MUTUALLY MARRIED (#1)

FIVE

Nandini reached her home, entering she found her dad sitting on the couch as always reading the business magazines with a coffee in her hand. He saw her walk in and kept the newspaper on the front table and Nandini knew that as always she has to tell him what all happened the whole day.

"Hey dad." Nandini greeted him keeping her stuff down.

"Hey sweetheart." he smiled at her.

"Dad watch out on your age." Nandini widened her eyes as a servant got her a mug of coffee too.

"What do you mean? I am still young everyone knows that." the man laughed.

"yeah right" she rolled her eyes and continued, "So how was your day?"

"As always boring in those meetings." the man handed her a cookie.

"Look i've told you a million times that you can just operate the office from home. I am there right, handling everything. I've studied so that i can remove this burden from your shoulders." Nandini whined in concern.

"Ofcourse so that your eyes get those dark circles. Kid it's your age to have boyfriends and flaunt your beauty. Not to sit in one cabin and run a whole Empire." Her father pt down his mug holding her hands.

"Ohkay fine i surrender. Have you had your medicines?" Nandini asked stroking her thumb over his hand.

"yes. Anything else?"

"No my child." Nandini giggled, "By the way dad we need to-"

"- go to Malhotra's house for dinner."Mr. Singhania completed her sentence.

"Yes so i'll just get ready." nandini stood up.

"But we still have some time for you to tell me about your meeting. How was it?" the man pulled her back onto the seat.

"It was nice and very productive. They do are amazing people to work with." Nandini replied.

"And manik?" Mr Malhotra raised his brow in question.

"Malhotra uncle's son?"

"Ofcourse who else. It's been a long time since i last saw him."

"He is good dad. Calm and composed with no ego and definitely no attitude with just a caring nature."Nandini explained with a slight smile.

"ohhhh was he more handsome than me?" the man joked.

"nope because none can beat my dad." Nandini gave him a small kiss on his cheek and got up again.

"I know, i know. You'll be tired na , go rest for sometime and then we'll leave. It's at 9." the man patted her hand.

"Sure thing. By the way dad where's cabir?" Nandini asked looking around.

"On a date with Navya." Mr Singhania winked.

"I hope this time he don't mess up with her. Last time they had a huge fight." Nandini made a face.

"I hope so too."

Nandini came inside her room and laid on the bed for some beauty sleep while on the other side Manik came to Alya's place and rang the bell. An elderly women opened the door who welcomed him with a warm smile.

"hey aunt lisa"Manik greeted her.

"Hello sir."

"Not again. How many times have i asked you to not call me sir. So where's your Alya 'ma'am'." Manik asked making quote marks in the air.

"She is up in her room sir, getting ready i guess."

"Ooh and uncle-aunty."

"they are out for some business trip." the worker informed.

"Ohkay so i'll wait down here. Can you inform her about my arrival." Manik requested her as he settled on the sofa.

"Sure sir."

Manik made himself comfortable on the couch. Another reason he is with Alya is because her parent's too are workaholic like his. Mr. Malhotra is most of the time busy in their work but still they have a good bonding and Neyonika just forget it. His thoughts came to a halt when he heard clicking of the heels from the staircase.

"Note no 1: convince alya to cancel this dinner programme", thought Manik.

Manik came ahead and they both shared a hug

"You look beautiful today." he complimented.

"Thank you Manik. You too look amazing." Alya kept her arms around his neck.

"Thank you sooo.. i was saying." Manik initiated the conversation but alya stepped in.

"I am soo excited to meet your family, officially ofcourse. I hope you liked my dress. Dad got it for me from the most expensive showroom of chanel." Alya touched their noses.

"Yeah it's pretty." Manik spoke loosing his senses due to the close proximity.

"Just pretty."Alya tilted her head.

"umm no i mean it's beautiful.' manik shaked his head.

"Forget it lets leave." alya took his hand into hers to leave but Manik stopped them.

