Nandini stood on the bustling sidewalk near the mall, her eyes darting between passing taxis and autorickshaws, hoping to catch one that would get her to the bus stand in time. The minutes ticked away, and her anxiety grew as she glanced at her watch. She knew she was running late to pick up Naina from the bus stand.
Just then, as if on cue, Manik, on his way home, noticed Nandini standing there, her expression a mix of frustration and urgency. Approaching her with a confident stride, he offered, "Need a ride?"
Initially, Nandini hesitated for a moment but quickly assessed the urgency of the situation. Aware of the time slipping away, she nodded in agreement. "Yes, actually. I'd appreciate it."
The ride to the bus stand was quick, and as they arrived, Manik got out of the car, joining her in the waiting area. He wore a puzzled expression, unable to comprehend the urgency in Nandini's demeanor. "What are you doing here at the bus stand?" He inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Startled, Nandini turned to the side, having expected Manik to have departed after giving her a ride. "You didn't leave?" she questioned.
"I couldn't just abandon you in this bus stand. You're not familiar with how things work in Delhi," he replied, crossing his arms defensively.
"Manik, please don't bother me! I'm here to pick someone up, and I want to make a good impression. I don't want her to perceive me as argumentative during our first meeting," Nandini requested.
"Her? Well, I won't argue with you. I'll just... remain here... and quietly watch over you," Manik declared, feeling content now that he knew Nandini was waiting for another woman.
Nandini rolled her eyes at Manik's dramatic declaration but couldn't help but appreciate his attempt at being protective.
"Nandini, are you still upset with me for what I did?" Manik inquired after a while.
She let out a sigh. "I'm not... angry. I'm just disappointed that the man I fell in love with didn't respect me. For him, I'm just a toy he loved and could easily share with his dear friends. I feel... sad," she replied honestly.
"Look, Nandini, it was not my intention to hurt you. You always called me 'Monster Manik,' and you liked Dhruv as a person from the first day. When I learned that he also loved you, I thought you should be with someone who makes you laugh, takes care of you. I, on the other hand, have hurt you a lot from the very beginning. I bullied you, broke your father's pen, made you cry again and again. How could I let you be with someone like me when someone like Dhruv was an option? That's why I did what I did," he explained his point of view.
Nandini nodded. "You have pointed out some valid points. I'll give it a thorough look after I'm done dealing with my family matters," she told him with a small smile before turning to look at the bus stop's entrance.
"So, who are we waiting for?" Manik asked a few silent minutes later, feeling bored.
"Someone who I'm hoping would become my bhabhi [sister-in-law] in the near future," Nandini replied with a smile.
"Bhabhi... that man at the police station was really your brother?" he inquired.
"Yes. He's my biological older brother. Seventeen years ago, in an accident, our parents died, and we siblings got separated. My older sister and I were adopted into different families. Recently, we learned about each other and reunited. That day at the hospital, we were there to get a DNA test done because we wanted to confirm that we were indeed siblings," Nandini explained.
"From the looks of it, your brother seems to love you a lot. I saw him picking up Navya and you from Navya's hostel," Manik observed.
"He does. I feel like I have that protective layer of a father over my head again. Somehow, from having only one younger brother, I now have an older brother, two older sisters, a younger brother, father figure, mother figure, chacha, chachi, Ams, and Buaji. I gained a HUGE family in the last ten days, and I couldn't be happier," Nandini shared. The pure joy on her face made Manik smile as well. After all, the happiness of our loved ones brings us happiness too.
"So, have you met your sister-in-law before?" Manik asked.
"No. This would be the first time we see each other. We were only able to talk on the phone before."
"How will you recognize each other?" he questioned.
"Oh! I didn't think of that." Nandini had a sheepish look on her face.
Manik shook his head and went to the nearby stationary shop, buying paper and a few colorful marker pens. He handed the items to her and told her to write her sister-in-law's name so that she could see the name and recognize her. Giving him a grateful smile, Nandini wrote 'Riddhima here for Naina'.
"By the way, are you coming to the Malhotra's Diwali party?" Manik inquired.
"No, I want to be with my family. Fab 5 are invited. If you get bored of your Diwali party, you're more than welcome to join ours," Nandini confidently told him.
