Is the media pic giving jitters or the title? ;)

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"Bye Bhai.” Mukti gave her brother a hug and got out of the car with her books and bag.

It was indeed, the first day of their University or MBA classes.

Nandini smiled at him as he turned to look at her.

"Haan Jee! Pay Attention in Class, Eat your Lunch on Time, Focus on your Studies And Don't indulge in Fights with the rest of the kids. Okay?" Manik gave her instructions like a 5 year old.

"Okay!" She giggled cutely.

"And, I'll keep calling your professors to know your progress in studies." He warned her, trying to be strict.

"Yes Sir! Aur Kuch?" Nandini smiled.

"Nah." He replied, cutely.

"Toh Jaun?" She asked him, on cue.

"Nahi." Came the instant reply making Nandini shake her head.

"I'll see you in the afternoon." He replied, smiling.

Nandini kissed his cheek before getting out of the car and waved at him. Manik waved her back and drove away with blush adorning his cheek.

•••••••••

Within a week, everyone around the university campus knew that Nandini was Nandini Malhotra, wife of the ace fashion photographer Manik Malhotra. And not just any fashion photographer, the hottest,  sexiest and the most eligible bachelor. Well, he wasn't that anymore!

And all of a sudden, Nandini had these so called rival females in her class who shot her venomous looks during lunch or classes or anyplace else and gossiped about how Manik got her pregnant out of wedlock.

The limit was crossed when one of them even asked how far along was she? It was here when Mukti reported it to the authorities and those students were dealt with accordingly.

But it wasn't that she hadn't made friends. There was Sam, and Nia who were really sweet though they fangirled a lot on her husband but Nandini didn't mind it as much for it was harmless.

Mukti greeted Sam and Nia after giving her brother a hug as she moved out of the car.

"What are they doing?" Sam asked naughtily, referring to Manik and Nandini.

"I dunno? Saying Bye maybe?" Mukti replied, carelessly.

"Ah! You mean, kissing goodbye?" Nia winked at the girls making them laugh.

It had now actually became a ritual for Nandini to kiss Manik before leaving but the girls didn't knew it was rather on cheek than lips. Guess their reaction to that!!

Nandini had just walked out when Manik called after her, to give her a book that she forgot on her seat.

"Oooh! He's so hot!" Sam fanned herself, and he did look hot with that White Manchester T-shirt and Black Denims with Raybans covering those gorgeous eyes.

"And he's so sweet as well, how adorably he called Nandini to give that book." Nia sighed.

Being a sweet guy, Manik waved to Sam and Nia who frantically waved him back trying not to faint as Mukti laughed heartily at their fangirling.

Nandini waved him and kept standing as he waved her back and drove off.

----

Manik rotated the paperweight on his desk as it spun rather clumsily on his table and sat down with a small grunt.

Liza came in to tell that she was done for the day and wished him goodnight. She walked away switching off the work place lights and Manik still sat in his cabin, at his desk.

Ideally, he should've been home considering that his work was finished hours ago. He should be back home...

.. to Her..

.. His Wife!

Manik rubbed his agitated temples as his mind repeated the word over, Wife.

He could feel continuous vibrations in his cellphone knowing that Nandini would be calling or messaging him. After all, it was 1 in the night.

The words of those women in the gathering echoed in his brain. It wasn't that he had forgotten about it, after that night but it was pulled back again as Nandini had started attending University.

The campus bustled with young blood and minds. Girls and Boys studying, laughing or worse making out in a corner. His wife too belonged in the same group, she had her right to live life on her terms as they did. Live without restrictions and instead she was there carrying around the baggage of being married in her name and on her finger.

He could picture her being the young, carefree girl like Mukti was but he couldn't picture himself with her.

What if those women in the gathering were actually right?

Maybe she was carrying around this unnecessary baggage.

Maybe she really felt the age difference between her and him?

Maybe she was taunted about it at University too?

He remembered those soft doe eyes looking for him when Mrs. Thomas was questioning their sudden marriage. The mere thought of her enduring all of this made his heart churn.

