Nandini smiled in bliss as she heard the endearment for herself and nodded in yes looking at her face in a daze.

"Toh bhai! Bhabhi pasand aayi?", Mukti teased Manik.

Ignoring her Manik turned to Mr Murthy, "We have to make some changes in the contract, Mr Murthy!"

"Haa jarur! Jaisa aap bolo beta!", He answered while Nandini stole a look of her father who was used endearments for Manik.

"Thik hai fir! Kal miltey hai for the engagement!", Raj said and all stood.

"Mr Murthy! My friends want to meet Nandini! So the day after the engagement, Mukti will pick her for the shopping and small get together!",. Manik said while moving towards the main door.

Mr Murthy nodded while giving a small hug to Nandini, Mukti followed them and patting her cheeks in affection Nyonika also followed them leaving her all alone.

After they left Nandini went to her room. While changing her clothes she noticed the marks on her shoulders. Sighing she changed and went to bed to welcome a new day.

On the other side, Manik was sitting in his room thinking about her. He can't take her sacred and innocent face out of his mind. He can't forget her small smile which she hid before anyone can notice. But he was also angry about how she flinched when his mother and sister hugged her. How his mother smile flattened when she didn't respond to her hug. He was in his thoughts when Mukti bragged in shouting, "Bhaiiiii!"

He shook his head as if it can help to forget about her.

"Bhabhi k kahylo mein ho, bhaiii!", She teased as she sat beside him.

"No! Tujhey kuch kaam hai bol toh varna nikal yaha sey!", He said and picked a file from the side table.

Making a bad face she said, "Avi bhabhi aayi bhi nhi hai aur mujhey bhaga rhey ho!"

Sighing he kept the file aside and said taking her hand in his, "Mukti! Listen! Whatever happens! Whoever comes and goes! My family will always be my priority! You, mom, dad are my family! Always remember this! Ok?"

She frowned and said, "Bhai! I was teasing you! And about family! Bhai she's going to be your wife! You can't say like this! She's your family too! This is wrong! I saw you, bhai! You were angry when she didn't hug back!"

"Mukti! Go to your room!", He said angrily.

"No! You have to listen! Bhai you and I both know she is too naïve! You know that when later I rubbed her shoulder she relaxed Bhai! She felt comfortable! Apney dekha na her father didn't introduce her to us! Aap bhi achey sey jantey ho ki there's something with Mr Murthy and his daughter which nobody knows and when our secret detective took her pics you also noticed the innocence and pain! That's why you agreed and offered this deal to him! Toh kyu? Why aren't you accepting her as your family! Why?", She said making him sigh.

"But Mukti! She isn't what I thought! You in that fraction of second she mocked on me! Because of her, mom was sad! You saw, right?"

Mukti laughed and said, "Ohh! Toh baat ego par aa gayi hai! Bhai! Ego relation ko complicated karta hai! Don't let your ego ruin her innocence and your love!"

Saying she left the room leaving him in thoughts and regret about his behaviour.

Next day the arrangements were going on but she has nothing to do so she was studying in her room. Her father didn't tell her anything at the time of breakfast and lunch.

It was 7 p.m. when someone knocked at her door. Keeping the books aside she softly answers,"Aap aa saktey hai andar!"

Two girls came inside and said, "Ma'am! You have to get for the engagement!"

She nodded and said, "Main abhi change kar aati hun!"

She changed into her Anarkali and sat in front of the dressing table so that they can do her hair and makeup.

After they were done they left her alone while she sat waiting for someone to call her.

After an hour, she was called downstairs.

Nervously, she stood and climbed down the stairs. All the hustle-bustle stopped as she came to the top of the stairs.

Mukti and Nyonika were jumping on their toes looking at her who was no less than the Goddess.

Mukti poked her brother and said, "Bhai! Dekh kya rahey ho! Go and get her!"

Manik nodded and went to her. Forwarding his hand to her who was in the second last stair he whispered, "I'll hold you!"

She who was looking down till now abruptly looked at him. He blinked his eyes and whispered, "Hold me!"

She hesitated but forwarded her hand and Manik took her hand without wasting a second.

Both came back to the stage.

"Everyone! It's time for the ring exchange!"

A helper forwarded the ring to Nandini. She took the ring and waits for anyone to tell what to do next.

"Make him wear, Nandini!", Mukti said softly and nodding she made him wear who had forwarded his hand. While he also did the same.

