A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 103- V for Vibe

Manik's POV: 

Non-existent love! Is this what she is calling her feelings for me! "Nandini" I stopped her before she could go. "What happened?" I asked. "Nothing" she said. "Kal Aryaman ke paas kyu gayi?" I asked her again hoping for an answer. "To know why he has turned so cold towards you and me!" she said. It was once Us and now it turned You and Me. "You can't really bring back those days!" I said. Those were the beautiful days of my life but equally painful too. "I really can't! Can't bring back those days, can never go back in time to get Amma Nanna back, but atleast you can go back to your parents" she said. "That's not easy too" I said but she didn't let me speak further. "You never know what can happen next!" she said and left from there. Ab tho wo khud ki feelings ko non-existent bhi keh diya. 

"Hi Manik" Isha said when I came back. I looked up to see her. "Cabir and Nandini calling for a meeting" she said. What about these improptu meetings. I walked along with her till the conference rooms. "What's with that Nandini! Cabir and you always fight over her" she asked. Nandini jumped in before I could answer. "I was wedding planner when Manik's sister got married but Manik never liked me" my jaw dropped at Nandini's explanation. "Isn't it Manik" she asked looking straight into my eyes. "It's not like what she said" I tried to explain but Nandini interrupted again. "Manik and I never got along well but I've tricked Cabir to hire me without Manik's knowledge" she said it short. As we entered the conference hall, Cabir asked us formally to sit. "Isha, you said you had ideas for our promotion, can we discuss" he asked. She opened the laptop like its a formal presentation.

"This concept is called Mock marriage" she said and Cabir looked confused and so was I. "I mean this is like fake shaadi" my eyes met Nandini's at the term fake shaadi. Nandini quickly composed herself and asked, "What do you mean?" Nandini asked more sophisticatedly. "Its an event where people attends all the events of a marriage, Sangeet, Haldi and Mehndi and every other function but without real groom and bride" she said. "Without groom and bride!" I didn't get her. "Why do young people go for weddings! Obviously for fun, gala time, mouth watering delicacies and everything but no one wants boring aunties and uncles asking when's your marriage! What if you can skip those boring aunty uncles and not the wedding part. These fake weddings replicate the fun and festivities of an Indian wedding without any actual bride, groom, or legal commitment. This is the latest trend in Delhi. This could be next big thing in Hyderabad too if we start it. We can start selling tickets online," she said concluding. "That's a good one!" I said after her. 

"But isn't it like you're playing with the feelings of their parents" Nandini objected. "Do you have anything to counter her Nandini?" Cabir asked. "I don't know really but I can definitely say that not everyone would see it in Isha's lens. Some may even find fault because Hyderabad mein aise koi event pehle nahi tha" she stated. "Its like any other event like Holi party, Dandiya nights or New Year Bash" Isha said. "Why can't we just host a real wedding instead?" Nandini asked. "Do you want to turn the resort into a wedding mandap" Isha asked turning the debate into a heated argument. "I bet you don't have a detailed knowledge of wedding market in Hyderabad. Annually, the wedding market in Hyderabad is around 8,000 crores. This is literally huge. Venue rentals, decoration, catering, jewellery and apparel, photography, entertainment, rituals, transportation, pre-wedding festivities and what not! NRI weddings and destination weddings are icing on the cake" Nandini said out of her experience. 

"I agree, I've seen it myself in Neha, Karthik's wedding" Cabir said. "But the peak wedding season lasts only few months" I stated my doubts. "Of course, we can have it all only in the season" she said. "Hardly one high profile wedding, is it around 25 lakhs!" Isha asked again. "Our target is not the rich, even middle class people should be able to afford us" Nandini said. "How can we cover up the loss if we keep on entertaining middle class people" Isha shot a question again. "Each year Hyderabad is witnessing 20 to 25k weddings" Nandini said. "1 rich wedding is equals to ten middle class weddings" Cabir said breaking down. "Spending 25 lakhs on one wedding is definitely less than 10 lakhs being spend on each of the 10 weddings" I said trying to analyze Cabir's point of view. "Exactly!" Nandini said with a grin. "Its all on paper! Will it be our reality?" I asked Nandini. "With right marketing, we can! One thing I noticed among the clients and the problem I've faced always is material sourcing!" she said. 

"What if we have all at one place! I mean we have the place, how about we tie up different vendors give everything as a one stop definition" Nandini's eyes spoke volumes, "I have a plan since years, but I really never put it into action" she said. "We're all ears!" Cabir spoke on Isha and my behalf as we were waiting for Nandini. "See this isn't very clear but a vague idea, the idea is like Seven Pillars of Wedding Bliss"

Vastram - Where Style Meets Soul- We can tie up with brands which sell wedding apparels, boutiques, those last minute alterations, coordinated outfits everything here in our resort.

Vajram - Jewelry That Tells Your Story- Sangeet and Cocktails ke liye diamonds, traditional temple jewellery for wedding, for events like Pellikuthuru- the traditional vintage jewellery

Veduka - Your Personal Wedding Orchestrator- Veduka is like having a best friend who happens to be the world's best wedding planner.

Vedika - Spaces That Take Your Breath Away- We should be designing as per the theme and client's interest

Vindhu - Flavors That Create Memories- An average middle class father spends like lifetime savings on his daughter's wedding. This wedding menu has to be perfect.

Vivaham - The Sacred Celebration- This is where all the elements come together. Professional photographers who know every corner of the property, musicians who understand the acoustics of each space, and celebrants who make your ceremony feel deeply personal—even if they're meeting you for the first time.

Viharam - The Beginning of Forever- Why should the magic end when the last guest goes home? Viharam creates honeymoon experiences right where you celebrated, letting you wake up as newlyweds in the same place where you said "I do". 

Anyway our honeymoon suite rooms would be ready by then, won't they" Nandini said concluding her presentation. Isha was the first one to clap in the room of 4. "Brilliant" she mouthed. "See, this is what I was telling you why I hired Nandini! She knows it because she was in the field for years", it was moment of pride for Cabir. "If you can do it in reality, I'm totally sold!" she said shaking hands with Nandini. "Good job Nandini, please work on it and Isha" he said turning to Isha. "I would work with her Cabir" Isha smiled at him. "Let's disperse" Cabir announced and left. "Nandini" I called her to speak with her. It would be awkward if I don't congratulate now. "That was really fascinating" I said extending my hand. She took it as we shook hands formally. "I never knew you had such vision" I said honestly. "I was trying for a loan in Bangalore for this! An idea which never took a shape" she said. 

What if I had supported her back then!? She didn't get help from Daksh too! What if she started it way before 2 years!! Maybe this guilt will keep me haunted Nandini.