(A/N: Hey hey! Okay I really need suggestions on what else you guys wanna see in this story, okay? Also, special shoutout to @paperchase6 for her spam on MTMM! Thank you so much sweetie 😭❤️ I'm so happy I have such wonderful readers. Vote comment share and and... suggestions please! 😂😭 Enjoy now!)

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It was beyond midnight. I was eagerly waiting for Manik to make his appearance. I'd baked him a cake on my own and made him some chicken biriyani with much difficulty. Anything for Manik though. I wore a black saree with a traditional simple South Indian border, draping it after some struggles. Anyways, it was meant to be ripped off! The doorbell rang. I was excited! I peeked through.

"Hey Manik!" I flung the door open, quickly wrapping my arms around his neck, tightly. He looked over his shoulder to see me, and then smiled to himself, hugging me tighter. As if he was lost in the moment, he stepped back to reality, distancing us. I pulled him in and shut the door, slamming him against it.

I placed my hands over his chest, seductively aiming his lips. His breaths instantly changed pace, as his hands held onto my waist, digging his fingers through my bare skin. "Manik..."

"Hmm..." He was lost, completely.

"Khaana khaalo pehle?" He nodded blindly, abashed by being caught up in the moment. I scooped some food onto his plate and stood behind him, holding the knobs of his chair. "This is surprise part one!" I was overly excited. He was exceptionally quiet.

"Manik, sab theek hai?"

"Hmm..." I was certain he wasn't okay. I dropped myself on a chair beside him, grabbing his hand in mine.

"Jhoot bhi bahut safai se bolte ho!" I scowled, to add to his annoyance.

"Kaash tumse woh quality seekhta."

"Huh?" With that, I was forcibly pulled onto Manik Malhotra's lap-obviously most convenient place for him to handle both his loves-caging me between them. A sudden gush of hormones shot through my body. I clung onto his neck, adjusting some of my hair behind my ear shyly. His face jerked closer to me, as he tried to focus on his anger towards me instead. I was violently nudged again.

"Tumhe pata tha na, Cabir aur uss... Navya ke baare main?" He hissed at the mention of her name. I never thought Manik could hate someone so much. She'd given him tons of reasons to do so, too. I knew there was no point backing out. After all, I did know, and I did intend to tell Manik.

"Manik..." One of my hands slipped down from the back of his neck to his chest. I gently tapped my fingers on it, playing with his shirt hem and all—just to get Manik in a more controllable mood. He wasn't budging.

"HAAN... ki NAHI?"

"Haan par..." His facial expressions showed no happiness at the piece of information I'd claimed. Arre I'm being honest, consequences bhi kam karwaao yaar!

"Bataya kyoon nahi mujhe?" He blinked once as his chin pointed at my nose. It was his way of showing he was highly pissed off without exerting any physical power!

"Manik, maine promise..."

"Promise? Like seriously?" He rolled his eyes and made ridiculous faces to himself. I tapped his cheek angrily, justifying my point.

"I didn't want to be the one telling you. Your friend needed to. It would be wrong of me..." He went on shaking his head in disbelief. His tongue drew circles on the insides of his cheeks as he gave me the 'really' look!

"Nandini... tumhe mere doston ki itni fikr hai, family ki bhi itni fikr hai, mera kya Nandini? You didn't think about us, right?" He wasn't upset, he wasn't crying. He was just devoid of emotion—it was the most frightening side of him.

"Manik..."

"Enough." He held his left palm out to me, closing his eyes signaling he was done. "I'm tired." He expected me to get up and let him leave, but I'd made myself comfortable. I wasn't leaving until Manik carried me to the bedroom to check out his surprise—not really a surprise!

"Main bataane hi wali thi, Manik, kal raat... but I didn't want to ruin our moment." I rubbed the back of his neck, eyeing his lips. Somehow, I'd captivated him in the process to stay with me. It was very unlike Manik Malhotra to be patient and all ears to somebody. Maybe he was serious about the serious relationship thing.

I ran my fingers along the sides of his face, and he turned to look at those fingers that embraced his cheeks. "Agar Cabir tumse promise karwaata, kya tum mujhe pehle batate?" I knew I'd struck the right chords when Manik's face changed into realization. I felt a hand touch my bare back, igniting the flames I'd been anticipating all evening. Can we just get done with this, the wait is killing me!

