In Malhotra's Mansion

MaNan's Bedroom

Mornings are always beautiful. It gives a green signal to a new starting. People always find it as an opportunity to have a new starting, let it be any relationship or something professional. But, when your morning get's peaceful along with beautiful, your life becomes much joyous.

Nandini was the first one to open her eyes today, due to the chirping of birds who were in a very enthusiastic mood. She flickered her eyes once and twice to get adjust with the sunlight and once she did, her gaze fell on her husband who was sleeping in the crook of her neck, totally hidden in her eyes and his left hand on her waist and right hand under the pillow. Though, their position was quiet intense, instead of blushing, she had a wide smile on her face seeing him sleeping like a baby with his mouth slightly open..

Nandini ( thought with a smile ): He doesn't even look like the Manik Malhotra whom I thought him to be. No arrogance, no rudeness but a simple guy who needs love and affection. What did I do to deserve him..!!

She ruffled his hairs and tried to move out of his hold after a long session of admiring her husband. But, he was quiet heavy and wasn't even ready to leave her waist..

Nandini ( pouted ): Ab ye ithna heavy kyun hai..

Due to her constant tries, Manik groaned in sleep..

Manik: Sone dhe na..kaun pareshan kar rahe hai..Cabir, agar ye tum hua tho mein chodoonga bhi nahi..I'm gonna kiss Nandini..!!

And Nandini stared at him with widened mouth. Her cheeks turned red but then controlled herself..

Nandini ( fake stern voice ): Mr. Malhotra, please come out of your dreamland.

Hearing her voice, Manik got out of his dreamland and opened his eyes to see Nandini glaring at him. He smiled at her but then got confused too seeing her glaring at him..

Manik: Good morning, Mrs. Malhotra..Aaj subah subah gussa kyu kar rahi ho..

Nandini: Aapka khwaab kaisa tha..

Manik ( frowned ): Khwaab..??

Nandini ( sarcastic grin ): Arey ab aap so rahe the na, aur aap ek insan bhi hain. Har insaan khwaab dekhthe hai na sothe waqt..So, how was your dream..??

Manik remembered his dream, where he was going to kiss Nandini and he immediately bit his lips to control his excitement. He simply made a casual face..

Manik: Um, acha tha, par tum pooch kyu rahi ho..

Nandini ( coolly ): Bas aiveyi. I just heard my husband describing his dream..

Manik nodded at her but then got shocked after realizing her words. He looked at her to see her smirking at him and he immediately took his hands back from her body and she started laughing and dipped her head in the pillow..

Nandini ( still laughing ): I seriously gotta find some nickname for you, I just can't call you cute every time for your antics..

Manik ( embarrassed ): Mrs. Malhotra..that's enough okay..

Nandini: Yeah sure..

She was still laughing and laid straight on the bed but he simply hovered above her startling her..

Manik ( smirked ): Ab kya hua..?? Hasna nahi hai kya..??

She looked the other side while biting her lips because she just noticed that her husband was shirtless and she didn't even notice it..

Nandini ( bad face ): Mr. Malhotra, why did you remove your shirt..?? You weren't shirtless last night..

Manik ( chuckled ): Well, technically, my wife isn't among those shy types but still, she doesn't like me seeing shirtless..chakkar kya hai beewi sahiba..

Nandini looked at him and sighed in defeat..

Nandini: I'm not among those shy types, par iska mathlab ye tho nahi na ki mein har ek ladke ko shirtless dekhthi hoon..

Manik ( confused ): What do you mean..?

Nandini: Arey, It means, I ain't any girl who sees guys shirtless everyday. Tho, aapko bhi aise dekhna koi casual bath tho nahi. I believe, such things are only reserved for your better half, not like some guys who show off " abs "...

She made a weird face and he simply smiled at her. He moved closer and kissed her forehead making her smile..

Manik: And I think, its your right to see me like this and trust me, you're the only girl who saw me you know, shirtless..

She blushed and looked at him to see him smiling at her. She kept her hand on his cheeks and stroked them and he kept his forehead on her's..

Nandini: Mr. Malhotra..

Manik: Hmm..

Nandini: Mujhe chalna chahiye..

