Hello Fam :)

Warning: Have fun :P

Happy Reading...

Nandini was getting ready for shopping. She had just woken up when Nyonika came to inform her about their day out before the wedding. She was freaking out internally since then.

"You look off. Is everything okay?", asked Manik.

"I am having a day out with the Nyonika Malhotra. I don't know what to expect", she told. She might be a cool mom but she was still the scary businesswoman she grew up looking up to.

Manik laughed. "For a reason, I know she hates shopping. You too. I don't know why she wants to take you out for it when she can call the designer home." He walked towards her and cupped her face. "You will be fine."

For a moment, she thought he would kiss her head but he changed the position of his head midway and wrapped his hands around her neck for a brief hug. Nandini might be overthinking but she felt as if Manik was avoiding her, at least the physical contact. She shook her head because he was smiling at her. She might be crowding his personal space or just simply overthinking.

"Breakfast?"

"Yeah."

XXX

Cabir smirked at Manik, smiling innocently as he talked to Nandini. He doesn't know what was coming his way. "Good morning, partners."

Manik rolled his eyes. "Morning, kid. Up with the drama already?"

"Is she rubbing off on you? You have been bolder in your comments", he told. He loved the new Manik. He loved every shade of his brother that Nandini managed to bring out of him. He was in love with their love. Except for these idiots who refuse to acknowledge their love. Not to worry because in the grand scheme of their events, Nyonika Malhotra was playing the cameo cupid and once the ball is in her court, the lady would make sure it's a goal.

"She has been an influence ever since I came to India. Don't think there's anything new there."

"Okay, kids. Stop fighting", said Nyonika. "Cabir, you said you have something important to tell me."

"Yeah. Manik and I are taking a week's leave for the wedding", he told casually and counted till five for his brother to react.

"A week? Why?", he asked.

"Because it's your best friends wedding."

"Okay. I wouldn't force you but I can juggle between the ceremonies. I would lose my mind over there", told Manik.

Cabir smirked and forwarded the signed papers of their application. "I have submitted both our applications with Meera already."

"But when did I sign?", asked his brother.

Before he could say anything, Nandini burst out laughing. "I knew you were plotting something when you asked him to sign at the last moment. I shouldn't have ignored that smirk either."

Manik gaped at the two of them when he realized the rare moment where he signed a paper without reading them. Trust laced with love is betraying sometimes. "Nandini, stop encouraging him", he told her before openly glaring at his brother. "And you, when would you stop plotting against me?"

Cabir shrugged. "Not plotting. Taking care of my brother from becoming even more workaholic nerd than he already was. Seriously, it's your best friends wedding. It's okay to take a break. Live a little, nerd." Since he was done with his breakfast, on his way out, he ruffled Manik's hair, dropped a kiss to his head, and grabbed the car keys from the table. "The company could manage not to fall down without your presence for a week, Manik. Before you decide to overthink this, I am almost done with the pending works and we can finish the remaining today. Also, instructed Meera to handle it for a week."

Manik sighed. "That's not what I was worried about."

"You can bring a book if you want", suggested Nandini.

Cabir rolled his eyes. Okay, he understood they were madly in love with each other but this? This was getting too much. "Nandini, the whole point of the wedding is to take a break. What's the point if he's taking a book?"

"Manik, the point of taking a break is to make the wedding a memorable one for both of them. We will be busy with work and helping them but you would feel better if you have a book with you and an assurance that you can go back to it if you need to and if you could find some time." Even though Nandini said the words to Manik, she stared at Cabir, daring him to disagree with her.

In reply, Manik smiled at her, dopily, as if he would shower stars upon her if he could.

Wasn't he doing this for the two of them? Why doesn't he get a bit of support? He glanced at his mother, silently complaining about the two. She had a smirk laced with a mad glee and winked at him when she caught his eye. Cabir took a dramatic breath leaving the plan to his mother for the time being.

XXX

Nandini was confused when Nyonika took her to the formal section of the mall. She thought they were doing the wedding shopping.

"You haven't had the chance to buy any of these. If you are going back to the office, you might need these for your meetings at least, even if you are going with the casual looks for a regular day", she explained.

Seriously though, how were the Malhotras so thoughtful? Living with them made her feel giddy with happiness because there were people who thought about her, even if they were little things like buying a car for her or getting her formals for her meeting in the future. It implied that she was actually part of their family instead of the girl whom Manik married and brought home. They choose to think about her and it was the most loved she had felt ever since her childhood.

