As manik saw MANILLA approaching, he thought of waking up nandini. He rubbed her bare arms slightly and whispered lovingly "nandini, sweetheart, we have reached..." nandini stirred in her sleep and then all of a sudden she woke up with a jerk and quickly started fixing the pleats of her saree and jewellery. Manik laughed quietly and said "you are looking beautiful, so relax" hearing him she looked at him for confirmation of his words and she knew he wasn't lying, his eyes never lie. He was smiling at her and that seemed to relax her too. He had that effect on her. Soon entwining his fingers with her , he gestured her to look outside and she saw the majestic MANILLA ready to welcome the bride. The main entrance opened for the car to get in and nandini noticed that it was beautifully decorated with exotic flowers. And then she got the view of the building , which is going to be her home , her abode for her lifetime. The building was so high that nandini couldn't get a full view, but as much she saw, made her utter "wow , its beautiful and grand" manik squeezed her palm , she turned to look at him and he said " our love-abode" . they both smiled at each other, manik moved a little to kiss her, but they were disturbed by a knock on the window of the car. Before rolling the glass down, nandini quickly pecked his lips and chuckled while manik groaned. Mukti stood their beaming, along with other ladies.

Nandini had to put her first foot in the house, only on manik's floor of the house, so manik was asked to carry her bridal style, which he did more than happily and nandini couldn't control her blush. Then the grihpravesh rasm was performed. As nandini entered the house, she was in awe for quite a while drinking the beauty of the house and studying its every detail.
Manilla👇

Living Room👇

Dining space👇

Cabir: aunty wo interesting game kab khelenge?

Neyo: (smiling) bas abhi!

Alya: which game?

Navya: arey wahi game jo har hindi serial me dikhate hain.

Mukti gave a "what-the-hell-are-you-guys-talking-about" look.

Mukti: cabir tujhe kse pta ye serials k bare me?

Cabir: of course, because of navya, i know about all the freaking shows going on Indian tv!! Test me..

Navya: thk h ab ni btaungi mai..khush?

Cabir: arey nai, main entertain kse hounga, tumhre shows k hero k leg pull kye bina..

Mukti: tum dono ka kuch ni ho sakta

C&n: i know..(they laughed as they both spoke together)

Neyo: chalo..chalo..set up ready hai..

And the servant placed a big bowl of milk water and rose petals.

Neyo: main ye ring daal rahi hun isme , tum dono me se jo pehle search karega wo winner hoga , au rasa kaha jata h ki winner rules over the loser , entire life.

Maan spoke loudly from the back " mere time me , main jeeta tha, but the irony is ki neyonika is ruling over me, so do you get the point son??" (maan winked at manik)

Manik: yeah dad i got it (he smiled sheepishly looking at nandini)

Nandini smiled but her smiled didn't reach her eyes, manik noticed that.

Nandini was a little conscious of herself, being at new place, new people, she was trying her best to hide her uneasiness but it didn't escape the eyes of manik. But he let it go for the moment till they were alone.

The game started and manik -nandini sat opposite to each other. As nandini dipped her hand in the liquid, manik held it and was not leaving ,even when nandini was eyeing him to leave her.

Slowly a smile crept up on nandini's face and everyone turned suspicious as to what-is-happening? Cabir as usual , the spy, spotted the game being played underwater and smirked.

Cabir: manik , tu plz uska hath chhor de, game end kar fir room me ja k coo-chi-coo kar liyo...

And everyone burst out laughing as manik left her hand and turned completely red on cabir's comment, while nandini couldn't control her blush.

Suddenly manik's finger in the liquid struck with something and manik felt it and knew that it was the ring, he carefully slid the ring across where nandini was searching and nandini found it, unknown of the fact that manik helped her. Everyone clapped and wished nandini to be the queen of manik's heart as well as his home.

Cabir: manik , tu hare ya jeete , hume pehle se pta tha ki nandini hi tujhe rule karne wali hai, right guys??

Chorus: yeah!

Manik just rolled his eyes

Nandini was surrounded by manik's relatives, who were trying to know more about her, her likes, dislikes, hobbies, talents. Nandini talked to them politely and humbly, even though she was very tired. Manik was talking to neyonika.

