So, here I am with the special engagement update, Hope you all lie it. Let me tell you in advance, aage jaake Manik ka ek lambaa speech ho ne waala hain, so prepare yourselves to listen to some lovely words fom him. I hope it doesn't bore you..
The day started with chaos all around the house. Nandini was with Alya and Mukti to choose her outfit for the day. The three girls selected their favorite ones, and were busy in getting that altered. Navya had some work so she couldn't join them.
At Navya's restaurant:
"Mam, yeh letter aap ke liye" one of the waiters, came to her office and gave her an envelope. She opened and found a letter that read,
Waiting to see you this evening
"Yeh Cabir bhi na" she self-thought and continued with her work.
Meanwhile she gets a call from Alya,
"Oh Miss Work-a-holic! I just sent you some pictures, choose one from those" Alya said and disconnected the call. Navya saw all the pictures and selected a simple white dress. She sent that to Cabir and asked him if he liked it, for which he said a yes with a smile. So she asked Alya to get that for her.
After a few minutes, the waiter gave her another box. She opened the box and found a peach color short dress.
I know it's a very important day for you, I would like to see you in my choice
Bizarre! Cabir just liked the dress she sent him. She clearly mentioned that, that's what she was going to wear in the evening.
She called him up.
"Hello Cabir" she said.
"Haan madam boliye" Cabir replied.
"Kaha ho?" she asked.
"Mein office. 15 minutes nikal raha hoon. Do you want me to pick you up?" he asked.
"Okay.. even I am done! ahcha waise mein shaam ko kya pehnoo?" she asked.
"Arre you just sent that white dress ka picture na, wear that. You'll definitely look beautiful" he said.
She was confused. Was it somebody else? She had different things running across her mind, for now she gave them break and started to pack her things up as it was time to leave.
At Alya's boutique:
"You sure are going to look gorgeous today Nandu" Alya said.
"I agree! Bhai toh aaj gaya" Mukti also stard to tease her.
"Shut up girls! tum bhi kuch kam nai lag rahe ho.. Alya tumhe dhekh ke Dhruv kaa wicket down honaa pakkaa and Miss Malhotra, don't worry party mein koi na koi toh hoga, jo aapko dhekh ke flat ho jayega" she replied.
"Acha, if we are done with this, can we go home?" Alya asked. Soon the three girls drove back home.
Manik and Dhruv were coordinating with the decorators, when the girls came home.
"Wow so you are finally here" Manik said looking at them.
"bas ithna hi?" he asked looking at their hands. Each of them had just one bag in their hand.
"Haan ithna hi, I don't have nice outfits ready.. I asked nandini we can go somewhere else, but she was adamant to buy my design" Alya said side hugging nandini.
"Toh chalo dhikaaho" manik said trying to pull the bag from Nandini's hand.
"Wait! It's a surprise, Shaam ko dhekh lene, waise where is Navya?" Alya asked.
"Cabir just picked her up, they should be here soon" Manik replied.
"oh god! I need food... shopping burns hell lot of calories" nandini said and went into the kitchen.
"She is probably one of the fewest girls, who can eat any point of time. Abhi hum log aathe time, pani puri aur ice cream khaake aaye, and you know what Manik, this girl had 24 puris. Can you believe it?" Alya said and manik was shocked.
"Nandini" he said in a loud voice, kind of frightening one.
She ran out from the kitchen, "Kya hua? Why are you shouting romeo?" nandini asked eating a brownie.
"First put that plate down" he said walking to her.
"But why? Brownie ko beech mein chodoongi toh paap lagega" she said and started eating again. He pulled that from her hand zabardasti and put the plate on the table.
"why did you have pani puri? Aur wohh bhi 24? Seriously nandini?" he asked holding her hands.
Nandini gave a terrifying look to Alya for leaking her secret.
"Pani Puri? 24? Nai meine nai khaaya, if I would've eaten pani puri, toh phir mein brownie kyun khaathi bolo?" she questioned him. But alas. He already knows her in an out.
"Aap ko bhook kab nai lagthi aalampanaa? You are hungry 24/7" he said with her hand still in his.
"Acha sorry, now forget it. Party hain chalo lets get ready" she bit his hand, which made him free hers.
"Paagal larki! Who bites hands?" he asked seriously holding the hand she bit with another.
"I do" she said and ran upstairs with her bag.
In the evening:
Media and the guests were lowly arriving.
The Gang got ready in the best of their attires.
