Happy Birthday, My Dear ink drinker! gurjar1234

Your thoughtful comments, and  your excitement for each chapter mean the world to me.

Every time you share your thoughts, it reminds me why I love writing so much. You inspire me to keep going, to write more, and to make this story even better. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of this journey with me!

May your birthday be as beautiful, joyful, and magical as you are. Wishing you endless happiness, love, and success in everything you do!

With all my love and gratitude!

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My life was a chessboard where every move was decided for me, yet I longed to overturn the game entirely.

Nandini's POV,

The moment Bhai slammed the document on the table, I felt my entire world spinning. My gaze fell on the paper, and my stomach churned violently. How could I have forgotten about those documents? They had been hidden in my cupboard all this time. No, no, no, I thought, dread washing over me in waves. These were the same documents Dad had given me-the ones I foolishly hoped would never surface.

I looked at Dad. His face was as neutral as always, but I could see it-the slight twitch in his fingers, the faint sheen of sweat on his forehead. He was nervous, just like me.

"I... I..." I tried to speak, to explain, but words wouldn't come out. My throat felt dry, and Bhai's anger seemed to grow with each passing second.

"Is this the reason you said yes to the marriage?" Bhai's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

My heart stopped.

I saw Manik's head snap toward me out of the corner of my eye. His piercing gaze burned into me, but I couldn't look at him. Instead, I met Bhai's furious eyes, silently pleading with him to stop.

"What are you saying, Rudra?" Mom's voice wavered with confusion.

"What documents? What is this all about?" Bhabhi asked, stepping closer.

Bhai ignored them, his focus solely on me. "Why don't you tell them, Nandini?"

I stammered, "I... it's not what you think-"

"One second, I should be asking Dad." Rudraksh interrupted, his voice dripping with bitterness.

Mom's head turned sharply toward Dad. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Manish? You know about this?"

Bhai let out a humorless chuckle. "Of course he does. It's all his doing. He's the one who forced Nandini to say yes to the marriage."

The room erupted in chaos.

Didu stood abruptly. "Will you stop this Bhaiyu and tell us what's in those damn documents?"

Bhai didn't hesitate. "It's written clearly that I, Rudraksh Murthy, will not be the CEO of Murthy Industries. I won't have any rights over the Murthy Empire. And there's more, but that's the gist of it."

A collective gasp echoed through the room. I felt my stomach drop as the words hung in the air like a dark cloud.

"Manish, what is he saying?" Mom demanded, her voice rising.

Dad's lips tightened. "I didn't have a choice," he said, his tone flat but defensive. "It's not like I was going to disown my own son. I just wanted what's best for Nandini. She clearly didn't want to get married, so I had to take some steps to ensure she said yes."

"Steps?" Didu shouted, her voice trembling with anger. "Blackmailing her is what you call 'steps'? And you think that's what's best for her?"

"I didn't mean it that way-" Dad started, but Bhai cut him off.

"Of course, you didn't mean it that way, Dad," Bhai sneered. "Just like you didn't mean to send her to New York against her will. Just like you didn't mean to trust some outsider over your own daughter when your business information was leaked."

Didu's gasp was audible. "What? Dad, you sent her to New York forcefully? Why? And what is he talking about-trusting someone over her?"

Dad remained silent, his shoulders stiff.

Bhai laughed bitterly. "He won't answer you, Navya. But I'll tell you. He sent her away because he believed some nonsense about her being involved in leaking business information and illegal activities. All because someone planted that idea in his head."

"That's disgusting!" Navya shouted, tears brimming in her eyes. "How could you believe an outsider over your own family?"

I closed my eyes, clenching my fists as painful memories flooded back-Dad's accusations, my protests, his refusal to listen. Every word Bhai said was true.

Bhabhi's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. "Nandu, why didn't you tell me or Rudraksh when Dad gave you those documents?"

I looked at her, my voice trembling. "Because I didn't want Bhai to go through what Didu and I had to. First, Didu was forced to live away from her family and me. If Dad had done what was written in those documents, I would have never forgiven myself. I know how hard Bhai has worked to reach where he is without relying on privileges."

