Five days pass, meaning it is the day of my engagement. Luckily, my mother didn't allow me to go to work since there was so much to tend to. I didn't have to see him for those few days and for those few days I was relatively happy. Well, as happy as I can get considering I still have to marry the guy. I hear a loud thump on my door and I pull the covers over my head. I hear it again, only louder. I yell, "COME IN!" I hear nothing for a few moments and then feel my covers being pulled away from my face. I try grabbing for them, but find nothing. My hand wanders in the air for a while until it touches soft skin and rough stubble. I open my eyes and jerked up quickly to meet Manik's intense grey eyes. I back up, hitting the backboard behind me. He continues to come closer. I manage to say, "DAMN IT! I wasn't suppose to see you until tonight! Manik leave me alone!" He laughs and says, "You know I can't do that sweetheart!" I push him away and get out of bed. I fold my arms across my chest and tap my feet expectantly. He laughs and leaves out the door saying, "Get ready!" I open my mouth to ask, "Where are we...", but he already left. I groan and shut the door to get ready. What's the point to fight it, my parents will force me to go with him anyways.

I come down stairs wearing one of a decent dress, atleast they can be of my choices..... not like my to be husband!... Huff!

I hear whistling as I enter the living room. It is Manik, who is whistling while sitting next to my father. I blush from embarrassment. I mean honestly you don't do that in front of a girl's father! Certified jerk! That's so wrong! Manik puts his hand out for me to hold onto him. I look at him like he has lost his mind, while he glances towards my father. I sigh and link my arm with his, walking out the door towards his car.

While in the car, I start to get annoyed. I mean he has not even told me where we are going! For all I know I could be getting kidnapped, well I guess it beats marrying him! Oh I'm really excited now... NOT! I turn towards him and ask, "Where the hell are we going?" Manik smirks, "Patience my dear, all in good time!"

Half an hour later we arrive at the airport. I look towards him grinning widely, "OH MY GOD! You're leaving the country! THANK YOU GOD! I'll get your bags"

He laughs, "Sorry to disappoint but I'm not going anywhere sweetie and neither are you!" I slump back down in my seat. Before I can question further he simply says, "It's a surprise so don't bother asking!" I sigh and get out of the car, trailing behind him slowly. We stop at a terminal and I start to get bored. Manik looks at me quite amused while I stare at my nails like I'm fascinated. He laughs and I snap, "Something funny?" He laughs, "Yea... YOU!" I groan and smack him over his head, while he pulls me into his body. He wraps his arms tightly around my waist while I struggle to get loose. I yell in his ear, "Manik LET ME GO!" He just continues to grin like a buffoon.

I hear a distant shout, "Nandini!!!" I turn to look in the direction of the noise and see Navya running towards me. Manik releases me and I look towards him gratefully as I run to Navya. I give her a big hug and exclaim, "I missed you soooooo much Navya!" She grins, "Me too!" Manik and Cabir come over towards us after we get that out of our systems. I say to Cabir, "I hope you took good care of Navya!" He grins and pulls Navya in his arms, kissing her forehead, saying, "You know I did Nandini!" I smile at the love their share between them. They are seriously too cute!

My smile falters as I feel an arm come around my waist. I glare at Manik, while he says, "Well aren't you guys going to congratulate us?" I glare at him, while Cabir and Navya ask, "Congratulate you for what?" Manik pulls me closer, while I throw deathly glares his way. He says, "We are getting married next week and today's our engagement!" Navya looks towards me too shocked for words. She intended to say What the F*ck, but words didn't came out only I guess.

Cabir's mouth drops, "What a crappy friend you are! You're telling me today? So this was the important thing you made us come a couple days early for?" Manik laughs, "Yeah I mean I personally didn't care if you were there, but I know Nandini here missed her best friend."

Cabir punches his arm and I laugh. Manik yelps, "Dude you didn't even invite me to your engagement!" Manik punches Cabir' which makes Navya laugh. Cabir says, "That's because I didn't have one, idiot!" Manik rolls his eyes saying, "Whatever, now we're even! We can talk about this later, let's get home!"

