(A/N: Yolo girls. Okay so many of you were asking if the story ended there. The answer is NO. There's a lot to show and maybe if I end it abruptly, it is certain you'll get a new season to read. So yeah, until then enjoy and relish MaNan. Yesterday was KYY anniversary and such a beautiful day in my life and in regards of that, I have written a new Five Shot called Like a Love Song. So if you guys can, please do read it and drop your votes and comments there too. Thanks. Love, your writer.)

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We came down from our high and were panting. Both of us were snuggled in the not-so-cozy blanket with me in his arms and his arms around me. I'd never felt more relieved and less self conscious about myself in forever. Getting drunk really relived me from all the stress I had. I kept ripping the garlands off the bed and wrapping the threads of flowers with immense concentration on Manik's bracelet and he smiled, watching me while I tried to whistle and pretend to be the person I was lying in front of.

"Nandini, kya kar rahi ho?" He whispered in my ear as he pulled me closer and tucked my hair strands carefully behind my ear. I was too busy to care about what he said.

"Manik..." I called in the cutest tone as I was still focused on getting the flowers attached to it.

"Hmm..."

"How many kids do you want?" I asked without making eye contact as I was in the trance of the fascination that was before me.

"Ek already hai." He nuzzled into my ear and I shrugged him off.

"Huh? Tum pagal ho? Ek raat main hi sab kuch nahi hota. Complications bhi hote hai sometimes. Sometimes consistent effort chahiye hota hai." I tried to explain like I was the teacher and he was my student but I could just say I ended even before I'd started. Male ego.

"Haan haan, maine kab kaha ki tum pregnant ho? Mujhe bhi pata hai okay? 10th main padha tha and that was the only Bio chapter I paid attention to, in 10th." He smirked naughtily and I widened my eyes. I covered my mouth scantily and made weird expressions.

"Cheeee Manik! Tum bahut gande ho. Cheeee." I slapped him and he began giggling. I closed my eyes and hit him and he pulled me closer.

"Arre... Mera matlab tha ki tumhari harkate bacchho se kam nahi hai." He slid his hand from around my body to my waist and then lower and I shoved his hand away.

"Chee chee gandoo." I scooted away from him but almost immediately, the other side of the bed was freezing cold and I needed the warmth back. I frowned and he pulled me onto himself.

"Oh Madam, it's an expression of love. Pyaar main yeh sab ganda nahi hota." He tried to justify and it was true but what struck my mind made LITERALLY no sense to what he said because both Manik and I already knew the answer.

"Tum mujhse pyaar karte ho?" I pouted and he frowned. He had just showed me how much he did love me and I was still acting dumb.

"Nandini..." He warned and I sighed.

"Haan karte ho." I stuck my tongue out and pecked his lips. I muttered a 'sorry' and hugged him as I drifted into sleep.

***

I woke up with one hell of a hangover. My head was throbbing hard and I couldn't sleep further. I dug my face into his back and felt something warm. I looked up to him to see him shirtless. I immediately jumped to the other side and to my knowledge, I was naked too.

I flushed into a deep shade of red. Okay, now I was certain we did something because the pandit said so but the question was, how? I tried to pull the sheets over me so that I could cover myself but then, Manik was tugging onto it so tight. Half his body had tucked the sheets under it and one of his arms were loosely wrapped around me. I tugged it further in protest, and he held it tighter.

"No." He muttered, in his sleep. He sounded like a baby who was about to wail because he didn't get what he wanted. A giggle escaped my lips and he frowned holding the sheets and turned his head to the side. I lost patience.

"Fine." I grunted. I just chucked the sheets on his face and went to unpack my luggage. Covering his face is as good as covering my body. I smirked at myself for being so smart and began to search for some clothes to wear.

I had to admit, losing your virginity makes you feel like you're a different person. I no longer felt like the Nandini Murthy I was before we did the deed, one of the reasons being I was touched by someone, though he meant something to me and worse, I didn't know how it all happened but I remembered. I had confessed my feelings for him when I was drunk and I didn't regret it a bit. Perhaps I wouldn't have been able to say it on his face even if I tried my best. Now that I said it, or rather he knew, it wouldn't be so difficult for both him and I.

I felt a little dirty, and I badly needed to take a shower. I slipped into the bathroom and took a soothing hot water bath, cleansing myself. After a nice bath, I stepped out of the bathroom in just my towel and stood in front of the mirror in my room. The windows were open and for the sake of changing, I went to close them but before I could do a thing, I felt a huge shadow tower me.

"Mat jao. If someone sees you, then?" He nuzzled into my wet hair and put his arms around my body. I turned to the side to have a look at him and he was busy discovering places he'd missed out on, last night.

"Manik..." I turned towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck. He smiled at me as he watched me in just my towel. "Kal raat jo bhi hua, is it..." He pressed his hand against my mouth to stop me from saying anything.

