"Do you wanna go home or dinner?" Manik asked as he drove through the empty roads after they left his office building.

"Actually I was planning to stay at Mom's tonight" Nandini said sheepishly and his head snapped to her.

"Wait why? No you're not staying there." He immediately snapped and she frowned.

"I don't remember asking you"

"I don't want to stay in our room  without you." He muttered trying not to sound pathetic.

"It's just one night I'll see you tomorrow" She tried to coax him.

"Ah! Twenty four hours that is" His face dulled.

"I don't know if I should be happy that you can't manage a day without me or  scared that you're being clingy."  She teased but he was unfaded. He's in love with her. Periodt.

"Say whatever you want it's not a bad thing if I want to be with you all the time even after all the difficulties and distance." He mumbled and her heart soared at his words.

She interlocked her fingers with his and kept it on her lap.

"It's just one night I've some stuff to discuss with mom" His brows rose in confusion.

"What stuff?"

"Nothing just business related." She replied and the conversation ended as they reached.

They got out of the car and walked to the door when Mukti got in their way.

"Wait here don't enter" She ordered and ran inside.

They glanced at each other confused.

"What is going on?" Nandini asked to Sushmita who was standing at the entrance along with abhi.

"Mukti is trying to be dramatic" Abhi replied and before they could ask mukti appeared with a puja plate in her hands.

"You both are visiting for the first time after marriage that's why"  Mukti's eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Is she okay?" Manik whispered in her ear but she was busy gawking at the plate Mukti was rotating.

"I don't know why you all think we are married but we are not. We did not run away from home and got married we assure you." Nandini made it clear and they all started laughing excluding Manik who just smirked.

"A piece of paper can't change a relationship Nandini and we were just trying to have fun. Come in now." Sushmita proclaimed when Mukti was done.

"I thought I'm never going to see you."  Abhi's eyes glinted as he hugged her.

"I was just super busy with work." She replied and they all settled down in the living room.

It was like old days again. Everyone roasting Nandini.

"Not to make it awkward but when is the wedding?" Mukti winked at Nandini and her eyes widened at her sudden question.

"Mukti please" She glared at her and looked at Manik with the corner of her eye but he was already looking at her.

"I mean she's not wrong it's been long you know" Sushmita added and Nandini wanted the earth to swallow her because she didn't want to put him in a difficult situation.

"We are not ready" She simply shrugged and his mouth curved into a smile.

After a lot of leg pulling they had  dinner and it was time for Manik to leave.

"Please leave us our Nandini more often here okay Manik?" Mukti winked at him and he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Sure"

They said their goodbyes and nandini came to drop him off to his car.

"I'll see you then" She smiled and he wrapped his arms around her waist resting his face on her right shoulder.

"Can I stay?" He murmured and blew air on her neck. She shivered at his sudden action but managed to answer.

"No I'll come to meet you tomorrow go now it's late" She slightly pushed him and he sighed.

"Fine" He muttered and after final goodbye he left.

_____________

"I'm not sure if Cabir would appreciate me buying the entire food section." Navya said chugging the chocochip cookie in her mouth.

"You're pregnant so I'm pretty sure you're forgiven." Manik shrugged pushing the cart in the frozen food aisle.

It was weekend and Navya was bored so Manik decided to take her out. Grocery shopping.

"Do we need fish fingers?" She asked as she checked out the packet.

"You're vegetarian" He replied with a poker face.

"Baby needs it" She said rubbing her eight and a half months pregnant belly.

"Fine then don't blame me later that I ruined your religion or something because baby 'needs it' " He said in air quotes and she slapped his arm.

"So how's Nandini I haven't talked to her in so long?" She asked as they walked in the chips aisle.

"You just talked to her yesterday" He gaped at her.

"I miss her and she chose to spend time with Cabir today instead of me." She crunched a bag of chips in her hand in anger.

"It's their weekly golf you know it" He shrugged.

Nandini fixed saturdays for golf because that's when they have staff meeting. More like bitch about their friends day.

He looked back to see if she's following when his mouth hung open.

"Eh navya-----whats that?" He asked as he looked at the pool of water she's standing on.

"Wha--? Oh I think--I think peaches is coming" Navya said with a poker face.

"Who now?"

"Baby Manik my baby" She yelled in frustration finally getting over with her no reaction phase.

"Oh oh oh" He repeated while pacing down.

"Manik hospital car now" She yelled and he finally came to his senses. Because pregnant woman had to keep her calm.

"Hey can you please take care of her till I bring my car?" He called out one of the worker there.

"Yes sure" The worker there replied calmly even though she was visibly freaking out.

"Are you okay ma'am?" She asked while she got her a chair to sit.

"Yes calm like a horse in a race." She breathed in and out on a fast pace.

They heard a honk and got up to exit the grocery store.

"Call Cabir" Navya demanded when they were on the road.

"Oh yes wait I forgot" He panicked and quickly got his phone out.

He fiddled with the phone and called Cabir. Cabir picked up the call in the fifth bell.

"Why can't you just pick up your phone sooner?"

"Because I'm busy" Cabir replied uninterested.

"You're playing golf with Nandini like old retired men that's not what people do on a Saturday evening" Manik half yelled and half hyperventilated.

"What crawled up to your ass?" He asked.

