Nandini reached her destination. But there is darkness all around. The driver also left after dropping her off. She, again and again, shouts to give her boyfriend a hint about her presence. But there is no response from the other side. She walks forward after taking Waheguru's name. ( god’s name )
After walking 10 to 15 steps, she saw some light coming from the right side of the jungle. After gathering some courage, she walks towards it only to be stuck in mid to see a beautiful lake in front of her eyes.
The whole area is decorated with heart-shaped lights. The whole place is looking so peaceful and serene, just the way she loves. Nature’s beauty is an add-on.
Suddenly, she felt HIS presence around her and turned in his direction to see him kneeling with a diamond ring in his left hand. She gasped, knowing what was coming her way, and got slight tears in her eyes.
Boy:- Nandini, I know that I troubled you a lot and am going to trouble you in the near future as well, because you know time changes, but I won’t. ( Laughs at the end ) On a serious note, today I want you to be with me for the rest of my life. In these months, I gotta know how important you are to me to live. You made me forget how to breathe. Now I am not able to dream a single day without you. ( takes a deep breath )
MISS Nandini, WILL YOU LIKE TO SHARE MY LAST NAME?
WILL YOU LIKE TO BE WITH ME FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
WILL YOU LIKE TO BECOME MRS. Nandini Manik MALHOTRA?
WILL YOU MARRY ME? AND MAKE ME THE HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE ON EARTH?
The guy is none other than Manik MALHOTRA.
Manik MALHOTRA
The only heir of MALHOTRAS. The apple of everyone’s eye in Malhotra’s residence. He is the laadla of his grandparents and admires their love. Only because of them, he gets to know the real meaning of true love in a world full of LUST. Has a look to die for. Any girl can fall for him, but HE IS COMMITTED TO THE GIRL WHO IS THE OWNER OF HIS BODY AND SOUL. He never thinks about any other girl except HIS Nandini. He loves her more than his own life. If time runs out, then he could die for her also. He knows that he is the only one to whom Nandini can call her own. But he is determined to give her every happiness which she deserves.
Manik is waiting for her answer. He is confident about her decision, but still, he is a little tense too. Not getting any reply, he softly called her.
Manik:- Nandini……
Hearing him, Nandini comes out of her zone and nods her head with a bright smile and eyes full of tears.
Getting a yes in reply, Manik grinned like a baby and slid a diamond ring on her ring finger, and moved his gaze towards her to see her crying. Before he could do anything, she bent down and kissed him, shocking him.
After breaking the kiss, Manik stands on his feet to see a tear slip down her eyes. Before it fell, he removed it with his thumb and placed a sweet kiss on her forehead.
Nandini smiles at this sweet gesture and places a kiss on his forehead too, making him close his eyes in pure bliss. He took her in his arms and hugged her tightly; she, too, reciprocated the hug. He tightens his hold on her after every passing second, calming his heart, which is beating on its accords.
After breaking the serene hug, Nandini frowned after remembering something and pouted angrily, making him confused about her changed mood.
Manik:- What happened, baby?
Nandini:- ( cutely pouted ) You didn’t say those three magical words which I am dying to listen to.
Manik:- ( laughs ) aww my baby …. Now you can hear that for the rest of your life.
Nandini pouted cutely again and whined like a stubborn kid.
Manik:- ( sincerely, while pulling her nose ) I LOVE YOU, BABY…
Nandini:- ( smiling brightly ) I LOVE YOU TOO BABY KE BABY… ( Baby’s baby )
Saying this, she giggles and hugs him tightly, caging his waist through her small hands. After some time, she asked a question, still being in his arms.
Nandini:- Manik, will your family accept me? I mean…. I am an orphan and didn’t match your standard.
Manik stops her in mid while keeping his finger on her lips.
Manik:- There is no one who does not like you or rejects you. So don’t take tension, baby. My family loves me a lot, and they would love you too, I guarantee!!
Nandini just hummed, fearing the consequences.
IN MALHOTRA MANSION
Varsha Malhotra is walking too and fro near the gate, waiting for her son.
Varsha:- dekhiye na maa, yeah abhi tak nahi aaya. ( See na maa, he hasn’t arrived yet )
Parveen:- he must have been stuck in a traffic jam.
Varsha:- ( worriedly ) but still….
Whereas Manik reached Nandini’s house to talk with her kaka (Uncle) about themselves.
Nandini’s house is a small one, which consists of only two bedrooms with a small hall and an open kitchen. Both the love birds are sitting beside each other in front of her kaka, who is looking at them with curious eyes.
ASHOK
Nandini’s kaka. An aged man works in a factory for a living. A widower. Lost his wife in a dreadful accident around 20 years ago, but promised his wife to keep their daughter safe and away from evil. Although Nandini is not his daughter, he loves her more than anything. Has a past that he is hiding from everyone.
Manik:- ( holds Kaka’s hands ) Kaka, I love Nandini, I love her a lot. I want to spend my whole life with her. You are just like a father figure to her, will you give her hand in mine? I promise you that I will never leave her hand and will always try to keep her happy. Tomorrow I will bring my family too to ask for her hand in marriage.
Kaka kept his hand on his head like a blessing and said.
Ashok:- mujhe tum par pura vishwas hai, Manik. Aur mujhe tumhare is rishte se koi aitraaz nahi h. Lekin mujhse wada karo ki tum meri gudiya ka khayal rakho gai. ( I trust you, Manik. I have no problem with your relationship. But promise me that you will keep my doll safe. )
There is something hidden in his eyes while giving Nandini’s responsibilities to him, which Manik noticed. Maybe he is afraid to lose her, or he is scared due to some reasons which are going to unfold soon.
Manik:- ( smiles ) I promise!
Ashok:- lekin Manik, kya tumhare ghar wale meri Nandini ko apnaye gai? ( but Manik, will your family accept my Nandini? )
Manik:- aap fikar mat karo kaka. Mujhe unpar pura vishwas hai woh kabhi bhi meri pasand ko na pasand nahi karegai. Mai kal hi mere aur Nandini ke baare mai apni family se baat karuga. ( don’t take tension, kaka. I trust them. They will never reject my choice. Tomorrow I will talk about us to my family. )
Everyone smiles, not knowing what storm is waiting for them. After chit-chatting, Manik leaves for his house, leaving Ashok in deep thoughts, and Nandini is worried about the future.
To be continued…