"Do you believe that I have loved you since the dawn of time?

Do you believe that we were destined to be intertwined?" —Muse

Marriage is a partnership like no other. It requires not just love, but empathy, patience and most importantly lots of work. It is always expected of the man or a husband to make romantic gestures so that his wife feels like she is cared for and loved. Often, the needs of a husband are sidelined because he might be expected to be masculine or in control of the way he feels. This is not always the case and husbands too, need to feel appreciated. It is easy to get lost in everyday life and be unappreciative of your spouse. The relationship between husband and wife should be one of closest friends.

M U M B A I

N A N D I N I

"Manik Malhotra has made a big revelation. For the last few days, we were continuously giving you updates about this handsome player of the National Team getting married. We were trying to contact him continuously but he remained unavailable. Finally today he announced his wedding with his childhood sweetheart, Nandini Basu."

"The breaking news of this hour. The Nation's heartthrob Manik Malhotra is married. Recently he has tied the knot with his beau in New York. Keep watching our channel for further updates."

"The dashing captain of Indian National Cricket Team is not available anymore. Yes, guys. You heard it right. Manik Malhotra has recently tied the knot with his childhood love Nandini Basu. They tied the knot in New York with only a few close family members. Keep hanging, we will keep giving you the insiders soon."

"We have the biggest news of the night, Manik Malhotra announced his marriage with Nandini Basu last night. He said they have been dating for the last 8 years and recently tied the knot in a close family event. But last night he threw a big reception party in one of the 7 star hotels of Mumbai where all the big names of the cricket and bollywood industry were present."

"Last night in one of the 7 stars hotels of Mumbai, Manik Malhotra threw a party for his reception. Yes, you heard it right. The eligible bachelor of our National Cricket is not available anymore. He announced his marriage with the love of his life, Nandini Basu. His family members were present there along with the famous celebrities of town who blessed the couple for their new life."

"We had given you update a few days back that Manik Malhotra had left Mumbai with his full family but the destination was unknown to us. There were rumors going on that he is going to get married there and that was actually true. Yes, viewers, Manik Malhotra has got married recently and last night, he himself announced that in front of everyone. Here we are giving you the latest updates from the event."

"Manik Malhotra is married. Few days back, we had told you that he is leaving for New York with his family and he tied the knot there only. He knew his wife, Nandini Basu from his college days and they fell in love."

It was a long night. Manik announced our marriage in front of the world and since then all the TV channels, online news portals and not to forget the social media is flooded with this news and some of our clicks from the reception. I changed a few channels on the TV and heard the headlines. Everywhere the same news is roaming.

It's not gonna be easy from tomorrow....

Thankfully they didn't get closer to us. But I saw the crowd when we were leaving the hotel. It was too much. The security guards had a hard time handling them I am sure. I wondered how much Manik has to handle them daily. They were literally too much.

Right now I am sitting alone in our room and Manik was out for some work. Our families are leaving today only. We asked them to stay back but they had to.

Sigh!!!

I was surfing through my Instagram. Even though my account is private but Manik being a public figure, his account was a public one. I read the comments there of his account and his fan pages as well. They were mostly girls. Some of the comments were from well wishers, they congratulated us for our future and for our well being.

But most of them were judging us. They were trying to voice out that how unfit I was in Manik Malhotra's life, how I don't match with the level of their crush, he should have got married to one of the supermodels or actresses with whom he looks the best. They were trying to make me look like a gold digger who is with Manik only for his money and fame.

"How can Manik marry someone like her? She doesn't even match his class."

"I can't believe this. I love you, Manik."

"Congratulations, Manik and Nandini."

"Manik, you can't do this to me. Why did you marry that girl?"

"Aww.... They are made for each other. They look so cute together. Stay blessed."

"The height difference makes them look perfect. God bless you. Love you, Manik sir."

"How can Manik marry this girl? He used to look perfect with Khushi. We want Manik and Khushi together."

"They have been dating for 8 years. So sweet. Please share your love story with us, Manik sir & Nandini mam."

There were thousands of comments like this.

It's not easy.....

Come on! I am married to him out of love and I knew him since the time they didn't even know his name. I wonder how other celebrities handle these kinds of comments. I am already messed up and feeling low seeing them.

I didn't realize when I got lost thinking of all this. My trance broke hearing of Manik. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't get to know when he came and sat beside me.

"What happened? Why are you sitting like this?" Manik asked caressing my face lovingly.