Bhai's expression softened, but his anger didn't fade entirely. "Do you really think all this matters more than you, Nandini? Why didn't you tell me from the start?"

"I..." I tried to explain, but he raised a hand to stop me.

"Forget it," he said, his voice filled with disappointment. "It doesn't matter anymore."

He turned and stormed out of the room.

"Bhai, please wait!" I called after him, but Prisha Bhabhi held me back.

"Nandu, calm down," she said gently. "He's hurt right now. Give him some time."

"I'm sorry, Bhabhi," I whispered.

She sighed. "Just rest for now. Don't talk to him until he's ready." With that, she left to check on him.

Mom began berating Dad, her voice a mix of anger and pain, but I couldn't take it anymore.

"Can we please leave?" I asked Manik quietly.

He nodded.

"Nandu-" Mom started, but I cut her off. "Not now, Mom. Please."
Didu shot Dad one last glare and left with Cabir Jiju, who had been quiet throughout the chaos.

I ran to the car and sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly ahead. Manik sat beside me, while Didu and Cabir Jiju sat in the back. No one said a word during the drive. The silence was suffocating.

When we reached the Malhotra Mansion, I forced myself to push my emotions aside. Everyone was in the living room as we entered, their faces lighting up at our arrival.

"How's everyone at home, Nandini?" Neyo Maa asked kindly.

"They're fine," I replied politely, keeping my voice steady.

Before anyone could ask more, Manik said, "Mom, I think we should rest. I'm tired."

Mukti, Alya, and Dhruv immediately started teasing him.

"Rest? Or something else?" Mukti winked.

"Guys, let them be," Cabir Jiju said, forcing a smile.
"Oh, my God, Cabir!" Alya exclaimed. "How could you let this opportunity to tease Manik slip by?"

He shrugged, his smile fading.

Neyo Maa intervened. "Alya, Mukti, take Nandini to Manik's room."

As we entered, my breath hitched. The room was decorated with rose petals and candles. It was beautiful but overwhelming, and it hit me all at once-this was supposed to be our first night.

Mukti and Alya giggled, teasing me as they made me sit on the bed. I tried to laugh along, but my mind was racing.

After they left, I moved to the window, staring out into the darkness. The realization hit me hard-I was going to share a room with Manik. This wasn't just a decorated room; it was a symbol of a new beginning; one I wasn't prepared for. My breathing quickened as the weight of everything crashed down on me.

Nandini's POV ends.

Manik's POV,

After bidding everyone goodnight, I made my way toward my room. My thoughts were swirling like a storm. As I reached the corridor, I spotted Mukti, Alya, and Navya standing outside my door.

"Finally, the groom arrives," Mukti teased, leaning casually against the wall with a mischievous grin.

"You're not getting inside that room without paying the entry fee," Alya chimed in, her tone dripping with mock seriousness.

I rolled my eyes, trying to move past them. "Stop it, guys. I'm tired."

But they didn't budge. Alya folded her arms, smirking. "Rules are rules, Manik. You know it's a ritual. Pay up or stay out."

I looked at Navya, hoping she'd be the voice of reason. Instead, she forced a smile and said softly, "She's right, Bhai. It's tradition."

Her tired eyes betrayed her forced cheerfulness, and I sighed heavily. Clearly, she had a lot on her mind too, but she was trying to play along.

"Fine," I said, pulling out my wallet and handing them some cash. Mukti and Alya cheered triumphantly while Navya stepped aside, her smile fading as she quietly walked away.

"Enjoy your night, Mr. Malhotra," Mukti teased, winking as she and Alya finally let me through.

I shook my head, muttering under my breath. My thoughts were a jumbled mess. I can't believe Nandini was forced into saying yes to this marriage. I couldn't help but compare our situations. Yes, I, too, had agreed to this marriage, but I wasn't forced into it. My reasons, while not ideal, were my own. She, on the other hand, had been backed into a corner, just like I had been with my own family.

