As night fell the blue haze of day lifted to reveal the stars. Frost grew over the windows while a chilling stillness prevailed as people were tucked away in the warmness of their blankets in the cold night.

"Ye le, mera bacha. Aur garam garam hi peena," Nandini's mother instructed, placing a cup of warm milk on the nightstand. Nandini nodded, absentmindedly tracing Aarav's cheeks, while breastfeeding him. When a cold wind blew through, Nandini shivered. Her mother immediately went and locked the window before coming to her bed side and properly tucking her in the blanket while snapping, "Kya hua hai, Nandini? Kidhar khoi hui hai subah se? Khidki khuli hai. Pata hai na kitni sardi hai. Is same toh vese bhi tujhe sardi se bachke rehna hai. Aur bhul mat tujhe apne saath saath, Aarav ka bhi khayal rakhna hai."

(*Here, take it. Drink it while it's hot. **What happened, Nandini. Where are you lost? The window is open. Do you know how cold it is outside? And don't forget you have to take care of Aarav along with your own self, now.)

"Ek khidki hi toh thi Maa, itna kyu daant rahe ho," Nandini replied but before she could speak another word her phone rang. Her mother grumbled something under her breath while moving out of the room, closing the door behind her. Nandini swiped on the screen and she smiled as Manik's tired face immediately lightened up her phone.

(*It's just a window, Maa. Why are you scolding me so much?)

"Hi, baby," Manik greeted with a smile and before she could reply, Aarav instantly pulled away from her upon hearing the familiar voice and looked towards the screen. At two months, he had started recognising Manik's voice since he video called them every night. As was evident from Aarav's excitement when raised his hands towards the phone while cooing, Manik proved to be the fun dad.

Nandini lowered her kurti while angling the phone so that Manik was visible to Aarav and the latter to the former. She shook her head as Manik exclaimed, "Arey mere Ḍaḍu, tu soya nahi abhi tak?" Since, at two months, Aarav had started resembling Manik, much to his happiness, under Nandini's continuous persuasion he had given up the absurd nickname given to their son. But, as it seemed that Manik loved to rile up his wife, he gave him another nickname. Ḍaḍū, which is a punjabi name for frog.

(Oh, my frog, you haven't slept yet?)

But poor Aarav, oblivious to his father's dirty nickname, cooed back with an innocent smile, that still managed to take her heart away. The first time it happened was when they were on a video call with Manik. Manik smiled at Aarav and Aarav reciprocated with a full blown smile of his own, a carbon copy of Manik's. Seeing the smile, Manik's excitement and ego knew no bounds. But for Nandini, it had almost made her cry since she realised how she will go over the hours of endless sleep and exhaustion from being cooped up with Aarav her whole life just for that toothless smile.

At Aarav's toothless smile basking with innocence, making her feel all soft and mushy and because a small part of her heart missed her husband, Nandini couldn't help herself as she showered his face with kisses while muttering weirdest endearments. Manik smiled, his heart filling with warmth as he took both of them silently.

While Nandini laid beside Aarav and while their son was fascinatingly staring at his own hands while making a weird sound, she asked him, "Aapne khana khaya?" When he nodded, she further said, "Kal time par chal lena. Sardi ki vajah se andhera jaldi ho jayega aur drive karna mushkil hoga."

(You had your lunch? **Start the journey on time. It will start darkening early due to winters and it will be difficult to drive back.)

"Haan. Breakfast karne ke baad chalunga. 9-10 baje tak," Manik replied and observed the tiredness on her face evident from the dark circles but didn't comment, not wanting her to become self conscious due to her insecurities recently and instead asked, "Ab ye raat ko tang kar raha hai?"

(*Yeah. Will start the journey after breakfast around 9-10. **Is he still troubling at night?)

"Ek doh baar toh uthta hi hai. Maa saath hi hote hai. Agar zyada thak gayi hoti hu toh isse mere feed dene ke baad woh sambhal lete hai," Nandini said. Before he could further speak, she looked at Aarav as he twisted his face towards her chest and gave out a shrill cry. Manik watched in amusement as she discreetly latch Aarav's mouth to her breast before covering up his face and her breasts with her kurti.

(He does wake up once or twice. But, since Maa sleep with me so if I'm tired, she takes care of him after I feed him.)

"What are you hiding, baby? Did I miss something in our, umm, previous activities?" Manik asked, his eyes twinkling in mirth. He laughed as Nandini glared at him while a red hue covered her cheeks. He loved riling her up, prompting him to say, "I think it's been too long if you're blushing like that." When she whined his name while shying more, he, enjoying it tremendously, tried to control his laughter as he further said, "Come on, we have a kid, baby. You didn't even blush that much the first–"

Nandini cried out his name in embarrassment, cutting him off mid sentence, while he laughed, his laughter further intensifying as his screen went black as she declined the call. Some time later, as he laid down to sleep and looked at the empty side beside him, he wanted the morning to arrive sooner.

