In Chopra's Mansion

Manik parked his car in front of the Mansion and opened the door for Nandini once he got out of his car. He forwarded his hand towards her and she held it with a smile while getting out of the car. They moved to the Mansion and rang the bell..

Nandini ( smiled ): Ma...

It was Takshvi and Nandini just hugged her tightly while Takshvi's eyes were filled with happy tears. Manik watched the duo with a sweet smile playing on his lips. They broke the hug and Takshvi cupped her tears lovingly..

Takshvi: Kaisi ho tum..??

Nandini ( grinned ): I just missed your scolding session..

Takshvi faked a glare at her for which she smiled sheepishly. She turned her attention to Manik and smiled at him..He too returned the smile and bent to take blessings from her..

Takshvi: Khush raho beta..

Soon, Nandini's gaze fell on the people behind Takshvi who were standing in a row to meet her. She, was about to run inside when Takshvi stopped her..

Takshvi: Mujhe patha hai tum andhar jaana chahthi hai, par pehle aarti karni hai mujhe..

Nandini pouted sadly and Manik chuckled silently at her. Takshvi did their Arti and applied teeka on their foreheads and it didn't takemore than a minute for Nandini to run inside and crash into her Dadi's arms..

Aanchal ( smiled ): Kaisi hai meri bachi..??

Nandini ( kissed her cheeks ): Ekdum fit and fine. Aap bolo na, kal raath teek se soi thi kya..aur apna medicines khaa liya..

Aanchal ( sighed ): Haa baba, sab kuch waisa ke waisa hi hua jaise tu aaj thak kar rahi thi..

Nandini smiled at her and moved to Kailash and Maanav and hugged them. She moved to Saaransh and he kissed her forehead..

Saaransh ( whispered in her ear ): How are your in-laws..??

Nandini ( giggled ): Darne ki koi baath nahi hai, sab ache log hai..

Saaransh ( grinned ): Achi baath hai..

She moved to Ahaan and Abhinav and they too hugged her. And at the end, she moved to her brothers who simply took her in their embrace and glued her to them not even allowing her to meet the rest of the ladies..

Kailash: Manik beta, kya loge tum..? Chai ya coffee..??

Manik ( smiled ): Arey Nahi Papa, hamara breakfast abhi abhi hui, phirse kuch pee nahi saktha mein..

Ishika: Ye kya baath hua beta, Bidaai ke alawa pehli baar tum hamare ghar mein teek se beitha hai aur bina kuch peeke chalna chahthe ho tum..

Manik ( smiled awkwardly ): Uh..wo, Choti Ma, teek hai, I'll have some tea..

Zaara: Wiase bhi mein tumhe jaane nahi dethi, tho chalo, peeyo yeh..

Manik smiled at her and had some tea while Nandini was smiling all the while seeing him trying to get comfortable with her family..

Manik: Grand Pa, ab mein chaltha hoon..

Maanav: Bilkul bhi nahi, pehle hamara poora ghar dekho, arey mere sirf dho daamad hai tho obviously mere haq bantha hai ye sab karne ka..

Manik ( smiled ): Ji Grand Pa..Jaise aap kahe..

Manik looked at Nandini and she looked at her family who nodded at her. She stood up and he too stood up and moved to her..Ishaan also stood up when kairav pulled him down..

Ishaan: Kya hai Bhai..??

Kairav: Abey chote dimaag wale, kaha jaa rahe the tu..

Ishaan: Arey Hun is gonna give a tour of our Mansion to Manik, someone should be there with her na..

Neil ( hit his head ): Ishaan, she's going with her husband, not a male friend to have a check on her..

Ishaan ( smiled sheepishly ): Oh sorry, bhool gaya, aadath tha na..

Gaurish ( nodded ): Koi nahi, mein bhi yahi karnewala tha, so you're forgiven..

Kashish: Patha nahi, ye dhono ka brain kaha kho gaye the..

They both simply glared at him..By now, Nandini and Manik have started walking to have a tour..

Upstairs

Nandini showed the whole Mansion to Manik and now, it was her bedroom's turn. She turned the knob of the door and entered inside followed by Manik. She stared at the room with a smile..