But he never got any of these vibes from Nandini. She was coming so closer to him day after day that keeping his thoughts clear was becoming difficult for him. She didn't threw herself on him, neither did she forced him yet every day she was closer to him than the day before.

And was she to be blamed? She was his lawfully wedded wife, and couldn't he see in those innocent doe eyes that she had fallen for him? That innocent brush of love for the first time in her life. Manik knew enough to recognize it at once. She was in love with him!

Wasn't it love when she had fallen asleep on the dinner table waiting for him a night ago?

And what about him? Was he in love with her?

No! This was not the time to think about such soft stuff, neither he can afford to fall weak.

He cared about her, but was it just care?

When Manik walked into the house an hour later, everything and everyone was quiet and still. All had gone to bed and with a thankful sigh, he walked towards his bedroom thinking that Nandini might be asleep too. He couldn't face her with all the thoughts going on in his mind.

Closing the door behind him softly, he walked in after removing his shoes and keeping the car keys on the key holder. Cautious about not making a sound, he had intended to walk into the bathroom for the shower but his feet came to a halt.

A soft silhouette fell on the curtains that blew in the night air. Manik came a few steps further to take a closer look and what he saw, made air deficit in his lungs.

Nandini, was trying to clasp the hook of her bra as apparently she was changing into her night wear. The soft moonlight coming through the windows fell on her making her look like an ethereal, Mystical Greek Goddess.

Her creamy skin glowed in the moonlight as if she was carved from the runestone of the heavens, Her soft curves were breathtaking as if she was carved by Goddess Venus herself, The Roman Goddess of Beauty, Intimacy and Fertility.

All his thoughts from the earlier sank into oblivion as he walked towards her. Why? He himself had no damn idea!

Nandini knew the footsteps so well. She didn't even feel the need to turn but what was she supposed to do? She did what her mind registered at that moment, tried to cover herself with the dupatta that lay limp on her shoulders. Her skin felt on flames when he touched her to turn her around.

Passion was building up in both of them which Nandini could sense as he pulled her towards him, by her waist.

The ruggedness of his fingers on her smooth skin there brought a tingling sensation to her body. It was undoubtedly, pleasure.

His hands then went down her neck to her bosoms and a groan bubbled up Manik's throat when he felt his fingers brushing the lacy fabric of her bra.

"Nandini.." He whispered huskily, as his fingers lost themselves in her rich ebony tresses. Her breaths melted and her eyes drooped down at once, and Manik could feel the surrender in her body.

Combustion had started in her body and anytime soon her senses would combust with pleasure, her man had decided to bestow her with.

Their lips brushed ever so gently as Nandini could feel her knees going wobbly and held onto the fabric of his shirt. Her insides were melting like wax under his touch.

But then all the thoughts came rushing back to Manik.

..She was young..

.. She was innocent..

and most importantly She was in LOVE with him!!

He just couldn't use her innocence like that, tarnish that pure love with his lust, He would never be able to forgive himself.

Making Love to her, with her was a road to destruction for both them.

Manik pulled away, much to her surprise which reflected on her innocent face and how much he hated himself for that!

"Mujhse koi galti hui kya?" She asked him, innocently.

"No! Don't ever think of that." Manik gathered her in his arms, lovingly as Nandini closed her eyes feeling the warmth of his arms.

But still her mind was stuck at the point where Manik pulled back from her. Why? Was there something bothering him? He had said otherwise but she can sense it. Nandini sighed as thoughts blocked up her mind and pulled up the comforter to herself.

Beside her, Manik was lying down. Sleep still miles from his eyes and he knew that somewhere he had hurted her a bit. She shouldn't be accused and certainly not blamed if she wanted her rights from him.

"Manik?" She turned to his side.

He smiled at her, looking into those innocent eyes.

"Can I sleep in your arms tonight? Please." She pleaded softly.

And it was here, he couldn't say No or pull back. Just as if it was meant to be, his arms opened up and she snuggled into him. It was as if she was carved right for those strong arms. Manik could feel her breathing against him, her warm breathing on his chest and without thinking he dropped a kiss on her hair unaware when sleep took them both in.

