bus.The elder clan were on the front seats while the youngsters opted for the middle seats which had two round tables.The Murthy's had a holiday house in Alibaug which was perfect for the occasion.Giving the right amount of privacy and peacefulness.

"I heard you both popped the question at the same time."Rehaan stated teasing the lovebirds.Nandini and Manik both nodded with sly smiles on their face. "Waah kya coordination mein chalte ho dono?"He added further making everyone laugh.

"Kids we are about to reach so wrap up your talks for a bit."Raj stated and everyone shouted a yes.

In about a few more minutes they reached.They got out taking a few bags leaving the rest for the house helps. "Accha toh there are seven rooms."Nalini stated as soon as everyone got settled in the living room. "Neeche ke teen rooms will be taken by us.Upar ke ek room Rehaan and Myra."She stated. "Baaki ke teen rooms mein baaki sabko adjust karna padega."

"Mom aap tension mat lo we'll manage on top."Nandini assured her.The elders went leaving the youngsters alone. "Toh how are we going to sleep?"Nandini questioned.

"Let us girls sleep in one room.And cause there are five boys you can adjust in two rooms."Alya suggested and they all nodded.

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After dinner,they got settled in the living room. "I think derr hogayi hai and the travelling was a but tiring toh so jaate ha kyu?"Neyonika suggested getting up followed by everyone. "Goodnight."They all wished and left.

"Ha guys lets sleep."Rehaan stated yawning at the end.

"You can sleep when you are dead."Cabir stated making the rest laugh. "No but chup chap sablog chaloge.Hum truth or dare khelne wale hai."He left without hearing any protests taking everyone to one of the boys room.They all sat in circles,their partners beside them except for Niru.

Manik spun the bottle and it landed on Cabir. "Truth or Dare?"Manik questioned and Cabir gave him a funny look.Manik chucked a pillow at him which he dodged. "Okay soooo Eat a popcorn off your nose with your tongue."Manik stated and everyone bursted into fits of laughter.

"I'll get it."Nandini excitedly ran towards the kitchen and prepared popcorn. "Here it is."She placed the bowl in front.

Cabir picked one as per Manik's instructions but as soon as he kept it,it would slide down making him whine. "Cabir nahi ho payega."Navya laughed at his fifth try.

He kept it one more time craning his neck behind.It stayed for a bit but he sneezed and the popcorn hit Manik on his nose making him groan and the others laughed.

"Cabir puri raat nahi hai apne paas."Dhruv stated smacking his head. "Ek last try kar chal."

"Bhagwan dekho mujhe haarna pasand nahi hai.Please mein..mein aaj puri raat khana nahi khaunga par please yeh dare karado."He dramatically prayed as the others gave him a bored look.

"Hogaya?Chal start kar."Mukti said.

He placed the popcorn on his nose and cringed his nose making it fall down a bit but before he could have it Navya and Dhruv both pushed him and it fell. "Cheating.Cheating ki tum dono ne."He accused them showing them his finger.Navya swatted his hand away.

"Tum aaj raat khana chodoge.That is better then winning."She stated spinning the bottle as the other had a hearty laugh.

It landed on Manik this time and he said a 'Dare' in confidence. "Accha mein deti hoon ise dare."Mukti took the initiative and winked at Nandini. "I dare you to cut Nandini's hair."She smirked.Everyone looked at her with wide eyes.They all knew how obsessed Manik was with Nandini's hair while Nandini smirked.

"What???Nooooooo."He shouted shaking his head. "Pagal hai kya.I love her hair.I am not cutting it."He looked at Nandini.

"Manik give it a try chalega mujhe."She said getting up. "Come on get up.We are doing this."She forwarded her hand.

"Ganja kar dunga mein tumhe bata raha hoon."He threatened giving her a mischievous look.

"Chalega mujhe shaadi tumhe hi karni hai mujhse."She shrugged as the rest laughed at Manik's face.

"Nandini I really love your hair.I don't want to cut it."He whined pouting for added effect.

"Manik woh badh jayenge.And moreover they are damaged."She explained. "Pleasesee Manik."She cutely pleaded and he rolled his eyes.

"Kya musibat hai."He mumbled slapping his forehead. "Teko toh mein dekh lunga."He glared at Mukti who hi-fied Nandini. "Yeh sab teri wajah se ho raha hai.What was the need to say 'You can sleep when you are dead."He mimicked him throwing a pillow at his head.

"Mujhe kya pata inke dimaag mein yeh khurafat chal rahi hai."He shrugged casually.

"Chalo Manik."Nandini excitedly pulled him towards one of the washrooms.She sat down and gave scissors to him as the other tried to stifle their laughter. "I want to cut this much."She showed him the length and he looked at her horrified.

"Pagal ho kya?"He threw the scissors away glaring at her through the mirror. "Itne!"He exclaimed and she nodded.

Nandini wanted to go for a full fledged hair cut.Her waist length hair would fall a little below her shoulders. "Accha.Okay."She said. "Mid back tak."She bargained.He still shook his head but a glare from Nandini and he settled for it.