"Okay, tumne bataya nahi, it's fine. Cabir ko batana chahiye tha, sahi bol rahi ho. Par tumhe pata tha na, Navya kaisi hai..." Really? After seeing how madly in love Cabir was, what good could that have done? "...you could have warned him. He's like your brother na?" He was angry again. I didn't know where I should've touched him to calm him down that second time.

"He loves her, Manik. I can't convince him out of it. Can anyone convince you out of me, or vice versa?" I just exhaled, relieved that Manik hadn't gotten the wrong idea about my intentions.

"But he's hurt. He's stupid!" His mouth moved in silent curses. I leaned closer, with some efforts, placing my lips over the plump of his left cheek, kissing it softly. His grip tightened on me. He was calming down.

"You are hurt, Manik." I said, retreating from his cheek.

"Yes I am! Because of you. But if I were you, I'd do the same." The second sentence seemed like an acceptance of my act. He was such a sweetheart. I loved him so much.

"I'm sorry, Manik." I pecked his lips, not wanting to stretch through because of the chicken pieces he was munching on. Once a vegetarian, always a vegetarian! "I'm so happy you're taking these things seriously—like considering it could ruin our relationship—but I am being really honest when I say this... I did intend to tell you either ways." He nodded, licking his fingers. Somehow, the next moment we were on the floor, with my back on the ground and him hovering over me. My torso was caged between his arms, while he moved one of his knees to part my legs.

The saree wasn't helping either, and Manik was hella drunk. I giggled to myself as he struggled to balance himself and also pull off my saree. I figured I'd do the honors. His face lowered to my collarbone. Just then, the door flung open.

I forced Manik's face away from me, still holding his cheeks as I eyed the front door. Out there stood Cabir and Mukti, not very pleased. I blushed and covered my face with my hands while Manik gawked at me being shy and then gave them a bored look.

"Maine tujhe kya bola tha?!" Cabir was fuming in anger. Mukti's arms were crossed too, as she suspiciously studied Manik. I was just stuck in the middle of a sexy scene andtwo angry idiots. I looked at Manik to gain clarity, but he just rolled his eyes at Cabir.

Manik sat up, and I crossed my arms in embarrassment, trying to hide my not-so-exposed body parts. Cabir pounced on Manik, digging into his pocket.

"Cabir... CABIR, kya kar raha hai, hatt ja." Manik was almost screaming when Cabir forcibly stuck his hand into his pocket, making him uncomfortable. "I told you to call me once you entered." He waved Manik's phone at him.

"Aur Manik, yahan dining room main?" He rolled his eyes at her too, while I pressed my smirk, biting my nails.

"Out now, both of you!" He dragged them out despite my protests otherwise. The moment was over. We weren't going to continue from where we stopped even if they left. They could as well spend time with us, especially Cabir.

"Cabir, wait. How are you feeling now?" I said, pulling my saree that was loosely draped on my arm, and tucking it at my waist. Manik glanced at Mukti, and then at Cabir. It was a very awkward, uninformed moment we all shared. "I'm... okay." Mukti guessed something was fishy.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing." We said in unison, and then Manik wooed them out of our house, shutting the door and bolting it. I smiled at him, wrapping my arms around his neck, while leaning away from him to watch his adorable face.

"Only if you promise me iss surprise ke baad tum padhai karoge!" I had to put him off the mood with the mention of his upcoming exams, which people like Manik never really cared about preparing for. He rolled his eyes while I touched his nose and places near his mouth he wanted me to kiss, exciting him.

"Then you better make me wait less, because I'm as hungry as an animal!" I laughed as he lifted me in a fluid motion. I shook with him on it, reiterating the 'studying' part and he just gave in easily, to get into bed. I was placed on the bed, that I'd scented up and thrown chocolate bars on. Part two of my surprise! "So Mrs. Manik Malhotra, I see you're sorry! Why don't you apologize, properly?"

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(Ahem! Ab iske baad kya hoga? Guys, some ideas please, it's going to be hard thinking about constant cute moments, you guys tell me what you wanna see in the updates! :) Good enough? Yaaay!)

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Part-2: (continued)

I was helping Amma chop vegetables for dinner. Apparently, she was very guilty of having kept me away from Manik. She always had a soft corner for him; he was just so adorable and handsome! How could someone not like him? Except Appa of course: he's a man!

