Nandini was always a light sleeper and to top it all, she gets worried very easily when Manik is on the flight. At times when he is going for a flight, she feels like hugging him tight and not letting him go but she also knows that flying planes is his passion and she would never come in between both. In all this, she never really got a good night's sleep when he is away. The same was the case today.

Though she was sleeping, she was very well aware of the surroundings and hence she heard a small creak in the door. She ignored it thinking it to be due to the fan but what alarmed her was the dip in the bed. She immediately clutched her pillow tight. She could feel her heart palpations at the speed of a horse and it immediately came to a halt when a hand sneaked in her waist. She immediately picked up the cushion she was holding and started hitting the person sitting up and screaming.

Manik: *palming her mouth* Baby, baby it's me. Relax sweetheart!

Nandini: *stopping* Ma...Maan?

She immediately turned on the light and seeing him in front of her, her heart came to peace. A sigh escaped her lips as she launched herself on him hugging him tightly. Manik too sighed hugging her tight. She pulled him closer breathing into his hair making Manik squirm as he felt ticklish and she giggled knowing that. She broke the hug and smiled but then remembered his stunt.

Nandini: *beating* You idiot, stupid monster! Who sneaks in their own house like this huh? You would have given me a heart attack. And by the way, you were going to come in the morning right? Maan, why are you staring at me, I am asking something?

Manik: *keeping finger on her lips* Shh..

Nandini: *glaring* You have the audacity to shush me up after scaring me like that?

Manik: Shut up yaar kitna bolti ho, let me look at you, I am meeting you after 4 days.

Nandini: Cheesy much!

Manik: You can't even digest my love! Anyways, the flight was smooth so we landed almost 2 hours early and by the way, it's already morning.. it is nearly 4am.

He stretched a bit and yawned making Nandini grin and pull his cheeks.

Nandini: Awwieee mera cute Monu!

Manik: Tch yaar Nandini, stop calling me that.

Nandini: Not fair Monu, dadi bua can call you that but I can't?

Manik: *lying in her lap* Shut up!

Nandini: *kissing his forehead* Tired?

Manik: Very! By the way, what is this way of protecting yourself? Cushions? Really?

Nandini: Ya ya I should be sleeping here holding a vase to smash into the person's head who randomly decides to pop into my bedroom na?

Manik: *rolling his eyes* You could maybe use your fist?

Nandini: *smiling sheepishly* That I forgot! Acha now let's get you some sleep.

Manik: Yes please, I haven't slept well in the last 4 days knowing you wouldn't have slept well worrying about me.

Nandini: Ab that toh I can't help it and to sleep you gotta change so get up.

Manik: Hmm..

He changed and then they both lay down. Nandini immediately rolled in his arms making him smile and close his eyes.

Nandini: Maan...

Manik: *sleepy eyes* Hmm?

Nandini: *creasing his cheek* I love you!

Manik: *pecking her lips* Hmm ditto!

She chuckled and slept peacefully in his arms who already dozed off.

It was 8 when she woke up. She yawned and looked at him sleeping peacefully. She smiled, dropped a kiss on his lips and left the bed. She took her time in getting ready for the day, washing her hair, blow-drying them and leaving them open. She went to the kitchen, made herself a cup of coffee and sat on the balcony chair soaking the morning sun. She was going through social media when she felt a ball near her leg. She stood up with the ball and went near the railing. It was of course the naughtiest but cutest kid of the building, Aarav.

Aarav: Nanduuu.. ball do na..

Girl: Offo Aru kitni baar bolu don't call her Nandu.. call her di..

And there comes his best friend Meher. These two are like tom and jerry.. can't stay without fighting but can't stay without each other either. They remind her so much of Manik and her childhood.

Aarav: Meher tu hamesha lecture deti hai..

Meher: That is because you don't have manners. Mumma says if someone is older than you then you call them di or bhaiya..

Aarav: blah blah blah..

Meher: *glaring* Aru!

Nandini: Ok ok times up guys! Its ok na Meher, let him call me Nandu..

Meher: This is not fair di.. aap hamesha iska side lete ho.. mai Manik bhaiya se aapki complain karungi huh...

Nandini: *pouting* Sorry na Mehu.. Acha take your ball and go play..

She threw the ball and Aarav caught it and stretched a thank you looking at Meher showing her he has manners. Nandini chuckled at the duo.

Aarav: *blowing a kiss* Thank you Nanduuu..

Nandini: *blowing him a kiss back* Your welcome Aru!

He grinned and ran off to play dragging Meher with him who was shouting at him to leave her. Nandini chuckled and went inside deciding to cook something for brunch. Usually, on most Sundays, they would have their brunch outside which Manik liked to call brunch dates but today he is tired so she thought to cook at home only. She decided on puri bhaji and was collecting the ingredients when her phone rang.

