MANAN- Strings of love

48. Wedding

     Thank you for all your votes and comments.

    After 1 year

Nandini's POV

   "For the sake of lord Navya, it is court wedding so please let me breathe!" I yelled as I was repeatedly applied with face powder as well as lipstick. I had done some touch up just five minutes back and these girls have made a mission to make me look like a coloring book.

    "Shhhh....." This is their dialogue every time I refuse to take a further powder on my skin. When for the nth time they brought eyeliner, I ran to the bathroom and locked it. More than my wedding I am feeling scared of these two girls.

   "Nandu, open up!" They can yell t the extent where neighborhoods can come running and beat them. I don't care!. I sat on the commode closing its lid and thought about all the moments where Manik was extremely sweet apologizing every time we were together.

    Once I would get fed up from all this. I know I had asked him to earn my trust but he told me more sorries than I love yous. When he went away for a business trip I really got to know I was in love with that man. I thought about all the things repeatedly to secure my future but I remembered Anna who had so many plans but couldn't even see his death coming near.

    I remembered all the families of the Army who sent their relatives without even thinking of their life but considered it a virtue so I thought when they can why can't I. To be frank I couldn't find anyone better than Manik for Shikha.

    I remembered what Mrs. Saxena had said when I had busted on Malhotras when they brought the alliance.

Flashback

     I had a book in hand while I stared at the letters but all I could think was the words I said and words Malhotra said. Then I heard a knock making me startle from my world. I quickly wiped my face and kept the book aside.

    "Come in," I thought it to be Aliya or Harshad but to my surprise, it was Mrs. Saxena who entered with a smile. "I hope I didn't disturb you" her unsure tone was genuine. I was still in a daze but nodded no.

    She sat on the love seat beside me. "I wanted to thank you for everything you did to my daughter and my son." 

     I was about to say it was completely ok but she interrupted again. "No, let me complete. When Aliya said she loved Druv we all opposed it. We knew we were being selfish but I stood there without uttering a word when my daughter needed me the most." A tear dropped from her eye.

    I held her hand for comfort. I still remembered old Mrs. Saxena who danced on the fingertips of Mr. Saxena but now she was in a state where she was ordering him. "I don't know how to thank but as a mother, I am really grateful to you."

   "I still can't believe I can stand against my husband now without fearing. I know all the mean words Mr. Malhotra told you were wrong but you should be hating us first before Mr. Malhotra. Why don't you hate us?" I had no answer to her question.

    Did I hate them? No, but did I love them? No. I was shocked. Whenever I think of Mr. Saxena I would feel like killing him but now when I think about it, it was just normal like everyone. I never thought staying with them would get this much of progress.

    Seeing me speechless Mrs. Saxena proceeded " You know, when you came I was so furious thinking you are here for revenge but when I saw how you were helping my children, I knew even if I tried to hate you I won't succeed because you were just like me. Putting others happiness before yours."

    "I had two choices, either to hate you forever my life or just go with the flow. I chose the latter and if you ask me do I regret my decision? No, in fact, I am really happy with new change within me, Harshad as well as Aliya, and least but not the least my husband is not treating me like an illiterate tied to him by force." 

   "Thank you so much, Nandini. In all this, you are the one who is not happy. I know, what Manik did was not right but I see the love in his eyes every time he sees you. Whenever he looks at you there is always this protective shield as if he is ready to even sacrifice his life. Once give him a chance, see if he is really genuine and then decide. Think about it." Mrs. Saxena left the room giving a smile.

 END OF FLASHBACK

    "Nandu, come out, Abhi has arrived." Only when Hansi called me I came out. Aliya and Navya kept glaring at me till I sat inside the car. After I announced I want to marry Manik, Manik kept dancing like a hobo, Mr. Saxena was so furious that I was afraid his BP may reach its peak.

    It was worse for Chikki. She hit me on my forehead asking me to think properly, Abhi even went to the length he started accusing me that I am not Nandini but some imposter. He held at me in gunpoint asking me to give the location of Nandini.

    By the time we all reached Everyone was standing near the office. Manik and I had already married 3 days back in a temple with only family members but Mr. Malhotra wanted a wedding to show the public that his son is not single anymore.

    I walked with Navya who made a face as if she ate bitter guard seeing Kabir who stood with a smirk. Druv was with his son Druti who slept peacefully on Druv's shoulder who was patting Druti's back. 

    Mukti stood beside Manik with a blank expression. Even after mending my relation with Manik I never talked with Mukti, yes I had to talk with Kabir as for giving time for Navya but Mukti I have never met after the day Malhotras came with the alliance.

   I stood in front of Manik wearing the bright red saree I wore on my wedding with the necklace of my mom. I looked at Shikha who was in Harshad's arms as Gunjan was pregnant again. Last year she had a miscarriage but this year Harshad is more careful.

     Just a week ago she got to know she was pregnant again. I smiled at Shikha who had a megawatt smile seeing me. I can even trade my life to the devil if I get this smile from her. Abhi brought the Varmala and we exchanged it.

    I looked at the person responsible for Shikha's and my smile. If Manik would not have made the fake contract then I would never meet the people around me. I thought throughout my life only Shikha and I are the ones staying together.

    Finally, when I looked around the people clapping for my happiness I felt content, overwhelmed. A smile adorned my face looking at the love of my life who was looking at me with the same smile.

   Seeing the couples who run away from their home just to be with each other I thought love breaks everything around us now I think I can change my opinion as my own life was an example of the people around me.

    I will name my story according to its moral. Strings Of Love.

__________________________________________________

    This is not the end of the story. There still 2 chapters. What do you think about the chapter? I don't know whom to interview in my character's opinion. If you have any suggestions then please let me know.