In the Garden

Peace..!!
That word holds a lot of importance in a man's life. Searching or peace and finally acquiring it is something worth living..

Manik, is a workaholic person. But, he too was a fun-loving guy back in schooling and college times. From nowhere, he felt an urge to make his family proud and he knew, he had to opt business for it.

He did, after working for day and night, he made his family proud of him but then by that time, he was quiet habitual with his work. He couldn't get back to his carefree mode. He started loving his present life, a family man yet workaholic, a rude yet fun-loving.

And like an arrogant man, he was also in search of PEACE. He searched for it and he could find them only in stars. Stars were so beautiful that he got fascinated of them and found peace in them.

But, just like changes are necessary. He too went under some changes. Stars, who were Manik Malhotra's peace got replaced by Nandini Manik Malhotra, his wife. She became his peace and now, he knew this wasn't something temporary, but for life long. Finally, he met his REAL PEACE..!!

Manik has wrapped Nandini in his arms, who has rested her head on Manik's chest while her gaze was fixed on the stars..

Nandini: Mr. Malhotra..

Manik: Hmm..

Nandini: Why didn't you do a love marriage..??

Manik ( surprised ): What..??

Nandini ( looked at him ): Why didn't you do a love marriage..? I mean, you don't look like a guy who have never been in any relationship and if you get into any relationship, then it's obvious that you can't take it lightly, you aren't such a guy..

Manik ( raised his eyebrows ): So, you mean, I shouldn't have married you but should have got into any relationship and then marry her..??

Nandini ( shocked ): Mene aise kuch kaha bhi nahi..

Manik: Arey, kehne ke kya zaroorath hai. Tum bol tho aise rahi hai..

Nandini ( sighed ): Manik Malhotra, mera mathlab wo nahi tha..I would never want my husband to get hitch with some random lady..

He looked at her puffed cheeks which meant, irritation. He smiled and pulled her more close to him and kept his chin on her shoulder..

Manik: Pehle ye boliye beewi sahiba ki aapko aisa soch kaha se aayi ki mein koi relationship mein bhi reh saktha hoon, I mean, a love life before marriage..

Nandini: Well, you're rich, handsome, kind-hearted and a gentleman. Everything, a girl wants in her life partner..

Manik ( smirked ): I am handsome..??

Nandini ( furrowed her eyebrows ): Why..? Am I the first person who said it..?

He made a bad face and she giggled, he too smiled and tightened his hold on her..

Manik: Zaroori nahi hai har wo ladka jo rich ya handsome ya gentleman ya kind-hearted hai, usse relationship mein rehna chahiye. Aisa nahi hai ki I never found any girl worth of staring. There were girls, cute or beautiful or hot but I couldn't gaze at them more than a second, I simply didn't feel something for them. They were some random girls for me. Koi mere dil ko chua nahi. Isiliye relationship ke barein mein socha hi nahi. Moreover, I was interested in business, isiliye college life ke baad bhi kisi ko bhav nahi diya par jis din tumse mila na, kuch ajeeb sa mehsoos kiya. Pehle kabhi koi bhi ladki ko dekhke, dekhthe hi rehne ka mann nahi kiya. But, you were different. I badly wanted to stare at you forever. Even, when I rejected you for the first time, I felt a pang of pain in my heart. Pehle iski wajah patha nahi tha par ab sab kuch patha hai..

He stared at her to see her smiling at him sweetly.

Nandini: Patha hai aapko, you remind me of Gaurish Bhai. He too had similar thoughts. I used to tell that Jhanvi Bhabi is the luckiest girl on earth but now I think it wasn't just her but even I'm supposed to be more than lucky to be your wife..

Manik smiled and kept his forehead on her's who turned and hugged him. He nuzzled in her hairs and she clutched his collar in her fist. He moved her hairs to her left shoulder and kissed her neck and for the first time, he heard her moaning, which wasn't helping him at all to control himself. He looked at her face to know whether she was uncomfortable with his touch but she was sitting with closed eyes and breathing heavily, there was no discomfort on her face..

