"I'll return it back to you" And she didn't even get a single second to understand before Manik fused his lips with her soft one.

Shocked!
 would be an understatement to describe what Nandini's feeling right now with her husband's lips on hers, yet again.

Her eyes are wide open while Manik's eyes closed in bliss. Nandini's hands freeze on the air while his left hand is used in holding her arm in place pulling her closer, and his right palm doing magic on her cheeks caressing it, angling her face to dominate the lip-lock.

When finally Manik moved his lips starting to nibble her soft pink lips ever so softly, his luscious expert lips does wonder for an inexperienced Nandini; Butterflies started dancing in her stomach, Heart is hammering aloud and everything around and inside her mind went blur only to contrast two pairs of lips dancing slowly in rhythm.
WOW!

Her eyes automatically got closed when she gave in to experience her first-ever kiss 'proper kiss' with all those sweetness n dizziness that she wanted. Even though there are no feelings known, but every feeling unknown... slowly budding in them.

Her hands moved only to rest one on Manik's muscular shoulder and other on his well-toned chest just above his heart. Her lips started to follow his lead and kiss him back. Manik, on the other side, has completely lost in her soft lips... this feeling of her lips are new to him even though his lips are not virgin, he is!
And when he felt her responding, his happiness has no bounds. He sucks her lower lips and pulled out his tongue for entrance, but seems like she's not giving him entry. He titled his face and bit her lower lips asking for entrance, where she's oblivious of the fact of using tongue in a kiss, and she hissed in pain breaking their heavenly moment.

Manik got her sense back and instantly pulled away while she has her brows scrunch with his sudden bite. Both are looking everywhere but at each other but there is not a single string of regret on their forehead. Just that... that they are...

embarrassed!

or mostly strangely awkward!

"you still have the same thinking about me?" he asked composing himself after a sudden rush of blood and excitement running in veins.

"What?" she frowned not getting him.

"That I'm gay?" he added.

"You're gay!" she muttered in trance much to Manik's panic.

"What? You still think that?... Argh-What made you think so? Tell me! Who the hell told you this nonsense?" Manik asked irritated.

"camera" she replied meekly seeing him irritated.

"Camera? What the? ...Are you stalking me or something? What the hell made you doubt all nonsense?" He asked walking close to her and looking at her while she's not meeting his eyes instead, starting at the most beautiful thing ever; the marbled floor!

She remained silent looking down at floor making him think 'Abhi toh chapad-chapad kar rahi thi, aab sidhe monosyllables, phir silent hogayi. Wah!'

"Acha... Go n get me the camera. Main bhi toh dekhun kya hai jo mujhe 'gay' bana diya mere hi biwi ke nazroon main!" He spoke and Nandu ran long before he finishes his words.

Manik shook his head in disbelieve thinking of his innocent yet khatarnaak-thoughts wali wife and walked into his room to get some papers in the meanwhile.

Here, Nandini ran to her room and leaned on the door closing it behind. With her palm over her fastly-beating heart and a flushed face, she took out a breath of relief, content, and satisfaction.

"What just happened?" she whispered to herself.

"You're no longer a kiss virgin!" 😈 suddenly popped up on her left side.

"What?" she muttered horrified slapping her lips while 😈 smirked.

"No worries, sweety! That was with ur husband. Isn't it magical?" 😇 came on her rescue at her right side.

"Yes! So breathtakingly sweet pleasurable!" she uttered dreamily recalling her kiss and instantly her face turned red.

😇 smiled and teased "Oh ho! blushing and all han?"  She blushed more bitting her lips shyly.

"But isn't he gay?" 😈's words caught her attention.

"No! He's not gay!" Nandini instantly protest.

"Why do you think so?" 😈 questioned.

"Because I know; he's not!" She replied in full confidence to which 😈 raised it's one brow up and look at her quizzically.

"Um-I mean... He told so na...
Now... don't disturb me, Manik must be waiting for me." Saying so Nandu dismissed them and hurriedly walked down taking the camera and her flushed face.

......

"What the hell? I never knew; you click such pictures?" Manik looked horrified looking at the picture of him almost kissing his not-so-close colleague who came to attend Cavya's wedding.

Eyes widen Nandini explained in superfast speed "no no no... I didn't click those. Yeh toh woh I left the camera 'on' with automatic capture mode and it just captured everything automatically. How can I click such photos?... Allah Tauba!"

Manik chuckled inwardly looking at her expressions... Ever since she entered his life, he's smiling more than these past few months.

"Even I'm not kissing this guy as it seems in this photo. I'm just hugging him and the picture got clicked at a nick moment from a weird angle." He explained looking at her while she has her eyes lowered as whenever she looked up at his face, her eyes automatically caught his dark pink, full fleshy, hot lips that were on her soft ones just a few minutes ago and her cheeks getting heated up.

