Later I found out that I had agreed to being mesmerized by Manik when I first saw him which wasn't necessarily a lie. He had this aura around him that had captured my attention. It's hard to resist Manik, he is like a shining light that you can't help but stare at.  

After few minutes, Manik had sneaked us out of the conversation so that we can go meet our parents and some relatives.

His side of the family was extremely welcoming and happy to meet me. One thing that was common in all of them was their jolly personality.

They were the happy-go-lucky kind of people and I instantly felt comfortable with all of them.

I was just talking with one of my Manik's cousins with Manik by my side when the girl I had seen ogling Manik came near us. 

She hugged him before he could process anything. His other hand that wasn't holding mine, pulled her away instantly. His jaw clenched at being touched without his permission. One thing I have realized about Manik is that he doesn't like being touched by people. He is only okay with me and his parents. I still remember his awkwardness towards hugging my mom. It has hilarious and uncomfortable to watch. 

"Manik!! It's so good to see you. How are you doing?" Her high-pitched voice that added the extra sweetness just for him annoyed me a little bit.

Her eyes stayed on him. She looked at him like he was the only person on this earth. I know that look very well. 

God. I hope she is not an ex.

"She is Veebha's cousin. She has been obsessed with Manik ever since school days. It's pathetic because she tried to seduce him even when he was with Veebha." Niti, Manik's cousin, whispered to me.

Going after your cousin's boyfriend is a different kind of low and it instantly gave me an idea of what type of person she is. I don't like judging people without knowing them fully but with this one, I just couldn't help myself. 

"Tia. Hello." His formal greeting put me at ease.

"I didn't expect you would get married so quickly and that too with a girl you don't even know." She glanced at me briefly with the utmost disrespect. Bitch. 

"Life is unexpected, isn't it Miss Tia? Nandini. Nandini Malhotra. Nice to meet you." The fake sweet tone made Manik chuckle and run a hand on his jaw to hide it. At least one of us is finding this situation amusing. 

"Of course Mrs. Malhotra. It's great meeting you." She smiled at me like I couldn't see right through her. 

She runs her fingers through her black hair, suddenly uncomfortable under my gaze. Her blue dress complimented her pale face that had lost its color as Manik put his arm around my waist and took us away from there without wasting a second. 

"That was interesting." I whisper to him as we walk towards the bar area to grab a glass of wine.

"Ignore her."

"Well, it's hard to do that when her eyes don't move from my husband."

His mouth turned into a devastating grin as he hands me the wine.

"Are you jealous by any chance Mrs. Malhotra?"

I roll my eyes while taking a sip.

"Please. I have better ways to waste my energy than be jealous of her."

His face turns from being amused to serious in a second.

"I should have checked the list of the guests that were invited. You shouldn't have to deal with her at our reception."

"It's okay. Everything is fine. Don't worry about it."

Moving forward, I place a kiss on his cheek and he has that smile on his face again that makes every girl stare at him.

He's so handsome. 

~~

"Nandini." I stop in my tracks as I hear Tia's voice. I turn to look at her with confusion as to why she suddenly wants to talk to me. 

My gaze moves around the backyard to find Manik. He was standing far away with a group of people while I was in a corner with wine in hand about to go inside the house when Tia called me. 

"I wonder what he finds in you. His eyes can't move from you. What do you have that I don't have?" Her eyes moving all over my body, I move uncomfortably under her intense gaze. The wine in my hand suddenly feels heavy, I'm more aware of the weight that didn't exist a few seconds ago. 

She looks at me one last time before disappearing. I didn't see her at all after that. Her words still played in my mind throughout the night. What do you have that I don't have?  

~~

"I'm so tired." It was 4:00 am when everyone finally left. The backyard was a huge mess and I'm pretty sure I saw some people throwing up in a corner so that would be a wonderful sight to wake up to tomorrow. 

My heels were thrown carelessly around the room and I was too exhausted to bother about changing my outfit or removing my makeup let alone do my whole skincare routine. 

"You have to change sweetheart." He made an attempt to pull me up but I groaned and hide further under the duvet. 

"Nandini." His tone turned stern and after few seconds I found myself getting up to change. 

"I hate you." I whispered as I passed by him and he chuckled in response and I heard a slow I'm sure you do before I found myself in the closet. 

I was almost asleep when I felt something cold and wet touch my face. Opening my eyes slowly, I saw Manik with a makeup wipe trying to remove my makeup gently. 

"You're too nice for me." I whisper to him before grabbing his face and kissing him on the lips. His hand dropped the makeup wipe and captured my neck while the other hand went to hold my face in place. 

I found myself leaning backward until I hit the soft mattress with Manik on top of me. I felt tinglings and butterflies. I don't know if it was the 10 wine glasses I had or Manik's sweet gesture that had me making bold moves that I wouldn't otherwise have done.