Oh yeah! I am early this time!

This chapter is kind of a turning point and I am very nervous about this one!

Enjoy Reading

____

Manik: No.

Manik cleared, his tone firm and face rigid as he refused to stare at any of them. He had decided he wouldn't budge this time.

His mother had her puppy eyes on, along with his sister and Navya. Cabir and Raj looked ridiculous while faking sadness. Manik mentally rolled his at how pathetically dramatic they looked.

Manik: You all are not allowed in my room in the middle of night.

Cabir: But it is Bhabhi's birthday. We have to wish her.

Manik: So? Wish her in the morning. You will have the whole day.

Mukti: but it is no fun. We want to wish her at night.

Manik: No means no. I won't let you all do this.

Niyonika: We will see that, Manik.

Manik: If any of you dared to come to my room in the middle of the night and spoil my wish- I swear from next year, I will take my wife on a one week trip with me. And then I will see how you get to wish her!

It took a moment for everyone to realize what Manik went while Manik only smirked in victory. Last year, he had planned so much and at the last moment, they all burst into his room holding cake and balloons while singing Happy Birthday To You.

They didn't even let him wish her properly but this year, things were different. His wife was pregnant and he was not going to let them ruin their moment. He was not going to sit at the side and stare at them sing Happy Birthday To You to his wife.

Raj: Fine. Let me throw a party tomorrow then.

Manik shook his head in no without another thought.

Manik: No, We are not partying this year dad. Nandini is pregnant, it will be tiring for her.

Niyonika: Yeah, Manik is right. But we can do a mini celebration right?

Navya: Yes, and let's invite Abhi bhai, Arya Bhai, Rhea, Sia and Uncle-Aunty. We can bake a cake at home and celebrate.

Mukti: That's a wonderful idea. I will invite Zubin also!

Mukti exclaimed but bite her tongue seeing the teasing looks her family adored except for Manik.

Niyonika: Sure, Mukti. You can call Zubin, Afterall he is our to be son in law, we should also bond with him, no Raj?

Raj nodded, smiling as Mukti blushed and ran to her room but not before kissing her mother's cheek and shouting an I love you guys.

Cabir: So it is final, tomorrow night-

Manik: No, tomorrow evening.

Cabir: But-

Manik: I have plans.

Manik confessed, and Cabir nodded grumpily.

Cabir: Fine, Tomorrow evening at six, we will celebrate Bhabhi's birthday!

Manik: And remember, no excessive oily food and no spoiling her with icecream or chocolates.

They all smiled at him which he knew was a fake one. He returned the one with equal fake enthusiasm. Another five minutes of discussion, and Manik left for his room with a sigh and a glass of warm milk.

When he reached her room, he half expected Nandini to be sleeping but to his surprise, the light was off and she was on the bed watching something on the laptop. The sound was so low that Manik could understand nothing.

As he neared the bed, he cleared his throat, a futile attempt to gather her attention but frowned when Nandini didn't even glance at him.

Manik: Nandini-

And even before he could complete it, Nandini flinched - almost throwing the laptop on the bed and sat straight with wide eyes and horrified face.

Manik: What are you watching?

He asked, confused and concerned by her reaction. Handing her the glass of milk, he sat on the bed taking hold of her laptop.

Nandini: I-It was nothing, Manik.

She tried to take the laptop but a glare from him, and she was sitting back and shipping her milk like a child.

Manik: Aisa kya- What the! Nandini!

Manik stared at the screen where Fifty Shades of Grey was playing and that too a very intimate scene. It took him a moment to come to the terms that his wife, who was always shy while watching this movie was actually watching it alone this time.

Manik turned to her with a teasing smile and almost laughed seeing her taking large gulps of the milk in order to avoid the embarrassment, although the redness on her cheeks made it obvious.

Manik: Dhyan se.

She finished the milk and he took the glass from her.

Manik: Good Girl.

Nandini smiled nervously, eyeing her laptop and finding ways to rescue it. She moved her arm to take it, when Manik settled back properly taking it.

Manik: Vaise, you should have told me you are in mood, we could have watched it together.

Nandini: Manik! Don't tease me no!

Manik laughed out loud making her pout in defeat but still she slapped his shoulder for making fun of her.

Nandini: Why do you make fun of me!

Manik: I am not making fun of you, baby. Come, Let's watch together.

Nandini nodded and sat beside him, keeping her head on his shoulder and entwining her hand with his. As Manik played it again, he continued to whisper something or the other thing in her ear making her blush or smile.

Manik: By the way, I was thinking about Mukti.

Nandini looked at him confused for he suddenly picked up the topic. She paused the movie and looked at him concerned.

