MUTUALLY MARRIED (#1)

EIGHT

NANDINI'S POV

What is wrong with Dad! How can i even marry Manik. It's just been two days since we've actually met but-.

How can i marry him? This can't be happening at all.

I know i like Manik or is it more than liking. I don't know but what about him. He thinks of me just as a nice and friend and suddenly this topic of marrying each other. No No.

Am i even ready for this wedding or am i not?

AUTHOR'S POV

The next morning Nandini walked down dressed in her office attire when she saw Aryaman, Cabir and her dad at the breakfast table waiting for her. Last night she hadn't provided any answer to her father and she knew she'll have to. Soon.

"Good Morning everyone." she greeted everyone taking her own seat.

"Good morning princess." her father smiled at her.

"Morning." Cabir garbbed a glass of juice for her.

"And the princess of this house is finally here." Aryaman joked grabbing an apple but Nandini was quicker than him.

"And you Mr Superstar finally got some time for us." Nandini taunted smirking at him as Aryaman made a face.

"Ofcourse i did. Afterall i am a busy person unlike you. By the way i haven't missed you at all." Aryaman spoke winking at her.

"Feelings are mutual my Hunk Monkey." Nandini gave a smile as they all started having their breakfast when Nandini's father dropped the bomb.

"So what have you thought?" Mr Singhania asked all of a sudden.

"For what dad?" Nandini asked focused on her breakfast.

"About yours and Manik's wedding?" he spoke.

Arya coughed hearing the question as Cabir helped him to drink water.

"Wedding of our pretty little Monkey?" Aryaman asked being surprised.

"Shut up." Nandini glared at him.

"Yes this little one is getting married. So what have you thought?" Cabir tried controlling his laughter.

"Yes i have thought alot about it and have a decision." Nandini had a serious tone this time.

"So what is your decision?" her father looked at her waiting.

"I am ready for this wedding." Nandini replied as everyone looked aurprised.

"Can someone call a doctor. I think i am having a heart attack." Aryaman exclaimed.

"Exactly my child. You don't have to take such a decision under pressure if you don't want to." Her father spoke with concern.

"I agree. Are you sure about it?" Cabir asked.

"To be honest wasn;t sure much before but now-"

"Thank you Nandini. I'll just go and call Raj right now. He'll be so happy."her dad was on cloud nine hearing about her daughter's decision.

"Ok dad. I too will get back to my room. I have an important call to make." saying so Nandini went back to her room and stood at the window reminiscing her decision she had dwelled upon the entire night. Maybe she was ready for a new step in her life.

She was busy in her thoughts when she heard a knock at the door and saw Aryaman standing there with a plate full of pancakes.

"we just had breakfast and since when have you started knocking on my door." Nandini laughed turning to him.

"I thought we could share a little. Also now since you'll be getting married, i do need to make it a habit to knock on your door. Shouldn't i?" he spoke walking inside as he kept the plate on the table.

"No you don't have to. Why are you even saying that?" Nandini sat at the edge of the bed.

"If not then what should i say?" Aryaman too sat down beside her.

"Meaning?"

"Are you sure Nandini?" he asked in a serious tone.

"For?"

"for this marriage. Cabir did tell me that you both have met just 2 days ago." his voice was softer this time.

"I know what you are thinking Arya. Even i was thinking about this the entire night but i am happy with this decision. Trust me." she held a piece of the pancake for him.

"It's just that Nandini, we've known each other since we were kids. You are so importan to me and i just want your happiness. For you to be comfortable." Aryaman gladly took the bite.

"And i am happy Arya relax and you don't need to change your habits even after i am married." Nandini joked as she stroked his hand.

"If you are happy then i am too." spoke aryaman as he fed her a bite too.

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

Same time at the Malhotra mansion Manik was sitting on his bed with his laptop trying to save his dream project. He haven't even slept a bit after yesterday's incident, just drowned him in his work when he heard a knock on his door. His father entered the room and sat just opposite to him.

"Dad. Is everything okay?" it was rarely when his father visited his room so this time surely was something important.

"Yeah i had to talk about something very important with you." Mr Malhotra gave his a son a nervous smile.

"Yes i am listening." Manik kept his laptop beside him.

"I do know what Avinash did in the office yesterday and i am happy with your decision but i want you to understand. Too much anger is never good." His father cleared his throat.

"Dad i know what i am doing and i'll make sure that this scumbag gets what he deserves." Manik fisted his fingers as his knucles turned white thinking about the incident.

"I just wanted to say that please take care of yourself."

"I will dad." Manik replied as the duo exchanged a warm smile. After ages.

Manik's dad left his room and just when he got a call from a private number.

"hello"Manik greeted the person.

