His

4 | engaged

Next morning: 

Nandini's pov. 

I woke up to the sound of people talking. I smile and have a look at my phone notifications. My smile immediately grew wider seeing the message from manik. 

Hubby: good morning sweetheart❤;).

I smiled happily and replied. 

Nandini: good morning to you too Mr. Malhotra.❤❤

Sent.

I got an instant reply. 

Hubby: you’re up. 

Nandini: no. You woke me up. 

Hubby: oh really but seriously I can't get last night out of my head. 

Nandini: me too. Now bye I need to get ready to. See you soon. 

Hubby: see you soon Ms. Murthy..

I kept my phone aside and left to take a bath. 

Nandini's pov end.

............

A few days before the engagement. 

Manik: nanz I want to take you out this evening just the two of us. 

Nanz: ok. 

Manik: so I'll pick you up at 6 pm. 

Nandini: ok. Bye 

Manik: bye. 

And they hung up. Nandini took a deep sigh and got dressed in a purple and white flannel shirt and denim black jeans along with her vans. 

Later at 6 Manik picked her up and they left to their destination. He wore a purple button up shirt and black jeans. As they neared their destination near the forest reserves Manik stopped the vehicle. They got off and he took her towards the trail path that was present. 

As they walked for five minutes Nandini started complaining. 

Nanz: Manik how long I don't understand where we are going. 

Manik: I know love we'll reach in a few minutes. 

And then they reached after few minutes. When the path ended there was a beautiful house that had glass windows and was made up of pure wood. Manik took out a key and said: welcome to our very own house. 

Nanz: it's beautiful. When did you... 

Manik: I started planning this a while back. I thought I'll present this to the only woman in my life. And here you are. 

Nandini opened the door and before she could step inside Manik bend down and took her in his arms inside and then dropped her back down. He showed her around and then stopped in front of a door. 

"This is our bedroom" he said opening the door and Nandini gasped seeing it. It was very good. The room was a brown and white and the vibe was relaxing. Manik made her sit on the bed as they started talking. 

"You know I'm very modern" he said but then she corrected him in between "you mean ancient and not modern". 

"If this wasn't an arranged marriage and we met another way I would have courted you" he said sitting in front of her. 

"Take you around and steal a kiss or two with your permission" he said as he pecked her lips twice and then bend on one knee in front of her. "And I would then present you with a ring" he said and removed a box from his pocket. And opened it placing it in her hand.

"This was my mother's. " what?! "Niyonika mom is not my real mother my real mother was her best friend but she died giving birth to me and mom took care of me. She and my father were lovers after two years and she became pregnant with Mukti. They decided to name their relationship and got married. Mom never treated me as her step son. For her I’m her blood and flesh since I was the last memory of her best friend and the most precious one. She and dad never planned on telling me about her being my step mom but on my 18th birthday they revealed it to me. I’ll tell about it another time but..” He said and continued once again " Nandini Murthy I promise to love you every moment forever. Will you do the extraordinary honour of marrying me" he said seriously nervous. Nandini then whispered "yes" and then jumped in his arms wrapping them in his hair as he kissed her pulling her to himself. 

On the day of engagement. 

At 7 PM. 

The location for engagement was Malhotra farmhouse. The next day Malhotras' and Murthys' will shift to their mansions. Manan were ready and Manik was standing in the garden along with Kabir and Dhruv. Soon he was called on the stage and then Nandini joined him soon after. They were asked to exchange rings. 

Alia brought Manik's ring and Dhruv brought Nandini's ring. First Dhruv passed the ring to Manik.

It was the same ring that Manik had presented to her while proposing. Manik slid the ring in Nandini's ring finger and kissed her knuckles and she just blushed while everyone hooted. Nandini slid the ring in his finger and all clapped for the engaged couple while Manik side hugged Nandini and pecked her head.

Soon Manik and Nandini were sitting talking to family and friends. The function ended soon after the photo shoot. All moved towards the backyard where food arrangements were made. After having food guests left. 

At 3 am:

Manan, Dhrulia, Kavya and Mukti were sitting at the farmhouse lawn on a mattress playing never have I ever. It was Manik's chance. 

Manik: never have I ever kissed.. 

Leaving Nanz all drank. 

Manik: you never had your first kiss.

Nanz: no, I saved it for my future husband. 

Manik: hmm we'll change that later. 

