"What !!"

"No way !!"

"Duh! There's obvious sexual tension between them"

Last comment was from Abhimanyu, mukti smacked on his head.

" babe it's my brother your talking about. Mental images !!." Mukti glared at him.

Abhi muttered a sorry.

"But when did all this start ?" Aliya questioned.

"Don't know yar but they are made for each other, that's for sure" Cabir answered.

"And you knew everything from the start still didn't tell us, duffer" Aliya glared at him to which he smiled sheepishly.

"They haven't even confessed to each other, then what will I say?" Cabir said.

"Really ?" druv asked.

"Yeah, all because of that stupid Soha" mukti said with a disgusting face.

"But don't worry guys just a week more, then manik will close her story with a proper epilogue" Cabir said smirking.

"I hope so" Navya said.

"But but but ...let's have our share of fun, they hid their relationship from us right, let's make them regret it " mukti said with a devilish smile.

"You sure wanna mess with Nandini " Cabir asked frowning.

"Dude suck it up, nothing's gonna happen cause they don't know that we know" Abhimanyu said with a smirk.

"I'm in " said everyone at a time except Cabir.

"I don't want to be Nandini's new prey so I'm out of this" Cabir said raising his hands in defence.

"Chicken" Aliya said twitching her lips.

-------------------------------------------------

Next day [Engagement day]

Nandini was supervising all the decorations done at the venue which was Malhotra Mansion. Manik was getting all last minute things needed for engagement ready and he had both the rings. Cabir was taking care of catering. Navya, aliya were helping mukti get ready while druv was helping Abhimanyu occasionally manik would come and check if Abhi needed something.

Raj and Bhushan were taking care of guests welcoming them and make sure they're served well. Nyonika and Latha were getting jewellery and shagun things ready. Whereas Gagan was getting Freddy ready, applying cream and powder (😂😂😂).

It was already time for engagement, all the young clan gathered at mukti's room except Druv who was with Abhimanyu in his room. As soon as Nandini saw mukti she said.

(Mukti's dress)

"Oh no mukti !! Your dress " Nandini exclaimed scaring the shit out of mukti.

"What ?" Mukti asked with wide eyes looking at her dress.

" Somebody spilled gorgeous all over it." Nandini said with a smirk.

"Idiot ! Soon you will give me a heart attack" mukti said shaking her head but smiled nevertheless.

"Come on guys, it's time" aliya exclaimed.

All girls smiled and came out the room only to meet Malhotra's.

Raj and Nyo kissed mukti's on her forehead while Manik gave her a side hug. Mukti was on cloud nine but one person was missing, her another brother who is in the hospital. Her mood soured at his thought but clearing her mind she kept a constant smile on her face and started walking towards the stage.

(Abhimanyu's attire)

Abhimanyu along with Cabir, druv and his parents came and stood by the stage first and then mukti entered. Abhimanyu held mukti's hand to make sure she doesn't fall on the steps. Smiling at his gesture mukti stood in front of him.

"So let the ceremony begins " Cabir exclaimed.

Cheering,laughing the ceremony began.

Ladies came and did the arthi (pooja) and rituals that should be carried out during engagements. Soon it was ring exchanging time.

Manik came forward with both the rings on a red pillow and gave them the rings with a wide smile on his face.

Mukti and Abhimanyu held the rings, but their eyes were locked and filled with happiness and love for each other.

"Dude, you guys have a lifetime to stare at each other. Just exchange the rings already, I'm starving over here" Cabir exclaimed loudly making others laugh and the couple blush.

Abhimanyu forwarded his hand, mukti placed her left hand on his and Abhi slowly placed the ring on her finger and kissed her knuckles receiving 'ooooo' and 'ohh-ohh' sound from others.

Blushing mukti slipped the ring on his finger and all clapped.

"Now that they are officially one, we can expect baby mukti or baby Abhimanyu soon" came Nandini's comment making everyone bust out laughing while poor couple blushed like hell.

--------------------------------------------------

Soha's pov ...

Damn it !!

It's not working !

Manik is not the same one whom I shattered years ago.

He's changed.

But how ?

I need to make a move, I need to find more about that project otherwise Harshad won't leave me.

I'm stuck.

