Mukti dragged a numb Nandini with her. She's generally silent so no one suspected her behavior.

A lot of things were revolving in her mind. Her baba's words left a black mark in her mind. What if Malhotra's will know the truth? What if they'll start hating her? What if they'll leave her? She studied at home. Not aware of anything. In her whole life she stepped out for 2-3 times. How does this world work? She was silently thinking about all these when she felt fingers entangling with her shivering fingers. She looked at the source to find him looking straight talking to Cabir who was driving.

He turned to her and smiled. That's when she came out of her bubble of worry and focused on their conversation to learn things so that nobody will kick her out.

“Mukti, tu yaha hai toh Aryaman kaha h?”, Manik asked.

“Dusri car me! He was cribbing to be with me but I clearly told him No! Meri bhabhi aa rhi h main toh saath rahungi unke!”, Mukti replied.

“Bol na rasam se nek k paise ni miss krna chahti piche car me rah kar!”, Cabir laughed.

“Whatever!”, Mukti flipped her hair in an attitude.

“Ussey agar rasam karni hai toh humlog tab tak wait karte jab tak uski car nahi aa jati!”, Manik said as he patted Mukti's head.

Nandini was silently absorbing their bond, their love. She never had anyone who'll wait for her. It's always her who waited for her Baba to allow her for anything.

“Biwi ko behan ki wajah se jyda wait nahi karte, Manik! Chor degi toh!”, Cabir jokes.

“Zindagi me 4 auratey sabse important hoti h. Maa, behan, biwi aur beti! Insan ko charo ko balance karne aana chahiye! Agar ek ki khushi se dusrey ko miley toh karni chiye puri but at the same time make sure your other woman is going to have happiness as well!”

“Tujey pata hai na issey car me kisi ko teri batey samaj nahi ayi!”, Cabir said as Mukti agreed to him.

Nandini understood him. But at the same time, she misunderstood him. Her mind was revolving around her baba's words so she decided to keep herself mum if ever any of her wishes came between them.

The car stopped and both Cabir and Mukti stepped out leaving the couple alone.

“Wait here till the arrangements are done!”, Mukti said before getting out of the car.

As they left, Manik turned towards Nandini. He pulled her towards him as their fingers were still entangled.

She fell on him, making him smile.

He smiled feeling her heartbeat and said, “Aapke matey par yeh sindor dekhney k liye uss din sey bekar tha jis din apki tasveer dekhi thi!”

She looked at him slowly. “Ija'zat hai apko chumney ki?”

She looked everywhere but him, “Bataiye?”

She nodded slowly. He leaned towards her face. He always planned to kiss her forehead but just to tease her he leaned towards her lips.

She followed his movements and closed her eyes tightly. Her lips quivered expecting her first kiss. Her finger clutched her lehanga tightly.

Smiling, he whispered near her lips, “Tayar nahi hai aap avi! Par jis din hongi koi nahi dur kar payega uskey baad hume!”

He kissed her hairline and said pulling back, “Hug me and let it all out!”

She looked at him and his open arms. Hesitatingly, she settled in his arms. It had the warmth which she never felt in her life. The peace which she always wanted. She melted in his arms and as his fingers kneaded her hairs she slowly slipped in a peaceful slumber.

He looked at her, pulled her more in his arms and whispered, “Intezar karunga jab aap khud sab share kareyga! Apki hifzat karna ab meri zimewari nahi jarurat hai!”

After some time, Mukti opened the car's door and shouted happily, “Welcome home, bhabhi!”

Nandini was startled and woke up. Manik glared at Mukti and said, “Aaram se ni khol skti thi!”

Mukti pouted and whispered sorry, holding her ears.

Nandini looked at them and realized she's in Manik’s arms. Blushing she tried to come out but he softly tightened his hold while his eyes were still at Mukti.

“Chal! We're joining in a minute!”

“Don't take forever! You have a lifetime for dirty work!”, Mukti laughed and went inside.

Manik shook his head on her words and looked at Nandini, “Welcome home, Queen!”

She looked at him and gave a small nervous smile.

“Before stepping inside, I want you to know that whatever may happen you'll always find me with you! Try to trust me and I'll protect you! Aapki pichey ki zindagi me jisney bhi apko jo bhi sikhaya ussey bhul jaye! Trust me only! Zindagi ki har kadam par apko protect karunga! Apki izzat meri izzat hai! You'll always find me with you!”, Manik whispered as he entangled their fingers.

She nodded and said, “Aapki Khushi meri khushi hogi. Zindagi me kuch bhi aap bologey main aankh band kar k ussey kurban kar dungi!”