"I don't like traditions," Manik stated, making a face.
"That's because you never got to enjoy the traditions. It makes sense, though, as you were raised by non-traditional parents who were too busy earning money. You were raised by nannies and servants. It's understandable for you to be like this. There is no right or wrong in this situation. We're just from two different worlds. This is also one of the things we should consider if we want to take our relationship ahead," Nandini pointed out.
Manik nodded in agreement.
A little after 4 pm, a bus from Nainital entered the bus stop. Nandini, being short and nearly invisible in the crowd, raised the paper with both hands and started jumping up and down. Manik shook his head and pulled a few discarded boxes from a nearby stall, gesturing for her to stand on top of them. Nandini grabbed his hand, and she stepped on top of the boxes. Manik held her hand tightly as he looked up at her face. A dreamy smile graced his face as he admired the girl he was in love with. Nandini, preoccupied with trying to spot Naina in the crowd, didn't notice Manik's expression.
This was how Naina saw them. At first, she observed them, thinking they made a cute, young couple. The girl was focused on something in the crowd, while the boy looked at her with loving admiration. Naina was convinced that if they were in an anime show, there would've been heart shapes flying out of that boy's head.
Amused, Naina chuckled to herself as she stepped off the bus. She looked around, trying to find Nandini when her eyes once again landed on that couple, especially on the paper the girl was holding in her hand. The words written on the paper, 'Riddhima here for Naina,' made Naina realize that the cute teenage girl was none other than Rajveer's younger sister.
She approached them and called out, "Nandini?"
Startled, Nandini turned away from the crowd and faced the newcomer. A bright smile lit up her face. "Naina Bhabhi?" she guessed.
Naina blushed and nodded. "Hi, Nandini!" she greeted with a smile.
Squealing excitedly, Nandini jumped down from the boxes and hugged Naina tightly. Naina instantly stiffened and inhaled sharply, as the tight hug had hurt the stitches on her back. Noticing this, Nandini pulled back, concerned. "I'm sorry, bhabhi. Did I hurt you?" she asked worriedly.
"No, Nandini. It's just that I got a little injured during the drills a few days ago. The stitches are not completely dry yet. That's why the sudden hug hurt a little," Naina explained, cupping Nandini's face affectionately. "By the way, thank you for writing 'Riddhima' on the paper. It helped me recognize you easily," she added.
"And thank you for calling me 'Nandini,' as it helped me recognize you," Nandini said with a grin.
"So, what's the plan?" Naina asked.
"Khushi di and I decided that I would take you to the Murthy house now. You can rest there, and then we can surprise bhaiya tomorrow morning. What do you think?"
"That actually sounds good. I've been on the road for the last 17 hours and I really need some sleep. But can you take me to the nearby hospital first? I need to change the dressing on my wound," Naina requested.
"Of course, bhabhi."
"Nandini, please don't call me bhabhi in front of Rajveer sir. It would be embarrassing," Naina said, blushing hard.
Nandini giggled. "But if we don't keep on calling you bhabhi, then bhaiya might not get the courage to propose to you for marriage," she pointed out cheekily.
Naina playfully smacked her on the shoulder, making Nandini laugh even harder.
Manik cleared his throat and waved at the girls when they turned to give him a questioning look. "Hi, I'm Manik Malhotra, Nandini's ah..." he hesitated to finish his sentence.
"Boyfriend?" Naina guessed as she took his hand to shake it. Instead of letting go after the shake, she tightened her grip until Manik winced in pain and gave her a bewildered look. "I don't know how Nandini's brother will react if you hurt her, but I will skin you alive and rub salt all over your body before adding the lemon juice. You get what I'm trying to say?" she asked. Throughout the threat, Naina maintained a pleasant smile. From an outsider's perspective, it would be impossible to guess that she had just issued a serious warning.
"Y-Y-Yes. Understood," Manik responded, rubbing his hand and giving her a fearful look.
Nandini watched the scene with wide eyes. "Bh-Bhabhi... he's not my..." she tried to protest, but Naina interrupted.
"He's not your boyfriend, like your brother is not the love of my life?" Naina guessed.
"Bhabhi!" Nandini blushed at Naina's correct guess. "It's complicated," she mumbled.
