Nandini: Make sure that all the guests are taken to the banquet hall as soon as the main inauguration ceremony is done! I want no mistakes today.

Nandini spoke on her phone as she was rushing through the vast hotel lobby checking onto all the arrangements for the event. She disconnected the call on getting the appropriate answer and pointed out to the guy in front of here.
Nandini: The event is today! What are u waiting for? Go and keep this all near the stage.

Calling someone else on her phone she spoke up,
Nandini: Cabir... When is Pandit Ji getting here? The guests will start coming in within half an hour. 

Cabir: I m on my way to pick him Nandini... We'll be there on time.

Nandini: Ohk fine! See u...

She disconnected the call just as a voice called out her name, turning around she saw her lovely husband walking towards her.
Nandini: Manik... Did to talk to the security head, I hope everything is fine out there. No one is to enter without the invitation card.

Manik: Yes Yes Ma'am everything is done... Now, will u please stop worrying and go change. The guests will start coming in soon.

Nandini's eyes broadened at his words as she looked down at her worn-out pair of jeans and a casual yellow top.
Nandini: Shit... I completely forgot about that. I should go get ready.

Manik: Yes... Go! I'll handle stuff here. Almost everything is already done! Relax...

Nandini looked around herself before nodding as she ticked off all the pending working mentally in her head before turning towards Manik.
Nandini: Mom-Dad?

Manik smiled at her and nodded,
Manik: I just got off the phone with Dad... They were just leaving. They'll be here soon.

Nandini: And everyone else? Fab5, Rishu?

Manik: God Nandini, relax... They know the time, they will be here!
Manik said shaking his head at her as he grabbed her shoulders making her look up at him,
Manik: Everything is going to be absolutely perfect. It has to be, after all u have worked almost day and night over this for months.

Nandini smiled at him as she got on her toes planting a chaste kiss on his cheek.
Nandini: I love u! Now just get someone to go and check the food arrangements and I will be back soon.

Manik: I love u too... Go!
Manik said giving her his special smile as Nandini turned around and got into the lift. She had already taken up one of the rooms knowing that she would need it to get ready. Reaching the room, she saw her clothes ready on the bed, just as she had left it a few hours back when she arrived.

Taking the bag, she freshened up real soon and changed before sitting in front of the mirror as she opened up the mini makeup set that Aliya had given her as an anniversary gift. Getting done with some basic makeup for the party, she curled her hair a bit from the end and grabbed her matching heels. Being completely ready in record time, she picked up her clutch and phone, before locking the room as she moved out again.

Getting down the stairs she frowned as she saw still some work going on, firing commands here and there she made her way to the main lobby. To find Manik too busy in some work. The inaugural was planned in the front garden of the hotel, which was to be followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony that was to be done by Nyonika and Harsh, after which all the guests would move to the banquet hall for the actual party. Nandini could see a few guests already filling up the garden as she called over a guy from the management team.

Nandini: The guests have started coming in... Get the ribbon tied up at main entrance and ask the team to be ready. Any problems and I should be contacted immediately.

The guy nodded at her before she moved towards Manik. Just as he got over ordering for something, Nandini sneaked up her hand onto his arm,
Nandini: Shall we Mr. Malhotra?

Manik looked down at her as a smile came up on his face,
Manik: We shall Mrs. Malhotra! It's ur show today...

Nandini: Our Show...
Nandini said correcting him sternly.

Manik nodded at her as he picked up her hand from his arm and kissed the back to her palm softly,
Manik: U look beautiful! 

Nandini blushed softly at it as she looked down for a second before looking back up at him,
Nandini: We should go attend the guests now!

Manik chuckled at her as they started walking ahead,
Manik: One compliment and all your command goes down the line. I don't know when will u start accepting compliments, but then I also love ur blush.

Nandini rolled her eyes at him as she replied,
Nandini: One compliment from u and that happens. I m fine enough accepting them from the others.

Manik: Not just me, but from anyone that u love or care about. And believe me, that's another thing I love about u, it shows me that your guards are down.

Nandini raised her eyes at this, as she realized how well he has come to understand her. Manik waits for her to comment on the fact, but on getting silence he looks down to see a broad smile on her face, her eyes shining just the way he likes to see with a deep blush adorning her face. And just like that, he wishes to just forget about the entire event and run off somewhere alone with her, to make sure that her happiness stays intact.

Just as he opens up his mouth to say anything, he notices her smile turn from the full-fledged one to a polite one as she speaks up,
Nandini: Mr. and Mrs. Banerjee! U finally made it, I m so glad that u decided to cut short ur trip for today.