After the formal section, she bought some casual wear for Nandini.

"I thought we were shopping for the wedding", she asked, unable to stop the curiosity.

"Wedding shopping is tedious. I have something planned for it. Don't worry. Let's try to put a dent on your husband's card", said Nyonika.

Nandini had a pile to try it on and she was selecting more. "Are these many clothes necessary? I have so many already." In her head, she was calculating the amount of hard work she had to put through trying all these.

"Yeah, but you are the CEO of a company. The world will see you now", she told, without taking her eyes off the clothes. "And I never realized buying shopping for your daughter is this fun. What do you even get in men's sections? Regular shirts and different shades of the same colors. It's boring."

"You are just having fun at my expense", she complained.

Nyonika smirked. "That too. Now go and try these."

By the time Nandini was out, she was exhausted. Nyonika took the clothes from her and handed them to the driver, asking him to pay the bill and load them into the car.

"You know what's the best part of shopping?", she asked and replied even before Nandini could answer it. "We get to take a break at the food court. Let's gorge on some junk."

"You sound so much like Cabir right now", she pointed out.

"Of course, I do. They are the products of all my best qualities. Blame their dad and the Malhotra surname for the stupidity. I have no part in that", she told, before dragging Nandini towards the food court.

She loved her. Nyonika was the most amazing woman and she knew it. She wouldn't let the world walk all over her. Her self-confidence might be bordering arrogance but she knew how to draw a line between them. She might say she was the Queen and the world couldn't say anything but accept her.

"You lost in the land of a loved one?", teased Nyonika.

"More like trying not to fall in love with you even more", she told, honestly.

The older woman gasped dramatically. "I thought you loved me to the peaks. Should work harder on impressing you if you are still trying", she told.

Nandini shook her head. She was Nyonika Malhotra and Nyonika Malhotra doesn't need to impress someone but Nandini was blessed alright. They found a corner for themselves and gave their orders.

"So, what's up with you and my son", she asked once they were alone.

It was early and there weren't many people in the area. Nandini shrugged in reply. "We signed the deal for the sponsorship. I was nervous at the start but it went well by the end. Manik helped a lot actually."

Nyonika smiled. "Yeah? What next? Maybe you will do a few projects together and then start your own baby ventures expanding both our companies. Maybe grab the business couple of the year award if there's any?"

"What?", asked Nandini confused because if she wasn't wrong, Nyonika sounded almost sarcastic.

To answer her, Nyonika rolled her eyes. "I want to know about the progress in your love story. Why would I be curious about your business when there are more interesting things to concentrate on?"

She gaped at the open smirk her mother-in-law was displaying. "You are as bad as Cabir."

The older woman waved her hand. "Of course. I am his mother." She sipped the water from the glass and looked around. "So", she said, turning back to Nandini, "do you want to try to make me believe that you don't like Manik or going the age-old 'we are just friends' reason? Because the second one is a bit odd given you guys are married for a good amount of time. The first one, on the other hand, I would agree with because you have the freedom to like whoever you want."

Nandini snorted. "Given that it doesn't sound so ridiculous. Seriously, who doesn't like Manik? He is the epitome of goodness and character packed into one being."

Nyonika gasped dramatically. Nandini realized where Cabir got his drama streak from. "Nandini, are you scared of opening up your heart to Manik? Because let me tell you, you are daring enough to look into the eye of the scariest businesswoman and warn her. I almost felt threatened by you on that day."

"I doubt."

"Not the point. You are my daughter now. You can't be scared. It's against my policies."

"Mom, humor me. Manik was my best friend and I kind of wanted to burn the world if they would hurt him but right now, Manik might be my biggest support system. I know I would have you and Cabir but Manik's supporting me personally, professionally, and even being my topmost emotional strength. I don't even have the financial support if he decides to drop me. So, yes, I am very much scared to jinx anything I have with Manik", she explained.

Nyonika raised an eyebrow. "That sounded like a Murthy statement."

Going back on her words, Nandini winced. It really felt like she was using Manik to float instead of drowning in her life. She opened her mouth to apologize but before that their food had arrived and Nyonika had gestured to stay quiet. Once the waiter left them alone, she opened her mouth but the older woman was already raising her hand.

"Don't say sorry. The words might not sound right but you don't have to explain to me what Manik means to you, Nandini", she said, with a smile. Nandini couldn't be more relieved. "If anything hasn't proved it yet, it would have been after your little act a while back at home."