Manik ( irritated ): Tum hamesha mere romance ke beech aathi ho..

Nandini ( giggled ): Aap romance tho mere hi sath karthe hai na..

Manik: Haa, par tum romance breaker bhi ho..

Nandini ( laughed ): Aap pagal hogaye hai..hatiye, mujhe neeche jaana hai..

Manik: Zaroori hai kya..??

Nandini ( nodded ): Ji haan..

Manik ( sighed ): Chal teek hai, par badle mein kya milega..

Nandini ( frowned ): Mathlab..??

Manik ( grinned ): Mathlab yahi, agar tumhe chodna chahiye tho mujhe badle mein kuch dena chahiye, warna jaane nahi doonga..

Nandini ( huffed ): Aap sach mein businessman hi hai..Bolo, kya chahiye..

Manik ( mischievously ): Um...aaj raath, dinner ke baad mere sath aana chahiye tumhe..

Nandini ( confused ): Dinner ke baad, ithni raath mein hum kaha jayenge, Mr. Malhotra..??

Manik ( smiled ): Wo tho tum mujhpe chod dho, bas tumhe aana chahiye..kyu mere saath aoge..

Nandini ( smiled ): I married you to be with you forever, so you don't need to ask me to join you if you want to take me somewhere..

And Manik simply knew, he was falling for her, it's no more going to be a mere like but something more..

Manik ( smiled ): Be ready by 10 p.m, I'll take you somewhere where only we are allowed..

She nodded at him with a smile and he kissed her forehead and she got out of his grip and moved to the washroom and he stared at her retreating figure with a smile on his face..He, again laid on his stomach and tried and closed his eyes to get a short nap..

Right after 25 minutes, Nandini got out of the washroom ready in her saree and moved to Manik, who was snoring in deep sleep..

Nandini ( sighed ): Mr. Malhotra, utiye, jaakar fresh hojayiye..

Manik opened his eyes to see Nandini smiling at him, who was clad up in a saree, which now became his most favorite outfit of women..

Nandini: Uthiye..kya dekh rahe hai aap..

Manik ( smiled ): Kuch nahi..

He got up from his bed and pecked Nandini's forehead and moved to the washroom while Nandini took got an office suit for Manik..

Manik: Um, waise Mrs. Malhotra..

Nandini: Haa..

Manik ( smiled ): Saree just became my most favorite..Someone looks much beautiful in it..

Saying it, he moved inside while she smiled at his indirect way of complimenting her..She moved out of the bedroom with a never ending smile on her lips..

Downstairs

In Kitchen

Nandini got inside and today only Navya was present.

Nandini: Good morning Bhabi..

Navya's attention turned towards Nandini from the dish that she was preparing..

Navya ( smiled ): Good morning, Nandini..

Nandini: Aap akele hai aaj..??

Navya: Haa, aaj mein akeli hoon. Mere alawa tumhare baaki 3 bhabiyan busy hai. Maahi aur Esha pregnant hai aur Abha Bhabi ko tho Mihika ke care karni hai, isiliye wo log thoda late aayenge..

Nandini ( smiled ): Chaliye, aaj ke baad aap aur mein ek saath kitchen ko destroy karenge..

Navya ( giggled ): Kyu nahi, aakhir mujhe mere jaise ek partner mili hai. Maahi and I were the most energetic souls among Malhotras aur jaise hi Maahi pregnant hui, she gets tired so easily, and I was all alone par dekh na, meri kismath bohath achi hai, badi jaldhi ek devrani mili jo Maahi aur meri jaisi hai..

Nandini ( chuckled ): Arey meri kismath bhi bohath achi hai. Mujhe tho laga tha, I would never get comfortable in such a large family where I'm going to have 4 Bhabis but then I really am lucky to know that all of you are just like me..

Navya too smiled at her and then the ladies started their work and right after 15 minutes, Abha was in the kitchen..

Abha: Kya baath hai, mere bina masthi chal rahe hai..

Nandini and Navya were laughing while cutting vegetables, when they heard Abha's voice.

NavNi: Good Morning, Bhabi/Di..

Abha ( smiled ): Good morning..Waise aaj chiko bhi hai, ithni early..

