Everyone drove off to Mahabaleshwar in their respective cars, excitement bubbling in the air as the journey began. Radhika had happily taken a seat in Manik's car, sitting between him and Nandini.

Nandini sat beside Manik, her gaze fixed outside the window, watching the trees blur past, occasionally answering Radhika's endless questions but barely acknowledging Manik.

"Chachi, is Mahabaleshwar beautiful?" Radhika asked, playing with her doll, her innocent curiosity breaking the silence.

"Yes, baby," Nandini replied, a small smile gracing her lips, but her voice held a distant tone.

Other than these occasional words, she hadn't really spoken much, nor had she even looked at Manik properly. He sighed, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

'It wasn't even that big of an argument. Why is she so annoyed?' he wondered, stealing a glance at her as she continued gazing outside.

Meanwhile, Nandini was lost in her own thoughts. 'Why am I even angry at him? It was just his usual teasing. He does this all the time. Ugh, it's just these mood swings messing with me,' she reasoned, shaking her head at herself.

The journey from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar was long—four hours and twenty-eight minutes to be precise. Two hours had already passed, and exhaustion was beginning to set in. Radhika, nestled comfortably in Nandini's lap, had dozed off, her tiny fingers still clutching her doll.

Manik, though focused on the road, kept sneaking glances at Nandini, ensuring she was comfortable. He knew that holding Radhika for too long in that position would tire her out. Making a decision, he pulled the car to a halt at the side of the road, right in the middle of the winding mountains, where the air was crisp and fresh.

Nandini turned to him, her brows furrowing. "What?" she asked as he unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out.

Manik stretched his arms, taking in the cool breeze, before making his way to her side and opening the door. "Radhika must be uncomfortable. Let's move her to the backseat," he suggested.

Nandini nodded, carefully adjusting Radhika as Manik leaned in to pick her up. For a brief moment, their faces were mere inches apart, breaths mingling, eyes locked. The world around them blurred, the chill in the air no match for the warmth in that single gaze.

Clearing his throat, Manik broke the moment and gently laid Radhika in the backseat, covering her with a soft blanket.

"Do you want to step out? The air here is amazing," Manik offered, inhaling deeply. Both of them loved long drives, and it wasn't often that they got to enjoy a moment like this.

Nandini hesitated but then stepped out. The scene before her was breathtaking—the valley stretched endlessly, kissed by the golden hues of the setting sun, and the mountains stood tall, enveloped in mist. She closed her eyes, letting the serenity wash over her, a contented sigh escaping her lips.

Manik, on the other hand, had his eyes fixed solely on her. The wind tousled her hair, strands dancing around her face, and in that moment, she looked ethereal. Unable to stop himself, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

Nandini opened her eyes, startled at first, but then relaxed into his embrace.

"You look pretty," Manik murmured, his voice dripping with sincerity.

She turned to him, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I get too annoying at times, don't I?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Yes," Manik agreed without hesitation, making her gasp in mock offense, but before she could retort, he added, "But there's no other way I'd want this to be."

A soft smile played on her lips before she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his jaw. "I was just irritated, Manik. I'm on my dates, and it's messing with my mood."

Realization dawned upon Manik, and he immediately softened. "Oh," he said simply, before placing another kiss on her forehead. "Okay. No more teasing then. For now."

Nandini chuckled, shaking her head as he led her back to the car, and they resumed their journey. No apologies were needed—just understanding, love, and a little bit of their usual banter.

By the time they reached Mahabaleshwar, exhaustion clung to them like a second skin.

"Nandini, our bags are in the second room. Go and change," Manik said, noticing the tiredness written all over her face.

"You come too. Freshen up and then do whatever you want," Nandini said, grabbing his hand and pulling him along, knowing that if she didn't, he would dive straight into the arrangements.

The Malhotras had a cozy property in Mahabaleshwar—not overly lavish, but spacious and warm. It had two bedrooms, a large hall connecting them, a staircase leading to a terrace, a lush garden, and even a pool. It was chosen with the idea of having everyone in one place, making the wedding festivities even more special.

As the night stretched on, the hall was buzzing with excitement. The mattresses were spread out on the floor, boys on one side and girls on the other.

"Okay, so girls on the right side of the hall and boys on the left!" Mukti announced, making everyone groan.

"What do you mean by that?" Manik asked, tossing a cushion at her.

"Exactly, Mukti. Who even does 'girls and boys' these days?" Cabir added, wrapping an arm around Navya, only for her to wriggle out and side with the girls.

"Come on, guys. It's just for a few days!" Alya chimed in.

Manik looked at Nandini for support, but she gave him a helpless shrug. "Fine," he surrendered, flopping onto his mattress.

As the night deepened, whispers and laughter echoed in the room.

Nandini was about to sleep when she heard faint, restless movements. Turning, she saw Manik shivering slightly under a thin blanket. His bed was near a slightly open window, making the area colder than the rest.

Without a second thought, she grabbed her blanket, tiptoed over, and draped it over him, ensuring he was warm. Before leaving, she bent down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

Manik stirred slightly, his lips curling into a small smile even in his sleep.

Nandini, feeling her heart melt at the sight, hurried back to get another blanket for herself. She didn't need words to show she cared—sometimes, love was in the little things.