It was evening already and now my nervousness had a different reason.

How will it all go?

Now since, everything had fallen in its respective place, I could feel excitement build in me. Shivers continuously ran down my spines and I couldn't help, but blush. Besides, I had to figure out something to make Manik happy and then the happiest.

First, I decided to dress for him. Red and black are any guy's weakness, that's what I heard, so I picked up a dress for me accordingly.

Second? Will figure out something soon.

I was still lost in my wonderland, a knock on my room's door brought me back to the earth. I mentally noted to avoid self-talking because as Manik said, they landed me no where, but mistakes. On the thought, guilt captured me yet again and I with a sad face rushed to receive the person standing on the door. It was Alya.

Without letting her words to come out for which she parted her lips, I jumped over her and embraced her as tight as I could. She started coughing eventually and I got to know how tightly I was holding the petite girl, my best friend. I loosened my hold a bit and moved backwards into the room, kicking the door close. She stood still panting.

"Since when have you been holding your urge to hug me, huh?" She said raising her eyebrows, smiling all the time.

"Since morning." I answered smiling cheekily. And as expected she let out a merry chuckle.

"Still ya'. I ain't your best friend or fiance, that you almost hugged me to death." Such a drama queen. My dream queen.

"Of course, you are my best friend. Nahi you aur kaun hai?" I replied maintaining the same naughty expression, like her.

"Obviously, your Manik." She replied winking. She wanted to be smart. Oh! But didn't she know that I'm the smartest? Which actually I am not, but still, in comparison with her I was smarter. 😎

"Meri tubelight!" I smacked her forehead lightly and continued,"Manik toh fiancé hai. Best Friend is you, just you, right?"

"Oh that way! Acha. But, I thought you'd actually eat me up after the morning's blast!"

"Nahi re. Are you mad? In fact, the hug and.." I stopped and kissed her left check, "..this kiss is for the blast only. Thanks Alya. Tu nahi hoti toh ab tak mera kya se kya ho gaya hota?"

"Haw. Am your best friend, right? Then? No thanks, you forgot the rules already?!" She is seriously the best ever friend anyone can ever ask or pray for.

"On a serious note, Alya I need help." Yeah, it was the matter of concern right then.

"Again? God! You want me to help you in pacifying your groom?"

"Urgh. No. That I will manage. You gotta just doll me up, honey." I needed to look beautiful and out of all the functions till now, this was the first for which I whole heartedly wanted to dress up.

"Oh! Let's start then. Which dress you are wearing, by the way?"

"Come. I'll show." I dragged her to my cupboard and showed the dress to her. She approved and asked me to change fast.

~~~

I changed in a fraction of minutes because I just cannot wait. The dress perfectly fitted and I looked hot enough to melt my groom.

I stepped out to find Alya all ready with the required make up equipments on the table. I noticed that she has changed too. Yay. We are getting ready together, after so long. This day just couldn't better. She signaled me to settle down and next to close my eyes.

I didn't really notice what followed for the next two hours, but when I did I found that I was really looking nice. Nice enough, to bowl Malhotra?

"Yes. He'll be clean bowled." Alya said busy with her work.

Did I say that aloud? I wondered with a confused face on.

"Yeah, you said that aloud baby." She replied, finally sparing a look at me and winking eventually.

"Also, I'm thinking to do something in addition. You know, background something, just in case this doesn't work." I replied.

"Go ahead. But am out of it, okay?" Woah! Smart move.

"'Hmm." I replied with my thinking on.

"Just a hmm. Go to hell. I'm going to see the arrangements, tho." Offended much?! Okay.

"Okay. Thanks. Bye!" I replied, winking.

{A/N: Nandini's attire. Is it alright?}

~~~

Since there were no elders, we were free to do anything. Anything, in limits for me and for all. I entered the hall, quite secretly and scanned it to find my groom siting with his buddies. All of them were having their time drinking and talking near the bar. But, wait. Wasn't it my plan to kill him by my looks? What  is he doing? Eff. He stole my plan. He is looking so dashing, yet so cute. He's all for me, wait, will be tomorrow.

{A/N: Manik's look. Alright?}

Also, I spotted Alya with Dhruv. How? I can see the spark between the two after the Sangeet ceremony. Let's think about it later Nandini.

