Hey, hello beautiful readers :') I'm back! Starting with, thanks to everyone who are reading this book, and more to those who vote and comment for my immature work. You guys are very much valuable to me <3 Thanks for giving this story a chance, though it might seem cliche but I promise to make it different and it'd be another beautiful journey .

It contains Hindi dialogues, as Hindi and Urdu words brings a different essence and it fascinates me very much, but wherever it cause discomfort to you, just leave an inline comments, I'll give translations.

Inline comments will make my day ;')

LONG UPDATE!

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"If that's the case then.. " Manik spoke up again as he walked across the room and came to stand in front of Nandini.

"I'll marry her!... Nandini? Will you marry me?" He held out his hand to her.

Nandini wasn't sure if she had heard him right...

What just happened in a span of a few seconds? She looked at him unable to comprehend. The way her innocent eyes looked at him, Manik knew that this decision will be testing for both of them.

He could see mild shock resonating his sister's face too but Mukti recovered from it as soon as the prospect of her best friend being her sister in law came up to her and it was exciting.

Manik could sense the surprise for no one spoke anything for a few minutes.

"No! She can't marry Manik Malhotra!!! She doesn't deserves him!" Inaya screeched first.

Manik payed no attention to her for he was in no mood to listen to some hormonal teenager!

Reema who until now, had a disgusting snarl on her face was standing quiet now, that snarl long gone from her face.

Mukti wrapped an arm around her best friend's shoulder.

"Say Yes, boo. We'll get you out of this hell. I can guarantee your happiness and independence with Manik Bhai. He's my brother, I know him and I know he'll keep you happy." Mukti spoke, softly as Nandini looked at her unsure.

What were the odds? Nandini wondered. If she married him, she would get out of this hell. Mukti was her best friend and her brother well, she had heard a lot about him from her. He was a good man, if he hadn't been so then he wouldn't have selflessly stood up for her and even offered to marry her : The girl about whom he knew nothing practically.

She nodded softly as Mukti gave her a warm side hug.

"So Mrs Murthy? You better disperse off the leech because he ain't getting married again." Manik turned to Reema with that cute smile.

"And you both need to get out because I need to get her ready." Mukti replied, winking at the mother daughter duo who walked out swinging in anger clearly.

Manik looked at Nandini first, who wasn't looking at him now and then at his sister who nodded assuringly at him. Walking out, he closed the door softly behind him.

"Maine tumse pehle bhi kahaa hai, you're more than welcome in our home but aaj se you're welcomed in our hearts too." Mukti spoke up softly, smiling at her best friend as she made Nandini sat down.

15 minutes later, when Mukti walked out with Nandini, every eye was on her, every head was turned towards her for she looked so beautiful in her light pink lehenga and light jewelry.

Mukti had done an A+ job with her accentuating her beautiful features, her creamy Skintone and her doe eyes.

Manik was already waiting with the Pandit Ji sitting in the mandap when Mukti walked in with Nandini. She made her sit besides him.

Next, Mukti made a few phonecalls. First to Pallavi to tell her about the sudden development. The old lady was surprised sure, but too excited to welcome a new addition to their family.

Pandit ji started chanting mantra's, whereas both the souls were lost in their thoughts. Taking seven vows infront of the auspicious fire followed by Manik filling up Nandini's partition with sindoor and making her wear mangalsutra around her neck : They were married!

The legal marriage papers were first signed by Nandini as Inaya looked on in envy. More than anything, she could feel her insides burning at the beautiful Solitaire Ring that glittered in Nandini's ring finger. The solitares attached in it themselves told the ring's worth.

Then it was Manik's turn to sign the papers as Reema looked at him bitterly.

The Platinum Diamond wedding band that Nandini's father and her idiot husband had kept for his son in law was now on his finger. How much she wanted it to be Harshad's.

Manik wanted to leave that instant but Mukti insisted that they should stay until dinner because she was hungry and even Nandini didn't eat anything since morning.

He was glad that he had Mukti with her who would be with Nandini and provide her with that support which only a woman could give to another woman. That too being her best friend.

Manik had just taken a plate for dinner when Reema walked up to him.

"So you won finally, Mr. Malhotra. And I can't thank you enough for getting off this unwanted burden from our heads. Though I'm concerned that your social status must be lower than ours." She spoke up, venomously.

Manik turned to her with a smile. Though he wanted to show Reema, her place but he was better off than her.

"I'm not the kind of man to show off Mrs. Murthy. But since you have mentioned it, let me tell you. I have seven Mercedes, a fashion photography training institute, a luxurious beach house in Mauritius and a rich social circle including ace fashion models, designers and photographer's.

The ring which Nandini has on her finger is of my mother and made of pure solitaire and white gold. I'm sure you must have noticed that.

... And coming to my bank balance, I'll leave it to your imagination.

