~I am addicted to the way I feel when I think of you.~

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"I just wanna keep callin' your name until you come back home."

"Manik, are you even listening? It's your chance." I said pouncing upon my husband, who in the mid of our game, got engrossed with his phone.

"Yeah, obviously baby." He said keeping his phone aside, and pulling me closer. "Uhm.. You didn't get the cue, did you?" He asked. Cue? What? I made a confused face.

"So, baby, pull me closer
In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford
Bite that tattoo on your shoulder
Pull the sheets right off the corner
Of that mattress that you stole
From your roommate back in Boulder
We ain't ever getting older."

"Oh.. Smart." I said pouting, but again I remembered the thing that has just knocked all my common sense off, I don't know why?!

"Manik, suno na. Just this time, no? Please?" I said, trying hard for the nth time to melt my husband, but no. He didn't move an inch.

"Okay, so next. Gao." He said, conveniently ignoring my rant.

It was so that he had a party to attend the next day and he wanted me to join him. The party was thrown for the success of yet another album of Manik's band. It wasn't another simply, though. It was their second album, which they created for a Bollywood movie and as expected it was a cracker. I know, it wasn't anywhere sensible for me to not attend tomorrow's bash, but what to do? Day after tomorrow is mine and Manik's engagement anniversary. I had planned a surprise for him and for the same I need to catch upon my sleep tightly and look for the final preparations tomorrow night as I have to gift him the surprise day after tomorrow in the morning.

"Nandini, again? Yaar. Kabhi toh Brain Mur... Malhotra ko rest do, wo bhi dekhta hai ki tum uske soul mate ko kitna ignore karti ho. C'mon, sing." He said irritatingly.

He was right. There was no way he'd be convinced, so let's just drop the idea. In the present though, we are all wrapped in a blanket, playing Modern Antakshari. Wait. Fellas, we are wrapped in a blanket, very well clad in our clothes and just enjoying our time together before going to sleep.

"I ain't gon' be cooking all day, I ain't your mama
I ain't gon' do your laundry, I ain't your mama
I ain't your mama, boy, I ain't your mama
When you're gon' get your act together?
I ain't your mama."

"Nandi, gussa? Kyun? I didn't even do anything. Shit, did I? Wait..." My husband panicked listening the song I chose. Well, it was just because I liked it. Urgh. What to do? He's one hell of a worried and hyper-venting guy.

"Manu, kuch nai yaar. Aise hi. You didn't do anything. It's just I like this song." I said grinning. Whereas, he glared, I stopped seeing him and was about to say something, but he broke out laughing. What the hell even? It was a nice attempt, though. Sometimes, I do the same. Lol. Yeah, we are like this, acting all stupid, childish and high around each other. And, why not? This is our love. We do fight sometimes, but trust me at maximum they last for an hour or two. We always find our way back to each other as we very well understood this fact when we fought for the first time, that eventually we have to be back our own self, then why stretch the drama? Also, it was Cabir, who made us realize the same.

My thoughts halted, when I heard my husband blasting my ears with his voice, singing our song.

"Climb on board
We'll go slow and high tempo
Light and dark
Hold me hard and mellow

I'm seeing the pain, seeing the pleasure
Nobody but you, 'body but me, 'body but us
Bodies together
I'd love to hold you close, tonight and always
I'd love to wake up next to you
I'd love to hold you close, tonight and always
I'd love to wake up next to you.."

I grinned on listening the lyrics. It was really our song, because it was the same song which Manik heard me singing brilliantly, as he says. Also, it's the same song where our choice for the best matches. We sing it whenever we get a chance to and we are alone, for example- our dates, drives, showers together, cooking etc.

I continued the lyrics further along with him, pushing aside everything and jumping on the bed.

(Bedroom. Just for reference, you can refer to something better.)

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"Indian or western?" I asked Manik, who was lost in his own thoughts, staring at his reflection in the mirror.

"Nandini, anything baby. Just be comfortable." He said smiling. I smiled seeing his reflection too.

I kept aside all the dresses I was holding and rushed towards him. I pulled his cheeks and lightly pecked both of them. "Manik, your smile is so radiating. I just love it, like I love youuu." I said hugging him. I don't know, I just become so happy when I see him smiling, everything just seems so perfect and peaceful.