If Harshad won't get this project, he'll make sure my dad gets bankrupt and humiliate him in the best way possible.

I can't let that happen.

I'll lose all the money.

Shit !

I know I made a mistake by choosing Harshad over Manik but what's done is done. I should get close to manik. Like really close.

Today after all this engagement shit ends, I'll try to seduce him. At least kiss him. Yeah, I have too.

I need to make sure I have him wrapped around my finger.

I got a lot of information about the project by Cabir's PA whose apparently working for Harshad as well. Now all I need to know is, whether manik's gonna make any last minute changes.

But that's not my only motto.

I want Manik back.

Once Harshad gets the project, I'll be free from his clutches and I won't make the same mistake which I did once. This time I'll choose Manik.

Though Harshad won the project last time, he couldn't fullfill their wishes properly and took all his stress out on me, treating me like shit. But manik never treated me like that when I was with him.

If I choose Manik, I'll have money, wealth and a handsome hunk like him and what else do I need. I'll make sure manik makes more money than Harshad after this project and make Harshad regret for treating me like filth. For all this to happen I need to get close to manik.

I need to.

End of pov ...
--------------------------------------------------

Once the ring ceremony got over, Abhimanyu's cousins started their performances soon they dragged everyone and the whole house filled with people dancing to the beat of the music, laughing and enjoying the ceremony.

Nandini had her plan ready, she made her way towards Cabir and dragged him out of the crowd.

"Now what Nandini " Cabir whined thinking again she had some plan against soha,where there are chances of him getting stuck.

"Stop whining like a child and listen, I need your help" Nandini said gritting her teeth.

Cabir starred at her with wide eyes without blinking.

Nandini looked at him in confusion.

"Is this real ? Nandini Murthy is asking for help without threatening me ! Oh fish, definitely it's gonna rain today " Cabir exclaimed with a horror face.

Nandini rolled her eyes.

"Will you help me or not ?" Nandini asked in irritated voice.

"Oki fine, what's your new prank to trouble soha ?" Cabir asked sighing.

"Don't you think I have any work to do rather than waste my time on that bitch " Nandini said with a frown.

"Then what help do you need " Cabir asked curiously.

Nandini explained her plan to him.

By the time she finished Cabir had a smile on his face with eyes a little wet.

"What ?" Nandini asked as she saw Cabir starring at her with an impressed look.

"You're an angel" Cabir asked with a big smile. Even Nandini smiled back at him.

"And you are my genie " Nandini said kissing on his cheek.

Cabir blushed a little.

"Oki tell me what should I do ?" Cabir said clearing the sentimental aura.

"Everything's ready cabir, you need to go to the back door and reach mukti's room and make sure no one notices, message me after your work is done then I'll bring everyone to the room" Nandini explained.

"Oki yeah bye" Cabir walked off in excitement.

Nandini shook her head smiling and made her way back to the function.

Once Cabir messaged her the work is done. Nandini gathered everyone [ Druv,Aliya,Navya ,Mukti,Abhimanyu,Raj,Nyonika,Bhushan,Latha,Gagan] and dragged everyone to mukti's room.

At the hall, few youngsters were dancing and most of the people were having lunch and talking to each other.

Raj and Nyonika questioned a lot, like why is she taking them upstairs but Nandini didn't tell them and asked them to follow her.

She did search for manik, but she didn't find him anywhere, she thought first she will take these people upstairs and then search for manik.

Once everyone reached mukti's room, Nandini silenced them and told mukti to enter the room first. Giving Nandini a weird face, mukti entered the room.

What she saw in front of her gave her a shock, rooted her to her place. Everyone entered and seeing the sight in front of made them stop on their tracks.

Gagan and Latha looked at everyone in confusion. Nandini stayed at the room door, leaning to the door.

Nyonika was the one to cover from the shock first.

"Rishu " saying this she rushed towards Rishab who sat on the wheelchair with an innocent smile on his face,wearing a red sherwani and Cabir standing beside him.

Walking towards him, she knelt and hugged Rishab close. As joyful tears came out of her eyes. Mukti rushed towards him and knelt beside Nyonika with tears in her eyes. Raj stood beside Rishab's wheelchair keeping his hand on Rishab's head.