"Mr Manik Malhotra?" came a reply from the other side.

"yes. Who is this?" Manik asked.

"Avinash Roy."

"You scumbag. What do you want now?" Manik groaned in anger.

"Good. you moved direct to the point of interest." came a mocking reply.

"Speak up!" Manik ordered.

"Fine . I am ready to give you a golden chance. If you apologize to what you did to mepublicly at your office. I will seal this deal and be back to investing in your dream project but if you don't then you know the consequences." offered the man.

"really??" Manik asked.

"Ofcourse i am not joking." Avinash replied.

"Can i ask you something?" Manik spoke.

"Sure"

"weren't those punches enough for you that you're coming back for more since you're calling me and how the hell did the police even allowed you to make this call!" Manik growled on the phoe as he got up from his bed.

"Relax buddy i have my ways and you know i'll be out of this jail soon. you can in no way keep me locked in here and i hope you'll eventually make a wise decision." laughed Avinash before he cancelled the call.

"hello! hello Avinash! God dammit." Manik threw the phone on the floor as he paced around.

On the other hand Nandini reached the office and went straight to the reception area.

"Good morning ma'am." the receptionist greeted her.

"good morning. Is Mr. Malhotra here?" she asked the women.

"No ma'am and i guess he won't."

NANDINI'S POV

I know Manik why you haven't decided to be here today and it's all because of me.

We are soon going to get married and i don't want it all to begin with problems and i exactly know what to do.

AUTHOR'S POV

Nandini dashed out of the premises and drove towards her destination. She soon entered the police station and met with the inspector on duty.

"Sir!" she walked in big steps while the people tried to stop her.

I"Realx ma'am. Tell me how can i help you?" the inspector asked dismissing the staff behind her.

"I want to meet Mr. Roy." Nandini demanded.

"Mr Roy? Who?"

"Mr Avinash Roy. Mr Manik Malhotra had drafted a case against him." She asked being stunned by the response.

"Oh him. But ma'am you can't meet him right now. he already has a visitor." the inspector informed her.

"Fine. How long do i have to wait until my chance?"

"Sorry ma'am we have no idea but you can wait on the bench outside." the man instructed her.

"Thank You." Nandini sat at the bench and was chatting with her friend. It had been 10 minutes and she was still waiting when unfortunately for her Manik too came to the police station.

"Nandini!" Manik was surprised to see her.

"Manik! What are you doing here?" she stood up clearly caught off guard.

"I too can ask you the same question." he folded his arms.

"Actually i wanted to_" she stammered under her gaze. Not knowing how to lie to him.

"yes you wanted to?" Manik moved closer to her with a serious expression.

"Manik i came here to take the case back and talk to Mr. Roy." nandini looked down not wanting to face him.

"You what?" Manik felt his blood boil.

"Manik i just wanted to-"

"Ma'am sir has called you inside." before Nandini can answer him the constable came to inform her.

"i'll be there." she replied and moved to leave but Manik held her wrist and pulled her towards his car.

"manik" nandini tried to release herself but he was stronger.

"No Nandini you don't have to do this." Manik left her wrist.

"But"

"I said you don't have to do this. Don't you understand." Manik banged his hand on the hood in anger, "Do you even know what this Avinash could do to you! What if something happened to you, you fool." he added.

"Manik i really wanted to-"

"Help! I know that but i don't want it. Definitely not at the risk of your own life. Now sit inside the car." he ordered her as he opened the passenger door for her.

"Not needed. I drove my own car here." Nandini looked away.

"I said sit." came his reply. Manik seated Nandini inside and helped her with the seat belt. He too walked around and sat at the driver's seat driving to her house. All this while Nandini kept staring at him like he was a puzzle to her.

(Playlist : Aadha Ishq / You Had Me From Hello By Kenny Chesney)

Manik dropped Nandini at her home when his phone rang with Alya's call. He waved Nandini a goodbye before he icked it up.

"yes Alya?" he asked.

"Where are you Manik? No call? No message?" she sounded annoyed.

"I am sorry. i have been a little buys." Manik said, eyeing nandini who had by that time reached the main gate.

"Okay i don't wanna fight on that now. Let's just meet at the cafe after 20 minutes. I don't want any excuses so i'll be waiting." she spoke in a hurry and cancelled the call before Manik had a chance to reply.

"I' ll be there soon." spoke a dejected Manik as he drove to the cafe when his phone buzzed again. This time it was his father calling him.

"yes dad?"

"Manik i have to talk to you about something very important." his answer came, more like an order.

"Yes? What is it dad?" manik asked.

"Meet me at our home in 10 minutes." the man spoke.

'Okay i'll meet you there." saying so Manik drove to his home while Alya was long forgotten amidst the panic.