I woke up the next morning, my mood worse like never before and frowns decorating my forehead. On the constant nagging of Amma, I straightened my face, put up a mask of excitement and started getting ready.

Realisation hit me hardest, while I was brushing my teeth. This morning was the second last opportunity, we had in our hands to get our work done, to get Manik and Alya together.

Another wave of shock hit me when I realised that Alya wasn't in the room when I woke up. Where was she? This girl is being confusing af. Was she doing something for our plan? Already, our plan was unorganised and scrambled in bits here and there in our minds and we not being able to discuss things wisely wasn't helping. I know she could be trusted, but then being her best friend I knew how clumsy she was. In contrast, here she was solemnly burdened with all the plotting and implementing. I was being useless, providing absolutely no help to Alya.

Perfect dafuq moment, ain't it?

~~~

Clad in a pretty yellow, white and pink suit, I proceeded towards the pool side where the ceremony was to take place. Apart from all the chaos prevailing, as I took notice of the weather and the atmosphere of this place, I realised that this place was literally heaven better than our country. Not that I am complaining, but what's better is better and has to be appreciated. Period.

{A/N: Nandini. }

The decorations were simply elegant and kind of never seen before for me. Given that I was an intern as a gynaecologist, I attended such functions once in a blue moon. My introvert nature being the other reason. For it was a Indian haldi and mehendi ceremony, the surroundings were all coloured in yellow, green, orange and dark pink.

I was made to sit on a floor mattress, contoured with soft silk cushions. My company at that time included some of my cousins and aunts, who were trying to put some 'after engagement' knowledge in my head. Having no other option but to bear with them till the ceremony started, I nonchalantly nodded my head to whatever they advised.

My breath got hitched in my throat as I caught glimpse of her some moments later. Seeing her dressed heavily and little more beautifully than myself, the bride, I got cue that her attire was a part of her plan.

{A/N: Alya.}

She was dancing by the groom's side which was partitioned from our side by a veil or a curtain sort of thing.

~~~

Soon the haldi from Manik's side came to our side and now it was my turn to get painted. Not that I loathed the haldi paste, but the situation, as I said, is too creepy for me to handle. My clothes won't be stained much, it was quite inevitable in the case of the mehendi ceremony that'd follow up soon.

While all the putting up thing started, I noticed Alya standing quite far. She was trying to get my attention. I drew my complete attention, let's say meditated seeing her immediately and followed her virtual actions. Did I mention that I suck at dumb charads, she knew it but still. Alya. I tried (Keyword: Tried) contemplating her words, but failed spectacularly for the next five minutes. After making some failed attempts, as I remembered the motive of us doing what we were doing, I got an invisible power and in the next attempt made my way through the problem. Yeah, it was a problem. A problematic one.

Urgh. Let's get back to business in hand.

She was trying to say something which rose my heartbeats frantically in moments.

She said...

She will confront Manik when my mehendi ceremony will reach it's almost end.

Nervousness was clearly visible on her face which iterated on my face too. I decided to motivate her. I raised my thumbs to show the 'All The Best' sign besides I smiled slightly too, indicating that I trusted her.

~~~

The mehendi ceremony had already started and I experienced panic attacks within me. I masked my nervousness by putting up a wide white smile much to Amma's relief, who tended to notice the restlessness in me since morning. The artists began painting mine and all the ladies' hands. They were talking something which I didn't pay heed to.

All I thought was what shall happen after sometime? What'll be the scenario exactly?

Everyone was now conversing something serious as I retaliated. I took part in the conversation too because me not participating will be impolite in extreme.

I caught glimpse of a smiling Manik looking towards me. Unknowingly, I smiled back. Next, I saw Alya behind him indicating to withdraw my gaze. I did the same. After what I thought of two minutes, when I saw there again noone was standing.

Maybe all of it has started, our plan.

My hands were almost done and now they were painting my nails. I denied saying I would do that on my own but Nyonika Aunty persuaded me to get it done then and there. I sat back and spent supposedly the next five minutes there. As soon as they finished, I ran inside the farmhouse which everyone thought to be shyness and pre-engagement jitters.

