If you're still hanging in there, I have huge respect for you guys❣️
Please do read A/N in next part!

Recap- Nandini just delivered babies.

****

Manik rushed into the room almost eager to take his wife, the only love of his life, in his arms and assure his heart that she was right there with him. Her screams of his name in pain were still echoing in his ears and he wouldn't be lying if he said every time she screamed in pain, he felt as if someone was stabbing his heart with a sharp knife.

When he saw her after all those grueling hours of labor, he couldn't stop his eyes from filling up with tears. She went through so much pain and agony just for him, to give him the biggest happiness a man can ask for. He could see the exhaustion on her pretty face but her shallow breathing, that rhythmic rise and fall of her chest was enough to make him believe that she was fine. Ignoring the stool that was kept besides her bed, Manik sat down on the bed itself, his walnut orbs drinking every little feature of her soothing face.

He tucked that loose hair strand behind her ear and the warmth of her skin filled him with a satisfaction he couldn't describe in words. As if sensing his presence in the room besides her, Nandini opened her eyes slowly. Almost unknowingly a tear rolled down from the corner of her eye as she looked at him, that disheveled form, that distraught look on his face, those tears filled walnut eyes. She knew of the hell her husband's been through while she was in pain.

She caressed his cheek lovingly and Manik held her hand that very instant very firmly. Bringing it near his lips, he kissed her palm, as a few tears escaped the confines of his eyes.

"Tum ne mujhe apna umr bhar ke liye karz daar bana liya hai Nandini." Manik spoke up, lovingly.

"Karz daar toh aapne mujhe apna banaya hai. Aapne mujhe maa banne ke uss ehsaas se rubaru karvaya hai jisse aayiappa sabko nahi nawazte”
Nandini replied softly, caressing his cheek.

"I love you." He whispers, looking at her through tears.

"I love you too. I really really do." She smiles.

Manik just gathered her in his arms, close to his heart and Nandini's arms went around his shoulders just as they were meant to be. Soft smiles graced their lips as the contentment of being in each other's arms was too overwhelming.

"Did it pain too much?" He asked cutely as he caressed her hairs.
Nandini smiled fondly at his cuteness.

"Nahi. It didn't." She replied assuringly as she kissed his chest lovingly.

"You scared me." He replied holding her possessively as tears lace his eyes again.

"Even I was scared." Nandini confessed softly.

"Then, why didn't you let me in? Why did you do this to me Nandini? I wanted to be with you in this!" Manik asked tearing away from her as he looked at her.

"I know love. But I was scared that you might freak out seeing all the blood and chaos. I didn't wanted you to go through that hell." She replied, lovingly.

"Why do you love me so much?" He asked her cutely.

"I'm trying to figure out that." His wife chuckles.

Smiling, Manik took her lips in a loving kiss. Though Nandini was very tired and exhausted, yet she kissed him back with all that she had left in her. She knew her husband needed this right now.
When they broke apart, Manik smiled fondly and kissed her forehead,

"Did you see our kids?" He added.

"Without you?"

"Where the hell are the nurses? I'm dying to see my babies. " Manik exclaimed cutely.

"Right behind you." Nandini smiles.

Manik turned to look towards the door and there they were. His babies. Oops, Their babies. The nurse came in with three newborns in trolley bassinet and Manik could feel his heart skip multiple beats as Nandini's hold on his hand went stronger. Their wait might have not been as long as other expecting parents, but the challenges that involved in triplet pregnancy balanced it.

Nurse smiled at the cute awestruck face of both parents when they saw the little beings they had created together. While their sons were wrapped in cute blue blankets with prince caps, their little daughter had a cute pink blanket with a princess cap. Their tiny hands were curled into little fists as they slept peacefully, lost in their innocent dreams.

"They're so tiny Manik." Nandini spoke up, teary eyed.

Tears rolled down his eyes as he looked at the little angels which had blessed their lives, still unable to believe that he was a Dad finally.

"We've made them." He spoke up happily.

"Nandini.." He added as he turns to look at her.

"We.." Manik tried but couldn't as he was too overwhelmed.

Nandini nodded, cupping his face in her palms,

"Yes. Our babies! We're parents Manik." She replied, sobbing a little.

"I love you Nandini." Manik confessed hugging her lovingly.

"I love you too." She replied hiding herself in his arms.

"Don't you want to hold them?" The nurse asked smiling.
Nandini looked up at nurse,

"They're too small." She replied cutely scared.

"I'll guide you how." The nurse smiled fondly.

