Nyonika: Good Morning! You look happy today... Anything special?

Manik: Good Morning Beautiful...
Manik replied back to Nyonika, kissing lightly on her cheek as he took his seat at the dining table the next morning.

Manik: Morning Oldie!
He wished smiling broadly at Harsh, making Nyonika laugh at his grumpy face.

Harsh: Now this means you are really Happy... What is it?

Manik: Nothing special guys... Just a good day! Woke up early, got some good time to exercise, heard some of Nandini's songs, what's not good...

Harsh: Whipped!
Harsh muttered holding back his smile.

Manik: Yeah Yeah laugh as much you want. I'm not the one buying gifts on the 23rd of every month, just coz it was the date when I first met my wife. 

Nyonika: Ohk quit it you two! Let my son be, Harsh...

Manik smiled up at her and ate his breakfast, before getting into some work talk with Harsh. They were almost done with their food when Manik looked at the time.

Manik: Now that's weird... Usually, Nandini is down by this time, whining about me not waking her up!

Harsh: That is because you don't wake her up every day.

Manik: No... It's because she wishes to, how do you think she wakes up exactly at the time when I step out of the room every morning. I'm telling you that girl has a magic sense of my whereabouts.

Nyonika: That is called Love...

Manik: But I don't understand how she senses me every freaking time... This makes it too hard for me to ever surprise her! Anyways... why is she not here till now, I'm just gonna go check if she is alright!
Manik said pushing his plate a little away when he heard her voice.

Nandini: Just take a chill pill Manik, I don't want a husband with grey hair so soon! I'm fine...

Both Harsh and Nyonika laughed at it while Manik simply huffed and looked up to find her walking down the stairs dressed in her pajamas and an extra-large T-shirt which he knew she stole from his cupboard.

Manik: Are you sure?

Nandini: About what? Not wanting a husband with grey hair? Yes, absolutely! That's a deal-breaker. Good Morning Mom, Good Morning Dad!

Manik: Good to know how much you love me! But I meant about the part of you being fine. You are not dressed for work!

Nandini: Yes... That's because I'm taking the day off.
She replied back with a shrug as she took a seat next to him and started looking at all the food, finding something of her choice.

Not being satisfied with anything specific, she picked up a piece of toast and called out for the cook.
Nandini: Neeta!!

Neeta: Good Morning ma'am... What would you like to eat today??
The cook asked with a sweet motherly smile on her face.

Nandini: I would really love a vegetable cheese omelet... Along with some banana shake, no make it Strawberry. Yes, Strawberry shake.

Neeta: Sure, Just give me a couple of minutes.

Nandini smiled broadly at her and looked up to see Manik giving her a teasing smile,
Manik: Since when do you like Strawberry shake?

Nandini: Ask your child... I'm telling you our baby is going to have taste buds completely opposite of ours!

All three of them laughed as she huffed before eating her toast.

Nandini: Yes, keep laughing for now. I better get my taste buds back to normal after this, or I will eat up your head.

Manik: Ohk madam as you wish... Now tell me what's going on in your head, it's not like you to skip work willingly.

Nandini: Well, you always keep nagging me about taking rest, so I thought to do so today, anyways, I didn't have much work today!

Manik nodded at her but continued looking at her for a few seconds, trying to read in her face looking for anything strange, his head revolving around her continuous spacing off from the day before.

Soon Nandini's breakfast was served just as Manik looked at the time and decided to leave.
Manik: Take rest! No running around for household chores, no cooking, and take the driver if you go out, okay?

Nandini: Yes sir...

Manik: Keep your phone on you please!
Nandini rolled her eyes at him and dug into her food with a simple nod.

Manik: Bye Mom... Bye, Dad!
He wished, getting up from his seat. Putting on his coat, he straightened up himself before planting a soft kiss on Nandini's temple, "Bye, love you!"

Nandini: Me too...
Nandini replied without even looking up from her food making Manik chuckle.

Manik: I can see that!

Nandini: Food comes first... Stop whining about it.

Manik shook his head at her and walked out, wondering how would he spend his day without seeing her for so long.

Nandini spent most of the day in her room, working on a few of her designs and resting just as Manik has asked her to, but no matter what she did her head was still stuck at the same thought, taunting her, troubling her, torturing her.

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

Later that evening, Manik returned back home earlier than usual and asked the servant about Nandini as soon as he entered the house.

"Madam is upstairs in the Music Room Sir!"

Manik: Music Room! Where is Mom?

Servant: She went to the NGO after Lunch...

Manik: Ohk! Thank you...

Manik replied and walked up the stairs moving towards his room to freshen up a bit before going to find his dearest wife.

Taking a quick shower, he got ready and moved to the top floor to find her. Opening up the door to the Music room, he was surprised at the sound of Drums, and what was even more surprising that it was indeed Nandini who was playing the Drum set. Walking inside, he stood back leaning on the wall, not willing to disturb her, and waited for her to complete her piece. 

Nandini was lost in her own world, with her eyes closed only focusing on the loud beats from the Drums and the vibrations of her hits. Feeling a little relaxed now that her mind was numb with all the noise and not overthinking. With a final few hits, she took a deep breath, taking in the sudden silence and letting it have a calming effect on her body.

