Nandini: Well, I know how hard each and every single person in this room has worked for the hotel, and really hats off to all of u for that. I hope all of had a lot of rest yesterday, and now are back with a fresh and clear head. So, the question arises, what next people?

Nandini spoke up as she addressed a meeting in the RM Heights the next morning. All the members of both her and Cabir's team were present in there. 

A smile came upon her face on the hesitant faces all around her.
Nandini: Don't worry guys... I m not going to bring up some new mega project to make u run out of here. 

All of them sighed as a wave of slight laughter passed around.
Nandini: Ohk so for some time, let's just stick to something that we are good at. Let's get back onto the projects that we have been putting on the sidelines, because of the hotel. I m sure a lot of our clients are waiting for us to get back to them. 

Everyone agreed to her nodding along as Nandini glanced at Cabir.
Nandini: Ohk so for the design team all I have to say is work ahead, and keep up with the good results okay. And for the others, well as u all know Mr. Dhawan would now be leaving from his post here as he has a lot of commitments as the CEO of the NH30, so for obvious reasons his team would have to adjust a bit. We have decided to change the way things work in the Raw Material and Construction Department that Cabir handled. The next few months are going to be quite important for u all, as we are planning a few promotions and distribution of tasks. Also, while we look are a head replacement, I m going to be taking over his place temporarily, and so I'll be the one u all will be reporting directly to.

"Not u Nandini... Me! They'll be reporting me."
Nandini heard someone cutting her in between. Normally this would have resulted in her snapping badly, but then if it was her beloved husband she usually ignored almost everything that he did wrong.

Nandini looked at him confused, as did everyone else in the room, as this meeting had nothing to do with Finance or anything else which required Manik. Manik walked in and went to stand next to her as he spoke up,
Manik: Yes, that's right. I have decided that instead of Nandini, I will be the one taking over in place of Cabir temporarily.

Nandini raised her eyes at him as she looked at everyone else around them and bent closer softly whispering to him,
Nandini: I thought u, me, and Cabir already discussed over this? Manik, Dad is stepping down, u have further responsibilities up there, why are u taking this up as well?

Manik: There is nothing that Dad did that I already don't do Nandini, I can handle another department. I don't want u overloading urself, u need more rest Nandini, not more work.

The last part got to Nandini as she got to know the reason for his sudden change of mind, and she realized that he was correct. She simply nodded at him before smiling at the people in front of her as she resumed her talk.
Nandini: Ohk so that's set. Mr. Malhotra would be the one in place of Mr. Dhawan, and the rest goes the same. U all can now get back to your work, Have a good day.

A murmur filled up the room as they all walked out one after the other, after wishing Manik, Nandini and Cabir. Nandini took a seat as soon as the room got vacated as Cabir opened up the files in front of him signing off the final documents. Manik walked behind Nandini as he softly caressed her hair, before moving his hand to her forehead as he started giving her a head massage. 

Nandini looked up at him with a soft loving smile on her face as she relaxed and let him continue.
Manik: U fine?

Nandini: Absolutely...

Manik: Let's go out somewhere for lunch?
Manik asked her softly, noticing that they were already near the lunch time.

Nandini: I have a client meeting at 2:30.

Manik: We'll be back by then.
Manik promised her making nandini smile before he looked up to find cabir smiling at the two of them as he was finished with his signatures.

Cabir: U guys are so cute, its disgusting! 

Manik: Yeah Yeah... U joining us for lunch?
Manik asked him casually as all three of them got up to leave the room.

Cabir: And interrupt your romance, no sir! Thank u. 

Nandini rolled her eyes at him while Manik chuckled,
Manik: We are meeting at Abhi's tonight, right?

Cabir: Yeah... Can't wait. I m gonna get super drunk tonight.

Nandini: When do u not get drunk Cabir?
Nandini asked him with the sweetest smile, making Manik laugh as Cabir pouted,
Cabir: U hurt me Nandini... U hurt me!

Nandini: Joker...
Nandini muttered as the three of them got into the lift still bickering together.

Nandini: Anyways... Just so u know! Manik and I decided that we are going to keep ur cabin as it is. I know working at the hotel is more practical, since it would be easier if everything is there itself. But I m gonna miss ur silly Ass here, so we thought leaving ur cabin will guarantee u strolling in now and then.

Cabir smiled at her words as he glanced at manik. Even though none of them said it out loud, but they all knew that they were going to miss their casual work knick-knacks, walking into each others cabin everytime they got bored, and especially their daily lunch ritual. And it was gonna be a major change was Manik and Cabir as the two literally spent every other second in each other's cabin, mostly fighting over silly things until nandini broke them apart.