Nandini: This is my bedroom..My favorite place..It has got everything that I want..

Manik ( smiled ): It's beautiful..What's that..??

She followed his gaze and smiled. She held his hand and dragged him to the place..

Nandini: This is the way to my study.

Manik: A room in your bedroom..??

Nandini: Yup..

She opened it for him and he looked at it with astonishment in his eyes..

Manik: You should call it a private office..

Nandini ( giggled ): Oh yeah, whatever I want is this, my work place. Even if I'm in my bedroom to sleep, I prefer to read any of my case diaries and make some clues before sleeping warna neend hi nahi aayegi..

Manik ( smirked ): I thought only I was a workaholic but today I got my partner, that too in my wife..

Nandini ( smirked ): You have no idea, Mr. Malhotra..

He pulled her to him startling her..

Manik: Make me get an idea, then, Mrs. Malhotra..

Nandini ( bit her lips ): Okay, I think, you will have to take some more time to understand me..

Manik ( smiled ): Yeah, but only a bit. I want to know more of you to become your better half..

Nandini ( smiled ): If that's what you wish..But, according to me, you're already my better half..

Saying it, she got out of his hold and moved out of her bedroom with a smile while he stayed there grinning..

Manik: She's gonna make me crazy..

He ruffled his hairs and moved out and saw her smiling while looking at the portraits which was hung on the wall of the living room in the upstairs..

Manik: You know, you should tell me who all are these kids..

Nandini ( smiled ): This is us, the Chopra siblings..

She showed each of their photos to Manik..

Manik ( grinned ): You were short in your childhood too..

Nandini ( pouted ): I was just 8 years old..

Manik ( chuckled ): But, you looked like you were of 5..

Nandini ( glared ): Don't talk to me..

She looked the other side making him chuckle. He moved closer to her and kept his chin on her shoulder making her heartbeat to rise..

Manik: Aap short thi aur hai but you know, that's something which attracts me towards you..

She looked at him in surprise. He kept his forehead on her's which brought only peace for both of them..

Manik ( softly ): You know why..? Because, I can hug you and capture you in my arms like my own possession and you would fit in it which makes me more happier..

She smiled widely and turned slowly to him and pulled his shirt with her forefinger and pushed herself into his chest making him smile..

Nandini ( whispered ): Just like this..??

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head..

Manik ( smiled ): Just like this..

She simply smiled and tightened her hold on his shirt and he caressed her hairs..Manik took his phone out of his pant's pockets when he felt it vibrating. He found a message from Cabir stating about some business matter..

Manik ( sighed ): Mrs. Malhotra..

He looked down to see her playing with his shirt's buttons and she simply hmm-ed at him..

Manik: Jaana hai ki nahi..

She tilted her head upwards to look at him, still being in his arms..He raised his eyebrows at her..

Nandini ( smiled ): I feel so peaceful..

And this mere sentence caught Manik's heart and it jumped in joy. She broke the hug and entwined their fingers and he kissed her forehead..

Nandini ( smiled ): Chalein..??

Manik nodded at her and they both descended the stairs to see the men talking with each other while ladies were nowhere to be sound, maybe in kitchen..

Manik ( cleared his throat ): Uh...mujhe chalna chahiye..

And this caught everybody's attention and they turned to Manik and Nandini who were standing with a centimeter away from each other..

Maanav: Beta, hum lunch prepare karthe hai..

Manik ( apologetically ): Nahi Grand Pa, mujhe Cabir ka message aaya tha, ek zaroori office ka kaam hai..I'm sorry par ruk nahi paoonga..I'll come at night to get your daughter..

Kailash: Teek hai beta, work comes first..Jao..

Ishaan ( murmured ): And here comes the workaholic Kailash Chopra..

And this was heard by Manik and Nandini. Nandini glared at him while Manik suppressed himself chuckling..And Ishaan just ignored both of them..

By now, even Chopra ladies came out of the kitchen to bid bye to Manik. He smiled at Nandini, who smiled in return, and got inside his car and drove back to Malhotra Mansion..