"No, it's not. She's just angry about something," Manik urgently stated. He was scared by the bold threat he received. "Let's go. You wanted to go to the hospital before heading home. I'll be your ride," he offered before giving Nandini a scared look.
Nandini was amused to see Manik scared like this. Manik quickly grabbed Naina's bags before she could and hurried to his car. Naina smirked at his reaction.
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Next morning.
Shikhawat house
As soon as the breakfast was done that morning, Diwali preparations started in the household. The older women gathered in the kitchen, discussing recipes and dividing tasks, while Rajveer and the older men got ready to head to the market to buy all the things they would need. The youngsters were tasked with decorating the house and the front yard with flower garlands and fairy lights.
Khushi's infectious energy had everyone on their toes. She dashed around the house, rearranging decorations and making spontaneous changes to the plans. "Jiji, don't you think this lamp will look better on the left side?" she suggested, holding a platter of Diwali oil lamps in her hands.
Payel sighed with amusement, "Khushi, the left side is already full of lamps. Let's keep it balanced."
Khushi pouted playfully, "You're no fun, jiji! Diwali is all about breaking the rules and adding a touch of madness."
Payel shook her head and chuckled, "We'll stick to the plan. But feel free to add your touch of madness to the festivities."
Soon, Garima handed Shashi the list of things they would need. Khushi and Rishav rushed towards the men as they started to head out and snuck their lists to Rajveer, making him smirk in amusement. Their lists had names of different kinds of firecrackers and more oil lamps.
Khushi and Nandini waited until the men were gone before they rushed to the kitchen and shouted loudly, "WE HAVE SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO TELL YOU!"
"Hayree Nandkishor! Lagat hai Nandini bitiya par iss sanka devi ka bhoot char gaya hai," Madhumati exclaimed with her hand on her head. [I think Nandini got possessed by this sanka devi's ghost.]
"Buaji, no one is possessed," Nandini assured her with a smile.
"You girls look excited about something. What is it?" Ams, Nandini's grandma, asked curiously.
"Dadi ji, remember the girl bhaiya likes?" Khushi prompted.
"The one Nandu said was training to join the military?" Ams inquired, curious about the subject.
"Yes, her," Khushi replied.
"What happened to her?" Garima asked.
"Nothing happened to Bhabhi but the matter is Bhaiya thinks she won't agree to marry him no matter how much she loves him. We don't know why." she lied before continuing, "We called bhabhi and told her about it. We thought it would be best if they spoke face to face about this matter. So, we invited Bhabhi here for Diwali. Bhabhi wasn't sure if she would be able to come as her parents might not allow her, but as she explained her situation to her parents, they gave her permission to come here." Khushi explained.
"Really?! That's great. But when is she coming?" Garima inquired.
"Bhabhi actually came yesterday afternoon. I went to pick her up from the bus stand. We want to surprise bhaiya with Bhabhi's arrival. That's why we thought she could rest up at the Murthy house last night." Nandini told them.
"HNK! You left the future daughter-in-law of our household alone there? What she might be thinking about us?" Madhumati exclaimed.
"I agree with Madhumati. She should be here with all of us. Rajveer and she can have their conversation here where we can help them put things in perspective if necessary. Rajveer is already 32. He shouldn't waste any more time to get married if the girl is ready." Ams said thoughtfully.
"That's wonderful. We want bhabhi to make a grand entrance.. for which we want your help." Khushi said with a bright, naughty smile while Nandini nodded.
The women exchanged excited glances, already planning how to make Naina's arrival memorable. "We'll make sure she feels at home and comfortable here. And, of course, we'll help in the grand entrance plan. It's Diwali, and we're ready to bring joy and love into our lives," Ams declared with a twinkle in her eyes.
Madhumati added, "Yes, yes! We'll make it a Diwali to remember for Rajveer and our new bahu (daughter-in-law). So, what are you thinking of doing?"
Khushi and Nandini grinned, thrilled with the positive response. Khushi clapped her hands in excitement, "We were thinking of creating a little drama, you know. A bit of teasing and a dash of surprise."
Garima grinned, "We are all on board for this grand plan."
Shanno laughed, "I love the enthusiasm, girls. Let's get everything ready for the grand entrance and make it a memorable celebration."
