"We start a relationship with someone not only because of how great they are but how great they make us feel. And because they have granted us this extraordinary gift—a chance to experience love, joy, compassion, and security —it is our exclusive privilege to make them feel wonderful about themselves, especially during days when they, themselves, don't feel so wonderful." ― Kamand Kojouri

We all have our own handful of beliefs about trust — especially when it comes to love. We wonder if we should trust someone from the start until they give us a reason not to, or if it's better to hold back until our trust has been earned. Trust issues can lead you to believe you will never love again, or that you can't fully let go to trust others. The reason that pain hurts so deeply is that there is a small part of you that feels like you've failed yourself.

N I G H T

Manik was lying down on the bed lazily playing some random game on his phone while Nandini came back to their room wrapping up her work for the day. She entered back to their room and looked at Manik who was completely engrossed in his phone. She wondered what he must be doing. She walked near him and nodded her head in disbelief seeing Manik.

"He can't think of anything else other than cricket." Nandini thought in mind as she found him playing a cricket game in the phone. She made an adorable pout but Manik was too busy to notice it.

Her trance broke hearing a loud buzz of phone. She looked at Manik, it was his phone ringing.

Manik made a bad face after hearing the call. "I was just about to beat the highest score." He whined like a kid before picking up the call.

Nandini chuckled looking at his face. She settled beside Manik on the bed and heard Manik talking. Hearing his talk, she understood it is Sarita.

Manik also noticed her and passed a smile to her. Nandini also smiled back at him.

"Yes, she is here only. Talk to her." Manik said and forwarded the phone towards Nandini.

She gave him a confused look. Manik mouthed 'Mom wants to talk to you.' looking at her. Nandini nodded and took the phone from his hand.

"Hello, mom, how are you? How's everyone there?" Nandini asked as she heard Sarita's voice from the opposite side.

"We are also good. No, he isn't irritating me much." Nandini grinned sparing a look at Manik.

Manik who was beside Nandini only heard her and he has got an idea of what his mother must be asking her. He made a bad face realizing that. Nandini noticed Manik's face and she controlled herself from giggling with a lot of difficulty.

Nandini pulled Manik's cheek. He looked so cute that she couldn't resist herself from doing so. Manik faked a glare looking at her rubbing his cheek but who was he kidding? Instead of getting scared, Nandini showed her tongue to him. Manik nodded his head in disbelief.

"Yes, mom. The packing is done." Nandini uttered having a look of the luggage which was placed on the corner.

"I have taken warm clothes. Don't worry." Nandini assured her.

"Ok, mom. Good night. Take care." Nandini said and hung up the call.

As Nandini kept the phone away, she turned towards Manik who was already looking at her. Nandini raised her eyebrows asking what.

Manik nodded his head in no.

"Then go and change. We should sleep already. We have a flight to catch in the morning." Nandini said while picking her night wear.

"As you say, madam." Manik bowed down a little dramatically.

Nandini laughed out loud seeing him.

M O R N I N G

Nandini's sleep broke as she heard the alarm ringing beside her. She frowned but got up with an irritating face. She closed the alarm and opened her eyes lazily. At first, her gaze fell on Manik who was sleeping beside her cutely. His mouth was a little open. Her mood went back to normal with just a look of him and she went all aww seeing him. Nandini closed his mouth but it opened again.

Nandini giggled looking at his face. She removed the hairs from his forehead which were disturbing his sleep. She didn't know for how long she was admiring her sleeping husband.

When her trance broke, she looked at the time. She needed to wake up right now else they would be late. Nandini placed a kiss on Manik's forehead before stepping down from the bed.

Nandini took out her clothes and went to take a shower. She came back while wiping her hair. She was wearing a beautiful dress and paired it with her favorite sneakers. She was standing in front of the mirror not realizing someone's constant gaze on her.

Manik was up at the very moment when he heard the sound of Nandini opening the washroom door. But she was too busy to notice him. He admired her morning beauty. She looked so beautiful in the morning, her face shone even though it was devoid of any make up. Manik couldn't move his gaze away from her.

He got down from the bed without making any sound. He walked near Nandini at a slow pace making sure he didn't make any noise. Nandini was still busy with her work. As Manik reached near her, he slowly sneaked his arms around her waist from back.

Nandini was startled with the sudden touch at the beginning. Her body stiffened. But realizing it was Manik, a smile appeared on her face. She let herself snuggle into his arms. Manik dived his face in between her wet hairs and nuzzled his nose there making her feel ticklish

"Good morning." Manik uttered slowly. His sleepy voice was dripping with huskiness.

Nandini giggled and the towel fell from her hand. She placed her one hand on Manik's which was roaming on her belly. Her another hand went back to his cheek cupping it. "Good morning, husband."

