Manik passed fully dressed from the staircase rolling up the sleeves of his pine green,kurta, work of hand made embroidery flowers on it, paired up with matching plain trousers, which was making him look handsome and at the same time hot. 

He heard the jingling sound, he Raised his head, Nandini was descending down from stairs, picking up her dark pink lehenga paired up with pink heavy embroidered shirt, and peacock coloured net dupata to go with it, which she wrapped like a saree. 

No heavy jewellery just a simple gold chain, and gold small earrings, she had left her gorgeous hair open in middle partition , just the some of her front hair lifted up a little from both sides, and pinned behind, with some strains falling on her face. 

She was looking decent yet beautiful, And her henna claded hands were enhancing more to it, Her eyes went to him, and missed a step, seeing him, she shut her eyes tightly thinking she’s is going to fall, 

“Careful” Manik whispered holding her in place, wrapping his arm around her back, and other encircled around her waist, she got stiffed as she felt touch on her 

She open her eyes, gasped seeing him standing very close to her,her heart skipped a beat, she felt the flip in her stomach, as his cologne hit her nostrils. 

His heart was pounding, he moved back slowly, before he might lost his senses, in her fragrance which felt like rose petals to him And Nandini came down carefully 

“When you know you can’t walk in heels why to wear them” Manik ranted throwing his arm in air 

“Because i love it that’s why” She replied him showing her teeth 

“Just removed it, what if you fall again, we can’t take the risk” He ordered her getting worried 

“But I’ll look short without them,” she complained making a sad face eying her 6 inch heels Manik sighed rolling his eyeballs

“Nandini you are fine just the way you are, so just go and wear something flat and comfortable” Manik order her again sternly she nodded he head, with gloomy face, 

“By the way how I’m looking? ” she asked him twirling around showing him her dress he stared at her gorgeous was on the tip of his tongue but he smirked.

“Erm.. you look nice” He replied with shaking his head lightly Nandini frowned at his comment

“Just nice that’s it?” She asked him dumbfounded 

“Yeah i like you more, when you roam in your casual salwar suit, without any tint of makeup,” He confessed without realising, Nandini turned scarlet hearing him, then her lips curved in a smile, thinking nowadays guys just noticed girls with nice makeup, and beauty, and her appearance, 

But after listening to him, she’s realised how he think different from other, this was best compliment for her, her heart flutters remembering his words 

“So you like her” Eshal exclaimed who was watching them, as she came out from guest room where the makeup artist were dolling her up! 

Hearing her they both widened their eyes in surprise, She walked towards them and stand in-front of Manik, raising her brows at him, making his uncomfortable 

“Erm..I was just giving her compliment,” he fumbled with his words rubbing his nape, Eshal nod her head teasingly 

“Eshal just come with me for sec” Nandini said dragging Eshal in her room, seeing Manik getting uncomfortable. He looked at her she assured him with her eyes. 

“Eye talking so romantic” Eshal commented with tases as they reached inside Nandini removed her heels rolling her eyes at her words 

“Stop playing with him, he got so uncomfortable Eshal” Nandini complained wearing pink embroidered khusa to ho with her dress 

Eshal sighed and noticed her wearing different footwear she frowned!

“Why are you changing it, they are marching with your dress, you fought with me for these heels” Eshal exclaimed getting confused 

eying at her beautiful pump heels matching with her heels 

“Manik doesn’t want me to wear it” Nandini replied her casually standing up making her frown

“And you are listening to him why? If you like the heels you should wear it” Eshal asked her then told her 

“He’s sayings this for my own good, that’s why I listened him, as I realised I have to run here and there, so these are comfortable” Nandini explained her Eshal nodded her head in understanding 

~ 

Nandini and Eshal Walked out and Nandini made her sit on the sofa beside saad, Who was gazing her, making her shy, She elbowed him in his stomach he scowled! 

“Guys behave yourself, you can continue your romance afterwards, Everyone is watching you guys” Nandini warned them, And walked to meet her colleagues, And relatives, She greeted Everyone politely, All ladies were staring at her, 

Nandini was walking holding the plate of desert in her hands she bumped into a guy the the desert was about to fall on him he hold the  plate on time, with her hands

“Wallah, I’m so sorry” Nandini apologised placing the plate on the table beside her, and forwarded him tissues 

“Hey it’s alright,” He replied wiping his hand and smiled at her Nandini just gave him a Awkward smile 

“By the way, I’m Ashar” He introduced himself forwarding his hand, Nandini looked at him before then took his hand for a handshake and removed it quickly

~

“You daughter is very beautiful, Mashallah, Have you fixed her relation with someone?”Neha asked wife of Rayan’s Best Friend

“Umm, Not yet, but we are thinking about it, it’s not easy to give our heart to some else” Ayesha replied awkwardly, Seeing the way she’s staring at Nandini, She might have an idea why she’s asking 