"Peaches I mean your baby.... I mean it..he's coming" Manik panicked and Navya rubbed his arm to calm him down.

"Please don't crash the car I want us and this baby alive" Navya mumbled.

"Of course Navya don't worr--- hel hello?"

"What happened?" Navya panicked looking at the phone.

"Nothing he just cut the call must be rushing to the hospital don't worry we are almost there."
.
.
.
.

"Look I finally made a goal" Nandini shrieked and jumped on her place while holding a golf stick.

"You took almost thirty tries so there's nothing to be proud of" Cabir said making an akimbo.

"Please be happy for your friend's achievement" she said with a sarcastic smile.
"Anyway who was that?" She asked pointing at his phone.

"That dumb almost husband of yours talking about some peach or baby I think he's traumatized or something. Living with you all the time must have affected his brain cells or something." He said as if it made all the sense in the world.

She smacked his head.

"I'm super smart well ice cream?" She suggested as she spotted the ice cream parlour.

"Whoever reaches last will pay" He yelled and ran before Nandini can react.

"Cheater" she yelled from behind and ran to catch up.

_______________

"Where is Cabir Manik I'm dying?" Navya yelled as she laid down in the hospital bed all sweaty.

"You mean metaphorically right please don't say literally or I won't impregnate nandini. Like ever." Manik said thoughtfully and Navya punched his stomach and he jumped away at the impact.

"Shut up Manik or get the hell out" Navya yelled but he immediately came to her bed side.

"He will be there any minute don't worry. Here squeeze my hand you'll feel better" He offered his hand and stood beside her stretcher.

"I said squeeze not make me handicapped jesus Navya" He said flicking his hand to get the sensation back.

She glared at him while clutching the sheets.

"Call.him.now" She said emphasising every word.

He nodded and rushed out to call Cabir.

"Cabir we are in the hospital where are you?" He demanded pacing the hallway.

"What hospital?" Cabir asked his mouth stuffed with strawberry icecream.

"I told you baby is on the way what is wrong with you?" Manik yelled and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"My baby like the baby which was due in two weeks?" Cabir's icecream dropped on the cemented ground and his jaw dropped open.

"Cabir? Cabir? Hello"

"Are you sure?" He mumbled from the other side of the phone.

"Yes I'm with your wife who is going to give birth to your baby any minute now can you come here as soon as possible because she's freaking out." Manik ranted in one breath.
"And  please ask Nandini to drive I don't trust your mental state right now."

"Will be there in fifteen minutes". With that he cut the call.

_________

"We need you to start pushing" The doctor announced after she checked Navya.

"Oh she's not pushing until her dumbass husband is here" Manik mentioned while blowing air on his nails.

"He should be here anytime Navya just breathe" Mukti tried to comfort a very helpless Navya.

"I am no-----aaaaaa" She couldn't complete as another  contraction hit her.

Navya's mom was blowing air on her face with a hand fan.

Everyone were present including their parents except her husband.

"I'm here" The door banged open and Cabir fell on the floor breathing for his life as his legs gave up by running so fast.

"Oh good we didn't miss it" Nandini panted and looked around the room.

"Why there are so many people?" She muttered looking around the crowded room.

"See he's even late today we told you he's no good" Navya's mom chided.

"Yeah sure let's do that when Navya is pushing that thing out ew what's that?" Nandini said when she saw something coming out. "Are they her organs?"

"Wha--- what is she talking about?" Navya panicked and everyone glared at nandini. She apologized sheepishly.

"Nothing baby push we are almost there'' Cabir assured her in the most calming tone when he was internally freaking out. He held her hand and kissed her forehead

"Nandini come here" Manik hissed and pulled her from her forearm and she rolled her eyes but still side hugged him.

"One last push Navya" Her doctor demanded and with a loud scream the loud wailing of the baby came.

"It's a boy"  The doctor announced.

"Would you like to cut the umbilical cord Mr Dhawan?" The doctor asked and he cut it still holding her hand refusing to let go.

He was almost numb but his legs unconsciously took him beside the doctor and he cut the cord.

"Would you like to hold him?" The doctor asked and he nodded. His eyes glistening with tears. And this was automatically the best day of his life.

He held the baby and cooed at him. He walked towards Navya and carefully put him on her chest.

"He's beautiful" A tear slipped past her cheeks.

"Just like you" Cabir kissed her forehead and everyone smiled.

It was definitely a kodak moment and nandini made sure to snap it.

Manik glanced at nandini and saw her wiping a tear that slipped past. He interlinked his hand with her's and gave it a squeeze.

She looked at him with a bright smile. They both probably thinking the same thing.

"Hey nandini" He softly whispered in her ear.

She peered at him her brows drew together.

"I am ready"

Two words. Eight letters.

And she understood.

__________♪♪♪♪________

I updated rather early this time!!!!

This was last chapter  of this book and I'm honestly not ready to say goodbye.

This book was supposed to be 15-20 chapters long but oops.

Next update will be the epilogue if you want anything specific I'll happily add it.

Honestly I appreciate y'all from the bottom of my heart and I couldn't have done it with your support.

Ps: I'll continue my thank you speech in next update xd

Anyway did anyone notice I add weird chapter aesthetics in every update? Not exactly aesthetic but still.