I ran a hand through my hair, standing at the door, unsure of what to do next. How do I even approach her? What should I say? I tried to gather some courage, but the idea of entering the room felt like an impossible task.

The moment I stepped inside, my eyes widened. The room was decorated with rose petals and candles, the dim lighting casting a soft, romantic glow. Oh, God. My mind immediately pieced together what this setup meant: our first night.

I let out a quiet breath, trying to steady myself. This wasn't how I'd imagined tonight-actually, I hadn't imagined it at all.

My eyes fell on Nandini, standing by the window with her back to me. She seemed lost in thought, her shoulders slightly hunched as if carrying an invisible weight.

I took a hesitant step forward, then another until I was close enough to place a hand on her shoulder. "Nandini-"

Before I could finish, she jerked away from my touch, her movement abrupt and defensive.

I froze, shocked by her reaction. "Relax, it's me," I said softly, keeping my voice calm.

She turned slightly, her gaze lowered. Her discomfort was palpable, and it hit me like a punch to the gut.

I took a step back, sensing that I needed to give her space. "You must be tired," I said after a pause, trying to ease the tension. "Go change and rest."

She nodded wordlessly, moving toward her suitcase. She pulled out a set of clothes from her suitcase and disappeared into the washroom without another word.

I stood there for a moment, running a hand through my hair. This isn't going to be easy.

Shaking off my thoughts, I walked to my closet to change. By the time I came out, Nandini was back by the window, dressed in simple nightwear. Her posture was stiff, her hands gripping the windowsill as she stared outside.

I approached cautiously, stopping beside her. "Nandini-"

She flinched, stepping back instinctively as if my presence startled her.

I immediately stepped back as well, giving her space. "It's okay," I said gently, trying not to make her feel cornered.

She looked at me briefly before lowering her gaze again. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

I frowned. "Sorry? For what?"

"For lying to you," she said, her voice trembling. "About this marriage. I know you must be angry and feel betrayed."

I shook my head. "I'm not angry," I admitted. "Shocked, yes, but not angry. I was just shocked when I found out the reason behind your yes. We both have our reasons for agreeing to this marriage. Our situations are different, but neither of us were really given a choice."

Her lips quivered, but she didn't respond.

After a moment of silence, she said, "Can I... can I join the office from tomorrow?"

"You can join whenever you want," I replied without hesitation.

She nodded, her movements stiff and mechanical. The weight of her emotions was evident, but she wasn't ready to share them with me-not yet.

I glanced at the bed, feeling the awkwardness settle in the room again. "I think we should sleep now," I said, breaking the silence.

She nodded again and moved toward the bed. I followed, and together, we began clearing the rose petals. The symbolic gesture wasn't lost on me-we were dismantling the expectations that came with this night.

As Nandini sat on the bed, I hesitated. I didn't want to make her more uncomfortable than she already was. "If you want, I can sleep on the couch," I offered.

Her eyes widened slightly, and she stammered, "No, it's fine. You can... you can sleep here."

I nodded, not wanting to argue. She laid down, her movements stiff and cautious, as if afraid of taking up too much space.

I turned off the lights and lay down on my side of the bed, keeping a respectful distance between us. The silence was heavy, filled with unsaid words and unresolved emotions.

As I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts raced. This wasn't how a marriage was supposed to start. But then again, our circumstances weren't ordinary. We were two strangers, tied together by forces beyond our control, trying to navigate a situation neither of us wanted.

I glanced at Nandini's silhouette, her back turned to me. Her breathing was uneven as if she was struggling to calm herself.

"Goodnight," I said quietly, unsure if she was still awake.

There was a pause before she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Goodnight."

And just like that, the room fell into silence once again.

Manik's POV ends.

Nandini's POV,

I woke up feeling disoriented. The room around me was unfamiliar, a far cry from the cozy simplicity of my old one. As my eyes adjusted to the dim morning light filtering through the curtains, I turned my head slightly and froze.