The older women, along with Khushi and Nandini, began discussing the details of the plan. Soon, Payel, Navya, and Rishav, who were left behind to work on the decoration, also joined them. They decided on the perfect moment for the grand entrance, the decorations, and how to add the element of surprise without making it too overwhelming for Rajveer.
As they huddled together, their laughter filled the kitchen, creating a festive atmosphere even before the grand Diwali celebration officially began. The joyous anticipation of the surprise added an extra layer of excitement to the preparations. Everyone was eager to see the reaction on Rajveer's face when he would finally meet the woman he loved in the midst of the Diwali festivities.
Half an hour later, Shanno, Khushi, and Payel left for the Murthy house, carrying clothes and tiffin carriers. Nandini's aunt, Shanno, selected a beautiful yellow chiffon georgette saree for Naina, as it was her first time visiting her in-laws' house. The surprise entrance they had planned for Naina also required her to wear a saree. The song selected for the performance was entirely Shanno and Khushi's idea. Nandini initially thought her grandma might not approve of the song choice, but to her surprise, she gave her approval, mentioning that men sometimes need such songs. Nandini resisted the urge to picture her grandmother singing and dancing to such tunes, but as her eyes met Navya's, the girls couldn't help but burst into giggles.
Naina opened the door upon the arrival of Shanno, Khushi, and Payel at the Murthy house. Although she couldn't immediately place them, Shanno's warm greeting, identifying her as Nandini's chachi, reassured Naina of their familial connection.
Shanno couldn't contain her excitement upon meeting Naina. With a warm smile, she offered a friendly hug, saying, "Naina beta, welcome to our home! We've been eagerly waiting to meet you. I hope you had a comfortable stay last night."
Naina returned the smile, feeling the warmth in Shanno's welcome. "Thank you so much, aunty. Nandini made sure that I had everything," she assured.
Khushi and Payel approached Naina with cheerful introductions. "Hi, bhabhi! I'm Khushi, and this is my Payel jiji. We're so thrilled to finally meet you!" Khushi exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious as she embraced Naina, keeping in mind Nandini's warning about Naina's injured back.
Payel added, "Absolutely! We've heard so much about you from Rajveer Bhaiya. It's like we already know you."
"Girls, come inside! We have a lot of things to do, and only a small amount of time!" Shanno reminded them from inside, where she started taking out the breakfast they had packed for Naina.
After a delightful breakfast, Shanno presented Naina with the saree she had chosen for her, wearing a bright smile. "I know you're not officially our bahu [daughter-in-law] yet, but since we want you to be our bahu, I thought a saree would be the perfect outfit for your entrance. It would leave a good impression on Nandini's grandma and Khushi's Buaji, as they are a bit traditional. I hope you understand," she explained.
Blushing from the moment Shanno addressed her as her 'Bahu,' Naina responded, "Aunty, I understand these things. My mother is quite traditional about these matters as well," with a shy smile.
"That's great. But the actual reason I chose this outfit is because of the song Khushi and I picked for you to make your entrance," Shanno informed her excitedly.
"S-Song? I don't understand," Naina said, giving her a confused look.
"Bhabhi, we want you to make your entry while dancing to this particular song. Everyone agreed to this song, so you don't have to worry about offending our elders," Khushi announced with an equally bright smile.
While Khushi's assurance eased Naina, Payel's sympathetic look made her wary. "Ah... okay," Naina muttered, silently praying to God for a good outcome.
Payel and Khushi assisted Naina in draping the beautiful saree. Khushi brought along a handful of matching yellow bangles, while Payel brought ethnic golden earrings to complement the saree. Once Naina was gracefully adorned in the saree, Shanno added a light makeup touch to complete her look.
"Aww... Naina beta, you're looking so beautiful!" Shanno exclaimed. "Let's take a few photos of you. We can send it to your parents. They must also be eagerly waiting to know how their daughter looked when she first entered her in-law's house," she added, taking multiple photos of Naina.
They descended to the living room. After making Naina comfortable on the couch, Shanno turned to her with a mischievous glint in her eyes and said, "Now, Naina beta, let me teach you the dance we decided on. This would definitely surprise our Rajveer."