... Now please if you'll excuse me, I need to have some food. I'm starving."

Manik smiled again and walked away leaving Reema red with humiliation.

Nandini rolled her eyes at Mukti as she shifted away from her to make room for Manik who sat down beside the former with his dinner plate.

Manik smiled a bit noticing that she didn't shift away like he had expected her to be.

Both ate quietly with Mukti non stop talking to both of them but Manik was gracious asking Nandini if she needed something and Mukti could feel a smile gracing her lips, at the efforts of her brother.

If this continued, then it won't take long for them to settle down.

Manik had just picked up two bowls of ice cream for his sister and his wife. He sighed at the term, he was a married man now and he had to cope up with the new development in his life.

"Can I just say? That I love your beachwear/lingerie shoots for Victoria's Secret!!" Inaya spoke up from behind him.

Manik sighed again, he was in no mood for any flirtatious encounters now.

"Thanks." He replied, politely.

"You just don't know how many times, I've seen them on the magazines and the internet. You know I just buy magazines for your shoots and interviews!" Inaya gushed.

"Really, thank you." Manik smiled and was about to walk away when Inaya held his wrist. He looked at his wrist and then at her, sternly.

"You know, I want to become a model. And I always had a dream to be photographed by you in a hot photoshoot.

... We can still do that. Perhaps you can give me a personal appointment and I can show you my skill?" Inaya whispered softly.

"You know what? You look better silent than talking Inaya." Manik replied, releasing his hand from her hold.

"I'm married to your sister now, and it would be better if you know your limits. Because I'm not making this a big issue since it's the first time, but next time I won't be this forgiving and maybe someone has to remind me that you're a woman.", Manik replied firmly and walked away without paying an ounce of attention to her.

The ride back home, was going silent for neither of them knew what to say.

Mukti had sent them together alone with the driver while she suggested to be back by driving herself.

Nandini looked at the road passing by.

She was married now, wow. Didn't that happen in just a matter of 5 minutes?

Reema had intended to marry her off in just 2 weeks and it happened! Well, just not in a way and with the guy she wanted with but still.

Till yesterday the guy who was Mukti's Brother was now her husband and she didnt know anything about him, except for the whole bunch of stories she had heard from Mukti about him.

Now what next? She was supposed to live with him and share a life with him. Great! How would this turn out to be?

Manik noticed that she rubbed her palms down her hands, maybe the AC was bothering her.

"Main AC kam kar dunn? It's getting quite chilly." Manik spoke up, breaking that long silence between them.

Nandini looked at him for probably the first time since their wedding ceremony, and just nodded.

Manik was somewhere thankful that she hadn't turned a deaf ear to his attempts to conversation. He just reached over to turn down the knob for AC when his arm brushed with hers.

Their eyes met and Nandini could swear she felt her skin shudder a bit. That was insane. She wasn't the type of woman who practiced Celibacy but still her skin reacting so ardently to a man's touch that too a man whom she hardly knew from an hour.

Manik well, he could feel the end of his nerves tightening a bit. And this shouldn't be strange for she was his wife now, but he had been with women before.

Blondes, Brunettes, Redhaired, American, African, British. You name it and that too all fancy and exotic. Some classy and Breathtakingly Gorgeous but never had they made him feel anything like this.

Nandini turned her eyes back to the road and Manik too didn't made any conversation further but he could see her fidgeting with her ring.

15 minutes later, the shining metallic Mercedes pulled into the huge driveway and beautiful plants surrounded all over. There was certainly a beautiful space for gardens and greenry but due to the darkness, Nandini couldn't make it out.

The tall palm trees that swayed in the garden gave way to a huge and beautiful softly lit bungalow which was painted in white and grey.

She had an idea that Mukti and her family was rich, but the reality had her certainly amazed.

The driver parked the car neatly and quickly walked out to to open Manik's side of door who got out, thanked him and dismissed him for the day.

He walked up to Nandini's side and opening the door, held out his hand to her. Why? He himself didn't know, but he felt the need to do this.

She looked at him, took a deep breath and gently gave her hand in his.

Manik smiled a bit, as he held her hand gently and helped her in getting out.

They stepped inside the huge glass door and she could spot some servants dressed in spotless white and black hovering in and out from kitchen and rooms.

A kind elder woman stood for welcoming them. She was beautiful, with generous sprinkling of grey in her long hair as simple blue lace dupatta lay across her shoulder covering her front as she was dressed in a beautiful blue salwar kameez.

She smiled at them, her kindness radiating from her sweet smile. She must be Daima about whom Mukti had told her so much about.

Manik bowed down to her in respect to which Daima or Pallavi blessed him abudantly.

She then turned towards her.

"Mashallah! Kitni khoobsurat Bahu hai Meri, Nazar naa lage." She lovingly looked at her, placing her fingers under her chin.

