I Want U To Be There... For a little more than Always!!
Part 42:
Dhruv: But why hv u called us all here??

Cabir: Exactly that's what I was asking!

Manik: Me... Why will I call u?? That too at office.
Fab5 continued arguing as they came to the Malhotra Industries in the afternoon.

Mukti: But Manik, we got a msg from Nandini.

Manik: Nandini.... How can that be possible?? She herself isn't here today. She wasn't looking well so I came alone.

"And didn't even bother to wake me up or at least tell me!!"
And there she entered his cabin smiling at all of them while she passed an angry glare to Manik.

Nandini: Sry sry sry guys... I got stuck in traffic!!

Manik: So u did call them here...

Nandini: Oh yes I did... I was about to inform u but then u planned to leave me back at home without even informing me so I thought why should I bother to inform YOU!!

All of them suppressed their giggles while Manik smiled looking at her cute angry face.
Nandini: Anyways... I checked ur schedules and u all were free at this time so I just wanted to pitch an idea to u all....

Aliya: Idea?? For what?

Nandini: Umn... Can we all plz shift to the conference room? I hv a presentation.

Manik: Presentation?? Nandini, what is all this about?

Nandini: Mr. Malhotra... Its almost 4 in the evening and I had arranged ur day schedule this mrng so that u r free by this tym and then u all can hv ur practice at the Malhotra Mansion by 6:30. If u r not interested, u r free to go back home.

Saying so Nandini turned around and moved out of the cabin leaving Manik dumbfounded.

Cabir: Woah.... Nandini Moorthy is on high today!! All the best Manik..
Cabir said as he chuckled.

Mukti: But why is she so mad at u??

Manik: Coz she hates skipping work!
Manik narrated the mrng incident to them while they simply laughed.

Dhruv: Only Nandini can get angry from her boss for giving her a day off!!

Aliya: Guys... Lets all just get moving before she again bursts up...

All of them smiled and moved to the conference room there itself on the top floor, to see Nandini all ready for the presentation.

As they settled down, Nandini began,
Nandini: I know u all might be wondering why have I called u all here like this... But I wanted to request u all for something?

Aliya: Request... Nandini, u know u can ask anything!! We r frndz...

Nandini: Thanks Aliya... And believe me hearing this from u especially made this a lot more easier for me!! So i would like to request u all to plz just see what i hv in mind and try to understand it before saying anything.

Manik: As such u wouldn't hv let us speak...

Nandini made an angry pout at him while the others smiled and nodded. She turned the lights dim and started the projector and they all saw the topic "DHRULIYA!"

Nandini: Aliya- Dhruv... I know how much a wedding means for people!! Its one occasion which everyone wants to remember all their lives and thus, they plan to make it as memorable as they can. I know u can very very easily get the best wedding planners of the country or even the world and make it the biggest gala anyone would hv ever witnessed. But all I want to ask u, is that will u be really happy having those uncountable number to people in ur wedding who don't care about any of it other than the awesome party that they get.

We all know that no matter how big these planners are.. they work on a well defined pattern and arrangements which they choose from and use every where but then what would be the difference in others marriage and urs. Personally, I believe that if all of us here do it ourselves, then we can pull off a much much better event than any of them. I just really really wanted to do this, plz plz plz gimme a chance, i promise I won't disappoint u both.

All of them looked at each other, and then at Nandini's pleading face before getting back to Aliya to get her final statement. She was about to say anything when suddenly Nandini spoke again.

Nandini: Listen listen... I know this is a really big deal for u and thus, i do hv made plans... I hv a few selected ideas which I think u will like.. And u can choose anyone of them.

She changed the slides one after the other as she told them her ideas. It was a fairly detailed description for each idea that she had selected. It took her almost half an hour to brief them through it. After which she concluded.
Nandini: Ohk so these were all that I had got. To brief it out again. There are three ideas. First being a proper punjabi tadaka bollywood style wedding here in Mumbai. Second being a classic English wedding at a beach in Italy with all the most romantic beauties around u. Third, a proper king and queen style grand wedding at one of the ancient palaces in Udaipur having all the essence of a royal family. All three of them, having about 5 to 8 hundred guests at a max having ur families, frndz and a few other selected guests. Which would obviously be followed by a grand Page 3 type reception here in Mumbai having almost all the important people of the city and obviously media.