Picking up their daughter, nurse walked towards Nandini and handed over the little girl to her mother. Nandini's hands were a bit shaky but the moment she held their daughter in her arms and looked at her angelic face from close, all her fears and nervousness vanished away like it never existed.

Holding her little hand, Nandini kissed it lovingly,

"Mumma loves you so much." She whispered in muffled voice.

Manik smiled amidst tears as he watched the overwhelming exchange between his wife and daughter when Nurse picked up the eldest newborn, their first born and looked at Manik expectantly.

"NO!! I can't." Manik spoke up shaking his head cutely

Nandini rolled her eyes,

"Hold him Manik. Aap baap hai inke." She added assuringly.

Manik looked at the nurse unsure but then with a deep breath, he took him in his arms. The feeling that engulfed him was inexplicable. He was a Dad, finally. DAD!!!

Why was so difficult to believe?

Hadn't he been waiting for this day when he would get to hold his babies from the day he had discovered about Nandini's pregnancy?

Then, why did everything seemed surreal?

There was this mix of emotions which had taken over him. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to cry. He wanted to jump in happiness. He wanted to do some much, all at once.

Tears laced his eyes yet again as he smiled at the little being in his arms before looking up at his wife, who was now holding both their daughter and second son in her arms. She too had tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Thank you Nandini. Thank you so much! I can't tell you.. what I'm.. I'm feeling right now." Manik managed to speak up as his voice is heavy with tears.

"I didn't do anything alone Manik. You're as much a part of this as I am."
Nandini smiles cutely.

"Yes." He chuckles at his wife's cuteness,

"But it was you who nurtured them for all these months, endured all the pain. Just for me." added, smiling.

"For us." She spoke up, cutely.

"You know, I feel as if I can fight with whole damn world for them." Manik confessed cutely

Nandini chuckled at his cuteness,
"Ofcourse you can. You're a Dad now." She replied, fondly.

The rest of the day had passed by in a blur, as Manik spent some time playing with his newborns and stealing some kisses from his wife in between. Next day, after completing the discharge process Nandini - Manik and their little family had been way too excited to go back home where Pallavi, Mukti had been waiting for them.

And definitely, she didn't expect the surprise waiting for her as the interiors of their home was beautifully decorated by both Pallavi Mukti with help from Aryaman Sharon and Cabir.

Colorful streamers, balloons and toys graced every nook and corner. Mukti was emotional and overwhelmed when Nandini gave her the triplets one by one in her arms.

"She's so much like you, Bhai. But she has Nandini's eyes." She exclaimed happily looking down at her niece.

Pallavi had tears in her eyes as she blessed the three little souls, her first grandchildren.

Aryaman and Sharon were excited to meet the little ones and made the atmosphere more happy by sharing the news of Sharon's pregnancy as Manik hugged his best friend.

Manik quietly entered their bedroom to find Nandini sleeping peacefully and so were their babies in the cot beside her. She had retired early after dinner and he didn't blame her, the exhaustion of the delivery had drained her.

He got into the bed, covering themselves appropriately as he securely spooned her in his arms.

Tucking away those tiny wisps of hair from her face, he placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"What are you up to Manik Malhotra?" Nandini spoke up cutely groggy, opening her eyes a bit.

"What do you want it to be Mrs. Manik Malhotra?" Manik replied, huskily.

"We still have that bath pending!" She spoke up, pecking his lips softly.

"We'll complete it tomorrow, and I'll give you a back scrub as well!" He suggested, nibbling on her nape.

"Sounds Sexy, though remind me to shampoo your hair tomorrow it's too oily! Nandini replied, running a hand through that soft manhair.

"Aye Aye Captain! Though I want you to rest now." Manik spoke up lovingly.

"And I want you to kiss me!" She whispered cutely.

"And after that?" Manik raised his thick arched eyebrow.

"I dunno, though I hope you have protection!" Nandini pecked his lips.

"Aren't you a naughty little minx?!" Manik spoke up huskily, as he came up over her.

"Yeah, after all I'm your wife!" She smiled and pulled him closer sealing his lips with hers.

****

Finally, Eight Years Later

"Viaan Malhotra, you're coming back right now!" Nandini spoke to her 8 year old second born who was apparently buying his eighth stack of fries.

"Mumma please, I promise aaj dinner mein sab kuch khaa lunga!" Viaan whined cutely, using his ultimate weapon - The puppy eyes.

He had eyes like his father, walnut and gorgeous. Viaan was a kid sure, but smart enough to know what could make his mum soften.

"I'm not falling for that, come back here. You'll fill yourself up with fries and then make all kinds of excuses for dinner!" She spoke up, keeping her hands on her waist.