Manik looked up at the couple as they greet Nandini warmly. Mr. Banerjee being an age old client of the company was bound to be on the list, but he had literally no idea how warm his wife was with the couple. But then Nandini had her own way of maintaining the professional relationships which usually depended on the people. He was amazed when she stepped ahead from his side, hugging the lady softly while Manik simply shook hands with the two. 

The next few minutes went on as they moved from one guest to the other. Aliya, Dhruv, Mukti and Abhi joined them soon but here they were enjoying not being the center of attention and decided to chill around. Navya too joined the event soon but she was alone as Cabir was busy. 

Manik: Mom-Dad are almost here!
Manik informed Nandini a few minutes later. She looked at the time and nodded at him.

Nandini: Can u just call Cabir and see where he is? He went to pick pandit up and-

Cabir: I m here, I m here... Sorry Madam traffic!!

Nandini: No its fine, u r infact right on time. Pandit Ji?

Cabir: Already at the entrance... He is checking if everything is there or not.

Nandini: Oh that's good. I guess we should start!

Both Manik and Cabir nodded at her as Manik stepped closer and planted a kiss on the side of her head,
Manik: U carry on with Cabir, I'll be there in a few minutes with Mom-Dad. I see them there.

Nandini smiled at him as she noticed Harsh and Nyonika near the entrance, already busy talking to someone from the crowd. She nodded at him and walked at the front of the garden with Cabir. Cabir picked up the mike and handed it over to Nandini, giving her a broad smile. Nandini took a subtle breath as she turned on the mike before putting on a smile.
Nandini: Good evening everyone, may I have your attention please.

The entire crowd heard her, as they turned to face her leaving their conversations. The few invited reporters moved ahead taking their positions right before everyone else.
Nandini: First of all from the entire family of the RM Heights, I would like to thank u all for being here. As u all know, Mr. Harsh Malhotra started this company around 26 and a half years back, naming it after his Father as a tribute. He has worked day in and out making this company what it is today.

She looked at Harsh to find him smiling softly at her while Manik and Nyonika stood by his side looking proud.

Nandini: "He has come a long way from where he started and in this entire journey, his beautiful wife has been by his side standing like his pillar. Be it the time when he decided to first open this company up, or be it any other time when he was taking the risks that made him skeptical. She has always been there, and at the same time has made this world a slightly better place to live in by doing all that she could to help the needy, inspirating thousands around her to do the same.

The two of them have filled up various roles all this while, from being a businessman and businesswoman, to being social workers, to being such amazing teachers, these are the two who have helped shape the minds of everyone who is today a part of this company and for that we all would forever be grateful. Using this occasion of their thirtieth anniversary, the RM Heights is inaugurating this hotel as a small tribute or a token of thanks. And I hope this hotel gets the same level of success that their love for each other has gotten in all these years.

Ladies and Gentlemen, for the first time ever, Welcome to the NH30!"

A huge round of applause filled up the entire space as the screen behind Nandini was turned on. It showcased the logo for the hotel, below the logo it read,

"Happy 30th Anniversary!!

Thank you both for everything and teaching us everything that we know today...

Lots of love,
Manik Malhotra
Partner, RM Heights

Cabir Dhawan
CEO, NH30 "

Nandini: I would now like to request Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra here for a moment to address u all and maybe answer a few questions from the media, before we move on for the thread cutting ceremony.

Nandini looked ahead to see them walking towards her smiling broadly while Manik was just behind them. His smile still intact though his eyes seemed to be glaring at her.

She hugged both Nyonika and Harsh wishing them Happy Anniversary which she hadn't been able to do the entire day being busy in all the work. With that Harsh took up the mike as Nandini and Cabir stepped back to stand in front of the crowd. Nandini stood next to Manik, who automatically wrapped his arm around her before leaning down as he whispered to her,
Manik: U r so dead as soon as we finish off with this thing!

Nandini looked up at him confused just as Harsh started speaking, he again thanked the guests. A smile came up on her face as he thanked Nyonika for her presence in his life, celebrating their 30 years of togetherness.

Soon a few questions from the reporters started,
Reporter: Sir-Ma'am this surely is a very grand gesture for the two of u from Mr. Manik Malhotra and Mr. Cabur Dhawan, what do u have to say about it, were u aware of this entire thing, or were u expecting anything like this.

Harsh chuckled at it and shook his head,
Harsh: No actually, we weren't expecting something like this at all and it did take quite a little while before we actually got used to the idea. We just found out about it around a month back.
And for this entire gesture we have our daughter to thank. This entire project, right from the basic idea of opening up a hotel, everything in this hotel is done by nandini. She has been on the driving seat through the entire construction, design, interior and everything. Even the name and this event today all has been her work, and in the end being the amazing person that she is, she gave up all the credit to Manik and Cabir. Sorry guys, I love you both a lot but not more than my baby girl here.

