After Nandini's rituals were done it was Manik's turn. Chachi arranged everything again to perform the ritual for Manik. She already send Nandini inside to take a nice warm shower and get ready for the mehndi. Navya went with Nandini to accompany her if she needs any help.
Mukti came and stands beside Chachi. She was looking for Abhimanyu and found him staring at her from a small distance. She got shy and turned away from him.
"Manik beta... pata nahi kehna chahiye ya nahi per... Mujhe kuch Acha nahi lag raha..." Chachi said being sad.
"Why Chachi., what happened..." Manik asked sitting on the flower bed waiting for someone to apply haldi to him.
"Nandu ki taraf se hum log hai... as her family... even for you we are your family... and your friends are also here... but agar tumhare koi apne hote tou aur Acha lagta... like your dad or mo..." Chachi stopped herself from saying the word mom. Because she knows how Manik's and his moms relation is.
Manik felt the pain which he always use to hide within himself for so many years. He knows that he never have a decent mother who could fulfill his wishes. He is very unfortunate in this matter. But he has no other choice.
"Koi baat nahi, hum ban jate hai Manik ki family..." Mukti said. " I will be his sister..." she continued.
"And I will be his brother.." Cabir jumped in the middle.
"Aur main... Nandu ki dadi tou hoon , ab Manik ki bhi Dadi ban jaati hoon..." Amms forwarded her hand and touched his chin.
"Mujhe tou tum waise bhi Chachi kehte ho... so I will be your Chachi too..." Chachi gave a smile.
Manik's eyes started brimming with tears. He was overwhelmed with the love he is getting from his friends and from Nandini's family.
"But no body can take the place of a father... am I right..." a manly voice grabbed everyone's attention. And all eyes turned towards the direction.
Manik's father Mr Malhotra was standing in the entrance of the garden along with Abhimanyu's father Dr. Rajeev.
"Dad..." the tears that was halted from flowing all of a sudden came down on his cheeks. He ran to him and hugged him for his dear life. "This is better than everything. I was expecting you tomorrow dad... but this is the best surprise I got of my life..." Manik said and both father and son became emotional.
"Tou boliye behenji... ab bhi koi kami bakhi reh gayi hai...". Mr Malhotra asked.
"Nahi bhai Saab...chaliye...aap hi ki kami thi... Sab se Pehle aap haldi lagaiye apne bete ko.." Chachi said.
All sat around Manik. Mr Malhotra dipped his index finger in the turmeric paste bowl and draw line on his face.
Everyone laughed at the way he applied haldi on Manik. They all were having lots of fun in doing the rituals. When done everyone went inside to freshen up to get ready for mehndi.
The all wear casual anarkali frocks with churidaar s. Everyone was looking so good. Even though this was not the most grand function but as they have each other as their family and friends they do not need anybody else.
The girls sat in a circle to apply mehndi on their hands. They hired couple of mehndi girls from the town so that it will be safer for them.
"Mukti yeh idea kiska tha..." Chachi asked.
"What idea Chachi..." she asked her.
"Yehi catholic wedding ka..."
"Mine... why you didn't like it..." Mukti got curious.
"No no... I liked it... but you know it will look weird nai... you guys will wear western dresses and your hands will be full of mehndi.." Chachi thought.
"No Chachi... it won't look weird but it will look interesting.. kabhi apne dekhi hai aisi shaadi, where we are doing all the Indian rituals and doing the wedding totally differently... trust me Chachi bahut maza aayega..." Mukti explained excitedly.
"Haan mazaa tou bahut aa raha hai..". Chachi' voice was interrupted by Abhimanyu's voice.
"Ladies and ladies... can I have your attention please..." Abhimanyu came in the hall with Manik Cabir Dhruv and even Manik's and Abhimanyu's dad with them.
All the ladies looked up.
"I have a very important announcement to make.." he said looking at Mukti.
Mukti's heart was fluttering with anticipation with What's gonna come next.
Abhimanyu came close to Mukti and held her hand. He make her stand up and faced her.
"Mukti... I Abhimanyu wants to make witness all my friends and family who are present here and" he bend down on his knees and asked. "Want to propose you... will you marry me... will you be by my side through out our whole life. Will you be my wife. ..." Abhimanyu said with love.
Mukti was dumbstruck with this announcement. She was expecting a proposal but not so soon and definitely not in front of her friends like this.
"Jawaab do Mukti... my knees are killing me...I can't sit like this more..." and everyone burst into laughing on his comment. Mukti too smiled and looked here and there.
She nodded her head.
