In Chopra's Mansion

Nandini has just come out of the washroom in her night suit, all ready to sleep. But then, seeing the person sitting on her bed, just made her frowned..

Nandini: Ma..aap yaha..?

Takshvi smiled and gestured her to sit beside her..Nandini too smiled and settled on the bed and kept her head on Takshvi's lap..

Nandini: Boliye Mother India..baath kya hai..?

Takshvi ( smiled ): Kuch jaldhi hi samaj liya aapne..

Nandini ( grinned ): Ab kya karoon, ek tho mein aap hi ki beti hoon aur doosri bath ki mein ek PVT investigator hoon, its easy for me to read your face..

Takshvi ( sighed ): Chalo, koi nahi..tho mujhe tumse kuch maangna tha..

Nandini ( frowned ): Mangna..? Ma, bhale mein aapko Mother India bulathi hoon, par aap meri Ma hai aur aapko mangna nahi balki kehna hai..ya phir command..

Takshvi ( smiled ): Ye tumhari zindagi se jude hue baath hai, so i am not commanding but I am gonna ask..

Nandini ( impatiently ): Ma, its getting so excited..Please break it..

Takshvi: I found a guy for you..

Nandini ( face palmed ): Gaye sab kuch PaNi mein..Ma, ismein konse badi baath hai..someone from our family would be bringing a proposal for me on some or the other day..

Takshvi ( sighed): I know, but this one is from my side..I liked the guy first..

Nandini's eyes went wide..

Nandini: Seriously..? When did you start doing such things..? I mean, you always tell that getting proposals for a girl is actually a man's job. Kya kehthi thi aap.." Aurath ka sabse zaroori kaam hai apne pariwar ko sambhalna.." tho ab kya hua Mother India..?

Takshvi slapped Nandini's arm earning a chuckle from her..

Takshvi: Nandu, I am serious..

Nandini: Acha teek hai, you can continue..

Takshvi ( smiled ): I talked with their family and they too liked you..

Nandini ( frowned ): They know me..?

Takshvi ( smiled ): Haa..they know you..

Nandini: Do I know them..?

Takshvi: Haa baba, you know them..

Nandini ( coolly ): Okay, I hope they are good..You know, those Oberois..kya naam tha uss duffer ka..Navodhi..Navedha...arey kuch bhi ho..ek Oberoi..Ma, mein keh rahi hoon, I am not gonna meet him if he is such a guy..

Takshvi ( sighed ): He isn't. In fact, you would like him too, you know him after all..

Nandini ( raised his eyebrow ): May I know who is that GREAT guy..?

Takshvi ( excitedly ): Manik..Manik Malhotra..

Nandini just got up from her Mother's lap with widened eyes and mouth..

Nandini: WHAT..!!!

Takshvi ( startled ): Kya hua..tum chilla kyu rahi ho..?

Nandini: Phir se kaho Ma..

Takshvi ( frowned ): Kya..kya kehna hai mujhe..?

Nnaidni ( impatiently ): Arey the guy's name..

Takshvi: Manik..Manik malhotra..Kyu..?

Nandini ( widened eyes ): Holy Freak..!!

Takshvi ( annoyed): Nandu, you know I hate when you swear..

Nandini got out of her shocked zone..

Nandini ( again shocked ): Wait..Did you say that they liked me too..?

Takshvi ( excitedly ): Haa..they liked you a lot.. Devashree Daadi Ji tho tumse ithna pasandh kiya ki she literally was grinning when I asked Manik's hand for you..

Nandini ( stunned ): So, you literally forwarded my proposal for Manik..?

Takshvi ( irritated ): Ab tum ithna sawal kyu pooch rahe ho..?

Nandini ( thought ): What the...hell is happening..? They liked me..? How is it possible..? I mean, yeah generally, they could like me, I am not that bad, thodi natkhat hoon par phir bhi achi ladki hoon na, okay its not self praising but I am not a spoilt brat..Arey, but they should be knowing about our previous proposal. He rejected me thinking I am a attitude freak while I rejected him thinking he is an impulsive brat, then why did they like me for their son..? Arey yar, ye sab ho kya raha hai..?

Takshvi shook her to bring her out of trance..

Takshvi: Kaha kho gaye ho tum..?

