Murthy Mansion

" Anju. Navya called. They're on their way here.", said Sujoy as he walked into the living room followed by Avantika. It was their thing. Whatever may be the occassion, they all were always together. " Everything is ready Dada. Just waiting for Sarthak Bhau and Mugdha Jiji to come.", Anjali said as she went upto hug Avantika who took her in a tight hug sensing her nervousness. Nandini has always been the life of Anjali. She wanted everything to be perfect for her daughter.

" Sorry sorry we're late.", Mugdha said entering with Sarthak. Both came forward to greet the Murthys and the Bose couple before settling down. " Where are the girls?", Sarthak asked and Yug told him that they were upstairs making Nandini ready.

Soon the Malhotras arrived and were welcomed wholeheartedly by the family. Navya came forward to hug her mothers, while Sujoy took his son-in law in a tight embrace. They exchanged greetings and settled in the living room talking. The elders were talking and laughing over various things while the youngsters enjoyed themselves knowing about each others lives lately. Suddenly, Neyonika's question got their attention, " Are Anjali, where's Nandini? Bulaiye use. We're family. There has to be no formality.", she said making everyone smile. Anjali gestured Kumudh to get Nandini who nodded and went up the stairs with Manik's eyes following.

Manik had been in shock from the moment he saw their car entering the Murthy Mansion. He had not even once thought of the possibility of Nandini being the one. For God's sake he admired that girl even before meeting her once. And now knowing that he was going to meet her for marriage...he just got jitters in his stomach. He couldn't understand what he was feeling. On one side, he was sad as he never wanted their first meet to be a proposal of marriage where they would be burdened by decision making and won't be able to know each other freely. Then on the other side, he was excited to finally meet the girl who had dominated his thoughts at nights since the day he heard of her from Navya. He also had the fear of what if it didn't work? What if he had to reject her or the other way round? Would it still be the same between their families? He didn't want things to be awkward between their families at any point. He was brought out of his thoughts by Cabir who nudged him with a smirk and a teasing smile making him realise that he had been staring at the stairs all this while. " Seedhiyon ko ghurne se wo jaldi nahin aa jayegi Manik. ( She won't just appear suddenly if you keep staring at the stairs dude.)", he said making Manik look here and there in embarrassment. " Well if you want I can tell you where her room is. You know...", he trailed off making Manik pass him death galre which meant shut up which obviously had no effect on our great Cabira. He shrugged and turned back to talk to Sanchi while Manik shook his head in disbelief, going back to his own thoughts.

Here in her room Nandu was getting restless. She has still not seen who has come. She still doesnt know whom she is going to meet. And she was cursing her Dadi whose great idea was to keep it a secret from her and give her a surprise. Huh! Surprise? She'll die of stress before that! Ughhhhh!

Nandu pov

Aiyappa! What will I do now? Shit! That boy and his family are sitting downstairs and here I can't even figure out what to say when I meet them. Stupid Nandu!

But if that guy turns out to be a strict businessman who doesn't know anything other than money? How will the pair be? Gosh I can't even imagine that ridiculously boring life with him!

Or what if he is a chomu who doesn't even know how to talk to girls? No no no how will I look beside him? A combination of rasgulla with tinda? NO!

Worst case scenario... what if he is a PERVERT? Huh! Then I'll kick him out of the house. Yes! ... No No Nandini No violence. I'll do one thing. I'll tell Bhai about it. They'll kick him out. Han ye thik rahega.

Just then Kumudh enters and asks her to come down breaking her train of thoughts.

In the hall

All were sitting chatting but our rockstar was just getting restless. Manik was constantly looking towards the stairs.

Putting a stop to his wait Nandu comes down looking extremely beautiful in a blue anarkali, taking Manik's breath away.

Manik couldn't stop himself from staring at the beauty in front of him. She looked so ethereal walking down the stairs with her anklets ringing to a melody that soothed every turmoil in his heart. Cabir glanced at his brother and smirked seeing him clean bowled by just a look of Nandini Murthy.

On the other side, Nandini's who was looking down walking beside Kumudh, lifted her eyes up only to meet with a pair of chocolate brown orbs that had some unknown emotions all directed towards her. Oh he looked handsome!

