Manik's POV

I checked my wristwatch impatiently hoping for the time to move faster and get 4:30 am sooner... but seems like time has taken the oath not to listen to me. It just moves 5 minutes since like ever and it's just 3 am at midnight now.

I'm leaning on my bed with complete darkness n silence, but sleep is far away from my eyes...
Why?

Because My wife, Nandini who's left me from 19hrs 18minutes has not returned yet. Damn that weather in Delhi! Does it have to thunder-rain tonight only? Can't it wait till morning for her flight to land properly? But NO!

She's supposed to board at 9 pm flight n land in Mumbai 11:30 pm night but due to adverse weather there, it got delayed and delayed and delayed, and like finally her flight took up at 2:45 am at night n will land here at around 5 am.
So, to pick her up I'm waiting impatiently. She did deny n said that she'll book cab n no need to me to go n pick her up. But I dismissed her as I'll feeling restless to meet her after so long. But this damn time is not moving ahead!

I don't know what I'm feeling for her... But I just know that in this forced arrange marriage of ours, I'm willing to get to know my better-half properly and spend my life with her.
Even though I've never thought of doing arrange marriage, I believe that I'm love marriage-type, but I don't regret getting married to Nandini. I feel connected to her... as a husband.
I wanna know her, want her to share her problems with me, feel free with me, want us to share our lives... be comfortable around each other...

I know it will take some time... and we'll get through it. I'll do my best to make it happen!

With a determined face, I switch-'on'ed my phone only to see it's just 3:15. Hell!

I sighed n laid down thinking of my day without her...

I was busy in warping off my recent show... So that now I'm free for some days.
I've not informed anyone about my marriage and I know when the news will break, my manager, producer, directors, crew-members, co-actor n actresses and not to forget my huge fan followings will go crazy over it.

Today Soha once again tried getting cozy with me but I just walked out. I've already talked to her the very next day of our drunken mistaken kiss... that I don't love her, I just like her hardworking n dedication as an actress.
She immediately restored saying that she loved me and she felt very good whenever we kissed on-screen and that she's always felt that I'm also reacting to her.
I corrected her saying that it was all acting on reel necessary for the show and that I don't love her at all.

Ever since then she's taking opportunities to make me realize that I feel the same way, which I know I didn't.

I don't think about her all day, I don't miss her when she's not around, I don't get concerned about her sad n teary face, I don't feel like hugging her tight n not let go, I don't feel protective over her... So, I Don't Love Soha! Simple n Final!

Instead, now I'm missing her, her thoughts wander in my head all the time, I can't see her tears, I feel like taking her in my arms all the day every time and just look at her face without blinking... I wanna... WAIT

I feel all these for Nandini!

Means... Do I...?

In Love?

"Ahhaaaa... I'm in LOVE... in love..." I stood up shouting upon realization hit me.

"Ssshhh" I murmured knowing that everyone's sleeping n my shouts are the only thing heard in deadly silence. But still, I can't minimize the wide smile decorating my lips...

Not knowing how to express my happiness, I started jumping and dancing around happily on my bed, pulled off my jacket n throw it somewhere, and jumped on the floor continuing the merry dance...

After getting enough of my over-joyful dance, I ran my fingers through hair setting them while looking in the mirror, a jelled n combed it smartly then sprinkled my Versace perfume a bit extra and checked myself in the reflection judging whether I look presentable or not?

"Green shirt? No no...  I should wear a purple shirt, it's her favorite colour. Ya!" I muttered n hurriedly changed my dress and again applied some perfume.

"Ready!" I smiled.

"I don't know how, but in this short time I fell for u Nandini, my wife... and I'll surely make u realize ur feelings." I spoke to my reflection before leaving for the airport to pick up my love.

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

It's past 5 am now and I'm so excited for her to come out n hug me... I checked my watch once again while I'm getting impatient but I know it takes time to come out grabbing the luggage... So, I just stood silently at a corner of the gate where all the visitors n receivers r standing with boards n some with flowers...

Should I buy some flowers for her?

'No! it'll look weird.' I scolded myself for this stupid thought.

'Act normal... don't freak her out with ur weird act.' I mentally noted and adjusted the cap n mask I'm wearing to hide my famous face.