Amma was being extra nice to me, allowing me to ease out a little and talk about Manik. "Amma, mujhe Manik bahut pasand hai." I was yet again trying to convince her about how much he meant to me. She gave me a look while the vegetables in the pot fried.

"Uske exams hai na?" I nodded with a smile. She smiled along with me, in understanding. "Usse padhne do pehle." The problem was that big baby wouldn't study if I wasn't around. It should actually be the other way around—he should be distracted if I am around—but he's distracted either ways! I hopped off the countertop, to check on him.

*Nandini: How's my bubby doing?* I sneaked into his profile picture, that had me hugging him around his waist, with my eyes closed in happiness, while he made an excited expression, that we clicked in Melbourne. Maybe Melbourne was a nice trip, except for the quarrels!

In about two seconds, Manik came online. I was sure he didn't touch a page!

*Manik: He was bored until his baby texted! 😍*

I found myself smiling at the baby I was stuck with!

*Nandini: Manik, are you studying? 😒*

I could imagine him sulking at my lecture, yet again. Of course he had his dad's business to inherit if all failed, but that didn't mean he shouldn't have any goals of his own. I wanted him to be self sufficient and gain some name and fame for himself, not because of his family business.

*Manik: It's so boring, I have 400 pages left and like 3 days! 🙄*
*Oi, 😍 You come over na?*

Though I wanted the same, Manik was one hard man to convince, especially if I was facing his charming face. 

*Nandini: No no, I know for sure what you'll do if I come there. You better study, Malhotra! 😡 I won't see you until exams agar tumhare nakre aise chalte rahe toh! 😏*

That seemed to do the trick for him. He just needed to be physically around me, as much as he could. If that was denied, he'd become one wild man. He was such a cutie—I love him!

*Manik: Fine. 😐 I'm going. Jaa raha hoon main!*
*Nandini, see I'm going okay?*
*FINE. I'm ACTUALLY going 🙄*

I didn't realize he spammed me with some messages. When I did, his ironic statements made me giggle.

*Nandini: Haan toh jao na 😏*

*Manik: OKAY! 😡*

I pressed my smile, trying to wait and check how long it'd take for another message to come from his end and-

*Manik: Tum abhi bhi ho?*

*Nandini: Manik 😂*

*Manik: 🙄💔*

He was such a baby! I switched my phone to 'vibrate' mode and went to change into my nightdress. I was trying my best to not think about Manik and get obsessed and distract him, but the sight of some delicious food reminded me of him again.

"So Rishab, when is your vacation starting?" I was trying hard to distract myself! Literally with Manik Malhotra in my life, no distractions really helped either.

"2 weeks di! Like literally I need to go for just another 12 days! Phir Diwaaali!" And Manik's results will be popping too, like fireworks! Again Manik?

"Di, dial Manik's number na? Mujhe baat karni hai." I widened my eyes, unlocked my phone, tapped his number and then gave it to my brother. I was already dreading Manik going all super cheesy, especially to my brother!

"Hey baby! I knew you would-" Rishab was stunned.

"Jiju!"

"Oh... Rishab! Shit! Hi champ!"

They had a long brother-in-law chat and then Rishab came to the main point of the conversation. "I called you to wish you all the best! Exams ke liye!"

"Haha! That's so sweet! Ab pakka pass ho jaaunga dekhna!" Rishab giggled too. Now I was curious of what Manik was saying to him. "Acchha waise... tumhari didi hai wahan aas paas?" I didn't realize until then.

"Haan yahi hai, she's making faces." I nudged my brother in annoyance.

"Haan, phir bolenge mere nakhre zyaada ho gaye hai!"

"Nahi nahi Jiju, Nandini di aisi hai, drama queen!" Okay, that's enough now young man! I grabbed the phone away.

"Manik, bye!"

***

I was walking back from college, when I heard sneaky footsteps behind. I turned around before he could scare me and poor kid got frightened! It was such an awesome sight to watch though!

I enquired about his exams. "Psychology done! 3 more to go!"

"How did it go?"

"Sexy! Pass toh ho jaana hai!" He rubbed his hands in excitement at the sight of the canteen. He pulled me straight through, shooing some people off their table to make space for him and I! He ordered a zillion food items, and made a pact to share them with me though he never shared food.

