I am probably the only one who turned an Os to a Ts or Fs. Lol!!

masoomdracula
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Could life get any better? I don't think so. A loving family, a stable job, an apartment bought by nothing but hardwork, the best boyfriend one could get with equally supportive in laws.

Manik stayed over at my place and we cuddled to sleep. Just cuddled with pecks and kisses here and there. Physical intimacy was not something we were concerned about but the emotional connect that formed between us in the matter of some hours, was inexplicable.

The alarm blared in our ears and I immediately opened my eyes comfortable with my daily regime. But looks like my love is not an early bird at all. I agree it's just eight in the morning and we have no work to do but being in a routine is always better.

He hid his face in my hair as I leaned over him to put off the alarm. He held me strongly and all I could to was admire this muscular baby.

"Manik get up. Move your butt and let me slide. You sleep for some more time and I'll prepare tea and breakfast for us." I said ruffling his already messy hair.

"What happened Nandini? Subah subah you're talking about my butt and all?" He said with a naughty smile still not letting me go.

"Oh please. Now leave me." I struggled against his strong grip. He laughed and let me go as his legs spread wide on my queen-sized bed.

I got up and tied my hair in a messy bun and went to freshen up. Coming out, I saw him fast asleep, snuggling in the quilt. I sighed and got to work.

The very first thing I did was to boil water for our morning tea. Then I prepared some bread toasts and scrambled eggs. While the breads were in the toaster and the tea was in the making, I went in the room to wake Manik up.

"Manik utho. We have a lot to do. Get up." I pleaded but he paid no need to it. After a lot of tries when he didn't give in, I opened all the curtains wide.

Waste!

He didn't get up! Instead he hid his face in the pillow.

Then one by one I took away his side pillow, the head pillow and then after a bit of a struggle I managed to pull the quilt too.

Waste!!

Kumbhkaran ki aulaad. He is not getting up only! Having no choice left, I let my final weapon in the arsenal come in action.

I switched off the fan.

A few minutes later Manik started to toss and turn on the bed. The room was a heat chamber by now. And finally Manik left the bed. He looked at me and I passed him a glare. He stood up and engulfed me in a bear hug.

"You are so cute Nandu." Manik complimented and I blushed hiding my face in his chest.

"You are so tall!" I exclaimed.

"Is that bad?" He questioned in a doubtful tone.

"No! I feel safe in your arms."

"You'll always be safe with me around." He said and we stayed like that for a moment taking in each others' presence.

I pulled back and said, "Go and freshen up. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Okay." He kissed the top of my head and went in the washroom while I hurried towards the kitchen.

I took out an extra mug for Manik and poured his tea. I arranged the yummy breakfast in plates and kept them on the table.

I went in the room to check on Manik.

"Manik. You done?" I shouted so that he could hear me.

"Almost. Acha Nandini should I use your toothbrush?" He asked me back.

"What? No! Of course not. Open the shutter and you'll find a new one there. Use that." I instructed him.

"Thanks. Got it."

He came out wearing the same clothes and I made a mental note of talking to him about it.

We sat at the table together and started eating along with drinking the tea.

"Manik I need some groceries." I remarked.

"What do you mean by 'I' Nandini? It's 'We' now. We need groceries." He said keeping his palm on my hand.

"Are you by any chance proposing that we should move in together?" I said narrowing my eyes at him.

"I mean if you're comfortable. Then only." He said rubbing his nape.

"Manik." I said lovingly, ''The thing is I would love to but before that I want my parents to know about you and our relationship."

"Sure. You should call them right? Call them right now. I can't wait to be with you." He jumped in joy. Such a Baby!

"Wait a second. Why should I do all the talking? You know what? I'll video call them and we'll break the news together."

He thought for a minute and then replied, "Okay. How tough could it be?"

I giggled at him and brought my iPad. It was nine in the morning so I was pretty much sure they would be up by now.

''You sure na?" Manik asked.

"A hundred percent." I replied, "Let them also witness their daughter's great taste in men." I said with my head held high.

"Taste? But you didn't taste me yet Nandu." He replied sheepishly and it took me a second to realise the double meaning comment he passed. But when I did, I totally grossed out.

''Yuck Manik. Shut up." He broke into fists of laughter while I adored him and his stupid sense of humor.

We sat on the couch and placed the iPad on the centre table and I FaceTimed my family. Manik was extremely nervous. I imagined him chanting the Hanuman Chalisa in his head. Hehe.

"They will like me na?" Manik asked, extremely insecured.

"They will love you just the way I do!”

*****

Did I hear that right?

"What? Come again. I didn't get it." I asked not able to believe my ears.

Did she actually just indirectly confess her love to me?

"I-" Before she could say anything, the call got connected and I could see a woman in her mid-fifties along with a boy of around eighteen years.