Nandini bowed down in respect, wishing her and Pallavi let out a whole bag of blessings for her.

Mukti walked in just then and went over to Pallavi's side.

"Introductions are done, I suppose but still. Daima, this is Nandini. Now Nandini Manik Malhotra, aur aapki Bahu.", Mukti beamed.

"Aur Nandini, yeh hain Humari Daima.", She added.

"Aur aaj se tumhari bhi.", Pallavi added lovingly, and Nandini nodded, smiling.

"Kitna khoobsurat joda hai dono ka.", Pallavi replied, adoring both as she let out a prayer.

"Sach kahun toh main Manik ke hawaale se bohot khaufzada thi, ki pataa nahi kaunsi mini skirt wali firangan ko le aayega kissi din aur kahega yeh rahi aapki Bahu.

.... Par main aaj itni khush hoon, Meri itni badi khwahish Allah ne poori ki hai mere Manik ke liye tumhe dekar.... Uske saath tumhara naseeb joddkar." Pallavi lovingly kissed her hair.

"Kya Daima aap bhi?" Manik rolled his eyes at Pallavi's description for his expected wife as Mukti chuckled.

"Aaj se main isse tumhare supurd kar rahi hoon, ab tak yeh mera beta tha par aaj se tumhara shauhar bhi hai. Meri zimmedaari khatam hui aur aaj se tumhari shuru.", Pallavi spoke up lovingly, as Nandini smiled and nodded softly. She then asked Mukti to take her upstairs to Manik's room.

She then turned to Manik.

"Dekho Manik, Mukti ne mujhe sab kuch bataya hai. Mujhe Khushi hai aur fakhr bhi ki tumne usse apnaya. Par pati aur patni ka rishta kaafi naazuk hota hai, aur Nandini achanak se iss rishte mein bandh gayi hai.

Woh kam umra hai, shayad uss mein itni samajh naa ho par tum mature ho.

Handle her sensibly, maturely and delicately. Usse waqt do, thoda patience do, Phir dekhna she'll reciprocate sooner.

Tum samajh rahe ho naa?" Pallavi spoke, caressing his face lovingly.

Manik smiled and holding her hands, kissed them.

"Aap fikar mat karein Daima. Aaj se woh meri zimmedaari hai." He smiled, his walnut orbs twinkling.

Pallavi smiled and then gave him two beautiful diamond bangles.

"Yeh tumhari Maa ke hain. Woh chahti thi yeh iss Ghar ki Bahu ko mile aur aaj se yeh Nandini ke, usse pyaar se munhdikhaai mein dena.

Ab Jao, Intezaar kar rahi hogi tumhara." She added, sweetly.

Manik nodded, gave her a hug and wished her goodnight.

Reaching upstairs, he saw Mukti retiring to her room too. The siblings gave each other a hug, wishing good night.

Nandini looked around at the spacious room, she was now in. It was definitely bigger and luxurious than the room she had back home. The walls were painted to a gorgeous shade of blue and cream while one portion of the wall was beautifully wallpapered with a purple and gold intricately designed paper.

A huge LED TV stood in front and on the wall behind her was an air conditioner. There was a fireplace just beneath the TV and in the middle was a huge bed on which she was sitting right now which was decorated tastefully with roses and orchids.

A comfortable lounger and recliner were lined up comfortably in the room.

There were some pictures on the wall, which caught her attention and she slowly got down the bed to look at it. The soft carpet crumpled below her feet as she walked towards the wallpapered wall.

Some black and white pics were adorning the wall, which she guessed them to be Manik and Mukti's childhood pics for they both looked so so adorable showing off their toothless smiles.

The next were pictures of Manik winning accolades for his work.

There was a mahogany table just beneath the pictures which consisted of all the shiny trophies Manik had won for his Photography.

Also, there was a picture of a shirtless Manik in his swimming trunks coming out of the sea, running a hand through his hair.
{Ooh la la🔥}

There was scribbling of Miami Beach Fest 2017 in that picture.

The shot was surely candid and undeniably... Nandini couldn't bring herself to say it out loud, HOT.

It felt embarrassing to as the man whom she just knew as her best friend's brother was now awakening adjectives as Hot in her mind.

Nandini heard footsteps and quickly walked back to the bed seating herself in the middle, lowering her gaze.

The door clicked open softly and Manik walked in making Nandini conscious at once as her grip tightened around her lehenga.

He closed the door behind him softly and walked up to the bed.

The beautiful soft glow from the scented candles lit up the room in the golden aura as he sat down in front of her.

Both were quiet for a minute, not knowing what to say but Manik took a deep breath and decided to break the ice.

Gently holding her netted chunari, he pulled it up from her face. The first thought that came into his mind was BEAUTIFUL.

