36. THE HALDI…

Manik:- WHO? 

The caller:- INNAYA…………..

Manik’s tampered rose knowing who dared to call him this late. 

Manik:- from where you got my number, Innaya? 

Innaya:- ( in a flirting way ) when two souls have a heart-to-heart connection then, what is the value of the phone number in front of that?

Manik rolls his eyes hearing her tone and words. 

Manik:- keep this shit to yourself, Miss BITCHY INNAYA, and don’t you dare to call me again. 

Innaya:- ( in a seductive way ) uff….. Your anger! You know what, you look hot when you get angry. The lines your forehead gets are so…. Tempting, Manik. I am totally flattered by you. 

Manik:- ( angrily ) don’t you dare to use that tone with me, Innaya. I am not someone from your boyfriends who falls for your beauty. I know how clever and conspiratorial you are! So, don’t use that trick on me because the consequences won’t be good for you. 

Innaya:- ( bluntly ) and this tone turned me on. 

Manik:- just shut up! 

Saying this he switched off the phone after cutting Innaya’s call. His mood is spoiled badly. Just seconds ago he was happy and excited for tomorrow but right now he is wanting to murder the girl named Innaya. He keeps tossing on the bed for a good sleep but the sleep is far away from him. At last, he decided to switch on the phone and have a look at his peace i.e. NANDINI. 

He keeps admiring Nandini’s pictures which he clicked during the functions and forgot to look at them. Some pictures were clicked by him secretly and some were their pictures which were clicked by Cabir on his request. 

Nandini’s smiling picture brought a smile to his face too. Now he is getting back to his normal mood. After watching their pictures and videos for about an hour he slept unknowingly while waiting for the most memorable day of his life. 

After some hours, the sun shines brightly with a different glow and peeps inside Nandini’s room making her stir in sleep. She buried her face in the blanket to block the light but the next second realization dawned upon her making her sit back on the bed swiftly with a very beautiful smile. 

Nandini:- ( exclaimed excitedly ) aaj toh meri shaadi hai! { today, is my wedding! } 

She stood up and danced on the bed while the room filled with her crazy dance moves and giggles. 

Otherside, Manik wakes up too and the first thing he did was make a call to his girlfriend. His call was answered by Nandini in a second ring. 

Manik:- Hello, Girlfriend! 

Nandini replies while huffing because of dancing. 

Nandini:- He..llo, Boy…… friend! 

Manik:- ( worriedly ) what happened? 

Nandini:- No………thing. 

Manik:- tell me, what happened? Why are you huffing? 

Nandini:- woh…. 

Nandini opened her mouth to tell the truth but stopped herself knowing that he would tease her if she told the truth. 

Manik:- yes, say! I am waiting……… 

Nandini:- It’s nothing……. I was just exercising, that’s why my breathing was abnormal. 

Their talks come to a halt because of the knock on Nandini’s door while she hears Manik.

Manik:- go and open the door. There is a surprise for you. 

Nandini frowned. 

Nandini:- surprised? At this time! 

Manik:- first go and open the door before anyone comes to know that. And don’t disconnect the call. 

Nandini walks and opens the door to find a little boy on her doorstep holding a small box. The boy gestures to her to bend down which she obliged. Then, the boy moves closer and places a kiss on her left cheek while murmuring. 

The boy:- I LOVE YOU NANDINI………….. FROM MANIK. 

Nandini feels out of the world seeing Manik’s surprise.

The boy hands over the small heart-shaped box to her and runs away. Nandini smiles shyly and locks the door while replying to Manik on the call. 

Nandini:- I LOVE YOU MANIK. I LOVE YOU A LOT. I DON’T HAVE WORDS TO EXPRESS WHAT I FEEL FOR YOU. 

Manik:- YOU DON’T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE I KNOW EVERYTHING, NANDINI. 

Nandini thanks her Waheguru for sending him into her life. She tightly kisses on the phone making a cute “muahhh” sound. 

Manik:- ( smilingly ) I would prefer this reward, practically. 

Nandini:- ( pouting cutely ) for the practical kiss, you have to be here but you are not! 

Manik:- ( teasingly ) don’t worry, I will compensate for this kiss TONIGHT. 

Nandini:- ( blushingly ) Manik…………. 

Manik laughs hearing her tone. 

Manik:- ok no teasing. ( smilingly ) open the box which I sent you. 

Nandini opens the box and finds a small heart-shaped pendant with an M and N engraved inside it. The small gold pendant looks elegant and expensive too with a small diamond beside their initial alphabets. 

Nandini:- ( shockingly ) Manik, is it a gold chain with a diamond? 

Manik:- yes, my love! 

Nandini:- ( gasped ) Manik, why did you spend so much on that? 