I walk with Navya and whisper, "I have to talk to you alone..." She nods and whispers to Cabir, telling him that she needs some time to catch up with me. He nods and Manik drops us at my house. He yells behind me, "See ya tonight Nandini!" I groan and continue to drag Navya into my house. We get stopped by my parents, who ask about the honeymoon. As soon as the door closes, I spill everything that happened. All that happened from her reception night until now. She listens to me patiently, but is completely shocked at all that happened in her absence. By the end of it I am in tears and she is trying to calm me down. She says, "Nandini why didn't you tell me? You didn't have to go through this all by yourself! Nandini you're my best friend, if I couldn't be there for you in a time like this then..." I shake my head interrupting her and say, "No Navya, I didn't want to ruin you're honeymoon! I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I'm happy that at least you had a good time without any of my problems burdening you. I should have listened to you about this revenge thing. I never dreamed that I would be the one hurt in the end."

Navya says softly, "So what are you planning to do? You want me to get your parents to call off the wedding?" I get up and say, "NO! Navya my parents can't know about my pregnancy. I can't see the disappointment in their eyes."

She nods and asks, "Does he love you?"

I look towards her slowly and shrug, "I don't know Navya. He says he does, but I don't believe him! I think he is just upset I beat him at his own game!"

Navya says hesitantly, "Do you still love him Nandini?"

I simply say, "No Navya! I refuse to fall in love with him! He has given me years worth of pain and he can't make up for it ever."

Navya says, "What about after you get married Nandini? Marriage is a permanent thing. You will have to deal with him every day. He is also the father of your child. You can't leave him after both your parents and his parent find out, they won't let you."

I unsurely say, "I haven't thought that far yet! I'm still trying to get out of it, but I don't see that happening! Promise you won't leave again." I lean my head on her shoulder while she softly says, "I'll always be there for you Nandini! It will all work out, I'm sure of it! Everything has a purpose, we just need to have faith that this is all for the best." I nod my head and she gives me a much needed hug.

In the afternoon, Navya leaves with Cabir, while I get ready for the engagement ceremony. It is being held at the Malhotra's house. I didn't really care at this point. Fighting it seems useless. There is no way out of this situation and I know it. I just have to accept it. I go take a shower in order to clear my head. I throw on a bathrobe and walk towards my bed, where my sari is placed. It is midnight black sari with golden embroidery all around.

The dress code for tonight is actually black, not that I mind. Black is definitely my color. I wear the sari and put on jewelry and make up, paying special attention to me eyes. I style my hair in loose curls and walk out the door. I meet my parents in the living room. As soon as I enter the room, they both get up and walk towards me. They start talking about how only yesterday I was playing dress up with my mother's clothes, pretending to be a bride. I smile lightly, knowing that my wedding day will be the worst day of my life. It is definitely not something I am looking forward to!

We drive towards the Malhotra Mansion and I just contemplate about how my life will be living there. We ring the doorbell and an unfamiliar man opens the door. My parents and I walk through the doors. I stare at the man trying to figure out who he is. He looks related to Manik, but much older. The man smiles and says, "We finally meet! You must be Nandini. I've heard a lot about you!" I nod, but remain confused. He sees my expressions and says apologetically, "Oh I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Abhimanyu by the way, I'm Manik's older brother!" The realization dawns on me. Of course, Manik mentioned an older brother at the dinner party a while back. I shake his hand while he smiles, "I must say Manik is true to his word, you are even more beautiful than he described."
I blush and turn my head to hear a woman say, "Abhi stop flirting with your bhabi! Save some of that for your own wife!"

Abhimanyu grins at the woman and pulls her close, giving her a hug. He turns to me and says, "Nandini meet my wife Mukti and our son is around here somewhere. That little kid is trouble with a capital T!"

Mukti points to a small child reeking havoc around the house saying, "Abhi look there is Aryan, go stop him from running into that poor old woman!" Abhimanyu quickly says bye, while Mukti stays with me. We watch Abhi running around trying to catch his son, until I ask her, "How come I didn't meet you two until tonight?"
She smiles, "Abhi is always busy at the office. He handles most of his father's work. He couldn't make it to the dinner party last time because of a business trip. As for me, well Aryan is quite a handful and I was helping to make sure it was going smoothly. Manik told me about you though and I really wanted to meet you that night. You have no idea how many times I tried to approach you, but was called for or stopped by some guest. Anyways I'm glad that at least we met tonight!" I laugh and nod my head. She continues, "I never see Manik anymore. That little twerp never comes over! Make sure you make him come here more often!" I look at her confused and then it dawns upon me. SHIT! I totally forgot Manik has his own place!

I CANT BE LEFT ALONE WITH HIM!

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