She opened her eyes when she saw him moving closer to her face, he kissed her forehead, her eyes and she sighed in content. He moved more closer and pecked her nose and pulled her on his lap..

Manik ( whispered ): You need to stop me, Mrs. Malhotra or else I would lose it..

Nandini ( smiled ): You won't. Just like how you controlled yourself, now.

Manik smiled and kissed her forehead..

Manik: Let's leave beewi sahiba..

She smiled at him and they both got up and left for their home..

Next Morning

In MaNan's Bedroom

Nandini was the first one to wake up due to her alarm rings. She turned it off and tried to get up only to get back to her previous position, which is, in her husband's arms.She tried to remove his hand which was resting on her waist but it did nothing. Why can't he let her go at least when he's asleep..!!

Having no option, she poked his arm but that was of no use, seems like sleep is his second love, first is already taken by food. Instead of poking, this time, she pushed his shoulders and finally, he opened his eyes, only half..

Nandini ( sighed ): Kab se bula rahi hoon mein aapko..

Manik ( sleepily ): Kyu..kuch kaam tha..

Nandini ( tapped his cheeks ): Ab aap phirse math soja..

Manik: Mrs. Malhotra..aapko mere sone se kya problem hai..Romance tho aap karne nahi dethe, phir kya karna hai..

She bit her lips and glared at him and his concentration was on her lips. His Hormones..!!!

Nandini: Mujhe usse koi thakleef nahi. Takleef iss bath ke hai ki aap mujhe aise pakad ke rakha hai jaise mein gayab honewali hoon..

Manik ( chuckled ): Jaise gayab hojayegi waise hi mein aapko wapas leke aaonga..

Nandini ( sighed ): Aapse bath karke mein hi thak jaoongi..ab mujhe chodo tho sahi..

He took his mobile from the drawer and checked the time..

Manik: Ab tho bas 6 baj chuke hai..kaha jaa rahe ho tum ithni jaldhi..

Nandini ( stupid smile ): Mujhe..work out karni thi..

Manik ( shocked ): Work out..ithni jaldhi utke..?? Kam se kam 8 bajne dho..

Nandini ( sighed ): Uss waqt aap keejiye work out, tab mujhe kitchen mein hogi..9 baje se pehle breakfast ready karna hai..

Manik ( sighed ): Mrs. Malhotra..mein pehle bhi keh chuka hoon aur ab phirse keh raha hoon, I'm not some 80s wala husband who can see his wife only in the kitchen..

Nandini ( interrupted ): Janthi hoon mein. Par, mujhe ye sab acha lagtha hai. Kitchen mein ek saath Daadi, Ma aur Bhabi ke saat khana banana, ye sab mein apne ghar mein hi karthi thi aur yaha bhi karna chahthi hoon, bas farak ithna hi ki bachpan se nahi janthi mere naye gharwalon ko..

Manik smiled at her and kissed her forehead..

Manik ( whispered ): I got something more than I expected. I wanted a woman who can consider my family as her own but I got someone who already love my family like how I could..

She simply smiled and got out of his hold and walked to the washroom while he preferred to lie on the bed for some more time..

Soon, she got out of the washroom and changed into her work out outfit from the walk-in-closet and walked out of the room after glancing at Manik who was lying on the bed with closed eyes..

In the Gym

Nandini walked inside the Gym and removed her jacket and admired the Gym. This was the first time, she was seeing their Gym..

Soon, she started with her favorite Treadmill. Working out was always something she liked and for the past 1 week, she couldn't due to her marriage.

On the other hand, Manik couldn't sleep with Nandini so he too decided to work out with his wife, lone time with her is interesting for him, anyhow..!!

He changed into his shorts with bare chest and jogged to the Gym and entered inside only to gasp.

