LOVE ARRANGED

Chapter 22: Jersey No. 17

It was a bright day after the all the problems. Life has equal share of good and bad and after every bad there is a wonderful good.

MANIK'S  POV
After that uneventful day, pooja was postponed to today. But seriously I never thought that she(MG) could stoop so low. Mukti never told us that she was the sole reason behind her sufferings. We just knew that she was always troubling Mukti. But today, Everyone was running here and there looking at the arrangements in all these days I understood the bond that our parent shared. It was something beyond explanation. I hope our friendship also continues the same way and by our I don't mean Fab5 only I mean everyone all our friends. I accepted them with open arms and I know I will never regret it. And not to forget we are also attending college in between and also taking extra classes to cover up for the lost time and the time to be lost.

End of pov
Everything was running up and  down except for Ishita and nandini who were made to sit and relax. Anirudh was also sitting with them cracking jokes. Soon Mukthi arrived with the others. Abhimanyu was also called down who was still getting ready. Soon he came down and the two souls just kept staring at each other until the devils decided to interrupt them. They did look breathtaking. The pooja was done and food was also served in the traditional way in banana leaves. It looked like a festival overall.

After the few guests left everyone settled in the patio.
Arya: guys I know you all are busy in the wedding preparations but you also need to prepare something for the fest it's not too far. You need to register.
Manik: yes bhai we are singing as usual. We'll make something unique.
Nandini: bhaiyyu shall I sing fusion?? I know both right??
Arya: of course doll.
Navya: anddd...me I'll dance. Fusion. How about you sing for me Nandu??
Nandini: great...done.
Cabir: wait you dance?? Classical??
Navya: yes I dance and ya classical kathak but I also learnt hiphop and next I want to learn salsa.
Mukti: woah...then music???
Navya: actually I'm learning bharatanatyam now and I need to know carnatic music so I thought why not learn with Nandu but my interest is dance. This is pure formality.
Arohi Singhania: it's so nice to see that my kids are so talented. They are not like any other rich spoilt brats.
Kriti Vedant: so true there is dancer,singer, artist,sp....
Dhruv: who is an artist here??
Aditi: well I kinda paint...
Dhruv: that's great actually.
Preeti: then we have sportsperson, businessmen,..
Manik: wait wait sportsperson matlab the real sportsperson...
Nyonika: yes manik..
Varun: who??
Anirudh(soft voice): mee.. I used to play cricket for India when I was 16.
Nandini hugged him sideways and rubbed his back. He just turned and hugged her tightly.
Manik: I'm sorry..
Anirudh(with a smile): hey it's fine just got carried away. You know Manik it feels so great to represent India, play for India and win for India.
Manik: Wait...jersey no. 17 Anirudh Singhania???
Anirudh nodded with a smile.
Manik: seriously oh my god....I always wondered I have seen you somewhere but then I thought it's just the similarities between you and Anu.  But you are great Anirudh at the age of 16 you achieved so much..but why did you just disappear.
Anirudh: injury.....spine... I was in a pretty bad condition. And you know how these people are( pointing st everyone sitting there) caring, protective not that I'm complaining.   Well this was also a reason why I stayed in London. For my treatment and now I'm permanently back. I'm fit, fine and happy. After almost four full years.
Cabir: Anirudh do you still like cricket.
He shook his head and said: love it.
Canir: you dont want to go back??
Anirudh: no Cabir there are many people out there already waiting for an opportunity it wont be right.
Nanidni: no Ani we should find happiness from others happiness but we should not let down ourselves or underestimate ourself. It's not only their dream but yours too. You are not cheating its fair for you to play again and while going you said you'll never leave it again remember.
Anirudh: ok meri maa. Bas. I'll call them today itself and check. And I still have to go through their eligibility test again . Happy??
Nandini: very. And Ani.........
She looked nervous.
Anirudh(suspiciously): what do you want? You are being too sweet to me. I dont to suffer from diabetes.
Nandini: woh na...mere liye chorus gaoge?? For SPACE FEST?? Please na...
Anirudh: Nandu you know how I sing and still you are asking. But just for you I'll try. Is that ok?
Nandini: thank you. ...
Arya: ok all done now go fast and register also. You know the link. Run.