Both Manik and Cabir laughed at it as cabir too wrapped his arm around Nandini, taking her between himself and Manik as she smiled at Harsh with her eyes moist.

Harsh: Anyways, I guess it's time for the inaugural but before that I have a small announcement to make. Well, as Nandini rightly mentioned that I have come along a long way from where I started. Today, standing here looking at the three of them who I call as the pillars of this company, I have decided that it's finally time for me to step down completely and let these young minds take up the front line.

Nandini gasped as she heard him and turned to look at Cabir and Manik to find them both equally shocked with their eyes broadened. Harsh too noticed it and chuckled at their reactions, as he spoke up,
Harsh: What release ur old man with some stress now! I know I m putting it all up on the most deserving shoulders.

As he kept the mike aside the croowd applauded again as a few shook their hands in congratulations.

Manik: Did he just announce his retirement??

Cabir: Gotta give him some credit for choosing the best time ever, he has managed to get Nandini in shock.
Cabir said looking at Nandini with a teasing smile. Manik too chuckled as he shook Nandini a bit,
Manik: Come on! It's time...

Nandini shook her head at it as she left the two of them and walked towards the entrance with the crowd following soon after. The rest of the evening went on remarkably, there was not a single person around who didn't appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the hotel. Even the one's who knew about Nandini's initial idea, could now actually see what she meant about getting the entire culture of the country together at one single place and it couldn't have been better.

As the night went on, Nandini finally started to relax which was clearly noticed by all of her friends and family. The Kapoors too were obviously present there, but manik made sure not to let them near her for much longer. 

By the end of the night, it seemed like all the rush of the entire month finally got succeeded. To celebrate the event and to let the employees rest, they had given an entire day off to everyone at the office. Nyonika convinced Manan to stay with them for the day, so they went back to the Malhotra Mansion.

The next day, the Malhotra's were all having a lazy morning as all four of them sat together on the balcony. Harsh seemed to be too much into the newspapers as he read about what everyone had to say about the hotel. Nyonika just sat there listening to him read as she flipped casually through a magazine. Nandini was sitting there trying to read a novel, but as usual Manik decided to choose the same time to lay his head on her lap as he kept on demanding for her attention.

Nandini: Manik... Stop it! I m trying to read.

Manik: Well, don't read when I m here... Read later!!
Manik muttered making nandini roll her eyes as she ignored him. Nyonika chuckled at it as she shook her head.

Nyonika: U r such a baby sometimes!

Manik glanced at her before grabbing nandini's hand as he kept it on his head, clearly telling her to move her fingers through his hair the way he likes it.

Nandini finally snapped her book close and hit his head with it softly, before keeping the book to a side as she did exactly what he wanted her to.
Nandini: Anyways... Mom-Dad, I had to talk to u about something? In fact u too Manik...

Harsh: Sure... Go on!

Nandini: When Manik first proposed to me and we got married... One of the reasons I was so ready for it was the two of u, but still I had this massive fear of whether I would be able to adjust in your home or not. 

Manik opened up his eyes at her words to find her sitting there with a calm peaceful expression on her face. It seemed to have contended him, as he relaxed and closed his eyes again, letting her continue.

Nandini: And now... After all this while, I just thank my stars as getting married into this family has been kinda the best thing that could have happened to me. I was just wondering, if maybe the two of u would like, I mean if it's not a problem, maybe if... If Manik and I could shift permanently to the Malhotra Mansion??

Nandini saw Nyonika's eyes broaden at this, making her fumble even more as she continued,
Nandini: It's not necessary of course... I just thought that it could be good. I mean, Manik obviously loves the two of u so much, and he would like that more than anything. And I too would love being here. If only the two of u allow us- I think-

Nyonika: Nandini.... Relax!! And seriously, there could be nothing else that we would like more than the two of u shifting here. It would surely save me for trying to make excuses to get u both here every now and then.

Nandini relaxed at her words as they smiled broadly and she noticed both of them looking actually quite excited about it. She looked down at Manik to find his eyes still closed while a smile played on his lips as he squeezed her hand in what she understood was gratitude.

Nandini: Moreover if we live here... The two of u would actually get a chance relive Manik's childhood all over again.

She saw both their heads snap at her in surprise while her husband stayed clueless on her lap.
Well, guess she should have been more specific.

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Tadada...

Back with another update!

How was it people? Did u like the surprise?

Do comment ur views

Lots of love,
Navya😘