Nandini: huh..kahi nahi Ma..

Takshvi ( cupped her cheeks ): Nandu, mujhe patha hai tum ye soch rahi hogi ki mein aise kaise kisi se bhi rishtha thai karne ke koshish karoon..par beta..it isn't like that..I really think manik is a good guy. He is from a well mannered family, he is a renowned businessman, good looks and a sweet heart..What more should a girl want in her life partner..I know, you would be having an imaginary Prince charming in your heart, isiliye decision tumhare haath mein de rahi hoon mein..You just meet him and then you can decide what to do..Usse shadi karna hai ya nahi..

Nandini stared at her mother's face which was glowing due to happiness..She smiled and held her hand..

Nandini: If that's what you want, then I am ready to meet him..

Takshvi ( excitedly ): Really..?

Nandini ( smiled ): Haa Mother India, really..

Takshvi kissed her forehead in happiness..

Takshvi: Will you meet him tomorrow..Malhotras had no problem in it..

Nandini ( smiled ): I have no problem, Ma..

Takshvi smiled again and bade her a good night..Nandini laid on her bed and closed her eyes when she saw Manik's face. She was too shocked to react but then closed her eyes again and she saw his face again..She got up in a jerk..

Nandini ( shocked ): Why am I seeing his face..?

She sighed and held her head..

Nandini: Its just a proposal then why am I seeing his face when I close my eyes..? I never experienced such a thing before..Isse pehle bhi proposals aaye the mere liye par tabh tho aisa kuch bhi nahi hua..

Nandini closed her eyes and saw his face again..

Nandini ( closed eyes ): He doesn't seem to be a bad guy. Agreed, he is impulsive and arrogant, but it seems that's only for the world. Today, I saw a different Manik Malhotra and it was genuine, I could see it in his eyes. Maybe, I should give him a chance..

Next Day

Chopras were having their breakfast and they were discussing about the proposal..

Kailash: He is a good businessman, I have heard about him..

Janki ( sighed ): Kailash, we don't need to know about his business potentials..We want to know about his character..

Ishika ( smiled ): Usmein tho mujhe koi doubt nahi hai Ma, he is very sweet..

Zaara ( smiled ): I need to agree Ma, he seems to be a very introvert and a person with attitude but from inside, he is a sweetheart..

Nandini stared at her Bua with astonishment in her eyes..

Nandini ( thought ): When did Dimple start liking him..?

Abhinav: From whatever I heard about him, he isn't a person with controversies..

Saaransh: And their family is famous for their humble nature..

Aanchal ( smiled ): I talked with him, he is such a sweet kid. He respects elders. We always wanted such a kid for our princess..

Ishaan ( playfully ): Well, a person who is in his twenties, height of a coconut tree couldn't be called a kid, hope you know it Mrs. Chopra..

Anachal made a bad face at him and he grinned at her..All these times, Nandini's brothers and Ahaan were silent. They were thinking whether Manik is really a good guy or not, while her Bhabis were her sisters, so they wanted to hear from her first..

Soon, they were done with their breakfast..Elder men got up and moved towards the Living area. seeing it Nandini called out a person..

Nandini: Pa..

Ahaan turned to her and looked at her. She smiled and took his right arm and started walking towards the garden outside..He smiled at her, he knew she will get to know about it..

Nandini made Ahaan sit in the bench and knelt down in front of him, she held his hands..

Nandini: Kya aap iss proposal se khush nahi hai..?

Ahaan ( sighed ): Precious, you should know the reason. Manik, he rejected you once and now our ladies forwarded your proposal for him without knowing about the previous one. in fact, Zaara didn't object too, she said he is a good guy. But, I don't want my daughter to be shattered. What if you won't be able to handle him and what if he's gonna reject you again, no..No man on this earth will have the audacity to reject my daughter..

Nandini smiled lovingly at Ahaan. She knew how much she matters to him..

Nandini ( softly ): Pa, honestly, even I don't know will he reject me again or not and I am nit even gonna think about rejecting him, because I know one thing, Ma can never be wrong in judging a person. She brought this proposal for me and I respect her a lot. I trust her, she can never think bad for me..And regarding the handling thing, don't you know that I am Zaara Mukherjee's daughter too, and she handled the great Ahaan Mukherjee tho Manik Malhotra koi cheez hai hi nahi..