While I'm screening though the people walking out and desperately searching for the familiar face, my eyes caught her purple suitcase and it trailed up to her face making me smile brightly that finally, she's here. She's far away in the crowd that only I can see her, not she. Probably she's thought that I won't come to receive her this sooner in the morning.

She's normally walking towards the exit, towards me...
but suddenly stopped looking aside to a particular direction n grinned widely and ran leaving the luggage.

I frowned as to what she saw that she reacted like this because it's definitely not me.

Then suddenly I felt something inside burning because I found her tightly hugging a guy who had his hands wrapped around her back...

They broke the hug with a surprised face, laughing n smiling like they r long-lost lovers who had tragic separation. That guy had a trolly full of luggage n they both walked forward pulling their baggage and having happy talks.

She has never smiled so brightly with me. Then who is he who can make her smile genuinely so bright?

When she exited she didn't even notice me standing at the corner waiting for her so desperately, instead is busy talking to him making pouts which I thought is only reserved for me. That's hurts somewhere!

Brushing my thoughts off, I walked ahead to face them...

"U r so mean! U have not even called or messaged me that u r coming back India after freaking 6 yearsss...." She complained in babyish tone while he chuckled messing her hair to which she gave him an angry look making him laugh harder.

But suddenly his smile subsidized and her eyes lingered in her forehead noticing her vermillion filled hairline.

"You are married?" he spoke uncertainly to which her eyes dilate. But before she could answer her anything I approach her... directly grabbing her attention.

"Jaan! U here n I'm searching for u everywhere" I spoke n leaned down to peck her cheeks much to her surprise, but I wanna show my authority n claim on her all of a sudden... to him.

"Manik?" she murmured still in shock with me calling her 'Jaan' and pecking her cheeks.

"Who is he, Jaan?" I asked side hugging her and looking front at his grim pale expressionless face. And Nandini here is also speechless.. may be due to my sudden lovey-dovey act. But I can't help myself!

"Hello! I'm Manik Malhotra, her husband" I introduced forwarding my hand to him. He immediately shifts his eyes from her to my hand n takes my hand composing himself.

"Aryaman Khurana, her BBF" Now it's my time to invert the smile on my lips. He's the one!

I cleared my throat taking my hand back n turning my neck to Nandini, who's standing awkwardly.

"Shall we go?" I asked her, grabbing her bag. She nodded looking at me.

"Aru, how r u going?" she asked concerned turning to him. And Aru? She never called me with nicknames?

"I'm going to call a cab." he informed her speaking softly and took out his phone.

"Areyy Why? U come with us na. We'll drop u." She proposed to which he agreed. Someone asks me if I want him in my car?

With a poker face, I loaded her bag n his bags in car's trunk in which he too helped before taking the backseat. I walked ahead of Nandini n pulled out the passenger seat's door for her but she stopped aside the backseat gate watching my action.

"Can I seat back with him? I'd a lot to catch up." she made pleading eyes making me fake a smile and agree, not showing my annoyance.

"What r u doing now-a-days? And why didn't u contact for like months? I thought u r dead literarily. U only said before leaving that u'll call me daily but then u increasing the duration to a call in a week, then a call in a month, and then u stopped calling for months" She asked turning her body to him while I'm glancing at them with my rearview mirror while driving.

"I'm busy Nandu... Dad wants me to completely focus on learning that boring business and take over his company when I didn't want that. U know na?" he explained in a sweet tone.

"But then also, u could have just called or messaged me some time... like before going to bed or something." She complained throwing her hands.

"I missed u" She added whisper. He sighed while I felt a pang of jealousy hearing those words for him... not for me.

"I missed u too... u know that I never forget u for a second. I can never" he spoke softly and I can clearly take out his meanings.

"Where to?" I interrupted the emotional bonding emerging at the backseat and they both looked at me.

"Sorry?" He asked puzzled.

"Where do u want us to drop u?" I asked in a not-so-interested tone.

"Oh! Swosti Hotel" he replied.

"Hotel? Why in a hotel?" She asked raising her brow. Now, don't call him for a stay at our house! I prayed.

"Yes! Dad owns a Bangalow here but it needs time for dusting n furnishing so till then I'll staying at the hotel. I just came beforehand as I need to inspect my office n worksites before joining."

