An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 74

Nandini, Alya, and Mukti were on their way back home, their car filled with the excitement of wedding shopping. Each of them had picked out stunning outfits—one for the engagement, another for the Haldi, Mehendi, and Sangeet ceremonies, which were being celebrated together, and a final one for the wedding. Nandini had insisted that she already had enough sarees for the reception, and being the generous soul she was, she told Alya and Mukti to choose any they liked from her collection.

As they drove through the city streets, Alya's eyes sparkled as she spotted a Starbucks café. "Let's grab some Starbucks," she suggested, pulling the car over without waiting for a response.

"I'll go and get it," Mukti offered, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"Caramel Brûlée Latte for me," Nandini requested, her voice warm.

"Vanilla Latte for me," Alya added with a grin.

"Got it," Mukti nodded before stepping out and heading inside.

Inside the café, Mukti placed the order at the counter. As she waited, she let her gaze wander, enjoying the cozy ambiance of the place. But her heart clenched the moment her eyes landed on a familiar face—Abhimanyu. And he wasn't alone. He was with a girl. They were laughing together, their smiles unguarded and full of joy. Something inside Mukti cracked. She blinked rapidly, willing the tears to stay put. The pain was instant, sharp, but she masked it with an indifferent expression, pushing her emotions deep inside where they wouldn't betray her.

When the order was ready, she grabbed the cups, inhaled deeply, and walked out with a carefully crafted smile. Handing the drinks to the girls, she slipped back into the conversation as though nothing had happened, sipping her coffee to drown the ache in her heart.

The girls arrived home to find the Murthys present. With Navya having no one else, the Murthys had taken up the role of her family for the wedding.

"Raman Uncle!" Nandini exclaimed with a bright smile as she rushed to hug him. He embraced her warmly, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"My little girl," he murmured, his voice filled with affection.

Ishita greeted her next, and Nandini melted into her arms. "Where's Bhai?" she asked, looking around.

"He and Manik are out for some work. No idea what mischief they're up to," Ishita chuckled, returning to her work with Nyonika.

"Nandini, go to your room and rest. Tomorrow will be a long day," Nyonika instructed.

Nandini nodded, then turned to her friends. "Come, let's check out the sarees. If any alterations are needed, we should get them done early."

Excitedly, the trio went to her bedroom. Nandini opened the third section of her closet, revealing a breathtaking array of sarees, their rich fabrics shimmering under the light.

"Wow," Alya gasped, running her fingers over the luxurious silks. "They're beautiful."

Mukti smiled in agreement. "You're really fond of sarees, aren't you?"

Nandini's eyes twinkled. "I am. They're so versatile—perfect for weddings, casual outings, even formal events. I love wearing them, though they can be tricky to manage in the hospital."

Alya examined a piece closely. "Most of these are Kanjivaram sarees."

"Perks of being a South Indian," Nandini quipped with a wink, making the girls laugh.

"Let's all wear Kanjivarams for the wedding," Mukti suggested.

"Yes! That would be perfect," Alya agreed enthusiastically.

Nandini smiled. "Pick whatever you like." As they eagerly sifted through the sarees, she went to take her medicine. Just as she was about to pop the pills into her mouth, a warm hand gently held her wrist.

Startled, she looked up to find Manik, his gaze firm yet tender.

"You're about to take the wrong tablets," he murmured, taking them from her and tossing them into the bin.

"Oh," she frowned. "I thought these were mine."

"They were on the table, but I moved yours to the bedside. These are Dad's." He handed her the correct ones.

A small smile tugged at her lips. "What would I do without you?"

Manik smirked. "You'll never have to find out."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. "Good," she whispered, a glint of annoyance in her eyes. "Because I never want to be without you."

Alya and Mukti emerged from the closet just then.

"Have you two moved in there permanently?" Manik teased.

"Shut up," Mukti rolled her eyes, playfully punching his stomach.

Alya held up a saree. "Looks nice, right?"

"It'll look stunning on you," Nandini assured her.

"Did you two rob my wife's closet?" Manik huffed, crossing his arms.

The girls ignored him, making him groan in mock frustration before he was called away by Raj. With one last dramatic glare, he left, while the girls laughed at his expense.

As the night settled in, Alya and Mukti bid their goodbyes, promising to return early the next day. Nandini, now alone in her room, carefully paired her outfits with matching jewelry, humming softly to herself.

Later, she made her way downstairs, finding Nyonika and Ishita on the couch. "Need any help with the preparations?" she offered.

Nyonika smiled. "No, everything's ready. Cabir and Navya went out for their ring selection and will have dinner outside. Come help me with dinner."

As they chopped vegetables, Nandini asked, "Where's Papa and Bhai? Manik and Dad are missing too."

"Manik and Raj are in the study, and Raman and Abhimanyu are out for some work," Ishita replied.

Just then, Nandini's phone rang. She put it on speaker while continuing her work.

"Hello, Nandini Bhabhi," came the familiar voice of their farm manager.

"Yes, Bhaiya?" she responded.

"Bhabhi, I've sent the fresh vegetables and fruits with Ramu."

"Alright," she nodded.

"But there weren't many potatoes this time."

"No worries, I'll order them separately. Also, I'll transfer the maintenance amount."

After hanging up, she quickly completed the transaction. Ishita watched her with admiration. "I'm so proud of you," she murmured, hugging her sideways.

Nandini smiled. "I learned it all from you."

Ishita chuckled. "And to think, you were once such a spoiled little brat."

"Haww, so mean!" Nandini pouted.

Ishita laughed, wiping away a nostalgic tear. "Now look at you, running a household so effortlessly. My little girl has grown up."

Dinner was soon ready, and as everyone gathered around the table, love and laughter filled the air. The night ended on a warm note, with everyone retiring early for the grand engagement and Roka ceremony awaiting them the next day.