Watching his wife, who was doing some stretching exercise while standing but in an extreme hot outfit was tempting for him. He gulped hard seeing her almost not-covered body and unknowingly, his legs moved towards her.

He stood right behind her who was way too into her exercise instead of her husband. Come on, she has such a hot husband standing right behind her, but she wasn't even aware of it, how unromantic..!!

He moved his face closer to her neck and nuzzled in her neck making her squeal in fear. He immediately clutched her belly and made her look at him..

Manik: Shh..its me Manik..

She breathed a sigh of relief and he immediately removed his hand from her body so that she doesn't feel uncomfortable..

Nandini ( glared ): Damn, you scared the shit out of me..Aise bhi koi aatha hai kya, Mr. Malhotra..

Manik ( smirked ): Not my fault, mujhe thodi patha hotha ki meri beewi aise Gym karthi hai..

And she looked at herself and looked here and there..She, even tried to hide herself but then she reminded herself that he holds that right..

Nandini: Wo..this is my Gym..outfit..

He held her elbow and pulled her to him which did surprise her..

Manik ( sternly ): Gym kaha karthi ho tum..??

Nandini: Huh..??

Manik: Mene poocha tum shadi se pehle work out kaha karthi ho..?? Bahar kahi jaathi hai kya..??

Nandini ( frowned ): Ghar pe private Gym hai, isiliye work out wahi karthi hoon..aur bahar, kabhi kabhi jogging keliye jaathi hoon Pa aur Hotty ke saath..

Manik ( glared ): Aise kapdon mein..?? Ithne log honge waha aur tum aise kapde pehenthe ho..??

She was quiet take aback with his tone. He never was this stern with her..

Nandini: Mr. Malhotra..aap ithne naraz kyu ho rahe ho..??

Manik ( sternly ): Nothing..

He turned to go when she held his hand making him halt in his tracks..

Manik ( sighed ): Mrs. Malhotra, I don't want you beside me when I get angry..I might hurt you..Please stay away..

He was about to take his hand back when she came in front of him and entwined his hands with her's which calmed a bit of his anger..

Nandini ( softly ): Can I know why were you angry with me..?? Aap isse pehle mujhse kabhi gussa nahi tha..Please tell me..

Manik: Mrs.M..

Nandini: Aapne kaha har rishthe ke shuruwath Trust se hona hai aur mereliye har rishthe ke shuruwat adjustment aur understanding se hona chahiye warna kabhi bhi toot sakthe hai. Aur aapke gusse ko adjust karne keliye taiyar hoon main par aapko understand karne keliye aapko kehna chahiye mere kiye hue kya cheez aapko pasand nahi hai..

He looked in her eyes which were pleading him to cooperate and he felt himself slipping in a pool of guilt..He moved closer and kept his forehead on her's..

Manik: What you wore now is something revealing. I know, you're an independent girl and you hold every right to wear what you want and I really respect your choice. But, I can't help it. I'm a bit possessive for whatever belongs to me which included you too. I don't like someone watching you like this which is only my right..

She was supposed to get angry and if it was someone else, she would have spat her anger but here, she couldn't, because she knew they're new into this relationship so insecurity is common, just like how she didn't like the thought of he belonging to someone..

Manik ( caressed her cheeks ): I'm sorry..

Nandini ( smiled ): You don't need to. I've seen possessiveness and being insecure for each other between many couples. I can understand what you're feeling right now.

He smiled faintly, he was still guilty..

Nandini ( grinned ): Moreover, I don't wear this while going for jogging. I wear a jacket above it. I am not comfortable like this.

Manik ( shocked ): Really..???

She pinched her throat and muttered..

Nandini: Nandini promise, I'm not lying..Mujhe aise kapde pehenke bahar jaana pasand nahi hai..

And he palmed his face in more guilt. He peeked from his fingers to see her smirking at him. He removed his hands from his face and held his left ear and muttered sorry which she chuckled and pinched his cheeks..

Manik: I'm really sorry..wo mein..I got a bit possessive..Um..mein kaise..

