Before starting the chapter, I have an announcement. Do check out my new book "An Illicit Affair". Give it a shot and share your views. I'll wait to hear your feedback.

👇🏻

"When we are in love we seem to ourselves quite different from what we were before." — Blaise Pascal

"True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart." —Honoré de Balzac

The deepest love you can get from someone is when they give you endless love, patience and support, all while encouraging you to grow. I think being deeply in love has a different definition for everyone. For some, it could be just being by each other's side everyday, while for others it could mean giving everything you have. Deep love grows like a river. It may not start big, and it may curve and its flow may slow down, but eventually, it grows wider and wider until it pours into the ocean, deep and everlasting.

(Nandini's attire)

(Manik's attire)

Nandini was sitting in the hall waiting for Manik to arrive. There is only 15 minutes left to be 12. So, she was eagerly waiting for Manik and looking at the watch time to time. Suddenly she heard Manik's car honk. She got up with a jerk. Her eyes were gleaming in joy. She went and turned off all the lights. When she heard Manik opening the door, she stood in a side so that Manik could not see her. 

"Ramu kaka... Ramu kaka..." Manik called out as soon as he stepped in. But he didn't get any response. So, he again called out but again no response. He muttered some curses under his breath.

Nandini was still standing there suppressing her laughter.

Manik then walked up to his room. Nandini also moved behind him. His room was not dark though the lights were off. Manik entered inside his room and became surprised. He looked around and saw the decoration. He moved forward and was amazed with all the decoration. He was surprised seeing so much. 

Nandini found Manik lost in the decoration when Nandini sneaked in and moved to one corner where she had placed her veena. She sat beside it and started tuning it. Manik turned to that side with a jerk hearing the sound.

Nandini!!!

He was looking at her. She was also looking at him. They were looking into each others eyes. In between Nandini started singing. 

When Nandini finished singing, Manik was still staring at her. Nandini got up and stood in front of Manik. 

"Manik........" Nandini whispered.

Manik just hummed. 

"When you left for the tour, you said you want your old Nandini back. You never liked the changed me. I also felt what you were feeling when you were not around me. But trust me I tried. I tried to get back myself and here I am in front of you."

Manik still didn't say anything. He was looking at her. He was seeing her after a long month. He was trying to captive her in his eyes. 

"True love doesn't happen right away; it's an ever-growing process. It develops after you've gone through many ups and downs, when you've suffered together, cried together, laughed together. We have also gone through all of it. You know at first I was scared of touching veena or any other musical instrument. I had a thought of leaving it."

Manik looked at her with wide eyes. He was about to say something but Nandini stopped him. 

"Let me complete first, Manik. But how could I leave music? Music has connected us. It has tied us with this eternal bond. We are married now, Manik. I tried harder thinking about us. But whenever I tried to touch veena, it always reminded me of that pandit. Me and you also have lots of memories with this veena. I thought of you whenever I tried to play veena."

Nandini stopped for a while. 

"Then finally I could do it."

Now Manik looked at her from head to toe. Today she was wearing his favorite color. 

Red......

She was wearing a red saree with her hairs tied in a bun. Her earrings were twinkling and the bangles on her hand was making beautiful sound. She was still wearing his black thread around her neck. His gaze moved to her hair partition but it was empty. 

Nandini noticed his look. She held his hand and pulled him with her. They were now standing in front of his big mirror. She took her sindoor box from their and held it in front of Manik. 

Manik smiled seeing it. He took the sindoor and filled her hair line completely. Nandini closed her eyes to feel the moment. She opened her eyes and looked into Manik's eyes. He was already staring at her. 

"Won't you say anything to me?" Nandini asked in a low tone.

"Nandini......" Manik called out her name and took her in a bone crushing hug. "I missed you. I missed you so much, wifey. I missed my Nandini a lot."

Nandini also wrapped her hands around his waist. She held him equally tightly and snuggled into his embrace. Hearing the word 'wifey' from him after so long made her weak on her knees. "I missed you more." Her tone was low still Manik managed to hear her voice. 

Finally after a long month they were at peace. Because they are each others peace. 

Nandini broke the hug. Manik looked at her in confusion. 

"What happened, Nandini?" 

Nandini passed a smile to him. "Wait a minute, I will be back."

Nandini then ran away from there and Manik was about to call her from behind but she was already gone. Manik opened his blazer. Now he was only in his white shirt and jeans. He heard Nandini's footstep. So, he turned back and found Nandini coming in with a cake in her hand. Manik was more surprised with this. 

"Why is this cake for?" Manik asked.

Nandini chuckled. "I knew you'll forget." She placed the cake on the table and made Manik sat on the coach beside it. She also sat beside Manik.

Nandini lit the candle on the cake. "Happy Birthday, Manik."

Manik looked at her with surprised written all over his face. He remembered the date and nodded his head. "It totally slipped out of my mind. By the way thank you, wifey for remembering it."

"Happy birthday to my special man! Meeting you was the most wonderful thing that has happened to me in life! You give me the joy, love, and light in my life. Your Arms are like my home, where I get the peace and strength to live. When you hold me, I feel like I am home, so safe and warm inside. Happy birthday to the man that I love with all my heart!" Nandini said looking directly into Manik's eyes. She meant all of these, it was clearly seen on her face. 

Manik was overwhelmed with the wish. "Thank you.... Thank you so much, Cinderella. It's surely is the best birthday for me." He too had a genuine smile on his face which touched Nandini. 

"Now cut the cake." Nandini said excitedly. 

Manik nodded and cut the cake. He took a piece and and made Nandini eat the first bite. Nandini was about to feed rest of the piece. But Manik stopped her. Nandini looked at him being surprised. 

"You can't use your hand but you have to feed me the cake." Manik said with his all time famous smirk. 

Nandini's eyes went wide knowing his intention. She looked down blushing hard. 

"You can't sit like this. Come on." Manik teased her.

Nandini looked at him and moved her face near his. Nandini placed her lips on his. Manik held her close. His hands went and cupped Nandini's face. Nandini's went to fist his hairs. Manik was sucking her lips like his favorite candy. He could feel the taste of the cake in her mouth. They broke the kiss when they both were out of breath. They broke apart. Manik looked at Nandini's face who had her eyes still closed. 

"Won't you give me my gift?" Manik asked huskily near Nandini's ears. His voice sent a shiver down through her spine. 

Nandini opened her eyes slowly. She held Manik's hand and passed a smile to him. Nandini moved near him and placed her head on his heart. "Aren't you happy seeing your old Nandini back? Do you still need some other gift?" She asked slowly.

Manik smiled and wrapped his free hand around her shoulder. "I can't tell you how happy I'm seeing you like this. I feel I'm back to my home." He pulled her close to himself.

Precap: Night is still young.

How was the part?

Full of Manik and Nandini. Did you like their moments?

A lot more is yet to come. Excited?

Do tell me which is your favorite scene?

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Bye

03.03.2023