Nandini's POV

I felt so relieved knowing that he does NOT love that actress... it's like sudden waves of happiness n contentment washed my heart shore.

Then he asked for a chance!

His eyes held the honesty for his words, his eyes held the guilt for his deed, he seems sincere of each and every word he said. Since the very day he was guilty, n has been apologizing for a week.

Moreover, I don't want to destroy this marriage relation which got me a new family, a caring, loving, crazy yet happy family. I got Mom, who loves me like her own daughter, take care of my needs, whether I eat food or not, what I feel; sisters-in-laws who r more like own sister n friends, with whom I can be myself, who'll stand for me; brothers-in-laws who make u feel like u r their own sister n they would protect u from all evil forces, and a cute little Arjun, who keep all of us alive. Perfect Happy family that one could ever get!

I looked at Manik, who is waiting impatiently for my answer. I released a deep audible sign before walking to the hall n sitting on the sofa. He followed n stood in front.

"Nandini?" I patted the seat beside me indicating him to sit. He sat with me, not so far.

"I don't wanna break this marriage even though we r forced" I spoke much to his surprise maybe, becoz he looked really like he didn't expect to hear it. He remains silent n I proceed.

"I never got to experience this feelings of love, care n togetherness with my own parents which I'm getting here, in my in-law's house.

From the very moment Rishu was born, when I was just 1, he was very weak n Maa got complications during her delivery. Rishu was premature birth so, to take full care of him my parents send me to my Amms, my Grandma. First, I used to cry n miss my parents a lot, of course, I was so small to be separated, but slowly with Amms' care, her storytelling, her love, I grew up.
Then when I passed class 5th, mom-dad came to take me back to the city for my further studies as the school in the village was primary only. By that time, I was so attached to Amms that I couldn't cop up with her loss. But Amms didn't want to come to the city in her last days n wanna spend time in her motherland.
Somewhat with great difficulties, I got myself together n joined higher school & stayed in the hostel only, not with my parents. Becoz that time Dad's business was budding n mom used to get tired taking care of Rishu only. As they know, I'm strong n I understand, they put me in the hostel. Well, I don't oppose much or cried that time as I was not that close to them from the past 7yrs.

During my school, I made many friends, but only two of them were really my true friends. I got the love, care, protection, attachment, everything, only from them n only for them. They became my guide, my mentor who could tell me what's wrong n what's right, they scold me when I do any mischief, they made me recognize n rectify my mistakes. They did everything that probably my parents n siblings should have done."

By this time, I don't get to know that tears had made their way from my eyes. I only got to sense when I felt Manik's reassuring hand on my hand which is on my thigh. I looked at him with my teary eyes only to meet his concern moist eyes. I didn't know when I started to go deep into the buried hurting past...

I took so deep breaths while closing my eyes before opening it again with a faint smile, I continued...

"It's not like I'm complaining against my parents that they don't love me, they don't care and all...  I know they love, they care for me as much as Rishu.
Rishab needed attention n care that time n I'm glad they did that. Otherwise, I couldn't have got this strong, healthy, smart brother as I have now. He's the best thing my parents got me.

What am I saying is- your family is too loving to be lost. I don't wanna lose them. It's too rare to get such a loving joint family now-a-days." I ended with a smile playing in my lips with the eyes rid of tears n dry tears stuck in my cheeks.

"So.... ..... u mean u have forgiven me & ready to give me a chance?" he sounded unsure but hopeful. I again went mum.

I don't know if I should just forgive him, forget everything n get into being his wife from a stranger, after all these.

"I don't know about giving our married life a chance!" I took a pause while reading his face which fell pale.

"If u are me, will u be able to forget n forgive for whatever u have done n accused me off ever since I got in ur life?" I tried making myself clear and keep every point in front of him. I've still not forgotten how he judge my profession n called be murdered in disguise of a doctor.

He seems to be lost in thoughts so I added "Leave that..... Maybe we can try being friends n getting to know each other" I lighten up the tension in the atmosphere between us. For strangers talk, I talk a bit too much today. Why? I don't know!

He looked satisfied with my proposal n shifted a bit on the sofa to face me. "Okay! Let's get to know each other from the very start."

"Hi! I'm Manik Malhotra, naam toh suna hi hoga (Must have heard my name)!" He forwarded his hand. I chuckle at his choice of words.

"Haan! I've heard a lot about u. Btw, I'm Nandini... Nandini Murty" I shake hands with him. Hearing my intro, his face change for a nanosecond, but he managed to keep his smile intact.

"So, May I ask u for a coffee now?" he asked.

"Oh! straight to coffee date! Not bad!" I commented raising my eyebrow n he laughed it off.

"But where will we go now?"

"Nowhere. I'll brew special coffee for my new friend" he answered getting up n heading to the kitchen.

"I'll help. My new Friend!" I too followed n we took out coffee, sugar, milk n cups to make it.

Actually he was making the coffee n I was just passing the items, while we converse small things like our hobbies, interests, likings, dislikings, family...

Hot Coffee got into the cup, ready in less than 5 minutes n we both held it n walked to the lawn. It is 4 in the evening n Fab4 r yet to come. We get seated at the chairs at lawn n started talking randomly, while sipping the coffee n viewing the nature.

I'm amazed myself that how can I talk so freely, so easily with one whom I made a friend just an hour ago.  Maybe becoz I know him a way before an hour!

After like hours talking about each other childhood incidents, our career, friends, colleagues, when I was telling him about my career as a doctor, my journey... he was listening to each n everything keenly

He suddenly asked, "Why didn't u change ur surname yet?" I became silent as to what should I answer to this?

As if he could sense my tension, "Am- it's okay, I just..." I cut him off.

