In Manjeet's house

( Nandini's attire )

Nandu ( nervously ): Nahi, tuhānū ġalata hana. Mainū agē bhārata nū kadē vī kītā gi'ā hai ( No, you are mistaken, I have never been to India before..)

Manpreet ( surprised ): Kadē bhārata nū kītā gi'ā? Isa la'ī, jithē tuhānū hana? ( Never been to India ? So where are you from ? )

Nandu: Mainū janama hō'i'ā atē laḍana'ca li'ā'i'ā gi'ā sī. Isa la'ī jēkara tuhānū mērē agē kadē vī kara sakadā hai. ( I was born and brought up in London. So you could never see me before. )

Manpreet: Par mainū tuhānū kitē dēkhi'ā hai. Tuhāḍā ciharā, isa nū karana la'ī vī isē vēkhadā hai..( But I have seen you somewhere. Your face, it looks similar to..)

Nandu ( cut her in between ): Arey Aunty ji..Sānū bā'ada gala karēgā, sāḍē kamarē dikhā, mainū isa la'ī Damn bhukhē am ( Arey Aunty, we will talk later, please show us the room, I am damn hungry..)

Manpreet ( smiled ): Arey Mein bhi na..Mērē nāla ā'ō..( come with me )

Everyone sighed in relief. They followed Manpreet and she showed them rooms. MukNi was in one bedroom and so the Malhotra boys..Murthy brothers were given 4 rooms which was shared by 2 in one room..Elders were given their own room too..They got freshen up and settled down for dinner..

Raj: Princess, tumne bathaya kyu nahi ki tujhe Punjabi aathi hai ?

Nandu ( confused ): Ismein konsi baath hai Pops, aap sabko aathe hai na !

Rishi ( smiled ): Haa beta par tum London mein rehthi thi na..

Nandu ( smiled ): Tho kya hua chachu, mein bhi tho hindusthani hoon khas kar punjabi bhi..tho apna language jaana zaroori hai na..

Rohit ( smiled ): Ye thu sahi kaha..wese kese seekha Punjabi ?

Nandu ( smiled widely ): Mere Appa se seekha..unhe Punjabi bohath pasandh hai na..

Nyonika ( smiled ): Mein tho bhool hi gayi thi ki Shekhar Punjabi zyada aur Tamilian kam hai..

Rudr ( mocked ): Sirf Appa nahi balki cutie bhi zyada Punjabi aur kam Tamilian par uske saath saath kam Bengali bhi hai..

They giggled at it while Nandu slapped Rudr's arm playfully..Soon they had their dinner but Manpreet was glancing at Nandu every now and then which was noticed by everyone..

In the lawn

The Murthy siblings were sitting in the lawn. They were having a serious face cause Nandu was looking nervous. She was sitting in between Om and Rudr.

Rithvik: Jaan, baath kya hai ?

Nandu ( nervously ): Uh..Vo Bhayyu..vo mein..

Asad: Uske aage kuch hai ya nahi ?

Nandu: Umm hai..vo..

Sid ( mocked ): Tu aaj bolegi na..agar nahi tho mein sona jaa raha hoon..

Nandu: Ha..ha..mein aaj hi boloongi..

Shivaay: Tho phir bolo na..

Nandu: Haa..vo..mujhe..mein kisiko..mujhe kisi..

Viren ( irritated ): Arey meri Angel..iske aage kuch hai tho bol..

She covered her face with hands and wiped her sweat beads..Om took her in his embrace and kissed her forehead..

Om: Bolo..bina tension se..tere Bhayyus tujhe kabhi daanta nahi na..( She nodded in no ) Tho phir..

Nandu: Ky..kyunki..aaj mein kuch aise bathana ja rahi hoon jo isse pehle kabhi nahi maangi..

Rudr ( raised his eyebrow ): Aur wo kya hai ?

Nandu: Wo..

Karan ( cupped her face ): Jo bolna hai tu bol sakthi hai..just remember one thing, no matter what, we love you and we respect all your wishes..

That's it for her..she took a deep breath and closed her eyes..

Nandu: I LOVE MANIK..

There was only silence around the room. She opened her eyes slowly to see her Bhayyus with a calm expression on their faces..

Nandu ( scared ): Aap log kuch bol kyu nahi rahe hai ?

Asad ( sternly ): Kabse chal rahe hai ye relationship ?

Nandu ( shocked ): Hum koi relationship mein nahi hai..

Rithvik ( coldly ): Tho phir Love kese ?

Nandu ( her eyes turned teary ): Wo..mein..usse pyar karthi hoon..par mene abhi thak confess nahi kiya..

Viren ( equally stern ): Kya wo tumse pyar kartha hai ?

Nandu: Haa..

Karan ( narrowed his eyebrows ): Aur wo tumhe kaise patha ?

Nandu ( softly ): I know..

Om ( raised his voice a bit ): Acha..naa hi tumne usse bathaya aur naa hi usne tumse bathaya phir kesa pyar..tum apna bachpana ko pyar samjake rakhi hai..