Naina blushed at the suggestion, glancing at Payel, who shared her embarrassment. Khushi, on the other hand, clapped her hands excitedly. "Yes, yes! Let's make this day unforgettable for our dear brother. Come on, bhabhi! Let's make bhaiya's jaw drop."
With flair and finesse, Shanno demonstrated the art of seductive dancing, guiding Naina through each graceful movement. Despite her initial hesitation, Naina soon found herself copying the dance steps, her embarrassment slowly turning into amusement.
As the impromptu dance lesson unfolded, the room echoed with laughter and cheerful banter. The bond between the women grew stronger with every shared moment, and Naina began to feel more at ease, surrounded by the warmth of her future extended family.
Just as the dance session reached its peak, Nandini's call interrupted the festivities. With a hint of mischief in her voice, Nandini informed them that Rajveer had returned home from the market. The excitement in the room skyrocketed as the women quickly wrapped up their impromptu dance rehearsal and headed towards Shikhawat house, ready to surprise Rajveer with the unexpected arrival of his beloved Naina.
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Rajveer and the other men returned, engaged in lively conversation. They were delighted that they managed to acquire everything on the lists and even a bit more. Rajveer, assisted by Rishav, lugged the heavy bags into the kitchen. Meanwhile, Nandini provided them with water and went upstairs to make a call to Khushi. Ams, anticipating her cue, joined the men in the living room.
Upon concluding her phone call, Nandini hurried back downstairs. The ladies swiftly organized the items the men had purchased, displaying an efficient teamwork that allowed them to complete the task in just twenty minutes. Sensing the approaching moment, Nandini, upon receiving a missed call from her chachi, informed everyone in the kitchen, "It's time."
In a casual manner, everyone migrated to the living room, integrating with the rest of the family. Ams directed her attention to Rajveer, adopting a serious expression. She inquired, "Rajveer, what are your thoughts on marriage? I mean how soon after do you want to get married after our daughter-in-law graduates?"
Rajveer nearly choked on his tea, caught off guard by the sudden turn of the conversation. "Marriage?! D-Daughter-in-law? Who are you talking about?" he asked.
"The girl you love. Your sisters told us that she also loves you. That's great. Garima, Madhumati, Shanno, and I discussed this matter and thought it would be a great idea to speak to Naina's parents. That is her name, right?" Ams said with a pleasant smile.
"Dadi ji, you know...um... what's the hurry? I mean... I'm not ready for that yet," Rajveer stammered, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route.
Ams, however, wasn't one to back down. She insisted, "Rajveer, you can't keep avoiding this conversation. It's an important decision, and we need to know your thoughts on it."
"Amma ji is correct, babuwa. If the boy and girl love each other, then we have no objection. We think we should get you guys engaged for the time being. That way, both families could start the wedding preparations while you guys go back to your duties," Madhumati added, beaming.
Rajveer, feeling the pressure, glanced at the others for support, but they were all watching him with expectant eyes. Realizing there was no easy way out, he tried to deflect the topic with a nervous laugh. "Come on, guys, can't we discuss this later? I just got back from the market."
But Ams was determined. "No more postponing, Rajveer. It's time you tell us what you think about getting married."
Rajveer felt the weight of everyone's expectations. Finally, unable to bear the pressure, he abruptly stood up. "I need some fresh air," he declared, making a quick escape from the room.
Ams exchanged a knowing look with the others, and without missing a beat, they all followed him to the front yard sitting area. Rajveer, feeling cornered, turned to face the inquisitive looks. "What's with this sudden focus on my marriage?" he mumbled, his discomfort evident.
Nandini, trying to lighten the mood, teased, "Come on, Bhaiya, it's not like we're asking you to get married tomorrow. We just want to know when. We want to enjoy our brother's wedding to the fullest."
"Oh no!" Rishav gasped quite dramatically, "I hope... you didn't change your mind... about Naina bhabhi? Are you having... second thoughts?" he asked.
"Is that it? Would you like us to look for someone else for you?" Garima inquired.
"No worries, babuwa. Tell your bua. I'll look for the best girl for you. Tell us what kind of girl would you like?" Madhumati asked.
Rajveer was caught off guard by the unexpected turn of the conversation. The family gathered around, eager to hear his response, turning the front yard into an impromptu confessional space for Rajveer's thoughts on marriage. He really wanted to run away in that moment.