•••••

It was nearly noon when Manik arrived at his in laws house. Taking out the basket of fruits along with some chocolates for his sister in law and a paper bag from the car, he moved towards the front door and rang the bell. A few minutes passed by before his mother in law opened the door, smiling broadly. After he leaned down and touched her feet, she ushered him in and asked, "Kaise ho beta? Ghar par sab theek?"

(How are you? Is everyone okay at home?

"Hanji sab bhadiya. Aap theek hai?" Manik asked politely while handing over the things and she nodded before saying, "Lo aap yaha betho mai paani laati hu. Nandini abhi aati hogi niche woh Aarav bohot roh raha tha toh usse sulane gayi hai."

(Everyone is okay. Are you okay? **Come. Sit here. I'll bring a glass of water for you.)

"Jee koina," Manik replied and she hurried to the kitchen while Manik looked around the house. Since the argument and their downfall with Nandini's uncle after his accident, his mother in law and Kanishka had shifted away to a small house, paying monthly rent thus promoting Kanishka to take up tuitions. Although, Manik never asked Nandini where she spent her income, he knew that more than half of the amount was sent to her mother to help her run the house. But, he never commented because if he can look after his parents without her thoughts, she too had the right to do the same.

(Yeah, okay.)

As his mother in law handed him the glass before she moved towards the kitchen to prepare tea, he looked at the room as its door opened. Nandini stepped out, dressed in a simple green colored suit while her hair was loose around her shoulders along with a coat of nude lipshade. When she reached the living room, her eyes met his and she smiled sweetly. Manik smiled while he got up. As his arm wrapped her waist in a side hug and he pressed a kiss on top of her head, she reciprocated before retreating while he asked, "Kesi hai?"

(*How are you?)

"Badiya. Aap theek hai? Raste mai koi dikat toh nahi hui?" Nandini asked as they sat beside each other on the sofa.

(I'm okay! Are you okay? Did you had any trouble coming here?)

"Nahi theek tha. Bas woh thodi highway se pehle ki sadak kharab hai toh uske kaaran thoda zyada time lag gaya tha," Manik replied before she asked, "Ghar par sab theek hai?"

(No, it was fine. The construction work on road before highway led to some delay, otherwise it went smoothly.)

Manik hummed in response and asked, "Aur hamara saputra kaha hai?"

(And where is our kiddo?)

"Humara saputra soh raha hai. Subha ke saat baje ka utha hua tha. Thodi der pehle nehlaya usse aur phir aunty aaye the uski maalish karne. Uske baad uski aakhe neend se bhari hui thi toh bohot roh raha tha. Abhi aapke aane se pehle hi soya hai," Nandini narrated everything before getting up and saying, "Mai aapke liye kuch khaane ko laati hu aur dekhti hu Mumma ko koi help toh nahi chahiye."

(He is sleeping. He was awake since 7 in the morning. I just gave him a bath and aunty came to give him massage. After that he was tired and was crying alot. He just slept before you arrived. **Let me bring something to eat for you and see if Maa needs anything.)

As she walked to the kitchen, Manik scrolled through his phone in the meanwhile. Nandini came out with her mother some time later and all of them enjoyed lunch that she prepared in the morning with occasional talks.

••••

After lunch, Manik and Nandini moved towards the room for some rest before they will start their journey back home. As soon as they entered in, Manik held her wrist and pulled her closer, startling her. While his arms wrapped around her waist and he moved closer, prompting her to step back, she hissed as her back hit the wall while Manik closed the remaining distance, his hands cupping her cheeks. She looked at the door slightly ajar and tried to create some distance by pushing against his chest. When her efforts were futile, she said, "Kya kar rahe hai? Darwaaza khula hai. Koi bhi aajayega, Manik."

(What are you doing? The door is open. Anyone can come in, Manik.)

"Maa soh gayi," Manik murmured, his eyes intensely staring at her lips while Nandini looked between the door and her husband, knowing what was coming as he whispered, "It's been too long."

(Maa is asleep.)

"Manik, Kani–" Nandini started, only for her voice to die down as her lips were clamped shut by his. As his lips pressed against hers while his hands trailed over her gorgeous curves. Indeed it had been a long time since Nandini almost instantaneously melted against his, her hands raking through his hair, pulling him closer while lips parted, their kiss deepening as their tongues tangled.

As he pulled away, her head rested against the wall as she breathed deeply while his mouth pressed feather-like kisses on her jaw and slowly moved to the arch of her neck. Just as things were about to escalate, they felt as if someone threw a bucket of cold water as they froze, realising that in the daze of desire they forgot about Aarav, whose shrill cry rang out in the room. Manik stepped back, startled and they both tried to calm themselves.

In the initial time of their marriage they hit a rough patch when Nandini was juggling up her married life, she prioritised his family over him, thus leading to a decline in their time together as well as the intimacy. But, soon afterwards, when their frustrations came up, they sorted it out with an argument and later on tried to understand each other better through communication. Since then, they had been balancing their lives in a great manner, thus leading to a happy married life. Although they consummated the marriage on their wedding night, but as time passed by and they grew more happier and comfortable with each other, their physical intimacy had grown more passionate and frequent. It was rare that they got interrupted while copulating. So, them getting interrupted like this was...weird.

