"Soulmate is not who always brings you flowers. Soulmate is who gets rid of the flowers because they know you are allergic to flowers." ― Shon Mehta

When you're in love – true love – you will absolutely feel that this person completes you and makes you the happiest when you are together. Once you find this person, never let them go. The love between two people is truly the best thing in life. Whether you are the one being loved or giving love (or both), never let that feeling go. It's not about materialistic things – love is about the life you share together. True love will feel better than anything else, including your dreams. When, you have found the one.

N E X T   M O R N I N G

Nandini got up feeling the sun rays falling on her face. She frowned and tried to hide her face but failed. So, she got up with an irritating face and looked at her side which was empty. Manik wasn't there. She looked around but she couldn't spot him. Her frown deepened.

She remembered of last night. Last thing she could remember was that she was sitting on the beach with Manik in that peaceful silence. Then realization hit her, she fell asleep there unknowingly. "Manik didn't wake me up and he carried me all the way. What will happen to you, Nandini? Manik should have woken me up. What he must be thinking?" She thought in mind and nodded her head in disbelief.

Nandini was feeling bad for last night. She was looking for Manik but he was not in the room. She stepped down from the bed when her eyes fell on the pink note which was kept on the bedside table. Nandini took it and read it.

"Good morning, sunshine. I know you must be looking for me. You don't need to feel bad for last night because I know right now you are thinking the same. Now get up, have a nice shower and have your breakfast. I am out for some work, will be back soon. Love you."

Nandini smiled seeing the note. The uneasiness which she had in her heart a few seconds back, immediately faded away with the sweet note by Manik.

"I wonder how does he manage to lift up my mood all the time, even when he is not around. Love you too, hero." Nandini thought smilingly.

She went to the washroom and had a shower. Nandini walked out of the room and she found her favorite breakfast was placed on the table and she got another pink note there.

"I hope you will like the breakfast made by your one and only husband. Love you."

Nandini went all aww with the man named Manik Malhotra who is her husband now. The thing which stole her heart more is those pink notes. In the era of emails and messages, he is leaving these cute notes. That's undoubtedly overwhelming.

Nandini took her phone and dialed Manik's number. She was so excited and brimming with joy. But the call went unanswered. Nandini made a pout. "Must be busy." She didn't call him anymore and grabbed breakfast from the table.

She took a bite of the pancakes and the 'ummm' sound came out of her. "I never knew, Manik makes this delicious food." Nandini thought smilingly.

Nandini was done with her breakfast. She called her mother and talked to them for a few minutes, then she called Sarita too. She has nothing more left to do.

They had to leave for Florence the next morning. So, she thought of packing their stuff. As she had nothing more to do and she was getting bored. Manik was also not back yet.

Nandini was almost done packing her stuff when she felt someone sneaking his hands around her waist and he placed a peck on the side of her neck. Nandini smiled brightly feeling the touch and she snuggled more into the arms of the person.

"I missed you, Manik." Nandini whispered.

A smile crept on his face too. "I missed you too."

Nandini turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Manik also pulled her closer holding her waist. "Someone seemed to miss me a lot."

Nandini giggled. She asked still being in the hug. "Where did you go?"

"I had a meeting with the board members. It needed to be solved before we left. I am the captain and I won't be available for these days. But now I am completely free and in front of you." Manik said and pecked on her nose making Nandini giggle once again.

Nandini also kissed on his cheek. "Thank you for the breakfast, husband."

"Only this little reward for the breakfast? Don't you think I deserve a little more?" Manik raised one eyebrow naughtily.

Nandini laughed and pushed him a little. "If you are forgetting, then let me remind you, we have a flight to catch tomorrow early in the morning and you are still not done with your packing. So, you better concentrate on that." She said and walked near the cupboard.

Manik walked behind her. Nandini closed the cupboard door and turned back when Manik caged her in between his arms and cupboard.

"Manik, what are you doing? Leave me. There is so much work left to do." Nandini said and tried to free herself but Manik was way stronger than her.

He bent a little down to match her level. "Let me think....." Manik said and pretended to be thinking something really deep. Then he looked back at Nandini and nodded his head no. "Nope... I don't feel like."

"Manik, please...." Nandini pleaded.

"What please, sunshine?" Manik asked huskily. He moved towards her neck and nuzzled his nose there giving a ticklish feel to her.

Nandini closed her eyes. Her hands went to his shoulder and clenched the front of his shirt.

"What happened, wifey? Say something?" Manik pulled back and looked at her face. Her eyes were still closed.