Suddenly, music started playing from the entrance of the Shikhawat house, causing everyone to turn around. Rajveer frowned at the sight of someone wearing a yellow saree with a gold sleeveless blouse, her back facing them. Confusion etched his face as the girl started moving her arms to the music. As she turned sideways, swaying her hips, his eyes widened. Recognition dawned, and he blinked multiple times, wondering if he was imagining this. Shock, surprise, and a hint of wonder crossed his features as he watched her hips move gracefully to the rhythm.
His Naina looked stunning in a saree, a fact he hadn't fully appreciated until this moment. When she turned around, tucking her pallu into her waist, and began lip-syncing to the song, it was then that Rajveer finally listened to the lyrics. A sudden realization hit him, and he felt like he might have a heart attack.
[Haye Chaka Chak Chaka Chak Hai Tu
You're oh so amazing.
Haye Chaka Chak Chaka Chak Hoon Main
And I'm so amazing.] x2
Naina began dancing with playful movements, her gaze locked onto Rajveer as she pointed directly at him. Completely absorbed in watching her, Rajveer failed to notice when Shanno, Khushi, and Payel joined the rest of their family, each of them wearing excited grins on their faces. The surprise dance had successfully turned the front yard into a joyful celebration, and everyone was eagerly awaiting Rajveer's reaction.
Tapti Dopahari Si Ladki Gilhari Si
As hot as a summer afternoon, yet so sweet and adorable,
Meri Jaisi Chahiye Tere Jaise Ko
You need someone just like me.
Phoolon Wali Dali Bhi Ho Chumma Bhi Ho Gali Bhi Ho
I'm as pretty as a flower, a mix of sweet and sour,
Bolo Kaisi Chahiye Tere Jaisi Ko
tell me what you're looking for.
Palang Toot Ta Pehli Rat Sara Mohalla Karta Awaz
My scandalous ways are the talk of the town.
Huyi Chaubare Mein Barsat Kaun Wahan Tha Kiske Sath
My personal life is what creates a buzz.
Rajveer gaped in shock, blinking his eyes repeatedly as if trying to confirm that Naina was indeed performing such an openly suggestive dance just for him. The realization left him dumbfounded, unable to believe that such a bold display was happening before his eyes. He could feel the warmth spreading on his cheeks, indicating the clear evidence of his embarrassment. In all his naughtiest dreams, he had never dared to imagine something like this.
As the lyrics of the song and Naina's dance continued, Rajveer wondered if he looked as red as a tomato. He quickly dismissed the ridiculous thought, focusing on the more pressing questions at hand. How did Naina manage to come to Delhi? Why was she dressed in a saree now? He couldn't help but thank the Almighty silently for the fact that she hadn't worn a saree in the academy; otherwise, he might have found it impossible to resist proposing to her on the spot. The unexpected surprise had thrown him off guard, leaving him stunned and questioning whether he looked as flushed as he felt.
[Haye Chaka Chak Chaka Chak Hai Tu
You're oh so amazing.
Haye Chaka Chak Chaka Chak Hoon Main
And I'm so amazing.] x2
Naina seamlessly integrated Kathak moves into her playful dance, showcasing her expertise in the classical dance form. Kishori Murthy, Nandini's grandmother, watched in awe, her eyes lighting up with admiration. She recognized the grace and skill in Naina's performance, realizing that Rajveer's chosen one wasn't just adept at defending the country but also possessed a range of artistic talents.
Madhumati let out a delighted gasp, sharing a thrilled glance with the equally impressed Garima. The seamless integration of Kathak elements had pleasantly surprised them, especially considering their shared history of training in this dance form during their younger days. The revelation emphasized that Rajveer had indeed chosen someone exceptional, not only capturing their hearts but also earning their respect for his discerning choice.
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A/N::: Sooooo...
Did you like Naina's introduction to Manik? Did you chuckle as well reading that scene?
Did you like the bonding scene between the family members and Naina? And the dance lesson?
Did you guys enjoy when Rajveer's family cornered him about marriage? ?
How was Naina's entrance? Was it Mind blowing enough? ? ﾟﾘﾉ