Nandini casually balances two sarees in her opposite hands and looks at the king-sized mirror to evaluate which colour will suit her better. Only then, Manik remarks in an impassive voice while still engrossing in the files,

"Both are bad. Go for red. Red suits you the most."

Nandini glances at her husband from the corner of her eye. Her nose flares in pique. She wraps the green saree on her upper torso and replies in a sarcastic tone,

"Red suits me the most or you think it suits me the most?"

"What's the difference? You should look the best."

Manik deliberately ignores the sarcasm and replies with the same authoritative tone. Nandini throws both the sarees to the nearby chair and nears Manik in a hostile gait.

"There is a difference. Manik why do I always feel that I have no hold on my own life? Where should I go, what should I do, whom should I talk to in fact, what should I wear, everything...everything has been guided by you. Why? Why don't I have the simple right to even choose my clothes and colour? It's suffocating Manik. I am an individual and I have my own mind."

Nandini utters the last line in her unusual pitch. Manikya was sleeping on the bed beside Manik. The sudden shout breaks her cat nap. She gets startled and starts crying. Nandini realizes her mistake and instantly takes a circle of the bed to reach her daughter. However, Manik shows his hand to Nandini and lifts Manikya in his lap. Getting the warmth, Manikya sobs and gradually nestles to her father for more sleep. Manik gets down from the bed and starts pacing in the room holding Manikya in his tender embrace. Nandini keeps on watching the sight. This is not rare but this is not frequent either. Manik is a man who never shows his love explicitly. For him 'I love you but you have to know that I love you.' Nandini knows that Manik didn't believe in the emotion of love since he met her. Manikya is the apple of his eye but still, he likes to keep it subtle. Some moments of silence pass on and eventually, when Manik feels that his daughter has completely fallen asleep, he lays her down on the bed. The tiny frame stirs in her deep slumber and again becomes still. Manik scoots down and pecks her temple. Nandini tries to say something but before that, Manik grabs her elbow and pulls her along with him to leave the room. The iron grip on her hand proves that Nandini has succeeded in igniting his anger. She doesn't resist and comes to the next room where Manik does his business work. There are lots of books, files, almirahs, a small screen on the wall, a projector and a small settee. Perfect accommodation for a workaholic business mogul. Manik lightly pushes Nandini to the settee and sits on the chair facing her.

"First tell me, what are you angry about? Your choice of saree, my suggestion, your freedom or simply.....this party for what I convinced you to attend?"

Manik's tone is tranquil, unlike the action he just did a minute ago. Nandini places both hands on either side of her body and meets his questioning eyes.

"Why do you always control people? Don't they have their wish?"

Nandini utters in a low yet steady voice. Manik's eyes flatten.

"I only control those things that I know should be controlled. I suggested the red colour because I know you look the best in that. If you want to consider it my control over your individual choice then okay; you are free to wear anything. After all, you are my wife, not any slave or subordinate. But yes, I will be glad if you enjoy the party willingly."

Manik gets up from the chair and turns on his heel to head to one of the cupboards. He has to check some presentations and nights are the best time to work. Suddenly Nandini springs on him and hugs him from behind. Her eyes are brimming with tears. It's hard to hurt someone whom you love.

"I didn't mean it. I am sorry. I am so...rry."

She sobs out. Manik holds her both hands and softly frees himself from her embrace. He flips slowly and faces Nandini. She is still sobbing while standing with a bending head. Manik cups her face and lifts it to look into her eyes.

"What is bothering you? Do you want me to cancel the party?"

His tone is gentle. Nandini wobbles in denial.

"Promise me. You won't join the mafia gang. Manik I love you. I know your ambition, your goals and your wishes are not as simple as mine. But every achievement comes with a cost and I am not ready to cost my family, our happiness in return for any ambition. I am sacred, Manik. Sometimes I feel I am losing something and I don't want to lose my loved ones."

Her voice gets choked. Tears slip down her chubby cheeks. Her pouty lips appear more plumpy as Manik presses her cheeks.

"I promise. I won't do anything that you don't want me to do. Aryamaan and my other friends are coming just like my friends. Their jobs, works and professions are not coming with them as baggage. So, trust me. It will be a clean simple party."

