Ah. I am guilty but this update was ready a week back itself. I just couldn't take out time to add English translations and publish it so here it is now!

I hope you enjoy reading it!

Inline comments are appreciated and the writer is dead due to happiness of receiving so much love on the first chapter.

Enjoy Reading!

___

The next morning, Manik was in their room working on his laptop when the door opened and Nandini walked inside. From the corner of his eye he noticed her looking down, biting her lower lip and then smiling wide.

And it was enough for him to know something was going in her mind. Chuckling, he asked aloud.

Manik: What are you doing?

Nandini: Mai? Mai kuch bhi toh nahi.

("Me? Nothing!")

She chuckled nervously, the wide smile from her fading away seeing his suspicious eyes. Okay, he was way too smart.

Nandini: Manik! You make me so nervous!

Manik: And after two years and one month of our marriage, you are telling me I make you nervous?

Nandini: Haa toh, you do make me nervous.

Manik: Fine. I am not sorry for that. Come here.

He kept the laptop on the side as she walked to him with slow steps. As soon as she was near to him, he pulled her on his lap.

Manik: before you drop some bomb on my head, Can I use a pickup line on you?

He asked. Nandini's eyes went wide hearing him before excitement took over her and she bobbed her head excitedly making Manik chuckle.

Manik: Are you tired?

Nandini: What? No?

Manik: Let me ask you again, are you sure you aren't tired?

Nandini: No, why?

Manik: Because you have been running through my mind all day!.

Nandini: Manik!

Nandini blushed, hiding herself in his arms as he laughed out loud throwing his head back. No one, no one apart from his wife could blush this way at his pick up lines.

Manik: Okay, Now tell me what is going on in your head. What are you hiding from me from yesterday?

Nandini smiled, realising he did all this to put her at ease while Manik didn't let it show on his face.

Nandini: Manik, Maine aapko btaya tha na, Mukti ko aapse baat karni hai.

("Manik, I told you na, Mukti wants to talk to you.")

Manik: haa, kis baare mei?

(Yes, about what?")

Nandini: Voh aap jab baat karoge, you will know.

("That you will know when you will talk to her.")

Manik: Okay. Ask her to talk to me.

Nandini nodded and to his utter surprise, she sprang up on her feet, ran to the door and opened it wide to reveal a nervous Mukti standing there. Was she there all the time?

Manik: What is going on?

Manik didn't know when his voice turned stern. Nandini shook her head in disbelief but passed Mukti a comforting smile. Manik noticed the interaction between both the woman infront of him with suspicious eyes and firm look.

Manik: Mukti? Nandini?

He turned to Nandini who blinked his eyes at him assurance. Even though it was enough to calm him down, he still looked at her with questioning eyes.

Manik: Mukti, is everything alright?

Mukti: B-Bhai voh-

Manik: What's the matter?

Mukti: B-Bhai- I can't do this!

She whined, turning to go back but before she could even take a step ahead, Nandini came infront of her.

Nandini: What did I tell you Mukti? Manik is your brother. He is not going to get angry at you. Just tell him.

Manik raised his eyebrow, finding it all completely ridiculous. He shook his head at Nandini, indicating her to let Mukti go. If Mukti didn't want to tell him, he wouldn't force her.

Nandini glared at him asking him to shut up and he glared back at her.

Nandini: Mukti, com'on tell him.

Manik: Mukti, what is it?

Mukti: Bhai, there's a guy- Zubin. I like him and he likes me too. We both want to marry and I want you to talk to Mom dad.

Mukti completed in one sentence. Manik took a moment to process her words and when he did, he looked at her wide eyed. He eyed Nandini to confirm what he heard and understood was right and she nodded her head with a chuckle.

Manik: Zubin? your classmate?

Mukti: Yes bhai, and trust me bhai. He is a good person. You will love him too when you will meet him.

Mukti was so scared of Manik's reaction. She stepped ahead and held his hand in death grip. Her brother hating the guy she liked was the last thing she wanted while Manik looked at her surprised and shocked.

He looked at Nandini again who looked at him worried. Probably, scared of his reaction but as he smiled, he saw relief washing all over her face.

