"What do you think of this design?" Manik glances at me before setting his eyes on the design I was showing him.

We are currently looking at the designs Sabyasachi had sent me for our wedding.

He is not only going to design my wedding dress but also what Manik is going to wearing. I'm so happy that I'll finally see him in something other than his usual suits.

Manik had reluctantly agreed to wear the traditional indian clothes that grooms wear. His mother had told me that it took her hours and a lot of emotional blackmailing to convince Manik.

"It's too simple and too red." His words make me frown.

"Manik, indian wedding dresses are supposed to be red!"

"Yes honey but that shade of red is blinding. I don't like it." He places a kiss on my hand and I roll my eyes at him. What does red that is blinding supposed to mean? I exhale deeply before showing him another wedding dress design.

After two hours of arguing back and forth, we had settled on a beautiful shade of red for me and white for Manik and the designs that would be embroidered on our outfits.

Sabyasachi had informed us that he would add a few details to make Manik's outfit match mine.

We had spent a whole day with him trying to explain how exactly we wanted our wedding attire, well mainly me. Manik had just confirmed in the end that he liked my vision.

~~

My eyes wander around Manik's house that is beautifully decorated for our sangeet.

We had decided to do all the rituals at his house instead of his parents or my parents home just because his house was much bigger and spending unnecessary money on venues would be stupid when we have his huge mansion.

Today marks the beginning of all the wedding rituals. Tomorrow will be our haldi, the day after tomorrow is mehndi and then it's our wedding.

Sangeet is the music night that celebrates the union of the couple and both families. Sangeet is loud, full of music and dances.

In the past, the only reason I showed up in anyone's sangeet was for the dance, the food and the alcohol. It's the only day that you could be tipsy and dance around like a fool without being called off.

But today is different. Today is my sangeet so I can't really get drunk or dance like a crazy person. My mother would probably throw me out of my own sangeet without thinking twice. Besides, I don't think Manik would be too pleased to learn that his would-be-wife can't handle alcohol well.

The bangles are making a sound each time I move my hands. I'm pretty sure the moment I'm back at my house, I'll be annoyed with the sound and I will most likely remove them immediately but for now I can enjoy them.

I adjust my not so pink but not so beige lahenga and smile looking at Navya who had just come up.

She climbs the two steps before reaching near me and Manik. We were seated in the middle. The stage where performances would happen was in the middle separating us from where everyone else was seated.

I see her eyes widening as she glances at Manik who was looking no less than a model.

Her eyes meet mine and she mouths a "wow" to me which makes me chuckle. The Manik charm.

"Manik, this is Navya. Navya, Manik." My introduction is short as both of them knew each other already but hadn't met in person.

Manik stands up and takes Navya in a quick hug. She turns to me and coming closer to my ear she whispers.

"He's hot and he smells so nice. I almost didn't want to let go." Her words make me laugh loudly and I see Manik raising his eyebrow at me.

Navya passes him an awkward smile before telling me to be quite.

"Are you performing Navya?" Manik's question makes Navya turn to him again.

"Of course I am. It's my best friend's sangeet." She tells him while giving me a side hug with a warm smile on her face.

Navya and the rest of my family along with Manik's family and friends had spent hours practicing for their dance performances.

Me and Manik, on the other hand, only got a few days to practice our dance. The practices made me realize that Manik is a great dancer. He knew exactly what he was doing and I looked like a fool.

Manik had patiently helped me learn every move. He didn't complain even when I stepped on his feet a couple of times.

As I am asking Navya about when she is performing, Cabir comes up and I see Navya's eyes widening seeing him. Cabir takes a step back as he glances at her.

"What are you doing here?" They both yell at each other in shock.

Manik and I share a confused look with each other.

"Navya, this is Cabir, Manik's brother. Cabir meet Navya, my best friend."

"Nandini he is that guy." Navya whispers to me. I look at her in confusion.

"Which guy?" I whisper back to her.

"The guy that had me orgasming more than breathing in Paris!" My mouth drops wide open as I stare at Cabir. Never in my entire life had I imagined that guy to be my brother in law. Cabir's whole image suddenly changes in my mind. I know way more than I should about him.

"Oh no." The words escape my mouth before I could stop them.

"Nandini what's wrong?" I shake my head at Manik. I can't tell him that his brother gave my best friend the best sex of her life and I know all the details.

"It's good to see you again Navya." Cabir has a warm smile on his face as he looks at Navya.

I see Navya gulping down and clearing her throat. She looks so nervous.

"What a wonderful coincidence Cabir." She finally whispers.

"How do you guys know each other?" Manik stares at them both.

"We met in Paris and spent a lovely time together." Manik raises his eyebrow at Cabir. He probably knows what he means by lovely time.

"I think it's time for my performance. I'll get going." Navya rushed away from us, specifically Cabir.

She never imagined she'll see him in India and that too as Manik's brother. It's not very pleasant when you see your one night stand in front of you.

Cabir makes an excuse and leaves as well before Manik gets a chance to inquire him more about his "lovely time".

"That's a weird combination." Manik whispers to me referring to Cabir and Navya.

I chuckle and change the subject not wanting to talk on them anymore.

"Aren't your friends coming?"