Nandini: Good morning chachi!

Nisha: Good morning Nandu! Kaisi ho beta?

Nandini: I am good! Aap batao how is everyone there? Aap? Papa? Chachu? Aur Ahaan?

Nisha: *chuckling* Sab kha pike mast hai.. thodi der pehle hi breakfast kiya..

Nandini: Wow aapka Sunday special breakfast!

Nisha: Haha yes! Waise Manu kaha hai? Is he back?

Nandini: *making the dough* Ha chachi, wo so raha hai actually he came at around 4 in the morning plus he is very tired so..

Nisha: Ha bechara thak gaya hoga.. Nandu ek minute, Vridhi ka phone aa raha hai let me add her.

Nisha added Vridhi.

Vridhi: Good morning ladies! Akele akele baate ho rhi hai mere bina?

Nandini: Haanji aap toh busy hongi na kal raat Arya ke saath date night jo thi..

Nandini winked and Vridhi blushed only to make Nisha and Nandini laugh.

Nandini: *smirking* Waise how did you wake up so early?

Vridhi: Nanduuu shut up! Mumma bhi call pe hai..

Nandini bit her tongue realising it and felt embarrassed.

Nisha: *laughing* Seems like now I am being kabab mai haddi between the two best friends..

Nandini: No no chachi aisa nahi hai...

Vridhi: Waise ab toh Manik bhai bhi aa gaye hai toh kabab mai haddi hum dono ban rahe hai mumma...

Nandini: *pouting* Kuch bhi... woh mast so raha hai and mujhe lagta hai hamara pura sunday aise hi jane wala hai since he is so tired fir kal se toh firse meri job shuru matlab hogaya hamara time spend..

Nisha: Aww mai na Manu ko daatungi kyu time nahi deta meri bahu ko..

Nandini: Nai nai chachi he is tired.. its not his fault..

Vridhi: *laughing* Nandu mumma mazak kar rhi thi.. she knows..

Nandini blushed and nodded while making the puris. Just then Manik walked in the kitchen and back hugged her.

Manik: *kissing her cheek* Good morning!

Nandini blushed as Nisha and Vridhi were watching them who cleared their throat and Manik immediately left her.

Manik: Good morning chachi and Vru. Kaise ho aap dono?

Vridhi: Bhai the question should be kyu hai hum dono call pe.. and the answer is we will hang up now so you can romance with my bhabhi..

Nisha: Yes yes hum rakhte hai waise Manu ek complain hai tujhse..

Manik: Chachi mai aaunga Pune iss baar paka...

Nisha: Woh toh meri forever complain hai lekin ek aur.. *Manan looked at her attentively* Tu meri bahu ko time kyu nahi deta?

Nandini: *wide mouth* Chachi!

Nisha: *laughing* Ok bye love birds!

Vridhi: Bye!

Nandini: Bye!

They hang up and Nandini turned to Manik turning the oil gas off.

Nandini: Brush kiya Maan?

Manik: Hmm now give me my dose..

Nandini giggled and pulled him closer. She cupped his face and kissed him softly. His hands immediately went to her waist pulling her closer to deepen the kiss. He kissed her forehead after breaking the kiss.

Manik: Now this is good morning! I love you, baby!

Nandini: *pecking his lips* Love you too! Acha go shower, mai bhaji bana deti hu tab tak then we will have brunch.

Manik: Tch order kar deti.. *she glared at him* Ok fine, stop glaring at me, I was saying this coz you seemed really tired yesterday morning on call.. its been an exhausting week for you.

Nandini: Ya but now that you are here, I feel fresh. Now go and chai piyoge ki coffee?

Manik: Chai!

Nandini nodded and got busy with her work and he went to take a shower. She smiled remembering the first time she made chai for him at the age of 14 and she added salt instead of sugar but he drank without complain. It seems like he was in love with her since then, doesn't it? But that wasn't the case.. actually she had intentionally added salt and made him drink as a punishment for the prank he had pulled on her and threatened him that if he opens his mouth, she will also say to his dad about his girlfriend who was against Manik having a girlfriend until he finishes his board exams and so he drank the salty chai silently.

Author's note: Hey guys! So here is the second chapter! How is it?

Here is our hero! Love him?

Also don't you think its so natural to talk on video call and work? Atleast it is for my mumma! 😂

I am going a bit slow and trying to show you their usual schedule. Plus try to figure out the storyline 😝.

I was meant to update on Saturday only but I had really bad headache for two days so I didnt. But usually I will be updating on weekends only.

Hope you enjoyed this part!

Lots of love,
Vaish ❤