"Nandini!!"
"Nandini..."
"Manik!"

Nandini groaned in her sleep listening to Kyle's voice as he repeatedly knocked on their door the next morning. She turned around facing Manik, burying her face in his chest as she murmured,
Nandini: Manik.... Open the door na!

Manik rubbed his eyes in sleep before attempting to move up from the bed, only for Nandini to clutch his vest tighter in her fists.

Nandini: Let me sleep na... Send him away!

Manik: Baba U need to leave me for me to get up and open the door.

Nandini left his vest that it, letting him get up as she hugged his pillow stuffing her head into it and going back to sleep. Manik rubbed his eyes with a yawn before he opened the door to find Kyle standing in front of him dressed up in a nice formal suit.

Manik: Why are u so dressed up?

Kyle: We have to go to the event Man! Wake ur wife up and both of u get ready.

Manik turned around to look at the clock and noticed it to be 9 am as he faced Kyle again.
Manik: Isn't the event sometime around noon?

Kyle: 11 am.... And I don't wanna be late! I never be Late!
Kyle said almost shouting in the end making Manik wince.

Manik: Fine.. Its still two hours left! Relax...

Kyle: U know how long girls take to get ready?

Manik: 20-25 mins....
Manik said unsure making Kyle glare at him.

Kyle: Which girl u know that gets ready in that time?

Manik: My wife... Now stop with the drama so early in the morning man! We'll both be ready on time I promise...
Manik told him before shutting the door at his face as he walked back to the bed. Nandini was now clutching his pillow while hers was free on the other side as he walked towards it and lied down taking her in a back hug and going back to sleep.

Nandini woke up an hour later, thinking about getting ready. She saw Manik sleeping peacefully and decided to wake him up after taking a bath.

20 minutes later, she got out of the washroom. She moved towards the bed, and shook Manik slowly,
Nandini: Manik... Wake up, its time!

Manik nodded at her with his eyes still closed and simply tossed around on the bed.
Nandini moved towards the dressing table, picking up the hair drier as she got ready. She heard a knock on the door and opened up to find Becca there.

Becca: U guys ready? Breakfast in 15 minutes...

Nandini: Cool...

Becca: U look nice. Proper professional!

Nandini looked down at her clothes and simply shrugged it off,
Nandini: Yeah these are my work clothes.

Becca nodded at her before leaving as Nandini closed the door behind her to find Manik sitting up on the bed looking intently at her.
Nandini: Come on, get ready... We'll be late otherwise!

Manik nodded at her getting up as he moved towards the washroom. He was about to close the door behind him before he spoke up,
Manik: Umn... I forgot to tell u to open that gift this morning! But u r already ready now... So.... Yeah, leave it.... Forget that I said anything.....

Nandini saw him slam shut the door as her gaze shifted to the side table where his gift was lying. She walked towards it, opening up the packed box to find a perfect dress for the event. It was a beautiful light grey dress looking equally classy, dressy as well as formal. A smile crept on her face looking at it, knowing Manik would have taken his time choosing the one for her as she quickly decided to change into it before he came back.

Once changed, she nodded in approval at herself as she applied a slight makeup and she decided not to add anything more onto the dress and wore just a watch around her wrist and both her rings before slipping on a pair of black pumps.

She chose a suit out for Manik and kept it on the bed. Thinking about taking a clutch, she decided against it and turned to leave the room when the washroom door opened up and Manik walked out having just a towel around his waist.

He saw Nandini at the door, his gaze immediately traveling down to her dress as his eyes lighted up and he smiled,
Manik: U look beautiful!

Nandini: Thank u.... I love the dress!

Manik's smile broadened at it as he noticed his clothes ready on the bed while Nandini said,
Nandini: I'll be with the others.... Come soon we'll have breakfast together!

Getting a small nod from him she moved out of the room closing the door behind him.
--------------------------------------

They reached the university exactly on time, moving towards the auditorium directly where the event was to be held. They got out of the car, moving ahead when Manik suddenly felt Nandini stop in front of the Auditorium door.

He stepped back and stood by the side, following her gaze to find her staring right at the stage. A distant look on her face, clearly told him that her mind was somewhere else. He wrapped his arm around her, resting it at the small of her back as she finally broke her gaze.

Manik: Nostalgic?

Nandini: No.... Amazed!! I never thought that I'll come back. I had said my GoodByes, but now I guess GoodByes aren't necessarily the end always....

Manik nodded at her as Nandini turned to look at him.
Manik: Shall we?

Nandini: Yes...

The two of them walked inside. Manik looked all around, taking in the magnificent hall. While Nandini scanned around the room watching her batchmates and seniors.

A number of smiles and acknowledgements were sent her way which she replied with simple smile. They joined their group when the host finally announced for them to tale their seats.

A formal event was presented to them for about an hour and a half. Soon the informal event started which seemed more like a gathering as they simply interacted with all their friends. As the afternoon progressed Manik met a limited amount of people as he knew, Nandini only made professional relationships. But even after that it was no surprise that mostly all of the others too knew her.

Manik: U seem quite famous!