Before he could continue, he was awarded with his most favorite sweet, a cheeks kiss from his wife..

Nandini ( smiled ): Aapko insecure hone ke zaroorath nahi hai..You're my husband and I wouldn't let any other man to snatch your right..

He smiled and kissed her forehead making her smile..

Nandini: Can I continue with my work out..??

Manik: Shall I join..??

Nandini: Sure..What do you wanna start with..??

Manik ( smirked ): Weightlifting..

Nandini ( smiled ): Oh, how heavy should it be..??

Manik: Probably, 50-55..

She looked at him in horror..

Nandini: You can hold 50-55 Kgs..

Manik ( looking at her from top to bottom ): Yep, but if you weigh more than 55, then....

He made a sad face and she understood he meant he could lift her..She glared at her and slapped his arms lightly making him chuckle..

Nandini ( sarcastically ): No thanks, you can lift some dumbbells instead of your heavy wife..

Manik ( chuckled ): Haww, so you were heavy..Thanks for the confession..

She stomped her feet with her puffed up cheeks and concentrated in her exercise while he simply chuckled at his wife's anger..

Manik: I should probably keep names for you, now..Always angry tigress mode on..

Nandini: My brothers have got me plenty of names so I don't want anymore names in the list..

He moved to the dumbbells and picked them up with his hands and got started with his work out..

Manik: Well, even husbands hold the right, beewi sahiba..

Nandini: Yep, they do but its only with those sweet names warna jaise meri best friend ne Ishaan Bhai ke pitaai kiya wahi milega ye " husbands " ko..

Manik ( fake scared ): Bachke rehna chahiye tumse..

Nandini ( giggled ): Of course..

She moved to the another equipment which happened to be the Body Trac Glider and sat on it..

Manik saw her trying hard to lock her shoes with the equipment but it was jammed..

Manik: It's way too strong for you..let me help you out..

He moved to her and sat behind her and tried to lock it for her..

Nandini: Bhai used to do it for me..I don't know why but that thing and I are kinda enemies..

Manik ( chuckled ): You've got problems with Gym Equipment too..

Nandini ( cutely ): What can I do..? That thing doesn't go well with me..

Manik ( smirked ): Well, this thing really helped me to get close to you..

He pointed their positions and she glared at him..

Nandini: Where do you get this much energy to tease me..??

Manik: I work out, Madam..Aapse bhi behthar thareekhe se..

Nandini: Jaayiye, mujhe aapke help ke zaroorath nahi hai..

She got up but her shoes were already locked with it and she fell back on his chest and he held her belly to balance themselves..

Nandini: Damn..when did you do it..

Manik: Kabhi kisiki bhi bath maano..

She glared at him and he was smirking. He moved closer to her face..

Manik: Between, I don't think you should wear such outfits in front of me too..It's dangerous..

That was when she noticed his hand on her belly and she blushed hard. She tried to get up when he stopped her and removed the lock from her shoes..

Manik ( huskily ): You don't need work out, I can feel it..

He moved to her neck and placed a chaste kiss over there making her moan. She gripped his shoulders and he pulled her more close to him and placed wet kisses from her shoulders to her collarbone..

He cupped her cheeks and caressed them and moved closer but....

" Shit..humne kuch dekha nahi.." they heard the voice and immediately pulled apart and looked in the left to see younger Malhotra men standing with their back facing towards them. Nandini, stood up the next second while Manik cursed his brothers and stood beside Nandini and she immediately and moved to stand behind him..

Manik ( gritted his teeth ): Subah subah Gym pe kya kar rahe ho aap log..

Abhi: Pehle ye batha, hum mudke dekhe sakthe hai kya..

Manik was about to nod when he remembered something..

Manik: Wait..

Cabir: Dekh Manik, phirse romance math kar..hume bhi karne hai work out..

Manik ( angrily ): Cabir..chup kar..

He was about to move when she held his hand..

Nandini: um..Mr. Mlahotra..my..