"Oh! So, finally all set for taking on Uncle's business, han? Now my BFF will be a powerful personality." She commented cheerfully.

"U yourself is a famous doctor that I fell low in front of your majesty" He bowed dramatically making me roll eyes.

"Don't butter dude. I'd like to maintain my figure." She laughed away.

"Oh! figure reminds me... U have gained a bit of weight, I guess." he eyed her playfully making me irritated.

"Haawww..." She made an O-face and started hitting him on his shoulders n chest playfully while he laughed escaping her light punches.

"Ouch..." She made a low whimper when I pulled a sudden brake making her jerk front.

"Nandu! u okay?" That man held her arms pulling her back at seat checking her. She nodded and smiled.

"We r here" I said before waking out n pulling his luggage out of the trunk. He too came out along with her and the hotel staff came to collect the luggage.

"Okay then, We have a lot to talk n catch up. Let's meet up soon" He said before pulling her in a hug which I watched unwantedly.

"Go n take rest. See u soon. And U've the same number right?" She asked pulling off the hug.

"Ah-No. But I've ur number. Will message u soon. Take care!"

"Thanks for the ride. It's nice meeting u." He finally spares me a glance n smile to which I just faked a smile and a nod not wanting to lie saying 'it's a nice meeting too'.

"Let's go" I spoke coolly and take my driver seat while she now sat beside me.

The whole drive was silent as I don't want to vent my burning anger of watching their closeness on her. But I could felt her stares on me from time to time before she turns towards the window to glance the early morning scenery.

Manan's room

It's almost 6 in the morning when we reached here and Mom was awake who insist us to freshen up n take some rest.

"Where are u going?" I asked sitting on the bed looking at her who just changed and came out of the washroom and started walking to the locked door.

"Downstairs?" She replied turning her neck to me.

"Why?"

She wonders her eyes before answering " To company Mom in work" I rolled my eyes in disbelieve.

"Mom told na, to take rest! Now come fast n lie down!" I ordered trying not to be rude but I'm irritated with the previous scenario.

"But..." She muttered but I laid down the bed and patted her side of the bed.

"Manik..." I cut her off sternly.

"Nandini!"

I heard her sigh and walk to her side and lie down showing her back to me. I sighed looking at her long, think black hairs flowing till her mid-back. What I thought I'll do when I'll see her and what am I doing?

With an urge, I slip my hands on her waist to her stomach and pulled her close as her back and my hard chest collides causing her gasp.

"Manik?" She whispered.

"I missed u Nandini... a lot!" I spoke huskily nuzzling in the fragrance of her hair and adjusting ourselves in a comfortable spooning(chest-to-back cuddling) position.

She didn' spoke anything but stiffened her body placing a hand on the top of mine which is resting at her stomach.

"Do u miss me, Nandini?" She remained silent.

"Say u miss me, Jaan!" I again spoke nuzzling more to her neck covered with hair.

This time she pulled my hands off her and turn to face me. At first, I thought she got mad at me for a sudden bit of intimacy I am showing. But then she looked deep into my eyes, remaining close to me as before but this time chest-to-chest.

"Are u practicing some scene with me?" She asked searching in my eyes which held genuine love, care, resect n possession for her while I know her eyes held the softness for me but I'm not sure about the other emotions.

"So u didn't miss me? Even a bit?" I questioned putting my hand back on her waist possessively.

She just broke the long eye-lock we had and look down at my dressed chest. She just moved close to my chest resting her head on my heart and palm on my shoulder... surprising me. Not that I dislike it! In fact, I love it!   I too pulled her closer by waist.

"I missed u, Manik." she whispered as lowly as I couldn't hear... but I heard it and a smile broke my lips.

"Sleep Jaan" I tucked her hair strand behind the ear while she closed her eyes...

This is it! How was the update? Full Manan episode!

What do u think of Manik's realisation that he's in love with his wife?

Any word for Manik's attitude towards Nandini?

Any words for Nandini?

Now finally Manik's Love Rival, Aryaman entered.
What's ur view about him?

What do u expect? Arya to be a positive role 'or' negative role in Manan's life?

Silent viewers, please do vote... If u'll not show any interest than I feel low to write more.
So, kindly vote to let me know that u want me to continue it...

Stay home! Stay safe! And stay tuned!