Response is so low! please please hit the star button before reading this.

And for those who want Manan meet , there is a happy news, so like after two chapter we had got our Manan in a same scene.

Happy Reading ( Well Manik is imagining the angel, not bad)

Nandini walked into her flat where Arhaan was sitting on the dining table clearing waiting for her to turn up/

 here I am, Mr Raichand ! " She said cheerfully knocking the shoulder of the person whom she was supposed to love and marry. He looked at her instantly and she forwarded the packet. He stood up and pecked her lips and smiled." For you, Handsome!" She winked and then took a chair in front of him. Taking out her share of ice cream, she opened it.

" So, you want to say something." She said while opening the wrapper and whispered, " Take your share, I am warning you, I will eat yours too. " She chuckled and took a bite. Her smile made her more beautiful.

No reply.

Nandini looked at Arhaan who seemed to have frozen. 

"Arhaan, what happened, why am I only speaking here? " She asked while concentrating on her ice cream and looked into his eyes hoping he wouldn't start with marriage dates. She had enough of it.

" I Have Decided Nandini. You are coming with me to India! .No argument, am I clear?" I choked on my ice cream. How could he take the decisions of life?. Nandini took a deep breath not wanting to shout at him.

"Arhaan you cant take my decision alone." I said looking into his eyes straight and he stared into my eyes in a way to intimidate me ," Am I clear." He used his dominating tone again. But I wouldn't let him decide everything, he couldn't always  do what he wish.

" I am sorry. I cant. Not right now .." I said his eyes snapped at me in the way that how dare I refuse him... I knew he gave me time 8 years back to pursue my studies and I truly respect him for it but just because I'm engaged to him doesn't mean, I would be bound to him and do whatever he says. 

"Arhaan I am sorry i can't, I have got a job here, I have got friends here  I can't leave it like that just for a few days. I need to inform my off-. " I was cut off as he continued 

" No Nandini About few days, you aren't coming back from India, we are gonna marry there and have kids and secondly, you don't have to work from now on, the wife of Arhaan Raichand will not be doing such petty works." I was looking at him with an awe expression. He is also the same as my grandfather and father towards my grandmother and mother. Dominant and patriarch. A sob came out of my mouth but I held it in. Let's see what he does  I am not bending and wouldn't be coming with him.

" I need this job."

"You don't need any job being my wife."

" You have no right to control my life."

" As your fiance, I have every right."

" Fuck you, I will not marry you."

" Don't say whatever you came up, you are coming to India, that's it."

" I ain't going to listen to you. "

" How ungrateful you are, can't you agree with me for once when I always support you in every sort of life."

" So what, you will come like that and announce this, I have got 8 years of my life to live my studies and profession and its 2 years left. I ain't gonna listen to you for this like I always do. I have my profession to look on. "

" Do one thing, in your language, fuck your profession and fuck your freedom, I am going. " He stood up and left. Why he had to be always controlling jerk. Just for this reason of marriage, I gave myself to him three years back thinking if his need would be fulfilled, e wouldn't ask for marriage for few years. And what's this thing Marriage is. We would marry. I am just 24 and I couldn't ruin my life now by eating this marriage cake.

If he was angry with me, let it be, Vaise bhi I wasn't going to agree with him, right. I knew sometimes I behaved like a selfish bitch but over my freedom and work, no one was there...  All the men are the same. Dominating and controlling.

Malhotra Mansion 

Manik's thoughts were occupied by what Saira claimed to be an Angel.

As Saira described she was classically beautiful, black ocean eyes which held such intelligence and serenity that it was impossible for me not to be held prisoner by them.

Her nonstop melancholy of angel to be so gorgeous with stars in her eyes. Her being, cute, kind, generous, good, lovely etc has occupied a large part of his heart.

It surprised him because in a country like the USA and a Heavily crowded city like Los Angeles where people don't even pay heed whether a person is living or dead the girl offered Saira two ice cream's and made sure that Saira reached her guardians safe and sound

It made him wonder

How can someone be so perfect?

Who the lady was?

Did she have a pair of wings, or those big eyelashes, or she was wearing a heavy pink gown with a magic wand in her hand

Was she ascended from heaven?

How could she look like one ?!

He chuckled at her thoughts that every angel couldn't be what we see in those storybooks of children. Manik s trance was broken when Saira and Adiksha opened the door to the Malhotra mansion

" Mumma! Am back." Saira squealed while looking at Adira Malhotra and then hugged Adira while Adiksha looked at her with a sour expression on her face.