"I'm not gay, Nandini! I hope you got it, or you want me to prove again?" he asked her teasingly with a smirk when he noticed her pinkish cheeks and blushing lips.

"Okay" She muttered stilling not meeting her eyes at his.

"Okay?" He's surprised 'She wants me to prove again; kiss her once more?' he thought.

"Okay, I got it!" she added breaking his budding naughty thoughts and he sighs.

Then suddenly something strikes her mind and she looked up questioningly "But? Then, Mujhse kya baat karni thi?"

He took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly knowing the time has come...
Finally, he's going to disclose something very bitter but the truth about himself that he's been keeping hidden.

He's nervous, scared, and anxious as to how will she react to this. This society has created such boundaries n norms that lack openness even in case of such sexual disorders that are not uncommon but still they'll keep it behind the curtains. People start talking n gossiping if they heard someone's suffering from sexual disease; questioning his/her sexuality, calling him impotent n infertile, calling his family unlucky, and more importantly, giving his wife pity looks.

He's afraid how will she react upon the revelation; will she shout at him for not telling her beforehand n destroying her life? Will she be ashamed of him? disgust him for his disorder? Or will she taunt him? Will she ask for divorce n leave him?

With all those negative thoughts running in his mind he gave a last glance at his wife's cute flushed face knowing after what he'll say, this face will fade away.

"I'm suffering from Erectile dysfunction (ED)" He keeps it direct and straight to the point.

Her face's expression did change...

Time passed... 5seconds... 10seconds... 20seconds... 40seconds... one minute... two minutes... they both are looking at each other's face motionless, wordless; one is trying to study other's face while the other is trying to search through her brain dictionary.

"Oh!"
comes a reaction from her side, finally, stopping Manik's desperate waiting session.

But this is definitely not the reaction he's expecting. 'Just an Oh!'

"Is... Is it very serious? Are you in pain?" she added with a worried face while he just stood bewildered.

'Kya yeh mera Mazak bana rahi hai? But she looks genuinely worried for me!' he thought with a frowning face.

Even though he himself is perplexed getting her reaction like this, but still replied honestly "Not much serious. It's 36% unreactive."

She nodded her head saying "Oh!"

'Again Oh!' he thought frustratedly 'What this Oh! means?'

but before he could bombard his insecurity n negative thoughts on her, she cut him off

"Maine Diabetes, Heart-attack, Brain tumor, Cancer inn sab ke bare mai to suna hai... par yeh ED??"

And hearing these words from her mouth, Manik is like 'What the actual hell? Maine itni badi baat kahi aur yeh hai ki kuch samajh hi nahi payi!'

Looking at his expressions, Nandu added "Actually, as good as I'm with machines, gadgets, computers, and technology; that bad I'm in biology. 10th boards bhi bio main good marks; all thanks to late minute ratta-maar with Appa just the night before exams. So,...
What is this ED?"

Watching her sheepish smile and hearing her explaining, there is only one thing going on in Manik's brain 'Iss Ladki ke samne; Always expect the unexpected! Yeh single piece, aathwa ajoouba(Eighth Wonder)'

Then again, can't blame the sweet innocent Nandu for not knowing a male sexual disorder, right?

"Yeh!" He sighed and showed him a blue folder. "This contains my medical reports. This will answer ur questions." She shifted her eyes to the folder laying on the table which was not there before, or maybe she just hadn't noticed it.

"For now, I want to tell you 'sorry' for not telling you beforehand. Since you're my wife, this is gonna affect you in the future. Loog(people) mujhe pe nahi, tumpe ungli uthaenge! And I'm very ashamed about that. Hosake toh mujhe maaf kardena.
Issi problem ke wajha se hi main... I didn't wanna marry. But Dad forced saying it'll get better with treatment and medical science. But... It's... just...hopeless... until you came" he let out a deep sigh shifting his gaze at the floor all the while.

Then he just left to his room mumbling 'sorry' once again leaving behind a confused n concerned Nandini and the blue folder.

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

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. Occasional ED isn't uncommon. Many men experience it during times of stress. It can also be a sign of emotional or relationship difficulties that may need to be addressed by a professional.

Causes:
Male sexual arousal is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. Erectile dysfunction can result from a problem with any of these. Likewise, stress and mental health concerns can cause or worsen ED.

