Night had fallen, and the next day was the day.
Nandini and Manik sat in the lawn—she, gazing at the stars, lost in their endless shimmer; he, attending an urgent business call with Kiara, who needed his input on a deal. Manik was seconds away from declining it since it wasn't particularly significant, but at Nandini's gentle insistence, he decided to go ahead.
"Alright, send me the presentation as soon as possible," he instructed, not waiting for Kiara's response before ending the call. His attention shifted instantly back to his person, the one who understood him better than anyone ever could.
She was lost in thought, her face illuminated by the celestial glow. Standing beside her, hands in his pockets, he heard her speak softly.
"We've come so far, haven't we, Manik?"
She turned to him, a tender smile playing on her lips.
Returning her smile, he settled down next to her, crossing his legs as he alternated between watching her and the sky above.
"We have," he agreed. "And we have an even longer journey ahead."
"Hmmm, I know," she mused, her gaze flickering between the stars and him. "But we'll be together all the while, right? Just like this, always?"
Still looking at the stars, Manik wordlessly slipped his hand into hers, intertwining their fingers in silent reassurance. Their 'always' wasn't just spoken—it was felt, woven into their very essence.
A soft smile tugged at Nandini's lips as she turned her attention back to the sky. "I've always liked the stars, but the way I love them now surprises me. I could sit here for hours, days even, just watching them. I think you're rubbing off on me."
Manik turned to her, only to find her already looking at him. Their eyes spoke a language no words could ever articulate.
"Really?" He tilted his head, feigning concern. "Then I hate that I love stars, Nandini. Because if I love them, that means you love them even more, which means you'd rather spend days staring at them instead of me. That's just cruel."
Nandini gaped at him before catching the teasing glint in his eyes. Playing along, she crossed her arms. "Oh, is that so, Mr. Malhotra? By that logic, I should hate that I love fireflies, considering you've practically turned your room into a sanctuary for them?"
"Correction," he said smoothly, "I've kept them for you."
Nandini arched a brow, unimpressed. "Sure, sure. Totally believable."
Grinning, Manik abandoned his defense and pulled her into a side hug, resting his head against her shoulder. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him in return.
"Nandini, you know the stars shine a little brighter every night."
She looked down at him, amused. "And what revolutionary instrument have you invented to measure their brightness, Mr. Scientist?"
Manik shot her an exasperated look. "I was kidding."
She smirked. "No, no, I know how you measure them—with feelings, right? Go on then, tell me how they shine brighter every night."
He chuckled, shaking his head before answering. "They witness love, care, loyalty, laughter, and everything beautiful between people. They soak in that warmth and reflect it back, shining a little more each night."
Nandini stilled, her heart swelling at his words. How could this be the same Manik Malhotra who the world saw as ruthless, unyielding? How could someone so fierce, so strong, also be this—a man who saw beauty in everything, even in the way stars chose to shine?
She said nothing, only looking at him, overwhelmed. When she didn't respond, he quirked an eyebrow at her. Finally, she nodded, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
"Just like the stars shine a little more every night, I love you a little more every day," she murmured. "I love you, Manik."
His eyes glistened as he smiled, the depth of her love rendering him speechless. He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, no words necessary.
They would've stayed like that forever if not for the sudden chime of Nandini's phone. A message lit up her screen, and she read it aloud.
Hi Bhabhi, can you please send Bhai over? We need to celebrate his last night as a bachelor.
-The best one, Cabir.
Manik groaned. "Why would they celebrate the fact that I'm still a bachelor?"
Nandini frowned. "Because that's exactly what a bachelor party is, Manik." She sighed dramatically. "Go, have fun. Tomorrow, you'll be a married man. You won't get to enjoy this kind of freedom again."
He scoffed. "Excuse me? Celebrations happen when someone's happy. I'm not happy being a bachelor, Nandini. I want to be a married man. Your husband. Why don't we celebrate something actually meaningful—like a husbandorette tomorrow?"
She blinked. Once. Twice. Then, she burst into laughter.
"A husbandorette?!" she wheezed, clutching her stomach.
Manik scowled. "I'm serious, to-be Mrs. Malhotra. What's so funny?"
She shook her head, still giggling. "You never fail to surprise me."
"I try," he muttered, pretending to sulk.
Still chuckling, she reached out, pulling his cheeks. "You're adorable, Manik."
He groaned. "Oh no. Not this 'cute' nonsense again. You've tortured me enough today."
"Fine, fine," she relented, holding her hands up in surrender. "Now, get up before Cabir storms in here."
"I'm not going anywhere," he declared stubbornly.
Rolling her eyes, she got to her feet and grabbed his hands, attempting to pull him up. Manik only laughed, effortlessly staying in place.
"Really? Really? Look at yourself, baby, and then look at me. You actually think you can drag me?"
Hands on her hips, she glared at him, and for a split second, Manik actually felt a little scared.
"Alright, alright! Easy, crazy woman," he chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender. "I'm going."
Finally satisfied, Nandini watched as he left for Cabir's room, but not before stealing one last glance at her—his solace, his home.
And just like that, in the span of an hour, they had gone from romantic to philosophical, teasing to serious, playful to affectionate—only to end up exactly where they belonged.
Together.
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