(A/N: Sorry for the looooong delay. Actually I've been out of town so this entire update has been written in detail. So I am planning to end the story in 50 chapters and then maybe add excerpts and an epilogue and then a new season. Anyways, hope you like this update. Next part will be uploaded shortly. Love, your writer.)

---------------

I was getting ready to college. I was brushing my hair when Manik walked into the room and sat on the bed, leaning back to have a good glance at me. I felt his intense gaze and I walked over to the other side of the room.

"Aise kya dekh rahe ho?" I asked in a confused and questioning tone and he cleared his throat and shifted his gaze away. I felt my cheeks heat up. To avoid any more embarrassment, I turned the doorknob to leave the room.

"No wait... So does your stomach hurt now?" He jumped off the bed and hit his back against the door in two seconds, closing it shut. I panicked and hopped back in reflex.

"WHAT?" He had literally scared the shit out of me for this stupid confusion.

"I mean... Women complain about cramps and pain and shit. You are fine, right?" He bent to see my expressions and I smirked, lifting my head to see him. I walked out of the room, grabbed my sandals and wore them, while making eye contact.

"Are you always so protective about me or do you just suddenly see a need to be because you think I am weak?" I said with that constant smirk plastered over my face and he shrugged indifferently.

"I was just trying to be an understanding husband. Kuch karu toh problem aur agar kuch na karu, toh bhi gussa karti ho!" He muttered under his breath and I made cute realization expressions, the ones you make when you realize how cute someone is.

"Awww... You're so cute." I ruffled his hair and he frowned.

"Nandini! It took 10 minutes to do that. Now it won't look the same. All my hard-work is a waste of time." He whined as he adjusted his hair repeatedly, failing every time.

"You look better casual than formal, Manik. You look sexy in formal, no doubt but when you're in casuals, you're boyfriend material. Just perfect for me." I tugged his tee and I leaned into his chest. My chin rested on his chest and his arms were comfortably wrapped around me.

"Vaise Nandini, are you sure you're going to wear white today?" He peeped to see my leggings and I gave a quick look at them and then saw the smile that was creepily growing on his face. My jaw dropped and I shook my head in embarrassment.

"Manik! Shut up." I looked away, slapping his chest and hitting him while he was laughing.

"Nahi matlab, I won't be there to protect you today, at least until the exam. So just warning." He whispered against my ear and I shuddered. Hell! This guy can't affect me that much.

"I can take care of myself." I said, pushing him away and making myself sound confident but I knew I failed terribly.

"Of course." He said with that same sarcasm in his tone. I grunted and walked away quickly and he followed me helplessly.

"Now, I seriously can't touch you until your days are over?" He followed like a lost puppy, desperate for my attention. I turned to him and my hair flipped against his face. He closed his eyes and looked at me dreamily. I leaned closer and his eyes glistened with desire.

"In your dictionary, 'touch' has a different meaning so for you, yes, you're not." I ran his finger along his chest and neckline seductively and he huffed and grabbed my hand.

"Come on Nandu." He nagged and I giggled.

"Just 4 days Manik." I tried to convince him but he looked disappointed.

"It's not easy, Nandini. All the more, dealing with you is stressful. Especially when you suddenly behave too immature and dumb." I passed a deadly glare to him and he freaked out. "Okay, don't take it offensively." I hit him playfully and he grabbed me by my waist. He wrapped one of his arms around my waist and lifted me with his arm effortlessly and the other arm locked the house door.

***

"Nandiniiii..." He ran towards me and hugged me tight. I just wrapped my arms around him gently and he broke apart. "I scored 73% in my Social Studies test. Thanks a ton, love." He kissed my cheek quickly and I turned red.

I looked around to see if anyone was watching and then embarrassed by his act, I nudged him gently and smiled shyly. "Manik! You never outgrow the need to display your love for me na?"

"Come on Nandini. You are so special to me. I need to show you off. I need to show people you're mine, especially creepy guys who give you those kinda looks..." He pointed to his left to show a group of guys ogling me. I pushed my head nervously into his chest and he wrapped a protective arm around me.