"I... Changing surnames in the profession need legal documents to work on. and since our marriage news is not public yet, I didn't bother much." I replied honestly. Actually, I never thought of it before!

"Oh" he nodded in understanding.

"Actually, my season shoot is over now, and about the problem in shareholding in our company, Mom said that it'll be solved very soon. Then we can hold our reception." I informed what I've discussed with mom yesterday.

"Okay!" I answered not knowing what to feel with this news.

Then we went silent for a while, and I could sense that he wanted to say something but hesitating n glancing at me again n again.

"U wanna say something?" I finally asked.

"n-no... um- yes!" he shakes his head then bobbed indicating his hesitation. I raised my eyebrows questioning.

"Um-U... u said that Aryaman is one of ur best friends since school times." he paused looking at me. I nodded for him to continue.

"So, U love him?"

"Yes!" I answered spontaneously n honestly. I saw his face fell. Then it strikes me, what he means by the question, I've told him this way, that night.

"Not romantically though!" I added which he took some time to process n soon screamed

"Really?" I smiled internally seeing her face turning bright again.

"I mean- really? U said that u love him. and he has proposed u many times???" He now in normal tone n questioned.

"That's true. he has confessed his love for me many times. he looks sincere too, but he's never forced me to return his feelings. 'I'll be always there for u, whatever relation we held' that's what he says." I replied remembering Arya's words. Our days.

"So, u mean, u don't feel for him as lovers?" he asked with curious eyes, dying hard to know the anticipated answer.

"I do love him. a lot actually. He is one of my childhood true friends and too precious to lose. Although we r very close to each other, even our classmates used to think that we r dating. But, I never feel romantically towards him.
I don't wanna make my best friend as boyfriend. Maybe because if we broke up one day or fight, then I won't have the best friend to stand for me."

As I finished telling him honestly, he was looking at me in deep thought. So, I cheered... "u tell me, any girlfriends?

"No" straightforward instant answer.

"Not even ex?" I asked leaning slight forward n curious eyes.

"What do u think?" he acted innocent leaning back with a smirk.

"Well, taking ur popularity amongst girl into consideration, u surely having at least 10 exes."

"Haha... Did google say that?" he laughed. He doesn't look bad while laughing though!

"No. Entertainment news about celebrities r not always true. And it was my pure guess." I shrugged.

"I'm glad u don't believe the news. And, for ur information, I had girlfriends. Not 10 but 2, but I never loved them. I just had to know how it feels."

"Oh" I felt something in the heart.

"just o..." he was about to add something when the horn blew indicating that Fab4 has arrived. I checked it's 6, the sky is turning dark.

I don't felt when time flew while talking to him. Our first proper talk!

Manik's POV

We, Fab5 along with Nandini walked into the jam room. Nandini is walking ahead with Mukti n Alya while I, Cabir n Dhruv behind them.

"So, how's ur date with ur wife?" Cabir whisper in my ears. I've told him that I'm asking Nandini for lunch.

"Good!" I tried acting normal but my lips twisted in smile remembering our time together.

"I can see that" he grinned while I glared at him but end up smiling foolishly. What's happening to me?

"So, finally blue voice is gonna be our female lead." Alya chirped as we all settled inside the room.

"It will be the first time of Blue voice working with someone other than Maddy or solo." Mukti stated.

"Right! Even when I informed my manager, he literally freaked out. Like if I'm ill or what as I agreed on it on my own." Nandini chuckled sharing it.

"So, as per the contract, we've to make 3 songs together. So, what type of song we should make?" Dhruv asked.

"Ya! generally, we used to make songs on friendship, or love. And Blue voice's preference is emotionally romantic. ... So, let's make something Romantic as our leads ur real life partners." cabir suggested while I looked at Nandini who too looked at me.

"Great"  "Great idea" "perfect" all voiced.

"So, Manik, u have any lyrics?" Mukti asked.

"Hun? No. I don't have any."

"I ... I have but incomplete."Nandini said much to our surprise.

"U write songs too?" Alya exclaimed.

"u mean all the songs u sang were ur lyrics?" Dhruv asked with wide eyes. We all looked at her for an answer. Her every song r not only a good voice but lyrics r also heart-touching.

"Not every, but 80% r mine" she answered n I felt so proud.

"Okay! So, give those incomplete lyrics, it may work for us." Mukti demanded.

"Ya! ... Oh! it's at home" She turned to her bag but remember that she doesn't have it.

"Oh no!"

"Wait! I may have its picture." she scrolls her phone while we r praying that she may get it.

"Yes! here it is!" she gave her phone to me.

"Uljhi si baatein dil Mujhse bhi baantein To Mehar. Mehar. meherbaniya" I read the lyrics while looking at her in amusement in between.

"Let's tune the melody" I declared and we first opened my phone to record it for future correction n then, we grabbed our instruments. I tuned my guitar first n created the music. I gestured Nandini, who is standing listening to the tune, to start to sing... she did... Beautifully... and soon others joined in instruments n I continued singing looking at the lyrics...

https://youtu.be/QJyK_baNrRE

She continued the incomplete lyrics on her own n we carried on... She is looking at me time to time as if singing for me... then I too added the lyrics on my own completely looking at her...

Then when we completed...

"Woww... that was amazing"

"Mindblowing... perfect" I'm just eyeing at her who is smiling listening to the compliments.

"of course... after all the perfect couple would have a perfect partnership in making a piece of perfect music." Cabir commented eyeing us. I smiled happily with his referring to us as 'perfect couple'.

"So, Lyrics completed... Now, let's eat something... we'll practice it properly another day.
Now, I'm hungry!" Alya spoke n Cabir agreed.

We walked out crabbing our belongings to head back home... after the First amazing day, after my married life.

So, do u like it, Manan's fresh start?

Word about Nandini's childhood?

Word for Manan talk?

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