(Green - Alya, Purple - Mukti, White - Cabir and Black - Dhruv)
Manik and Cabir were welcoming the guests, while then nandini entered the huge living area looking extremely beautiful in a long red gown. It was a very simple gown, but she looked like a princess clad in red. Those love bracelets on her wrists, the tiny N pendant in her neck, hair tied in bun, ears bearing red studs.
All the people were just staring at the beauty descending the staircase. Manik, like a gentleman, walked to her, held out his hand for her and they walked in together. All the guys in the room were jealous of him, for having her by his side.
"You look beautiful princess" he said in a low voice which made her blush.
"Thankyou" she replied in the same low voice.
"Waise even you look irresistible" she said and he just smiled back.
Soon, all the guests arrived and chacha was also there, being fakely hospitable to Mr. Ahuja and his family. The media conference was going to begin. Navya and nandini were sitting on the chairs close to the dais.
Media persons started with their questions:
What is the surprise you have been holding for us? And rumors say that your sister who was presumed to be dead is back again. What is your take on this?
Manik: First of all thank you so much for being here. Secondly when you refer to my sister, I request you not to presume her to be dead. She has always been alive in our hearts. And coming to the second part of your question, yes, my sister is alive. She has been in New York all this time, undergoing treatment for her injury that hit her during the air crash. I would like to welcome my sister, the fifth member of Fab5, Mukti Malhotra
He said and Mukti came to the dais.
Hello Mukti! It is so nice to see you back, to see Fab5 complete. What are your feelings? How is it like to be back home, back to family and friends?
Mukti: Well, whenever you go, home will be your safest and most favorite place. And to be honest, after the accident, I lost my memory and even now until they remind me something about Fab5, I don't remember anything. But it is so nice to be a part of this family. Manik bhai, is that kind of a brother any girl would ever want. Now that I am back, we hope, you'll enjoy Fab5 just the same way you used to
So, Manik you said there are two things you need to reveal in this party. Is it about your sister and your comeback?
Manik: Well, they are one of the two things. The second announcement I am going to make today might shock many of you, might be unacceptable to many of you, but for now, let me take the pride to invite on this stage, the love of my life, my wife-to-be, Miss Nandini Murthy.
Amidst huge round of applause and flashes of the cameras, nandini got on to the stage.
Chacha and Mr. Ahuja were extremely pissed off at this move of Manik. chacha was about to go to him, when Manik took charge of the mike.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this evening I would like to talk about two people who came into my life, when I was a beginner in that stage and led me in the path of growth, friendship and human values. First among them is my friend, my bhai Cabir. You all know how hard he works for Malhotra Empire. It was very easy for me to let everything on his shoulders and leave on my own way to study and he definitely didn't have the need to accept that offer. But he did, because of the love and respect he had towards my parents. He attributes the smallest of his successes to my parents. And I am lucky to have him in my life, right from the age where I didn't even know that I needed a friend,
And the second person is someone who's special in my life. It's been a really short time I met her, but she has that power to capture my heart. Girls! I am finally in a relationship with Nandini. I met her at my university in America and she has been with me since day one. I almost forgot living until I met this happy soul. When I say happy, do not interpret or take her to be a pampered princess. She infact has suffered more than me, she lost her parents at a tender age and I feel extremely proud when I think of how confidently she built up her life, the best way ever possible."
hee was looking at her face, while talking and she was glowing bright, listening to him praising her. He now looked at chacha and continued talking,
"This evening, I would also like to reveal the first look of the Children's ward of the hospital, "Mukti", the new project of Malhotra industries. And I am also proud to let you guys know that, Nandini has laid the roots for this amazing project. It's an honor for Malhotra industries to undertake this. We started this with savings made by her parents for a similar cause. Thank you Nandini, for adding a meaning to my life, personally and professionally" he ended his beautiful speech and got up, to reveal the look of the hospital.
"I would like to invite Mr. Ashok Malhotra to do the honors" he said looking at chacha with a smirk.
Unwillingly, chacha came on to the dais and hit the power that opened up a PowerPoint that had images of the Children's ward. It was almost fully done, with slight touch ups pending. The walls were beautifully painted in colors, cartoons that attracted children. Everyone were just loving the designs, there was murmur going on in the room, when one of them stood up clapping their hands, followed by the others.
Everybody were fully happy, as the first phase was a success. Manik, introduced the designer who gave all those ideas to everyone and took over the mice.
"So, this is the first stage. I hope you all liked it. We are trying our best, to build this world class amenities and I am sure we will" he said and took his seat.
Now it was Cabir's turn. He spoke a few words about the hospital, concentrating more on the concert. He announced the date and the venue of the concert. He thanked the sponsors, for trusting on them, for giving them another chance for comeback.