◾Heart disease
◾Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
◾High cholesterol & High blood pressure
◾Diabetes
◾Old-age n Obesity
◾Metabolic syndrome — a condition involving increased blood pressure, high insulin levels, body fat around the waist and high cholesterol
◾Tobacco use
◾Alcoholism and other forms of substance(drugs) abuse intake
◾Sleep disorders
◾Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
◾Surgeries or injuries that affect the pelvic area or spinal cord
◾Low testosterone(hormonal problem)
◾Depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
◾Stress (psychological problem)
◾Relationship problems due to stress, poor communication or other concerns

Preventions n Cure:

◾Medical help to manage diabetes n other problems and take prescribed oral medications.
◾Regular checkups and medical screening tests.
◾Stop smoking, limit or avoid alcohol, and don't use illegal drugs.
◾Aerobic Exercise regularly for better blood circulation n hormone balance. (Main issue)
◾Yoga: Reduce stress. Get help(Talk therapy) for anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.

This is the conclusion and overall main cause & treatment that can be found from Google after a long search and reading. Pulling out her head from the desktop, Nandini sighed with the blue file on her hands.

"Manik doesn't have any health problems like heart disease or diabetes, no surgeries nor treatment anywhere in his body, and of course he's not old aged nor fat. He's a well-built body.
Then, Tobacco, Alcohol, or drugs; I've not seen him taking any of these.
So, either it can be hormonal or stress problem." She concluded after going through his file and her research on the internet.

Immediately after Manik left for his room, Nandini too ran to her room with the file and surf through this disease her husband is suffering "ED".

It was certainly unexpected on her part when she finally got the meaning of "ED". She was like
"What?" with an expressionless, blank face. She herself doesn't know how to react to this newly found info. about her husband that would affect her life, as he said.

She quickly recalled each and every word of Manik and a pang of concern n worry and sadness for him n his condition crossed her heart. She never wanted this marriage and technically she's not even thinking to take the next step of marriage anywhere soon so, it won't affect her in that way... but she can't see his sad, frustrated, hopeless and defeated face that he held a time ago before he rushed to his room. That hurts!
Woh Khadoos, Arrogant, Smiling, Caring hi acha lagta hai; aisse Sad and Sadhoo nahi!

Turning over to his medical reports which state that his penis has lost 36% of erectility but still there is a sound chance of his recovery n treatment as it's less than 50%. 

Her thoughts trailed to that night in Salinimaa's house when they slept cuddling together; how she felt his hardness against her buttocks. And instantly her cheeks heat up.

"It's hot" she fanned her face with her palm and looked up at the A.C. cooling on 21degree.

Shaking her head & brushing away her 'hot' thoughts she again looked back at the file: There is also some medicine prescribed over the prescription... but the last check-up was 3 months back. "Shouldn't he be going for a regular check-up? Then where are the recent reports?" she wondered.

Google also says that these people got embarrassed, have low self-esteem, got anxiety frequently at work, got irritated, frustrated, and angered easily, think themself as low, etc. etc.
And she's got traces of it in Manik too.

"I've to help him with this!

He's not hopeless case. It's not that 'severe' in his case and he can get better; even his reports say so.

Yes, Nandu! He's your husband, moreover, he has done so much for you, he cares for you. I should support him through this. Talk to him, discuss out the depression and stress he has. Also, I can check his medicines and diet. And give him company during his yoga n exercise too. Right! This will do!" Nandini has a determined face that she'll help Manik, her husband out of this.

When her lower hurt due to continuous sitting at one position, she finally shut her desktop, closed the file, and wriggle on her seat while stretching her arms over her head. At the same time, her stomach made a noise 'growl'.

Rubbing her palm on her rumbling stomach, she glanced up at the clock "My god! it's 11:30 pm already. We've not had our dinner yet.
Maine toh phir bhi bahut sara ice-cream khaya tha, but Manik? He must be very hungry." she got concerned for him. "Aur woh toh sad hoke room main chala gaya tha!"

Batteling, whether to check on him and ask him out to at least, had his dinner or not, she walked out of her room resting her steps just in front of his room. "Ek baar puuch(ask) leti hun, maybe he's not asleep yet and is hungry"

Knock- knock...    No response!

Knock- knock       Again No response!

Knock- knock

"Is he already fast asleep? Really?" Nandini murmured while her hand reached the knob of the door and twisted it only to get the door open to his room.

Pushing it slowly she's welcomed by darkness... and when the door opened more, she could spot some light from side-lamps.

Squinting n adjusting her eyes to get a clear view, she ran her eyes around the room in his search only to spot someone at the corner, on the floor, leaning on the bedrail and...

She gasped at the sight... Shocked!    Wide eyes!

******

Well... well... well. This is it for now.

What do you think 'the sight' to be to shock Nandini?

How was the kiss description? Did I get you? 🙈

Aab saab clear ho gaya hai! Is it unexpected? Now, what do you expect?

Please don't slap my face 😰 *palming my cheeks*
 'cause I've expected this. I'm the writer here, yaaarrr!😂😂😄

A/N:-
The information about Erectile dysfunction (ED) is from the internet as I'm not so knowledgeable about it nor I know any depth. So, either it's credit goes to Google Baba (or) My innocent imagination!😜