~~~

I had ransacked half of the farmhouse and still wasn't able to find Manik and Alya. But, I caught his buddies near the bar having their own gala time being drunk to oblivious.

This was an advantage.

Later being tired I decided to let everything happen on it's own, by God's and of course Alya's grace. I forwarded towards my room. I reached my room and pushed the door to open a bit.
.

.

.

.

There they were.

Bile rose in my throat and I felt claustrophobic.

Manik seemed to be irritated and Alya was being quite emotional, almost on the verge of bursting into tears.

What was happening? Shit was. No. The plan is. Yeah.

I took some steps forward to listen what they spoke exactly.

________________

-Shit happens. Everyday to everyone. The difference is in how we deal with it.-

Wait. There's part 2 too. I'll add it into this one itself once I get done with the stuff remaining in the part. It'll be the climax part, a shocking one. Beware. Kidding. 🙈 Just wait and be patient.

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Part II

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It was weird, the situations and happenings taking queue these days. I am'nt a fool, to not retaliate the fishy behaviour of that glue girl around me, but at the same time I'm a fool, for I think so much and things to such an extent about my bride's best friend.
On the Sangeet, when Nandini was quite lenient and soft towards me, this girl spoiled all the impression that I built, yeah.. might have built over her, by sticking around with me.

I know the things being processed in Brain Malhotra can't happen, but what if they do. Surely Nandini being her best friend will place me on the wrong side, as the wrong doer. Things were slipping from my hand without me even getting a single chance to grip over them.