I decided to make a surprise entry by bhoo-ing him in his own style.

I proceeded towards them. I was all ready with my hands up and a big grin on my face, just then his buddy, Cabir, exclaimed aloud, gaining attention of all the people surrounding and my groom too.

Epic failure. Right? Fuck you Dhawan.

"Bhabhi Ji! Yeh ap kya kar rahi hai?" He exclaimed.

Devar Ji. What I actually intended was so beautifully spoilt by you. Now, what?

"Nandu?!" There came Alya, for mine as well as my Cabir'z rescue. Lucky boy! Got saved. She dragged me to a corner, grabbing my hand and I threw a sharp glare on Cabir, followed by a soft one on Manik. Before, I could see this reply, I was already dragged far away from him by Alya, so else? 

"What were you doing there? Wasn't your entry decided already?" She said fuming with anger. Apparently she has replaced Amma in her absence. Wow.

"Alya, I simply didn't want it to be so extraordinary." As I do with Amma, I replied defending myself for a mistake, poorly done.

"Urgh. Stupid, the host will now introduce you and people there will see noone." She has got a point. Yay. You are such a zero Murthy, huh. Still I need to defend myself. "Alya, nothing will happen."

"Ya, I know. Your groom will handle. You know he has decided to tell nobody about your plan. Also, he is kinda gloomy in his mood." Well that was obvious, wasn't it?

"Everything's planned, just tu tension mat le. I assure you that he and his mood will be up till the end of the evening." I assured her.

The host's call gained our attention. And. As anticipated, my entry wasn't announced. She announced everyone to proceed for snacks and also, buckle up for a surprise.