Nandu ( sniffed ): Nahi Bhayyu, hum ek doosre se pyar karthe hai..

Rudr ( coldly ): Tum apna friendship galath samjaake rakhi hai..Hume sabse pehle Manik bhai ko samjhaana chahiye..wo tho tumse bade hai tho kam se kam unhe feelings ke baare mein kuch jaana chahiye tha..

Sid ( angry ): Arey usse hume sabak sikhana chahiye tha, pehle se hi inke friendship thodna chahiye tha..baby tho kabhi pyar mein padi nahi isilye usse sahi galath ka kuch patha bhi nahi par Manik tho samaj sakthe na..par nahi wo bhi iske jaise buddhu hai.. mujhe ye samj mein nahi aa raha hai ki aakhir uss ladke mein aisa kya dekha hai jo London ke koi ladkon mein nahi dekha..

She couldn't take it anymore..she couldn't listen anything bad against her Manik..he was nowhere at fault..

Nandu ( shocked+ crying ): Bhayyu, ye aap kya keh rahe hai..Manik truly loves me..aur aap uske baare mein ese kese keh sakthe hai ? Meri zindagi mein aaj thak..aaj thak mene Manik jese insaan se nahi mili..aapne poocha tha na ki usmein aisa kya hai jo London ke koi bhi ladkon mein nahi dekha..kyunki wo alag hai..usmein mein apne saare bhayyus ko dekha hai..Asad Bhayyu ke gussa apne pariwar ko protect karna keliye, Rithvik Bhayyu jaise overprotective, Viren Bhayyu jaise meethi baathein karna aatha hai, Sid Bhayyu jaise possessive bhi hotha hai, Shivaay bhayyus jaise ' no word against my family ' principle follow kartha hai, Om bhayyu jaise galathiyan samjaathe hai, Rudr Bhayyu jaise prankster bhi hai aur Karan Bhayyu jaise comical bhi hai..ab aap hi bathayiye, jab mein apna 8 bhayon ko ek hi insaan mein dekhthi hoon aur wo insaan mujhse ithna pyar karthe hai tho mein kese uske pyar ko inkaar karoon, how could I not fall for him..mere dil uskeliye dhadakthi hai ab Bhayyu..wo mera dil ban chuka hai..I love him Bhayyu..I love Manik..trust me..he is the best for me..

She knelt down in tears and cried like never before. Suddenly she was taken into a strong embrace, her Shivaay Bhayyu's embrace..

Nandu: Bhayyu, I know I shouldn't have fallen in love. I promised you I would marry someone of your choice..But..I..I fell for him..I could trust him just like how I could trust you..He is the person who could wipe my tears and I would let him do it..cause I love him..

Shivaay: And even after this if we say NO ?

She broke the hug and looked at him sadly and then at the rest of them..She wiped her tears and closed her eyes and took a deep breathe..

Nandu: I..I won't do anything,he will take the decision and I know he would decide to leave me..FOREVER..

Asad ( cupped her face ): Is your LOVE so weak that he decides to leave you and you are ready to accept it if we say NO..?

Nandu ( smiled ): Our LOVE is so strong that we are ready to sacrifice it for family. He knows that I love you more than anyone in my life and I can never stay away from you..so he would make the choice cause he knows I won't be able to make it..He loves me enough to respect your decision..

The Murthy brothers stood there in shock..They heard the same lines which they heard from Manik..They smiled in tears and asked themselves ' Can someone love someone this selflessly '

Om took her in his embrace first, followed by others..

Rithvik: If we say YES ?

Nandu ( smiled ): I will believe that you like Manik then..

They broke the hug and she looked at them curiously..

Viren: We like your choice, but we won't say YES easily..

Sid: We need the best man for you baby..so will check him first with our tests and say yes once he wins in impressing us..

Nandu ( shocked ): Tests ? What tests ?

Shivaay ( smiled ): What tests..uh..this is something you don't need to know..All you need to do is to have faith in us..

Nandu ( smiled ): I trust you more than myself..

They smiled at her and kissed her forehead..

Nandu: Mujhse naraaz tho nahi na ?

Om: Naraaz kyu ?

Nandu: Umm..I broke my promise..so..?

Karan ( smiled ): Aese kisne kaha ? Nandini Murthy kabhi apne waadhe thod sakthe hai kya ? Tu ne bas pyar kiya par uske baad jo karna hai wo tho tune kiya hi nahi..

Nandu ( confused ): Mathlab ?

Rudr ( evilly ): Mathlab, you promised us that you would marry someone of our choice but here you had just fallen in love, you didn't elope with Manik bhai so the promise is not broken..

She giggled at it and nodded..

Asad: And so we aren't angry at our princess, Manik isn't a bad guy after all..

She smiled widely and hugged him..The brothers took her to the room and kissed her goodnight..

