MaNan- My Sassy Wife ✔

9. Friends

A week later

Draped in a heavily embellished red lehenga with subtle makeup, traditional jewellery and lots of bangles which almost covered my hands, I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and no doubt I looked beautiful.

"You look beautiful di." One of my cousin said and I just smiled. My room was filled with my people. Okay! seven people to be precise but still that's a significant number.

Practically it was my engagement today but for me it was no less than a showcase. Though Manik treated me really well and he really made me feel special, moreover, I liked him, I really did, but still I didn't want to get married, not this soon. After all I was only 25.

"Dii, so how did you meet jiju?" Pari, my little cousin asked me, cutely, as she slightly pulled my duppatta.

I smiled at her. "Umm my mum set me up with him." I could see her pout. She probably didn't understand what I said and it made me giggle.

"It's an arranged marriage?" Navya, my best friend interjected.

I turned to look at Navya. "Why does your statement sound more like a question to me?"

"Because it is a question."

"But didn't I already tell you that it is an arranged marriage?"

"Huh? When did you tell me?" She contemplated, innocently shaking her head in 'no'.

"That day in the pub, when I had first met him." I reminded, getting up from my seat and fully turning to look at her.

After a moment's reflection, she babbled, "Oh that day! I was busy ogling at the cute bar tender. So may be I missed what you said."

I shot her a look, more like an accusing look. "You weren't listening to me that day?"

Realization dawned upon her and she smiled apologetically."Uhhh umm I intended to listen to you but that cute bartender distracted me. So-" She linked her hands with mine. "I am sorry."

I let out a sigh. "It's fine."

"Nandini they have arrived." My mum shouted from the door, and on hearing that four of my cousins rushed out, probably to see my to be husband, leaving me, Navya and Alya behind.

"Navya and Alya, bring her downstairs." My mom said, before leaving in a rush. Huff I just couldn't understand why my mom was being so much excited about this whole marriage thing.

I looked towards Alya who had still  been doing her makeup.

"Alya for Dhruv's sake, don't do so much heavy make up. He won't be able to recognize you."

"Second her." Navya added.

"Not funny guys." She said, looking at us through the mirror.

Later, as I descended downstairs, all the eyes turned towards me and even Manik's did. His gaze seemed tender and his smile just got wider. No doubt he too had been looking stunning in sherwani.

"Nandini. Nandini." Navya whisper yelled as she nudged me with her elbow. I looked at her and raised my head slightly asking 'What!'

"Who's the boy standing beside jiju?" She asked, as we continued taking slow downward steps.

I looked at the person she was indicating too. The boy beside him was handsome too. He had this big goofy smile on his face, while he had been talking rather teasing Manik.

"I don't know. May be he's Manik's relative or friend." The side of my lips curved into a smirk. "Are you interested in him? If yes, then I can set you two up."

"Nah, I was just asking." She said with her eyes fixed to that boy. She never ogled at a boy for more than 3 seconds, if she wasn't interested in him. So that meant she was interested.

"Really?"

"Yea and you know right my eyes love to enjoy the view of handsome boys." She said and shrugged.

"Guys stop talking." Alya snapped us out of our conversation. I smiled, looking ahead, as I saw Manik and the other handsome boy coming towards me.

I cut a glance at Navya and her eyes were still fixed on the other guy and Alya was busy smiling at the direction of her husband, Dhruv. They both were so madly in love with each other.

"You can just go and stand beside Dhruv." I said. She flashed her teeth, before unlinking her hands with mine and leaving. This girl!

"Hi!" Manik said, with a shy smile, giving me that tender look. And trust me I could feel the tingles.

"Hey." I smiled, looking at him.

"Namaste bhabhi ji." The handsome guy joined both his hand and bowed down in front of me, grabbing my attention. Bhabhi jii. Like seriously!

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Namaste handsome boy."

"I am handsome. Right?" His smile got wider. "See Manik, only you see me as a potato face guy."

"Shut up potato face-" He paused and bent a bit towards Cabir.  "Give me and my to be wife some privacy please." He said in a low tone but I heard it. Not bad Malhotra.

"So, Mr. Potato face what-" Navya interjected but stopped midway when the guy shot a grumpy look at her.

"I am Cabir, not potato face. Understand!" He huffed and he looked kind of cute. And I so knew Navya had been going all 'aw' on him.

Navya's smile got wider. "Oh, sorry! Hi Cabir." She extended her hand towards him. "I am Navya."

He looked at her for a brief second before shaking hands with her, with a wide grin. "It's nice meeting you."

"I feel the same way."

"Umm if you don't mind tag along with me. I think we need to give them some privacy."

I couldn't help but smile. I was 101% sure that he was into Navya too.

"Yea, sure." Navya gave in almost immediately.

Their ship just got in the sea and I was so sure that it was going to sail pretty soon.

"Enjoy your privacy." I teased.

"And let's enjoy ours." Manik came and stood beside me.

"We are surrounded by people. So how can we enjoy it? Instead let's-" I deliberately paused, looking at  him with a mischievous glint in my eye.

His eyes widened. "Oh no! Not today. Absolutely not today. It's our engagement for god sake."

I smiled mischievously. In these few weeks he had known me and my intentions very well. "It's our party, so that's why it's worth it. Let's exchange our rings in front of everyone and then disappear from this party."

"No way. We have to attend the guests and it would leave a bad impression if we just disappear from our own engagement party."

"Yes way. I am going and for god sake- no for my sake stop thinking about what other's will think. Let's just live our lives." I tried persuading him. "Fine. If you want to come then come but if not then don't."

He let out a sigh. "Stubborn."

"So are you tagging along with this stubborn girl or not?"