The birds chirped around the beautiful cottage as the sun touched the horizon. It was neither fully light nor completely dark—an enchanting in-between, just before dawn. At around 5 in the morning, the Malhotra cottage was already alive with excitement. The Haldi ceremony was set to begin at 8, and Nyonika and Ishita had made sure everyone was up and moving, ensuring every arrangement was in place.

The younger members of the family, though, were barely awake, groggy from their late-night conversations and celebrations. Nandini was in the washroom getting ready, while Manik sat lazily on the bed in the common room, his eyes shut, his towel and clothes clutched in his hands. He was struggling to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

Meanwhile, in the second room, Navya and Cabir were taking turns getting ready, while Mukti, Abhimanyu, Alya, and Dhruv sat in the hall, impatiently waiting for their turn to freshen up. The atmosphere was buzzing with laughter, complaints, and playful banter as everyone prepared for the joyous occasion.

A few minutes later, Nandini emerged from the washroom, looking absolutely radiant in her yellow lehenga, her dupatta delicately pinned to one side, revealing the intricate designs on her blouse. She paused, her lips curving into a mischievous smile as she spotted Manik, still sitting with his eyes shut. Deciding to tease him, she bent down to his level and suddenly shouted, "Boo!"

Manik jolted awake, startled, and fell back onto the bed, his eyes wide in confusion. Nandini burst into laughter, holding her stomach as she watched his dazed expression.

"What the heck?" Manik muttered, rubbing his face, irritation creeping into his voice.

"Still feeling sleepy, Mr. Malhotra?" Nandini teased, walking over to the mirror, pretending to focus on setting her hair.

Manik blinked and finally took a proper look at her. His irritation quickly melted away, replaced by a look of admiration. His wife was breathtaking, and the way her backless blouse fit her perfectly made his heart skip a beat. Nandini, aware of his intense gaze, blushed but pretended to be unaffected.

Unable to resist, Manik walked up behind her, wrapping his arms securely around her waist. She leaned into him instinctively, the warmth of his embrace making her momentarily forget about everything else. Their eyes met through the mirror, their smiles speaking volumes.

Their moment of bliss, however, was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

"Guys, hurry up! We need to get ready too. Please consider the rest of us!" Mukti's voice came from the other side, full of playful frustration.

Manik groaned dramatically, muttering under his breath, "Everyone here is out to ruin my romance." With a defeated sigh, he grabbed his towel and stomped into the washroom, his nose flaring in mock annoyance.

Nandini chuckled as she continued getting ready, putting on her delicate jewelry. When she stepped out of the room, she found Alya already dressed, beaming at her.

"Oh my goodness, Nandini, you look stunning!" Alya exclaimed, drawing the attention of Nyonika, who was standing nearby.

Nyonika walked over and smiled warmly. She reached out and placed a small dot of kohl behind Nandini's ear to ward off the evil eye. "You look beautiful, my dear," she said.

Nandini thanked her with a soft smile before Alya pulled her toward the garden to help with the final arrangements. By now, it was already 7 AM, and last-minute preparations were in full swing.

"Put more flowers in that vessel," Nandini instructed one of the decorators, her focus completely on ensuring everything looked perfect.

Just as she turned around, she nearly stumbled as she found herself face-to-face with Manik, who had appeared out of nowhere. Reflexively, he caught her by the waist, preventing her from falling.

"Did I just sweep you off your feet?" Manik smirked arrogantly, his signature attitude shining through.

Nandini, finally noticing his attire, felt her breath hitch for a second. He looked incredibly handsome, dressed in a cream and gold kurta that highlighted his sharp features. He truly was too good to be real. But she wasn't about to let him know that.

"Hmph. Not at all. I've seen better," she said, feigning disinterest.

Manik's eyes widened, clearly taken aback. "Excuse me?" he asked, his tone laced with disbelief.

Before she could respond, Nyonika called out, "Nandini, come here for a moment."

Nandini turned to acknowledge her before flashing Manik a quick smile. Just as she was about to walk away, Manik grabbed her wrist and pulled her back against him.

"Seen better, huh?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

Nandini initially struggled in his grip, but soon, she gave in, her heart racing.

"Let me show you what better really is," he whispered before placing a quick, soft kiss on her cheek.

Nandini froze, her eyes widening in surprise. By the time she could react, Manik had already walked away, smugly ruffling his hair. She exhaled deeply, pressing her fingers to her cheek in an attempt to shake off the giddy feeling bubbling within her. Taking a moment to compose herself, she turned and went back to her responsibilities, determined not to let him see her flustered.

Soon, the Haldi ceremony began. The garden was transformed into a vibrant scene filled with bright marigolds, traditional decor, and joyful chatter. The bride and groom sat separately—Cabir in the garden and Navya by the poolside. Nandini stayed with Navya, while Manik accompanied Cabir.

Despite being on different sides of the cottage, Nandini and Manik kept stealing glances at each other. Every time she looked up, she found him staring at her. And every time he caught her looking, his smirk deepened. The mischief in his eyes made it clear—he was up to something.

The ceremony continued with laughter, blessings, and gentle application of turmeric on the couple's skin. Unlike many Haldi rituals that turned into messy affairs, this one remained elegant and heartfelt. By the time it ended, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, sandalwood, and love.

And through it all, Nandini couldn't shake off the feeling that Manik's teasing was far from over.