"Aise..." he asked..." you have to accept my proposal verbally... apni sweet si awaaz mein accept karo... so that all will witness it and hear it... and you won't go back from your words..." Abhimanyu asked again.
"Yes Abhimanyu... I will marry you..." she said. Add suddenly the hall echoed with claps and woos and cheers..
Abhimanyu put his hand in his pocket and took out a blue velvet box and opened it in front if her.
Mukti gasped out loud. And cover her mouth with hers hand. Abhimanyu took her hand innis and turned to look at his father.
"Dad... may I..."
His dad nodded his head quickly. Abhimanyu slide the ring in mukti's ring finger. And before Mukti could react to any of this Abhimanyu pulled her in his arms for a big hug.
Aliya got up and ran towards Mukti and hugged both of them.
"Congratulations guys..." she said.
And one by one Manik Cabir Dhruv and Navya came forward and hugged them and congratulated them.
"Wow Mukti... we didn't know that you guys were in love...baat yahan tak pahunch Gaye Aur hume kuch pats bhi Nahi..." Manik asked.
You are right Manik... ab we all have to punish Mukti for hiding this big news from us.. so guys what punishment should we suggest for her..." this time Cabir added his point of view with a lively way.
"How about if we get them both married... with Manik and Nandini..." Aliya gave a suggestion.
Everyone goes quiet.
Abhimanyu said.." that is a superb idea... kyun Mukti... what do you say...shaadi karle..." Abhimanyu said pressing her more to himself who is still in his arms.
Mukti bend her head down blushing and smiling.
"Arey... arey... hasi tou phasi... isle matlb hai ki is ki bhi Hana hai..." Manik said bending down to study mukti's face. Being shy she hide her face in Abhimanyus chest.
After the unexpected proposal of Abhimanyu and after settling down the girls went back to their mehndi designing.
"Ladkiyon... mehndi ki rasam hai koi gana tou gao... " Chachi asked the girls who came along with the mehndi girls. And the girls grab some utensils from the kitchen and started singing songs.
mahandi mahandi mahandi mahandi
mahandi mahandi aj mahandi lagane ko
ayi hei bahana aour teree bhabheeya
mahandi mahandi mahandi mahandi
mahandi mahandi mahandi mahandi
aj mahandi lagane ko
ayi hei bahana aour teree bhabheeya
mahandi mahandi mahandi mahandi
mahandi mahandi mahandi mahandi
The girls were done with the mehndi designs and now they were feeling hungry. But their respective partners bring food for them to feed them. But Nandini went upstairs to take some rest. Manik was restless and he wanted to feed Nandini some how. He makes a plate and went upstairs. He saw Chachi going to Nandini's room.
"Chachi.." Manik called her from the back.
"Haan bolo Manik.." she said.
Manik forwards the food plate to her and said" woh actually.." he hesitated. "Woh..."
"Oh ho Manik... tum kab se sharmane lag gaye.. bolo Kya baat hai... yeh mere liye hai..." she checked the food and understanding that this food is for Nandini. She teased him.
"Haan aapke liya hai..." immediately it came out of his mouth.
Chachi gave a very wide grin. "Tum sach mein bahut hi clean heart ho... you don't want to make anyone upset... haina..." she asked.
"Jee..." he gave a surprising look.
"I know you wanted to feed Nandini as she didn't eat her dinner.and uske haathon mein mehndi lagi hai... am I right..." she asked.
Manik bend his head down and smiled sheepishly.
Chachi lift his face and bringing him down gave a kiss on his forehead.
"Meri Nandini is very lucky that she got you as her husband and her partner. And I'm thankful to waheguruji that he brought you guys together again..." she gave a small pat on his cheek. "Jao usse khana khila do..." she said lovingly.
"But what about woh rasam... that I can't see her after her haldi..." he asked curiously.
"Koi rasam insaan se bad kar nahi hoti... aur yeh sab rasme hum insano ki banayi hui hai..." she smiled.
"Sure naa..." he asked again to make sure.
"Ab jaao warna main phir se restrictions laga dungi..." she said with a fake anger. "Aur Haan... itne bhi bhole nahi ho tum... Mujhe pata hai yeh maasoom si shakal bana kar mere saamne Mujhe patane aaye thei na..." Chachi asked.
"No Chachi... bilkul bhi nahi... aisi koi baat nahi hai..." Manik tried to give explanations.
"Theek hai theek hai... go now..." she ordered again.
"Ok ok... but Chachi... Kya meri maasoom shakal kaam kar gayi... " he asked... and Chachi just nodded her head and gave another pat on his cheek. He grinned wide and went to the room laughing, where Nandini was resting.