As she finished all of them looked at her with blank expressions on their faces while she switched the lights back on and looked straight at Aliya.
Nandini: Now... U can decide!! And obviously, I promise u I really won't mind if u wish to go for the wedding planners.. I totally understand its ur big day and u want it to be the best and-

But she was stopped in between as Aliya spoke.
Aliya: Nandini.....

Nandini: Hmn!!

Aliya: I hv decided that I want one and only one planner for my wedding and no matter what happens that decision of mine can't be changed.

Nandini heard her clearly and smiled at her,
Nandini: I m sure it can't be, u deserve to get the best... It's Ohk! I-

Aliya: And that's YOU....

Nandini stopped again as she heard her last line and looked at her expectantly.
Nandini: R u serious??

Aliya: Of course yes... I can't tell u how much I love u for taking all this effort for me.
Aliya said as she got up and engulfed her in a hug. The next minute Mukti too joined in as she shouted.
Mukti: Same here... I just simply loved the ideas!!

While all the three guys did nothing but smile at these three standing there.

Aliya broke the hug and then said loudly,
Aliya: So this is it then.... Udaipur!!! I hv decided, I loved the last idea. Right Dhruv??

Dhruv: Absolutely...

Nandini smiled broadly at her and then said,
Nandini: I know... That was my favourite too!! Its so damn unique. I kinda knew u would choose that, so I focused mainly on that one only.

All of them laughed at it while Aliya hugged her again and Nandini looked at Manik, who had a proud smile on his face looking at her.
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Mukti: No yr.... I toh will get married in a foreign country. India n all that taam jhaam its so not my thing.

All of them laughed at her as they all sat in the Malhotra Mansion after their practice session was over. It was still time for dinner so they simply sat and talked when suddenly Dhruv asked Mukti about how and where does she wants to get married.

Cabir: My dearest Mukti... Urf Lady Bheem!! To get married na, the basic requirement is that u need to find a guy for urself first. Which believe me is like looking for stars in bright day light...

While all the others laughed Cabir received a flying cushion right on his face. Nandini moved out of the kitchen and walked towards them followed by Simi, as she carried a tray. Nandini took her coffee and sat next to Mukti while simi served the rest.

Manik: Which one is mine??

Simi: Sir all r the same...

As he heard this Manik turned towards Nandini and asked,
Manik: Nandini yr.... U didn't make coffee for me!!

Nandini: I hv told u before, I don't make coffee for anyone other than Myself.... Which part of this do u not understand?

Manik: Hmn... Then why were u making it for me from the past 10 days or so....

Nandini: I don't know... But now I won't!

Manik: U-
Cabir: Manik yr.... Come on!! Stop fighting over a coffee, have this one...

Manik: No thanks....
Manik said and sat with a grumpy face.

Manik: U know what... I don't care!! U hv to stay mad.. Suit urself. I m not gonna apologize when i m nota t fault. First u stay up all night, working on that presentation of urs and then when I asked u, u lied to me. Secondly, it was u who fell asleep here on the sofa and I didn't hv the heart to wake u up... So be mad for as long as you wish!!

Nandini: How do u know i was up all night?

Manik: Well Ms. Moorthy I know u much more than what u think I do

As Nandini heard this, a smile touched her face looking at her cute grumpy complaining face.
Mukti: Finally... U smiled!!

Cabir: Yeah.. Otherwise how would hv mukti started to look for her Prince charming!!!

Mukti: CABIR...
Mukti muttered irritated.

Cabir: Achcha Nandini... Now u tell us!! How n where do u want to get married?

Nandini: Married?? Me!

Cabir: Woah woah... I didn't ask u to whom and when!! Relax...

Nandini blushed at his words while Manik enjoyed that look on her face. Yes, they weren't yet that close to each other to think about marriage and all but its said na,

"Somethings are so meant to be that they just feel Correct!!"

Aliya: Ohk ohk u rn't getting married tmrw... Stop smiling and answer it... Where and How??
Nandini heard her and her blushed face turned normal. They all knew she was thinking about her to be great day. No one said anything and waited for her when Manik noticed a slight sadness in her eyes. Though her face was expressionless but her eyes told him everything. No one other than him noticed it but Mukti said,
Mukti: Nandini.... Nandini...

On getting no response she tapped on her hand to get her back.
Mukti: Nandini...
Nandini: Huh!!
Mukti: U zoned out... We are waiting!