Cabir: God... I m gonna miss this place, so fucking much. 

Manik: U r going no where, so stop being all senti here. This is our place, and it always will be.
Manik spoke up casually brushing him off, but Nandini knew how much this entire deal meant to the two of them.

Nandini: U guys are so cute, its disgusting!
Nandini spoke up, repeating Cabir's words as all three of them looked at each other before bursting into a fit of laughter.

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

Later that day, Manik was driving them to Abhi's place when he softly asked her,
Manik: U want to tell everyone tonight?

Nandini: Well, I m sure they are gonna know it soon enough, especially with Cabir continuously trying to make everyone drink. I can't keep dodging him without giving in a valid reason. And I really don't mind them knowing. Do you?

Manik: No... In fact, it's better if they know.

Nandini: Better?

Manik: Well the more people around to keep u in line, the better it is right?
Manik spoke in up all seriousness making nandini turn to him with her eyes narrowed as she hit his arm.

Nandini: Don't make me seem like the errant child here.

Manik: Not an errant child darling. My Errant wife.
Manik said teasing her further while nandini scoffed.

Manik: Anyways, on a serious note. As long as the media doesn't get the hint of it, I m fine.

Nandini nodded in agreement as she sighed resting her head on the cold window pain. 
Nandini: Why do I have a feeling that we are gonna face a lot of teasing tonight?

Manik: Feelling? Babe I m sure of it! We have Mukti and Cabir over there. And let's not forget Abhi's constant obsession with you.

Nandini laughed as the bitter in his tone as he spoke the last part as she kept her hand over his, which was as usual resting on her lap.
Nandini: Oh u know he is harmless Manik...

Manik: I get my doubts sometime... I don't like anyone flirting with u! And he does exactly that everytime we meet.

Nandini: Yes, and he does that to spite you.
Nandini spoke up in an amused tone, making him shake his head still with an irritated expression on his face as she laughed. Manik pulled into the Parking lot as they reached their destination as the two of them walked out.

Manik: Ok as u know Cabir is not going to listen to anything I say, so u have to be the one to tell him that even I am not going to take more than one or two drinks.
Manik said wrapping his arm around her shoulder as they walked into the building.

Nandini: Huh? Why don't u want to drink?

Manik: Well the two of us always decide about who will be the sober one to be able to drive back, but now u can neither drink and nor am I going to let u drive so that doesn't leave me with much options, right?

Nandini: Seriously Manik, that's a bit too much don't u think? I m perfectly capable of driving the two of us back home!
Nandini said as they got into the elevator and Manik looked down at her shaking his head in a No.

Manik: Not happening. U r not driving for the next 9 months Nandini!!

Nandini: 8 months...

Manik: Yeah same difference!

Nandini huffed at it, moving his arm off her shoulder as she stood straight. A small smile crept onto his face, as he wrapped his arm around her waist as pulled her flush against himself.
Manik: U have this different glow on your face, probably from the pregnancy, but add your red angry cheeks to it and it make u seriously irresistible.

He bent a bit, placing a kiss on her cheek as the red on her face increased further this time not from anger.
Nandini: U can't say stuff like that when I m angry!

Manik: And u can't be angry at me, when u know that I have nothing but your safety in my mind.

Nandini sighed at his words and nodded slowly as she rested her head on his chest, hugging him. 
Manik: By the way, I wasn't lying when I said that u look irresistible.

Nandini: Shut up!
Nandini said as they reached the floor and she moved out of his embrace.

Manik kept his arm lightly her back as they walked towards Abhi's flat, the soft music playing inside told them that their friends were clearly waiting for them.

Manik pushed the door open with a smile only to take a sudden step back as Aliya and Navya jumped right onto Nandini, taking her out of his reach and into a hug. 

Aliya: OMG I missed u!!!

Nandini: Guys... Can't breath.
Nandini spoke up softly making them step back with broad smiles on their faces. Manik rolled his eyes at them as he moved past them into the house.

Manik: God, so dramatic. U met just day before yesterday girls.

Navya shrugged at him as they too moved in,
Navya: It's not like any of u were free enough that day. Plus, it seems like we haven't met nandini for months.

Abhi: Months?? I feel that it has been Years... 
Abhi spoke up walking out of the kitchen with some snacks as he kept them on the table and went straight to Nandini.

Abhi: I can't tell u, how much I missed u my lady!

Nandini bit her lip to stop her laughter as she glanced at Manik, who looked more than pissed.
Manik: Mukti tell your boyfriend to stay away from my wife!

