In Chopra's Mansion

Someone has said, a child is the blessing for a family. When a lady gives birth to a baby boy, they call him as a support. He'll become his Mom's favorite and his Dad's pride. While a baby girl, she becomes her Mom's partner and her Dad's happiness, which is why it's a difficult phase of a parent's life when they will have to send their daughter to some other family. Their duty as a parent will be finished. All, they can do is praying for her happiness.

Once the mansion which was filled with their daughter's giggles, laughter, her sniffs, her cries, her joyful shouts is soon going to be a building which will lose it's lively feeling from it. Because, their daughter has also been married off to someone and she is leaving their home..

Nandini threw the rice backwards with tear-stained face while Takshvi and Janki collected it in their saree's pallu, who were also having tears in their eyes. Chopra daughter-in-laws were also shedding tears while holding onto each other.

Soon, Nandini reached outside the Mansion only to crash into Maanav's arms. She held him tight like she was scared she might lose him. He wiped his tears and held her tight in his embrace. Kailash walked to Nandini and made her face him..

Nandini ( whispered ): Papa, mein jaa rahi hoon..

She spoke so innocently which twisted Kailash's heart in pain. He simply took her in his embrace and kissed her forehead. While, Malhotras watched them with sad faces. Every girl has to face this and so they can't stop anything from happening..

Kailash: You ain't going anywhere, princess. You're just 20 kms away from me and I will reach you whenever you want to see me..

Nandini ( sniffed ): Aap aaoge..? mere kehne pe..??

Kailash ( smiled ): Haa..zaroor aaonga. Agar tumhareliye nahi tho kiskeliye aaonga..

She smiled amidst her tears. She moved to her brothers and they took her in their tight embrace and they weren't ready to leave her..Seeing it, Saaransh and Abhinav moved to them and broke their hug forcefully..

Nandini: Dad...

Saaransh ( bit his lips ): You will always be Daddy's little Love..!!

Nandini ( giggled ): I know..

They both took Nandini to where Manik was standing and kept her hand in his..

Abhinav ( expressionless face ): She might look like a dangerous and a strong lady but from inside, she is still a kid and we are giving her to you..I want her happy, no matter what..

Manik ( smiled ): If I ever happen to make a mistake, you have full right to beat me up..

And this made Abhinav to smile a bit..Ahaan moved to Manik and looked at Nandini with moist eyes..

Ahaan: I never had a proper conversation with you, Manik. You can ask precious, why is it so..Par aaj kuch kehna chahtha hoon. Kehne keliye precious, Saaransh Bhai aur Takshvi Bhabi ki beti hai, par mujhe aisa kabhi nahi laga. Mera khoon nahi hai par dil se meri apni beti hai, meri bachi, agar usse kuch galathi hua tho tum maaf karoge na..

The Ahaan Mukherjee who never requested, who never bowed to anyone was looking so vulnerable today, that he literally was requesting someone to protect his daughter because he might not be able to see her at least once in a day, though, she used to meet him at least twice on every working days and mostly with him during their holidays..

Having no control over her tears, Nandini's face was filled with tears, Manik preferred to stay silent. He simply pulled Nandini in front and she just crashed into Ahaan's embrace..

Nandini: I'm gonna miss you, Pa..A lot..You might have not been missed this much by anyone..

Ahaan ( smiled ): I know..I know my daughter more than anyone..

They broke the hug and Ahaan gave Nandini's hand to Manik..

Manik ( smiled ): Aapko kuch kehne ke zaroorath nahi hai. Mein jantha hoon, jisse mene shadi ki, wo ek bade pariwar ki amaanath hai. Waada nahi kar saktha par jo pyar isse yaha milthe hai, wo pyar dene ke koshish karoonga, apna pariwar apna hi hotha hai. She would never feel it in her new home which she would have felt over here. Par iske aankhon se kabhi aansu aane nahi dega. Ye tho mera waada hi hai..

And the Chopras smiled warmly at Manik and they blessed him with all their heart..

Soon, Manik opened the car's door and made Nandini sit inside who was still looking at her family with teary eyes. He closed her door and moved to the other side and occupied the seat beside her..Her brothers moved to the car and looked at her..