"Haanji. Apki kaunsi kaam radiating hai. And, I love you too." He said hugging me back. Suddenly he broke the hug, parting me and helped me settle sideways on his lap. "Waise. Wifey. These days don't you just get romantic so frequently? Not that I'm complaining, but you know right it just wakes something in me?" He said naughtily, tracing his finger on my face and lips. I decided to play back. I snaked my arms around his neck, getting closer to him. "Yes. Why shouldn't I? Hubsy, that goes for you too." I said blushing all the while. "Yeah?" He asked grinning. "Yeah." I replied back, grinning.

The following movement, he might have thought that it was an eye lock, but I had plans, some plans. I pushed him and rushed towards the cupboard and resumed my dress selection.

"You know right? I had very well anticipated this." He asked coming towards me, least shocked mostly sarcastic.

"Acha. Okay na? You know these are just perks of being in a company of an intelligent person." I said showcasing a bundle of dresses and indicating him to choose. He chose a white silk saree. While, I grinned because I realized our choices match every time. I kept the rest of the clothes aside and went out following him to the living area.

I saw him sitting on the sofa, changing channels on the TV. I sat beside him, resting my head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and continued changing channels.

I heard a tune of a guitar and smiled to myself. It was his solo from the album, he had recently cut. The song was legit amazing. I felt him near me and he pecked lightly on my hair and forehead followed by my lips which were spread in a wide smile.

Enna sona kyun Rabb ne banaya

As expected, he sang along with the music. I parted from him and pecked his earlobe lightly.

Aavan javan te main yaara nu manavan
Aavan javan te main yaara nu manavan
Enna sona, enna sona
Enna sona o…

I proceeded further and pecked his jawline. I could feel his cheeks getting hot and his body stiffening, while he pressed his head against mine. He was blushing.

So pure. So precious. So passionate. Us and this present moment.

Enna sona kyun Rabb ne banaya
Enna sona o…
Enna sona o…
Enna sona, enna sona…

I continued with the business in hand and pecked his nose. We both had our eyes closed.

So cute. So contend. So calm. My man and this present moment.

Kol hove te sekh lagda ae
Door jaave te dil jalda ae
Kehdi agg naal Rabb ne banaya
Rabb ne banaya, Rabb ne banaya

I pushed myself closer to him, leaving no space for air to pass. I pecked both his cheeks and eyes.

So lovable. So lighthearted. So lazy. Us and this present moment.

Enna sona kyun Rabb ne banaya
Enna sona kyun Rabb ne banaya
Aavan javan te main yaara nu manavan
Aavan javan te main yaara nu manavan

I had started blushing too. We both were completely lost into each other and drenched in our love potion.

So appreciative. So affectionate. So alluring. My man and this present moment.

Enna sona, enna sona…
Enna sona o…

I pecked his forehead last. I locked my arms around him and finally put my lips on his. He smiled and started replying with passion. My hands rested on the back of his neck, caressing his nape hair, while his caressed my cheeks and hair simultaneously.

So beautiful. So bodacious. So blissful. Us and this present moment.

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It was evening, already. The whole house was on wheels. Alya and Dhruv joined us for high tea and the getting ready session, for they lived just above our apartment. Yes. They were married and we, both the couples, have shifted in our own apartments. I was really happy with the given fact that I and Alya are neighbours and of course, sister-in-laws. They got married a period of 10 months later after our wedding. I and Manik have been married for almost two years, as of now.

Presently, I and Alya were helping each other with our make up. Well, actually only she was. I was just watching and trying to learn, only if I could.

I was completely done with my look, while Alya was still a bit struggling. She took the next 10 minutes to get herself done and just as we pushed the door open of the room we were getting ready in, we saw our husbands standing there. Coincidence galore. We got ready together. Alya and Dhruv rushed out to get some privacy, besides giving privacy to me and Manik too.

"You look like a monkey." I said grinning. He laughed on my statement and said, "Well, thanks. You look like this monkey's wife, Mrs. Monkey." He said winking. I glared at him, but laughed the very next moment. We both shared a good laugh and I being the ever so responsible wife, adjusted his brooch.

"You are still shorter." He said using his hand to compare our heights. Wow. It was his favourite thing to do.

"I know." I didn't mind it too. We hugged each other and made our way out of the house.