"Manik, I love you." I gave him a light peck on his cheek, despite all the people around and he blushed cutely. He looked extremely adorable like that. Ahh. How much I loved him!

"I love you more than you can ever think of, Nandini." He cupped my cheeks, brushing the hair, covering my face, away and placing a soft kiss on my head. It felt like the cutest thing any guy would've ever done to his girl. I wrapped my hands around his arm and leaned on his shoulder.

"Take me home, boyfriend." I whispered and he smiled. He put his arm around my body, pulling me into himself and then led the way to the bike.

***

The music was booming loud in our house. Manik's friends had created havoc in our absence. Nevertheless, it felt good to have people visit. As soon as we entered the house, the girls turned to look at us.

We greeted each other with a smile and then Navya popped out of nowhere. So these days she hangs out a lot with the Fab 5 eh? Surprising.

"Aaj pool party hai guys, join us na?" She shouted at us, against the loud music and I covered my ears and pushed into Manik's body. Manik knew how much loud music or noise affected me and put his hands over my ears.

"Guys, reduce the goddamned volume." He shouted and they did turn it down. He slowly released his hands from my ears and leaned to check if I was okay. I nodded with a small smile and he threw a protective arm around me.

"We're sorry. We didn't know..." Mukti blurted apologetically and I gave an assuring smile.

"It's okay Mukti. It's fine really." Navya glanced at Manik and then me again.

"So about the pool party..." She started off and I looked at Manik. Perhaps he thought the same. He cleared his throat and I composed myself. Maybe he would tell them?

"Uhh... Actually not today. Like I have a little cold..." He faked a sniff and I looked a little astonished. "...and yeah, I don't think it's a good idea for us to join you today." He said with a meek smile and a drowsy, boring face. I blinked at him and then turned to face the others who were ready to charge at me.

"But why not Nandini then? Like you have cold. She can come na?" Navya threw the comment and I looked at the floor and then back at Manik. He just shook his head in dismissal.

"No..." He stated, firmly. "Umm... I mean... I need her to be with me." He pulled me towards him and I gave him a warm smile.

"Guys, I am not coming anywhere if Manik isn't joining along. So you guys can carry on." I wrapped my arms around his waist and they sighed.

"Alright then. We'll party. If you guys are fine, join us at 7 pm, Cabir's place. Guys, let's leave. Bye Manik. Bye Nandini." They waved at us as they left the room with their books and bags. I gave a gentle wave and as soon as they left, I shut the door and pulled Manik towards me.

"Tumne sacchh kyun nahi bataya?" I grabbed his collar and pulled him until he stumbled to his feet and his face was centimeters away from mine.

"Because I thought you didn't want everyone to know. I thought you trusted me enough to not tell anyone else so..." He stated and I kissed him hard. Like I was legit kissing the life out of him. It wasn't long until he began responding with equal or maybe, more desire.

"Manik, I love you." I placed my head against his.

"I love you more than anyone else, Nandini." He placed his hands on my cheeks, grabbing my hair gently as we stayed in each other's proximity.

***

"Umm... Nandini, Mom called this afternoon. She asked whether we could go over. It's my baby niece's birthday, Zyrah's." He asked in a very soft tone and I scrutinized to think about it. Zyrah?

"Oh yeah... Awww... That little one? Yeah sure. We'll go." I nodded childishly and he grit his teeth in embarrassment.

"Sure?"

"A hundred percent." I said confidently and he smiled.

"Alright then. You just get ready and come. I'll change and get the car. We might stay there for a little longer than just today. Is it okay?" I smiled and assured and he looked pleased. He pat my arm gently and playfully and I giggled. He went past me into the room and I followed along, to fetch some clothes for the party and also for the stay.