I assumed them to be Nandini's mother and brother respectively. Nandini's father was still not in the picture.

I immediately held Nandini's hand which was on her thigh and her mother seemed to notice that. She was a pleasant looking lady with minimal strands of grey hair.

"Hello Amma. Hi Rishu. Call Appa too na Amma." Nandini said with a confident smile.

Her mother nodded and sent Rishu to call her father.

I was getting nervous with her stare whereas Nandini was too casual about it. Soon her father arrived and he passed me a smile.

That's a relief. At least somebody's on my side.

"Hello Appa. So let me just come to the point. Amma, Appa and Rishu, meet Manik. And Manik meet Amma, Appa and Rishu, my baby brother." She broke the ice and I waved a Hi at them.

"Hello Manik beta. Nandu you want to say something?" Her Appa asked.

"Yeah. So the thing is, me and Manik, we met yesterday, spent some time, got to know each other and now we are in a relationship."

Damn. That was too straightforward!

"Say something Manik." She nudged me and not knowing what to say, I started blabbering, "Yes. Yes. Please Nandini ke Amma Appa. Please don't reject me. I love her a lot. I will always keep her happy and we will marry also but please don't take her away from me. Pleas-"

Nandini pinched me and I stopped. She glared at me and turned back to the iPad. Her parents were looking extremely delighted while Rishu was rolling on the floor laughing. Literally!

"That was something. Oh god." Nandini's mother said, laughing,"Manik beta don't worry. We liked you at first sight. In fact we thought that Nandu would die single. But seems like we will be fortunate enough to see our grandchildren's face."

"Mom! Please don't embarrass me. At least not now!" Nandini complained with a pout. I would have kissed her but seeing her parents online, I controlled my urge to do so.

I was extremely ecstatic on knowing that I passed in the exam. I could be with Nandu now. Balle balle. Shawa shawa.

"So Manik. You smoke?"

"No Sir." I replied.

"Drink?" He asked me and I tensed up a bit. I looked at Nandini and she pressed my hand telling me to go ahead and say the truth.

"Yes Sir." I answered truthfully.

"You'll have to change that habit." He instructed.

"Okay Sir."

"No. Not okay." Nandini interjected, "Appa, I don't want him to change in any way. I am fine with the way he is."

I was blown away. I never in my wildest dreams had thought that she would stand for me against her parents.

"But Kanna. Understand us also." He tried to make her understand but Nandini stood her ground.

"Yes Appa I understand. But the thing is, here, in Mumbai everything is different. And it's not like I have never been drunk."

Lie!

"Okay. As you want."

"Thanks Appa. I love you."

"We love you too." Aunty replied.

"Uh Jiju?" Rishu called and my ears turned pink. Haye I am blushing. I love this Jiju thing.

"Yes Champ?"

"Keep my Di happy or else I'll kill you." He gave me a life threat.

"Rishab! Don't talk to him like that." Nandini warned Rishu.

"Kya Di? Boyfriend kya aa gya aap apne Bhai ko bhul gaye." Rishab said and looked at his parents, seeking their support.

"You-" Nandini was going to say something but I decided to put an end to this futile argument.

"Fine fine. That's alright Nandini. Calm down. It's okay." I said and took her in a side hug.

After calming her I looked at the screen and replied, "Don't worry Champ. I'll take care of her. Good care! You can count on me."

"See Di? Was it that tough? You know what? I like him more than you." Rishab said while winking at me.

Nandini pouted and I laughed pulling her closer to me.

"You both look good together actually. Stay blessed." Aunty blessed us both.

"You can call us Uncle and Aunty okay Manik?" Uncle said.

"Thank you Uncle." I replied with a genuine smile.

"Okay then. I think we should cut the call." Aunty said.

"No! Err.. Actually umm.. I live in the apartment just opposite to Nandini's with my parents. We were thinking of moving in together in Nandini's flat. With your permission, of course." I somehow managed to ask them and Nandini looked at me with an impressed face.

They looked at each other for a moment before turning back to us.

Okay. Moment of truth. Fingers Crossed.

"Alright we don't have any problem." Uncle said with a small smile.

"Thank you. Thank you so so much. You guys are the best." I squealed in joy.

"Don't do it without protection." Aunty said and cut the call.

My jaw dropped. No. I think I misinterpreted.

"Did she just-"

"Yeah she did." Nandini replied laughing looking at my flushed face.

"But I thought they were a bit orthodox."

"You can see for yourself how orthodox they are." She said moving away from me, going towards the bedroom.

"Ab toh permission bhi mil gyi tumhare Amma Appa se. So should we talk to my parents now?" I asked as I entered the bedroom and saw her arranging the pillows on the bed.

"Yeah sure. Anyways you need more clothes. Let me change then we'll go. Alright?" She answered.