Nandini rolled her eyes at him at it,
Nandini: Says the Rockstar of his own college, well, now the entire country!

Manik chuckled at her shaking his head,
Manik: U need a drink?

Nandini: Sure...

Manik: Anything specific?

Nandini: Surprise me!

Manik smiled at her as he walked away, moving towards the bar. He ordered some white wine for the two of them and waited when he felt someone's presence by his side. Turning to his left he saw a girl smiling up at him. Her seemed the perfect white blonde they showed in movies.

"Hi, U must be here with someone, or are u some senior.... Coz I m sure someone like u would never miss my eye!!"

Manik smiled politely at her as he said slowly,
Manik: I m here with someone... Nice to meet u!

He turned back towards the counter and waited for the bar tender.
"Oh come on.... Don't u think the Hard-to-get act is quite old. We can surely skip that part!"

Manik didn't wish to be rude to her and simply shook his head in a No with a smile, but she seemed to have different plans altogether as she placed her hand on his upper arm, making him turn towards her as she stepped closer.

"This party seems like a perfect opportunity to meet new people, don't u think?"

Manik was about to say something when he felt a familiar touch on his shoulder, immediately making him sigh as he heard her voice.
" Hey... I was waiting for u!"

Manik smiled broadly at her voice as he turned around,
Manik: Missing me already baby?

Nandini saw the relief in his voice as he pleaded her through his eyes making her smile broader,
Nandini: Maybe I was...

Manik saw her gaze move behind him to the girl, as her eyes hardened instantly. She somehow managed a fake smile as she turned towards the girl.
Nandini: Ohh Stephine.... So good to see u!

Steph: Nandini... Same here ofcourse.

Manik wrapped his arm around her waist as Nandini smiled up at him.
Nandini: Ohh u guys hvn't met right. Manik, meet Stephine Wilson.... And steph, this is Manik Malhotra, my Husband.

Steph: Husband?

Nandini: Yes.... Why so shocked?

Steph: U have to be kidding! A guy like him would never marry a wannabe like u.

Manik: Excuse me!
Manik exclaimed loudly while Nandini simply held his hand and smiled,

Nandini: Wannabe? And me?

Steph: Come on..... Don't act like the perfect Ms. Goody Two shoes!
Manik saw Nandini's fist clench as she stepped further towards her and replied in a deadly serious voice.

Nandini: I don't need to act like anything Steph.... Everyone knows whats ur problem with me. U just hate the fact that someone here was almost as popular as u, without having to spread their legs for everyone who has a dick. U may still be obsessed with the old college drama, but keep me out of it. And don't u dare every think about putting ur claws on my husband ever again, or I'll break ur hand into peices and feed it to stray dogs.

With that Nandini turned around and walked away pulling Manik along with her. They reached the table where the others were seated and took a seat, when Nandini felt Manik's gaze on her.

Nandini: What?
She snapped at him, making Manik shake his head out of his thoughts as he leaned on the table.

Manik: Is it completely unappropriate to say that I m kinda turned on to know that my wife could be a wild cat if she wants.

Nandini's eyes widened at it as she hit his arm, before the two of them bursted into laughter.
Nandini: U r insane!!!

Manik: No... That was amaing! I never thought that u had it in u to buzz of anyone but Mr and Mrs Kapoor.

Nandini laughed at it shaking her head and simply shrugged,
Nandini: Well, she completely deserved it!

Manik: That she did...
---------------------

(10 days later)

Manik: Hey... Watch where u r walking Nandini!! U'll fall down.

Manik said as he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer as he picked her up the step in front of them that she had missed.

Nandini: What's the use..... I knew, U will never let me fall!!!

Manik looked down at her on her words only to find her still admiring the place as she was doing earlier. He knew that Nandini loved the hotel that they were staying in and no matter what she had been taking in each and every corner of its architecture from the last two days since they checked in here,
Nandini: This hotel is so beautiful, look at the designs, the stubble turns, twists. The way they have used the space, its amazing.

Manik: It is!
He said not at all interested in the Hotel but only his wife. They took their room keys and soon reached their suite on the top floor. Nandini smiled broadly entering into the beautiful room. The first thing she did was to take out her laptop as she recorded the few design ideas that she had noticed and formed.

Manik: U could do that later Nandini... U must be tired!

Nandini: I hv got some really nice ideas, I can't risk forgetting them. And its not gonna take too long.

Manik smiled at her dedication and freshened up after which they decided to order some room service for the night and then start the site seeing next morning.

By the time the food came, Nandini too freshened up and was ready. She came out of the room to find Manik pouring some wine for the two of them.

Nandini: Are we celebrating something?

Manik looked up at her, smiling at her cute nighty as he pulled up a chair for her waiting for her to take a seat. Nandini chuckled at his dramatic bow, watching him take his own seat as they picked up their glasses.

Manik: To us...
Nandini: To the official last night of our Honeymoon....
Manik: And to getting to know each other....

Nandini clinked the glasses together as she took a sip while rolling her eyes,
Nandini: I know u well enough!

Manik: Or so u think...

Nandini: Really... Ohk then, tell me one thing about u that u think I m completely oblivious about!