We cuddled and I giggled while he threw an arm around me, nuzzled into my ear, and did those cheesy couple stuff! I wasn't a big fan of PDA but Manik could NEVER allow it to pass. Also, I was away from him for the most part so he needed his compensation! "Manik, can I ask you something? Don't get upset?" The food arrived and Manik was more than excited to eat. Why was I always stuck with him whenever he ate? It pissed me off that he didn't pay much attention to me!

"Pucho na?" He munched on a granola bar, sipping some orange juice along with it. The combination didn't sound really appetizing to me. I irked and he laughed.

"Tumko life main kya karna hai aage?" He let go of me slowly, trying to dab his lips off the food. He swallowed slowly, and began talking with the food in his mouth, crunching occasionally.

"You know honestly Nandini, this whole Music band idea is failing. Look my friends are like all over the place now, in jail, in a relationship crisis... it's all a mess! I want a break from all this drama in my life. I just want to be with you." By then, I was back into his chest. He had wrapped me along the side of his body, kissing the top of my head, where I'd have to place vermillion.

Somewhere down the line, even I realized how hard it must be for him to put up with all the drama. Like getting a friend put behind bars is a tough thing to take in. Manik was fragile, but morally I knew my decision was right.

I was trying to be serious in our relationship too. I was taking efforts to think beyond our current situation and Manik's current mindset wanted nothing to do with studies! "Even I want to be with you, Manik. But think about it, aage you should study, work... we'll have a family..." At the mention of family, his face lit up again! He was such a cutie pie!

"Yeah, 11 babies! I want my own football team!" He raised his eyebrows in challenge, asking if I was ready for executing his plans. I was shocked at his confession.

"Which is definitely not happening! We'll have just one baby, who'll get all our love and care-no sharing his parents with anyone!"

"Why should it be HIM? No, it'll be a girl! I have the capability to make a girl." He smirked to himself, drinking some more orange juice. I felt a hit on my ego, as I grabbed the glass off his lips, spilling some juice onto him.

"Oh really? You?" I was smirking too by then. I placed the glass to my lips and took a long sip.

"Of course!"

"Let's see!" He turned around to see the people gathered around us. He leaned into me.

"You want to see... now?" His eyes were like saucers, though sarcastically. I was suddenly a deep shade of red. I pushed him irritated with his stupid tricks to embarrass me.

"NO!" He munched on some peanut butter sandwich triangles. We'd deviated from the topic. We were kids, what were we thinking about serious stuff?! I smiled. "Back to the point, Manik."

"Arre, karlunga na bubba kuch! Dad ka business bhi hai, ho jaayega kuch na kuch. Abhi se tension kyoon le rahi ho?" I nodded, having faith in him. I had to make some rules though, which I began plotting while Manik enjoyed his meal.

***

I had come over to our place about 20 minutes ago, and Manik was apparently interested in swimming. He was in his boxer swimshorts when he opened the door. I was thinking he wanted to do something else but no! Isko toh swimming hi karni thi!

I was reading magazines, tapping my phone ridiculously to pass time but nothing helped. I jumped off the lounge chair in the apartment swimming arena. I crouched near the edge of the pool. "Manik, baahar aajao, I'm bored."

"But I want to swim." He popped his head back onto the surface of the pool. He swam back to the edge where I was, and threw his elbows onto the wet stone edge. Okay, Nandini Malhotra, start your drama!

"You don't want to be with me?" I made sure to make an extremely sad expression, like a literal frown and as expectd, that didn't go well with him.

He made a baby face, trying to cajole me. "Of course I want to be with you..." Yes! Back to normal!

"Then? Come."

"No. We'll swim!" He wiggled his feet behind him in the water, trying to show me how fun it was. I rolled my eyes.

"Wow! Superb idea! I don't know swimming!"

"I'll carry you, don't worry I won't let you fall." See, can he stop being so cute all the time? I'm crying.

"But I want to learn." He nodded but it didn't take him more than a minute to use that opportunity to his advantage.

"Ooo, which reminds me, swimsuit!"

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(Tell me Manik is cute! Yes I know, :P what about Nandini? Also just to mention, this story won't have very bold content, like I won't elaborate on any of their romance that much, okay? I hope that's fine because I'm kinda liking their cute relationship. Thank you so much for the support. I'm hoping the response increases slowly. After the weekend, I'll give daily updates, if you guys are interested in the story still. Thanks! Vote, comment and follow/share, whatever you haven't done yet! 🙈)