As the four of them entered the living room, everyone looked at them with curious smiles. Mrs. Malhotra was the first to speak.

"So... did you both get a chance to talk?"

Nandini and Manik looked at each other for a brief moment.

"Yes," they answered together.

Cabir whispered to Navya,

"They even answer together."

Navya elbowed him.

"Keep quiet."

Mr. Murthy smiled.

"We're happy to see that both of you at least know each other already."

Mr. Malhotra nodded.

"That makes things much easier."

There was a short silence before Mrs. Malhotra spoke again.

"If neither of you has any objection, we'd like to move forward with this relationship."

Everyone's eyes turned to Nandini and Manik. Neither of them answered immediately. Manik looked at Nandini.

"I'll respect whatever decision you make."

Nandini appreciated his honesty. She took a deep breath before speaking.

"I don't want to say yes or no today."

The elders looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"I believe marriage is a lifetime decision."

"I don't want to marry someone just because our families think we're a good match."

She looked at Manik.

"I want to know him."

"Not the Manik I knew five years ago."

"The Manik he is today."

The room fell silent.

Then Mr. Murthy smiled proudly.

"That's a very sensible decision."

Mrs. Malhotra nodded.

"I agree."

She looked at Manik.

"And what do you think?"

Manik smiled.

"I have no problem."

"I'd actually like the same."

"I also want Nandini to know who I am now."

Cabir suddenly raised his hand.

"I have one suggestion."

Everyone looked at him.

"They should go on dates."

Navya's eyes lit up.

"Yes!"

"Coffee dates!"

"Movie dates!"

"Long drives!"

"Shopping!"

Cabir looked at her.

"Who asked you?"

"I'm supporting your idea."

"I don't need support."

"You obviously do."

"Excuse me?"

Before another argument could begin, both families burst into laughter. Mrs. Malhotra smiled.

"Actually..."

"Cabir isn't wrong."

She looked at the couple.

"We're not asking you to fall in love overnight."

"But spend some time together."

"If you still feel this marriage isn't right..."

"We won't force either of you."

Manik nodded.

"That's fair."

Nandini agreed too.

"I'd like that."

Mrs. Murthy looked relieved.

"Then it's decided."

"The engagement will wait."

"You two will first get to know each other."

Navya clapped excitedly.

"Yessss!"

"Operation Patch-Up has officially started."

Cabir immediately corrected her.

"It's Operation Love Story."

"No."

"My name is better."

"It's terrible."

"Your face is terrible."

"My face is handsome."

"According to whom?"

"My mirror."

"Your mirror needs treatment."

Everyone laughed again. Mr. Malhotra shook his head.

"I don't know how you two survived college together."

Cabir proudly replied,

"We didn't."

"We fought every single day."

Navya folded her arms.

"And we'll continue because we are enemies not friends."

Cabir grinned.

"I'll be disappointed if you stop fighting."

"Why so?"

"I kinda like to see your struggle when you can't punch me because of your tiny height."

"You again insulted my height. Listen you five feet six inch giraffe, if I wanted to punch you I could do it standing on the stool and by the way I am not short. I am just cute, okay?"

"I agree, you are cute indeed. But if you try to cool down your anger a little bit you will look more cute."

Navya looked away to hide the tiny smile that escaped her lips.

Nandini quietly noticed it.

She smiled to herself.

Maybe...

Those two weren't as different as they pretended to be.

After lunch, the Malhotra family got ready to leave. As everyone walked toward the gate, Mrs. Malhotra suddenly turned around.

"Nandini."

"Yes, Aunty?"

"You don't have to call me Aunty anymore."

"You can call me 'Aunty' until you're comfortable."

Everyone laughed at her accidental mistake. She covered her face.

"Oh God."

"I meant..."

"You can call me Mom after the wedding."

Nandini smiled politely.

"I'll remember that."

As the cars started leaving, Cabir rolled down the window. He shouted,

"Tomorrow!"

"Ten o'clock!"

"Coffee date!"

Manik looked at him.

"I never agreed."

"You don't have a choice."

Navya leaned out from behind.

"I'll come too."

Cabir almost screamed.

"No!"

"It's a date."

"You'll become a traffic signal between them."

Navya glared at him.

"I won't leave my buddy alone."

"He won't kidnap your buddy."

"Whatever, I'm coming and that's final."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

Before they could continue, Manik started the car.

"If you two are done..."

"We're leaving."

Cabir sighed dramatically.

"Fine."

"But remember..."

"I'm Cupid."

Navya proudly replied,

"No."

"We are Cupid."

Cabir looked at her for a moment. Then he smiled.

"Fine."

"We are."

Then they left.

That evening

Nandini sat on her balcony with a cup of coffee. She kept thinking about the day.

For the first time...

She had seen genuine regret in Manik's eyes.

Not guilt.

Not pity.

Regret.

Could people really change? She didn't know. But she wanted to find out.

At the same time...

Manik stood on the balcony of his own house, looking at the evening sky. He remembered Nandini's words.

"I want to know the Manik you are today."

He smiled softly.

"This time..."

"I won't disappoint you."

Far away, in another part of the city...

Cabir secretly took Navya's phone number and called Navya. She answered immediately. Cabir said,

"Wow, that was quick. Were you waiting for my phone call that disparately?"

"Oh just shut up and directly come to the point.",

"What now?"

Cabir spoke in a serious voice.

"Tomorrow's mission."

"What mission?"

"Operation First Date."

Navya became excited.

"Tell me the plan."

Cabir smirked.

"We'll secretly follow them."

Navya gasped happily.

"I love this plan."

Neither of them realized...

They were smiling exactly the same way.

And somewhere...

Fate quietly smiled too. Because two love stories had just begun.

****************★******************
That's it for today. Hope you liked it. Please let me know your opinions by your comments and of course don't forget to vote.
Take care
Bye
Nahar...😘😘😘