Mukti: Bhai, you aren't angry at me, right?

Manik: ofcourse no, Mukti. I will talk to Maa and Dad but before that, I will meet him once.

Mukti hugged him in happiness and Manik himself couldn't keep the smile away from his face. His sister shared such an important thing about her life and he felt special. She meant a lot to him, and even though he never admitted, he felt hurt each time Mukti choosed to trust Cabir over him.

While Mukti, she herself couldn't believe Manik didn't get angry. He didnt shout at her, he didn't ask her to break up with Zubin and he didn't yell at her like she had expected him to.

Mukti went to her room after sharing some more things about Zubin. She even showed him his picture and even though Manik remained silent, she knew her brother wasn't angry.

As she walked out, Manik turned to Nandini and took her in a hug.

Manik: Thankyou-

Nandini: Manik!

Manik: No, let me say it. I know it is you who made Mukti understand.

Nandini: Aisa kuch nahi hai, okay?

("There's nothing like that, okay?")

Manik: Ofcourse, I believe you.

He kissed her head before breaking away making her pout. With a smile, he sat down on the couch and took his laptop while Nandini stood there observing him.

Was it her who was extra chirpy or it was him only who still looked as disturbed as he was yesterday?

Nandini couldn't decide that. However she took a step ahead and kept her hand on his shoulder. When Manik shifted under her touch but didn't look up, she was sure it was definitely him.

Nandini: Aap abhi bhi pareshaan hai?

("Are you still tired?")

Manik: Ye-No, just some work stress.

Nandini: Jhoot bola nahi jaata toh try bhi kyun karte ho?

("When you can't lie, why do you even try?")

Nandini hummed. She raised her hand to his hair and ruffled them slightly. He loved that, she knew it from the way he closed his eyes for a second in peace.

Manik: Jhoot bol nahi jaata aur sach bolkar tumhe pareshaan nahi karna chahta.

("I can't lie but I don't want to disturb you by telling you.")

Manik let out a small sigh. It was not like he didn't want to share. Infact, he desperately wanted to tell her about everything that was disturbing him for almost a week now but at the same time, he didn't want to burden her with his problems. She was already tired due to her changing shifts in the hospital and troubling her with his stupid emotions didn't feel right at all.

Nandini: Aur aapko lagta hai aapko aise pareshaan dekhkar mujhe acha lag raha hai?

("And you think seeing you disturbed like this, I feel good?")

Manik: Nandini. Okay, you win. It is about business.

Nandini frowned. She got down from his lap and stood beside him, checking his temperature from his forehead and neck while he sat there looking at her dumbly.

Manik: What are you doing?

Nandini: I am checking your temperature. From when did you start worrying about business so much, Manik?

Wasn't it him who always said business problems shouldn't effect our personal life?

Manik just shook his head and pulled her down beside him. Nandini looked at him more than worried this time. Something wasn't right and the more she looked at him, the more she realised how worn out he actually looked. Had he been the same from past one week? How come she didn't notice.

Before she could go into the self blaming zone, Manik tugged at her hand pulling her out of her thoughts. He glared at her and she silently looked down.

Nandini: Sorry.

Manik: For what?

Nandini: I should have looked after you, Manik.

Manik sighed as he cupped her cheek and made her look at himself.

Manik: You looked after me, okay. You asked me constantly about it, it was only me who didn't know how to share.

Nandini: But-

Nandini tried to argue but his one glare was enough to shut her up. He shook his head in disbelief before speaking up.

Manik: Dad. He wants to take retirement.

Nandini: And?

Manik: And he wants me to take over the company completely.

Nandini: Cabir and Mukti? Did you talk to them?

Manik nodded.

Manik: Dad asked Mukti and she denied saying she had no interest in business. We both talked to Cabir and even he said he didn't want to. So, Dad wants me to do it.

Nandini: But you were always ready for this, right?

Manik fell silent which worried Nandini more. She gently squeezed his palm which was in his hold and he looked up at her.

Nandini: Kya baat hai?

("What is the matter?")

