His

2 | Roka Ceremony

{EDITED VERSION} 

Kabir soon returned after dropping pandit Ji at the entrance of the apartment building. He settled down on his seat while all were quiet thinking and planning of how to get the work divided and done in their minds. 

Just then Raj spoke: who decides on doing what?

Alia: uncle, I'll handle clothes for everyone. Don't worry. 

Kabir: I'll take care of food. Only the best will be served. 

Dhruv: I'll see the decorations. 

Navya: Dhruv I'll help you. I'll have my time to work on it. 

Mukti: I'm with Alia. 

Niyonika: Meera and I will do the necessary shopping like gifts and sweets. She said squealing. 

Sharan: well that leaves us to send invitations and deciding the venue. 

Manan: aur hum? They asked together for which all said: time spend karo. 

Everyone soon left for their respective work for the roka ceremony. Manan meanwhile took this time to take care of each other. They knew about each other a little more than what they had discovered earlier. 

All was going well invitations were sent, gifts were bought, dresses and food was done. The decorations were almost done and the location of roka was looking beautiful. All were ready looking stunning with Alia's fashion collection on them. They reached the location and soon the groom was called out. Manik came on the stage in a pure white sherwani looking very handsome. Then Nandini was called on the stage. She was looking really pretty in a white lehengaa. A maang tika adorned her head and jhumkas in her ears. Light makeup and the maroon eyeshadow highlighted her doe eyes. 

Nandini and Manik sat down in front of priest and the holy fire as they performed the rituals to have god's holy blessings on their marriage. As the priest completed the rituals they were made to sit on the couch with a lovely backdrop that Navya and her team had done and it was indeed beautiful. They settled down and then Meera came forward and did the tikka for both of them. 

Nandini's parents gave Manik some jewelry, cash, clothes and dry fruits along with electronic gadgets like iPad, iPhone, MacBook Pro and air pods. 

Then Manik's parents gave some jewelry, cash, clothes and chocolates along with makeup. 

Both the families hugged each other officially announcing that Manan are a couple and to the other people a kind of back off from them. 

Niyonika: my baby. 

Manik got up thinking that niyonika will hug him but she hugged Nandini instead. Manik pouted sadly and hugged Meera telling. 

Manik: dekho na Ma abhi se team up karliya aapke bete ke khilaf. [ look no mom now only they have started ganging up on your son] 

She patted his head and all were happy with this new bond growing between them. 

Sharan: let them son. You have us don't forget. 

Manik hugged both of them and showed his tongue to them as raj hugged Nandini and said: my daughter is pretty no sharan. 

Sharan: oh really my son is no less. He has 1000's of proposals coming now also. 

All started laughing seeing them show Manan off and all were celebrating by cutting a cake. Soon the function came to an end. All guests had left having dinner leaving manan, family and friends. 

All then settled in a long table that was reserved for them separately to bond over dinner. 

It was night 2am and they were in no mood to leave. They all were having dinner and talking about life. (Guys, this is exactly how it happened during my uncle's engagement and roka). Then all the elders got up and left from there saying that they were tired and were calling it a night. After they left. 

Mukti: guys lets play something.

Alia: but what??

Manik: how about never have I ever!

Nandini: I'm in...

Kabir: we know that. Manik jo bolega tu ha hi karegi. [ what manik will say you will agree only] 

Nandini: Kabir yaar...... [ bro.....] 

Dhruv: Kabir apne bagal mein to dhekle. [ Kabir at least look towards your side once] 

Kabir : kya hai baga..... manik. [ what’s there beside....... Manik] 

Manik: ha main toh tu kuch bol raha tha Kabir. [ yes me so you were saying something Kabir] 

Kabir: manik main.... [ Manik me....... ] 

Manik: ha tu kya. [ yes you what] 

Kabir: yehi ki ab voh teri would be wife hai toh tujhe hi support karegi...... [I said that now that she is your would be wife she’ll support you only know ]. 

Saying so he ran and manik chasing behind him. Kabir ran and hid behind nandini and requested her to save him.

Nandini: ek minute. She got up and went to manik. 

Manik...

He turned towards her raising his eyebrows and asked what. 

She just smiled at him and whispered something in his ear. He smiled and then smirked. Suddenly he bent down and picked her up. 

Manik put me down!! Nandini shouted.. 

Manik: guys we are leaving and will see you tomorrow. 

Saying so he carried her towards his car and left. All their friends were laughing and were also hooting. 

They were in car when manik broke the silence. 

Manik: kaha jana hai? [ where should we go?] 

Nandini: hmm how about juhu beach.

Manik: nice idea. Let's go.

The whole way they talked about life. They talked about almost everything. 

After half and hour they reached juhu beach. 

Manan walked hand in hand on the sand leaving their shoes in car. They had a smile on their faces and due to the cold weather Nandini's cheeks were red. Both were constantly taking glances of each other. In a peaceful silence. Later they both moved behind to sit. That's when Nandini felt something cold against her neck. She looked up to see a small pendant on her neck placed by manik. 

Nandini: manik yeh.....

Manik: nandini.. This is for you for our new start. From today it's our new beginning and from today your mine I'm yours. 

Nandini just smiled and also blushed. 

They remained in silence for a while and soon they left the beach. 

Manik dropped nandini till her flat and kissed her forehead and she his cheek wishing goodnight. He left to his flat. 

Nandini sneakily entered and ran to her room locking the door, changed and slept. Manik did the same. 

Next morning: 

Everyone were back to their normal routine for a day or two. Nandini had applied for leave in hospital and Manan we're now on holiday for three days. 

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

Word count: 1040 words. 

Snow♥️