Manik: Hang on..

He removed her hand from his and moved to the nearby chair and took her jacket and gave it to her who smile brightly at him and wore it..

Manik: Now, you can turn back..

They turned behind and frowned at them..

Devarsh: Ab thak tho kya akr rahe he yar..humare aane ke baad bhi tujhe romance karna hai..

Nandini, not even once, looked up at Manik's brothers. She was looking down while biting her nails with her reddened cheeks..

Manik: Bhai..ab aap bhi shuru math hoja..

Sachan: Aise kaise..sach hi tho keh rahe the..

Abhi ( hands on his hips ): Mujhe ye samaj nahi aa raha hai ki tum dhono ko romance karne keliye apna kamra vacant nahi hai kya..mathlab, Gym mein aake ek doosre ke bahon mein..chi...

Manik ( glared ): Haa, kamra bazaar gaye the, isiliye socha Gym me sojaoon tho kal raath se hi yaha pe tha..

And Nandini stared at him through her eyelashes with " he's seriously lost his mind " look on her face..

Cabir: mathlab, tujhe zara sa bhi sharam nahi hai..

Manik: Kyu..? Mein apni beewi ke sath tha aur usmein kya galathi hai..bol tho aise raha hai jaise tum Navya Bhabi ke sath tho kuch karthe hi nahi..

Abhi: Kartha hai wo bohath kuch par agar zyda hua tho Navya kamre se nikalega wo bhi ek kick se..hai na Cabu..

Cabir ( glared ): Pitega tu..

Abhi: Abey chal..tere dhamkiyan kuthe ke dum jaise hai..

Cabir: Kyu..?? Mere dhamki seedha nahi ho sakthe..??

Abhi: Arey wahi bol raha hoon, har koi ye phrase use karthe hai jaise ki bas use karne se kuthe ke dum seedha hojathe hai tho hui na wo phrase " naalayak ", jaise ki tere dhamkiyan " useless "..

Manik ( annoyed ): Tum dhono ka aur koi kaam hi nahi hai kya..

Sachan looked at Nandini who was looking quiet uncomfortable standing in between them with a flushed face.

Sachan ( sternly ): Chup hoja sab..

He moved to Nandini and made her look at him..

Sachan ( sweetly ): Inke bathein dil pe math lena, ye dhono hai hi iss kaam keliye, doosron ko chedna..

Nandini ( cutely ): I'm sorry Bhai, aap naraaz tho nahi hum dhono se..

Sachan ( sighed with a smile ): Meri Chiko ji, aap, aapke husband ke saath the aur uskeliye aapko kisise bhi maafi mangne ke zaroorath nahi hai, kyunki ye koi galath bath nahi hai..samjhi aap..??

Nandini nodded at him and he smiled at her and kissed her head while others stared at the duo with a smile..

Devarsh: Manik, agar tumhara " work out " poora hua hai tho Nandini ko lekar kamre mein jaa..

Manik rubbed his nape and gave a smile with a flushed face making others chuckle..Cabir and Abhi moved to Nandini and stood in front of her..

Cabir: Nandini..maana ki hum galath kar rahe hai aise tease karke but on a serious note..hume tumlogon ke aise closeness se koi takleef nahi..

Abhi: Exactly, in fact, we find it beautiful. So, please don't take us wrong. Hum bure log tho bilkul bhi nahi..

Nandini ( smiled ): Mujhe patha hai. Aapko kehne ke zaroorath nahi, iss pariwar mein sab ek doosre ke khush hi chahthe hai. Waise bhi, mere aise Bhaiyan hi hai jo ek doosre ko tease karthe hai, so I'm okay with it..

And they smiled at her in return..Manik smiled at it..

Manik: Chalein..

Nandini nodded and he took her with him while walking out of the Gym..

Abhi: She's perfect, for our Manik..

Cabir: I so agree to it..

Devarsh and Sachan too smiled as a reply..

To be continued..