Kashish ( smiled ): Bas ek call karna aur hum tera samne honge. Jo tu kahe, wo karne keliye..

Nandini ( smiled ): I love you Bhai..

" We love you, too.." they said in unison and pushed the car and soon, the car was moved to the roads while Chopras wiped their tears which didn't have an end..

In the Car

Manik held Nandini's hand in his and she laid her head on his shoulder and tears made it's way out of her eyes..

Manik ( softly ): I will make it sure that you will never lose your family's love and warmth..

Nandini gave a small smile to him and she entwined their fingers and he kissed her forehead. Rest of the journey to Malhotra Mansion was silent..

In Malhotra Mansion

Gaura: Nandini beta, just push it with your toe and step in this plate and move forward..

Nandini pushed the pot of rice and stepped in the plate which had the red water and she walked inside the Mansion leaving her footprints in the Mansion..

Indira: Mann, usse kamre mein le chalo, bohath thak gayi hogi..Tum donon ka khana oopra bhijwa doongi..

Manik nodded and he forwarded his hand to her and she held it with a smile and moved upstairs while others preferred to stay silent and admired them..

In Manik's Bedroom

Manik lead Nandini inside and she walked ahead while he closed the door..She looked around the room to see it simple but elegant..

Manik ( curiously ): I hope, this room has got something more than regular..

Nandini ( smiled widely ): This is beautiful. Cutie really has got a taste..

Manik ( bad face ): The compliment goes to Myru..

Nandini ( giggled ): Well, you yourself told me that your bedroom is designed by cutie patootie..

Manik ( chuckled ): I still find that nickname funny..

Nandini ( defended herself ): Hey, that name is cute, okay..

Manik ( rolled his eyes ): Yeah, you and cute..

Nandini ( grinned ): Yeah, I told you, cute guys look attractive so I ought to like that word too..

Manik looked at her to see her grinning at him and he too smiled back at her..

Manik: Waise, you need to get changed..

Nandini ( nodded ): Yeah, um..Nana said that my clothes are already here..

Manik ( nodded ): Yup, come with me..

He took her to the walk in closet..

Manik: This is your side and that's mine..

Nandini ( smiled ): Tha...

She stopped in the middle and he simply smiled at her..

Manik ( kissing her forehead ): I'm waiting for you..

She smiled at him and moved inside while he took a pair of his nightwear from the closet and walked outside and closed the sliding door so that she could change from the closet and he preferred to change from the room itself..

" Knock " " Knock "

Manik opened the door to see the maid standing with a trolley of food and he let the maid inside, who walked out after arranging the food for them..

Soon, Nandini walked out of the closet and saw Manik getting food in both the plates..She rushed to him..

Nandini ( spoke in a go ): Mr. Malhotra, I would have done it. Hatiye aap, mein karoongi..

Manik made her sit on the bed and turned to his work while she again started to blabber..

Nandini: Mr. Malhotra..aap..

Manik again made her sit on the bed and this time he kept a finger on his own lips..

Manik: Shh...thodi der keliye tumhe chup rehna chahiye..Will you..??

Nandini ( nodded ): Haa mein chup hojaaongi par yeh kaam tho mujhe karne dheejiye..

Manik: Kyu..? Ye kaam karnekeliye dho log ke zaroorath nahi hai..

Nandini: Wahi tho mein keh rahi hoon, ye mein karoongi, ye mera kaam hai..

Manik ( huffed ): Mujhe tho laga tha ki mein ek modern vichar ki kany se shadi kiya tha..

Nandini ( frowned ): Ex...cuse..me..??

Manik ( glared ): Aur nahi tho kya..what did you mean by ' ye mera kaam hai '..Aisa kaam sirf beewi karegi kya, mere khayal se aise koi rule nahi hai. Mom taught me that there is no difference between a man and his wife, maybe there can be a difference between some outsiders of different genders but not between a couple and I wanted to follow it since the moment I decided to get married. So, please, don't break my dreams into pieces..

She stared at him with widened eyes and jaws dropped down while he already completed his work..

Manik ( closed her mouth ): You wanted me to feed you food..??