Manik kissed her neck. A shiver ran down through her spine. "Why didn you get up before me?" He asked in the same tone.

Nandini tried to move a little but Manik didn't let her. "Manik, you forgot? We need to leave today." She said eyeing him through the mirror as they were standing in front of it.

Manik just hummed and moved her hair on one shoulder. He placed his face on another shoulder. Now they were looking into each other's eyes through the mirror.

"When did you wake up?" Nandini asked ruffling his hair.

"When you came out from shower." He replied and inhaled a deep breath. Her intoxicating smell was running through his nostril.

Nandini turned a little and now they were facing each other. "Why didn't you call me then?"

Manik smiled sweetly. "You were looking so pleasant that I failed my senses." He said winking at her.

Nandini giggled. "Okay. Now go and have a shower. I don't want to miss the flight, which we will certainly do, if you don't move now." She tried to push him a bit away from her.

But he is way stronger than her. Instead he pulled her closer and tucked a hair strand behind her ear. Now their faces were inches apart from each other. "How can I leave you so easily, sunshine?" He whispered almost over her lips.

"Then?" Nandini asked in the same tone. She was drowning in his touch and she could do nothing to hold herself back.

Manik smiled and moved a bit more down. His one hand was wrapped around Nandini's waist and his other hand was placed on her cheek. Nandini's hands were placed on his chest.

Nandini closed her eyes as his warm breaths were tickling her senses. Her lips were shivering. Her hands slowly clutched his t-shirt.

Manik noticed her. 'Every part of her is addictive.' He thought in mind before moving his gaze from her eyes to her lips. He didn't hold back himself anymore and placed his lips on hers. Her eyes went closed automatically.

Nandini's grip tightened on him. Manik also pulled her more into him. He was sucking her lips slowly. Nandini followed him simultaneously. Feeling the need of oxygen, they broke the kiss.

Manik opened his eyes and looked at Nandini's face. Her eyes were still closed and she was breathing heavily trying to get back her normal breathing. He caressed her cheeks softly. Nandini shivered a little and opened her eyes. Her gaze met with his.

"I love you so damn much." Manik said still eyeing with the same intensity.

Nandini smiled brightly. "I love you too." She uttered in a low tone. If he wasn't so close to her, then he would have missed her voice.

Manik's face too adored with a beautiful smile.

"We are getting late, Manik." Nandini said trying to move from his grip.

Manik let out a breath and nodded his head. He freed her and was about to leave when Nandini called him from behind. He turned back and raised one eyebrow.

Nandini smiled and picked up the vermilion box from the dressing table and moved close to Manik. She gestured to Manik to make her wear them.

Manik smiled too. He took a pinch of vermilion from the box and filled her hairline. Nandini closed her eyes to feel the moment. She opened her eyes when Manik was done.

He placed a kiss on her forehead. "You look more pretty now." He said while cupping her face.

"Thank you." Nandini uttered slowly.

A few hours later

Manik and Nandini got ready and Akash was also there. It was time for them to reach the airport. Nandini was checking everything for the last time while Manik was making Akash understand about some schedule.

When Nandini was done, she came out to call them. "Manik, everything is done. Let's go."

Manik nodded and both the boys got you from their place. Manik asked the driver to keep the luggage in the car. Then they too settled in the car and drove off to the airport.

The entrance of the airport was filled with media as always. Airport is one of the hottest favorites for them as this place brings lots of juicy gossip for them everyday which helps them to increase their trp.

Nandini let out a breath seeing them. All the comments from the previous day again flashed in her mind. Manik noticed her expression changing. He entwined their fingers together. Nandini turned towards him. Manik passed an assuring smile to her.

"It's okay, Nandini. I am here with you. I will handle everything." He pressed her palm to calm her down. Nandini slowly nodded her head. "When we get down, don't look anywhere else. Just walk straight with me. Okay?"

Nandini again nodded. "Okay." She took a pause and looked at Manik. "But don't you have to stop for them?" She asked being confused as she has always seen him stopping and posing for them in the airport on the TV.

Manik passed a smile to her. "That's not necessary all the time, Nandini. Moreover, I am not going somewhere officially. So, I don't need to answer them for it."

"Okay." Nandini smiled.

As the driver pulled the car at the gate. Manik and Akash got down first. The guards were trying to handle the media who were trying to reach him. They took out their luggage. Akash got inside with them. While Manik moved near Nandini's side. He opened the door to her side. Nandini got down from the car and they directly went in not wasting a second.

Inside Akash was already waiting for them. They bid bye to him and completed all the formalities before boarding the flight.

"Consistency is the true foundation of trust. Either keep your promises or do not make them." — Roy T. Bennett

I don't know, if you are liking the book or not. If you do, kindly leave a comment and let me know else I have to take the book down.

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Thank you.

06.08.2021