Nandini's POV

I was rolling on the bed in tension..Thank god Mukti decided to sleep in her parents' bedroom today or else she would have kicked me out of this room for not allowing her to sleep..What tests will they give to Manik..Daadi ki Rab ji..pls save Manik..mere liye tho kuch bhi kar sakthe hai Bhayyus..na jaane Manik ka kya haalath hoga kal..I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a pair of hands on my waist..I gasped at this touch..

Nandu: Manik..

Manik ( nuzzled in her neck ): Hmm..kya baath hai..soyi nhai abi thak..mere intezaar kar rahi thi kya ?

I turned towards him and looked at him..

Nandini: Nahi wo..

Before she could say something they heard a mobile ring..

Manik: Ahh..its mine..one sec..

He had a wide smile after seeing the caller ID..I was curious to know who can make THE MANIK MALHOTRA smile which happens very rarely..He picked the call..

Manik: Saaley time mil gaya tujhe mere liye..?

( Okay guys, whatever the person is speaking from the other side is not heard by Nandini )

Person: Yar, tum Kri jaise baathein math karna..

Manik: Kri teri gf hai aur mein tera best friend tho difference hai humare complaints mein..

Person ( evilly ): Arey, tu hamesha meri pehli gf rahegi..

Manik ( horrified ): Yuck..am straight dude..waise bhi meriwali mere paas hi hai..

He took me in his embrace while I kept my chin on his heart and played with his hair..

Person ( shocked ): Kya..teriwali..mathlab Bhabi pakki hui..?

He kissed my forehead..

Manik ( blushed ): Haa..teri Bhabi pakki hui hai..

I widened my eyes hearing it..he winked at me while I blushed and looked here and there..he giggled at it.. I smiled naughtily and kissed his cheeks..it was his time to get shocked..I smirked at him, don't play with me Mr. Malhotra..I again started playing with his hair..

Person ( excited ): Arey yar, tum kya baath kar rahe ho..bathaya kyu nahi ? Gf mili tho dosth bhool gaya..

Manik: Arey, mene socha face to face kahoonga..

Person ( excited ): Tho kal hi bathana wese bhi hum kal aayenge Mansion..

Manik: Arey mansion nahi, punjab aaja..

Person ( confused ): Punjab ? kyu ?

Manik: Kyunki..hum..hum Punjab mein hai..ek family vacation pe..

Person ( shocked ): Kya ? Vacation ? Wo bhi hamare bina ?

Manik: Naatak math kar nautanki..tu bas kal aaja..saare information mil jayega..

Person: Done..par Bhabi hi main topic hona chahiye..okay ?

Manik ( smiled ): Haa baba..teek hai..tu bas chote ko leke aao..Acha bye..see you tomorrow..

He cut the line..I was about to move from him but the next moment I was below him..

Nandu ( shocked ): Manik..

Manik ( huskily ): Two can play the game Miss Murthy..or soon to be Mrs. Malhotra..

Nandu ( shocked ): Huh ?

Manik: Kyu..tujhe nahi banna hai Mrs. Malhotra ?

Nandu ( snaked her hands around his neck ): Ohh..Mrs. Malhotra..mujhe tho ithni jaldhi nahi banna hai..wo kya hai na..pehle mujhe mere honewala pathi ko jaana hai, unke pariwar ko jaana hai phir shaadi..taaki baad mein koi tension na aajaye..

He looked at me with lots of emotions, he was so close to me..I could hear his heartbeats..our lips were inches far from each others'...

He kissed my forehead and rested on it..

Nandu: Manik..

Manik: Hmm..

Nandu ( nervously ): Aaj mene Bhayyus se hamare barein mein bathaya..

Manik looked at me with a jerk..I closed my eyes in fear..what if he didn't want me to talk this soon..but I can't help it..I never hide anything from them..I felt his lips on my cheeks, I opened my eyes and looked at him to see him smiling..

Manik: Mein tujhse naraaz nahi hoon..I knew you would never hide anything from them but I didn't expect it soo early..isiliye shocked hua..

Nandu ( smiled ): I couldn't stop myself..aaj thak mene kuch nahi chupaya unse..aur aage bhi nahi kar sakthi..Thank you for understanding me..

Manik: Nandini...

Nandu ( bit her tongue ): Sholly..mein bhool gayi thi tumhe thanks kehna pasandh nahi hai..

Manik : Its okay..par aage se nahi..

Nandu: Done..Nandini promise..

Manik ( smiled ): Ab bolo..Bhayyus ne kya kaha ?

Nandu ( scared ): Bhayyus ne yes nahi kaha..agar yes kehna hai tho tumhe impress karna padega unhe..wo bhi unke koi tests pass hokar..tumhe aitraaz tho nahi na..

Manik: Mujhe koi aitraaz nahi baba..mein wo tests pass hokar tujhe jeethoonga..dekhlena tu..

I smiled widely and hugged him..I might have done something good in my life to get him.

He kissed my forehead and took me in his embrace while I snuggled into him and kissed his heart..He knew when i want it and when I am not ready to...that's why i love him..