"My act?", she asked, confused.

The older woman grinned at her merrily. "Suggesting Manik take a book with him and explaining it to him about why it would be right so that he doesn't feel guilty. That's really a sweet gesture which would steal Manik's heart."

"Not trying to steal but Manik is a simple person. He needs his books, his family, a work to do and he would be content. He depends on these things to ground himself and how can I let Cabir deny him that. Manik might not even find time for reading any book but he would at least know that he could", she told. She might have wandered off thinking about her nerd and shook her head to focus back at the woman sitting in front of her. "He makes sure everyone is comfortable and happy. How can we neglect his comfort?"

"And yet you say you don't love him?"

"I never said I don't. I said, I can't. Shouldn't." When she saw the confused frown on Nyonika's head, she sighed. "I have had a very bad reputation for making people who cared about me stick in my life. My grandparents died. My parents changed. I was forced to leave my best friends. But now I have Manik again in my life and he is trying to get my life back to normal. I am just accepting whatever I could without pushing my luck."

They sat in silence for some time, starting their food. Nandini thought the topic was over and prayed it would because how could someone convince that they don't love Manik? She doubted there would be anyone who doesn't love him except her parents who are beyond the intelligence of normal human beings.

"I was an orphan", said Nyonika, breaking the silence between them. "Never knew my parents or cared about emotions. Instead of feeling sad, I thought I can't bring my family, so why not celebrate my fate? I have no restrictions, no one who would scold me if I did anything wrong, or no one to care about if something happens to me until and unless I am getting my proper education. I was rash and loud, almost like the way Cabir described you all those years back. I thought I was invincible without the responsibility of a family weighing me down."

"Even with the family, you still are invincible", she commented. Who knew the pristine and perfect Nyonika Malhotra was a brat?, thought Nandini. She was grasping every single word because the older woman rarely let herself share any personal details.

Nyonika chuckled softly at Nandini's words. "I met Raj during my engineering. He was calm and quiet and was someone who would rather fade into the crowds. A complete contrast to me. You wouldn't realize how ambitious he was until you are in his close circle. All the time when people ignored him for being boring, he had his plan ready to start up his company. It was big during that time because we were a bunch of no-ones. I was one of the first ones he had run his business plan. He trusted me and made me feel important instead of the orphan that I was for the world."

Nandini forwarded her hand to squeeze in her hand. She couldn't imagine this strong lady to be tossed aside as an orphan. It wasn't a surprise that the Malhotra twins considered their family as their top priority. Nyonika might have drilled them into their heads.

"Raj grounded me. While I would jump head-first into any argument or challenge, he would pull me by invisible strings and made me see the reason. When our company finally came into existence, it was only us two and we had put our everything into this. We were in the middle of a really important discussion when I realized I needed him in my life. There was no one more important than him to me and I would have lost the only one person that mattered to me if I had told him that. It took a toll on my head for days and I was suddenly not the person I recognized myself as. Lost and confused and overthinking. We fought because I couldn't concentrate and I wouldn't talk to Raj which pissed him off. Then I thought, let everything get to hell, and did what I always did. Jumping headfirst into the challenge. He was in a meeting when I barged inside the meeting room, grabbed him by his collar, and asked him to marry me."

"I can totally see you doing that", confessed Nandini.

"Yeah?", said Nyonika, smirking and somehow pleased by herself. Before laughing, shaking her head. "He was embarrassed to put our personal lives on display and sealed the deal with a nod. Imagine, just one nod to tie us together forever."

"But did he really love you?", she asked, crossing her fingers. Nyonika would give her a glare and Nandini would do anything the older woman asked. She can be scary like that. But how did that work with loving someone?

For a minute, Nandini thought she might have offended the woman but when she looked up, she was rolling her eyes, a sweet smile on her lips. "I calmed down by his answer and we ignored all the looks and finished the meeting. I got that doubt after the meeting when I was relaxed and happy and when I asked Raj about it, he said he was in love with me since our college. Never let me have a hint or acted upon his feelings because he thought I was too wild and spirited to find him interesting. I told you, blame the idiocy of my kids on their father, didn't I?"

Suddenly it was Nyonika who was holding her hand. "Sometimes we have to push the luck to count our blessings, Nandini. I don't want you to miss the happiness you rightfully deserve because you might think you don't deserve someone as nice as Manik but the universe has put you through enough pain. Let it heal you for once and if it's in the form of Manik, just take the risk, kid."