Manik smiled up at her, his eyes fixed onto hers, somewhere hoping for her to read them and know what he felt for her. Nandini noticed his intense gaze on her, making her frown in confusion at the distant glint in his eyes.

Nandini: What?

Manik: Some day Nandini.... Some day u'll finally know!

Nandini waited for him to continue from that, but instead he shifted the topic onto the food that he had ordered for the two of them. The two of them had their dinner with the usual bickering before finally calling it a night and going to sleep.

Yes, it was already the last day of their trip. After the event in London they moved on to Amsterdam, Paris and were presently in Venice. Manik had a very important event to attend with Fab5 and since he had missed the Album Launch already, Nandini insisted that they went back so he could attend this one. He tried to talk her out of it, but accepted defeat in the end as a result of which they had to cancel their plans for Lucerne, Interlaken and Rome.

But even after that, he was somewhere contended. Though their trip didn't go on as it was planned, they made the best out of what it was. In a way, this trip made him actually show his feelings out to her openely. No she still didn't know it, but that didn't stop him from anything.

The next morning the two of them boarded the flight back home. As soon as the flight took off Nandini pulled out her laptop and opened up some work.
Manik: Are u gonna tell me what exactly are u doing?

Nandini: No.... Not until I finish this off...
Nandini said shaking her head as Manik peeked onto the screen to see some random designs obviously not getting anything out of it.

Manik: Come on Nandini... Tell me na! Its been a week now that u hv been spending every free minute sitting in front of the laptop.

Nandini: Just give me some more time.... I promise u'll be the first one to know once I get somewhere with this.

Manik simply shook his head at it as he pulled the head phones up, leaving her onto the work. A few of hours later, Nandini finally shut the laptop as she poked Manik's hand.
Nandini: I m bored!

Manik: I m sure u r, but i m not pulling up a Poll Dance show here to entertain u!

Nandini giggled at his words,
Nandini: That's actually a really nice idea! I m sure the others too are gonna be very interested.

Manik: U r actually gonna make ur Husband do that in front of so many people!
Manik asked, his eyes broadening while Nandini smirked.

Nandini: U make it sound as if the only problem here is the audience. So, is there even a slight possiblity that someday I might be lucky enough to get a private show?

Manik noticed her smirk as he leaned closer towards her and whispered,
Manik: Just try and ask someday.... U never know what all I might agree to do for u Mrs. Malhotra!

Nandini: Yeah... Lucky me!!
Nandini said rolling her eyes at him as she called over the air hostess.

"Yes Ma'am!"

Nandini: A latte plz.... Sugar on the side!
She turned towards Manik raising her brows at him in question and receiving a simple nod in return.
Nandini: Yeah... Make that two please. Thank u!

As she walked away Manik turned towards Nandini and asked,
Manik: Ohk, so I was willing to ask u something!

Nandini: Hmn?

Manik: Will u.... Umn... Will u come to the premier with me?
He asked in an unsure voice.

Nandini: The Movie Premier?

Manik: Yup.. The same!
He replied to her. Even after marriage Manik never really asked Nandini to accompany him to any of Fab5's social events. Initially it had been Fab5 always went to such events together, with no one else. He often wished Nandini to be there but never asked. And now having the opportunity he couldn't stop himself.

Nandini: Sure.... Just remind to me ask Aliya to find me a dress!

Manik smiled broadly at it nodding immediately while Nandini rested her head on his shoulder as she held onto his arm.

Nandini: I just can't wait to be home and jump onto the bed! I never got so homesick ever before...

Manik: Just a few hours more. So... Now what do u think? Coming here was right or wrong?

Nandini: I don't know.... Who cares! What I know is that I had a lot of fun, did u? This trip was the most memorable one for me.

Manik: Yes... I too did! I m glad we came.
Manik said smiling at it as Nandini sighed in content before closing her eyes.

Nandini: I never thought I would say this to anyone..... But manik!!! Thank u.... Thank u for changing me. I like this new Nandini better! She is much more happier than the old Nandini could ever be. 

Manik: Do u wanna know a secret?
Manik whispered to her slowly, as he looked straight into her eyes.
Manik: I didn't change u! I just stood by a side and watched as u urself molded this new version of urs. And to be honest, I liked the old Nandini, but... I m too much in Love with the version 2 to even miss the first one.

Nandini stared back straight into his eyes, a smile forming onto her face as he winked at her.

"Excuse me Ma'am! Ur latte....."
They heard a voice next to them making them turn towards the air hostess as she handed them over their cups.

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

Sorry sorry sorry guys!

One for the late update..
And secondly for flying through with the rest of their honeymoon. 

Well, there are two reasons for why I did so. One, I went through this damn long Writers block these past few days, making me unable to write anything more than 10 lines. And whenever I did, I literally gagged at whatever crap it was and then ended up deleting the entire thing. And Two, I still don't think I m ready for Nandini to realize her feelings for Manik.

Its finally time for Manik to show her his tremendous love and somehow try to win her over, which I think could only be done once they were back to their own world. 

Hope u guys like the part. Do comment ur views and don't forget to vote.

Love,
Navya 😘