" ..Momma, Saira is a cheat...She did cheating... She met Angel alone. I too want to meet her!" Adiksha, her elder sister complained stamping her feet in anger.

" ...Sissy, I will let you meet when angel come again. Pakka plomise ! " Saira whispered while detaching herself from her mother rubbing Adiksha s shoulders affectionately while Adiksha begrudgingly accepted the offer

Adiksha and Saira settled themselves on the sofa while Manik and Adira sat beside them

" ..What are these kids speaking Manik! Who angel?" Adira was confused listening to the opinion of her children looking quizzically at Manik

" Choti Maa, it's like, I took Adi to the washroom, and this little bundle of mischief decided to trouble me and left the place on her own. I was afraid Choti maa that I had lost her, but thanks to the lady, whom she terms as Angel helped her." He narrated with a reminiscent expression on his face.

" Saira, why you left, if you hadn't met Angel, then how would we have located you ?. Promise Mumma that you will never do this again ." She said while taking her in her arms and kissed her whole face. Saira with her tiny hands just pushed herself away from her and smiled," Momma it's sloppy, don't kish me like that. "

Manik smiled shaking his head at the little bundle of joy who was pouting in annoyance at Adira maa.
" ..Now, come fast, it's late Adiksha. ,Saira. You've got school tomorrow !" Adira scolded while both of them made sour faces at the mention of school and accompanied Adira to their room.

Manik walked to the lounge and stared at the night sky. The moon under siege by stars seemed to lighten the night bringing forth stars that shone and hung in the blackness. The never ending blackness consumed everything. Except for the stars which stood out like pebbles in front of a storm.

He let out a sigh and stared longingly at the star-struck sky.

Who was the lady with stars in her eyes?

Who was the angel?

Manik needed to know. A sense of curiosity was there in his little heart. Why without meeting her he was intrigued by the idea of her?

Why was he subconsciously imagining who she was?

It was confusing yet exciting. No other girl was able to capture his attention but this one lady had defied this.

Making his way to his room he laid on his bed staring at the ceiling.

" ..I will find you, Miss Angel.." was the last thought before he fell asleep snuggling into the warmth of his bed

Malhotra Mansion
Time :7:19 am

The morning after, the whole Malhotra mansion was buzzing in excitement, busy in the planning of the marriage of their eldest son. Wearing sweatpants and a grey t-shirt, Manik came down with stairs and let out a sigh looking at the views servants were running here and there carrying out orders of the family members calling the relatives and writing something on pieces of parchment. Manik sighed they were busy working for marriage he wasn't interested in.

He took out an apple from the basket and took a piece and let out an odd smile walking towards the busy crowd ..."Good morning gorgeous ladies .."Manik greeted the trio enthusiastically.

No response

Manik sat down placing a hand on his cheek looked bored at the women of the house who didn't glance him a look credit their work" ...Maa, why are you making the list of guest from now on. Well, tomorrow isn't the marriage." He questioned rubbing his jawline in curiosity.

" ..Beta, then what, you don't know how marriage works it isn't a preparation of few weeks, it is a preparation of several months. Right, Adira !?" Neyonika answered without moving an eye from the list she was currently writing.

" Yeh, didi is absolutely right Manik, well that's not your worry you go for your walk, and let us do our work. " Adira whispered while counting all the bills and transactions of marriage which is going to happen.

"..Badi maa you'll also ignore your favourite child .." Manik made a puppy face at her Badi maa as she shook her head in amusement getting her head out of the gift lists.

"...Manik Mera bacche don't worry we won't involve you in the wedding planning all you have to do is marry Alya now, go continue your work ".. Aparna added while Manik nodded his head.

Shooking his head in dismay he left from there. As soon as he left, a person wearing a knee-length Frock, eye lined by heavy liner, lips adorned by a reddish lipstick, and face covered by foundation, face powder, and what not came inside." Aunty, aunty, am back!" Her loud squeaky voice covered the whole house, due to which Manik s dadi also came out.

She frowned at Alya and threw a mean look in her way which she didn't notice.She immediately threw her arms around dadi" Are mera baccha (my child)" His dadi let out a fake face and reciprocated the hug begrudgingly.

"..How are my favourite Malhotra s doing .." Alya asked settling herself on the sofa where Adira, Aparna and Neyonika were seated. Alya noticed the preparations around and raised her eyebrows"...What are these preparations for ?.."

.."Haven't you got the news .." The ladies questioned and Alya shrugged her shoulders in confusion. "What news, Chachi, by the way where is that asshole Manik Malhotra it has been freaking four years that I got a glance of that idiot .."