Nandini: Aap tho janthe hai Di ki mein ek early riser hoon..

Navya: Arey achi bath hai na Bhabi, ab aage se mujhe boring ka mathlab hi nahi jaan paoge..hume pehle kyu nahi mili aapki chiko ko..

Abha ( smiled ): Mujhe tho pehle se hi mili thi, bas aap thak pohanch nahi payi..

Nandini ( smiled ): Acha wo sab chodiye na, Di..kya banana hai aaj..

Navya: Haa Bhabi, hum aapkeliye intezaar kar rahe the..

Abha: Arey jo tum logon ko pasand hai wo banao..

Nandini: Aise kaise Di...Aap hi bathayiye..

Abha ( sighed ): Chiko, now don't tell me even you've started to become like these 3. I agree, i'm the eldest daughter-in-law but it doesn't mean that you can't make something without my consent..

Navya: It's not about the consent, Bhabi. It's about the respect..

Nandini: Exactly, Di. In fact, I felt so much of respect for you 4 when I heard that you guys never prepared food without discussing with you. I seriously admire you..

Navya ( glared ): Oh hello, what do you mean by admiring. Ab tum bhi iss pariwar ke hissa ban chuki ho isiliye hum 4 nahi balki 5 hai, kyu Bhabi..

Abha ( grinned ): Bilkul sahi kaha, chalo, let's not make it late..

NavNi nodded at her and they started with their breakfast. Soon, Esha and Maahi too joined them. Maahi was puking every now and then, so she couldn't work more. She was sitting simply but totally messed up. Others were worried for her but they are helpless, its common in pregnancy and Maahi being a weak soul was just increasing their worries..

Nandini: Maahi Bhabi, what's your favorite drink...?

Maahi ( tiredly ): Uh, favorite, I don't have any favorites, but I would prefer something cold..

Nandini smiled at her and concentrated in her work. Soon, she was done with it and kept it in front of Maahi and Abha smiled at it..

Maahi ( frowned ): Ye kya hai, Nandu..

Nandini ( smiled ): It's coconut water. This isn't a cold drink because having a drink when you're pregnant will be dangerous for your health. But trust me, you would feel like you're drinking something cold and it will provide energy to your body..

Maahi smiled at her and had the drink in one go..

Maahi ( licked her lips ): This was tasty..Mujhe ek aur glass milega kya..

Nandini ( giggled ): Of course Bhabi, ismein poochne ki kya bath hai..

She took a coconut and got coconut water from it by cutting it with a knife and poured it in a glass and gave it to Maahi..

Maahi ( grinned like a baby ): Thank you Nandu..

Nandini ( glared ): Aur kithna formal banegi..

Maahi ( smiled ): Okay sorry, aage se nahi hoga..

Nandini ( smiled ): Better..

Other smiled at the new bonding and continued with their work. While, there were some people who was watching it..

Person: Manik, you are lucky to have her..

Manik ( smiled ): I know, Abhi..

Manik and Abhi smiled at their respective wives and moved away before anyone could notice them.

Soon the breakfast was made and the ladies were praised for their culinary skills. Nandini didn't forget to make the healthy dish for Aadesh and he was highly impressed with her.

Post breakfast

Manik was waiting near the car impatiently. He looking at the entrance every now and then..Cabir saw it and sighed..

Cabir: Beta, usse phone pe bhi bath kar sakthe na, ithni bhi sabr nahi hai tum mein..

Manik ( glared ): Tumhe isse kya, meri marzi hai, meri beewi hai wo..

Cabir ( sighed ): Tho apni beewi se teek se bye bolke aaja, mein jaa raha hoon..

Manik: Tho jaa na, waise bhi tu ek number ka museebath hai ab aur museebath math ban jaa..

Cabir ( fake tears ): Saale beewi aayi tho Bhai ka kuch nahi..Bhai ke saath saath mein tumhara dosth bhi hu na, ye bhi bhool gaye kya..

Abhi: Abey kamine, Navya Bhabi ko tujhe joker nahi Charlie Chaplin ke aulad bulana chahiye thi, jab dekho drama kartha rehtha hai..

