Nandini sat in the car waiting for Manik who went inside Starbucks to get her a coffee caramel frappuccino. She was scrolling through some pics clicked by Manik a few minutes ago at their home to post on her Instagram. She was already ready in her clubbing outfit and felt super sexy in that dress and so she forced Manik to be her private photographer yet again.

Manik came back with a venti frappuccino and his Espresso Macchiato. He got into the car when Nandini showed her phone to him. He read the caption and nodded.

Manik: Looks good.

Nandini smiled and then posted it. He smiled at her habit of always asking him about the caption whether it was good enough or not and when he would not be there and she wanted to post, she would post it without a caption just with some emojis. Nandini then took her cup and started sipping from the straw.

Nandini: Maan?

Manik: *looking through his phone* Haan?

Nandini: What are your plans for Christmas and the new year?

Manik: Plan? Aisa toh kuch nhi hai..

Nandini: *excitedly* Toh phir hum Delhi chale? Mujhe Mumma papa ki bohot yaad aa rahi hai and they also said ki extended leave hoti hai Christmas ki so why don't we join then and return after celebrating the new year?

Manik: *turning to her* Baby I can join for the new year but Christmas ka I am not sure.

Nandini: *frowning* But you said na you don't have plans fir?

Manik: *sipping his coffee* Ya I don't have any plans but we usually don't celebrate Christmas so maine leave nahi li hai so if I have a flight, I might not be able to join but I have taken a leave for New year so that won't be an issue.

Nandini: *sadly* Thik hai fir let's not go!

Manik: *cupping her face* Arey why? You go na for Christmas, I will join you for new year's eve. Waise bhi you deserve some privacy with your family.

Nandini: *glaring* Privacy from you? Since when? You forgot they love you more than me?

Manik: *chuckled* Shant meri sherni shant. What I meant is you should get to spend time with them like in old times. And what are you getting angry for? Do you not do the same? How many times have you sent me to Pune without you? Plus yaar log bolte rehte hai biwi mayke jati hai toh its the best feeling of freedom toh mujhe bhi try karne do..

Nandini: Acha? Fir toh mai mayke mai hi reh jati hu fir enjoy your freedom with that Ridhima.

Manik: *chuckled and pulled her nose* I love it when you get jealous, you look cute!

Nandini: *smirking* Huh jealous and from her? Mr Malhotra jealous uss baat pe hote hai jo unke paas ho aur aapke paas na ho.. and I already have you, don't I?

Manik: And then in an instant, you turn from cute to freaking sexy. Don't fucking arch your eyebrow unless you wanna go have sex again.

Saying this, he took her lips in a passionate kiss yet again. She arched her neck giving him more access and gripped his hair tight. Feeling her out of breath, he broke the kiss only to kiss her neck passionately. Before they could proceed further, she stopped him.

Nandini: *breathing heavily* Maan, stop we are in the car!

Manik stopped and hugged her tight trying to control his hormones. She took a deep breath, inhaling his scent and trying to control her desires too. They both broke the hug and Manik started the car, entwining their hands and keeping them on the gear.

Manik: So where to?

Nandini: To Khuranas!

Manik: Without telling them?

Nandini: Oh hello they are my besties, I don't need permission to go to their house.

Manik: What if they are in the middle of...

Nandini: Stop! Stop your dirty thoughts.. she is your cousin for god's sake Maan.. tum ladko ke dimaag mai aur kuch nhi hota kya?

Manik: *chuckled* Yes she is my cousin but it's not like I don't know they would have done it. If you have forgotten, her best friend is my wife who can't keep her mouth shut in front of me and blurted out their best friend talk to me right after their wedding night. And they are newlyweds! You remember we used to have sex like rabbits in the first six months or so of our marriage. What places have we left in our apartment?

Nandini: *blushing badly* Shut up!

Manik: Are why? Isn't it true baby? The honeymoon phase was so much fun.. don't you agree?

Nandini: Are you saying we are not fun anymore? After this afternoon makeout?

Manik: Well I didn't mean that all I am saying is that the honeymoon phase is such bliss in a couple's life and we are lucky to be able to enjoy that fully because my boss was only giving me domestic flights mostly and not to forget weekends off. He was such a nice boss.

Nandini: That he was. May his soul rest in peace.

Manik: *nodding* The entire team misses him a lot. His demise was such shocking news for all. After all, such a fit and jolly guy passed away in the middle of the night without any major disease.

