Manik woke up around 9 in the morning, feeling a strange sense of disorientation. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the morning light filtering through the curtains. He instinctively reached out to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty.

"Am I not married already, or was it all just a dream?" he thought, his mind still groggy with sleep. Before he could let his thoughts wander too far, the soft sound of the door opening made him turn his head.

There she was—Nandini, his wife, walking towards him, radiant in a blue layered sequinned jumpsuit. The vermillion on her hairline glowed under the morning sunlight, and for a brief moment, Manik found himself mesmerized.

"Oh hi, so that means I am certainly married," he blurted out, more to himself than to her.

Nandini chuckled at his half-awake state, moving toward the dressing table. She carefully removed her chooda, placing it inside the wardrobe after confirming with Nyonika, because she had a surgery scheduled that day.

By now, Manik was fully awake, propping himself up on his elbows. "What an irony, no, Nandini?"

She turned, leaning against the dressing table, curious. "Irony? What are you talking about?"

"Arey, it's our first morning in our house after marriage. Shouldn't you be wearing a red saree, carrying a tray with tea, and waking me up gently? Then, I'm supposed to pull you onto the bed and rest my head on your lap, something like that? No?"

Nandini burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. "Manik, do you want our lives to be a daily soap? You want all that Bollywood-style romance?"

Manik smirked, stretching lazily. "No, I like the reality better."

Controlling her laughter, she said, "I have to leave for the hospital today. There's an urgent surgery scheduled."

"Oh right, you told me last night. I'll be checking on the restaurant today too. Kiara said the work is almost done," Manik said, walking toward her and pulling out a towel from the cupboard.

"Hmm, I know. And I'm so proud of you, Manik. I love the interiors already," she said, standing on her tiptoes to plant a quick peck on his nose before turning away. Before she could take another step, he caught her by the waist, gently cupping her cheeks. Their eyes met, and in the next moment, he leaned in.

Nandini clutched his shoulders, surrendering to the warmth of the kiss—a soft, lingering moment, their first real kiss after the wedding. When they pulled apart, both were slightly breathless, their smiles reflecting the unspoken emotions between them.

Manik handed her a glass of water, which she drank quickly, before he headed inside the washroom. He peeked out just as she was about to leave. "Do you want me to drop you?"

"No, Bhai sent my car in the morning. Also, breakfast is ready—I already had mine, and the others are waiting for you. Bye."

"Bye, wifey. Take care and don't skip lunch," he said, his tone laced with concern.

Nandini smiled, touched by his words. Even without saying "I love you," his care spoke volumes.

Nandini walked downstairs, greeting everyone before heading out. "Mamma, I'm leaving."

Nyonika smiled warmly. "Okay, beta. Take care. If possible, be back by six to check your reception outfit. Otherwise, tomorrow will be chaotic."

"Alright, Mamma," Nandini nodded, taking the juice bottle Nyonika handed her. She bid farewell to Cabir and Raj before stepping out.

Meanwhile, at Mom's Kitchen, the main branch where some final touches were left, Manik was inspecting the progress when Mr. Sheikh approached him. "Sir, only the kitchen area remains. We need to know if we have a budget of four to five lakhs—we're planning a marble placement."

"I'll check with Nandini and let you know," Manik replied, stepping away to call her.

She picked up after a few rings. "Hi, wifey."

Just those two words were enough to lift her spirits. "Hi, husband."

Manik instantly sensed something was off. "What happened, Nandini? Are you okay?"

"No... we lost a patient today. He was just a child, and we couldn't save him," she admitted, her voice heavy with emotion.

Manik felt a lump in his throat. Nandini was strong, but she rarely voiced such things. Today, she had. That was what marriage was—sharing burdens, even without realizing it.

"Did you operate on him?" he asked gently.

"No, but his parents trusted us with him, and we failed. It's been so long since we lost a patient like this. It's devastating, Manik."

He took a deep breath before speaking. "Nandini, listen to me. If that little guy was meant to stay, nothing could have taken him away. But maybe God loved him too much and didn't want him to face the struggles of this world. So, He took him back to give him peace. And you know what? You should feel honored—He chose your hospital to be the medium for that."

There was silence on the other end, and then, barely above a whisper, Nandini said, "I love you, Manik. Thank you. I feel much better."

"No need to thank me. Now, tell me—do you like the idea of a marble placement for the restaurant kitchen?"

Nandini was momentarily caught off guard but then grinned. "Marble? That's creative! I love it!"

"Great, then we're doing it," he said, signaling Mr. Sheikh with a thumbs-up.

"Will you be home soon?" she asked, signing some documents at her desk.

"Not before seven. Got work at the office. Did you eat?"

"Not really. I don't feel like having hospital food today. I had the juice Mamma gave me, but I'll eat at home. Don't worry. Come soon, okay?"

"Alright. Bye, wifey."

"Bye!"

As he hung up, Manik smiled to himself. This was marriage—not grand gestures, not constant "I love yous," but these little moments of care, of sharing burdens, of being each other's peace in a chaotic world.

And he wouldn't trade it for anything.