Nandini went to her room and opened her closet. A silver box attracted her attention. On top of that box it was written “For Nandini” she opened the box and found a beautiful white dress inside it. It was long strapless dress with white pearl work over the waist and bust line. With it there was a diamond bracelet . Nandini was feeling confused when she got a call, it was Neyonika.

“Hello Aunty, I have this dress in my closet and…”

Neyonika told “yes dear that dress is for you please wear it for the party” she said and hung up the call.

Nandini was feeling weird but then thought that weirdness runs in the hormones of the Malhotra family. She went to the washroom to get ready.

Outside Malhotra Mansion,

Manik was standing near his black Porsche and was talking to someone over phone. Suddenly his eyes got fixed in awe as he spotted Nandini coming out and looking extremely gorgeous in that white dress.

Nandini looked at him nervously "mai bohat buri lag rahi hu kya?" she said.

Manik closed his eyes for a second to compose himself, "no! why r u saying like that?" he asked without looking at her.

"Nahi tum aise dekh rahe thei iss liye..accha tell na agar zyada buri lag rahi hu then I will don't go" said Nandini.

Manik thought "how will I tell you that you are looking like fairy, who has stepped into this earth...wait! What the hell am I thinking? Manik u should not think like this for her come on!" after battling with his mind finally he spoke up "You are looking okay ab chalo dad has already called 2 times " said Manik and they got into the car.

In the car, Nandini looked at Manik he was looking dashing in the black tuxedo and his hair was back brushed. He was looking no less than prince charming.

"Manik, did uncle/aunty told u to dress in black?" she asked.

"Ha dad told me but tumhe kaise pata?" he asked while driving .

"Aunty gave me this dress aren’t we looking like a wedding couple? Maybe this party is for us?" said Nandini nervously.

Manik smirked "wow! Manna parega tumhari CID skills ko. Madam this is just a dress code for a formal party. Oh wait tum toh kabhi aisi party mei nahi gayi hogi, now sit quietly" he said .

Nandini looked away and mumbled "pata nahi mai isse baat hi kyo karti hu, sadu kahika...Monster" she said.

After a while they reached the location and got out of the car. It was a posh hotel; as they entered some people looked at them and smiled, they were even saying something which they could not hear "Manik, yeh log hume aise kyo dekh rahe hai?" asked Nandini.

"Tumhe nahi mujhe dekh rahe hai, as I am looking damn hot" he winked.

"Don't drool over yourself only brainleas people like you" said Nandini.

They entered the party hall and announcement happened "here comes the stars of this party, the newly wedded couple, Manik and Nandini" said the host.

Both Manik and Nandini eyed each other with shocked expression "oh no, you were right, this is our wedding party" said Manik as he pressed Nandini's hand.

Nandini gave a fake smile "don't show it on your face, smile abb kya kare we have to handle it" she said and held his hand. They were greeted by Mr. Malhotra and Neyonika who took them to the center where there was a big 3 stored vanilla and lavender wedding cake. Nandini looked around and saw that her parents, uncle aunty and fab 5 were also there, they waved at her and she smiled.

Mr. Malhotra announced “Friends my son’s wedding was done very formally, no functions were held so this wedding party is held to announce the marriage and celebrate it” he said.

Everyone clapped. “Now there will be a formal ring exchange and then the couple will cut the cake” said Neyonika.

Manik looked at her angrily and was about to say something but Nandini pinched him and gestured him to stop. They exchanged wedding rings, it was a big cubic shaped diamond ring for Nandini and a platinum band for Manik. They cut the cake and fed each other.

After completing that they went to the corner and the host invited everyone on the dance floor.

Manik and Nandini were looking at each other blankly as they fingered their wedding rings.

“Haha..bure fas gaye dono” laughed Cabir as he came to them. Nandini looked at him angrily “yaar tum dono koi bahana banake bhag nahi sakte hai is public display se” said Mukti.

“Arreh my dad is smart he planned the party chup ke sei and by the way tum logo ko toh pata that oh hume inform nahi kar sakte thei?” asked Manik.

“We were also informed at the last moment and our phones were seized, uncle is smart” said Dhruv.

“You know guys mujhe shaq hua tha but iss Manik ke bacche nei meri baat nahi mani” said Nandini as she hit Manik.

“Baccha vi ho gaya? Abhi toh shadi hui?” said Cabir and everyone gave him a I will kill you look.

“Okay I am sorry, I should go from here, Mukti come with me” Cabir said.

Dhruv and Aliya went to dance and Nandini went to her family. Manik was talking with Harshad.
After sometime the host invited the newlywed couple to the dance floor. Manik came to her and stretched his hand forward, Nandini held his hand “Manik, mujhe thik se dance karna nahi ata” she whispered.

“Don’t worry I will cover you and bas thodi der ke liye then we will escape” he said.