"They will be here any minute now. Veebha is stuck with some important work in London so she won't be able to attend any of the wedding rituals. I hope she makes it to the wedding."

Is she actually busy or is she making an excuse to not attend her ex's wedding?

"Manik!" We hear a loud voice call out. We both turn to look ahead of us.

I see a woman and a man around my age running towards us.

Manik stands up as he sees them and they both pounce on Manik, almost making him fall down but he regains his balance quickly hugging them back. Damn he is strong.

I admire Manik as he talks with them with a warm smile on his face. He looks so happy and contained.

His gaze lands on me and he gestures me to come near him.

His arm slips around my waist pulling me closer to him as I stand besides him.

"Nandini, I'd like you to meet my friends. Dhruv and Mukti." He points at them as he tells me their name.

I smile warmly at them and whisper a hi. Mukti comes forward and pulls me in for a hug. Dhruv follows Mukti's actions and hugs me before whispering something to Manik which makes him chuckle.

"It's so great to finally see Manik settling down. I was always so worried about him since he didn't even glance at girls after-" Mukti suddenly stops in the middle and she stares at me with her wide eyes.

Manik frowns as he looks at us both trying to figure out what went wrong. He probably didn't hear what Mukti said.

"It's okay. He told me about her." I clear my throat and inform Mukti who was looking very guilty.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to mention your future husband's ex in front of you." Her apology makes me chuckle. That same ex is the closest to him even now and will most likely attend our wedding so Mukti mentioning just her name certainly won't upset me.

"There is no need to apologize Mukti. I know Veebha and Manik are still close friends."

"Why don't you guys go ahead and meet everyone?" Mukti escapes quickly as she hears Manik.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes Mr. Malhotra I'm alright." We sit down and Manik takes my hand in his.

"There is nothing for you to worry about. Veebha means nothing more than a friend, I hope you know that." He whispers to me and I nod my head taking a deep breath.

I turn my gaze in front of me and I see Navya's performance starting.

She smiles at me and waves her hand. I chuckle as I wave back at her.

I hear the sound of a song playing loudly through the speakers and my gaze goes back to Navya who is all set on the stage to begin dancing.

I admire all our family members and friends as they dance passionately. They put so much effort in learning each move and all that work really paid off as by the end of the sangeet, I see all of them satisfied and happy.

Manik forwards his hand to me and I put mine on top. He pulls me closer to him as the lights turn on and fall on us. The sound of the familiar song that we practiced on is heard.

The soothing voice of a singer I can't remember the name of, slowly playing as we move to beats of the song.

"I can't wait to have you all to myself babygirl." He whispers before he twirls me around.

~~
"Do you really have to apply this on me?" Manik had been asking the same question again and again.

His mother sighed and glared at him. It was our haldi and Manik was trying to find any possible way out.

I can't really blame him. I don't want this yellow turmeric on me either. Apparently, it's applied on the bride and the groom for good luck and the paste is believed to ward off evil spirits. Apart from that, from ancient times turmeric is known for being beneficial for the skin so the haldi ceremony also ensures that the bride and the groom have blemish free skin.

"Manik one more word and I'm going to forget your age and slap you." Manik's mother's words make me chuckle softly but when I see Manik suddenly being a good boy and letting everyone apply haldi on him, I laugh loudly making him glare at me.

I roll my eyes just to annoy him before turning my attention to Navya who had come forward to apply the turmeric on me.

In a blink of a second my whole face and body was covered in yellow paste. Navya had successfully thrown the whole bowl of turmeric on me.

I glare at her before standing up. I see her instantly running away from me and my mother stops me before I could chase her.

"Your haldi is not done yet. Sit down and let everyone apply it on you."

"Mom I'm literally covered in this disgusting thing. I believe my haldi is over." She frowns at me and makes me sit down.

"It doesn't matter Nandini. Everyone has to apply it on you. That's how the tradition is."

"Yes Nandini everyone has to apply it on you." Manik repeats my mom's words in a teasing tone and a smirk on his face.

"Mom shouldn't I apply haldi on Nandini? She is my bride after all."

He doesn't wait for his mother's answer. I see him covering the distance between us and standing in front of me. He bends down on his knees and for the first time we are on the same level. This guy is as tall as a giraffe. I wonder how tall our kids will be. We'll make eiffel towers together.

Manik leans forward, I can hear him breathing softly. He brushes his left cheek with my right cheek and repeats the process on the other cheek before staring at me.

"I would have found a better way to apply haldi on you if we were alone but for now this will do the job." He whispers to me making me giggle.

He stops and stares at me. His face has a warm smile and he looks at me almost like he is admiring me.

"I want to hear this sound for the rest of my life." He whispers softly and his hand caresses my cheek. He leans forward and places a kiss on the part of my neck that wasn't covered in turmeric.

The soft touch of his lips on my neck makes me feel ticklish and a giggle escapes from my lips. Manik grins at me as he realizes that I'm ticklish on my neck.

"We are still here in case you both forgot. I'd rather not see my brother's intimate moments." Cabir yells pulling us apart. Manik places a kiss on my head before turning his attention on Cabir. Shaking my head at both of them, I get up to clean myself.