Cabir: Tumhe isse kya, meri beewi mujhe jo bhi bolun, ek aashiq beewi ke intezaar kar raha hai aur dossra aashik beewi ko pappi de ke aaya hai..hey bhagwan, poora ghar aashiqon ka manzil ban chuke hai..

Abhi/Manik: Pitega tu..

Cabir ( bad face ): Jaa raha hoon..aur Abhi, tu bhi chal, PDA ka eye witness math hoja, waise bhi Bhabi goli marne walon mein se hai, ek baar bhi nahi sochegi ki hum dhono unke majnu ke Bhayan hai..

Manik ( growled ): Cabir...

Cabir ( grinned ): Jaa raha hoon na..

Cabir got inside his car and drove to Malhotra's Advertising Company while Abhi too got in his car and drove away to Malhotra's Event Management Company, not before muttering curses for Cabir..

Manik: Ye Mrs. Malhotra kaha reh gayi..

Soon, Nandini came out ready in her office outfit and Manik smiled at her.

Nandini: Sorry sorry, late hogayi..

Manik ( smiled ): It's okay..Ab chalein..

Nandini ( smiled ): Haa..

Both Manik and Nandini got in Manik's car and they drove to their destinations..

Inside the car

Manik: When should I come to pick you up..??

Nandini: Um, agar bura na manoon tho ek bath poochoon..??

Manik ( sighed ): Mrs. Malhotra, I've already told you..

Nandini: To get comfortable with you. I know that, par ye bath shayad apko bura lagega, par mujhe bolna hi chahiye warna mujhe sukoon hi nahi milegi..

Manik ( raised his eyebrows ): Aisa bhi kya baath hai..

Nandini ( bit her lips ): My work schedule is quiet different from yours. Like, I might get late at night, sometimes, I would be in need in the early morning. So, won't it be difficult for you to pick me up and drop me off everyday..??

Manik ( smiled ): Do you know why did I say No to this marriage when Daadu forwarded our marriage proposal to your Pa..

Nandini ( confused ): No..but, why are you asking it now..?

Manik ( smiled ): Because, the answer to your question and my question is the same..

Nandini: Elaboration please..

Manik ( chuckled ): I said No to this marriage because we had a fight but then there was one more reason, I wanted my wife to be someone like my Bhabis. They are like, who never spoke anything about work when they are at home..From businesswoman to celebrities are them but still, they never cared about their profession when they're at home and I was scared that you might be different from them. As much as I have heard about you, you were so passionate about your work. So, I was scared to accept you thinking you might change our family's mentality but then God proved me wrong. Your priority was always family and that forced me to like you, to make you my wife, and on that day, I vowed to be your support because I knew no matter how much ever passionate you could get for your work, you'll be a family woman..

Nandini looked at him with a lot of emotions in her eyes. She, knew that he was her better half but now she also knew, she's gradually falling for her better half..

She simply entwined her finger's with Manik's left hand's which were resting on her lap making him smile..

Manik: You don't need to thank me..

Nandini ( cutely ): I need to do something, or else I'm so rude..

Manik chuckled at her and soon they were in front of Chopra's PVT Investigators..

Manik: Lo, aapka destination aagaya..

She smiled at him. He moved forward and planted a soft kiss on her forehead making her smile. He was about to moved back when she held his shirt's button..

Manik ( frowned ): Kya hua..??

Nandini nodded in no with a smile..

Nandini ( smiled ): What's there in the back seat, Mr. Malhotra..??

Manik frowned and looked in his left..

Manik ( confused ): There's no.....

And his sentence went incomplete because he felt something soft on his right cheeks..He couldn't even move from his place. He turned to look at her when he felt the absence of those soft petals..

Manik ( still shocked ): Did you...give me a...cheek kiss..??

Nandini ( blushed ): Wipe that lipstick mark off your cheek..Bye..

And she got out of the car while he was staring at her retreating figure. He looked in the mirror only to see her pink lipstick mark on his right cheek and he was grinning like a fool..

Manik: She kissed me....Damn....

He was simply smiling and drove to his company but that smile never left his lips..He now knew, she has got something for him, for sure..

To be continued..