When the bell rang, Nandini wiped her hands on her apron as she took it off. Their guests for the night, Shrikant and Shreya had arrived for dinner, on time. Nandini wondered how Manik cultivated the habit of being late when both Shrikant and Nyonika back when she was involved as a trustee and the Malhotra Group, were very punctual.

When Nandini stepped out of the kitchen, she saw Manik greeting his father and aunt before letting the children hug them.

"Dad! Bua! After so long." Nandini said, hugging them as well. Shrikant patted her head as he usually did while Shreya pinched her cheek.

"Nandini doesn't have any cheeks left for me to pinch, which means you've been working too much and not eating properly. Am I right, Manik?" Shreya asked, frowning.

"You are." Manik said, smiling at Nandini who gave him a look instead.

"Chalo chalo. Let's go eat right away then." Shrikant said and led the kids to the dining room.

"Nandini made your favourite Butter Chicken, Dad." Manik said, placing the plates on the table.

"Shri has been advised to fix his diet but he told his doctor that he makes an exception only for his daughter-in-law." Shreya said, making Nandini laugh and blush in embarrassment.

They had their dinner while catching up with each other, Shrikant asking Adah, Naitik and Madiha about their school and classes while Shreya talked to Manik and Nandini. After dinner, they headed back to the living room, where the kids watched TV and the adults sat down for the discussion, the one they had planned this dinner for.

"So, what do you think? Are you up for the role of the Trustee? I mean, you were the GP back in your days and I think this will be a suitable role for you, Nandu." Shreya said.

"Haan, I was thinking too. Maybe, I will take it up. It doesn't sound too demanding and honestly, I just want to stay at home in the evenings. Manik said he will arrange for someone to take over the management of the recording studio."

Over the years, Nandini had built her own brand, a recording studio and institute for aspiring musicians and singers, NM Music School. She usually invited field specialists and experienced professionals to teach but over the years, as the workload increased and her time with her children decreased, she felt the need to delegate more and spend more time with her children.

"I am happy you are taking this decision. It's the right time to do it. I will get the paperwork started." Shrikant said and Nandini nodded with a smile.

"And what is this I hear about a Space Reunion?" Shreya asked.

"Oh yeah, Mukti and Zubin came up with the idea. I mean I am not sure if it's the best decision but she told Navya and that woman hasn't stopped spamming the groupchat." Manik said, shaking his head.

"It sounds like a good idea. It's a nice way to promote the college too, with all of you attending. We have to take advantage of your fame and advertise more. So be it."

"Spoken like a true businessman, Dad." Manik said, chuckling.

"Of course. Any publicity is good publicity." Shrikant said and Manik and Nandini acquiesced.

"If the paperwork goes through quickly, Nandini can start coordinating with Zubin and Mukti for the Reunion arrangements. And take people's help, don't do it all alone. We'll probably have to invite over 400-500 people." Shreya said.

"This Mukti na. Ek stress se dhoor bhaagke dusre stress pe land ho gayi main." Nandini said, palming her face and making all of them laugh.

-----

Shreya and Shrikant were very efficient, because the Board of Directors approved Nandini's appointment as the new Trustee and within two weeks, Nandini sat in her office, ready for her first official meeting. With Mukti of all people.

"So."

"So."

"Should I call you Ma'am or what?" Mukti asked and Nandini rolled her eyes.

"Mukti."

"Alright, alright. So yes. I spoke to Cabir, Dhruv, Alya, Soha, Aryaman and Navya and all of them are in. I have planned our roles, see. Navya will take care of the communications part. You just have to forward her the details of the alumni and she will make her design team work on an invitation. Manik said he'll arrange for the food and drinks because he has contacts. Alya and Dhruv are planning to ask people who will be willing to perform..." Mukti went on, listing the roles while Nandini listened diligently. About an hour later, they came up with a solid game plan.

"Okay Lady Trustee, wanna head to a restaurant for lunch with this humble friend?" Mukti asked, standing up.

"Uff, Mukti tum bhi na. Chalo. I am hungry anyway!" Nandini said and they walked out of the campus to a nearby restaurant.