“Siwaye apni khushiyan aur apne izzat k!”, Manik added and playfully said, “ Vaisey kurban sirf apna dil kijiyega madam! Baki banda toh pehley hi aap par jaan kho chuka hai!”

She giggled on his words and he playfully pulled her cheeks.

“Let's go!”, finally he took her out.

(Skipping the rasam)

Finally with all the laughter and jokes, the rituals ended and the couple were told to sit aside as the waiter started serving to guests.

Between all the rituals, not for once Manik left her hand and finally they're left alone as everyone was busy with guests.

Manik leaned to Nandini and whispered, “Bhuk lagi hai?”

She looked at him amazed and hurriedly nodded in no as all the guests were there.
Manik smirked playfully on her innocence and whispered, brushing his lips to her earlobe, “Par mujhey lagi hai!”

She shivered as his hand snaked on her waist. She looked everywhere if anyone looked at them. Thankfully everyone was busy.

Manik chuckled and said, “Izzat hai? Haath rakh lu?”

Shyly, she nodded and he laughed at her pink cheeks, “Jaiye! Nahi tang kar rha!”

Slowly, he pulled back his hand and entwined their hands again.

“Suniye!”, Nandini whispered. Smiling, he leaned back and said looking at her lovingly, “Sunaiye!”

“Apko bhuk lagi hai? Main kuch karu?”, she asked and his eyes widened on her words.

“Yaha? Sabkey samney?”, he whispered.

“Sabkey samney nahi kar sakti main?”, she asked looking at him.

“Aapsey ho jayega?”, he asked again. Now he was nervous.

“Haa! Mukti sey help le lu?”, She asked innocently.

“Mukti sey! Wait aap kya bol rhi hai?”, he asked as he thought his wife was going to ask his sister for “those” tips. That'll be so awkward.

“Khana? Aapko bhuk lagi hai na!”, she answered.

“Khana?”, suddenly he realized the innocence of his wife and said, “Oh! Khana! You were talking about food!”

“Bhuk lagi thi na apko? Toh khana lau apkey liye?”, she asked again.

He sighed in relief as she was not talking about other bhuk and chuckled again at her innocence.

“Kya karunga main apka!”, he said looking at her , she was looking back with innocent eyes.

“Kuch galti ho gyi mujhsey?”, she asked.

He nodded in no and pulled her cheeks. Gritting his teeth in love he said, “Nahi jaan! Kuch bhi nhi!”

Her eyes widened on his endearment and she looked everywhere but him as heat crawled on her cheeks.

He kissed her fingers on her innocence. Their moment was disturbed by a call.  Manik looked at the id and frowned. It was one of their investors who had already wished him twice for today. Calling at this odd time is strange.
He picked the call but as there were a lot of guests he couldn't hear them properly.

He leaned to Nandini and said, “It's an important call! Investors hain! Kuch dair dey mujhey! Avi aaya!”

She nodded and reluctantly left his hand. He kissed her fingers before leaving. On his way outside, he told Mukti to sit with Nandini.

Mukti was about to go when Aryaman took the opportunity and told Mukti to enjoy as he'll look after Nandini.

As everyone was busy, he sat beside Nandini eho shivered nervously looking at him.

“Hi! Bha. Bhi!”, he greeted her with an evil smile.

Her eyes started looking for Manik.

“Manik ko dhundi rhi ho? Wo toh bahar gaya! Vaisey, we can be friends!”, he said and leaned at her in a safe distance and continued, “or more than friends!”

She looked at him with teary eyes.

“Best friends!”, he said, acting innocent, “Kuch mery legitimate and illegitimate secret aap safe rakho! Kuch aapkey legitimate and illegitimate main secret rakhu!”

Her eyes widened as she knew that he's aware of his secret. Her identity.

He nodded confirming her and said with an evil smile, “Manik ko hum dono kuch nahi bolegy! Tab tak aap bhi iss ghar me rahega aur main bhi!”

She started shivering and he showed his fingers towards Manik who was about to finish his call.

Before Manik turned, Aryaman stood and said to Nandini, “Sochiyega bhabhi ji!”

As he left Manik entered and frowned, not finding Mukti with her.

He sat beside her and whispered, “I'm sorry! It was important! Aap thik hai? Where's Mukti?”

She looked everywhere and held his hand shivering in fear. Fear of losing him.
Manik frowned but thinking it's her nervousness he pulled her in his arms and gave her warmth.

“I'm here! Ssh! You're not alone!”, he whispered as he kissed her head.
She leaned more as silent tears fell from her eyes.