"Hi."

"Manik. Hi." Her sweet voice instantly brings a smile on my face.

"What are you doing?" I hear shuffling and things being thrown on the floor.

"Oh, I'm just trying to find a suitable outfit for today." I frown as I try to think if she mentioned what she was going to do today. I remember every little detail she voices out so she certainly didn't tell me about it.

"Are you going out?"

"Well technically yes. We are having girls' time which is more like let's torture Nandini time." I hear her scoff.

"We are going to get our nails done, waxing, hair cut, massage, and all other "exciting" stuff." She continues explaining what her agenda for today was.

"That sounds fun. It will help you relax."

"For the most part yes. I'm just not looking forward to the waxing."

"Then don't do it Nandini." Why is she always ready to do something she doesn't want? I don't like this habit of hers and I certainly plan on changing it.

"It's not that simple Manik. How will I wear the wedding outfit with hair on my body?"

"I wouldn't have a problem with it, sweetheart. But if you are so adamant about getting them removed then there are alternatives to waxing."

"I know but waxing would last longer. Anyway, forget about that. I'll deal with it later. Tell me about what you are doing today."

"Cabir mentioned something about going to a club and he's claiming that it's the most important pre-wedding ritual that cannot be missed."

"Mr. Malhotra just remember that I would not appreciate you looking at other girls in the pretext of a bachelor party."

"I wouldn't dare Miss Murty. Besides my eyes seem to have forgotten that there are other people in this world. They always just settle on you."

"Good. I have to go now. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Try to relax sweetheart. Bye."

As I put the phone down, I hear a knock on the door.

Sonia walks in with an iPad in her hand.

"Mr. Malhotra, I have an update on the company you asked me to look into."

"Go ahead." I gesture her to sit down.

"They are not willing to give up more than 4% equity. Apparently, Miss Nandini Murty took 40% of the company and helped them grow into a profitable business so now they can only give up 4%."

My eyes widen as the information sinks in. A smirk forms on my face and I rub my jaw with my right hand.

"Miss Murty. Interesting." I whisper to myself.

"Okay. Tell them we are not going to give $500,000 for 4%. That's just absurd. Actually, nevermind just let it go. I don't want any share in that company." I take a sip of my now cold coffee.

Sonia looks at me confused as it's not like me to let go of something I want.

"Nandini is going to be my wife. I don't want to interfere with her business matters." I explain as I put the cup of the coffee down on the table.

"Anyway, get me the list of the companies Nandini has invested in."

Miss Murty never ceases to impress me.

~~
"Oh my god, Nandini, can you stop talking with your husband and get ready?"

I throw the first thing that comes in my eyesight at her.

"Keep this for Manik to enjoy. Lacy bras always get men ready for some action." She winks her eye at me and throws the bra back at me.

Rolling my eyes at her, I turn to find myself an outfit.

"What do you even wear when you have to get your vagina waxed?" I finally ask her, giving up on the idea of finding appropriate clothes for the occasion by myself.

Navya looks up from the phone and chuckles.

"I don't know. I never gave it so much thought. Just wear a flowy dress so that it's easy to remove and everything can breathe afterwards." I nod my head at her and grab the first dress I see which happens to be a white knee-length flowy dress with flowers on top.

I put my hair in a bun as I walk outside shouting at Navya who is laying down on my bed busy on her phone.

"What are you so busy with?" We walk downstairs and she is still typing on her phone.

She sighs and locks her phone before turning to look at me.

"I may or may not be talking with Cabir." I immediately stop walking and stare at her.

"You didn't tell me you have something going on with Cabir!"

"Yeah because there is nothing going on with Cabir. We are just talking. I don't even know how he got my number."

"I hope the fact that he is my brother in law is not stopping you. Navya, you do know that you can do whatever you want with him, right?"

"I know but that just complicates things and honestly I don't really want to get into anything yet. I need to focus on my career right now not on some dude that gave me amazing sex."

"I-I could focus on the sex though. I mean it was really good." She continues after a pause.

"Okay stop. I don't want to know how good he was."

"Come on Nandini. You need to know! How else will you know if Manik is good or not? You don't have anything to compare it with. Oh and remember the sex must not be over until you get to have at least one orgasm."

"I don't need to compare my future sexual encounters with anything. If you are done talking about this, can we please go and get over the waxing and stuff?" She huffs at me and walks ahead of me while texting Cabir.

Now I'll have to worry about my sexual satisfaction along with many other things. Great.

~~

"I'll give you a few minutes to undress." The esthetician leaves me alone in the room.