Ahaan chuckled hearing her..He cupped her cheeks lovingly..

Ahaan: I pray only for one thing, each and everyday and that's for my family's happiness, you are my baby and I don't want anyone to hurt you, I won't be able to bear..Stay happy..

He kissed her forehead and she kissed his hands..

Nandini: I will, Pa. I just want your support to be strong and if I am strong, then I am happy forever..

Ahaan smiled and nodded at her..The duo got up and went inside..

In the evening

Nandini was standing in front of the mirror with her Bhabis around her..After wearing her ear ring, she turned towards them..

Nandini ( frowned ): Does it look heavy..?

While she saw her Bhabis staring at her with opened mouths..She closed each and every one's..

Nandini: Care to answer my question..

" You look gorgeous.."

Eva: And what was your question..?

Nandini ( annoyed ): God, I asked you does it look heavy..?

Jhanvi: Are you crazy..this is so light and you are speaking as if you are wearing some designs with lots of gems..

Nandini ( pouted ): I like to be simple..

Elisha pulled her cheeks..

Elisha: We know that and that's why we selected this outfit for you..

Nandini ( sighed ): Fine..

" KNOCK " " KNOCK "

Hetal opened the door..

Hetal ( grinned ): We expected you, Chopra brothers..

They grinned at her and entered inside to see Nandini staring at them with raised eyebrows..They smiled proudly at her..

" Our sister is always the best "

She grinned..

Nandini: So, chalein..ya phir jo bathein karne aaye wo shuru kare..

They smiled sheepishly at her and pulled her on the couch and made her sit in between them..

Guarish: You think, this is right..? This proposal..? He already rejected you once..

Nandini: Well, I rejected him too..

Neil: Jo bhi ho..its the same person again..yeah, he seems to be a good person, but still, we can't risk your happiness for anyone..

Nandini ( smiled ): Bhai, you don't need to think much. Ma likes him a lot, in fact, yesterday, I saw a different glow on her face when she spoke about Manik, I don't know what made her like him this much but she really want me to marry him, besides, he doesn't seem to be bad..He is just like you people, two sides of one person, one is for the world and one is for family..

They smiled at her..

Iksha: So, what do the Chopra brothers think about him..?

Gaurish: He is a good businessman..

Kashish: He knows what to speak and when..

Neil: He is a gentleman..

Kairav: I don't know much, but I think he could be a person to have fun..

Ishaan: I think he could be a prankster..

The ladies stared at them with " seriously " looks on their faces..

Nandini: Do you realize that you are actually searching for a friend in him..?

" We do "

Guarish: Whoever is gonna marry our sister should impress us too..

Kashish: And it seems like he is doing it too..

Nandini ( chuckled ): You guys are impossible..

" We know "

They got up and moved out of the room..

In the beach's Restaurant

Nandini reached the beach with her brothers and Bhabis. Her brothers strictly warned others not to interfere in this matter. They wanted to protect their sister.

Eva: Chal Miss Devilie..Your maybe-to-be-husband is sitting over there..

Eva pointed at the table where they could see an impatient Manik sitting with his head moving here and there..

Nandini ( surprised+ thought ): I never expected him in traditional wear..He looks good in it..

Neil: Chal, lets go meet him..

Elisha: Oh hello, kahan..?

Kashish: Of course to meet Manik, aur kahan Bhabi..?

Iksha ( sighed ): This is a private meeting for Nandini and Manik, kindly stay away from this area Chopras..

They were about to oppose when they received hot glares from their wives and they sighed and looked at their sister too see giggling..

Nandini: Bhai, its just a meeting..He won't eat me up..

They smiled and kissed her forehead..Her Bhabis hugged her and muttered a "best of luck" and she moved towards the table where Manik was sitting..

Nandini ( cleared her throat ): Hey..

Manik looked up at her only to get lost in her..His stare was so intent that she bit her lips in nervousness..

Manik was waiting for Nandini impatiently. He just couldn't wait to talk to her. His brothers and their wives too accompanied him and they were sitting a bit far from him but would be able to see him and Nandini..Soon, he heard his favorite voice..And he whispered " Nandini "..

Nandini: Hey..

Manik looked up at her only to get lost in her..His stare was so intent that she bit her lips in nervousness..