***

Manik was working in the kitchen with his mother, trying to bake the cake for the birthday baby and it looked nothing less than the after effects of a hurricane. Flour and sugar were being tossed around the kitchen recklessly. There were a couple of baking pans on the floor, greased with butter, grossing the floor out. Not to mention the two failed attempts of the cakes that were being slaughtered out of the baking pans, for disposal. I was strictly forbidden from entering the kitchen or doing any work whatsoever and all thanks to Manik, I could never have my ways, at least when he couldn't be easily convinced. I had a hearty laugh looking at the mother and son behaving immaturely. Nyonika Mom was about to grab some vanilla essence and Manik literally leaped like a frog to stop her.

"Nandini, no! She doesn't like vanilla. We need chocolate only." He ordered strictly and shoved the vanilla essence back into the cupboard. His mother frowned and hit him playfully.

"Manik, stop acting kiddish. We burnt two chocolate cakes. Vaise main tumhari Mom hun, Nandini nahi." She said with a small smirk but Manik didn't realize until later on.

"But still that..." He processed her sentence and stopped midway. He gaped at her for a moment and looked away, embarrassed.

"You love her so much, don't you?" His mother leaned towards him, to have a look at him and he flushed. He began whisking the batter rapidly to avoid her attention.

"I do. A lot." He said in a low tone, still working continuously. She smiled a smile of happiness and pat his cheek gently.

"Does she take better care of you than me?" She smiled faintly and Manik sighed. How could he explain the love he had for his mother is different from his love for me?

"Mom... You and her aren't the same..." He sighed in remorse and Nyonika Mom just smiled.

"You accidentally called your mother your wife's name, Manik." A tear escaped her eyes and Manik was speechless.

"I..."

"She takes good care of you, even better than I can or ever will. That's all that matters. My son is happy. I am contended." She wiped her tears swiftly and smiled. Probably she was emotional about her son going away from him, even if it was just in terms of physical distance.

"Mom, come on na? I'm still your son and you're still my mom. Forever." He pulled her in for a comforting hug and the mother and son got all emotional.

"Chalo. Beta toh ho tum mera hi. Tumhari Nandini toh voh rishta cheen nahi sakti." She said with a cheerful tone.

"She never will, Mom." Manik assured and I knew I had the best husband ever.

I overheard their conversation and smiled. It was true Manik took extremely good care of me when I needed it. He never expected anything in return. Don't I love him too? I should be doing the same to him. If not protect, I can at least take care of him, right? Right.

Just then the door burst open and the baby shrieked in happiness. Manik jumped and rushed to see his niece, with his hands covered in cake batter.

"Zyrahhhh babyyyy... Aaule aaule aaule... How cute! My baby!" He carried her from his cousin's arms and pressed his lips tightly onto her cheek. She cringed and tried hard to push him away and I giggled. He nuzzled into her cheek and she began babbling and laughing. Manik looked up to see me, admiring them.

"Nandu... Zara cake dekho na? Jali toh nahi?" He asked and I went quickly into the kitchen to check on it.

"Nahi Manik!" I shouted from there and came back to have a look at them. He winked at me playfully and I felt my cheeks redden.

"Baby ka birthday hai. Baby ko kya chahiye birthday ko?" He kept galloping on the spot to induce a feeling of energy in her and she smiled wide. He was her favorite uncle.

"Dolaemon. Dolaemon chahiye."

"Dolaemon chahiye mere baby ko? Chalo hum jaate hai Dolaemon kharidne. Chachi ko 'bye' bole?" He waved at me childishly and I smiled. I liked how he behaved when he was with little kids. Carefree and happy. It reflected his personality. He carried the little one and walked towards me. He leaned into my ear.

"Nandu, get the decor done na, please?" He requested softly and I nodded. "Yaay thanks." He pecked my cheek quickly and I could feel the entire crowd watching us. "I love you. I'll miss you. Bye." He blew a kiss at me and then put his hand behind her to support her. "Chalo baby, let's get you a Dolaemon." He brushed her hair away from her face and took her out. I stood there, still trying to hide my embarrassment. I went inside whispering something.

"He's a gem."

"So are you." Nyonika Mom said from behind me. I turned back to look at her and she smiled warmly. She paced towards me. "But just because he cares for his niece a lot, don't give him a baby so soon."