A shiver ran through her body as his intense gaze pierced through her. World stopped at that moment and the only thing that remained was just those eyes which suddenly seemed to contain her whole world in them. The passion in her heart scared her and she immediately averted her gaze breaking Manik's trance too.

She came up to touch the elders' feet who blessed her heartily with Neyonika taking her in a loving embrace. " Looking beautiful beta", she said making her blush as she looked down tucking a hair strand behind her ears.

She then moved to the youngsters and immediately Cabir took her in a tight hug. They fist bumped each other giggling and muttered " Miss you" s, making others smile. But as soon as she turned to Navya, her sister just turned around refusing to look, showing how angry she was. Nandini understood this and her face fell. She was both, guilty for not being able to attend her dear sister's wedding, and sad at her behaviour. She looked towards Cabir for help who blinked at her in assurance.

" Bira...you were saying something about a gift right? Over the phone yesterday? What was it?", he said reminding her of their conversation which actually happened a few weeks ago. Nandu shrunk her eyebrows in confusion and Cabir poked her making her realise what he was talking about. " Yeah yeah Bir...I do remember. But... whats the use now? The gift was for someone who is not even ready to look at me.", she said pouting sadly while her siblings and Bhabis shook their heads in disbelief and Manik widened his eyes at her perfect acting. Navya knew what they were playing at and made a poker face still refusing to turn. But in real, she was curious to know what the gift was, knowing very well that it was for her.

" Hmm thats true. But... just curious...what was it?", Cabir asked trying to supress his laughter as he saw Navya becoming restless and excited to know, which was breaking her angry stance. " Umm..nothing much Bir. Just a Week long Holiday package to Greece. But now I think thats useless. I'll contact the agency and canc....."

" NO!", she was cutoff by our very own Navya who turned around with jerk on the name of Greece, her face glowing with happiness and excitement making Nandini smile inwardly as she stared at Navya surprised. " You are not gonna cancel it! I wanna go.", she said making Nandini smirk.

" But you were toh angry on me na. How can you accept my gift?", she said making Navya whine. " Arre who said I'm angry? I was toh just playing around. You are the best sister in the whole world. I love you so much Nannu!", she said jumping on Nandini who laughed at her cuteness, hugging her back.

They talked for some time, all the while Manik gazing at her intensely, lost in her antics, while Nandini's cheeks turning red, very well aware of Manik's gaze on her.

Soon Neyonika asked Nandini to sit beside as she asked some questions to which she patiently answered. Here Manik was also sitting in between the men as Viren and Sarthak asked him some questions about his bussiness and his future plans.

" I think the kids should talk to each other now.", Neyonika said to which everyone nodded while KumYug, AnChi and Navya exchanged smirks. Nandini was still unaware of what was coming her way, while he felt himself growing excited at the thought of meeting her alone now.

" You're right. Nandu. Take Manik to your room beta.", Anjali said. Nandini was about to nod when suddenly her tubelight glowed. Manik + Her room + Alone = Not a good idea! Her eyes fell on her siblings who were smirking at her making her glare.

" Nandu...Take Manik to your room beta.", Avantika said once again, seeing Nandini not moving from her place. Here Nandini panicked and before she could stop herself, she shouted.. " Room kyun?"

All looked at her shocked as the youngsters supressed their giggles and Nandini looked here and there embarassed at her stupidity. " I..I.. mean Why room? We can talk here.", she said making the elders sigh. Manik narrowed his eyes at her behaviour trying to figure out whats wrong with her.

" Beta Room will be good. You'll get some lone time and will get to know each other better. Here in front of someone you both won't be that comfortable.", Viren said making her nod as she got up smiling. " Aiye", she said gesturing Manik to follow her who happily obliged, unaware of the shock waiting for him.

As soon as they were out of sight, the siblings and Kumudh Saanchi burst into giggles making Cabir suspicious. " Whats the matter Wifey? Something fishy?", he wishpered leaning onto Navya who nodded sheepishly. " Your brother is up for a sweet electric shock." , she said making Cabir confused. Elctric shock and Sweet?

Thats it for today.

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