"Yeah alright. So should I go out or stay here? You know I don't have any problem with-" I teased her and her cheeks turned red.

"Get out!" She exclaimed and I left the room laughing at her shy self.

*****

"So you guys want to be in a live-in relationship?" Aunty said with a grim face.

"Yes Aunty." I said on behalf of both of us.

"So you want to take my son away from me?" Oh no no no. This is not what I had expected. Wasn't she the cool Mom?

"No no Aunty. Not at all. Fine we won't move in together. I was just-" I was convinving her when Manik butted in, "Uffo Mom. Just cut the drama. Don't tease her. Only I can do so!" I looked at him wide-eyed.

So basically Aunty was just teasing me and Manik is not concerned about how scared I felt but because only he has the right to tease me?

Wow. Just wow.

"Did you see her face? Hahaha it was so funny. Oh my god. I am the best prankster. Haina Sri?" Aunty guffawed and Uncle gave her a thumbs up.

"Okay then I am packing my things. Wanna help Nandu?" Manik stood up and I immediately agreed.

We went in his room, a bed in the shape of a car, a single sofa in the shape of a car, a centre table and that also was like a tyre. Well it was pretty much cars cars and cars.

"Looks like it's a thirteen year old kid's room. Hein Manik?" I pointed out looking around the room.

"It's not my fault that I like cars!" Manik said opening his wardrobe. He took one of the Skybags from the top of the wardrobe and started filling it with his nesseccary clothes, mostly the casuals. Then he went in the washroom and came out holding a trimmer.

At last he took his laptop and he was all set to move out of his home and then move in my apartment which was like 10 feet from his doorstep.

We came out of his room and took blessings of Nyo Aunty and Sri Uncle.

"Manu don't be stupid and impulsive." Aunty adviced Manik.

"Yes Mom."

"Chalo ho gya rona dhona Ma Bete ka? He is not going anywhere far. Just the adjacent flat." Uncle teased Aunty and Manik.

"Okay then bye Mom Dad."

"Bye Uncle Aunty."

"Bye bye." Uncle Aunty said and closed their door as soon as me and Manik stepped in my flat.

I closed the door and Manik dumped his body on the couch. It was nearly 12 o'clock, which meant lunch time.

"Are you hungry?" I asked him and he nodded his head.

"What do you want?"

"You. Right now I just want you." I smiled at his response and sat on his lap with my hands around his neck. He held me by my waist and I sighed in contentment.

"Don't you feel like you are forgetting something?" He asked looking at me.

"No. Why?"

"You don't remember confessing your love to me?" Manik asked.

"No. When did I do so?"

"Let me tell you your exact words which are engraved in my heart. 'They'll love you just the way I do.' Remember?" He said pecking on my head.

"Well, but it was indirect. And what you said was direct." I countered him.

"What? When?" He replied, confused.

"When you were blabbering things in front of my parents and I had to pinch you from spilling anymore beans." I replied and smirked at him.

He looked embarrassed but still gathered the courage to say, "But that was indirect too. I mean I didn't say it to you but to them. So basically you are the one who confessed first. Admit it."

Damn this guy is a tough nut.

"Alright alright I admit. Happy?"

"No."

"What do you want now Prince Manik?" I said with a sarcastic smile.

"I want you to propose me. Like go down on your knees." He presented me with his out of the box wish and I looked at him dumbfounded.

"What?" I asked in disbelief.

"Come on. Let's break the stereotype that only guys go down on their knees first." He answered with a sparkle in his eyes.

"You do realise that if I go on my knees in front of you then I'll probably will have to tilt my head up like 90° or something."

"That's the worst excuse you could've thought of Nandu." He said and got off the couch with me still hanging on his neck like a monkey. I let go off him and got down on my knees.

"So Manik, here it goes." I said.

"When I first saw you, honestly I was clean bowled! You were looking so damn handsome in the boxers, but then I thought it's just physical attraction. When you came over yesterday, we talked. Talked about anything and everything and that's when I felt a connection with you. I somehow knew that we will click. No matter what. Things with you seem so beautiful, in fact everything's so perfect, like a fairytale. Sometimes I feel afraid. Afraid because nothing in this world is perfect. I don't know what future holds for us but I hope we are together to face whatever life throws at us.

So Manik Malhotra, will you be my flatmate? I know I should've said boyfriend but then you're already-" I was saying when Manik too bend on his knees and took my lips for a soft kiss in which I happily gave in.

"Yes. I'll be your flatmate Nandini Murthy." He said in between the kiss.

We broke the kiss after a good few minutes.

"You are the best girlfriend ever Nandu." He said giving me a thirty two teeth smile.

I giggled and replied, "Tell me something I don't know." In Simmba style.

"I love you so much." Manik said taking me in for a hug.

"I love you too."

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Published On- 27 April 2020