"Hehe..."

"I would suggest, for the wellbeing of both of you, to complete your education, settle well in life and then take the next step in your relationship."

"We understand, Mom. Thanks for always being there." I hugged her and she placed her hand over my head, showing a caring gesture.

"Chalo ab. Don't make me cry okay? Let's decorate the place before my son comes." I nodded and we began arranging the decorations.

***

I went to Manik's old room, which was now mine too, where we had placed our luggage. I looked around to find my party dress when my eyes fell on something. I immediately got up, picked it up and opened it. I found a note.

Hey,
I know this is a party and all but I got this for you. It's up to you though, whether you wear it or not. I am sure it'll look amazing on you.
Love,
Manik ❤️

I placed the dress over me and looked at myself in the mirror. It indeed looked pretty.

I smiled as I opened the other accessories he'd sent along. He'd sent bracelets to suit the dress he'd sent and it seemed so thoughtful of him to have done that.

I quickly dressed myself, applied some mascara and eyeliner and put on some subtle coral shaded lipstick. I slightly curled my hair too, to make myself look a little more feminine in that outfit. I twirled around once in front of the mirror. Good enough.

I threw my little half-white bag over my shoulder and headed down to check on the essentials before the party begun. It seemed many college staff were invited too, so it was a good decision that I stuck with Manik's outfit rather than some revealing outfit.

Just as I went down, I heard Manik's voice chirping through the house. He along with his niece were blowing party whistles and blowers and it was like a parade had come home. I peeped and looked at him. As soon as he stepped in, his eyes scanned the place to find me. Though he was trying to act like he was enjoying with his niece, he still searched for me. For a second, I got a little emotional about the thought that he loved me so much. A little tear popped out of my eye and I swiftly brushed it away, still hiding from him. Nyonika Mom smiled at me and signaled me that she'll hide me from Manik. She took the coffee tray and stepped out of the kitchen.

"Manik, lo." She held the tray out to him and Manik put the baby down. His eyes again swiftly scanned the kitchen and then he gaped at his mother for answers.

"Mom, Nandini kahan gayi?" He raised his eyebrows in surprise as I was missing and that was something he didn't think would happen. Mom looked at him and a smile creeped on her face, which she quickly masked away.

"Uhh... Actually beta, Nandini na... Vapas ghar chali gayi. Voh kya hai, decorations sab khatam karke she went home to get ready for college. College jaa bhi chuki hogi abhi tak." She said in a very disappointed tone, looking at the floor and Manik cringed in confusion.

"College? Aaj? Aise kaise mujhe bina bataye jaa sakti hai? I'll just give her a call..." He slipped his phone out of his pocket but his mother immediately took it away from him.

"Nahi Manik. Call mat karo. She left because uska professor hai na, voh Raghav, he wanted to meet her." She stammered as she tried to make excuses to supposedly keep us away. Manik's eyes popped out as soon as he heard Raghav Sir's name. They would never get along.

"WHAT? Why today though? I should get going. She might need me." He immediately took a step towards the door but his mother held his arm.

"But yahan Zyrah ka birthday hai. Tum vahan kaise jaa sakta hai?" She frowned at him and he heaved a huge, sorrowful sigh.

"But Mom, Nandini aise kabhi nahi kar sakti. Maine uske liye dress bhi..." He stopped mid-sentence. He glanced at his mother, who seemed a little surprised and then shook his head, to clear the statement. "I mean... Bina bataye... nahi jaati voh." He looked to the floor and glanced secretly at her.

"Teek hai. Ab coffee pilo. Phir chale jaana usse dhoondne." She handed the coffee to him and he smiled. He drank it as quickly as he could and gave the cup back to Nyonika Mom.

"Mom I'll leave. I'll be back before the party begins. Bye." He gave her a side hug and headed out to find me. As soon as he left, Mom smiled at me and signaled me a thumbs up.

------------

(So please vote and comment if you liked it. Thanks a ton for being of constant support. Means a lot to me. Stay blessed. Loads of love to all of you.)