Manik: mom sare rituals ho gaye na?

Neyo: ha beta , ho gaye..q?

Manik: mom main bahut thak gya hun , rest karna chahta tha thora before the reception ceremony.

Neyo: hmm mai janti hun beta, islye maine hyatt' me, jaha tumhra reception hai aaj ek room book kiya hai tum aur nandini jao and rst kar lo abhi 1 baj rahe hain 7 baje beautician aur designer aenge there itself, tumlog ready ho kar direct party me ajana. Ok?

Manik was elated, "mom, mom, mom, you are too good!! I love you" he kissed neyonika's cheek and hugged her tightly.

Neyo: ho gya , ab bas bas, chalo jao..pehle change kar lo, main nandini ko bhi bolti hun.

Manik: ok !

He looked at nandini for one last time and ran to his room to change, nandini didn't notice him as she was busy talking. Neyonika asked nandini to change in mukti's room and explained everything to her.

Neyonika: beta ye chura mat kholna, you have to keep it for 45 days. Ok?

Nan: ok maa..

Neyo: ab jao jaldi ready ho jao, manik ata hi hoga..

Nandini with the help of mukti and alya changed into a net frock dress of blue colour.

Alya: nandini, you look like a Barbie doll..aww

Mukti: yeah and the chura and vermillion are adding to your beauty, perfect combo of Indian and western!!

Knock!knock!! mukti open the door!!' came manik's sweet voice. And the girls smiled . mukti opened the door slightly , not letting him in "yeah bhai..what happened?"

Manik: is nandini ready? We are getting late..

Mukti raised her eyebrow "late? Late for what bhai?"

Manik: umm un ..late..un..nothing..i mean she is tired, if we go early , she will get more time to rest, that's it"

Mukti "are you sure?"

Manik: yeah of course, now make it quick, where is nandini?

Alya joined mukti.

Mukti: bhai you will get to see nandini only if you give something to us..

Manik: what?why?

Mukti: this is a rasm, you have to give..

Manik shouted for neyonika" mom, mom"

Neyonika came asking what?

Manik: mukti is saying i have to give her something only then i can see nandini, it is a rasm?

Neyo smiled "yes beta, although it is done on first night , but your marriage routine is a little haphazard , so she is doing it now itself"

Manik: oh god !! these rasms!! Fine!!! Tell me what do you guys want?

Mukti: a blank promise, which we can use whenever we want, right alya?

Alya nodded and manik quickly agreed without thinking twice. Mukti and alya opened the door wide, and manik saw nandini standing there and already looking at him with blush colouring her cheeks. Manik was clean bowled by her beauty and innocent look. Mukti cleared her throat and manik snapped out of his dazed mood and closed his mouth which was hanging open, nandini chuckled inwardly.

Mukti: bhai ab late ni ho rahi?

Manik: ha ha..nandini come lets go..
He held her hand and they walked out together wishing everyone bye.
...

Manik opened the door of the hotel room . it was honeymoon suit. They both walked in. He locked the door. An air of awkwardness prevailed, first time after marriage, they were alone in a room , like this. Both were confused as to what to say , what to do, so they used the best escape- just smile whenever there is an accidental, eye contact.

After good 10 minutes of silence and deliberation, finally nandini decided to speak "the room is beautiful" . manik answered cheekily "not more than you" and she smiled, the air of awkwardness finally thinning. Manik suggested "talk to amma appa, tell them you are fine, they might be waiting for your call, it has been quite a while since you have left" nandini's heart warmed up with his words which showed care. She just nodded and picked up her phone while manik moved to the washroom.

Till the time manik came out , nandini finished her call, knowing very well that it was her and her husband's time together and she should make the most of it, as it is the budding stage of their relationship.

Manik: done already??

Nandini: yup, hubby, now i m married you know, i won't waste the precious moments that i get with you..

Nandini had walked up to him while talking, manik held her waist pulling her closer and spoke "oh is that the case wifey..then tell me what should we do?"