Nandini: I hv never really pondered over the thought of marriage. All I know is that the location, the way... None of these matter to me. I just want my entire family to be there to shower their love and blessings over me and my man.

Of course, what more can anyone expect from a girl, who has suffered all her life just for a family.

No matter, on what position u r in life, if u don't hv anyone around to share it with... Then its all waste.

Mukti: Hmn... Family!! Such a normal wish... Do u really think any one amongst us would dare to miss out ur wedding.... U'll kill us.

All of them laughed at it while Nandini smiled and hugged Mukti.
Cabir: Yeah... And in ur case, we all will be from both the sides right?? The bride as well as the groom. So why worry?

Nandini felt her cheeks warm up immediately at his comment, but to her relief she was still clinging to Mukti for the hug, helping her to hide her blush.

"Ma'am the dinner is ready!!"
Simi's voice reached her and she couldn't thank her stars more than that. She immediately broke the hug and rushed out towards the kitchen, leaving all the others laughing and Manik too hiding his blush, which obviously didn't go unnoticed by her.

10 mins later, she was standing in the kitchen serving something when she felt a very familiar warm pair of arms wrap around her waist.

Nandini: Manik... All the servants are here... Leave me!!

Manik: Do u think I care... Plus, they are all outside.

Nandini: U leave me... If u hv forgotten I m still mad at u.

Manik: No u r not... U r still blushing!
Nandini stopped her work and turned around to face him while he locked his arms around her waist tightly.

Nandini: Yes... I m blushing and its Nothing new in that.... U know Ur presence does bring out a few compulsory reactions...

Manik's eyes broadened in surprise at her direct talk today, but soon it was replaced by his flattering smile. Nandini slowly snaked her arms around her neck and then whispered,

Nandini: But today... For a change!! The great Mr. Manik Malhotra too wasn't able to hide his blush.... Am I right or Am I right??

Manik smiled further at her words and jerked her further closer leaving no air between them.
Manik: The reactions for Ur presence I might say too...

Nandini: I m sorry!!
She said out of the blue making him confused which was clearly seen on his face.

Nandini: I was rude to u since the evening... I just didn't like to skip work.

Manik smiled at her and replied with a cute angry pout.
Manik: And I didn't even get my coffee bcoz of that!!

She hugged him immediately and hid her face in his chest.
Nandini: From now on u will get it daily...

Manik: Promise?

Nandini: Nandini Promise!!
Manik smiled at her cuteness when he heard her whisper in his chest.
Nandini: I missed u today....

Those four words meant more than the world to him. Knowing that the person whom u r missing is thinking about u too is the most amazing feeling anyone could ever have. He bent his face down and nuzzled his face in her hair taking in her fragrance as he too whispered,
Manik: Me too!!

Nandini broke the hug with her hands still wrapped around his neck and looked at him to find his eyes shining, clearly telling that he wasn't lying.

She drowned herself in his eyes completely until she felt him getting his face closer towards hers. And before she knew it Manik moved ahead and kissed her nose.

Nandini made a pout at that sudden nose kiss while Manik laughed slowly.
Manik: Not my fault... U were looking just too cute today!

Nandini blushed at it and looked down when he suddenly asked,
Manik: Wese.... What were u expecting?? I mean why this cute pout??

Nandini looked up at him suddenly with her big hazel eyes when he continued,
Manik: Did u think that I was going to ki-

But before he could complete Nandini kept her hand over his mouth to stop him. Manik smiled at her and kissed her palm making her blush further more.

Nandini was about to say something to him went she suddenly saw two of the helpers along with Simi standing on the kitchen door watching the two of them from the corner their eyes, waiting for them to finish their PDA. She immediately straightened up and unwrapped her hand which was still on his neck and on his lips. Manik looked at her confused when she gestured him to look back.

Manik turned around and found them trying to hide their smiles and looked at Nandini's flushed face as he whispered again,
Manik: Come on Nandini.... Do u still think they don't know!! I don't care...

Nandini: Manik I do... So shut up and leave me.....

She struggled in his arms to make him loose his grip while Manik bent further closer towards her stopping her breath.

She looked at him shocked while he simply kissed her cheek and left her.
Manik: See u outside Baby... Thats if u manage to hide this blush!!
He winked at her and her was out of the kitchen before she even knew. The servants moved in and started their work while Nandini turned around to damn embarrassed about it all.