Nandini ( nodded in No immediately ): Nahi wo..um..

Manik ( concerned ): Kya hua..

Nandini ( stunned ): Aap..you..you don't act like how guys used to act like.

Manik ( horrified ): What does it mean..Oh hello, I'm really a guy..

Nandini ( glared ): What..!! Mera mathlab wo nahi tha, Mr. Malhotra..Usually, guys used to say that, she is my wife so she has to do all my works, she isn't supposed to back answer at me, she had to do that particular thing if I had ask her to do..All those things, I expected it when I said yes for marriage..In fact, even you, I knew you wouldn't ask me by seeing your character but I thought, you expected it from me..

Manik ( laughed ): Tum ladkiyan har ladke ko koi serial killer samajke rakha hai. When Myru was asked to marry, she already said Tarush that she isn't going to be a typical wife who does all household chores and when Bhabis came here, even they were expecting witch mother-in-laws..

Nandini giggled after hearing it..

Manik ( smiled ): On a serious note, Mrs. Malhotra, I don't believe in all those old " definition of married women ". I follow what my mom taught me and trust me, mom isn't a witch and so my other mums and Dadis and they really respecta a woman and so do I..

Nandini smiled with a content heart..

Manik: Chalo, let's have food. Bohath raath ho chuki hai..

Nandini took the plate from Manik and sat on a chair around a mini dining table beside Manik. She looked at the plate and bit her lips while Manik has already started eating. She poked him with a forefinger and he stared at her with raised eyebrows..

Nandini ( smiled ): One sec..

She took something from her plate and kept it in Manik's plate..

Manik ( frowned ): You don't like chicken..??

Nandini ( smiled sheepishly ): I think, I forgot to tell you, I'm a vegetarian..

Manik ( shocked ): Whatt..!!!

Nandini ( startled ): Aap chilla kyu rahe hai..??

Manik ( thought ): She's a vegetarian. Mathlab, my son will be a vegetarian too..heck no..!!!

She shook him by shoulders to get him out of trance..

Nandini ( concerned ): Are you alright..? Did you..feel bad for not eating what you kept in my plate..

Manik ( smiled ): No, no..nothing like that. I was just shocked..You are a Punjabi, then..??

Nandini ( smiled ): Bua, she's a vegetarian and just like how others say, I'm a photo copy of Bua..

Manik ( smiled ): Okay...

Soon, they completed their food..

Manik: Um, you can take the bed and I will occupy this couch..

Nandini ( smiled ): I already said, I trust you..I hope you don't need to hear anything more..

Manik grinned at her and nodded..He took the left side and she took the right ad pulled the duvet over them..

Nandini: Mr. Malhotra...

Manik, who was staring at her just raised his eyebrows at her..

Nandini ( smiled ): Aap bohath ache hai..

And Manik smiled like a fool after hearing that compliment from her. He held her right hand in his left one and entwined them and moved forward which accelerated Nandini's heartbeat. He simply kissed her forehead which brought a wide grin on her lips..

Manik: Good night, Mrs. Malhotra..

Nandini ( smiled ): Good night, Mr. Malhotra..

And soon, they drifted into a deep slumber with their hands still entwined with each other's..

Next Morning

Manik was the first one to groan in sleep due to the sun rays as they were disturbing his beautiful sleep. He, opened his eyes slowly only to smile as he was holding his wife secured in his arms. He looked at her face which was devoid of any make up but only the morning glow. He stared at her face with only admiration in his eyes. But then, reality hit his face. Shit,he was holding his wife..!!!

Manik ( whispered ): What the hell..!! Ye mene kya kar diya. How can I hold her without her permission..!!

He tried to move out of the old when he saw his hand was in her grip..

Manik ( smiled ): I would love to stay like this but you shouldn't feel awkward when you're with me, anymore..

He tried to get his hand from her hold when she stirred in sleep making him halt. She turned to him and pushed herself more into him making him to take deep breaths to control his raging hormones..

Manik: Mrs. Malhotra, aap kuch zyada hi pareshan kar rahe hai mujhe..

Hearing him whispering, she stirred again much to his annoyance, here, he is trying not to touch her and she is making it difficult for him with her proximity..