Manik:- shhhh………. Nandini. By god’s grace, I earn enough to surprise my girlfriend with this type of gift. 

Nandini:- but I need you….. Just you! These things have no value in front of your love. 

Manik:- ( pleadingly ) I know……… but accept it for my happiness. 

Nandini agreed readily to make him happy.  

Manik:- by the way, you didn’t ask why I gave you a surprise? 

Nandini:- yaa….. I wanted to ask the same. Suddenly, why the surprise?

Manik:- This is the last surprise gift from your boyfriend because from tonight I will officially become your husband. So, I thought to make this last day a memorable day for my girlfriend. 

Nandini:- so thoughtful, Mr. boyfriend…………. Now, get up! Don’t forget that we have a Haldi ceremony. 

Manik:- ya…. See you at the function, bye. 

They cut the call and walk inside the washroom to get ready for their Haldi. 

On the other hand, Arjun and Asha reached California early in the morning and are currently resting in their allotted room. No one is aware of their arrival, not even Manik. 

After an hour everyone is in the garden to perform Manik and Nandini’s Haldi ceremony. Manik reached there early as usual in a bright yellow kurta paired with a white dhoti, looking Punjabi Munda ( man ) in all senses. 

Nandini too joins him in a simple yellow lehenga-choli. The bright yellow color and her dark Heena-coloured hands gave her a different glow. Moreover, Manik’s glance is enough to enhance her beauty. 

Soon Kaka made them sit in their special places but before they could start the ceremony Cabir stopped him and took everyone away for some work leaving the couple behind. While walking he turns back and winked at Nandini making her happy. 

Right now, there are only some close friends and family who are attending the function. That’s why it’s easy for Cabir to vacant the area easily. 

As soon as everyone goes Nandini jumps on Manik’s lap and takes his lips for a short liplock. Manik completely zones out with her sudden jump and then the kiss. Before he could register anything, Nandini settled down at her place again. 

Nandini:- ( looking into Manik’s eyes ) your return gift and our last kiss as girlfriend and boyfriend. 

Manik:- ( gasped ) what do you mean by “last kiss”? I haven’t kissed you back then how it would count. 

Nandini:- ( fake sadness ) your loss! You are slow and lazy, that’s why you skipped the good opportunity. 

Manik:- ( with sharp eyes ) slow? ……… let me show you tonight. How slow am I!!!

Nandini blushes knowing the hidden meaning of his words. But unknown to them someone noticed their cute moment and they are none other than Arjun and Asha. 

Asha:- ( gushing over the couple ) aww…….. They are so romantic! 

Arjun:- true……… and look at Manik’s smile. How happy he is! 

They secretly bless the couple and pray to keep them happy. 

Soon everyone joined again and started the ceremony with lots of laughter and teasing. Nandini had the brightest smile when her Kaku applied the yellow paste to her. 

Arjun and Asha enjoy the function from far until Manik catches them and calls. 

Manik:- Bhai ( brother )…… what are you doing there? Come here…….. 

Arjun and Asha both walked and Manik took the initiative to introduce them to everyone. 

Manik:- bhai… ( pointing Nandini ) meet MY GIRL NANDINI. 

Arjun and Asha both fell for Nandini’s cuteness and innocence. With just one look they understood that no girl could be better than her for their Manik. Indeed, Manik chose a gem. 

Arjun caresses Nandini’s head, lovingly and stops her from touching his legs. 

Arjun:- hey, you are like my sister. So, don’t bend down in front of me. Just give an order. 

Asha gets shocked because Arjun himself calls her his sister whereas he never makes such a move. 

Manik:- Nandini, they are my most favorite Bhai and Bhabhi. ( brother and brother-in-law ) Arjun Bhai and Asha Bhabhi. 

Asha comes forward and kisses Nandini’s forehead giving her a homely feel. 

Asha:- You are so beautiful, Nandini. 

Nandini:- ( with red cheeks ) Thank you……. 

The trio laughs seeing her state making her blush darker. 

Manik:- ( calls Kaka ) Kaka, come here……… 

Kaka approaches them and Arjun-Asha bends down to take his blessing. 

Kaka:- Manik, who are they? 

Manik:- Kaka, they are my family. ( pointing to Arjun ) He is Arjun….. ARJUN DIXIT! And beside him, his wife……. Asha Dixit!

Kaka’s ears shot open hearing the DIXIT. 

Kaka:- ( hesitantly ) Arjun, you are Manish and Kiran Dixit’s grandson? 

Arjun:- ji…. Kaka. ( yes, kaka. ) Do you know them? 

Kaka closed her eyes and walked away scaredly while his mind went back to the day. 

To be continued…