In the first place I was never successful in understanding- What does my bride supposedly think? What does she do? and Why does she? Almost always I either find her lost in her dreamland or talking to her own self. This is kinda cute, but at the same time she kinda never acknowledge me. We were the only fiancée's in the world, okay to be fiancée's who haven't shared phone numbers. Never mind, I do have her number, but I know she doesn't and here I want her to initiate things. Shouldn't expect, but if she can't then I need to nurture my relation with her which includes me drawing some sense of being expressive and initiative in her. I had liked her since college times, but at that time it was just as friends. When I met her for marriage those long born and unrecognized feelings started growing and now I find the reflection of my soulmate in her. Yeah. She is the one for whom I wrote that song. Had I been a single bit unsure, it wouldn't have happened right now. Anyways, now it's done she is the one with whom I'll be engaged tomorrow.

~~~

I found Alya sticking by my side again, yet again. this time the limits were crossed. She held me and dragged me into a room which I think belongs to her or probably Nandini. I seriously don't want to break the friendship of these two neither do I want to stain my image in front of Nandini. She was try to seducing me, or what? Wait. Is she proposing me?

Omfg.

Trouble alert!

I ain't drawing parallels in air, she went on her knees.

"Manik Malhotra. It's been long back since I had my eyes on you. I always wanted to have someone so dashing yet someone so innocent and understanding for me. I didn't even know when my infatuation took the shade of love for you. Now, all I want is you and me. So, will you accept my proposal? Pretty please?" Is commitment being sold like those sweets and toys in a fair? Right now, brains are being, no.. they have been long sold. Yes. Let's make an attempt at implanting them.

"What the hell? Have you forgotten or have you become so blind in your "love", that you forgot that I am getting engaged? Getting engaged the next day and that too, to your best friend?" A nice outcome is anticipated or a furious blow is ready.

"Well, she does not give a damn to you. Also, she loves me enough to let go of you. All you need to do is call off this engagement and give yourself to me, obviously with your parents' consent." This girl has gone blind in her stupidity.

"Are you even realising what kind of shit you are spitting?" Please, realize it. I don't want a feather added to my problem-cap.

"Duh! Don't you notice the differences between me and her? Don't you see the advantages of being with me over the disadvantages of being with her?" Are both of them some kind of commodities accompanied by their own sets of advantages and disadvantages?

"Shut the eff up already! Do you realize the one whom you are degrading so nicely is none other than your best friend? " Does she? No. She doesn't.

"But sweetie. Understand-" Alya bestie whatever. Get ready to debate with the real me now.

"To hell with you. I like Nandini and when am falling for her, my bride, you want to me to choose between her and her best friend? Seriously? Does it make any sense? No. Senseless woman it doesn't." I don't know. I just don't know.

"My bride or her best friend ! Hell. Yes. Manik do you even realize what beauty is her best friend and what whatever is your bride?" My best friends are more than diamond for me.

"Let's assume I give in to all what you say. Now care telling me what reason would I give the people outside for calling off the engagement just a single day before?"  Have heard somewhere, when you can't prove, go for assumptions and contradictions. Well.  It's my high school Math book.

"Of course. The ugly Nandini and her classless family." Whatever the fuck.

______________________________

I'm so sorry for being sooo late. It's been over a month when I updated last. Still now, I can't promise when I'll be back. This is a short update and there's a part more to this chapter.
Cheers. Bye.

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Part III

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Nandini's POV

What the hell is this even Alya?

In name of the plan what is she speaking about my family?

Does she even realise?

Cheap? Seriously?

What mistake did we do to get this title Alya?

Amma and Appa bridged the vacancy of parents in her life. Look at her, what is she doing?

Nandini Murthy. What is being done by you and your friend will it make them happy or proud of raising you both?

Leave that.

Do you realise, what injustice are you doing to him? You still need proofs to understand his purity as a human?

That guy is fighting for you and your family's reputation and you are simply standing outside, eavesdropping everything and blaming your friend?

Well, Brain Murthy. Why did you take so long?

Nandini, your heart which woke up just some five minutes back nudged me. Now c'mon stop Alya. Get hold of what you are letting go of.

Without a single thought, I hurried into the room, pushing the door open with a bang. Alya was quite taken back and jerked in shock, as silence followed in there after what Alya spoke. In a blink of an eye, due to the jerk she lost balance and held Manik and alas. They both slipped and fell on the bed with Manik on top of Alya. She was still holding him.

God. Leave him, already.

"Alya. What are you doing?" I shouted tearing apart my vocal chords.

She fumbled with words as understood that I had listened all the shit she just spoke. Keeping it aside I rushed to pull back Manik and quickly hid him behind my back.

Now it was time to talk to my best friend. A best friend face-off.

"Who the hell are you to even speak those words in the name of that goddamned plan?"

"What plan?" She replied, her expressions exclaiming that she was completely unaware of all that was happening, right then.

What is it? Was she acting? No.

"Alya what are you doing? Our plan. You forgot?" I tried reminding her.

"You seriously thought am still in the plan. I had let go off it, this morning itself." What the holy fudge even. This was just not good. She has to pay. But, what about my trust?

"Now, you listen. You had let go off it in the morning na? I am crashing it all now. I don't need any plan neither do I need you to take my Manik away from me. He's my groom and I'm his bride. We are getting engaged tomorrow and you are just a mere guest. Get it?" I said huffing like a mad bull, who had just finished running.

What did I just say? Someone please take me back to today's morning. I'll rather cancel the plan, then speak those words to my best friend. Wait. Best friend?

"My Manik? Are you even looking at his face? You cheater. Didn't you think about the same before, huh? Ab Beast se mera Manik ban gaya. Wah yaar! Log to puppets hai. Jab Nandini ne chaha wo unhe apne se dhur karde, bade bade plans banake aur jab Nandini ko unki value pata chal jaye tab Nandini unhe apna wapas banale. Wow. Much wow." Dayum. It was true.

She started clapping, but I wasn't shocked. She was right.

The following moment my knees gave up and I felt my entire body turning into jelly. With zero strength and expectations, I turned to look at Manik whose face showed nothing, but shock and blankness. I looked down in order to find some words which I could speak either in favour of me or in favour of him. A mere unintended whisper came out of my mouth.

"Am sorry! Manik woh-."

Before I could complete, I heard two people laughing. Shit. Did someone listen to us? I raised my head to find Manik and Alya laughing. Later they hi-fied, saying...

"Mission accomplished!"

Shocked would be an understatement to what I felt at that moment. I was puzzled. I seriously need to talk to these two. My face already had a big question mark so it didn't take both of them to understand my current being.

Next I heard Manik's voice.

"Nandini. Actually you realise yeh question mark jo abhi tumhare face pe hai wo mere face pe bhi ho sakta tha, jab Alya mujhe sach mein propose karti."

Further, Alya continued.

"Nandini our plan was over today morning. I am sorry I took this decision for you, but it is the fairest and the right decision as whatever you thought about him wasn't a bit correct. Your theory wasn't based on experience and true facts rather it was based on assumptions, which were wrong. I knew you were confused since a long time, forgetting two things first the impact of your plan over the two families and second the impact of it on your and his life. Being your best friend it was my duty to let you to the right path, the one which you and initially I followed was wrong. Mukti Di told me all about him and trust me I was confused more than you." My head was all the time hung low. Manik continued.

"Nandini I won't self praise, also I won't say you were wrong or right. It did hurt me, when I expected you to hold my hand which I myself forwarded to you, you chose the wrong path just because you believed that all men are like Harshad. Besides, me being his friend raised your doubts even more. But trust me Nandini, he and I were over when he broke your Mukti's heart. She is like my sister and he was an ass. What I want to say is you could have cleared up all your doubts by confronting or talking. Also, what you did is just self- talking and assuming, which lead you to the absolute wrong. You believed what you saw and what situations made you to believe." I stood there silent taking all of it as I realised none of it was wrong nor none of it was useless. I needed it, a nice reality check.

"Acha. Wait what happened was this morning I was already confused, but a thought crossed my mind that I still have time. I went to Manik after sometime and executed that last step. And trust me Nandini all what you heard was the same what he spoke in the morning, but the difference was that it was me who did the remaining talk on your behalf. Then we decided to come up with this plan to make you realise." Alya continued.

There was silence again, but it broke when...

"I am sorry."

"I am sorry."

"I am sorry."

We three apologised at the same moment and later those two started laughing with me crying amidst laughing. They heard my sobbing and came to me, and Alya engulfed me in a warm hug, while Manik maintained distance and just caressed my hair.