"I still love you." He whispered and my eyes signaled my smile. I pressed my lips on his cheek and a smile played along his lips. He leaned into me and I escaped from under him.

"You can have whatever you want after you brush, husband." I teased and smirked and he rolled his eyes. He stomped into the bathroom and I chuckled. I changed into a simple saree and began drying my hair. I heard the bathroom click open and I so knew who it was. In a matter of seconds, I was pinned to the wall by a heaving Manik.

"You don't know how hard it is for me to control myself..." I stopped him by initiating the kiss. I was probably never so bold in my life. It had been almost 8 hours since I'd kissed him and now that I did feel for him, I craved for him. Yet, even I knew I couldn't actually reach high enough to kiss him. It started off with a peck.

"Don't. I'm all yours, forever." I plunged into another kiss and Manik pulled me from the wall, still kissing me until my legs hit the bed. I hit the bed and I hit his chest lightly to remind him to not cross the line.

"Manik, mera matlab yeh nahi tha. I mean, we need to get going now. Pata nahi kya kya soch rahe honge sab." I made worried expressions and he pecked my nose.

"Let's go then." He pulled me to him and my eyes fell on the bed. It distressed me a little and furthermore, embarrassed me to see the stains. I stealthily pulled the sheets over and awkwardly smiled at him.

"Yeah, let's go." I pulled him roughly and he paused and stood like a rock.

"No wait, why are you smiling like that? You're hiding something from me. Move." He scrutinised and I shook my head violently.

"No Manik..." I tried to stop him but he pushed me gently, causing no harm to me and pulled the sheets to uncover what I was trying to hide. He gaped for a moment and then looked at me with a blank expression. An awkward moment of silence prevailed.

To be continued...
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Part-2:
I gaped at him and he just looked blank. He probably didn't expect that. He looked a little startled and I didn't know what to say or in fact, react even. He just stripped the sheets off and began to bundle them weirdly.

"Umm... I'll... Handle... Uhh... I'll just replace the sheets." He muttered and I began laughing. I didn't know why I was laughing that hard but that man right there was hell funny. I clung onto him tight and continued laughing. I would've fallen if I wasn't clinging to him. He was shying because he'd just seen my blood stain. Both he and I knew what he'd seen the previous night yet he had to act so dumb.

"Hahaha... Manik! Seriously... Like..." I giggled and he frowned. He chucked the bedsheet to the ground, grabbed my arms and pulled me close to him.

"Nandini, stop laughing. Are you fine? Is it hurting? You bled I mean... Tum teek ho?" He cupped my face and examined the marks he'd given me. He caressed one of my hickeys and I just blinked.

"Manik, I'm fine. First times are sometimes like that. You don't have to worry. I'm alright. A little blood is okay." I withdrew his hands which were cupping my face. He shook his head and frowned and I had to find lame tricks to coax my petrified husband.

***

It was lunchtime and everyone had gathered around our dining table. Cabir and Manik were the first to sit down for dinner, regardless of the fact that the women in the house were still waiting for everyone to join.

"Acchha Amma, aaj khaane main kya hai?" Manik rubbed his palms happily as he glanced at the variety of dishes.

"Manik, tumhara khaana toh kal raat hi mila hoga. Kyun Nandini?" Cabir had to shoot one of his sick jokes in front of everyone and I glowered at him. Thankfully, Amma and Appa didn't understand the double meaning behind his statement. The others giggled and Manik pressed his lips in annoyance.

"Excuse ME?" Cabir placed his finger on his lip and acted innocent and Amma began serving us. Appa was busy talking to the relatives in the house, who'd come to take part in the so-called wedding lunch.

"Manik beta, I have one wish." Amma smiled and I knew what it was. Somewhere I felt a small smile appear on my lips too.

"Haan Amma. Boliye?" He glanced at his empty plate, eager for food and looked at me. I fell for his look and passed a flying kiss for him from one corner to the other. He dreamily blinked and pretended to die out of happiness and I pressed my smile and mouthed a 'I love you' to him. He smiled and looked at Amma.

"I've always wished to feed my son-in-law on the day of his wedding but unfortunately it was a very tight schedule that time." Manik was excited now. The thought of food brought happiness to him.

"Koi na Amma. I'd love to be fed by you." He opened his mouth wide and Amma smiled. She placed a ball of sambar rice in his mouth and he chomped on it while still looking at me. He winked at me and I flushed. Everyone was looking at our PDA but he was too shameless to care.

Everyone sighed at that jerk except for Alya. She was hell distressed from the previous night, all thanks to me. However, I wouldn't blame myself. I was his legally wedded wife. We has spoken that morning and I had to genuinely apologize for my behavior.

"Alya, I wanna speak to you. I am honestly very sorry for last night. I was a little..." I didn't know what to say but I was seriously sorry from the bottom of my heart. It's so stupid of me to have behaved like that with my husband's friend.

"Yeah, Nandini... I understand. You don't have to explain. I know how you must be feeling. I am sorry. It has always been me who was the problem. I am sorry." I felt furthermore guilty and I wanted to do something to make her feel better.