Manik pauses for a moment and then adds,

"You know Nandini. You can call me a sadist because I kind of love to see the fear in your eyes for me. The fear of losing me. It proves that you can't leave me at any cost."

Manik's words and the mischievous smile on the corner of his lips make Nandini furrow her brows. She tries to part her lips to counter but Manik's dominating lips shut them up. The clock gongs midnight.

.............................................

"So, Nandini. Was it a love at first sight for you too? I mean what did you exactly feel when you first saw Manik? Please tell."

Aliya asks enthusiastically while grabbing Nandini's hands. Both are sitting on a sofa. Keeping his promise to make the party simple and small, Manik has only invited his friends, some office members, Rishav's doctor, some business partners and Ayan and Abhiroop Agnihotri. Among all of them, only Aliya and Navya are new to him. Aliya's question sprinkles hues on Nandini's cheeks. She never thought over this matter earlier. The first day, the first time she looked at Manik's eyes. Was it love at first sight? Her reverie breaks by a virile voice,

"Love at first sight? Bullshit! There is nothing like it in this world. I think the word 'love' itself is an overrated emotion. Who believes in it?"

Nandini and Aliya both turn at the person who is standing nearby holding a glass of whiskey. Nandini's face hardens.

"I believe in it. We girls believe in it. Why? Don't you think your friend Dhruv loves me, Arya? Doesn't Manik love Nandini? I heard that he can do anything for her."

Aliya's tone is stern and piqued. She knows Arya a bit but Notorious 5 now 4 has a rule. They don't let their family or other friends come between their alliances. Aryamaan gives a lopsided smile and plummets on the sofa. Nandini's every pore repulses to get up but she has promised to mask a good host. Aryamaan toasts the glass to them and says in a nonchalant manner,

"Let me prove....DHRUV!"

He suddenly calls Dhruv who were talking with some business partners. Dhruv turns at Aryamaan's call and takes permission from his companion to approach the corner where two ladies and Aryamaan are sitting. He comes with a confident stride and occupies Aryamaan's adjacent seat.

"Ahh...Arya, long time no see, Bro. Thanks to Manik. He gave us the chance to reunite again properly."

Dhruv mouths affectionately and pats Aryamaan's shoulder. His eyes fall on Aliya and Nandini. Manik has already introduced Nandini to all, however, he didn't get a chance to talk to her in person.

"Hello, Nandini. Sorry, I was busy talking to other people. Nice to meet you. Manik talked a lot about you. Today I got the privilege to see you."

Dhruv nods in appreciation while praising in a subtle way. Aliya shackles Nandini by her shoulder and cries in excitement,

"Isn't she beautiful? Manik is lucky."

Nandini turns at Aliya and gives a coy smile. She feels awkward by open admiration. Dhruv smiles and raises his glass to gesture his approval. Aryamaan clears his voice and mouths,

"Ahem...yes she is beautiful. No doubt about it. But my question is, can someone's beauty be the reason for the other person's love? Actually, Dhruv, I called you to prove something to these beautiful ladies. I think love is an overrated feeling. It happens because of many things like obstinance, money, power, obsession and of course beauty. Now, tell me one thing; why do you love Aliya?"

Aryamaan's words make everybody budge in their seats. It's a simple question but the answer is not that simple sometimes. Dhruv remains silent for a moment while Aliya keeps staring at him.

"I don't know. Maybe she suits my nature."

Dhruv eventually answers. Aliya rolls her eyes at him while Aryamaan laughs loudly. Nandini arches her brow and utters in a stern tone,

"So, you want to prove that love happens because of some gross reasons? For example, Manik loves me because I am beautiful?"

The sarcasm and bitterness in her tone are explicit which makes Aliya and Dhruv a bit uncomfortable. Aryamaan gulps the remaining liquor and retorts,

"No, he loves you because you are hard to possess and he loves challenges."

Awkward silence lingers for some moments and suddenly Nandini gets up.

"Excuse me!"

Nandini mutters in a low tone but the sourness in her voice is tangible. Without looking at anyone, she leaves the place. Aryamaan glances at her and murmurs with a triumphant smile,

"Hence proved."

Author's note: Long update. Compensation for late publish...Ha...Ha. 😂😂The party will continue with new twists, turns and shocks. Keep reading.🙏❤