Nanz just blushed. 

Manik: Mukti whom did you kiss?!? 

Mukti: Bhai Abhimanyu. 

Nandini: abhimanyu??

Mukti: Abhimanyu Murthy my boyfriend from three years. He is in US.

Nandini: your the Mukti.

Manik: one minute, what's happening

Nanz shows a pic to Mukti. 

Mukti: yes he is my boyfriend. 

Nanz : s**t, your my bhabhi. 

Mukti: bhabhi??

Nanz: Abhi is my cousin brother. 

Mukti: it's a small world. 

They continued and soon it landed on Nanz.

Nanz: never have I ever been in a relationship. 

All except Manik drank. Soon at 5 they left to their bedrooms. Nanz was in her room when there was a knock. She opened the door to find Manik leaning against the wall. 

Nanz: Manik what are you doing here. 

Manik: I came here because... Urg... I'll do it and show. 

He moved in and closed the door bolting it shut. He then placed his lips directly on hers. He kissed her slowly and softly. She replied to his kiss.He cornered her to the wall without breaking the kiss. They both broke it breathless. He started kissing all over her neck and continued till her earlobe. 

He bit her earlobe and she moaned his name. He then kissed her forehead and carried her to bed. They lied down as he kissed her one last time and then they drifted to sleep in each other's arms. 

................................

Manik's pov. 

I opened my eyes and saw nandini sleeping peacefully keeping her head on my chest. She looked so innocent while sleeping just like a baby without any worry. I slowly untangled myself from her got up and left. But not before leaving her a note. 

*************

It's been two weeks now and everyday we learnt a little more about each other. She was a doctor and I promised her that she would continue her medical carrier after marriage if she wanted to and she didn’t need anyone’s permission just her dedication to her profession. After our marriage mom dad and appa amma are shifting to US and London respectively. We tried to convince them to stay here but they said that they need to handle the international part of the business. 

I would handle in India and rishab will handle Uncle's who is currently working in the Australian one. Next day we shifted to our mansions. We used to meet daily and some days night outs. It was amazing to sneak into her room at late night. Our marriage would be a little different. We do mehandi, haldi, sangeet and DJ night but a Tamil wedding. Yes Tamil. Nandini never told me about her dream of having a Tamil and catholic wedding inspired by 2 states and twilight so 14th February is our catholic wedding and the same day at 4 am is our Tamil wedding on top of the hill in a very famous religious temple, Neemach Mata Mandir. 

The dates were like 9th of February is haldi. 

10th of February is mehendi. 

11th is a day of lazing around. 

12th of February is the sangeet. 

13th of February is the Cocktail party as I said a huge NO for bachelor's party. 

14th of February is the marriage. 

Yes!!. We get married on Valentine's day. 

****************************

Today is 7th of February. 

We leave for Udaipur today. We are done with the packing. We meet up in the hall. Sonia is the wedding planner so that Navya can enjoy all functions without any trouble. 

Sonia: sir, today we leave at 12 PM. My team has seen the palace and the arrangements are done. 

I was sitting next to Nandini with my arm around her waist. Our family on the opposite side. Soon we all left to Udaipur and the journey was full of fun. 

___________________

At 5 PM Udaipur. 

Nandini and I are at a cake shop known as Tiffany cakes. 

Tiffany: hello.

Manik: hi, I'm Manik Malhotra and she is my fiancée Nandini. 

Manik pov end...

........................................

Tiffany's pov. 

Today I was meeting Mr. Malhotra and his fiancée Nandini. They were getting married so they needed a cake. 

So tell me what do you want in your cake. 

Manik: well, we want a simple yet elegant cake with some pictures of us. 

I received some pictures. 

Hmm. Anything else you'd wish for. 

Nandini: A fairytale cake basically. 

I was going to explain it to them but they stopped me. 

Nanz: I have a request.

What is it?? 

Nanz: can you not show us the sketch. We want it as a surprise. 

Manik: we trust you. 

OK, so choose the flavors. 

After tasting they finalized- red velvet cake with strawberry filling, chocolate cake with ganash filling. I had one whole week to deliver the cake. Tough job but I can do it. 

Tiffany's pov end.

..........

Manan returned to the palace and having food left to sleep. 

=================================================================================================Tiffany cakes are for real situated in Chicago about which I learnt from TLC show fabulous cakes. 

Word count: 1612 words. 

Snow