Manik: I-It is about our baby.

As Manik said it, Nandini's eyes went wide in surprise. Baby? From where did the baby came in picture, she had absolutely no idea. The look on Manik's face told her how serious the matter was but he just didn't know how to explain it to her.

Nandini: baby? Baby kahan se aya?

("Baby? From where did baby come?")

Manik: Baby abhi nahi hai, par kal, parso, ek mahine baad, yah ek saal baad- hoga na? Then what Nandini?

("Baby isn't here today, but tomorrow, a day after tomorrow, a month later or maybe a year later, we will have, right? Then what, Nandini?")

Nandini: Manik, what are you saying? Mujhe kuch samjh nahi aa raha.

("Manik, what are you saying? I can't understand anything!")

Manik: Nandini, see today, if I take up the whole burden of our company on my shoulders, the work load will increase four folds and I won't be able to give you and our much needed time. Our baby, he or she will grow up with hardly seeing their father.

Manik looked at her helpless while she, she just didn't know what to tell him. This was something she didn't even dare to ponder over. Yes, they were planning their family but she never thought about this while Manik, he was thinking about the same thing over a week now.

Although he knew how to manage his time. There was hardly any times when Nandini had to complain. Either she understood him, or threw a tantrum whenever she wished him to pamper her. But Nandini was his wife. She was mature, she understood but their baby, will that little heart understand the same thing? Probably he won't, because Manik remember, he never did too.

Nandini: A-Aap- why would you think this, Manik?

Manik: Because I have gone through this, Nandini. There were days when me, Cabir and Mukti- we used to wait for dad till late night to return from office. He would get angry at us saying we had school and we should have slept. You know, once dad had to go out of station for some business meeting. It was long seven days trip and he called Maa saying he has to leave early morning so she should pack his bags. That day, we three tried to be up till night but dad was so late that we eventually ended up sleeping.

Manik stopped in between, a lump forming in his throat as he remembered what happened that time.

Nandini: and then?

Manik: And we couldn't even wake up early morning. He left out of station for a week. For one whole week we didn't see him, Nandini. He couldn't video call at day time and we couldn't stay up for at night. We literally craved to have his one glimpse.

And when everyone said Manik was more close to his mother, they didn't lie. And it wasn't because his mother never scolded him. It was only because from right his childhood, from the sports day to the annual function in his school, it was all Niyonika for him.

Manik: You asked me once right, why I am still so scared of dad. Why I still flinch at his loud voice, that is because I never got to know him properly. All I remember is him yelling at me for not listening to Maa, him slapping me for that accident that happened when I was in tenth, or him teaching me business as a boss.

Nandini: and you never complained to him?

Manik: Complain about what, Nandini? Kis baat ke liye? Is baat ke liye ke he worked so hard day and night to give us this proper life? Dad is not completely wrong at his place too, Nandini. I know somewhere he regrets it too and that is why I am not ready for this responsibility. I don't want to regret in future too. I want to give best of best to our child, not only luxury but also love. I don't want our child to grow detached from me. I don't want our child to flinch at my loud voice. I want our child to share about their problems, their happiness with me.

Manik stopped in between, his heart was feeling so heavy. He needed guidance. He just didn't know what to do.

Was he capable? Ofcourse he was. He knew. Nandini knew too and he was aware of it too.

But at the same time, was he ready?

He frowned when Nandini smiled at him. She cupped the side of his cheek with her small palm and he immediately grabbed it to place a soft kiss on her knuckles.

Manik: I am so stupid, right? All this, it doesn't even make sense.

Nandini: It does. It does, Manik. Aur aap jante hai aap kitne ache hai?

(It does. It does, Manik and do you how good you are?")

Manik looked at her as if she had grown two horns on either side of her head. Nandini almost laughed at his expression. He looked so innocent with the way he was staring at her.

Unable to hold herself back, she raised herself a little up and took his lips in a slow yet passionate kiss. Confused, Manik still sneaked his arm around her waist and kissed her back with equal enthusiasm.

He took the lead half way, and she let him kiss her until they went breathless. She kissed his cheek then and he stared at her silently.