Nandini shook her head. They went to the dance floor and the music changed into a romantic one. It was an old song and Nandini’s favorite too. Enrique’s “could I have this kiss forever played in the background”. The lyrics of the song were so mesmerizing that Manik and Nandini could feel it by looking at each other. He pulled her close to his body and she rested her head on his chest.

Aliya noticed the closeness of Manik and Nandini and went to Harshad “bhai, look at them, she is trying to win Manik” she said angrily.

“She can never do that, I have a plan, just wait for few days” said Harshad and Aliya smiled.

Suddenly Nandini started to feel awkward and she left the dance floor. She went at the corner to escape everyone’s questions. “What’s wrong with me! Why was I so close to him?” she asked to herself.

On the other side, “Arreh yeh Riya kaha reh gayi abhi perfect time hai uske liye Manik se baat karnei ka” said Mukti.

“Kisi ke saath mu kaala kar rahi hogi, bechara Manik suffer karega zindagi var, hum yeh plan cancel nahi kar sakte?”asked Cabir.

“Shut up! Just because she does n’t like u, stop saying bad things about her” stomped Mukti.

“Now go and search her” she said.

“But tera bodybuilder boyfriend hai uska kya?” asked Cabir.

“Usko mai hata dungi, you tell Riya to be ready” said Mukti.

Cabir said “Ok” and went to search Riya.

Navya noticed Cabir and tapped on his shoulder “kya ho raha hai?” she asked.

Cabir replied “arreh uss kamini Riya ko dhund raha hu” he said without thinking then bit his tongue as Navya gave him a confused look.
“Sharam nahi ati, she rejected you, fir bhi, wait mai Nandini ko abhi bata ti hu” said Navya.

Cabir pulled her hand and in a jerk she was very close to him, both of them felt a spark due to the closeness. She moved away.

“Nandini ki chamchi, mai bas usko dhund raha tha coz Mukti told me” said Cabir.

“Oh” said Navya as she walked away.

Cabir blinked is eyes “dude, what was that? Full current laga mujhe, Madhubala! No way, Cabir kaam pe dhyaan de” he told himself.

Manik was drinking some soda when Riya went to him, “hey handsome” she said as she took a seat beside him in the counter chair.

“Hello, do I know you?”asked Manik casually.

“What? don’t tell mei tumne mujhe kabhi notice nahi kia college mei? I just..love” Manik rolled his eyes at her “love your voice” she stammered.

She was trying to touch him and go close to him, which was making Manik uncomfortable so he excused himself and went out to get some fresh air.

Nandini was standing sadly at a corner when Navya came to her. “Nandu, itna sad mat ho, tu kitni beautiful lag rahi hai aj” said Navya as she hugged her.

“Really, but Manik nei kaha I am looking okay” said Nandini.

“Uss rakhshas ke paas akhein kaha hai, ghum raha hai uss short dress wali Riya ke sath” complained Navya.

“Kya? Riya ke sath kya kar raha hai?” choked Nandini.

“Abhi saath mei bathei thei but just now I saw him going out” said Navya.

“Meri zindagi barbad karke, khud dating mar raha hai, usko mai aj nahi chorungi” said Nandini angrily as she went outside. Navya called her but she did n’t stop.

Manik was standing near the fountain and thinking something when Nandini came to him “kaha hai who?” she asked curiously.

“Kaun?” asked Manik.

“Don’t act innocent, I know Riya is with you, Navya nei tum dono ko sath mei dekha” said Nandini.

Manik laughed “So you have lined up informers behind me” said Manik, and Nandini became nervous.

Thundering started “Barish hone wali hai, let’s go inside” said Manik.

“Mujhe kahi nahi jana, tum jao apne Riya ke sath” said Nandini. Manik gave her a confused look “seriously, Nandini, tum aisa….anyways raho yahi pe” he said and suddenly it started to rain.

Nandini tried to run inside but tripped because of the high heels. Manik immediately caught her in his arms. They looked at each other intensely while the rain flowed over them.

Manik let her stand and again it thundered; this time it was too loud. Nandini became scared and hugged him. He was frozen for a moment then hugged her back. She was breathing heavily, she looked up to him and there was something different in his eyes. Nandini reminded herself not to get lost in his eyes; she closed her eyes and tried to move away from him. But he pulled her back in his arms. He removed the wet strand of hair from her face and caressed her glistering cheeks. His touch and closeness was making her sigh. At that moment, Manik had no control over himself. He dig his fingers into her arm she said “ouch” in pain. The words coming from her mouth made him more desperate to bring her close to himself. Manik moved his hand to her bare back and crushed her against his chest. Then he leaned his head and kissed her forehead; she sighed and closed her eyes. Then he placed a tender kiss on each closed eye lid, and she trembled at his touch. He kissed her nose, then brushed his lips over her cheek kissing her softly. He was breathing heavily and so was she.

“Nandini!!” called out Navya from inside; breaking the dream that Manik and Nandini were living. She became tensed and moved away from him. Nandini ran inside as fast as she could and Manik stood like a statue, recalling his actions and the possible reason for them.

To be continued…..