Nandini entered inside the Mansion along with her family and she ran to the elder ladies.

Nandini: Nana...

Nandini hugged Janki who hugged her back tightly..She kissed her forehead..

Janki: Kaisa tha apna naya pariwar..pasand aagayi tujhe..??

Nandini ( smiled ): Haa Nana, sab bohath ache hai. Gaura Dadi tho aap jaisi hai, bohath hi cute..

Janki ( grinned ): Aakhir tu ne accept kiya ki mein cute hoon..

Nandini ( giggled ): Obviously aap cute hai, aakhir meri Nana hai..

Zaara ( pouted sadly ): Saara pyar Nana ko, mera kya..

Nandini hugged Zaara and kissed her cheeks tightly..

Nandini: I missed you Dimples..

Zaara: Nahi, tu mujhe miss hi nahi kiya..Warna pehle mujhe hug kiya hotha..

Nandini: Arey nahi na Dimples, Bhai tho chod nahi rahe the mujhe aur waise bhi aapko mein kaise miss nahi karoon. Aap tho meri dimples hai na, sirf meri..

Zaara smiled and kissed her cheeks making Nandini giggle. She moved to Ishika and hugged her..

Nandini ( cutely ): Choti Ma, aap kisi aur ko apna cooking skills math dikhayiye..wo tho sirf mera haqq hai..

Ishika ( chuckled ): Wo tho mein kisi aur ko nahi dene wali..

Eva ( winked ): Nahi devilie, wo haqq mein cheen loongi..

Nandini ( scowled ): Oye, apna muh bandh rakh witchy, warna thod doongi, bhoolna mth, abhi bhi PVT Investigator hoon..

She hugged all her Bhabis and even kissed their baby bumps ( except Eva and Jhanvi )..

Nandini: Jhanvi Bhabi, mere chote saab ka utne ka time hai ab, aaj mein hi usse khana khila doongi, chalo, deejiye..

Jhanvi ( smiled ): Haa baba, teek hai, tu hi karo..

Takshvi ( concerned ): Waise Nandu, Manik aur uske pariwar ko koi dikhath tho nahi tere kaam karne wajah se..Tum unhe samjhaaya hai na..

Nandini ( smirked ): Kisi ko mere kaam se problem thi aur ab wo khud mereliye parshaan ho rahi hai thaaki mujhe aage bhi kaam kar sakoon..

Takshvi ( glared ): Nandu...

Nandini ( giggled ): Okay, no more jokes..unhe koi problem nahi hai ma..

The elders ladies smiled and moved out of the kitchen while the youngsters remained in to have a light chit chat..

Hetal ( worried ): Bells, Manik tere saath ache se behave karthe hai na..

Nandini ( smiled ): He's everything I have always wanted, Bhabi..!! I'm never gonna get someone better than him..

And now, they knew Nandini is more than happy to be Mrs. Nandini Manik Malhotra..

At night

Manik, who has come to Chopra Mansion to take Nandini back with him, was having a conversation with Aanchal and Zaara. He found them quiet similar to Nandini, in fact, just like people say, Zaara and Nandini are alike..

Zaara: Lo, baby is here..

Manik turned to the stairs to see Nandini waking down the stairs while talking with Kashish and Kairav. Soon, Nandini's attention turned towards Manik who winked at her secretly and she looked here and there while hiding her smile..

Gaurish: Chiko, apna khayal rakhna, dekh zyada kaam math karna. Tu tho ab office mein hi sona shuru karegi..

Nandini pouted at him sadly..

Manik ( thought ): Tho mein kya ab PVT Investigators ke office mein sona shuru karna chahiye kya..!!

Eva ( smirked ): Uske fikar math karo Bhai, Jeeju hai na, wo tho iske bina so bhi nahi paega, isiliye ghar pe hi soyegi yeh..hai na Jeejuuuu...!!

Manik gave a nervous smile to her, after getting embarrassed enough while others chuckled except Nandini who was trying not to blush in front of her own family.

Janki: Chalo, raath bohath ho chuki hai, ab dhono ko jaana chahiye..Manik beta, sambhalke drive karna..