Nandini was biting her lip to stop the tears that were threatening to spill from her eyes. "I am sorry. I want to, trust me, I really want to but I don't think I could part ways with Manik after opening my heart to him."

Nyonika frowned at that. "Why do you think you have to part ways with Manik?"

"Because I don't think he is as much in love with me as you and Cabir think him to be. He wouldn't be so willing to give up our relationship if he was in", she said. She tried to push down the bitterness in her voice. "And then there are the divorce papers that I don't know what to do about it. It reminds me of what I couldn't have every time I walk into our room. I know I am not the best person for him to love and Manik deserves someone better."

"Wait, hold on for a second there. Manik gave you the divorce papers. When?"

"A few days after our marriage. I thought you know. Cabir does too", told Nandini, confused. How could Nyonika not know about this, right? But then she realized Nyonika really doesn't know and it was surprising, to say the least. "Mom, it is not serious. Just typical Manik. He wanted me to have a choice to leave this relationship if I wanted to, I understand that. It's the easy way he decides to throw anything between us even before something could start is bothering. Coming to think about it, when he proposed to me during the last day of our college, he said it was not because he wanted to start a relationship with me but just wanted to let me know that there was someone that loved me. How can I think Manik wants to spend the rest of his life with me?"

Nyonika pinched the bridge of her nose and Nandini could say she was on edge, restraining herself from talking. They finished their food without a word and left the place. By the time, the driver brought the car from the parking, Nandini felt the tension heavily between them.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your mood", she muttered.

Nyonika took a deep breath and then wrapped an arm around her, startling her. When Nandini glanced at the woman, she was already looking at her with a smile on her face. "You didn't ruin my mood. At least, it's not your fault, kid", she told. "As I said, Malhotra boys can be idiotic sometimes and as the responsible Malhotra women, we have to be the voice of reason even if we have to throw bricks of truth on them. Do you trust me?"

Nandini nodded without any hesitation and if made the older woman grin, she was happy to be the reason for that.

"Then trust me, all you need is a long chat with Manik, to put all the facts on the table, and wait for the idiot to see the reason."

"Manik is not an idiot", she protested.

Nyonika smirked. "Glad you think defending his honor is your top priority. Nandini, Manik is my smartest kid but it pains me to accept that sometimes people make mistakes. Manik isn't perfect. Manik isn't God. So when you think he is being an idiot, I expect you to throw logic on his face instead of accepting his every argument. But let's leave him right there. After all the emotional stress, I need therapy."

She pulled her hand, an exciting touch to her voice as she sat in the car.

XXX

The therapy, according to Nyonika Malhotra, was to take Nandini to one of her friend's boutiques to shop for the actual wedding dresses.

"Is that why you asked me not to do the wedding shopping?", asked Nandini.

"I had already talked to her", answered Nyonika.

"Then why did you take me to the mall there?"

"Your husband was really clever when he married you without giving me any chance to harass the bride and groom with the wedding shopping. This is my revenge. I will take him out too, don't worry."

Nandini never thought she would do this but she did glare at the lady who was practically her mother now. "Glad, I am your source of entertainment."

Nyonika just smirked at her.

XXX

After their shopping, Nandini asked if it was okay to visit Mukti to help her with the preparations and Nyonika asked the driver to drop them there. She was glad she could mask away from the anger and frustration enough for the girl to relax. She didn't need to deal with Nyonika's emotions on top of everything she was dealing with.

"Shyam, put the bags in Manik's room", she told the driver. She looked around to find her sons since it was already time but didn't find them. She found a butler and asked if the boys had returned and after getting a positive response, she asked them to leave and ignore the Malhotras alone for some time.

MANIK MALHOTRA

If the scream boomed throughout the house, Nyonika didn't care. When she saw Manik coming out of his study room, Cabir trailing behind, with a slightly scared frown on his face, it was even better. She was sitting on the armchair and gestured to the two boys to sit down, glaring at Manik.

"Mom, is everything okay? Where's Nandini?", asked Cabir.

"Nandini went to Mukti's place for a few hours. Cabir, I will get back to you later. Meanwhile, Manik would explain to me some of his questionable decisions. Yeah?", she asked without taking her eyes from her elder twin. The boy was squirming under her gaze and this didn't happen after his college. Glad. He deserved it.

"Did I mess up something at work?", he muttered. "I apologize, I am not aware what you-"

"To hell with your apologies. I thought you were smart and level-headed and now I know that you are giving divorce to Nandini. Care to explain that?"