Nandini: What about her?

Manik: Just that, in a few months Mukti and Zubin will get engaged, don't you think it is too early?

He expressed his worry. He was very happy for his little sister but she was so young, what if things went wrong? While Nandini sighed, squeezing his hand in her hold.

Nandini: I know it is a little bit early, but Manik- they both are adults and they took this decision on their own.

Manik: Yes but Mukti is still a child. Is she even ready for it?

Nandini: I don't know.

Manik: Were you ready when you married me?

Nandini frowned, actually thinking about it. Was she ready? The right answer would be no but then she did know it had to happen one day. She was being prepared for it from months.

Nandini: It is different, Manik. I didn't know you but Mukti knows Zubin. We have met him, and we know he is a nice guy.

Manik: He is, Right.

Nandini: So don't worry. Everything will be fine, Manik and it is not like they are getting engaged tomorrow. There's still time.

Manik nodded, still a little unsure but smiled at her. Nandini thought for a second, she frowned and Manik chuckled internally. There's still time. She had told him the same last month when he mentioned her birthday.

Manik watched as she checked her phone and grinned before covering it. She turned to him, excitement clear in her eyes.

Nandini: Manik! What is tomorrow?

Manik: What?

Nandini: Don't you think you are forgetting something?

Manik: Am I? No. I dont remember.

Nandini: Manik! Try to remember no. It is important.

Manik: Kya baba?

Nandini pouted, sitting back with an adorable frown on her face while Manik could hardly control the smile making its way on his lips.

Manik: Come, Let's sleep. It is late.

Nandini looked at the clock, ten minutes to twelve. Did he really forget? She almost wanted to smack him on his head and remind him.

Nandini: You really don't remember?

Manik: What? Nandini, Are you okay? Why are you acting so weird?

Nandini: I am fine. Leave it.

Nandini stared at him for a moment, trying to make sure he was not pretending but then she could pin point nothing. She sighed and nodded.

Nandini: It is late, Let's sleep.

She laid down facing the other side. Manik chuckled and checked the time before leaving the bed. Nandini didn't realize he was not there until she felt him sitting beside her. She opened her eyes and at the same moment, Manik bend down near her ear.

Manik: Happy Birthday Love.

He kissed her head before moving back with a smile, and Nandini felt him slipping something in her finger at the same time. She sat down on the bed and looked at her finger which now adored a beautiful diamond ring.

Nandini: Thankyou, Manik. You remembered?

Manik: You thought I won't?

Nandini shook her head, and leaned in to kiss him on the lips. Manik gently held her and kissed her back. As they broke away, he slide the lose hair strands behind her ear.

Manik: Sorry, I was only troubling you. But wait, I didn't even talk to our baby today! Shh, Let me bond with our baby now.

Nandini: What?

Manik: Yeah, And let's hear our baby wish you.

Manik sat back comfortabley on his side and pressed his ear on her stomach. Nandini ruffled his hair as she watched him bobbed his head a couple of times and muttering something inaudible, as if actually conversing with the baby.
Around a moment later, he looked up at her with a grin.

Manik: Baby says, Happy Birthday Mumma.

Nandini: Tell baby, Thankyou. But what else the baby says?

Manik: Let me talk.

Nandini rolled her eyes as Manik went back to his previous position. He repeated the process and this time Nandini took her phone, capturing the beautiful moment. When Manik realized this, he laughed with pink ears.

Manik: Why do you film me always?

Nandini: Because you are adorable and these are our precious moments. I don't want to forget them.

Manik fell silent, coming back up to her and hummed.

Manik: You know what, In that case, I should keep filming you every second.

Nandini laughed but he looked serious and actually giving it a thought.

Nandini: Why would you?

Manik: Because you are precious for me.

Nandini: Manik, You talk like I am going to fade away.

Manik frowned, shaking his head.

Manik: Don't say that.

Nandini: Why?

Manik: Just Don't. What if you actually fade away one day?

Nandini: Manik, you do know it is technically impossible.

Manik: You don't get it, Nandini. Everything is so good. Look at how happy we are right now. Doesn't all this feels like a dream, like so unreal? Sometimes, I just feel something might happen that will ruin our happiness.

Nandini: Nothing like that will happen, Manik. You are just overthinking. Come, Let's sleep.

Manik nodded laying down properly and smiled as she kissed his head in assurance. As she laid down too, he entwined their hands and kept it on her stomach, kissed her head and closed his eyes welcoming sleep.

The next morning, even after Manik's constant warnings, the whole family was at their door at six itself. It was Manik who opened the door and he was not even going to let them in if not his extra sweet wife.