"No Alya, I know I shouldn't have said that. I am really sorry. Just remember if you need anything, I'm always there okay?" I held her hands and she smiled at me compassionately.

"Are you sure?" I blinked to assure her.

"A hundred percent."

"Umm... Actually Nandini, don't tell anyone okay? Uhh... I think I kinda like Dhruv." She said in one breath and I smirked. Wasn't that so obvious? Like duh, they're literally hanging out together all day.

"Ahhh... How obvious!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if others know too. Not bad at all. I think he's a good person." I smiled and she looked really happy.

"You really think so?"

"Yep. And if I am not wrong, he secretly likes you too." I winked at her and she gleed. Ahh, how beautiful love feels. How could I explain that feeling, that distinct feeling I've never felt with anyone else before?

"I hope he does. And Nandini, I think you already know and I don't have to tell you but Manik loves you a lot. Like legit, a lot. Truly. He has never felt this way for anyone. You're really lucky Nandini." She smiled and I dreamily blinked, as I recollected her words from the morning.

As I watched him eat, flashes of my time with him replayed in my head. The way he used to sneak into my room to get his work done and of course annoy me, the way he used to butter my parents just to prove himself, the way he used to torture me, the way he cared for me when I was sick, his dirty dares to induce jealousy in me, his possessiveness when he saw me dancing with a stranger on his bachelors party, everything made me smile. I admired that beautiful man who sat in front of me, who didn't know he meant the world to me. Yes, maybe I wasn't entirely in love until yesterday, but last night made it all.

Manik had made me believe in love all over again. It no longer made sense for me to say Madhyam and I were in love because clearly, we weren't. For me, he was a stupid crush and he was always just a playboy who'd break so many hearts just for his happiness. His tricks to get my attention meant nothing to me. Nothing meant more to me than having Manik with me. I watched my man as he bonded with my family like his own. I loved Manik. Forever. Always.

***

"Nanduuu..." He called as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He placed his chin on my shoulder as he nuzzled into my neck while I packed our stuff.

"Ate well?" I asked with a small smile as I began folding his clothes. He moved closer to me, holding me tighter and I pecked his upper lip.

"Haan. Amma fed me na? She's amazing. Kya khaana banati hai! Wow!" He spoke dreamily in an attempt to make me jealous. I just pressed my lips in annoyance.

"Hmm..." I continued doing what I did and his smirk grew.

"Are you jealous, Nandu?" He smiled cheekily and turned me around swiftly. "Are you serious? You're jealous of your mother?"

"Manik, I know I don't have to feel jealous of anyone."

"You don't have to, Nandini. I love you more than anyone else in this entire world. Always have. Always will." He pecked my cheek and I pecked his lips. He closed in to me and I tried to distract him.

"Acchha, Manik, why did Cabir call you?" I asked as I began to put the clothes back in the suitcase.

"Ugh. Don't talk to me about him."

"Kyun? Kyun bulaya usne?" I asked, still not paying attention and he threw a box on the bed. I looked at it, and it looked discrete. I looked at Manik again and he huffed. I signaled him to explain.

"Condoms." My eyes popped out and Manik flushed. How embarrassing!

"What?" My jaw dropped as I heard the word. Shit! Condoms? What the hell was he thinking before he gave them to Manik? Eeks.

"He gave me condoms. For us." Manik said so confidently and I wanted to fall somewhere and die in embarrassment. His friends were making my life hell and Manik was only adding fuel to the fire by being so open about it.

"Manik! Tumhe bilkul bhi sharam nahi aati kya?" I made irked out faces and he frowned at me.

"Arre... Usse bolo na? Mujhe kya pata?"

"Chee..." I made ugly faces and he smirked. He came closer and I shrugged him off. "Don't touch me."

"Then who should touch you? Who else do you want to touch?" He asked in a controlled husky tone and I palpitated. Ever so quickly, he changed the topic though. "Acchha suno. I have four flavors now. Wanna try?" He whispered in my ear and I blushed.

"Chee... Vaise, Manik, uss bedsheet ka kya hua?" I tried to divert myself from the embarrassment but it looked like Manik didn't want that.

"Nandu... It's in the car. Ab topic change mat karo." He leaned into me and kissed me fervently. I gave in and the clothes in my hand dropped to the floor. "Vaise saree main bahut acchhi lagti ho and I love your hair when it's left loose." He broke the kiss and whispered into my ear and I stood on his feet, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Acchha... Aur kya-kya pasand karte ho?" I spoke in an equally controlled voice and he leaned closer.

"Sex." He murmured in my ear and I began giggling as he tried to tell me things to which I'd give in.

"Manik! Manik..." I giggled and he laughed. We were lost in our own world of care, happiness and love.

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(That's all for now guys. Do check out Like A Love Song. My first attempt on a concept like that so please shower you love for me there too. Thanks for all your wishes. Loads of love.)