"umm alya i was thinking why don't we leave this dinner plan and go somewhere else. Just you and me?" Manik suggested.

"No Manik now you have decided so why are you backing out." Alya put some distance between them.

"No i am not baby but-" Manik tried to convince her.

"No it's final and we are going. Look Manik i just want to tell everyone that we are together for forever." Alya made a puppy face to which Manik hummed.

"What hmm now smile and lets go." They both drove towards the destination i.e. Malhotra mansion.

The bell of the Malhotra mansion rang thus giving them the hint of the guest's arrival. The maid opened the door as Neyonika stood getting the butlers arrange the dining table while Mr. Malhotra was on an important call. Watching their guest arrive, they both came forward welcoming them.

Nandini wore a simple dress for a family affair. Both the old besties hugged each other while Nandini greeted everyone with a smile.

"Welcome welcome." Neyonika greeted them.

"hello Neyonika. How are you?" Mr Singhania asked.

"I am fine. How have you been?" Neyonika smiled at him.

"As always fit and fine. Right infront of your eyes." Mr Singhania laughed as they got seated.

"I must say brother. You still look handsome as always." Mr malhotra complimented her best friend.

"Ofcourse i will be. I am still young my friend."

"dad! Behave!" Nandini scolded him.

"Let it be nandini. He's always been like this." Mr Malhotra laughed along.

"Nandini my child, how are you? I have heard so much about and today finally I've met you after years. The last i saw you, you were a small kid." Neyonika sat beside Nandini.

"Thank you aunty. I am all good. By the way you look beautiful." Nandini complimented her.

"Neyonika they won't just fill their stomachs with talks. Lets have some light snacks." Mr Malhotra asked Neyonika.

"No point of formality. After all we are family. Right Raj?" Mr Singhania patted her friend's back.

"Ofcourse ofcourse."

"Well i must say you are really pretty Nandini." Neyonika complimented.

"Ofcourse just like her mother. By the way when did you get back my child?" Mr Malhotra asked.

"Just a month or 2 ago. Couldn't leave dad alone for long." Nandini replied.

"London University?" Neyonika asked.

"Yeah aunty." she replied and murmured unde rher breath, "Am i in an interrogation room."

"Now i am stress free since my daughter is back to handle everything." Mr Singhania exclaimed.

Just then Nandin's phone rang to which her father said, "No business at family dinners. I told you."

"Just a second. It's important. " nandini excused herself and went to the lawn to answer the call.

Manik's car halted at the main gate and he took in a deep breath before turning to face Alya.

"Please don't mess up ok." he requested her.

"baby just chill. It will be fine." alya replied fixing her makeup.

"It surely is going to be a dadly war today." Manik murmured under his breath.

"Did you say something?" Alya asked.

"Me? no no come let's go."

"Wait just a little touch up."

After Alya's millionth touch up they entered the Malhotra mansion. Manik's father had no idea that it was Alya who was slapped by Nandini for the irrational behavior cause at that time her back was facing him. Everyone stood up and were shocked to watch Alya along with Manik

"Neyonika? Dad?" Manik came ahead.

"hello uncle." alya greeted his dad.

"hello my child." Neyonika replied.

"Alya what are you doing here? Manik? And why are you late when you knew that we were going to have some guests over." Mr Malhotra forced a smile.

"dad actually- i know- its just-" Manik stammered to form a sentence.

"Yes i am listening." Mr Malhotra forced him through his stern gaze.

"Atleast let the kid speak something Raj." Mr Singhania intervened.

Until then Nandini came back after attending her call. Watching Alya there her blood boiled but she controlled herself. Alya too after watching Nandini was shocked but Manik just closed his eyes hoping for the best

"You?" Both the girls spoke with anger in their voices.

"Do you both know each other?" Mr Malhotra asked.

"yes uncle-" Alya tried to speak only to be cut off by Nandini.

"umm Uncle we just met at a party." nandini covered for them eyeing Manik.

"ohhh yes Manik i had asked you something." Mr malhotra addressed Manik again.