Slowly, she had to open her eyes due to Manik's innumerable tries to get out of her hold..She tried to adjust with the sunlight and soon her eyes went wide after seeing Manik Malhotra, her husband, a centimeter close to her face and she was literally lying on him..

Manik ( freaked out ): Please don't take me wrong, I had no intention to hold you like this but then it happened without my knowledge. And when I tried to get out of your hold, you woke up. I'm so sorry..

Saying it he got down and ran to washroom while she stared at the washroom door with widened eyes..

Nandini ( whispered ): What just happened..??

She recalled the way he spoke to her and she broke into fits of laughter..

Nandini ( giggled ): I was right, he's darn cute..!!

She too got down and folded the duvet and arranged the pillows when all of a sudden she remembered how she saw their bodies tangled to each other when she woke up. She bit her lips and her cheeks got colored with red..

Right after 30 minutes, Manik walked out dressed up in office wear. He wasn't looking at her and she too felt awkward so she simply walked inside the closet and took her clothes and moved to washroom while he sighed in relief..

Manik ( hit his head ): God, Manik, neend mein bhi tumhara control uske paas hai. Patha nahi kal subah konse shape mein honge hum dono..

And remembering , he too blushed. He combed his hair and was about to move out when he stopped in the middle..

Manik: Shouldn't I wait for her..Teek se sorry bhi nahi kaha..But how will I face her again, aadha ganta tho washroom mein shower se zyada iska preparation kar rahe the, phir bhi confidence nahi mila..

He decided to wait for her and in the meantime, he decided to check his office mails from his mobile.

He heard the door getting opened right after 15 minutes and he knew she was here. He palmed his face and took a deep breathe and stoop up while muttering ' you can do it ' and looked in front..

Manik: M.....

His breathe hitched in his throat after seeing his wife in a new avatar, which he has never witnessed in his whole life..

Manik: Saree....

She was wiping her wet hair with the towel while standing in front of the mirror with her back facing him and he immediately looked down after coming in contact with her bare back..

Manik ( cursed ): Shit...mere hormone level ko kya ho raha hai aaj...

Suddenly, he felt someone clearing her/his throat. He turned to right to see Nandini looking at him while biting her lips. It said, she was still over the morning incident..

Nandini: Um, aap...abi thak yaha..

Manik: Huh..ha...wo..um..tum mails pad rahe the..

Nandini ( frowned ): Huh...??

Manik ( hit his head ): Mein..mein mails pad raha tha..

Nandini ( nodded ): Oh...tho..chalein..

Manik nodded and rushed to the door and opened the door and stepped aside..

Manik ( looking here and there ): After you..

Nandini walked forward and was about to move out when she held his hand in her's and entwined them..

Nandini ( whispered ): Mujhe bura nahi laga..

Manik snapped his head at her..

Manik ( frowned ): What..

Nandini looked at him with a sweet smile on her lips..

Nandini: I knew, it was unintentional. You would never do something which will hurt me. Jaise mujhe aapke saath comfortable rehna hai waise hi aapko bhi rehna hai, I didn't mind it. The morning incident..

Manik stared at her with a goofy grin..She was about to take her hand out of his hold when he tightened it..

Manik ( softly ): Does it mean, I can hold you the way I held you today..??

She looked at him surprised but he was staring at her intently and she looked here and there and tried to move again when he pulled her and her back hit his chest making her gasp..

Manik ( whispered in her ears ): Bolo Mrs. Malhotra. Can I..??

Nandini ( bit her lips ): You hold the right to hold me like that..

And he grinned which made his lips to touch her ears lightly which did send shivers through their spines..

Manik ( huskily ): Say it, only I hold that right..

Nandini was breathing heavily due to his heavy breathes which were fanning her neck..

Manik: Mrs. Malhotra..

Nandini ( whispered ): Only, you hold the right to hold me like how you held me in the morning..

He simply made her turn and kissed her forehead which brought a smile on her lips..

Manik ( smiled ): I just thanked you...

Nandini ( smiled ): Accepted...

They stared at each other with a sweet smile playing on their lips with their hands entwined with each other's..

To be continued..