Location: Malhotra Mansion

Nandini happily hummed to herself as she braided her hair for the night. As soon as she came home, she told her mother-in-law about Laksh's girlfriend and soon the whole family found out. Laksh was nervous and didnt say much about the girl but she did know that Laksh callsher Candy....which Nandini found super cute and that she is from a decent, business family. Anyways, Nyonika told Laksh to invite her and her family to Manik & Nandini's marriage anniversary party, and Nandini could not wait. As she finally finished her braids, Nandini turned towards her husband who was sitting on the bed, still working on his laptop.

"Manik.." Nandini climbed on to the bed beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Hmmm." Manik said, typing away.

"Yeh Candy kaisi ladki hogi? Aaj kal ki ladkiyan ki tarah nahi hogi na?" 

"Hmmm...."

"Achi hogi...meri devar ki pasand jo hai. Mom ne kahan ki unhone uski Ma se baat ki hai aur woh log bohot ache hai. Im so excited to meet her."

"Hmmm." This time Nandini lifted her head when she realized Manik really wasnt listening to her.

"Manik...Dad shayad bula raha hai kuch kaam se."

"Kya?" Manik now looked to Nandini.

"Now he listens!" Nandini huffed angrily. Manik look guilty as Nandini glared at him. "Tum na...meri koi baat hi nahi sunte. Har waqt bas kaam kaam kaam!"

"Nandu...baby....aisa nahi hai." Manik kept his laptop away and tried consoling Nandini. 

"Aisa hi hai! You should have married your laptop....mujhse saadi kyun ki?" Nandi pouted angrily, looking to the side. 

"Ab kya karun? Pyar tumse karta hoon toh shaadi bhi tumse hi karunga na?" 

"Acha?" Nandini loooked at Manik and raised her eyebrows, "Kitna  pyar karte ho?"

"Tumhe nahi paata kya?"

"Paata hai, phir bhi...bolo na."

Manik held Nandini's face and brought her close, "Jaan ho tum mere...aur logo ko apna jaan duniya mein sabse zyada pyara hota hai, hai na?"

Nandini giggled as Manik rudded their noses together affectionately.

"Gussa khatam?"

"Haan ab main bhi kya karun?" Nandini said, copying Manik's tone, "Tumse naraaz rehna literally impossible hai."

Laughing Manik made Nandini lay her head down on his lap and gently stroked her hair. "Vaise...I also think Candy achi ladki hogi...tumhare devar ki pasand jo hai."

Nandini turned in his lap and looked up at Manik in surprise. "Tum sun rahe they?"

"Of course...just cause Im busy doesnt mean mera dhyan nahi hai tumpe."

"Toh why did you pretend you didnt hear?"

'Maaza aata hai." Manik smirked.

"Acha ji? Mujhe gussa dilane mein maaza hai hai tumhe?" Nandini sat up.

"Haan...tum vaise toh humesha khubsoorat ho lekin jab gusse mein hote ho toh aur bhi khatilana lagte ho." Manik replied making Nandini blush. He chuckled at her and pinched both her cheeks, "And cute too...mere cutie Jaanu."

"Manik..." Nandini complained, pulling his hands off her cheeks.

"Nandu..." Manik mocked. 

"Bohot raat ho gayi hai....we should go to sleep now." 

"Jo hukum mere aakaa." 

Nandini lay down and Manik lay down beside her, snuggling close and holding her tight like he does every night.

**********

3 Days Later...

Manik woke up to see that Nandini wasnt beside him, which was completely normal since Nandini had a habit of waking up early but since it was their anniversary, Manik had hoped she would wait for him. 

"Yeh Nandini bhi na." Manik shook his head as he got out of bed and freshened up, "Yesterday she was angry at me because I always work....aur khud kya karti hai? Aaj ke din mein bhi ghar ke kaam pe lag gayi hogi...what do I do with this girl."

He then went downstairs to the kitchen where he was sure his wife would be helping his mom. There he only saw Nyonika, Smita & Roshni.

"Mom....Nandini kahan hai?" Manik asked. Nyonika looked at Smita & Roshni with a smirk and just shrugged.

"Paata nahi Manu...yahan toh nahi aayi." She replied innocently. Manik narrowed his eyes at his mom, knowing she was hiding something and saw her exchange a look with his Badimom.

"Badimom? Do you know where Nandini is?" Manik gave a smile to her, she would never be able to keep any secret from him.

"Manik...woh...actually-"

"Manik..." Roshni spoke up to stop Smita from spilling the beans. "Woh shayad bahar sab ko coffee de rahi hogi."

"Arre haan! Thanks di." Manik ran out. Roshni & Nyonika watched as he left then turned to Smita.

"Mom!"