Others had their vision filled with tears. Abhimanyu stood beside mukti making sure she is fine and was on cloud nine seeing rishab over here.

"My baby" Nyonika said lovingly, kissing Rishab all over his face.

Mukti held his hand and kissed his knuckles.

"My champ " she muttered, her tears filled eyes shone with love for her small brother.

"Di"

Rishab muttered making everyone stare at him in shock.

Rishab was improving slowly, taking it as an advantage Nandini thought him few stuffs. Simple words though, but they were enough to make others heart swell with love and pride.

Mukti covered her mouth muffling her cries as she cried uncontrollably. Nyonika and raj were in tears too looking at their baby boy curing slowly.

As she couldn't control anymore, she lunged at him taking him into a tight hug , showering his face with loads of kisses muttering 'I Love You' between each kiss.

Rishab didn't protest, as he was used to this but he was liking this. Though his mind couldn't catch much stuff but he liked when few people like the young clan and Elder  Malhotra's held him and kissed him.

Smiling innocently he accepted their love.

"Thank you soo much champ, you made my day. I was missing you soo much now I feel complete" mukti said with swirling emotions inside her. Girls sobbed listening to mukti while boys whipped single tears that escaped their eyes.

Raj kissed Rishab on his forehead and turned towards Nandini.

"Princess " he said with soo much love that Nandini's heart melted in second.

Giving him a breathtaking smile she answered.

"I asked the hospital people uncle, they allowed and their vehicle is downstairs waiting as they gave permission for only 1 hour." Nandini explained. Raj nodded but still he was scared.

"But guests downstairs?" He asked with concern filled face.

"No one knows uncle, we snuck him up without gaining anyone's attention. I know your worried, if press gets to know about Rishab, it will become a mess so don't worry I won't jeopardize his health at any cost" Nandini said with a smile.

Raj walked upto her and kissed on her forehead giving her a side hug.

"Why did you do all this?" He asked with curiosity.

She wanted to say for mukti and manik but twisted her answer a little.

"For mukti uncle, sure she was happy during the ceremony but still something was missing in her face, now look at her. Her face is glowing, she has everything she wished for and which she deserves,so " Nandini said with a smile.

"I'm so proud of you"

This line wasn't from Raj but from Bhushan who was beaming with pride looking at his daughter bringing happiness in his best friends life.

"Tell me something that I don't know dad" Nandini said playfully rolling her eyes.

All chuckled at her answer.

"Oki now can anyone tell me what's going on over here ?" Questioned Latha who had no idea except the fact that Rishab is Nyonika's son but hell confused seeing him in wheelchair.

"Come here sweetheart" Bhushan said and walked near Rishab and knelt in front him. Latha mirrored his actions.

Mukti got up but still held Rishab's hand.

"Hi Rishab , I'm Bhushan and this is my wife Latha" Bhushan introduced himself and his wife with a soft voice.

"Hi" Rishab cooed in softest voice possible making Latha swoon over his cuteness.

"Oh my god ! He's such a cutie pie" she gushed cupping his cheek.

Rishab made a strange face, as they were strangers.

"Mom, stop scaring him for Christ sake. You're looking at him as if you will have him for dessert " Nandini mocked her mother.

Latha shot her a glare and turned back admiring Rishab while others laughed.

Suddenly Nandini remembered manik, only half an hour was left and she had to make sure manik meets Rishab this time.

Nandini slowly attracted Cabir's attention and signaled him.

Understanding what her signal ment, he spoke.

"Uncle I think even manik should meet Rishab" Cabir said in a calm tone.

"But Cabir, you know right he won't even stand in front of Rishab for a second" Raj said sighing.

"Uncle I have an idea why won't we leave him alone here, in this room with Rishab for a while. He might take an initiative. I mean, how long will he stayed like this ?" Cabir said all the words that Nandini told him to say.

"Yeah dad, I think cabir's right. Bhai can't like this forever, he needs to move on." Mukti answered running her fingers through Rishab's hair softly.

"If that's what you want then, fine but Cabir stay with him atleast" raj said.

"Sure uncle" Cabir answered excitedly and showed thumbs up to Nandini making everyone look at Nandini.

Nandini face-palmed herself and glared at Cabir.