Chachi gave blessings to both of them.
Manik walked slowly inside the room without making any noise. And as expected Nandini was relaxing on the bed. Resting her head on the headboard. Her hands and legs were covered with mehndi.
She opened her eyes hearing the slight noise. As soon as she saw Manik she turned her face away.
"Manik tum yahan Kya kar rahe ho... Chachi said that we can't see each other..." she said freaking out.
"Don't worry, relax... I took Chachi's permission before I came here..." he pulled a table and chair in front of her beside the bed.
"Sach keh raha ho na..." " Haan baba... sachi... you can turn around now..."
Nandini turned around and looked at him. He pointed to the food plate.
"I brought food for you..." he said and make spoon for her.
She opened her mouth and started eating. After few bites she took the spoon from him and forwards a bite to him. He looked at her questioningly.
"I know tumne bhi khana Nahi khaya..." she said and put the bite in his mouth.
They finished the food. Manik fed her water too. After she is done with the water she held his wrist and make him sat beside her.
" thank you..." she said resting her head on his shoulder... " for making every moment memorable for me.." she took a deep breath. "Even though we are already married you are making me live every moment like an unmarried girl... making it more exciting, more interesting and more lively. You are fulfilling all my wishes... and thank you so much for that..." she lift her face and gave a tight kiss on his cheek.
"I love you..." she said.
Manik puts an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.
"Tumhe thanks kehne ki koi zaroorath nahi hai... I want to see you smile every time. I want you to be happy always... and I promise you that I will never ever let this smile leave your lips..." he said pulled her more.
"And I love you..." he concluded.
They stayed in each other's arms like that for so many minutes. Taking in their scents. The silence is speaking for them and they are enjoying the quietness to the fullest.
Manik got up after some time.
"Let me meet dad... since the time he came I didn't even talk to him..." he said. "you take some rest... I'll be back in sometime..." he gave a peck on her forehead and turned to go. Then again thinking something he came back. He bend to her face and said.
"You are looking beautiful... as usual..." and he left without hear her reply.
Nandini pat her head and smiled widely.
Manik went to the terrace where his dad was sitting on the resting chair and was in deep thinking.
"Hey dad... what are you doing here alone..." he asked.
Rohit didn't answer.
"Dad.. are you ok... you are lost somewhere..." he said again.
Rohit got off from the chair and walked to the railing. And after few seconds he spoke.
"Harshad escaped from the prison...". Mr Malhotra said and Manik was shocked to the core after hearing the news.
"But how..." he composed himself and said. " he can't be, the security around him was extremely tight. How can he escape.."
"Nyonika.." Mr Malhotra just said her name and Manik's face goes red with fury. But before he say anything Mr Malhotra continues.
"Nyonika bhi lapata hai... she is nowhere to be seen. Aman told me that after she speaks to me she left for Delhi... from there she disappeared somewhere and Harshad also escaped..." Mr Malhotra turned to Manik's and hold his shoulders.
"Listen to me son... and listen very carefully.. I have already talked to the commissioner of police here, he is one of my friend. He called extra security from Mumbai... you just have to do only one thing... do not go out of the villa. Jo bhi chahiye... whatever anyone ask just ask the servants or guards to go and get it. Until this wedding is over and Harshad is caught, don't let anyone go out of here understand..." he said in a firm tone.
Manik nodded his head.
"But dad.. he is a very dangerous man.. he is a criminal.. he can do anything... how can we be safe from him..." Manik really got scared this time. Because what all Harshad did with Manik and Nandini, anything can be expected from him.
"Don't worry son... I've taken care of everything before I came here... you just enjoy your functions..." Rohit Malhotra said.
"When you knew this.. why didn't you let us know, why didn't you tell me before..." Manik asked.
"I didn't want to disturb you... most importantly I didn't want to take away the smile off your face... you look good when you smile and it gives me happiness when you are happy..." Rohit pressed maniks shoulders saying this.
Manik was so glad after hearing his dad. He already knows that his dad care for him a lot but he didn't expect this much concern from him. That his smile is so precious for his father.
He hugged his dad very tight.
And Rohit hugged him back too.
End of part 22
Hello friends and my lovely people
How are you all
I know I'm late and I'm so sorry for that.
But I'm very very busy.
In spite of being busy I gave you a very long update
So how was it.
Please please give me your feed back
And let me know
How do you like it.
Because I really didn't have time and I wrote this update in pieces
So I need your honest comments
And thank you for everything
Thank you all for all your love and support through out.
Take care and stay blessed
And always keep smiling
Love you all
Wait for the surprise
I really appreciate that.
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