So now, all Manik could do was sit on the bed silently and watch his wife being stolen away from him. And not only this, they all didn't even acknowledge his presence. So, he ignored them too and walked to the washroom.

By the time he came back, Nandini was not even in the room. Annoyed, Manik got ready and came out only to find his father and brother on the dining table having their breakfast. His father looked grumpy and Manik frowned as he neared them.

Manik: Where's everyone else?

Cabir: Mom's room.

Manik: What happened to dad?

Cabir: Mom threw him out.

Manik's eyes went wide. Cabir shrugged while Manik looked at his father who was now glaring at Cabir. Manik let out a sigh, and patted his father's shoulder in sympathy.

Manik: It is okay dad. It happens.

Raj: Never happened with you, so you don't know how it feels to being thrown out of your own room.

Manik smirked. Nandini was too sweet to do that. And then he knew all the ways to keep her happy.

Cabir: But I know how it feels. I can feel you.

Manik: Yeah, You will know for sure no, Navya throws you out thrice a week!

Raj: Thrice?

Cabir pouted dramatically nodding his head.

Raj: Damn! How are you my son?

Cabir: Dad! It is just, Navya doesn't know my value.

At the same time, Manik saw Navya coming from behind with Mukti. He smirked, looking at his younger brother who was too much into the moment.

Manik: Right, poor you, Cabir.

Cabir: Yes, poor me. Look at Bhabhi only, she is so sweet.

Manik: So you mean, Navya is not sweet?

Cabir laughed, shaking his head.

Cabir: Sweet and Navya? Bhai, you choosed the wrong words in one sentence. Navya is anything but sweet!

Navya: Is that Cabir?

Cabir jumped on his seat, horrified, and spilled the juice he was drinking on the table. He turned around and jumped again seeing her standing next to his chair. She smirked, pleased by his reaction while Cabir could only gulp.

Cabir: N-Navya- I- didn't- m-ean to

Manik laughed, turning to Mukti who looked at him wide eyes.

Mukti: Why would you do that to Cabir bhai!

Manik: He deliberately crashed my room in the morning, so a revenge? Anyways, Where's your bhabhi?

Mukti: She had to freshen up so..

Manik nodded, understanding and sat there watching Navya roast Cabir. At the end, she was walking to her room followed by a pleading Cabir while Manik laughed along with his father and sister.

The remaining day passed well. It was evening when Nandini, Navya, Mukti and Cabir were all sitting in Mukti's room.

Mukti: Bhabhi, Have you decided the name for our junior Malhotra?

Nandini: We haven't, yet.

Navya: Arey but why?

Nandini: I don't know but there was nothing we could think of.

Cabir: It is okay bhabhi, let's select a name now.

Nandini nodded and Mukti ran to get the pen and paper. Within another five minutes they were all arguing about the baby's name. Mukti liked one, Navya another and Cabir another.

Nandini shook her head at them with a chuckle. She sat silently until her mobile rang showing a video call from her brother.

As she picked it up, she realised they were in the car, probably coming there to celebrate her birthday. They all wished her, screaming at the top of their voices but making sure she heard them.

As they talked, Nandini saw Cabir and Navya bickering over something. Cabir smacked her head with the notebook and ran out of the room chased by her. Mukti joined her in the video call but left when Zubin called her.

Another ten minutes passed and Aryaman cut the call informing her that they reached. Nandini looked around. She wanted to go downstairs but she had been told strictly not to climb up or down the stairs alone.

But once wouldn't harm her or her baby, right?

Manik wouldn't even know. Nandini decided she would go down alone. She was on the fourth step when she heard commotion around the door and within seconds, she saw the happy faces of her family.

Even Niyonika walked out of the kitchen to greet them.

Nandini called out for her mother in excitement, turning everyone's attention on her and they all looked at her concerned along the happiness.

Niyonika: Nandini- Bacha, Be Careful! Why are you coming alone?

Abhi: Nandu, Wait there- I will come up-

Nandini: It is okay, Maa. Bhai, I am fine- Ahh!

Abhi had taken only a step ahead when Nandini felt her feet slipping on the stair. She looked ahead at where everyone stood terrified, a yelp leaving her lips and she saw everyone looking at her in pure horror.

It all happened in seconds and even before Nandini knew, her hand had slide on the railing, unable to hold still and she was rolling down the stairs and laid on the floor shouting in extreme pain.

Maybe, the once did harm her or her baby..

To Be Continued.

Opps! I swear.. I did mean to do this from the start ):

What do you guys think will happen next? Like the baby survives or -- ?

Guess Guess!!