-----

Meanwhile, Alya was in Milan, preparing for the Milan Fashion Week. Stress was on an all-time high as she had to manage many models and last minute changes. She was very grateful she had an understanding husband, mother-in-law and best friends who managed to take care of her daughter in her absence. She swore to herself to make it up to Adah when she got done with the event.

But for some reason, she had been feeling out of it, this time. Usually, in spite of the stressful environment and her stubborn colleagues, she remained in high spirits. But this time, she felt really tired and found herself zoning out quite often.

"Ma'am, all good?" Her assistant asked, handing her a cup of coffee that she had requested. She couldn't afford to fall asleep at her desk when her team was working their asses off to get things done on time. Alya was many things but not a slacker.

"Yes, yes. Are all the fittings done?" She asked, sipping some coffee and allowing the caffeine to awaken her senses and energize her.

"Yes, they are done. We need to prepare for the rehearsal now. The runway has been set up." He said, coming forward to show her the photos of the arrangements.

"Nice. But I need to come and see it myself. Give me five." Alya said and took her phone out to check for messages. There was a voice message from Dhruv.

"Hey, I just landed in Mumbai. I am going to pick Adah up and then we will go to Ma's place for lunch. I hope you had breakfast on time. Don't starve yourself. All the best, love you." The voice message ended and Alya smiled before sending a message of her own, assuring her husband that she was trying her best to eat her meals on time.

-----

Meanwhile, a few weeks later, in Malhotra's abode.

Nandini watched the children finish their homework obediently under her supervision. Usually, it was easy to handle Naitik and Madiha separately while they studied. But when together, they were just cranky toddlers who loved to trouble her.

"Dia, finish quickly now, come on. You have to sleep and Mumma has to sleep too. Look at me, I am soooo tired!" Nandini said, making an act by yawning loudly.

"Why is Mumma tired?" Madiha asked and Nandini sighed. Not only did she fail to make Madiha work quickly, she also turned on the inquisitive mode in her daughter.

"Mumma had many meetings today." Nandini said, checking Naitik's math homework.

"With?"

"With people at work, bachha. Now, finish this quickly, come on!" Nandini instructed. She hated to bribe them so she tried her best not to. Manik, however, was a different issue altogether. Sometimes, he bribed Madiha so much that she expected a reward for doing the most basic tasks. So, Nandini had to be the bad cop, as much as she hated it.

Something in her tone must have set her daughter off because her lower lip started wobbling, which was a telltale sign of an incoming sob. Fortunately, Naitik was a very instinctive brother, who quickly scooted closer to his sister and patted her head.

"I will help you, let's do it!" He said, and Madiha nodded, letting her brother guide her. Nandini sighed and smiled, shaking her head.

"Are they done?" She heard Manik ask from where he was, at the door of the bedroom.

"Almost. Aao baitho." Nandini said and Manik nodded, sitting on the floor next to her. Suddenly, Nandini's heart felt so full, looking at the domestic scene in front of her. Did she ever imagine she would get to have this all those years ago, when she had crossed paths with Monster Manik? That Nandini Murthy had no idea they would come so far, create beautiful little children together and live the family life?

"What's cooking in this chhotu brain?" Manik asked, poking at her temple. Nandini chuckled and shook her head, scooting closer to rest her head on Manik's shoulder as they watched their children work together, giggling and chattering their time away.

"I am so lucky to have to have you. And them. All of you." Nandini said, planting her chin on her shoulder and looking up at him, almost squinting because of the proximity. Manik huffed and turned to kiss her forehead before intertwining their fingers.

"Vo toh mujhe bolna chahiye. You subdued the monster in me and made me into what I am today. You know, they say that behind every successful man, there is a woman?" Manik asked. Nandini hummed with a smile, encouraging him to continue.

"I think that's silly. For me, I see it this way. Beside every successful man, there is a supportive, strong and slightly crazy woman." Manik said, ending the sentence with a teasing lilt. However, even though Manik was making fun of her at the end, she was touched by the initial words.