"Mumma, aap Dad ki baat maan lete ho when he does the puppy eyes!" Viaan replied, cutely.

"Are you coming back or do you want to get grounded for a week?" Nandini though replied firmly, but one cannot miss the faint crimson rising up her cheeks.

Viaan came back, not before buying his fries making Nandini shake her head. Her second born was an exact replica of his father, handsome because sure he had many girls lined up after him at school. Lazy and a big time foodie. Give him some fries and he'll be the happiest guy in the world just like Manik for burgers and fried chicken.

"Share some with your sister at least!" Nandini nudged her son who grunted a bit because sharing was definitely not his thing.

"Leave it mumma, I hate fries anyways! You know I just read on Google yesterday that fries contain 98% of fried fats which makes a person unbelievably obese!" Amaira Manik Malhotra, her youngest daughter replied making a face.

Nandini chuckled listening to her daughter. Amaira, their youngest one was a certified geek and a genius.

Her grades were miles ahead from her brothers, which was a matter of pride for both her parents. Not to mention, she was Manik's darling and the apple of everyone's eyes being the youngest.

"You heard her young man, if you don't want to lose your fan following back at school, you better stop eating fries." Nandini spoke to her son who was apparently in shock after listening to his sister.

"Yeah! No girl likes to date a fat guy!" Amaira laughed, making Nandini think that she looked so much like Manik right now, though she inherited her hazel eyes and long ebony hairs from her.

"Sorry Guys, got late! Traffic Sucks at this point of time. " Mukti came up to sit beside them on the stands.

"Buaa!" Viaan and Amaira rushed to give her a hug which she gladly gave them.

"I'm happy you could make it." Nandini gave her a warm side hug.

"Ofcourse, I had to. It's my brother and my baby playing!" Mukti returned the hug.

"How did the doctor's appointment go?" Nandini asked.

"Fine. She just said, I need to increase my carbohydrate intake. "Mukti smiled, keeping a hand on her belly where rested her 4 month old baby.

"I'm so happy for you!" Nandini held her best friend's hand.

"Me too." Mukti smiled, holding her hand.

"Where are Reyaansh and Rehaan?" Nandini asked referring to her husband and six year old son.

"Just across the street, buying candies for the little guy! He has one helluva sweet tooth!" Mukti replied, shaking her head.

"Just like his Mamu!" Nandini chuckled.

"You Bet!" Mukti chuckled too.

The crowd cheered again as both the teams came back to the field after a refreshment break. The annual community baseball game was a ritual every year during the fall.

Nandini, Mukti, Viaan and Amaira cheered as Manik and Vihaan Manik Malhotra, their eldest born walked in.

He was much like Mukti in his looks, with sharp features yet had eyes and hair like his daddy.

Their community needed four runs to win from the opposite one and it was Vihaan on strike.

The ball went up in the air as he threw the ball and ran taking repeated loops four times. The crowd jumped and cheered in thunderous applause as the game was won. Manik picked up his son as his little arms went around his neck.

Nandini cheered for her men, to which both of them gave her a flying kiss.

"Vihaan's dad is so hot!" Nandini heard one of the women behind her.

"I know. Who would say, he has three kids?" Another voice added making her smile.

True, Time had made Manik Malhotra more hotter and handsome-r. A silky beard covered that jawline and those muscles were more defined now.

After getting a kiss and a bear hug from his mumma, Vihaan had ran over to his siblings and bua giving his parents some time alone.

"You were such a hot mess today, Honey!" Nandini spoke up smiling.

"Really? You liked my hits?" Manik asked pulling her closer.

"Loved Them! But more than that, I was distracted by these muscles." Nandini replied, running her finger tips down those sweaty muscular arms.

"Hmm, I'm sure I can find out a way to work on your distraction Mrs. Malhotra!

You're ready for the house arrest, this weekend? All we do is eat, stay in bed and make love. Showers included." Manik spoke up, huskily nibbling on her earlobe.

"Sounds Perfect Though, I love you. I love you so much." She added, holding his face in her palms.

"I love you more." Manik replied, taking her lips in his for a kiss though they were interrupted by a unified squeal of "DADDY" !

×××××××

This incredible journey of Humsafar that has given me so much is finally at its end.

There have been people who stuck with me throughout this amazing experience, so many of you that   I can't name but you all know who you are and I can never thank you enough!

To all those who have gone back to read this story made than once and those who've asked me to make it a full fledged book and publish it - you've humbled me beyond words.

I don't think I can emphasise enough how much I love you guys. ❤️

Please do read A/N in next part to know the reason of my absence.

Bubbye untill next time.