---

The Next Morning

Manik woke up early, yawning cutely as he rubbed his eyes to remove the last speck of sleep. His drowsy walnut orbs looked to his side to find a smile gracing his lips, Nandini was cutely snuggled into him. Her arms wrapped around him, securely.

Her ebony locks were scattered all around him and the pillow, perfuming every cubic inch of air with that soft scent of her black currant shampoo.

She was softly breathing against his chest right where his heart was.

His fingers went ahead to tuck those locks of hair which could disturb her sleep.

Didn't he want to wake up beside her every morning? Didn't he want her to be in his arms, breathing against him every day when he opened his eyes?

The answers to these questions boggled his mind and a heavy reality hung over him.

Was He In Love With Her?

Damn Yes, He Was!

Frustrated, Manik ran a hand through his hair. This wasn't going to be easy.

When Nandini woke up a good few hours later, she didn't find him beside her. Well, she had guessed it because the bed had gone cold and that warmth mixed with his distinctive drugging male scent was gone.

The maid who came in with her coffee told her, that Manik had left for work early today without even having breakfast.

"Mujhe jagaya bhi nahi?" Nandini mused as she finished her coffee.

During the shower, her mind was stuck at all that happened last night. She was so sure, they were going to kiss but Manik had pulled back rather awkwardly and though her heart wouldn't admit but her mind knew, she was hurt by the sudden withdrawal. And today, he just left for work without even waking her up. There was definitely something, bothering him.

Her eyes fell on Manik's spare shirt as she walked out of the bathroom, draped in her bathrobe. Picking it up, she hugged it close to herself taking in his distinctive male scent which worked as a drug for her when she slept in his arms last night.

"Why do I feel so distant from you Manik? Aapke care, concern aur softness ki aadat hai mujhe. I'm not able to endure this sudden withdrawal." She spoke up, softly as unshed tears pooled those russet brown seas.

Pallavi and Mukti weren't unaware of Nandini's lost appetite and quiet self at the breakfast table. Since it was a Saturday, it was an off from University.

"Nandini? koi baat hai Beta? Subah se bohot chup chup ho? Theek se khaa bhi nahi rahi. Aur aaj Manik bhi subah subah bina breakfast kiye chala gaya? I don't mean to pry but tum dono ke darmiyaan kuch..?" Pallavi asked, lovingly trying to get to the matter.

Mukti held her best friend's hand.

"You don't have to share if you want. But is there something bothering you boo? We'll do our best to help." She added, smiling.

"I don't know what it is but something's bothering Manik Daima, ever since that community gathering.

… Main poochti hoon toh he gets off saying it's work stress. There's something that's stopping him from coming closer to me." Nandini let it out finally, playing with a piece of toast.

"Bas itni si baat hai? Beta, Miyan Biwi ka rishta kaafi naazuk hota hai toh aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain.

.. And you both have just got married, thoda aur time do ek doosre ko. Give each other chances aur Nandini tum Biwi ho uski, tum uske jitna qareeb jaa sakti ho utna aur koi nahi. Try some romance, some privacy.

… Accha lagega usse to see you all changed and romantic after a tiring day at work, just for him. If you're understanding what I mean?" Pallavi explained it to her kindly in a motherly tone to Nandini, who nodded smiling, understanding what she meant. 

•••••••••

Do let me know what you think was the best part of the chapter?

Hating Manik for his behavior ?

And do you have some suggestions what Nandini should do now?

Next update : Friday

*We have another beautiful cover by Dhatri, thank you sweetie. I'm very grateful for all the love❤️

*Also I had previously asked you guys about shifting my story to other app, but anyday I'll prioritize your comfort over few thousands. So I had declined offers of Inkitt and FicFun. None of my MaNan FF's are being shifted. So enjoy !!

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*The above entire thing was drafted with me, so I updated. Or else I couldn't have... I messed up bad, even the title of chapter is depicting my situation.

... Had plans for updating other FF's too and was in midway writing both....but now I ain't in a state of completing them presently, so in a day or two I'll try to get back!

Tata!