“She look so good with my son, just look at them, Even he’s is a doctor too” She commented look at them, Ayesha’s eyes went to them she was smiling, talking to Ashar, 

They do look good together she thought being honest, Ashar was a good looking guy, he has a good personality too, 

“I really like Nandini, I’m asking for her hand for my son, if you don’t have any problem obviously, We wanted to talk to you and Rayan about this, but didn’t got time” Neha Said and stared at her for approval 

“Listen Neha it’s not just about me, it’s about my daughter and I can’t take any decision on her behalf, we’ll think about it and let you know” Ayesha replied being completely honest with her, 

“Yeah sure take you time” Neha said giving her a comfortable smile, then Ayesha excused herself 

Manik was drinking a coke when he noticed Nandini talking to a guy, and the smile was not leaving from her face, he frowned looking at them, getting anxious, Not feeling good looking at them

“whom she’s talking to” He whispered sipping his coke in go, and placed the glass on counter with a thud, Fariyal got scared who was beside him

“You scared me what’s wrong?” Fariyal asked him placing her hand on her heart He shook his head in no Kabir was passing by holding some, stuff in his hands Manik held him by his arm and pulled him 

“Whose this guy?” Manik asked him ignore his glare as he pulled him too harshly Kabir’s eyes went to Ashar and Nandini 

“Why are you feeling jealous bro” He asked plastering smirk on his face, Earning a glare from him as his friends were standing there too and they gave him a questioned look 

“Why would i be jealous, I was just looking out for her, what if he’s a bad guy” Manik answered clearly his throat, thinking of an excuse, Kabir raised his brows not believing him 

“He’s son of chachu’s best friend, he’s a good guy,” Kabir gave him his information, Manik just scratch his temple, as he saw them holding hands 

“I’m going to call her, you wanna come?” Kabir asked him seeing his face Manik nodded in yes, then they both walked to them 

“Hey how you doing” Kabir said taking Asher in a hug, which he reciprocated, then he introduced Manik to him, both gave a formal smile to Each-other

“Let’s go pupho is calling they are going to exchange the rings” Kabir told them both nodded Nandini gave a smile to Ashar before leaving 

He held her wrist she turned and got surprised, Veins popped out in manik’s hand seeing that, While Kabir fumed and about to step ahead when he left her hand 

“Sorry, Here” Ashar said leaving her wrist as he saw how Nandini got uncomfortable, He forward his number to her, She frowned at him, and glance at manik, He glared at Ashar, and moved a step toward him

“I don’t need this thanks” she replied awkward yet quickly, placing her hand on Manik’s arm and eyed him not to do anything

“Don’t do it next time” Manik said eying him sternly at his actions 

“What you mean?” Ashar asked stepping forward manik chuckled as leaned forward 

“Don’t share your number with any girl, when two protective cousins of her standing near her” Manik told him calmly his jaw clenched as he placed his hand on Asher’s shoulder 

“What if I don’t then ” Asher replied raising his brows , fuming at his behaviour 

“Then next time this hand will be on your face not on your shoulder” Manik warned him patting his shoulder smirking at him

He held Nandini’s hand softly and walked she followed by him, While Kabir sighed and looked at Asher 

“Asher I didn’t know you would that type of a person” Kabir said getting disappointed 

“Kabir you know me, I’m not that type of a person, but your brother just forced me do it, why did even react like that, nor that I was forcing her, I was just trying to be friends with her, I just offered her my number in case she wanted to talk, when I saw she is uncomfortable i step back” Asher explained him, Kabir nodded yes understanding his point 

“He’s just too protective for Nandini, he thought you are not a good guy, I’m Sorry from his side” Kabir said with a apologetic smile and left giving him a nod 

“Are you okay?” Manik asked her as soon the walked out from his sight

“Manik I’m fine, you overreacted, he’s my colleague he recently transferred here” Nandini explained him, Manik just looked at her and he didn’t like how she took his side.

“Do you like him” He asked her she winded her eyes in surprise hearing him, and he realised what he blurted he bite his Lower lips looking here and there 

“If you wanna date him, go for it he’s a nice guy, I know him personally” Kabir said to her teasingly coming in between she glared at him 

“Then why don’t you date him, I’m not interested in him understood” Nandini replied him forcing a smile at him and then stare at Manik then left as her mother called her

“Hope you got your answer, just told her already that you like her” Kabir told him tapping his back, manik looked at him being dumbfounded

“It’s all on your face bro, have you seen your self when you stare at her, you eyes scream that you like her” Kabir blurted out manik just looked at everywhere ignoring his gaze, Kabir sighed in annoyance as why he’s not telling her 

He was about to ask him, but Manik left from there ignoring him totally, he followed him rolling his eyes.

Manik was scared what if he lose his friendship with her, he was in his own shell misunderstanding that, Nandini just like him as friend, as she agreed to help haram, it was big hint for him!