"Dad actually-"

"Raj who is this sweet girl?" Mr Singhania asked indicating at Alya.

"She's Manik's college friend." Mr Malhotra spoke in a stern voice.

"Yes uncle. We used to study in college together." Manik replied not being able to tell the truth in order to not create a scene infront of the guests or maybe Her.

Alya had a shocked expression on her face while Manik just sat beside Nandini's father. Alya too joined them after glaring hard at Nandini who could care less.

"i'll get some snacks arranged." Neyonika suggested sensing the tension in the air.

"i'll help you." Nandini offered.

"No it's fine. You can settle." Neyonika smiled at her.

"It's fine. You just said it's my house too." Nandini got up.

" Don't stop her Neyonika. She is exactly like her mother. very stubborn." Mr Singhania laughed.

Alya was just giving plastic smiles being ignored there while Manik smiled at such sweet conversation.

"Fine. follow me we'll have our own chats." Neyonika smiled.

Manik quickly took out his phone and messaged Alya

Manik

I think you should go too.

AlyaBut where?

Manik

To help in the kitchen ofcourse.

AlyaAre you out of your mind !! You want me to spoil my beautiful dress in the kitchen.

Manik

Ofcourse not but wouldn't it be great if you helped Neyonika.

AlyaBut my dress!!

ManikIs it more important than our relationship?

Alya sensed his rising anger so she quickly stood up to acoompany the ladies to the kitchen.

"you okay? Do you want something?" Neyonika asked with concern.

"No i am good. let me help you too." Alya plastered a fake smile.

"Oh fine you too tag along. Thsi way." They all went inside the kitchen and soon came out with trays in their hands

"You could have asked the butler to get the snack out." Mr Malhotra spoke helping them with the trays.

"It's just a small work. Moreover some works are more like a regular exercise. Good for your body to remove stiffness." Nandini smiled.

"Exactly like your mother." Mr Malhotra adored her.

Neyonika and Alya too walked till the table but Alya was having problem while walking cause of her 6 inches heel and hence the tray slipped from her hand but thankfully Nandini caught it on time.

"careful" she exclaimed.

"huh" Alya twitched.

"You can sit i'll do it." nandini smiled handling the things well.

"Whyy?? I mean i'll help its ok." Alya almost slipped her facade.

"I guess you are not used to it. We'll do it." Nandini smirked watching Alya's twitching.

Manik shook his head in disbelief, it was a bad idea indeed. What had he even expected?

"You kids will definitely get bored in our conversations. It's oldie talks." Mr Malhotra joked diverting the topic.

"I agree." Mr Singhania joined in too.

"Manik ! Give Nandini a tour of the house and your room. You can even take your friend Alya with you." Mr Malhotra suggested.

"Yeah sure dad. Come Nandini." Manik gestured them to follow him.

Alya felt angry watching Manik ignore her but soon the trio reached Manik's room as they roamed around the different parts of the house.

"Woah Manik your room's pretty nice." Nandini complimented looking at the cozy space.

"Thank you." Manik blushed. Wait did he actually blush.

"But it's red and white. Peach would have looked better." Alya cribbed for the millionth time.

"Yeah but it's his choice right " nandini replied rolling her eyes and turned to face Manik as she added, "but seriously manik the interiors are amazing. I think i can definitely trust you with your team"

"yes you can." Manik smiled getting them a bean bag each.

'ofcourse." Alya forced a smile.

"Nandini." Manik called her.

"yes?" Nandini got seated.

"Thank you" Manik gave a genuine smile.

"for what?" Nandini looked at him confused of his sudden gesture.

"Not disclosing what happened at the office." Manik looked at her intently.

"Manik!" alya whined.

"Just a second alya" he shushed her and turned to face Nandini again, "It was soo sweet of you."

"It's completely fine. It wasn't a place to dig out past and it's better to live in future than mourning over uneasy thing." Nandini replied with honesty.