She tightened her grip on his hand. Mr Shastri was not only his boss but his mentor too. Manik admired him a lot and was so sad when he passed away a year ago. The atmosphere in the car turned sombre. Nandini didn't like the awkward silence but she didn't know what to say so she turned on some soothing music. Soon they reached Khurana's house and parked the car at its side. Before Manik could come out, Nandini tugged on his hand.

Nandini: *kissing his forehead* Hey it's ok!

She hugged him rubbing his back and Manik smiled hugging her back. He broke the hug and kissed her forehead.

Manik: I am ok! Don't worry! Chale?

Nandini hmmed and they went inside. She rang the doorbell and Aryaman opened the door after a minute or so. Manan looked at his sweaty face and dishevelled hair and Manik gave Nandini a told you so look making her glare at him. She pushed Aryaman aside and went inside. She went to the kitchen and got a glass of water slumping on the couch. Aryaman slumped next to her side hugging her while Manik chuckled at them and sat on the opposite couch.

Nandini: Where is Vru?

Aryaman: Taking a shower!

Nandini: At 5 in the evening? So late?

Aryaman: Yaar puch hi math.. she has made me clean with her the entire day. Look at me, my hair looks like a bird's nest and my face is all sweaty.

Manik and Nandini looked at each other and burst out laughing. What were they thinking and what is the situation. Poor Aryaman thought they are laughing at him and he sulked more.

Nandini: *pushing Aryaman* Chi yaar Arya.. that means you haven't taken a shower since morning and you are hugging me.. dur hat yaar

Aryaman: Bas kya? Dekhli teri dosti!

Nandini: Oye tera drama band kar and dur hatt!

Vridhi: Exactly! You are so dramatic! You are all dirty and hugging her uski jaise mai bhi react karti.. now go take a shower...

Aryaman sulked more and left the room stomping his foot making everyone laugh. Nandini stood up and hugged Vridhi who reciprocated the hug. Vridhi then hugged Manik who hugged her back.

Vridhi: How are you bhai? Kitne dino baad mil rahe ho aap?

Manik: *sheepishly smiling* Sorry chutki.. schedule hi itna busy tha.

Nandini: *glaring at Manik* You know Vru, someone's schedule was so busy that he sat with his wife for a few minutes after 2 whole weeks even though living under the same roof.

Manik: Baby common, now you are overreacting... I sat with you for a whole hour four days ago...

Nandini: *tight-lipped smile* Ohho, badi meherbani aapki Malhotra sahab ki apne ek pura ek ghanta nikala.. and ya, of course, you sat with me... if sitting beside me and going through emails..basically working and not talking counts then of course you did.

Vridhi: Ok stop! No fighting in my house.. go to your house if you wanna fight.

Manik pouted at Nandini who royally ignored him and pouted at Vridhi.

Nandini: Acha leave that, tell me achanak itna cleaning kyu? I hope you remember ki Diwali 3 weeks pehle chali gayi

Vridhi: Ha ha ha very funny! Mom aa rahi hai isiliye cleaning.

Manik: Chachi aa rahi hai? Unhone subah call pe bataya nahi?

Vridhi: Nahi bhai Arya ki mom aa rahi hai and she can accept me not cooking in fact that wouldn't affect her at all but she is a neat freak.. so she hates untidiness.

Nandini: But aunty toh 4 months baad ane wale the na.. woh abhi 2 months pehle hi toh Australia gaye the.. Ishaan bhai ke paas?

Manik: Ishaan is Aryaman's brother right? Who lives in Australia?

Vridhi: Ya bhai but she is coming soon because she has to go back soon.. oh my god wait.. I didn't tell you the good news...

Manik: What? Tum dono ki shadi abhi thode months pehle toh hui hai...

Vridhi: *shocked* What? *blushing* Bhai shut up not that! Well, that but not me..

Nandini: Hein?

Vridhi: *smiling widely* Avantika bhabhi and Ishaan bhai are expecting! I am going to become a chachi!

Nandini: Oh my god that's such good news! Convey our congratulations to them!

Vridhi: Sure sure! So Mom is coming early so she can return early before bhabhi's delivery and Mom's visa is such that she can't spend more than 6 months there and there has to be 6 months gap between the two visits so she is coming early.

Nandini nodded and the three of them sat there chitchatting while waiting for Aryaman. As soon as he came, Manik informed them to get ready coz they are going to a club. Nandini went with Vridhi who asked her to select her dress. Soon everyone got ready and two cars zoomed off on the busy streets of Mumbai.

Author's note: Hey guys! How's the update? Please leave your comments!

I know its been long and I am going to give slow updates just coz I am very busy with my job lately. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Next update will be TDMD.

Hope you enjoyed reading this part!

Lots of love,
Vaish ❤