(Outfits for MaNan. ❤)

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"Cheers everyone." We heard the boys raising toast for their success. I, Alya and Cabir's fiancee were standing together in a corner, while our men gave their speech.

Next, I felt my man's arm wrapping around my waist, protectively and possessively.

"Congratulations Mannu." I exclaimed, smiling at him.

"Thanks wifey." He replied, putting his forehead on mine for a while.

"By the way."

"Acha suno."

We paused.

"Chaley?" I asked him. He nodded and we made our way out of the hall. While walking I noticed everyone grinning among themselves, leaving me and Manik confused. Their grinning continued till we reached the lobby of the hotel. But since, me and Manik were oblivious to the stuff being grinned upon, we started grinning between ourselves. When we reached the lobby, the girls pulled me in a corner and the boys did so with Manik. They handed the both of us a packet separately and asked us to accompany them. I followed the girls and Manik followed the boys, we noticed that after a while we reached two rooms in the same hotel. The rooms were adjacent.

The girls took one room and the boys took one. We were rushed into the respective rooms and were asked to change in the clothes they have given. I assumed that it was an after party or something like that, but then why were we given a special treatment?! That was confusing.

I changed into the dress they gave me. It was a black lace top with a reddish brown leather pencil skirt. Along with it, they handed me a pair of boots and matching accessories. As I came out changing, I saw Alya and Navya were also ready in their dresses, and we quickly walked out locking the room.

As we stepped out, I noticed the boys' room was still closed and Aryaman was standing out doing something on his phone. Alya asked him about the others and he replied that they'd be out in a minute or so.

The door opened, after 5 minutes or so, revealing Cabir, Dhruv and Manik. They all have changed too. Wait. Manik. Omfg. My husband was looking drop dead handsome. I saw him looking towards me and I looked down blushing.

I looked up, eventually, and found him still looking towards me. The others were busy discussing something. Grabbing the opportunity, we went towards each other.

"You still look like a monkey." I said pulling his nose.

"I'd repeat the same thing, Mrs Monkey." He replied grinning.

We were almost lost into each other, when we heard our friends shouting.

"Happy Engagement Anniversary." Wow. Surprise, is it? Damn. It was too good.

Manik side-hugged me and we replied back smiling, "Thank you guys. We love you."

Alya clicked a picture of us together and posted it on my Instagram. We all shared friendly hugs and later on we all made our way towards the bar and lounge.

(MaNan. ❤🔥)

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The hall was decorated beautifully. We were shocked to see our families there too. We greeted everyone and touched our elders' feet. Everyone blessed us and we were asked to proceed to cut the cake.

The cake got the both of shocked and amused at the same time. It had two monkeys, basically Mr and Mrs Monkey on its top most tier.

(Yeah, you got it right. It's Mr and Mrs Grover's reception cake. :) )

Personally for the both of us, in fact for everyone in the family, our engagement ceremony held much more memories than our wedding anniversary, which was completely different than usual. Maybe it was because of the big fat Punjabi celebrations that we had or something else. But, for me and Manik, everyone knows, our engagement time held both good and bad memories, although we have long forgotten them and very well happily moved on in our lives.

The celebrations continued till the morning. The reason behind us celebrating all night was that, that our engagement took place in the morning time, so everyone was happy and the couple, that is me and Manik, had started getting those jitters already in the night before. Intelligent, right? Well, that's us the crazy MaNan family. Our family members, our friends and our family, are a witness of all the craziness that me and Manik hold for each other and show it to the world too. So, with the passage of time they too have become our level crazy.

The next morning, me and Manik left for the surprise that I had planned, actually failed because he apparently saw the plane tickets in my locker. We were going to Budapest for a couple of days.

Perhaps, I am a careless person, who
doesn't even need getting sober, for my husband was strong and smart enough to handle me. Well, that goes vice versa too. We don't need anyone, not even sobriety when we are together and that's forever.

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This wasn't actually coming, owing to the response I got on the chapters, but it happened so that I got to watch some old episodes of KYY and this sudden craving for writing MaNan rose in me. So, how's it? Hope you all like it. If possible, please drop in your precious words, it'll mean a lot. ❤
Also, this isn't edited or proof read and is typed on a phone, so mistakes might be there. Ignore them or bring them in my notice. ❤
Cheers. OkayThanksBye. ❤