Chop chop chop and her hair was cut.A few instructions from Nandini and a few screams from the girls when he went all hairstylist on her it was done. "You've done a good job Manik."Nandini patted his back admiring herself in the mirror.

"Chalo phir lets cont."Cabir started.

"Thappad khayega."Manik glared. "Pata nahi aur kya kya karna padega."He murmured shaking his head. "Nandini the new hair looks nice on you."He winked and left, leaving flushed Nandini and others with teasing smirks behind.

Yeh ladka bhi na...
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"Are uth gayi tu?"Neyonika asked as Nandini walked in freshly showered.

"Ha woh I just woke up."She said fetching a glass of water for herself.

"Yeh tere baal ko kya ho gaya?"Her mother asked looking at her intently.After all parents are the ones who notice the minute changes in us.

"Woh I got a haircut."She stated biting back a smile.

"Raat ko?"Her mother interrogated.By now Neyonika also looked at both of them with great interest.

"Ha."Nandini nodded cutting her answer short.

"Kisne kaate?"She questioned further.

"Woh Manik ko dare mila tha toh."She said and both the ladies grinned.

"What?Manik gave you a haircut?"Neyonika asked again to confirm and Nandini nodded timidly.

"Aapk gussa ho mom.Woh dare tha isiliye."Nandini apologised walking towards her.

"No! Why will I be angry.I am just amused."She laughed. "Dikha toh."She urged and Nandini turned giving them a view of her hair. "Thankgod.I won't have to go to a salon now."Neyonika breathed in relief making Nandini giggle.

"Neyo puch toh le lekin.Sirf Nandini ke liye toh reserved nahi."Her mother teased making Nandini blush.Both the ladies hi-fied laughing at her cost.

"Mom atleast aap dono toh tease mat karo."She pouted making face.

"Kon kise tease kar raha hai?"Manik walked in and Nandini slapped her forehead.

"Kuch nahi."Neyonika shook her head. "Waise Manik."She called and he hummed drinking water from the bottle. "I heard you gave Nandini a haircut?"Neyonika started and Manik coughed gulping water with great difficulty. "So is it only reserved for Nandini ki hum bhi included hai?"She asked innocently.

Manik looked at Nandini to find her blushing a little then back at Neyonika. "Umm da-dare tha mom."He stuttered scratching his forehead.

"Phir bhi.I am just asking you know."She shrugged and Manik was tongue tied.

"Uhh...I will give you both a haircut as well don't worry."He laughed winking at his mother who chuckled aling with Nalini. "Don't tease us like that.Cabir hi kaafi hai."He pulled her cheeks and she pouted.

Nandini smiled looking at the duo. "Waise Manik you have really given her a nice cut ha."Nalini teased.He rubbed his nape in embarrassment.

"Mom aapki beti na she looks beautiful.Toh it was going to suit her anyway."He winked at Nandini who blushed and he was out yet again leaving her to deal with the two mothers.

"Me-mein aati hoon."She ran behind him not waiting to hear their response. "Ruko."She called him and he stopped and hummed looking at her. "Yo-you can't do-do this."She stated looking at him.

"Do what?"He seriously asked rolling his tongue.She widened her eyes.

"Tease me lik-like that."She folded her hands trying to appear stern but in reality she was melting under his intense gaze.

"Accha?"He questioned and she nodded firmly.He walked towards her and he appeared in front of her. "What if I don't?"He questioned tucking the loose strands of hair behind her ear.

Nandini involuntarily leaned her face in his hands.She hated that her body was soo responsive to his touch.It took every ounce of energy in her to stay mad at him or even put an act of being mad.It was just impossible.

"Bolo."He urged.She met his gaze and blushed.The guy had the ability to make her blush with only his looks.

"Manik."She whined hugging him.He chuckled a throaty laugh his chest vibrating.He hugged her back kissing the top of her head.

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Everyone was down for breakfast.It was 11 in the morning,a little late for breakfast but it was their little getaway.It was allowed.

"Abhi Mr.Mehra ne call kiya tha the deal is on."Raj stated and Rehaan nodded.

"Ayee no office talks."Neyonika glared and they nodded making a bad face. "Nandini why are you smiling?"She asked.

"Woh I had a professor in college with Mr.Mehra's name."She smiled a bit nostalgic.

"Which college were you in?"Raj questioned wanting to know.

"Space dad."She answered.

"Ohh Manik infact pura Fab5 aur Navya bhi toh Space mein the."He said excited. "How did you guys not meet or even hear about each other?"He asked confused his attention on all of them.The spoon from Nandini's hands fell.

"Umm wo-woh I was not interested in music."Nandini stated nervous in the beginning but sounding confident at the end.

"And our streams were different as well."Manik added supporting her and Raj nodded in understanding continuing with his breakfast.

Manik and Nandini looked at each other.What had they gotten themselves into?

Thats the thing about lies.Once you lie you just have to lie a 100 more times to support that lie.It becomes a vicious circle.No chance of getting out of it.
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Helllllo lovely people.The book is soo close to hitting a 10k and it has already hit 1k votes.This is reallly crazzzy you people.I am speechless.

Thankyou sooo muchh for your love.I really love you guys❤️

Stay home,stay safe and stay healthy.

Love,
Your Writer.