A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 17- The Malhotra Siblings

Nandini rang the door bell and Mukti opened the door. ''Hi Nandini, what brings you here?'' she asked. ''I got a call from Manik and he asked me to be here by 9 am sharp and I'm here by 8:50'' Nandini said. ''But bhai abhi tak ghar nahi aaya'' Mukti said but invited Nandini inside. ''Ghar nahi aaya matlab?'' Nandini asked. ''Manik is expected to arrive in Hyderabad today, he works in Bangalore'' Mukti said. ''Mom and dad aren't at home Nandini, come I'll show you around'' Mukti took Nandini. ''Manik kab tak aa jayega?'' Nandini asked Mukti. ''Bhai se milne ke liye itni kya jaldi'' Mukti asked her. ''He called me in the morning at 7 o clock and asked me to be here by 9 and he isn't here yet'' Nandini told her concern. 

''Mamma pappa ghar par nahi hai'' Mukti said. ''Yes, you've already mentioned it'' Nandini said. ''So, what you'll do when mom and dad are not at home?'' Mukti winked at Nandini. ''I don't do anything'' Nandini said innocently. ''That confirms you're single darling, please enjoy your life while I enjoy with my boyfriend'' Mukti said. Nandini was about to say something but Mukti stopped her. ''My fiancé is my boyfriend, Abhimanyu'' she clarified. ''Then it is fine! I got to go and you wait till Manik arrive'' Mukti said. ''Then, I'll leave and come back when he arrive'' Nandini said but Mukti stopped her. ''Do you think Manik's flight got delayed? Bangalore se Hyderabad sirf 1.5 hour ka flight hai. He called you here on purpose, so wait until he come and don't dare to go'' Mukti warned her. 

''But what do I do alone at your place?'' Nandini asked Mukti before she left. ''Aryaman is there in his room'' Mukti said, ''And I told mom and dad that I'm going on engagement shopping with Abhimanyu, so please go and shop our engagement outfits''. ''But how will I choose your outfits, I don't even know the measurements'' Nandini said. ''I'll send you the specifications, Manik will help you in choosing theme and the outfits'' Mukti said and exited. Nandini felt that she is struck there but she didn't dare to call out Aryaman. He did not come out of his room too. Nandini waited for almost an hour when Manik came. ''Who are you? Why are you here?'' Manik thought Nandini was an intruder. ''Mukti told me to wait for Manik'' Nandini said in a low voice. ''Mukti! I am Manik!'' he said. ''I am Nandini! It's you who called me here!'' she said. ''Tum sach mein aa gayi?'' Manik wondered seeing her. ''Is this a joke? First you will call me here and everyone goes out'' Nandini lost her temper. ''I thought you will not come on time, but Mukti spoiled the game'' Manik said. 

''So, you were the one who thought Aryaman was Gay'' Manik smiled. Nandini cursed herself for that day. ''I think you don't have any intentions to hire me, it is just a waste of time for both of us, I'll leave'' Nandini said. ''What if Aryaman and Abhimanyu are really getting married? Would you accept this project?'' Manik asked her. ''Ek wedding planner ko select karne ke liye itne saare questions, tests and games zaruri hai kya?'' Nandini asked. ''Tum tho jawab diya hi nahi'' Manik raised his brows. ''Yes, I would have accepted. Mujhe koi problem nahi hai until they got their families acceptance. I'm against those weddings which are not approved by their parents'' Nandini said. ''Ms. Nandini Reddy, let's have a cup of coffee'' Manik said going into the kitchen but before that he knocked on Aryaman. ''Hey Manik, when did you come?'' Aryaman asked.

''What were you doing alone? I bet you don't know that there is a girl at our place'' Manik asked him. ''I didn't knew when she came, Mukti kaha gayi?'' he asked. Nandini's head spun as Aryaman doesn't have any idea of what's happening around him until he came out of his room. Manik was back with coffee for three of them. ''So, which theme you have decided for engagement?'' Manik asked. ''Fairy land theme. Everything in dreamy white and pink'' Nandini said excited. ''Why don't we have a carnival theme, fully colorful'' Aryaman added. ''Aise childish themes kyu rakhna hai, how about some cool sundowner party'' Manik suggested. ''Shaadi ke functions hai, casual parties ke liye ye theme acha hoga but not for this'' Nandini said. ''Like your fairy land is great!'' Manik made fun of her. ''For every bride, marriage is no less than a fairy tale, but it is ok, we're here to provide what you wish for!'' Nandini said not wanting to argue. 

''Now I know why Abhimanyu's family is insisting on you! Marriage, culture, traditions, rituals and values, you can deliver a good lecture on any of these'' Manik said. ''I got it too bro'' Aryaman gave a high-five to Manik. ''Mukti said that you will select her and Abhimanyu's outfits today'' Nandini said without any interest. ''Ok then, let me freshen up and come'' said Manik and vanished into his room. Aryaman looked at Nandini and said, ''you should have chose to work with me when dad offered but no you selected bhai on a purpose, have a good day Ms. Nandini'' Aryaman said. Nandini found the Malhotra siblings very weird. I mean who on earth would treat a wedding planner like this. Manik got ready and asked Nandini, ''shall we?''. Nandini stood up to leave and went to take her scooty. ''Leave it here, we'll go in my car'' he said. Nandini was hesitant for a bit but then there's no way that she can avoid him.

''So, where are going to shop now?'' Manik asked setting his Google Maps. Nandini informed him about a few places and he roared the engine. ''What should I shop for! Sundowner party or a carnival themed party?'' Nandini asked. ''Fairy land'' Nandini looked at him in disbelief. ''Not because you said it but my sister is truly an angel'' he said without looking at her. ''Also Abhimanyu's family won't approve any sundowner parties, you got a point here'' he said. Manik took a chair and sat as soon as he entered the outlet. Nandini has selected a few outfits for Mukti. ''Inme se ek aap finalize karna'' she said showing him 3 outfits. ''Ok, go and wear them'' he said without paying attention. ''Excuse me! Why will I wear them?'' Nandini said. ''How are you expecting me to select then'' he asked surprised. 

''Mukti and my height doesn't even match, you can't judge the dress even if I wear it'' Nandini said. ''Pehle try tho karo, then we can get them altered according to Mukti's preference'' Manik was adamant on sending her to trial room. He even picked a lehenga and walked her till the trial room. Nandini struggled to wear a lehenga and somehow came out after good 10 minutes. She saw Manik dressed in an outfit that exactly co-ordinates with the one she is wearing. ''These are the couple dresses specially designed for bride and groom sir'' salesman said. Manik put the dupatta on Nandini's shoulder with a smile and stood beside her. Nandini couldn't take her eyes away from Manik. He surely looked like a Greek god and is totally smitten when Manik put the dupatta on her. She was almost caught checking out Manik when salesman asked them to pose for a photo. 

''How do you rate us as a couple on a scale of 1 to 10! Don't you think we are 10 on 10?'' Manik winked at Nandini.