"Ha - I ..I will bring manik, and uncle I and Cabir will make sure Rishab reaches the hospital safely. Now I think all of you should go down, guests might wonder where you guys disappeared." Nandini's words made sense so everyone left the room not before kissing Rishab on his forehead.

Mukti and Nyonika hugged him for a while and left half-heartedly.

Taking the chance Nandini started searching for manik.

--------------------------------------------------

Here soha dragged manik outside to start her plan.

Manik followed her cringing his nose in disgust. He wanted to attend his sister's function and participate in every activity but this girl wasn't leaving him.

"What's the matter soha ? My sisters function is going on, I need to be there" manik said stopping on his tracks near the pool.

"Manik, you call me your girlfriend in front of everyone but you don't even love me at all" she started fake-sobbing.

Manik made a weird face like 'what's with this new drama'.

"What made you think all these " he asked in irritated tone.

"Manik I'm your girlfriend but you haven't even kissed me once" she said covering the distance between them.

Maniks eyes widened at her sentence.

"Uh-uh-I ...I " manik tried to say something but he couldn't find any excuse as soha's words caught his tongue.

"Why manik, you have no idea how much I want to kiss you" soha said in seductive tone.

Soha never cared about getting intimate with manik years ago, cause clearly all she wanted was his money but now she want him back so she thought of getting close to him through intimacy.

As manik couldn't take it anymore, he held her arms and created some distance between them.

"Look soha, now it's not the time. I need to go " manik said before retreating his hands back.

Before soha could start her whining, Nandini came near the pool.

"Manik" Nandini called with her eyebrows furrowed.

Manik breathed a sigh and looked at Nandini gratefully.

Soha rolled her eyes.

"Manik, uncle is calling you" Nandini said giving him 'what-the-hell-are-you-doing-alone-with-her' look.

"I need to go, I'll see you around soha" saying this manik dragged Nandini out of that place while soha huffed in anger.

-------------------------------------------------

"Thank you soo much,you just saved me" manik said while both were walking towards mukti's room as Nandini told him that Raj is near that room.

"You're saying as if I just saved you from getting raped" Nandini said turning towards him.

Maniks eyes widened.

'If she gets to know what happened back there,  she will kill soha for sure but along with that she will eat me raw' manik thought and shuddered.

"Uh nothing Nandini, now tell me where's dad ?"He asked as they reached mukti's room.

Nandini held his hand and entered the room.

"Nandini, wher- " he words got cut in short when he was Rishab sitting on wheelchair with Cabir kneeling in front of him and talking to him.

Cabir looked up and when he saw manik, he gave a weak smile and walked out of the room.

Manik stood there like a deer caught at the headlight.

Nandini released his hand and turned so that she could leave the room but manik held her arm before she could take a step.

Frowning Nandini turned around.

There stood The Manik Malhotra, whose eyes were filled with vulnerability , scared and a little happiness.

Manik couldn't utter a word, Nandini understood his dilemma and dragged him up to Rishab and knelt in front of him. Pulled manik down , even he was kneeling in front of Rishab.

Maniks eyes were on the floor, he couldn't dare to look into Rishab's eyes. Nandini felt very sad looking at his condition. Her heart soured looking at his vulnerability. All she wanted to do was collect him in her arms and kiss all his pain away.

Nandini went closer to rishab's ear and whispered something in his ears. Rishab was sitting with his dove eyes open and starring at manik and nandini. When Nandini whispered in his ears, he nodded slowly.

"Roc-ck st-ar " Rishab said stammering.

Maniks heartbeat increased to another level ,slowly he moved his gaze to Rishab, who was looking at him innocently brought tears on his eyes instantly.

Nandini placed manik's hand on Rishab's and moved a little giving them their space.

Manik touched Rishab's hand softly and soon held those soft hands in his hands. Tears fell from his eyes uncontrollably.

"Rishu" his voice was heart wrenching.

Rishab nodded recognizing his name.

Manik heard from the doctors that Rishab was showing progress but didn't see himself and now witnessing all this made him burst out into tears.

Nandini just looked at the siblings with her tears filled eyes.
Without wasting a second, manik pulled Rishab into a hug. A tight hug which showed how much he missed his champ all these years.
He didnt have guts to stand in front of him as he considered himself as Rishab's culprit but today it was all of a sudden. He didn't know Rishab was in the room and everything was happening soo fast that he didn't even get time to think.

