Bade Acche Lagte Hain | MaNan

The Safe H(e)aven

Hello lovely readers!

The reception part is edited majorly and published as a new chapter.

Ps:- there are minor changes in the chapters I'd republished.

Shower your love and keep reading :)

Next update on Monday.

***
1st November, 1995.

Walking together, the star couple of the evening graced their presence in the reception party, causing a swirl of murmurs in the air. Every eye rested on them, having different perspectives and words to define them. Some found their height difference odd while some found them just made for each other, even so, none could alter the happiness they had, twinkling in their orbs, being with each other.

Nandini's parents were standing at the entrance to welcome the guests. After what felt like eternity but were few hours, they saw their daughter approaching them with a widest smile, glowing with her life partner like never before.

What else could they wish for?!

Having said that, Jyoti could also see Sampurna trudging behind them, her eyes digging holes in Nandini's head that wasn't covered. Her eyes moved to Parvati and Renu who looked equally unhappy with Nandini's semblance . Prakash looked down to avoid Nandini coming in his view while the other men had their gazes averted as well.

Jyoti felt ashamed.

Nandini snaked her arms around her mother, but her gleeful smile faded when Jyoti stopped her mid-way and dragged her away, not reciprocating her emotions instead Jyoti's eyes screamed dismay.

While it didn't take another second for the ladies to understand Jyoti's intentions and were glad that atleast she would be able to knock some sense in her daughter's mind, Manik stood there confused. They were about to take the blessings and enter the venue together, isn't it?

"They must've something important to catch up. Let us go in!" Madhu came forward and gave her brother a push, who nodded and did as asked.

As Manik and his family walked in, they were awestruck with the decorations and arrangements the Bedis' have done in a new city and in so less time. It was praiseworthy. The pathway was lit with soft yellow fairy lights with cream curtains curled at the sidewalk giving the entrance a royal look.

The pathway ended with Shyam and Asha standing there to offer the welcoming drinks to them. The waiters served the family while Swastik himself offered the drinks to the eldest member of Malhotra's.

"The amount of efforts you'd put up to glorify your wealth is excellent. Regardless, what would've been more applaudable is, you putting even half of the efforts to teach your daughter some basic manners as well, that how she should respect her elders. Sastriakaal!" Without accepting the proffered drink, Sampurna walked away expressing her displeasure openly. Her family, that consisted of her three daughters and a son with their respective spouses and children followed her.

Gulping down the insult thrown his way, Swastik stood their silently, sheathing a normal look on his face to avoid raising the unnecessary suspicions.

***

"Mother please stop, my hand is hurting!" Nandini pleaded Jyoti to stop dragging her. Even though, without paying any heed to her daughter's plea, Jyoti hurled her against the wall in a secluded corner, her eyes spitting fire at Nandini who felt terrified. It was rare for her mother to get angry at her and here, she didn't even know her mistake.

"Is this the way you dress up when you are with your in-laws? Hadn't I taught you to cover your head in front of all the males except your husband? How did you become so shameless to the point that your father-in-law has to look down because your head wasn't covered? I didn't expect this from you Nandini. I thought you will be our pride but all I could see was disappointment reflecting in your in-laws' eyes."