Nandini was happy. It did seem as if she found that missing chunk of happiness in her life. The unexpected alliance of her and Manik gave her the most unexpected happinesses of life.

Family. Love And Care.

That hug in her closet 2 weeks ago, had definitely melted some of the lines they had in between. She wasn't that shy around her husband now, though Manik still hadn't crossed any lines of decency giving her and both of them some much needed time.

Her and Mukti's result came out, that week and her best friend had indeed scored the good grades where she could easily access admission to some of the best MBA colleges in America.

While she had aced her exams with a distinction plus scholarship.

Pallavi and Manik have been very happy for both of them. The whole day had gone by with phonecalls and messages congratulating both of them and in the evening, Aryaman Sharon-Cabir and Navya had come over to congratulate. The living room was ringing with laughter, jokes and the air was hung with the whiff of delicious snacks and non alcoholic drinks.

Aryaman and Sharon had just returned from their honeymoon with Sharon telling them animatedly about IT making way for occasional hoots to come up.

Nandini had just kept the plate of delicious looking French Fries on the table when Manik held her hand only to pull her along with him. She was surprised, and so was everyone but deciding to give husband wife, some privacy they got back to their talking.

"Baat Kya Hai?" Nandini asked him, as he pulled her along to their bedroom.

"Baat koi bhi ho, tum aankhein bandh karo." Manik replied smiling, holding her both hands after closing the door.

"Manik? Itna suspense? Sab ke beech mein se khichte hue laa rahein hain." Nandini spoke up, cutely.

"Yaar, tum aankhein toh bandh karo!" Manik requested, cutely.

"Theek Hai." Nandini chuckled at his cuteness and closed her eyes.

"Aur jab tak main nahi kehta, aankhein nahi kholni all right?" He spoke, lovingly and then went up to the drawer to take out a beautiful elongated velvet casket.

"Ab kholun?" Nandini asked getting impatient.

"Um Hmm! Sabr Karo." Manik chided her gently to which she made a face.

Walking up to her back, he gently shifted her hair getting aware of the deep stringed back of her Anarkali and the enchanting scent of her orange perfume.

Nandini could feel his fingers on the back of her neck and only she knew how she was holding onto every cell of control in her body. That night at the closet, she had almost surrendered herself to him. Ready to melt into him like ice does on a flame, passion does on desires.

"Ab kholo aankhein." He replied huskily, once done.

She opened her eyes and those chocolate seas were met with a warm surprise and happiness to find a gorgeous pendant on her neck. It was definitely solitaire and so so beautiful crafted in the shape of a dew drop. The dim lights of their bedroom, merged with the clear stone to give out a beautiful rainbow aura.

"Bohot Khoobsurat Hai." She could only form these words as her fingers went ahead to touch it.

"Tumse Kam." He had replied, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I couldn't think of any better gift for you, and when I saw this I was instantly reminded of how you look like when I'm back after a tiring day of work. Like a Dew Drop." Manik added huskily, dropping a kiss on her shoulder.

"Thank you Manik." She had thanked him, happily with little tears in her eyes.

"Tum Meri Biwi ho, and I'm so proud of you!" He replied lovingly, tracing his fingers on her cheek.

Nandini was touched. No one had been so proud or happy on any of her achievements before. It was decided that very moment, this pendant would be in her neck till her last breath.

That Night, Manik took her and Mukti for an ice cream treat to celebrate their good results, and Mukti had gushed about the beauty of the pendant Manik had gifted her. Though she herself was gifted a week long shopping in Paris from the biggest brands with Manik bearing all the expenses.

Anything for his Baby Girl.

"Berry Blast, Almond Chocolate and Chocochip Brownie. All 3 scoops!" Manik placed the orders as the boy noted it. This was again surprising for Nandini, that he knows her favorite ice cream flavor which he understood and winked at her making her smile.

"So what's that food, you can eat for the rest of your life?" Manik asked them as their orders came up, and they tucked in without any delay.

"Pizza. Definitely!" Mukti spoke up, eating a bite from hers.

"I can't do without burgers and fries! Or even Fried Chicken! " Manik replied, scratching his nose a bit.

"Bhai, you can't seem to do without anything!" Mukti laughed making the two of the others laugh too but Manik's eyes were quick to notice the mint leaf Nandini had hold of from her ice cream after taking a bite or so.

He noticed how she tossed it away, before returning to her ice cream.

"Nandini? What's yours?" He asked her.

"Biryani." She replied, sweetly looking up at them.

Manik smiled at her, she was really an innocent soul.

------

Another Week Later..

"Manik? Help me out a bit, what should I wear for the gathering?" Nandini walked out of her closet holding up two dresses and standing in front of her husband.

They had to attend a community gathering this evening which was quite common in New York or say America. Them being newly married, this was a good opportunity for them to mix up and it was expected of them to attend it.

"Should I wear this maxi dress? It looks very pretty with the off shoulders or the black dress? It's perfect for the formal ocassion." Nandini asked again, holding it out to her husband but Manik seemed too engrossed in the important mail from Marie Claire as they had a shoot scheduled next week and merely nodded in monotones.

She shook her head and came to sit in front of him.

"Aap meri baat nahi sunn rahein naa?" She asked.

"I'm listening, Mrs. Malhotra ." He spoke up in defense.

"No you aren't! Close This!" Nandini replied and closed the flap of his MacBook cutely.