" Ah, you are not aware, okay, and don't worry now you will see Manik for whole life, no need to find him." Adira whispered in a teasing tone while Alya got more confused by every second

" Chachi what are you saying, why I will see him my whole life." She said with a blunt face like they said something wrong. Neyonika laughed at her reaction

" Ah, Alia, for this ask your parents. "

And as soon as those words come out of her mouth, The Tapping of heels was heard to reveal. Mrs Saxena with a Hurd of servants behind their backs carrying a handful of gifts including jewellery, dry fruits etc.

" Neonika Ji, please accept these small gifts as Shagun ." Mrs Sulekha Saxena said asking the servants to place the gifts on the table while Mr Saxena greeted everybody.

Mrs and Mrs Saxena sat on the couch with Alya at their side conversing with the Malhotra s

" Sulekha Ji what's the need for this !" Adira said looking at the dozen gifts kept in front of them.

"In our family, it's a tradition whenever we go to the daughters-in-law home we don't go empty-handed now please, don't deny this." Mr Saxena added coyly while the Malhotra s just smiled.

" Mom, what is all this, you haven't told me anything."

" Ah, I was just going to tell you, but you were excited to come here and meet Our to be son in law so I thought we will tell you later ."Mrs Saxena spoke fake smiling at her daughter that meant don't spoil this and Alya sank in her seat afraid. Then the family members sat together doing gossip and talking about the wedding planning fixing the dates the venue etc.

" Mom, but what's about my wish. " Alia whispered in her mother ear while her mother gave her another fake smile.

" Look Alia, don't you dare to create a scene here, we will talk later, at our home, now keep shut ." She snapped back and then smiled back to the Malhotra family continuing the discussion which lasted till the evening.

" Mom, why the fuck are you hell bound on spoiling my life, its fucking about my marriage, and my wish my opinion don't matter. Mom and dad, you can't control my life every time. " Alia yelled frustrated while clutching her own hair on her own mansion.

" Alia, first of all, mind your tone, these cuss words doesn't suit your mouth you belong to a prestigious family and kids don't talk back to their parents in such families "...Mrs Saxena scolded

" But mom, how can you and dad decide my marriage alone, without my opinion without my consent, we live in America, not in India. Please Get that!"

" Daughter, lower your voice!" A man, almost in his 50s came wearing a black tux said in an authoritative voice . He walked elegantly into the room giving a mean look to Alya

" But Dad! " Alia whispered timidly.

" We are your parents and we know best.."Mr Saxena added ."Are you currently involved with someone .."He questioned Alya while shaken her head in a no. He sighed and continued

 "..Are you interested in any boy .." Alya again shook her head in a no.

"..Then what is the problem sweetheart Manik Malhotra He is rich, handsome and a gentlemen and on top of that you're friends since childhood then what's the point of arguing .."

..But— ?.." Alya whispered meekly and was cut off by Mr Saxena

This marriage is helping us to expand our business in which you happen to be our brand ambassador, so just keep quiet and don't argue." He said left, leaving behind a teary Alia.

" Hello, what's the problem, Mr Raichand, why are you calling me again and again, am I not clear with my decision, I ain't going to change it. Just dont call me again." Nandani barked as soon as she lift the call up. It's enough. First he got angry and left her in the middle of their talk and now he was behaving weird. Never in those years he called her this much. Despite being her fiance he never made her felt love sort of feeling, the thing which they had between them is just physical sort of relation. And after that day, he was behaving weird. Messaging her things which wasn't expected from him.

Well Mr Raichand was apologising but she wondered if there was motive behind this apology or he was truly sorry but accepting sorry and regret from Mr Raichand was as lame as expecting buffallow dancing on the flute. But She couldn't tolerate her phone ringtone constantly sounding on her ear, so she picked up the phone. 

" Nandani, its just I am sorry for the heavy argument we had yesterday night. I should understand you, I cant just impose my decisions on you. I am really sorry. Meet me tonight. Please! dont refuse it."

" Arhaan, I..I..."

" I will wait for you at my penthouse, North stree-55." He whispered, she could sense the sadness in his voice, she now felt really bad for yelling at him. She should give him a chance ,she smiled and then agreed. He had done for her many things of which she couldnt deny him.  But little did she know, this meeting will tear all her feelings and emotion apart. The memory which would gave her nightmares. The memory which would filled her heart with fear. The thing which would drift her apart from his side. Sometime trusting the persons word could led you into the cliff of terror and hatred.

Word count- 2964

Publishing date - 12 may, 2021