Manik ( smiled ): Ji Nana...

Manik and Nandini bade bye to Chopras and got inside their car and drove to Malhotra Mansion..

In Malhotra Mansion

Nandini was welcomed again in Malhotra Mansion and since it was late night, Manik and Nandini bade good night to everyone and retired to their bedroom..

In MaNan's Bedroom

Manik: Mrs. Malhotra, tum fresh hoke aaja, tab thak I'll get changed from the walk-in-closet..

Nandini nodded at him and got inside the washroom while Manik changed himself into T-shirt and tracks..

Right after 10 minutes, even Nandini got changed into her comfy nightwear only to see Manik typing something in his laptop. She moved to the bed and settled down beside him..

Nandini: Office work..??

That was when, Manik noticed Nandini and he smiled at her..

Manik ( nodded ): Haa, aaj jab tumhare ghar pe aaya tab Cabir ne ek client ke message bheja tha. A new project..

Nandini simply smiled at him. Though, she never allowed any men of her her family to work when they are with their family, she didn't say it to Manik. She was also a workaholic person, even she works at home, the only difference is, she works only if she's alone..

Manik ( smiled ): Mujhe patha hai tumhe ghar pe kaam pasand nahi hai phir bhi aaj keliye jhelna..

Nandini stared at him in shock..

Manik ( chuckled ): Kairav Bhai se patha chala, how dominant you can get when you're with your family..

Nandini ( grinned sheepishly ): Wo...I just don't like it. I mean, none of the lady of my family like it when they work at home. Mein bhi kaam sirf thab karthi hoon jab sone jaathi hoon, tabhi tho kamre jaathi hoon na, warna I'm always with my family..

Manik smiled in understanding..

Nandini ( smiled ): But, it doesn't mean you need to follow the same..

Manik ( raised his eyebrows ): Kyu..? Main tumhara family nahi hoon..??

Nandini ( nodded in no frantically ): Nahi...aisi bath nahi hai..Mein tho bas...

Manik sighed and kept his laptop aside and turned to her and held her hands..

Manik: Mene tumse already kehdiya tha, Mrs. Malhotra, ki tumhein mere saath comfortable rehna chahiye aur tum ho ki phir wahi baath pe aayi ho..

Nandini ( low smile ): I didn't want you to think that I'm dominating..!!

Manik ( laughed ): Well, I badly want you to be dominating. Warna beewi ka mathlab hi kuch aur hotha hai. Mian beewi se darna chahiye na..

Nandini ( chuckled ): Mujhe pasand nahi hai aise husbands..They should be equal, neither weak nor dominating..

Manik ( smiled ): Mujhe patha hai tumhe wo sab pasand nahi hai aur mein ye bhi jantha hoon tum agar kuch chahe tho usmein burai nahi hogi..trust me, when you get dominating, I would feel that you accepted me wholeheartedly..

Nandini ( smiled ): Okay, tho aaj ke baad, no work at home..

Manik bowed to her dramatically..

Manik: Jo aap chahe, beewi sahiba..

Nandini ( laughed ): Good for you..

And he laughed with her..

Nandini: Chalo, agar aapka kaam poora hua tho, let's get some sleep..

Manik ( nodded ): Sure..

And they both laid on the bed and covered themselves with duvet..

Nandini ( smiled ): Mr. Malhotra..

Manik ( smiled ): Haa..

Nandini ( smiled ): I've already accepted you as my husband, wholeheartedly..

Saying it, she turned to the other side while Manik stared at her back with a wide grin on his lips..

Manik: Mrs. Malhotra...

Nandini: Haa...

Manik ( hesitantly ): Is it fine, if I hold you..??

Nandini smiled when he asked her permission to hold her even when he has the whole right to.

Nandini: I trust you, Mr. Malhotra, you better learn it..

Manik simply smiled and moved closer to her and held her waist making her breathe hitch in her throat..His breathe was fanning on her face and neck which created a havoc in her..

Manik ( whispered in her ear ): Good night, Mrs. Malhotra..

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

And they drifted in one of the most peaceful slumber they've ever had in their lives..

To be continued..