"Nandini told you that?"

"Nandini didn't know you were trying to keep it a secret from me, which is another explanation you are supposed to give. But first, seriously, Manik? Divorce? Do I need to call a doctor for you?", she asked.

"Mom, I can explain", he told.

"I am waiting", she told.

"Mom, he would give you a lawyer's explanation", interrupted Cabir. "In short, he gave the divorce papers to Nandini because he thinks he forced Nandini into this marriage and the divorce papers are supposed to be her freedom."

"This is the stupidest thing I have heard and I have heard Cabir's arguments for the better part of my life", she said. She ignored the protest in her younger son's voice. He would understand. "Do you plan to add something or are you tearing those divorce papers off and confess to Nandini that you are hopelessly in love with her?"

She waited as Manik took several deep breaths. As much as she was mad at him, she didn't want her kid to pop up a nerve or end up brain dead. When he gathered enough words to open his mouth, he avoided her gaze and chose to stare at the tiles on the floor.

"I don't understand why it's an issue. I told Nandini. She doesn't have to think about it if she didn't need to. Her parents tried to control her life with their decisions and I did the same by marrying her, tying her in a relationship she didn't willingly choose. I am just trying to give her freedom back and a belief that she owns her life. No one else", he told, calmly.

"I would never question your intentions, Manik. I know you are a good kid but if Nandini is in love with you, wouldn't your little act set her back from pursuing her feelings for you?", she asked.

"When I gave her the divorce papers, I wasn't aiming at concreting my relationship with her. I am not doing it now. She had seen enough people manipulating her. She doesn't even need me to join that list. It was her freedom and that's it. If Nandini is really in love with me, she would tell me, mom", he told.

"Giving her the divorce papers wouldn't send a proper message across, Manik. What if she loses hope that you still love her?", she asked. Nyonika saw the panic in Nandini's eyes, the hesitation of getting rejected or having no choice but to leave Manik. She was damn sure it only came when you are afraid of losing your loved one instead of a casual friend. She didn't want her kids to go through such emotional trauma, not if she could help it.

"Mom", protested Manik. He closed his mouth when he didn't know what to answer. Personally, Nyonika was glad she could throw him speechless. "I am trying every moment to make her understand that she's loved. Wouldn't all that count? Is a piece of paper more important than all my efforts?"

Nyonika didn't have an answer to that because if there was a person who would put their everything into making someone loved, it's Manik. He doesn't love in halves, he would give his everything.

After minutes of silence, Manik straightened up. "Mom, I agree the divorce papers might be a setback if Nandini wanted to keep our marriage going on but I have also given her something to hope for. And I really wish Nandini would choose that", he told and stood up. "I will go to Mukti's place to pick her up."

"You do realize right you could always send a driver?", asked Cabir.

"Yeah. But the driver wouldn't want to meet Mukti", he told and left the place.

"Mom, don't you think it's a really stupid excuse to escape from here or to get to Nandini after giving a speech of sacrificing their relationship", protested Cabir.

Nyonika sighed. Manik Malhotra wasn't subtle about his feelings for Nandini. Then again, he wouldn't hide his feelings if he had any. She rubbed her head. Her elder son had a way to get her a headache with his stupidly perfect arguments. "I hate the way his brain works sometimes."

She felt Cabir sitting in the armrest and resting his head on his shoulder. "I am sorry I couldn't talk him out of the divorce. That's why I was trying from Nandini's side. At least, she wouldn't utter stupid logic even if she has her insecurities."

Nyonika turned her head to drop a kiss on her younger twin's head. "You did well, kid. At least, Nandini is considering a relationship with Manik which is progress", he said before sighing tiredly. "We are so close, Cabir. I just need one single push. Once single move."

She was startled when Cabir straightened up abruptly and when she turned to peek a glance at him, there was a mad glint in his eyes. "I think I have a masterpiece for our last move, mom."

The chapter might not be as long as others but there's too much going on in here. Nandini and Nyonika bonding, Nyonika's love story, which she doesn't discuss with her boys. So that's a special bond forming. Nyonika would talk about Raj only with Nandini. She getting to know about the divorce, confronting Manik, and planning further. As I said, too much is happening. 

Next is the wedding. I won't go into details about the rituals, only concentrating on Manan mostly. So, expect some drama during the wedding. 

Spoiler: Manik acts strange. Cabir acts stranger. Also, the final masterpiece move in the cupid's plan. :P