Nandini blushed but she snaked her arms round his neck, " how about we sleep together for sometime so that we are charged up enough to last till the party ends??"

manik smiled "thats not a bad idea, i have waited so long to sleep with you in my arms"

Nandini : am i supposed to sleep in these clothes only? (she pouted)

Manik quickly pecked her pout " whenever you will do that pout , i m gonna kiss you, no matter where we are and what we are doing" nandini's eyes had widened but she recovered quickly from the love-shock. Manik continued "and i think mom must have sent the changes already, take a look" nandini checked the cupboard and yes there it was , nandini's favourite denim shorts and mickey mouse tee. She looked at manik with curious look, he answered her unasked question " well mom is like that, you will get to know her better, now go and change quickly" nandini smiled , clearly knowing that yes she has to know many things about her new family.

Nandini changed and came out and saw manik waiting for her , lying on the bed.

She hesitated for a moment, but then moved forward and sat on her side of bed. Manik noticing her presence , put down his phone and looked at her. He noticed that she is sitting quite far, probably maintaining distance. He didn't make a move , thinking it might discomfort her, instead spoke in a soft tone "i have set the alarm for 6 p.m. is it ok with you?" nandini nodded in a yes.

Manik: ok so take rest..i hope you don't mind me sleeping here?

Nandini suddenly alarmed "no no its completely fine with me, you should take rest, sleep"

Manik smiled and turned to face away from her. Nandini also lied down ,her back facing his back. But both were not able to sleep. Manik kept switching sides every now and then, so did nandini. Manik wanted to hold nandini in his arms and sleep being close to her, but he was not sure , what nandini wanted, would she think that he was being lusty? Finally after a long battle between his heart and mind, an involuntary groan escaped his mouth and he turned towards nandini. Hearing him groan, she too turned to check on him. Their eyes met and manik involuntarily moved his arms in her direction on the bed, and with a plead in his eyes, he just uttered "please". Nandini's heart warmed up on his this gesture, she smiled and shifted to sleep in his arms, her face buried in his chest. She inhaled deeply his intoxicating scent and smiled in contentment. Manik could feel her lips curving up in smile on his chest and he smiled too , contented and said " i have waited for this moment, finally its here, i m so happy holding you like this" nandini replied " i can't even explain how i m feeling right now, i m so at loss of words" manik pulled her more into himself and she held on to him tightly.

Manik: i wanted to hold you, but i was afraid what you would think of me..

Nan: manik i am your wife..

Manik: yeah that's what I mean.. you are my wife and not prostitute, that i should jump on you on the first available chance..your comfort, your choice , your opinion , is my priority, i won't do anything , that you don't like..

She took support of her elbows and raised herself to look at him properly.

Manik gave her a what look as she was staring him without a blink. She had a look of respect in her eyes when she said " i love you" and without waiting for his reply , crashed her lips on his. Manik smiled in between the kiss and gently pushed her over to come on top of her. He kissed, bit and sucked her lips and then slip his tongue to taste every nook and corner of her mouth. He was kissing her passionately and nandini responded with equal fervour. Breathless he left her lips but moved down the path of her chin -throat-cleavage, placing soft kisses and sometimes licking ,like her skin is ice-cream. nandini giggled as she felt ticklish with his kisses and the one day old stubble and she spoke " mr. Malhotra, i thought we came here to sleep" after pecking her lips one last time he fell back on the bed and catching up his breath, said " yeah right mrs. Malhotra!" nandini whispered to herself " mrs malhotra" with a smile.

Manik heard that and whispered softly pulling her in his arms "mrs nandini murthy malhotra" nandini's eyebrows twitched in confusion.

Manik: well i want you to keep your father's surname as well, you belong to them too..

Nandini was baffled. She had not imagined, even in her wildest dream that a guy could be so considerate, so caring.

Nandini spoke while fiddling with his vest on his chest " manik i feel so special, so lucky to have you, i wish every girl on this planet gets a guy like you. but i just want , my name to be mrs. Nandini manik malhotra, its my wish, please.." she made a pleading face, manik tried unsuccessfully to convince her, but at last he had to give up .

Manik: ok ok..whatever , wifey wants!!

Nandini exclaimed "yayy!!"

manik laughed on her childish acts , and they talked for a while and soon drifted into deep sleep holding each other tightly and securely...
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Credits to the writer- Manini Mehra