Nandini got rid of the blindfold to find herself standing in a vacant brightly lite corridor. She looked at Manik confused as he shifted his eyes to her hand. Nandini followed his gaze to find a key placed on her palm. She looked closely at the keychain to find "MaNan" scripted on a small piece of wood.

Nandini looked up at Manik again, only to see him move aside as she saw the exactly same inscription on the door behind him.

Manik: Welcome Home!

Nandini's eyes broadened as his words registered in her head, she looked back at the key in her hand and then towards Manik.

Nandini: Manik... This?

Manik: Come on Nandini... Its not that difficult to understand now! I thought u were smart!

Unlike her usual reaction this time Nandini didn't roll her eyes or smack his arm with some smart ass comment, instead she still stood there shocked, with her mouth opening and closing like a gold fish.

Nandini: But... But I thought... We would live with ur parents! Ur home, Malhotra Mansion... This...
She somehow managed to say, without even making proper sentences while Manik smiled,

Manik: It's our wedding gift from Mom and Dad! They wanted to give it long back but I wanted it to be a surprise for u.... I wanted it to be entirely ready for u by today. Cabir kinda helped me with all the stuff.

He took the keys from her and pushed the door wide open, he held her hand and welcomed her inside. Nandini stepped into the house, looking around in surprise as she stood in daze.

Manik: We did what we thought U would like... I kinda went through ur favorite designs that I found in ur cabin and then Cabir managed to get ur teams opinions on it without u getting to know.... But if u don't like anything then we are get the interiors done again and also everything in the-

Nandini turned around and threw her arms around him stopping him from his nervous blabbering round.

Nandini: Shh.... Shut up now will u?
She whispered to him before breaking the hug and looking up at him with one of her hand still around his neck while the other reached his cheek.

Nandini: I love it! And I love it whatever way it is.... Because u cared enough to put so much of time, effort and thought into it. I don't think anything that I say now can convey my happiness and surprise and emotion at this point of time. I know u don't want me to Thank u for this, but I want u to know how grateful I m....

Manik smiled broadly at her words before nodding as he held her hand,
Manik: Come I'll show u around!

Nandini: No no no manik wait...
Nandini said pulling him back as she asked,
Nandini: Why exactly are we here Manik? Why aren't we living in the Malhotra Mansion? I hope u didn't do all this just for me, coz I would never ever want to take u away from ur family or ur Parents.

Manik: Hey hey relax.... This wasn't my idea. According to my Mom, 'We wouldn't get our much needed privacy out there and so she suggested this...' This has nothing to do with all that u r thinking nandini. Just relax.

Nandini: But-

Manik: Listen, there is no use arguing with Mom. She anyways requested that we spend our weekends over there.... From friday dinner to Monday breakfast. So just chill okay! And even I think this would be better for us, we'll have the entire place for ourselves, we can use it anyway we want. And I know u always wanted to make a home for urself.

Nandini sighed at his words as she looked around her to the amazingly furnished living room. Two bean bags laying in the front of the TV, giving it a personal touch making a smile come up on her face.

Nandini: This is amazing!

Manik: That's not it... Come I'll show u the best part!
Manik said excitedly as he her hand and pulled her further into the house.

Living room was divided into two parts, one with the seating arrangement having a lavish couch, a sofa set with two bean bags while the other part consisted of a dining area which could entertain 12 members at a time. Right in front of the dining table was an open kitchen, furnished in shining black and white. Manik pulled Nandini through the hallway, consisting various doors but didn't stop at any door and just said,

Manik: U can have a look all around later, for now I want u to see this!
He said making Nandini chuckle at his excitement. He moved further in to the last door at the end and pushed it open.

Manik: Well, that's ur room...
He said moving aside, waiting for her to enter the room. Nandini moved ahead surprised to find the entire room decorated with beautiful flowers and scented candles all around. The floor consisting of fresh rose petals everywhere.

Manik: Umn.... I guess Cabir managed to sneak the girls in here! U know how Aliya can be....
Manik said rubbing the back of his neck while Nandini nodded knowing what exactly the girls had in mind.

Manik: Anyways... That's not what I wanted to show u! Come on here....
Manik said his excitement returning to him as he pulled her to the further end of the room and opened up the door. The first thing Nandini saw was the moon shining into the dark sky surrounded by a blanket of stars. A smile automatically crept onto her face, making her walk further out into the balcony as her gaze moved downwards towards the voilent water waves striding into the stones at the Marine drive.

She held the railing bars in front of her, taking a deep breath, feeling the cold night air filling her lungs.

Manik: U like it?

Nandini turned to look at him again as she nodded softly.
Nandini: Thank u...

Manik: U don't need to thank me for anything Nandini.... I did this for both of us! This is gonna be our home...

Nandini nodded at him smiling broadly as she looked back at the view behind her.
Nandini: I can spend the entire night just standing here and looking at this wending view.

Manik: I know... But for now I guess, u should freshen up first. The closet is already filled up with ur stuff, u can go through it.

Nandini nodded at him as they moved back into the room when Nandini noticed the picture above the bed.

Manik followed her gaze and smiled,
Manik: Cabir asked me which picture to put up there.... This is the same one from the wedding card, I thought u would like it.

Nandini: I do... I also liked the other one on the card, maybe we can have it somewhere in the living room or the hallway.

Manik: As u wish...
Manik shrugged as Nandini turned back to face him.

Nandini: Closet?

Manik: That one... And that's the washroom next to it.

She nodded at him moving into the closet which was stocked up by Mukti and Aliya. She looked through the stuff and picked up a casual night wear, noticing Manik's clothes too kept in there. Making a point to ask him about the living arrangements later, she moved to the washroom and freshened up. 30 minutes later, she walked back into the room after a warm bath. Getting back into the closet she kept her wedding dress and jewellery properly when Manik walked in with his sherwani.

Manik: Ohh u r here!! I just came to keep this.....

Nandini nodded at him casually as he did the said work and then turned towards her.
Manik: Umn.... I'll be sleeping in the next room. But all our stuff is gonna be here, u know anyone can come over anytime, so-

Nandini: Its ohk Manik.... U don't need to explain anything.

They moved back to the room when Nandini noticed a bottle of champagne on her bed side.
Nandini: I guess Mukti too helped out Aliya in decorating the room....

Manik followed her gaze and chuckled,
Manik: Time for celebration I guess!!!

Both of them looked at each other with a knowing smile and before they knew they were comfortably sitting in the balcony with a glass each filled up with chilled champagne.

Nandini: To us!
Nandini said raising her glass towards him as Manik did the same....

Manik: To a new Life....

Nandini: Cheers to a new life....
They clicked their glasses together looking ahead at the moon as the clock stuck 4 behind them while the Just Married couple, enjoyed their first night in their own unique way.

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

Heyo people....

Apologies for the shorter update this time but I have been really busy with some personal stuff!

Hope u liked the update!😉

Love
Navya😍