"I never saw you behind me. You were always beside me, holding my hand when times were tough. Sometimes, you were even ahead, holding my hand and dragging me forward when I felt undermotivated, hopeless or helpless. I try to say it as often as I can, but I appreciate you." Manik said, lifting Nandini's hand and kissing the back of her palm.

Nandini let out a laugh, her voice breaking as she felt emotional. There wasn't much she wanted from Manik, just love and support and his mere presence. And over the years, even though their relationship lost that youthful spark, Nandini was of the understanding that their love had matured over the years, manifested into something that was purer, passionate, honest and harmonious. They have achieved that level of domestic bliss now.

"As long as I can be your shining star, that's all that matters." Nandini said and looked at Manik with a dorky smile that she knew Manik loved.

As expected, Manik laughed wholeheartedly and Nandini wanted to capture that moment. No, not with a camera. She wanted to capture it in her heart, store it with the countless other visions of Manik's smiles and laughter that she had managed to keep in her heart.

"Mumma done!" Madiha said, shutting her notebook and keeping it on the table before skipping towards her Dadda.

"That's my girl. So time for sleep?" Manik asked and Madiha tapped the tip of her finger against her chin, as if she was making an important decision. Naitik shook his head fondly and trotted towards his bed as Nandini cleaned their desks and checked their bags, making sure they had all their things.

"Mmmm....oki!!" Madiha exclaimed and yawned dramatically, making Manik chuckle and shower her face with kisses.

"Time for Dia and Tikki to sleep." Madiha said as Manik placed her on her own bed, switching on the lamp and turning off the main lights in the room.

"Papa, can you sing a song?" Naitik asked, turning towards his father. Nandini smiled and looked at Manik expectantly.

"Yes, Dadda! Please?" Madiha asked, batting her eyelashes. Manik rolled his eyes at his daughter's antics and cleared his throat.

"Only if your Mom sings along." Manik said with a mischievous smile.

"Thik hai! Manik, tum shuru karo, I will join." Nandini said and Manik nodded, clearing his throat.

"So, I sang this song for your mother long, long ago." Manik said and settled comfortably in Madiha's bed.

"Hmm, hmm...
Dehleez pe mere dil ki..." Manik sang and patted Madiha's head soothingly while Nandini covered Naitik properly with the quilt. She hummed along and joined in whenever Manik left an opening for her. By the end of the song, both the children were fast asleep and they managed to squirm away without waking them up. Manik switched off the lamp, leaving the curtains slightly open for some light to seep in through the gap. He joined Nandini at the door and after one last glance, he shut the door.

"Chalein?" Nandini asked, holding her hand forward. Manik smiled and placed his hand in hers and both of them walked to their bedroom. While they got ready for bed, Nandini hugged him from behind, placing her cheek against his warm back.

"Kya hua? Aaj bada pyaar aa raha hai?" Manik asked, looking at himself in the mirror and applying the night cream Nandini forces him to apply.

"Hmm. Roz aata hai, aaj zara zyada hai."

"Oh? And what have I done to earn that?" Manik asked, indulging her.

"Just being yourself." Nandini said and broke the hug to stand before him.

"I feel extra grateful. Toh bas, enjoy karlo special treatment." Nandini said, stepping forward and taking the container away from Manik before nudging him towards the bed.

Manik let her, like he did sometimes. When Nandinj was in one of those moods, he let her do what she felt like, let her explore his body all over again, mark him hers all over again.

After the slow lovemaking, Nandini got off him and laid next to him and they stayed like that, in a comfortable silence.

'We are celebrating our tenth anniversary this year and even though Manik and I have celebrated differently and surprised each other so many times, maybe I should do something for him this time.' Nandini thought and smiled when she remembered something. She was going to make it one of the best days of Manik's life.

-----

Author's note -

I know I broke the record of daily updates but life's been weird and I have just been out of it kinda! I had a very stressful semester and I think the fatigue has finally caught up to me! But nevertheless, I aim to finish this story:)

Two more chapters for this story to finish, haven't written yet but will surely be finished in a week or two :)