Wow. A surprise. What's the surprise? I raised my eyebrows questioningly. Well, even Alya was unaware. We did as the host said. When we proceeded towards the drinks' counter, Manik's buddies were there but Manik wasn't. Where has he gone?
Alya said to let that go and have something. Half heartedly, I did as said.

~~~

Fifteen minutes later, the host again grabbed our attention with her call for it was time for the surprise. She requested the bride  that is me to get near the stage. I understood that the surprise has something to do with me. I grabbed Alya and rushed to stand where the host directed. A moment later, the lights were dimmed. A spotlight fell on a guy seated on a stool with his guitar.

Manik, it was.

Is he going to sing? A spotlight later fell on me too. He strummed the guitar and started with his song.

Itni mohabbat karo na
Main doob na jaaun kahin
Waapas kinaare pe aana
Main bhool na jaaun kahin
Dekha jabse chehra tera
Main toh hafton se soya nahin

(He began making me blush harder each moment with the lyrics of his song and his continuous gaze on me.)

Bol do na zara
Dil mein jo hai chhipa
Main kisi se kahunga nahi
Main kisi se kahunga nahi

(Was he heartbroken? Shit. He is. His lyrics are making me swim in the pool of guilt besides, making me feel loved too.)

Mujhe neend aati nahi hai akele
Khawabon mein aaya karo
Nahi chal sakunga tumhare bina main
Mera tum sahara bano
Ik tumhe chahne ke alaawa
Aur kuch humse hoga nahi

(He still hasn't averted his gaze from me. But, I was now looking down. Alya placed her hand in a assuring way on my shoulder and pressed it lightly to relax my inner turmoils.)

Bol do na zara
Dil mein jo hai chhipa
Main kisi se kahunga nahi
Main kisi se kahunga nahi

(I looked towards him, locking our eyes back again because I was confident that my gestures would melt him.)

Hamari kami tumko mehsoos hogi
Bhiga dengi jab baarishein
Main bhar kar ke laaya hoon
Aankhon mein apni
Adhuri si kuch khwahishein
Rooh se chahne wale aashiq
Baatein jismon ki karte nahin

(A new confident arose in me. I stepped on the stage, stood right in from of him and forwarded my hand for a dance. Everyone in the hall hooted, seeing a lady asking for a dance to her man, when it has to be the vice versa. He placed his hand on mine and stood up. Next, he put his one hand on my waist and pulled me closer to him. We started swaying with the light music.)

Bol do na zara
Dil mein jo hai chhipa
Main kisi se kahunga nahi

(The hall was now silent with the music still playing and all other couples dancing too. Manik was still singing and our eye lock hasn't got broken yet. It was like our eyes were talking, mine apologising and his depicting a mixture of hurt and pain.)

Bol do na zara
Dil mein jo hai chhipa
Main kisi se kahunga nahi
Main kisi se kahunga nahi

(The song ended, but a soft music still played in the background. The other couples were still dancing, we weren't and that was because I dragged him out as the spotlight focused on us dimmed.)

~

~~

{A/N: The fountain area looks like this. The couple has to be ignored.}

He was getting dragged by me like an obedient child. When we reached the area near the fountain he asked me softly what I was planning to do. I made silent gestures asking him to be patient and listen to what I will say.

In the start I held both of my ears to show that I was sorry. His expressions were soft as usual and he gestured me to continue.

I started my poem and here it went...

On your face I can see a streak of pain,
But I know you will eventually give in.
I'm a fool, for I committed such a big mistake,
You being so sweetly understanding bore with me.
Careless me have left so many stains,
But now I promise to never hurt you again.
You are still upset, I know that,
And I will apologise till you are fine.
A shard of remorse will not remain,
When a sorry from short Nandu to tall Manik, will be said.

The moment I ended the poem, I just banged into his chest. Silent tears were now rolling down my cheeks as somewhere I understood the depth of his pain.

On realising his shirt getting wet, he wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him tighter. He gave in and rested his chin on my head. I parted away from him and stood on my toes. He contemplated my move and lowered his head. I lightly pecked his lips, for I knew he was anticipating a peck on his cheek. He looked shocked yet cute for a moment and a naughty smile made its way on my lips. I came out of his hold. He had his eyes lightly widened, now. To calm his inner storm, I made a move.

"I'm sorry Manik. I now understood that my self talks are rubbish and I should talk to people face to face. Please maaf kar do. Please."

I had again closed my eyes and lowered my head in guilt. Suddenly I felt him near me. I decided to wait for his words, but what he did next shocked me.

He pecked me back on my lips. I opened my eyes to catch a glimpse of him. He was smirking. A second later he spoke the words which I wanted to hear since morning.

"Okay ya' Nandu. Don't do it again, will you?" He replied.

But, I was still unsure. What to do? When I know the intensity and size of my mistake. It is bigger than XXL.

"I won't. Sorry."

"It's okay Nandu. I was upset, but not now. Sachi!"

"Mucchi?"

"Ha baba!"

"Yay !"

I again jumped over him and hugged him tight only to part a second later as a wave of embarrassment hit me. I felt my cheeks getting heated and turned to go back.

A second later I banged in his hard chest, as I realised I was pulled back by him. I felt his hot breaths on my neck and heard him.

"You know I forgave you when I saw you in this dress for the first time and the time when you tried to bhoo me like I did."

I just blushed on his reply. While, he continued.

"And you look so pretty, umm...wait. Hot and sexy too." He said with a hint of naughtiness in his voice. I smacked him lightly with my elbow.

"Okay Manik. Chalo, let's move back." I made an attempt to drag, but was stopped by him.

"Chalenge. But, first tell me, how do I look? Itni mehnat kee maine..." Without allowing him to complete I said what he wanted to hear and rushed inside.

"You look dashingly handsome, Malhotra."

~~~

The party ended later while. But when me and Manik came back, we had to bear all those teases and looks from our friends. I went to my room this time alone, waiting for Manik, but unfortunately he didn't turn up. Rather, Alya came up with a rose and a card sort of thing. She told that they were from Manik.

I unfolded it to read...

Sorry for not turning up, but kya karen your mother-in-law called me. I don't know why she did, but I know tum naraz zarur hui thi. So a rose and two lines from me-
"I love to see your hue shaded cheeks, baby have them just for me.
Big day tomorrow, we'll be one.
There on will start the journey of MaNan."
(Solemnly inspired by you. *winks*)
Good Night! Take Care!
Also, dress well for me tomorrow too.

I realised besides, with the start our journey together, my saga to blush more often will start too. I rushed to my room, changed and went in the bed. Before starting to hunt ways to overcome this new insomnia, I kissed the card and the rose.

Welcome to sleepless nights, Nandu.

_____________________________________________________

Okay. Thanks. Bye ! ❤