She had creamy skintone and the softest skin which he could've imagined on a female. He had known women since long to knew that they could literally kill for a skin like her.

The light makeup did justice to her gorgeous features and her lips were still lusciously pink under her light lipcolor.

Wait, what was he even thinking?!

Her beautiful dark eyelashes settled on her cheek, not letting him see her eyes.

He had met her before sure. But just in a fleeting moment, as Mukti's friend but now when she was sitting right in front of him he was actually realizing that she was beautiful.

"Aap behad khoobsurat hain." Manik spoke up, before he could stop himself.

He feared that she might get miffed on him complementing her beauty so soon and direct.

But much to his relief, she smiled a little and her eyelashes lifted to reveal her beautiful doe shaped eyes to him and Manik was mesmerized.

"Shukriya." She spoke up, since the first time in the evening in her soft honey voice.

"Nandini main jaanta hoon humari shaadi bohot ideal situations mein nahi hui hai. But trust me, uss waqt mere paas aur koi option nahi tha.

Kehne ko toh you're my baby girl's best friend par aapke naam ke siwa main aapke baare mein kuch nahi jaanta. I'm sure ussi tarah aap bhi mere baare mein kuch nahi jaanti hongi.", Manik started speaking with a deep breath.

"I know we need time to adjust and get accustomed to each other. But I'll be honest, main apni poori koshish karunga iss rishte ko nibhane mein and fulfil all my duties as a husband.", He added, sincerely.

"Agar aap itni koshishein kar sakte hain toh main bhi. Yeh rishta mere liye bhi utna hi unexpected hai but I promise to fulfill all my responsibilities as a wife and a daughter in law.", Nandini replied, softly.

"Aur ek baat, Husband se aap accha nahi lagta.", She added, smiling at him.

Manik smiled at her, she wasn't as introvert as he had thought her to be.

He took out the beautiful diamond bangles Pallavi gave him.

"Yeh meri Maa ke hain. Daima ne mujhe yeh tumhe munhdikhaai mein dene ke liye diye hain." Manik confessed, somewhat sheepishly.

"Ab layein hain, toh pehna bhi dein." Nandini smiled as she forwarded her wrists to him.

Manik nodded and gently made her wore the bangles, one in each wrist.

"Bohot khoobsurat hain.", Nandini replied, admiringly as she touched them gently.

"Tumse zyaada nahi.", Manik spoke up in an impulse.

He really needs to shut his mouth before she thinks of him as some prevert!

But much to his surprise, he found a soft blush adoring her milky cheeks as she chose to stay quiet.

"I think you should change, Yeh sab kaafi bhari hain and you must be tired"

Manik suggested as she nodded and helped her in getting off the bed. Directing her towards the bathroom, he himself walked into his walk in closet to change.

Yeah, this was a luxury that he enjoyed. Clothes from all brands hung in a separate compartment, shoes and watches had a separate space and his work clothes along with his casual wear were sorted into different sections. There was a separate space for his perfumes and colognes.

Accompanied by a soft carpet in the floor.

He changed into his comfortable night wear and walked out, thinking where to sleep for the night.

Nandini switched on the light of the bathroom and was again surprised by the luxury of it. A huge marble bathtub was seated deep in a corner, with the glass shower cabin just beside.

In a costly Italian Marble slab was a fine wash basin enrooted with a fancy tap and all kinds of sweet smelling and expensive toiletries lined the slab.

The flooring too was of expensive marble.

She never had been that accoustomed to luxury before. Her father was rich sure, but she never had anything to do with his riches.

Nandini washed her face and removed the makeup, took off her jewelery and got out from the tiring lehenga.

The only jewelry which remained on her was the ring and those bangles, along with the mangalsutra cladded around her neck.

She wore her simplest white salwar kameez and walked out holding her fineries.

Her footsteps made Manik look up and all he could think of was that she looked even more beautiful being simple. Her hair was longer than he had imagined and fell in gorgeous ebony tresses till below her waist.

Right now, they were lying beautifully on one of her shoulders and came out in beautiful lengths no matter how much she tried to tuck them back behind her ear.

Manik picked up his pillow and comforter to place them on the lounger when,

"Manik? Aap bhi yahin so jayein please?" She spoke up, softly.

"Umm, you won't be uncomfortable?" He asked, unsure.

"Nahi, par mujhe bura zarur iss baat ka lagega ki meri wajah se aap ko problem hogi." She replied, looking up at him.

"Are you sure? Main tumhe force nahi karna chahta." He spoke up, gently.

Nandini nodded in a yes and Manik placed his pillow back on the bed.

Turning off the light, both laid down on the bed thinking what the future holds for them when tiredness and sleep took them in.

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Stay tuned! I'll update very soon, I have drafts ready ;') but please keep the support going? <3 It means so much. Will be waiting for your feedback :')

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