Manik chuckled at her cuteness and shifted closer to her.

"Yes Mam!" He spoke up cutely, resting his chin on his palm.

"Tell me what to wear. I'm clueless." Nandini spoke up, showing him the dresses.

"Darling, you'll look gorgeous in just anything that you wear. Jis tarah ke abhi, you're looking like an adorable tooti frooti ice cream." He replied, laughing at his own joke in reference to the colorful anarkali she was wearing right now.

"I didn't find that funny! Manik I.. I just want to look good that's it." Nandini replied, cutely grumpy.

His beautiful thick eyebrows furrowed for he knew where this was coming from. Two nights ago, they had attended the 50th anniversary party of one of the leading fashion designers, and he couldn't literally take his eyes off his wife in a gorgeous sea green Zuhair Muraad backless gown with subtle makeup and hair done up but apparently one of the jealous models, Elle had commented on her under the pretence of being friendly. Manik knew she held a grudge against him for he had humiliated her when she had asked him to include her in one of the promotional adshoots for Revlon, New York in return for some physical favors.

Manik had given her a firm piece of mind, the next day on a call but he knew Nandini's soft heart had taken it too deeply.

"Why all of a sudden have you started comparing yourself to those models?" Manik held her hand.

"I'm not comparing, it's just that I want to look your wife." Nandini replied, looking away.

"You're an idiot! You don't need to be like them, you don't need hours of makeup, hairstyling, big brands to look pretty because you're beautiful.

You have a beautiful heart, an innocent soul. You're beautiful inside out, woman.

You know why I've been single till now? I was allergic to all these botox faces, bodies packed with makeup and brands. Glamour and The Shutters of Publicity. Infact the whole of showbiz! I wanted a woman who would be away from all of this, away from the layers this industry comes with and I found that in YOU." Manik spoke up softly.

Nandini looked at him, listening to his every word.

"You're beautiful for me. Trust me when I say that or if you don't, look into my eyes you'll know it. That's all that should matter. " His grip tightened on her hands.

"Now, you're making me nervous." She smiled, as a slight blush creeped up her cheeks.

Manik smiled and pulled her closer.

"Aur ab?" He asked her huskily, with that naughty smile.

"You know before I met you, I never thought any of the girls in New York have ever learnt to be shy. Let alone hearing the word Blush, but I love how you're quite an exception." Manik added, making her blush a bit more.

"Nandini? Ek baat hamesha yaad rakhna, Tum mere liye bohot ehem ho, bohot khaas. Our alliance may have been an unexpected one, but the more I'm getting to know you the more I want to spend an eternity with you. Never ever compare yourself or belittle yourself from anyone, just remember that you're precious for me. And you know what? I love that black dress. You should try that." Manik spoke up lovingly as she looked into his walnut eyes to search the truth and found he was true to every word, that came out from him.

Nandini smiled, nodding softly.

When she had walked out somewhat 20 minutes later, Manik was surely left speechless. She looked.. well, he surely needed to stock up his dictionary for he was running out of phrases for her beauty.

(Nandini's attire)

The black dress reached up a little above to her knees, giving him a breathtaking view of her satiny legs. The sleeves were of lace and even the dress had parts of lace enhancing it's beauty or to be precise, his wife's beauty for it embraced those soft curves beautifully.

Her hair cascaded to it's full length but wasn't styled just brushed till those ebony tresses glowed like silk.

No makeup on her milky skin just a dash of clear mascara and peach lipcolor.

No accessories either, just the pendant he gave her, her ring of course and a pair of delicate metallic earrings. Also she didn't wear simple heels today rather the black ankle length boots which looked chic with her dress.

And making it worse, had to be her bergamot scent which was dangerously playing with his sanity as it's playfully seductive notes.

"You look beautiful tonight, you know that Mrs. Malhotra ?" Manik spoke up, as he came closer to her.

"That's all what matters." Nandini spoke up, smiling softly looking into his deep eyes.

The community center was filled up with people already when Manik, Nandini and Mukti walked in. It was just as Nandini had thought it to be, slow soft music with an open bar and delicious food. Polished people with hushed talkings and soft laughs holding onto a glass of champagne, wine or scotch.

An abundance of silks, linens and posh perfumes. It wasn't surprising for her, the locality in which they lived was posh. She can even spot the senator and his gorgeous wife at a distance. Politics ruled the conversations, though women gossiped too along with topics of fashion and lifestyle.

The community head and his wife, Mr and Mrs Anderson came up and welcomed them warmly. Manik introduced Nandini and she met them politely as Mrs. Anderson congratulated her for the wedding.

As per the norm, the ladies were taken away by Mrs. Anderson while her husband ushered away Manik.

Nandini was feeling the nerves ever since she stepped here. It wasn't that she had bad social skills but she was rather awkward in social gatherings taking into account that she had never attended one before.

Mukti was by her side and she knew her best friend won't leave her but she needed the warmth that Manik's hand was providing her as he held it gently.

She looked back at him as their hands were released and Manik just wanted to hide her in his arms that moment. That innocence, that plea and that softness in those big doe eyes when he left her side crumbled something in his insides. He didn't want to leave her, knowing she was very new to all of this.

---------

Let me know which was the best part of update?

I hope you all enjoyed!

Andddd
Tataaaa, i'll see you soon🤗