She was counting her heartbeats, catching up her breath when she felt a soft towel on her face, wiping off some of the sweat.
Manik: Guitar, Veena, and now Drums! You are so full of Surprises Mrs. Malhotra...

Nandini: Manik...
Nandini whispered opening up her eyes as Manik continued caressing her face.

Manik: That was amazing, I should agree that I'm a little jealous. Is it me who is a part of the Music Industry or is it you?

Nandini: Well, I have to keep up with the talent of being Mrs. Manik Malhotra, don't I? 

Manik: Nah... All you have to keep up with is that smile of yours! You can win me over by it any day...
Manik replied cheekily as she got up from her seat and walked towards the other end of the Music room, getting comfortable on the bean bag with Manik sitting right next to her.

Manik: So Drums?

Nandini: Got tired of the guitar once in College... Took over Drums for about a month or two, but it didn't work out that well...

Manik: You were amazing! I'm sure Cabir would want to see you play someday, I'll send him the recording.

Nandini: I turned the recorder off... Have been here for almost 2 hours, didn't really play anything worth recording!
Nandini said with a sigh as Manik pulled her onto his lap, holding her close as he placed a soft kiss on her temple.

Manik: U shouldn't have!! I love watching you play...

Nandini: I know you do... I have seen my videos on your Phone, you better start deleting some of those, or else people would think that you are obsessed with your wife!

Manik: I don't mind, in fact, I think I am!
Manik replied back with a chuckle while Nandini rolled her eyes, resting her head onto his shoulder as she placed her hand onto his heart, enjoying the music in there.

Manik: So were the Drums any help? U ready to talk about it yet or not?
Manik asked her softly, making Nandini chuckle.

Nandini: I can never hide anything from you!

Manik: Umn, I'm not sure about that! But this time I know something has been bothering you.

Nandini: You are right!
Nandini whispered back to him softly, closing her eyes in contentment.

Manik: So?
Manik asked after a few minutes of Silence, wanting her to get it out.

Nandini: Do you think I have that Motherly blood in me? What kind of a mother will I be?

Manik: Nandini you-

Nandini: No... Hear me out! You know me, I think I'm kinda selfish, I do what I feel like, I say whatever I feel like, I m not used to planning stuff based on anyone else. I m always arguing with you on how I want stuff to be. This is not what a mother should be like, is it? A mother always puts her child first. Her needs, her choice, her decisions everything should be the best for her child and not her personally. How will I do that? I'm scared Manik, what if I don't learn to keep this baby first, what if I don't always make the best decisions for our kid, what if I fail to be a good Mother. I see Mom and I can't help but wonder if I will ever be able to care for my baby the way she cares for the two of us. What if-

Manik: What if you be the best mother our baby can ever have!!!
Manik spoke up interrupting her rant, as Nandini looked up to find him smiling at her.

Manik: This is the Nandini that I know... This is the Nandini that I love! She may not be the most ideal person, but she is perfect. 

Nandini stared at him with her eyes wide, surprised by how confident his words were.

Manik: This is the Nandini that I know... The girl who took 3 months before finally becoming my friend coz she was not sure if she could be someone's friend. The girl who literally ignored me for days after I told her that I wanted to marry her, just because she didn't think that she had it in her to be a wife and live with someone for the rest of her life. The girl who spent days without talking to me, just coz I told her that I had fallen in love with her, because she didn't think that she deserved anyone's love and care. The girl, who took more than a year to welcome herself in this house, even after having everyone accept her from the first day itself, just because she was scared that she wouldn't fit in between a family.

Nandini: Seems like quite a pain in the ass...

Manik laughed out loud at this as he nodded in a yes,
Manik: She is... 

Nandini smacked his chest at this, pushing him away as she tried to get up from his lap, only to be pulled closer by him.
Manik: And then she grew... She passed all her challenges and left her fears behind. She showed herself that it was just her insecurities speaking and all these troubles were a cakewalk for her. She was not trying to prove it to anyone else, she was trying to prove it to herself. And she succeeded. And just as I said, she is the Nandini that I love! She may not be the most ideal person, but she is perfect. She is a perfect friend, a perfect wife, a perfect lover, and a perfect daughter-in-law. And if there is something that I'm absolutely sure of... It is the fact, that she is going to be a perfect Mother for my baby.

Nandini: I will?

Manik: Yes... You will!
Manik replied to her with a confidence that matched no other and she couldn't help but believe his words as she grabbed his collar and let her lips fall onto his. Pouring all her insecurities in the kiss, knowing that no matter what she had this man by her side always...

Manik's grip tightened around her as he kissed her back with all his might. She kissed him with a hunger, a need, a want. His lips moved on their own, letting hers go as he trailed down her jawline, to her neck, and further down to her shoulder as Nandini let out a loud moan, her hands moving to his back as she tried to pull off his T-shirt.

Manik: Nandini...

Nandini: I want you!!! I want you now Manik...
She muttered still trying to pull it off as Manik held her back.