Abhi smirked in satisfaction as all of them settled down. Before Nandini could settle down between Navya and Abhi, Manik pulled her along as he made her next to him. All their friends chuckled being used to this behaviour while Abhi pouted at manik.
Abhi: Don't u already get enough of her everyday.

Manik: Enough of Nandini? Nah, I can never have enough of her. I am always in need of more with her buddy, go grab your girlfriend.

Nandini smiled inwardly at his words, as she leaned into him for support as she settled down comfortably.

Nandini: Oh by the way Mukti-Aliya, how was your shoot? 
Nandini asked turning towards the two, and also changing the topic.

Mukti: Ohh it was amazing. I was a bit nervous, as endorsing a brand did seem pity big a deal, but then when we reached there it was like any other song shoot that we have, minus these idiotic boys.

Cabir: U love us anyway Mukti, don't lie.

Mukti: Unfortunately...
Mukti muttered hitting him with a cushion.

Mukti: By the way guys... I thought about it and I have decided that I will be going to Australia with Abhi. I mean I know I can't stay there for the entire duration of six months, but still I want to go, so maybe it will be for about a month or so and then I can see if we ever get a few free dates in between and then I can go again.

Abhi smiled up at her broadly as Dhruv asked,
Dhruv: Oh yes.. U have your new research getting finalized right? When do u leave?

Abhi: Two weeks... Just got all the confirmations yesterday.

Manik: Oh so u will be back by November right?

Abhi: Yeah November end- December first week, around the same time, why?
Abhi asked with a shrug. Manik looked down at Nandini, to find her already looking up at him with a soft smile on her face as she nodded in a form of an approval for him to tell them. Manik placed a chaste kiss on her forehead as they looked at their friends.

Manik: We are expecting... Nandini is Pregnant.

All the heads snapped towards them within an instant, as if practised to be in sync, while Mukti who was in the middle of taking a sip from her drink, coughed out loud due to her sudden shock. It took them a few seconds to take it in, after which Aliya finally spoke up,

Aliya: You are serious?

Nandini nodded softly at her as broad smiles adorned all their faces.
Aliya: Oh my God that is such an amazing news!

Cabir: Wait, Pregnant! As in Baby Preganant! A baby? Those little creatures.. Wow... Shit!

Dhruv: Congratulations guys...

Abhi: How could u do that to me Nandini!!

Navya: Wow, we are going to have a baby in this group. U guys are gonna be the most amazing parents.

Mukti: I want details, how did this happen?

Nandini chuckled at all their words one after the together, not even letting anyone else speak.
Manik: Guys... Shh!! Relax. First of all, thank u Aliya, Dhruv, Navya... Thank u!

Nandini: And Cabir, u call my baby a creature once more and I will kick your ass myself!!

All of them laughed as Cabir sat back on his place, moving a little away from Nandini. 

Manik: And before I forget... Abhi, I m warning u from now only, u will not be flirting with the Mother of my child Ever! So quit it from now itself.

Abhi as usual gave him a simple smirk as he winked at Nandini, making Manik irritated again.

Mukti: Oh shut it the two of you. I want details, how?

Manik: U want me to tell u how she got pregnant?
Manik asked amused by it while Nandini blushed to the deepest shade of red as she hit him while the others laughed.

Aliya: No Manik, we know that very well and thank u for giving us the image in our heads when we were all happily imagining the face of your first born.

Manik bowed his head in mock respect as he replied,
Manik: Your most welcome!

Mukti: How far are u in Nandini?

Nandini: Six weeks.

Cabir: Now this explains why all of a sudden Manik was the one to take over in my place, and not you as we had decided earlier.

Mukti: What? U will be leaving work?

Nandini: Of course not..
Manik: Yes, but just for a while..

Both of them spoke up together, before turning to each other as this time Nandini had her eyes narrowed at him because of his answer while Manik was still smiling down at her with almost sincerity. 

Manik: I said for a little while, nandini.

Nandini: But-

Manik: I m not having any arguments at this Nandini. There is no way that u will keep continuing the work once u get closer to the day, I will not be taking any risks.

Nandini huffed at it and looked away from him, focusing on their friends as Manik kissed the top of her head.
Manik: As I was saying just for a while, when it gets too much for her.

Aliya: Ohh... Now I get to design those super cute baby clothes.

They chuckled at it as the night went on with them talking about different things and dancing at the idiotic songs that Abhi played deliberately to irritate them.

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

Heyo people...

U wanted to see how they tell everyone and here it is...
Bit simple, I know, but I wanted to keep it as real as possible like I do everytime.

Hope u all liked it.
Lots of love.
Navya😘