M A N I K

"Mom, if you like the girl then its okay with me. Why do I have to come with you all?" Manik asked his mother, who in return just narrowed eyes at her son.

"Manik, we are going to see the girl for you, not for all of us. You have to be there, work can wait." Nyonika Malhotra deadpanned, and none questions or disagrees with her. Now you don't want to be out of the house, do you?

"Yes, Manik. Work can wait. You said you will marry as per your mother's choice and she has the perfect bride for you." Raj Malhotra smiled at his wife and looked back at his son.

"And you will spend the rest of your life with her, not us." Cabir shrugs shoving another bite of omelette in his mouth. Fab4 was obviously here for breakfast as always, eating Manik's head instead of breakfast.

"Okay fine. I'll join you guys directly there, just send me the address." Manik huffed out knowing he has no way out of this.

"Arey but atleast see the girl." Nyonika exclaimed passing a picture towards him, as he stood up to leave from his seat.

"Mumma, aapne dekha na? You liked her? I'm sure I'll like her too. I trust your choice. I'll directly meet her. Bye." He replied getting up and picking up his phone and car keys.

"Bhai, drop me as well. Please." Mukti called out behind him. He waited for her, he caught his mother sneakily passing the picture to Mukti.

"Bye everyone. And guys please stop eating and join me soon, we have a international project coming up." Manik said to Fab3, who were busy stuffing their mouth like they have been starving since ages, especially Cabir.

"You go and start your monster mode, we'll be there soon." Alya replied giving him a fake smile and Manik shakes his head at her in disbelief. This girl needs to pick a side. Either she's with him or insulting him!

"Manik, here." Mukti passed the picture to him and he glanced at the envelope in his twin sister's hand and then back at the road.

Manik Malhotra, Businessman by profession and singer by passion. A total monster for the world and sweetheart for loved ones. 28 years old but the 3rd richest businessmen of India. Son of very proud parents, Mr. Raj Malhotra and Mrs. Nyonika Raj Malhotra. Twin brother of Mukti Malhotra. Believes in arrange marriages because his parents had the same, who are madly in love in this century as well, where people don't think twice before divorces and separation.

"Manik, I think I already love her. She is so cute and her cheeks are so chubby and she's so darn adorable." Mukti said sighing in ecstasy, like the mere thought of the girl makes ease roll off her whole body. Like just talking about her makes her happy. This surprised Manik. Mukti behaving like this for a girl who she has never met? That's new. Aisa kya hai usme, that charmed the Mukti Malhotra?

"You are talking about a twenty four year old or a two year old toddler?" Manik asked looking at his twinny winny confused and amazed.

"You just see her picture once, you will also say the samez" Mukti said eyeing the picture which was on the dashboard. He followed her gaze before looking back to the road. Now he wanted to see her. What was so special about the girl that Mukti seemed wrapped around her finger and these two hasn't even met yet.

Manik dropped Mukti to her workplace named Akti and then headed towards his office, The Malhotra company.

He parked his car on his spot and looked at the envelope for a few second. Mukti had him tempted now. He breathed out a loud sigh, tucking his lower lip between his teeth he swiped his gaze around the parking lot. Checking if anyone was looking. Finding no one, he reached out for the envelope and brought it closer. Taking a deep breath, he started pulling the picture out.

He looked at the picture and his lungs forgot to function. This woman? She exists? In this world? At the same time as him? Really? How? Why? She looks like he'll hurt her if he spoke to her above whispers. She wasn't just beautiful. Uh huh. This woman. She looked to good to be true. He doubted that she even exists. Maybe it's some wrong picture? Maybe she's some angel?

He never doubted his mothers choice. How could he? Nyonika Malhotra was a woman with eyes of an eagle. Her choice has always been unique. Be it choosing the wallpaper of their house, the clothes of her children or the woman for his son. The girl in front of him was a beauty. From the picture only she looked so soft and so... fresh? Manik laughed at his own thoughts. God. Now he can't wait to see if this angel true does exists or not.

But what was her name, again?

His mother was telling everything about her this morning, but he was so busy going through the files that he didn't pay attention.

He looked at the picture for a couple more minutes, before sliding the picture in his inner pocket of jacket. Smiling to himself, he came out of the car and headed towards the elevator.

The receptionist hurriedly stood up and wished him. But she was left shocked out of her mind when he smiled at her. Manik Malhotra smiled at her? She could die in peace.

Manik Malhotra never smiles in office. Just one look at the picture and he was smiling like a fool. What will happen when he meets her? What will happen if by any chance they end up marrying eachother?

•

After the important meeting he was here for ended, he was waiting for Fab4 in his cabin when his phone rang.

"Manu will you be able to reach there on time?" His mother asked from other side.

"Yes Maa don't worry. Just message me the address." He replied, smile again adoring his face with mere thought of seeing her in real.

"Okay and Fab4's already here. Don't wait for them. Be on time. We are leaving." Nyonika said from the other side and without waiting for his reply cut the call.

His phone pinged with the notification, he unlocked the phone to see the address. As the place was away from his office, he headed inside the washroom, cleaned his face. Satisfied with his appearance, he headed out towards the elevator.

Once in car, he put the location on maps and started to drive towards his destination or his destiny?