~~~

I didn't know what happened after the laughing and coaxing, but Alya left the room. I and Manik were alone now. With extreme care, he dragged me to sit on the bed and himself balanced on his knees, in front of me. We were silent, but I knew that it was me who was wrong, right from the start, so I had to initiate things right then.

"Sorry Manik. I won't deny what you and Alya spoke was right, but you know-." I started, but was immediately cut by him. "That's-." He tried interrupting, but I silenced him by placing my palm over his lips.

"Suno pehle. Tumhe pata hai, tumhare plan ne zarur meri senses ko poke kiya, mera plan todne ke liye, but you know if my plan would have been taking place right then and if I would have heard those words, main bina ek moment waste kare Alya ko rok leti." I heard him chuckle. I nudged him to stop and speak something.

"Nandini what's the difference? Plan sachi mein hota ya jhooti mein tumhe samajh to tabhi ata jab tum mujhe bolte hue sunti. I am speaking the same, you should have spoken to me. But you didn't, but also I seriously hold nothing against you." I needed assurance. He was surely not fine. "Pakka?" Say no. Please. I'll surely heal you.

"Hmmm." His hmm-ing was a clear indication, wasn't it? He was not alright, and was upset.

"Meri akhon mein dekho and swear on me by saying that you don't hold anything against me, ki tum mujhse naraz nahi ho."

He was going to deny, but the door of the room opened revealing Amma and Nyonika Maa. They both chuckled seeing our position and I blushed a little, where as Manik was least affected. Typical egoistic Romeo.

"Dekha Nyonika ji apka beta abhi se hee Nandini ko bigaad raha hai." He seriously was. If he kept forgiving me this way, then I'll spoil myself, I'm sure about it.

They again broke into smiles, but just for few moments. Nyonika Maa rushed towards me and checked my palms. Oh. She was checking if my palms were still clad in henna or not. Yes, they were. Actually the henna had dried long back. She sighed in relief and started dragging Manik. Probably, a ritual on his side was to take place. She dragged him with her and I noticed he didn't resist which meant he was somewhere still upset and didn't want to be with me. I was sure he wasn't angry. As, he was very expressive when it came to his rage. I have noticed this back in college.

I will make it up for him tonight. The evening Cocktail party would be memorable for you Malhotra. Remember.

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Here goes the last instalment to this chapter. It's just one last chapter and an epilogue to the story. 😃 
Okay Thanks Bye.
💋❤