Manik rubbed her lower lip with his thumb and Nandini slowly opened her eyes. Their gaze locked with each other. Nandini's grip tightened on his shoulder. Manik slowly removed his hands from her side, taking it as a chance Nandini tried to run away. But Manik was faster.

Manik grabbed her wrist and pushed her slowly against the wall and captivated her lips with his. He was sucking her lips slowly and Nandini also responded to the kiss equally. Manik had pinned her hands over her head. Nandini was struggling to free herself from his grip.

When they both were out of breath, Manik pulled back. They were breathing heavily. Manik looked at Nandini's face whose eyes were still closed. Manik nuzzled his face in between her neck. "That's how you say thank you to your husband, wifey."

"Manik, please leave my hand." Nandini whispered opening her eyes.

He was still in the same position. "Are you sure, sunshine?"

Nandini nodded her head slowly.

"Okay, I am letting you go for now but remember I am always around you." He left Nandini's hand and she ran away from there blushing hard.

Manik chuckled looking at her retreating figure.

Nandini ran out of the room and directly went to the kitchen. She kept both her palms on the kitchen slab. She was still breathing heavily. The red hue on her face was not ready to fade at all. She tried to get back her breath, closing her eyes. But whenever she closed her eyes, the encounter with Manik a few seconds back flashed in front of her eyes making her turn more red.

Manik is her husband now and before getting married they have been together for quite some years. In between, they have shared close proximity for numerous times, they have been close to each other uncountable times. Still every time Manik touches her or come close to her, it feels the same way she had felt for the first time.

Because every time Manik makes her feel special in a different way. Every time he touches her, it feels special like the first time. Because the love they shared is not the same after all these years. It has increased to a new level in these years and Manik never forgets to express it.

Nandini wonders what if Manik wasn't this supportive? Then would they have been standing here today?

Maybe NO.....

It took Nandini quite a few minutes to stabilize herself. Then she started looking for things to make lunch for themselves. She didn't make anything before in this kitchen so it was a little difficult for her. Manik had already made breakfast and he must be tired after coming from out. So, she didn't want to trouble him any longer.

Manik had asked her not to do anything. He wanted to hire a cook but Nandini denied saying they will talk about it later. Right now it's not needed. It's just two of them so she can manage. Even though Manik argued with her but couldn't win over her. So, he had to agree with him.

After half an hour, she got all the essentials. There wasn't much stuff, maybe because before Manik used to live here alone. Seeing the items, she decided what can be made. It took her another one and half an hour to cook all the dishes. When she was done, she looked at the dishes and she was satisfied with them. She set them on the table and decided to call Manik.

He kept on checking on her after every 10-15 minutes. Nandini wondered why so. But she found it cute. He came there quietly and went away after having a look at her. He thought maybe she didn't hear him but she knew every time he stood by the kitchen door. It also managed to get a smile on her lips every time.

Nandini went to their room and she found another luggage beside hers. She thought Manik must have done his packing too. She was impressed with him. "He did it really fast. He is even faster than me." Nandini said in mind.

"No need to be so surprised, I have been doing this for years now. Also I have to do this almost every month for quite some time. So, you can call me an expert in this." Manik said standing in front of Nandini.

Hearing him, Nandini came out of her trance. She was confused. "Did I say it out loud?" She thought making a pout.

Manik pecked on her pout. Nandini blushed again. "No, sunshine, you didn't say it out loud. It's just that I know you quite well." He winked at her saying the last line.

Nandini smiled. "Okay. Now let's go. I made lunch."

Manik nodded. He walked behind her. They both settled beside each other. Nandini was about to serve them but Manik stopped her.

"Let me do it. You have already exhausted yourself after doing this much." Manik said and made her sit quietly without leaving a room for her to argue.

Nandini waited for Manik to have the first bite and say how it was. She was looking at him eagerly. Manik could feel her gaze on her.

After having the first morsel, Manik gave her an impressive look. "I never knew you made this delicious food. It's yummy."

Nandini had an ear to ear smile hearing him. Manik took her knuckle and placed a kiss there. "It's amazing like you."

"A woman or man of value doesn't love you because of what he or she wants you to be or do for them. He or she loves you because your combined souls understand one another, complements each other, and make sense above any other person in this world. You each share a part of their soul's mirror and see each other's light reflected in it clearly. You can easily speak from the heart and feel safe doing so." ― Shannon L. Alder

I hope you all liked the chapter. Kindly leave a comment sparing another minute to let me know about your thoughts.

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05.08.2021