"I wasn't aware of you being a philosopher." Manik gave a mischiveous smile.

"Maybe time did this magic on me." Nandini giggled.

"umm so friends" Manik held out his hand for them to shake.

"Let me think. Manik Malhotra; hot, handsome and a famous business tycoon according to the leading magazines seems like an interesting deal. Yes we can be friends." nandini gladly took his hand as they shaked on a new relationship.

"Being mischiveous and funny. are we?" Manik shook his head.

"More like a joker." Alya puffed.

"Thank You for the complement atleast i could make someone laugh." Nandini winked.

"Don't you think you are dreaming too much." Alya taunted.

"Don't you think you use your mouth more than enough." Nandini counter attacked.

"Girls relax." Manik intervened before the cat fight grew to something with claws.

"Oh My God!!" Suddenly Nandini exclaimed runningto the table.

'What? What happened?" Manik asked with concern.

"Is it you? This chubby looking guy. Soo cute and adorable." Nandini picked photoframe and turned to show Manik what she was talking about.

"Now you see. I've always been handsome." Manik smirked.

"Smart guy." Nandini kept the picture back with a laugh.

"Manik you look hot too in this shirtless picture." Alya pointed to another one.

"Such a showoff." Nandini clicked her tongue

"No ia m not!" Manik exclaimed.

"These abs and all is just a showoff. " Nandini puffed.

"Soo you don't get affected by all this?" Manik raised his brow in question.

"No. All i need, is a caring person in my life." Nandini replied.

"Much of a fairytale person-"

Before they could talk any further Manik's dad called them down. The trio went and found everyone already seated

"So did you like our house?" Neyonika asked in excitement.

"Amazing. The interiors are too good." Nandini sat down.

"And everything is just perfect aunty." Alya too chipped in.

"Ahem ahem let's have dinner first." Mr Malhotra suggested.

"Yeah sure."

They all got seated and started their dinner. Manik was sitting in between Alya and Nandini. The dinner was actually going on as a friendly affair with laughter and old memories when Manik felt something on his foot, gazing at his side he saw Nandini engrossed in the talks, turning to the other side he saw Alya with a naughty grin on her face.

Soon he realised it was Alya's foot rubbing with his. He felt a little uncomfortable around the people so he shrugged her feet but still stubborn Alya wasn't even in a mood to understand. He tilted a little to her side and spoke, "stop this nonsense. You already don't have any good impression on my family."

"Only if Nandini would leave any chance." she murmured under her breath.

After the dinner everyone got ready to leave

"Dad i'll drop Alya back home." Manik informed.

"By the way where's her house?" his dad asked.

"towards the south side." manik replied.

"Oh great we'll be travelling by that side only. It's just before our house." Mr singhania exclaimed.

"Perfect then you can drop her." Mr Malhotra chipped in.

"but uncle-"Alya tried to refuse, not happy with the choice.

"yeah sure why not." but Nandini smirked.

"Fine dad as you say." Manik too agreed, to which Alya gave him a 'are you kidding me' look.

"you fine with it?" Mr Malhotra asked Alya.

"Yeah sure uncle." she replied faking a smile.

"So see you soon uncle and it was an amazing dinner tonight." Nandini spoke grabbing her car keys.

"See you soon Raj." Mr Singhania greeted his friend.

"Looking back for a golf match with you." Mr Malhotra said.

"only if my daughter allows. you know a typical health freak." Mr Singhania laughed.

"Dad come on now let's leave even Alya is waiting."Nandini shook her head to whih Alya just smiled.

Manik came ahead and hugged Alya whispering in her ear, "be at your best and please don't mess up."

"I think you can trust me a little." she gave a sarcastic look.

"I trust you more than myself." he replied.

'Let's leave then" Mr Singhania spoke.

"Sure uncle. Bye Nandini." Manik greeted them to the door.

"Goodbye." Manik hugged Nandini too and the trio left Malhotra mansion.

"The two cats in the same car. God help Mr Singhania." Manik thought.