Manik: Not here baby...
Manik said softly as he pecked her lips again and got up taking her along in his arms. Nandini wrapped herself around him, hiding her face in the crook of his neck as she let him carry her to their room. Manik walked down the stairs, holding her close. He took her to their room, locking the door behind them, and laid her down on their bed as Nandini tightened her hold onto him further.

For the next couple of hours, it was just the two of them, no one and nothing else mattered. It was Manik and Nandini.... Manan lost to each other, forgetting everything but their love.

Manik: I love you!
Manik whispered to her as the two of them lay together all hands and legs wrapped together, taking in the heat of each other's naked bodies.

Nandini rolled onto him, lying her head, right onto his beating heart before planting a kiss there.
Nandini: You are my Home Manik...

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

It was quite late that night when Manik moved to the kitchen to get some food, being careful not to wake up Nyonika or Harsh. He was on the duty of his wife, who was craving some Chicken Pasta at 12:30 in the night. He was busy making some sauce for the pasta, waiting for the chicken to be cooked, when someone turned on the lights, he looked up to find Nyonika smiling up at him.

Manik: Oh... I was trying to be quiet! Sorry, I woke u up, Mom.

Nyonika: Chill, I was not sleeping yet. Was reading something! Hungry? You too missed the dinner.

Manik: Madam wants some cheesy chicken pasta...
He said shrugging at her as he got back to his sauce.

Nyonika chuckled at him and walked closer as she looked all around,
Nyonika: You need some help?

Manik: Nah... I got this! I just need 10 more minutes, and I really do hope Nandini doesn't find her keys till then.

Nyonika: Keys?
Nyonika asked raising her eyes at him, as Manik pointed upstairs.

Manik: I locked the room from outside. She has a spare key, but I m not sure if she really knows that or not.

Nyonika: Why would you lock her in there?

Manik: She wanted to cook!! What else could I do?
Manik replied earning a smack on the back of his head as Nyonika laughed.

Nyonika: You two are seriously kids sometimes... 

Manik: We are not... She is just too stubborn!

Nyonika didn't reply to him this time and simply started helping him.
Nyonika: There is some chocolate pudding in the fridge, I made it for Nandini. Take some of it up!

Manik: Not now Mom... These days chocolate works like coffee for her. We already slept through dinner, now if she doesn't sleep early she will feel sick the entire day tomorrow. I'm sure she will love some pudding for breakfast though.

Nyonika smiled at his words, looking at him being so engrossed in his cooking. They finished up with the cooking soon enough as Manik served it on a dish.
Manik: You want to try some?

Nyonika: No... You two have it!

Manik nodded at her, as he garnished the dish a little bit, using a little extra broccoli, just as Nandini liked. 
Nyonika: Manik...

Manik: Yeah?

Nyonika: I'm proud of you son!
Nyonika spoke up making him stop his work as he turned towards her in surprise.

Manik: Huh? Why?

Nyonika: Nothing special... Just sometimes I look at you and feel my chest warm up with proudness. And it's not because you are Manik Malhotra, the Rockstar or Manik Malhotra, the businessman... I m proud of the person you have grown up to be, I m proud of just Manik. I'm proud of the little bit of you that is on Me and your Dad. I'm proud of the little part of you that Mansi nurtured. I'm proud of this part of you that Nandini made out of her love. And overall I'm proud of what you made yourself, the mixture of all these little parts.

Manik: Mom I-
Manik tried speaking up only to be interrupted by Nandini's voice.

Nandini: Mani... I'm hungry! Where are you? That's why I wanted to cook myself.

The two of them chuckled at her as they moved out of the kitchen to see her walking towards the dining table as she took a seat and laid down her head on the table.

Manik: I'm done! Two minutes...
Manik called out to her.

Nyonika: I'll just go to sleep, you two enjoy your dinner.
Nyonika said before walking towards the door when Manik held back her arm to stop her. She turned towards him surprised, only for him to pull her into a hug.

Nyonika patted his back softly, hugging him back when she heard him whisper.
Manik: Thank you Mom!

He pulled away from her to see her smiling broadly as she wished him goodnight and walked away making sure not to make any noise.

Manik watched her walk away, before finally picking up the food,
Manik: Okay time for dinner!! 

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

Heyo people... How are you guys?

First of all, Thank you all for the lovely wishes that you poured onto me after the last part. It truly meant a lot to me.

Now a lot of you seemed bummed about me ending this story, and I seriously want to apologize for that, but I will have to end it anyway. I got a number of DMs asking me the reasons, convincing me to change my decision, but I can't.

And to all of you who were concerned about me quitting Wattpad, then believe me you don't have to worry about it. I haven't decided to quit writing, it's my passion and I will still try to make up some time for it. 

So, if any one of you wishes to read something else written by this weird, irregular, lazy, overly practical writer of yours, then all you have to do is to follow my profile to receive the notification of the next story of mine (for which I still can't confirm any date😅🤪).

Any other questions or concerns, feel free to mention them down here. 

And yes, don't forget to comment on what you thought about this chapter. Which conversation did you like more,

Manik-Nandini?

Manik-Nyonika?

Lots and lots of love,
Navya💫