I stand in the middle of the room, staring at a corner, contemplating all the life choices that led me to this moment.

I'm about to show my precious vagina to a total stranger. Is this how I'm going to feel when I'll show it to Manik?

Okay Nandini, it's nothing. She's a professional esthetician who has seen more vaginas than faces so calm down and there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed of.

"You need to relax your muscles. You're too tensed. Take a deep breath, it's going to be okay sweetie." I clear my throat in an attempt to distract myself from looking at the esthetician who is in between my legs.

I feel the warm sensation of the wax on my private parts and I try to think of my happy place to calm myself and not think of the pain that is going to follow.

Happy place. Christmas. Decorating a tree. Laughter. Family. Friends. Food.

"Take a deep breath for me, darling." The moment I inhale, she pulls the wax strip and I scream louder than I ever heard myself scream.

Happy place. Think of your happy place. Screw it. I can't.

"Okay, that's it. I'm done here. I'm leaving." I pull myself up and the esthetician pushes me back down.

"Sweetie I'm pretty sure your husband won't like the half waxed vagina." I stare at it and it is definitely not what I imagined Manik would see for the first time.

"I don't care. I'll shave." I try to get up again but I'm pushed down by Navya.

"Nandini it's okay. You're almost done. I'm here. Talk to me." She gestures the lady to continue while she holds my face in her hands and distracts me with stupid stuff.

"Oh my god. I'm never taking you for waxing ever again." Navya exclaims as we walk towards my car.

"I'm not going again even if you beg me." I sit inside and throw my purse in the back seat.

"Yeah just stick to shaving Nandini or get laser hair removal on your vagina. Oh. That sounds good. Should we do that?" Her face is full of excitement at the idea.

"I don't know. For now, I just want to go home. I feel so weird."

"It's okay. You'll feel that way for a couple of hours and then you'll get used to it."

My phone starts ringing as I start driving. I press the accept button that is on the steering wheel and concentrate on making a turn.

"Hello."

"Nandini."

"Manik. Hi."

"How was your girls' time?"

"Horrible." I groan as I think of the waxing again.

"Oh, honey I'm sorry to hear that. Would you like me to send you some wine that might cheer you up?"

"Wow. You found yourself a perfect man Nandini." Navya whispers to me.

"Manik that would be amazing. Thanks." The idea of wine lifted my mood a little.

"Don't get drunk though. You wouldn't want to wake up with a hangover tomorrow." True.

"I won't father."

"Just so you know I do prefer to be called daddy."

My eyes widen and I hear Navya trying to control her laughter but failing miserably.

"Manik!"

"Manik is fine too but daddy just takes things to another level."

"I'm hanging up. Bye."

I cut the call and briefly look at Navya who is still laughing.

"I really believe you found yourself a perfect husband." She calms herself and adjusts on her seat.

"I hope I did."

~~

"Manik. You're finally here!" I walk towards the group of my friends that are surrounded in a corner of the bar.

The loud music is blasting in my ears and I'm already regretting coming here.

"What can I get for you, Mr. Malhotra?" I look to my left as I hear the polite voice of a young girl who is staring at me with her big eyes.

"White wine, please. Thank you." I turn my attention back to my friends.

"Where is Cabir? I thought you both were coming together." Dhruv asks me and I shrug my shoulders. Cabir is probably trying to find new ways to get Navya's attention.

"I still can't believe Manik Malhotra is getting married to a girl he met just a few weeks ago." I roll my eyes at Karan who I had met back in university. I still don't know how we are still friends.

"Manik that girl over there has been staring at you ever since you walked in. She's hot. Maybe you should enjoy yourself before committing to one girl for the rest of your life."

"Or maybe you should shut your mouth Jay."

"Come on man. It's your last night as a bachelor." I don't get a chance to reply as the girl he was referring to stands in front of me.

She puts her hands on my shoulders and leans forward to my ear.

I push her away and she groans.

"Aggressive. I like that." Her hand moves towards my face but I hold it and push it away before it could touch me.

"Don't touch me." I tell her sternly and hold my hand with my engagement ring up for her to see.

Her eyes widen for a second but she quickly hides it and smiles at me.

She slides a piece of paper on the table in front of me.

"Call me when you get bored with her." The audacity.

I pick up the paper and she smirks at me thinking she got a chance.

I tear the paper in pieces along with all her hopes of getting me in bed with her.

"Walk away." I order her and take a sip of my wine ignoring her staring at me.

"That was quite the show." Karan whispers as he watches her fade in the crowd.

"I think I'm done here." I pick up my blazer and start walking towards the exit without giving them a chance to speak.