While Nandini settled her clothes and moved to washroom, Manik moved towards the bed, smiling as he saw his son after nearly two months. As Aarav bawled his eyes out while his kicking up his arms and legs, Manik picked him up from bed.

"Arey mera dadu, tu toh bada ho gaya," Manik cooed, making Aarav stop crying as he stared at his face while listening to the familiar voice. Manik grinned in happiness as Aarav smiled at him, making him kiss his chubby cheek. Placing him on the center of the bed, Manik picked up the bag he bought and took out the toy before sprawling beside Aarav and said, "Dekh main tere liye kya laya."

(Oh my baby! You have grown up. **See, what I have brought for you.)

Aarav watched in fascination while Manik watched his son in fascination, his heart brimming with love as Aarav's hands and legs kicked up and down in excitement while he made incoherent sounds as Manik secured the toy before the music and lights turned on as the hanging birds started fo circle around.

A few minutes later, Nandini froze on the doorstep of the bathroom, her heart bursting with love as she witnessed the scene in front of her. While the toy still played, Manik and Aarav dozed off. She just couldn't understand how in his sleep Manik had his arm securely around the baby while he held the toy to avoid it hitting Aarav on head.

As she moved closer, she smiled as both of them slept on their front and Aarav had his mouth open with drool escaping while Manik too slept with an open mouth, sans the drool. Shaking her head, she turned off the toy and gently pried it from Manik's hand, pressing a kiss on the back after doing so. Carefully keeping the toy aside on the bedside table, she covered them with a comforter, laying on other side of bed for an afternoon nap.

••••

While Nandini bid her mother and sister goodbye by hugging them, Manik loaded their bags in the trunk of his car. Moving towards them to bid adieu, Nandini stepped back with Aarav while he touched his mother in law's feet before moving towards his sister in law, Kanishka and hugging her sideways. 

After settling in the car, Nandini waved at them before they pulled away. Aarav, not remembering his first drive to his grandmothers, watched the flashing lights of vehicles with captivation.

"Woh dekh putu cow," Nandini pointed out to a black cow, making him follow her finger through his eyes before he smiled and made an oh sound, making her kiss his head. She couldn't wait to hear his innocent giggles. Nandini showed him various animals and things around, Manik silently observed the duo with a smile while concentrating on driving. It wasn't long before they reached their destination.

As they entered the house, everyone gathered around them to welcome them but Aarav looked around his surroundings, confused and terrified with so many people. While Manik went up to freshen up, everyone tried taking him in their arms but he refused to leave Nandini. Neyonika took him in her arms, using slight force, with a smile, he let out a screech in protest, crying his lungs out as he tried to escape her hold and holding up his arms towards his mother.

When Nandini was about to take him back, her heart dropped as Neyonika bounced him in her arms, his cries intensified, while she said, "Arrey ruko. Thoda pehle pehle aisa hi karte hai bache. Abhi doh minute main chup ho jayega."

(Wait. They do like this initially. He will quieten down in just two minutes.)

"Maa–" Nandini said helplessly, her own eyes tearing up as he continued crying, his face turning red while he stared at her as Neyonika passed him to Mukti, her sister in law. Manik came downstairs and saw the scene.

"Maa woh kitna roh raha hai. Kya kar re ho aap sab?" Manik asked as he forwarded his hands towards Aarav and the baby immediately moved towards him, his cries slowing down to hiccups. His head rested on Manik's shoulder, his hand fisting the end of his hair to hold onto him as he let out something akin to a sigh.

(Maa he is crying so much. What are you doing?)

"Arrey, woh bacha hai. Agar humein nahi pakdaoge toh hume janega kese?" Neyonika said, her face falling in disbelief.

(He is just a child. If you won't let us hold him, how will he know us?)

"Maa main aapko mana thodi kar raha hu. Hum abhi vaapis aaye hai. Voh thaka hua hai aur itne naye log hai aas paas. Thode time tak theek ho jayega. Isne yahi rehna hai," Manik explained and Neyonika nodded before moving to the dining. He looked at Nandini and said, "Humara dinner room main hi leya."

(Maa, I'm not refusing you. We just came back. He is tired and there are so many new people around. He will come around in time. He will be living here. **Bring our dinner to room.)

While Manik walked up to their room with Aarav, Neyonika said, "Nandini aaja sab ko dinner karvade. Saare intezaar kar rahe hai."

(Nandini, come and serve dinner to everyone. They're waiting.)

Nandini nodded, following her mother in law to the kitchen, her life taking back its course as the dutiful daughter in law and a wife that she was.

Just a filler chapter to finish off the rituals and bringing their lives back on track :) Their story will begin from the next one. Hope you're as excited as I am to write it ❤️

Also, you can always let me know any scenes that you would like to be added in comments or my DMs. I'll surely consider adding them up :)

Thank you for reading! If it was worth your time, please vote, comment and share it. It would mean the world to me 🥺