Hugging Rishab close, gave him an unknown peace. The rage burning inside him felt like calming down. This is what he needed and all these years he stayed away from this peace.

"I'm sorry,I'm sorry " he managed to utter those painful words. How much he longed to apologize to rishab ?, but he didn't had it in himself to March upto Rishab and confess.

Nandini got a message from Cabir that it's time for Rishab to leave.

Sighing she stood next to manik.

"Manik, he needs to leave" Nandini said softly.

Manik shook his head in No, holding Rishab tightly in his arms. Rishab just stayed the way he was , as he didnt know how to respond.

"No, I won't leave him Nandini. It's been soo long. Not now please" manik said kissing Rishab all over his face. How much he missed his baby brother.

"Manik, we'll visit him tomorrow at the hospital na " Nandini said swaying his her fingers in maniks hair, soothing him.

"But - ..."

"Shh manik, please he needs to take his medicines and food on time" Nandini's words made manik release rishab.

Though his heart didn't wanted to let go, he had to.

Wiping his tears, he stood up.

Cabir walked in , manik kissed on Rishab's forehead. A long lingering kiss, shutting his eyes tight.

Once manik moved away, Nandini and Cabir made sure Rishab reached the hospital vehicle without anyone's notice.

--------------------------------------------------

At night 8 ...

Most of the relatives returned back to their hometowns while few still stayed.

Nandini after dropping Rishab got busy with serving others and couldn't talk to manik. Whereas manik stayed in his room the rest of the evening after his encounter with Rishab.

Everyone was worried for him especially Nandini.

Bhushan explained everything to Latha which made her cry for that poor soul. While Gagan was still clueless, he thought he would ask his di, the next day.

Though Nandini wanted to talk to manik, she gave him his space. It was a hard blow for manik, and everyone understood his dilemma.

But now it was night already and nandini couldn't stay away from manik for long so she made her way towards his room.

When she opened the door, she saw manik sitting in the balcony looking at nowhere particularly.

Sighing she went in and sat next to him. Sensing someone he turned her head towards and offered a weak smile and turned back.

"Penny for your thoughts ?" Nandini asked with a cute face, intervening her fingers with his.

Manik  turned towards her and starred at her for a while.

"I'm just thinking that when did I get this lucky" manik said wrapping an arm around nandinis shoulder, pulling her to his chest. Nandini happily gave in.

"Let me guess, your luck changed when I came into your life, I know ! I know" Nandini said bragging about herself which brought a smile on maniks face.

"You never fail to amaze me, you know that " he asked tapping her nose with his nose.

"That's a brand new news manik, I thought I would never fail to irritate you but if you put it in that way I won't mind" Nandini said winking.

Manik chuckled at this.

"You sure do irritate me a lot but every medicine has some side-effects, doesn't it ?" Manik said with a humour making Nandini pout.

Chuckling manik kissed her forehead and hugged her close.

"You're fine right ?" Nandini asked with hesitation.

"I'm fine Nandini, actually I feel whole lot better now. I kept running away  rather then staying close to him and help him recover" ..he sighed.

"I guess I was a coward " he continued.

"Hey, don't you call My Manik a coward ha" Nandini said pointing her finger at him.

Manik smiled and shook his head.

"Manik you're not a coward, you have no idea how much brave you are, it takes a lot of courage to go through all this and still emerge out as No.1 bussiness man" Nandini said stroking his chest.

"You took your time, but eventually you gave in na. You just needed a push " Nandini said kissing his cheek.

"And you being my SHINING ARMOUR , gave me that push" manik said looking at her lovingly.

"SHINING ARMOUR ha ...umm ...I like the sound of that " Nandini said giggling.

Maniks heart filled with love looking at her.

Without a warning, manik pulled her on his lap, Nandini gasped.

Sitting on his lap, with her legs on either side of his hips Nandini starred at him stroking his cheek.

"You are my SHINING ARMOUR, my most priceless possession, my obsession and most importantly My fucking LIFE " he said and sealed it with a kiss.

Both were kissing each other with soo much passion that they didn't see a pair of eyes looking at them with venom filled eyes.