Manik was lying next to me, sleeping on his stomach. His mouth was slightly open, and his face was buried in the pillow. For a moment, I simply stared, taking in the reality of my situation. And then, like a jolt of lightning, it hit me-I was married now. This was his room. Our room.

I sat up abruptly, the realization settling heavily on my chest. My gaze shifted around the room, noting the faint remnants of last night's decorations. The rose petals had been cleared from the bed, but their fragrance still lingered faintly in the air.

Taking a deep breath to calm my racing thoughts, I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 6:00 AM. Not wanting to disturb Manik's sleep or risk any awkwardness, I decided to get up quietly. I grabbed a simple cotton Kurti and leggings from my suitcase and tiptoed into the washroom.

After freshening up, I stepped out and immediately noticed the mess my bags were creating in the room. They were scattered everywhere, taking up too much space. It felt wrong to leave them like this, so I decided to start unpacking.

I walked over to the closet, hesitating for a moment before opening the doors. To my surprise, three whole cupboards were empty. I assumed Manik had left them for me.

Carefully, I began arranging my clothes and belongings. It was oddly therapeutic, folding and organizing everything neatly. By the time I finished, the closet looked much more organized, and my bags were finally out of the way.

A glance at the clock told me it was 7:15 AM. Unsure of the routine in this house, I decided to go downstairs and see if anyone else was awake.

The living area was quiet, save for the sound of a few butlers cleaning and dusting. They greeted me with polite smiles, and I nodded in return.

"Is anyone else awake?" I asked softly, trying not to sound intrusive.

"Manik Sir's friends, except Cabir Sir and Navya Ma'am, left early this morning," one of them replied. "The others usually wake up after 8."

I nodded, thanking them. Feeling a little out of place, I wandered toward the small mandir tucked into a corner of the house. Lighting a lamp, I folded my hands and closed my eyes. The act of praying brought a sense of calmness, a moment of peace amidst the chaos of my new reality.

Afterward, I found my way to the kitchen. The butlers were preparing ingredients and setting up for the day. I stepped in hesitantly.

"Who decides the breakfast menu?" I asked one of them.

"Neyonika Ma'am usually decides," he replied.

I nodded again, deciding to wait for her. In the meantime, I spotted the coffee machine on the counter. Needing something to occupy myself, I began making a cup for myself.

Carrying my coffee, I moved to the sofa and sat down, scrolling aimlessly through my phone. The silence was comforting but also made me acutely aware of how new and unfamiliar this life was.

I looked up to see Neyo Maa and Dadi entering the living room. Quickly setting my coffee aside, I stood up to greet them.

"You're ready already?" Neyo Maa asked, a smile tugging at her lips. "When did you wake up?"

"At 6," I replied honestly.

She chuckled lightly. "You don't have to wake up so early, beta. No one here eats breakfast before 9, and there's hardly any work this early in the morning."

I nodded, unsure how to respond. She gestured for me to follow her to the kitchen, and I complied.

"What should I make for breakfast?" I asked once we were inside.

"You don't have to do anything," she said kindly. "You're newly married. Relax and settle in for now."

"It's okay, Maa," I insisted. "I'll manage."

She gave me a soft smile and nodded. "Alright then. Make something light and simple-something quick. Pancakes, perhaps?"

I nodded and began gathering the ingredients. As I worked, Maa asked casually, "Did Manik wake up?"

I paused for a moment before answering. "No, he was still sleeping when I came downstairs."

"That's fine," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "Once breakfast is nearly done, go up and check on him."

"Okay, Maa."

Together, we worked on making pancakes. Neyo Maa was warm and accommodating, guiding me through their family's preferences. It felt strange but comforting to have her there.

Once the pancakes were almost ready, she looked at me and said, "Now you go upstairs. I'll handle the rest here."

I hesitated for a moment but nodded, wiping my hands on a kitchen towel. "Okay."

As I made my way back to the room, my thoughts were swirling again. I was grateful for Maa's kindness, but the weight of adjusting to this new life was still heavy on my shoulders.

Nandini's POV ends.

Hope you all like the chapter.....

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