Everyone clapped and congratulates the couple. She was nervous and scared as so many people were around her. And she doesn't know anyone. But to her surprise, someone was there for her. His small gesture was giving her support. He had his fingers laced with her all the time even though he was talking to Mukti and when they were exchanging the rings.

Soon everyone congratulated them and the party came to an end.

It was time for Manik and his family to leave when Mr Murthy who was busy in guests all the time came to them and said, "So Mr Malhotra jald hi miltey hai!"

Grabbing a chance Manik took Nandini to side.

Both of them were standing in front of each other. Her eyes were cast down while his bored into her.

Softly taking both her small hands in his he said, "From today it's the start of a new chapter of our life. Aapsey umeed hai ismey aap mera saath degi! Aur main aapsey promise karta hun I'll be there for you too!"

She nodded slowly when he continued, "Kuch bolegi nahi aap?"

She squirmed on her place as he was holding her hands. Very slowly she whispered, "I'm sorry! For yesterday!"

He smiled and said, "No! I'm sorry! It's just that when it comes to my mom I can't think correctly! For me, my family is God! It triggers me when because of someone they lose their smile."

"Main apko sikhyat ka mauka nhi dungi!", She said looking down and he softly holds cupped her cheeks but noticed her sudden stiffness so instead of hugging her he pecked her forehead.

As his lips touched her forehead her heart calmed. It was as if she was in some panic from a long time and finally, she's calm. He smiled as he noticed her relaxed shoulder.

"The Buddhists say if you meet somebody and your heart pounds, your hands shake, your knees go weak, that's not the one. When you meet your 'soul mate' you'll feel calm. No anxiety, no agitation."

Smiling, Manik bent till her height and chinned up her face so that she could look into his eyes, "Kal Mukti nahi main aaunga leny apko! Kya aap chalengi mery saath?"

She looked at him in shock as for the first time someone asked what she wants. This does not happen in her house. Is it a rule of their house? What should she answer? She was not never taught about this! What should she do?

Noticing a small panic in her eyes Manik frowned. But he again cupped her face and rubbed her cheeks softly and as if a magic spell cast on her she calmed down and whispered, "Ji!"

Manik patted her cheek in love and said, "Kal milety hai!"

Manik took her hand and came back to where everyone was talking. Malhotra had planned to divert Mr Murthy's attention so that Manik could spend a moment with her would-be.

"Chaltey hai Mr Murthy!", Manik's father said shaking his hand.

"Baaarat ka intezar rahega!", Mr Murthy said and smiling all left. Manik followed them not before squeezing Nandini's hand in assurance for last time.

After they left, Mr Murthy was about to leave when Nandini said, "Baba!"

"Nandini! Aapko kaha gya hai pehly bhi bich mey mat thoka kijye! Khair! Kya kaam hai aapko?", He said looking into his mobile.

Tucking her hair behind her ears she said slowly, "I'm sorry Baba! Mujhey ijazaat chaiye thi!"

"Kis chiz ki ijazaat?"

"Kal dost aa rhey hai! Milney jaa sakti hun?"

"Kiskey dost? Aapkey? Aapkey dost kaise aur kab banaye? Aapney kahi kisi helper ko toh dost nahi bana liya? Aapko pata hai yeh rules mein nahi hai fir bhi aapki inti himaat?", He continued without listening to her while she kept quiet so that he can finish, "Ab boleygi aap? Konsey dost?"

"Nahi Baba! Vo avi gaye unkey dost! Unhoney bola ki aaney k!"

"Ohh! Manik! Aap jaa sakti hai! In fact, ab Manik jaha bhi ley jaye uskey liye mujhsey puchney ki jarurat nahi hai! Aap sirf Manik aur unki family k saath janey k liye allowed hai jab tak mery ghar par hai! Iss shadi k baad aapko iss ghar mey wapas aaney ki jarurat nahi hai! Siwaye tab jab Manik bahut force karey! Yeh dhyaan rakhieyega! Iss shadi k baad iss ghar mey aapkey rahney k liye koi jagah nahi hai! Yaha k liye aapkey darwazey jis din apki shadi hogi uss din humesa k liye band ho jayegey! Jo ki next week hai! Isliye jo bhi yaha sey apki jarurat ki chiz hai sirf wo ley jayegi aap!"

He left and nodding Nandini left to her room.

She knows her father is a little bit strict but that's his way to send her happily. He can't break in front of her. He loves her, right? Does he love her?