Nandini: This- It makes sense but you know, Manik. This is life and you cannot escape from this. Everyone, every parents, every man goes through this. I have had my father apologizing to me in childhood for not giving us enough time and you know he wouldn't say it face to face. He used to come in my room at night when I would be pretending to sleep and tell me all this, tuck me in bed, kiss my head and then go to sleep.

Manik: Didn't you feel bad? He never expressed.

Nandini: I did, Manik. I honestly did at times but then as I grew up, I understood him. Often, children think parents do not have time for them, but it is not the truth, Manik. No matter how busy they are, they do try to. Tell me if Dad has never apologized to you, if he had never tried to make mends, if he never tried. He did, right?

Manik nodded, feeling guilty for what all he said and Nandini just smiled at him.

Nandini: I understand your point of view, Manik but you need to understand it too. You can not be there for our child always. No matter how many responsibilities you give up on, you can't. This is life and this is the truth. We can't change that.

Manik: Then, what if our baby grew detached from us?

Nandini chuckled at him much to his annoyance. He glared at her as she burst out laughing.

Nandini: Manik, You are worrying for the child whose existence isn't even confirmed yet. Let the time come, Manik. We will give our best, and we will make sure he or she won't and you know what, I can already say you are going to be an amazing parent, and a best father to our child.

Manik: And about taking over the business, you think I am ready for it? What if I ruined it? Dad has given so much to this company, it is his years of hardwork, Nandini.

Nandini: You won't, Manik. If dad is giving you such a big responsibility then it only means you are capable of it. Tell me if dad has ever forced you to do something against your wish or capabilities?

Manik shook his head at her question and she smiled.

Nandini: See, that's what I am saying. Just talk to dad once, explain him your point of view and take it slow.

Manik: And if tomorrow I won't be able to give you and our baby time, then? Tum chodke nahi chali jayogi mujhe?

Though Manik was extremely serious when he said the last line, Nandini couldn't help but burst out laughing yet again.

Her husband was mad. Definitely mad.

Did he really think she would leave him if he didn't give her his time?

Nandini: So when I am not able to give you time because of my hospital duties, you leave me?

Manik: But it is different na. Even if you don't give me time, you are still there. You make me breakfast, take out my clothes, you know about my files more than I know, you even threaten poor Aman to make sure I am eating properly in office.

He made a bad face remembering how once Nandini almost fired Aman when he lied to her about Manik having his lunch. Manik had a hard time explaining her it was him who asked Aman to lie so she won't worry. While Nandini giggled remembering the same incident making him shake his head in disbelief.

Nandini: Vaise, I am jealous.

Manik: Jealous? For what?

Nandini: Matlab Abhi toh baby aya bhi nahi aur aap itta pyaar kar rahe ho use, ayega toh kitta karoge?

(Means, the baby isn't even here yet and you love him so much, when he or she will actually come, how much will you love him or her?)

She complained, jealously dripping from her words and as Manik processed her words, he looked at her in disbelief.

Manik: Stupid! Why would you even think that? Nandini, no matter how many children we have in future, you are going to be my first priority. And you know why?

She nodded her head in no as he chuckled.

Manik: Because without you, nothing matters. The baby, is going to be ours. You will be the one giving me that happiness and if anything, I will only love you more if possible.

Nandini: aur agar nahi kiya toh?

("And what if you won't?")

Manik: Toh- Toh mai murga banne ke liye bhi tyaar hun.

He teased and she whined slapping his chest which only made him laugh out loud in return.

Amidst their small moment and laughter, they failed to notice a teary eyed Niyonika and a guilt ridden yet a proud Raj standing behind the half closed door.

He might have disappointed their son at times in past, but his son never disappointed him and today he was extremely proud of him.

To Be Continued.

And, we are done with the second chapter.

Isn't Manik a sweetheart? I mean, I love writing whatever he thinks even if it makes no sense at all 😂

And a word for Raj?

Now, coming to the whole thing, do share your views on this topic since I would really love to know what you guys think about it.

See you guys in the next chapter. Till then, bye. Take care and Have a nice sleep. :)