"Bhabhi...Manu aapko thoda sa smile kya de deta hai, aap pigal jaate hai. Bechari Nandu ki puri surprise pe paani phail jaati." Nyonika said.

"Sorry Sorry. Main kya karun? Main Manik se jhoot nahi bol sakta."

******

Manik ran towards the sitting area where his father, BadePapa, Dadu, Jiju & Abhi were sitting like always. 

"Dadu...Nandini aayi hai kya?"

"Nahi toh beta." Devendra replied, holding his laugh in while the others just tried acting all casual.

"Laksh kahan hai...usse zaroor paat hoga Nandini kahan hai." 

"Laksh toh uski Candy se milne ke liye nikal gaya." Shravan replied.

"Yaar...Laksh ghar pe nahi hai, aap logo ko nahi paata ke Nandini kahan toh how am I supposed to find her?" 

Everyone zipped their lips and continued talking, annoying the hell out of Manik. Turning away, Manik started mumbling to himself.

"So irritating. Aaj anniversary hai humara aur Nandini gayab hai.."

"Hum koi madat kare Manik ji?" Mukti & Gaurav, Roshni's son stood infront of Manik.

"Madat? Aur tum? Ya right....im sure you will also say the same like everyone else...hai na?"

"Oh come one Manik....Im saying we'll help you...toh madat karenga na." Mukti replied.

"Really?" Manik asked. Mukti nodded, "Phir kahan hai Nandini?"

"Follow the rose petals."

"Kya?" Manik asked confused. Gaurav pointed behind them and showed Manik the trail of rose petals.

"Those rose petals Manik Mamu....follow it aur Nandini Mami mil jayegi!"

Manik followed the rose petals down the hall and out the back door to the pool area where it was decorated with lights and flowers. In the pool, there were floating candles that wrote "Happy Anniversary Hubby."

Smiling, Manik looked around for his wife when two arms wrapped around him from the back and hugged him. Manik unwrapped her arms and turned to look at Nandini.

"If this is your way of wishing me first...its called cheating." 

"Everything is fair in love & war....aur yeh toh pyar hai....lekin thik hai, tumhare khatir...Ill say it." Nandini replied, slinging her arms around Manik's neck, pulling him down and gave a kiss on his cheeks. "Happy Anniversary Hubby."

"Happy Anniversary Wifey." Manik smiled and kissed Nandini.

"Piche dekho.." Nandini told Manik with an excited look. Manik looked behind him and saw a huge box sitting there. 

"Woah! What did you buy?"  

"Open it." Manik went up to the box and untied the ribbon and opened the box to see....another slightly smaller box inside. He rolled his eyes and looked at Nandini. "Why am I not surprised."

Manik then took of the next ribbon and opened the box to reveal another smaller box and this went on for a while. Meanwhile Nandini started giggling uncontrollably which made Manik stop and watch her for a bit, amused.

"You know kabhi kabhi mujhe lagta hai, maine ek bachi se shaadi kar li." Manik chuckled and then opened the last box which was much much smaller. "Pls tell me this is the last one."

"Haan...kholo." 

Manik opened the box and saw a golden antique wrist watch. "Nandini...where- Tumhe ye kahan se mili? Main kabse isse dhund raha tha...its a very rare watch! How did you get this?" 

"I have my connections." Nandini shrugged. Manik gave her a look and she grinned sheepishly. "Ok Ok...Cabir...Cabir is my connections. Usne madat ki meri. Mujhe paata tha ke tumhare purane ghadiyon ki collection ke liye you were looking everywhere for this one toh maine Cabir se pucha and he said he knows some people toh...here we are!"

"Oh hello madam." Manik looked offended, "Purana ghadi nahi hai yeh...its an antique, Farak hota hai dono mein."

"Haan Haan antique vantique jo bhi hai..you like it na?" Nandini asked. 

"I love it!" Manik smiled, "Now your turn."

Manik placed his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Two seconds later Gaurav came running out with a box. "Here you go Mami!"

"Thank you Gaurav." Nandini ruffled his hair. After he left, she opened the box and took out a small round glass globe with a figure of a Manik & Nandini dancing inside. engraved on the outside is MaNan Humesha.

(Imagine Manik & Nandini figures)

"Wow! Is that...us?" Nandini asked.

"Yeah...I ordered it months ago to get it specially made. Press the top." Manik said. Nandini pressed the button on the top and the figures started rotating and music played.

"Its so beautiful Manik...I absoluetly LOVE it!" Nandini squealed and jumped onto Manik hugging him. 

"I love you Nandini."

"I love you Manik."

--------------------------------------

Note: Hey Readers! Hope you are liking the story so far. Nandini will come face to face with her family in the next chapter so what do you think will happen?