The smile on his face managed to vanish all my worries in a blink. I too smiled back at him. "Nothing. I was thinking about something." I was trying to keep the phone away so that he doesn't see those comments even though I know he would get to know of this soon. He is already very stressed with all these arrangements. So, I don't want him to be more stressed.

"What were you seeing?" He took the phone from my hand before I could even protest.

"Nothing important, Manik. Give it to me. I will keep it away. We have to get up early in the morning. We need to go to the airport." I was about to take the phone back but Manik was faster than me. He had already seen those comments.

Manik raised his gaze and looked at me. "So, this is the reason behind your zoning out?"

I looked down, not able to meet up to his look. I didn't want to tell him the truth nor could I lie to him. I didn't say anything. I didn't know what to reply. I heard him sighing.

Manik held my hands in between his and made me look at him. "Nandini, you know right I love you?" He asked me in his soft tone.

I couldn't help nodding my head. I was lost in his eyes which express thousands of words more than his lips can speak.

"Then why are you even paying attention to these comments? It's their opinion and we can't change that nor we can control anyone's thought. There are some people who will always try to make you feel down, that's their work. Look at the other side, there are few people who are genuinely happy for us. They are praying for us to be happy. Think of them.

Because it is very rare when we get people who love or pray for us without any expectations. They deserve our attention. So, don't let the others affect you. Just ignore them."

I heard him carefully. He is right. Why to feel bad thinking of those who don't care about other people's feelings.

I didn't say anything and snuggled into Manik's arms. That's where my peace lies. I felt him wrapping his arms around me.

"I love you." It came out like a mere whisper from me.

But I know it was loud enough for Manik to hear.

"I love you more, Mrs Malhotra." He whispered back.

I simply love the feeling when he addresses me as 'Mrs Malhotra' and it never fails to send glitters into my tummy.

"Now let's sleep and don't take so much stress thinking about all this. It's their work to speak so let them. Your work is to focus on me so you do that only." Manik said the last line making me giggle.

I controlled my urge of pulling his cheeks with all my worth. He is damn cute, I am telling you.

"Good night, hero." I wished him night as we both settled in each other's arms pulling the duvet over us.

I could feel Manik's lips curving into a smile over my skin. "Good night, sunshine."

I didn't realize when I drifted into slumber in Manik's arms. I was also tired with the party and all the recent events. The days have been really hectic for all of us. It's going to be the same till we are shifting to our apartment after a few days.

Our home!!!

Manik's and mine.....

It still feels like a dream only. We have been waiting for this day since forever and here we are living in this. It's surely a big thing for us.

N E X T M O R N I N G

I was the first one to get up. I looked at my side where Manik was still sleeping wrapping his one arm around my waist. It makes me feel protected, it makes me feel he doesn't want me to leave. It put a smile on my face.

I turned towards him completely and couldn't hold back the urge to kiss the mole above his lips. Slowly I moved near him and pecked on that place. My hands moved near his hairs and I ruffled them softly. How much I loved this man!!! I moved my face near him and kissed his forehead. When I was about to move back, I felt the hold around my waist tightened.

I looked at Manik whose eyes were open now. He was looking at me with love filled eyes but he was still sleepy. "Is it fair to take advantage of your sleeping husband?"

My eyes went wide this time hearing him. "Were you awake all the while?" I asked softly looking at Manik.

He smiled naughtily. "When I have such a beautiful wife in my arms, how can I sleep?" He said and winked at me.

I was about to get up but Manik didn't leave me. Instead he tightened his grip more around me. "Where do you think you are going?" Manik rose his eyebrows.

"Manik, let me remind you, our families are leaving today. So, we need to leave for the airport. We are getting late." I tried to free myself from his grip but still he was not ready to leave me.

"What about we take a shower together? It will save our time and water too. What do you say?" Manik said with his face covered with a naughty grin.

I rolled my eyes. "No way. I know where it will lead us. So...."

I couldn't complete my words before that only Manik picked me up in his arms swiftly and walked inside the washroom. All my protests went to deaf ears and he closed the door behind.

"A husband is not a sex partner to his wife and a wife is not a sex worker to her husband, husband and wife are the life partners and coworkers of their family" —Sir P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar

That's all for today. I hope you all liked the very first chapter of this book. Do comment and let me know. Also are you voting for 'A Journey from Rejection to Forever'? Please do vote. You can place a vote daily till 21 August. Follow me on insta- theshimmery_star

Thank you.

08.02.2021