"Okay, after all the formal events for the evening, I would like to invite the to be husband and wife, to exchange their beautiful rings, Manik, Nandini, could we please have you on the center stage?" he said. Manik like a gentleman, walked to nandini, offered his hand and they walked together with huge smiles on their faces. (Something like this with a happy nandu and engagement costumes of course)
All this while, Manik was noticing chacha's expression. Mr. Ahuja already left the party midway with his daughter that made chacha angrier. But he didn't care about that, atleast not after seeing his Juliet's glowing face.
They were on the center stage, Alya and Cabir were on Nandini's side holding the ring box in a beautifully decorated plate, while Mukti, Dhruv and Navya were on Manik's side, Mukti holding the ring for Manik.
" Chalo Manik, pehnaa bhi dho ab, I am dying to wear the ring since the moment I saw it" nandini said making everyone awwww at her cuteness. Mukti handed over the box to him.
It was a beautiful diamond ring, a big round diamond in the middle, surrounded by small diamonds all around. The brightness of the diamonds, was nothing for him, against the brightness of her eyes that moment.
He slid the ring over her finger, and kissed over it. The gang hooted for them, while the guests clapped loud.
"Your turn now" Alya said handing over the box, to nandini. This ring was a surprise to her, as he didn't see it already. She was curious to see it and opened it in a jiffy.
It was a simple love band, with a diamond in the middle that had the letter N engraved on it (Ab exact ring nai milaa. Toh lets just assume ki N bhi hain ring pe.. sorry)
She smiled seeing the letter on the ring. She stretched her hand asking for his, while he placed it over her palm and she slid the ring, followed by another set of applause.
He lightly pecked her forehead, turning her to the brightest shade of red.
Navya came forward first and made Manik eat a LADDOO,
"Thoda hi khaana" she warned him.
"Wohh toh waise bhi thodaa hi khaane waala tha" Cabir said that made everyone laugh, and then she moved to nandini with that left over laddoo. Before she could say anything, nandini pulled her hand and stuffed the entire laddoo at once.
"Acha hua navya tum ne pehle mujhe khilaaya, nai toh yeh ladki mere liye kuch nai chodthi" Manik said hitting on nandini's head.
"Ahhh manik! Not my hair. It took me two hours to get this done" she said.
He smiled at her cuteness and side hugged her.
"So finally, it's done. You're half way through, becoming Mrs. Manik Malhotra" he said in a voice audible only to her. Photo session was going on while our MaNan were busy with their own sweet talks.
"Why don't we have you sing something for your Fiancé" one of the guests asked.
"Mr. Agrawal! Thank you so much for this wonderful idea. Come on Manik! ek gaana Nandini ke liye" Cabir said.
"Well, on this occasion, I miss my mom and dad the most. I can clearly feel their absence, why wouldn't I? So, today I would like to dedicate a song to Nandini, a very old song, and my dad's favorite. I can surely say I got this Music vibe from my dad. He always used to play the Piano, singing old Raj Kapoor and Mohd. Rafi songs for mom. I would like to sing one of those jewels" he said and asked the servant if he could shift the keyboard to the living room. It was a little difficult task but they did it. Manik sat on the stool, and hit the keys gently starting the song.
(Now don't kill me for adding such old songs... I dunno why I just love this song and the environment perfectly goes with it... is baar ke liye, adjust karlo... no gussa)
main shaayar toh nahin
magar ai hanseen
jab se dekha, main ne tujh ko, mujh ko
shaayari, aa gai
mainn aashiq toh nahin
magar ai haseen
jab se dekhaa, main ne tujh ko, mujh ko
aashiqi, aa gai
The couples stood up for a dance, Nandini was dancing with Dhruv and Cabir. They were kind of exchanging partners while Manik was still sitting in front of his keyboard, singing.
sochta hun.. agar main..dua maangta..
haath apane..uthaakar..main kya maangta...
sochta hun.. agar main..dua maangta..
haath apane..uthaakar..main kya maangta...
jab se tujh se...muhabbat main..karne laga
tab se jaise..ibaadat main...karne laga..
main qaafir.. toh.. nahin
magar..ai haseen
jab se dekha.. main ne tujh ko...mujh ko
bandgi aa gai
Done!!! Huff.. I was very nervous before hitting the publish button. Patha nai kyun.. please let me know how it was. Silent readers...bas aaj ke liye atleast...
Hope you enjoyed reading and waiting for honest feedback if possible from every reader :).