Nandini: Um..Hi Mr. Malhotra..

Manik ( embarrassed ): Um hey..have a seat, Miss Chopra..

Nandini took the seat in front of him. They were feeling too awkward because of this meeting. Its true, they have met each other before, professionally and personally but this time it was a meeting for a marriage proposal...

Manik ( initiated the conversation ): Well, I hope you know why we are here..

Nandini ( nodded ): I do..

Manik ( smiled ): You've got anything to ask..?

Nandini nodded in Yes..

Manik: I don't mind to answer..

Nandini ( smiled ): I wanted to know your opinion on this proposal..This isn't the first time, right..so..?

Manik ( smiled ): Honestly, I felt like banging my head on the wall for rejecting you before.

Nandini ( frowned ): What..?

Manik ( smiled ): I thought you weren't my type, but now, I don't think I can find my future in a girl other than you..

She smiled at him..

Nandini: So, you think I am good..

Manik: If that's what you want to hear..

Nandini ( smiled ): I don't know whether I would fit in your imaginary girl's category..

Manik ( smiled ): You would. If not, I wouldn't have agreed to meet you..

Nandini ( smiled ): You don't look arrogant to me, either..

Manik ( surprised ): I didn't ask about your impression towards me..

Nandini ( shrugged ): I thought, you should know..

Manik ( dramatically ): It just made my day, too..

She laughed heartily and he too joined her..

Manik: Miss Chopra, honestly, do you have any problem in this proposal..? Our first impression on each other wasn't too exciting..So..?

Nandini felt so warm to hear him asking her opinion on this proposal.

Nandini ( smiled ): I don't know what would be the future of this proposal. In fact, I was too shocked when Ma told me about this proposal, second time which she didn't know..I came to meet you due to two reasons, one- my mother liked you a lot and second- you don't seem to be bad. If you promise to never break these two reasons, I don't think I have a reason to reject you again..

Manik smiled warmly at her, after hearing her genuine confession..

Manik: All I know is, I have no reason to reject you. I always wished for a girl like my Bhabis for me, agreed, you are too different from them, in a good way which I failed to notice, but still my heart said a Yes after seeing the real you because I knew you would treat my family as yours. I knew, you would love my family just like how I love them. You can say, I am not gonna do the same mistake twice..

She smiled with a happy face..

Nandini ( smiled ): Fantasy, it feels to have different opinions on the same person within 2-3 meetings..

Manik ( chuckled ): I agree to it too..I never thought I would say something like that when I met you for the first time..

Nandini ( giggled ): And, I never thought I would be sitting with you for a marriage proposal when I met you for the first time..

They shared a smile..

Manik ( curious ): So, any thoughts on your better half..?

Nandini ( smiled warmly ): Well, I am not so girlish when it comes to such things. I want a family man, someone who could love my family like I do. He doesn't need to be handsome or ugly, tall or short, simple or extra modern..It doesn't matter until he trusts me enough to make his better half..All in all, He doesn't need to be Mr. Perfect..!!

He stared at her intently after hearing her. Indeed, her thoughts spoke that she wants someone to protect her, to love her, and he doesn't need to be someone else for that because he himself wants to do the same..

Manik ( smiled ): You are different or rather..SPECIAL..

She got surprised and stared at him to see him looking at her without blinking his eyes even for once. For the first time, her face turned its color, not pale though. His stare just brought a pink hue on her face and she looked away making him break his trance..

Manik ( smiled+ nervous ): From my side, its a YES and you..?

Nandini ( thought): I never dreamt on a Prince charming, only a man who could love me and my family like his. A man who would support me throughout my life. A man who could trust me even if the whole world stay against me. But, the man in front of me not just fit in My Man's category but is no less than a Prince Charming too. Maybe, this feeling is called " eagerness for a better half ". Manik Malhotra is the one for you Nandini Chopra..

She was brought out of the trance when Manik waved his hand in front of her..

Manik: Kaha kho gaye ho..? You heard what I asked..?

Nandini ( smiled ): I did and..its a YES from my side too..

He grinned widely in happiness..

Manik: Really..?

Nandini ( smiled ): Yes..but, you need to talk with my Bhais too..Their choice matters a lot to me..

Manik ( smiled ): Done..

To be continued..