Hello Fam :)

It has been a long time but I wasn't able to find time to write this. My semester had ended and we had a handful of submissions to make. I am glad to complete this chapter. Don't know if it's up to the mark and it's written over a long period so I might have missed a few points. Hence, feel free to point out if you think something is to be added. 

Also, there are hardly two or three lines between Manan but the whole chapter is important to get them there. Cheers to the awesome cupids. :P

Warning: ~6000 words of everything mixed up. Feel free to take a break if required. 

Happy Reading...

Murthy Industries was doing okay. But to bring it to its old glory, doing okay wasn't sufficient. With her parents' truth out in the open and an anonymous woman running the company behind the big screen wasn't helping its profits. It was one of the reasons why Nandini had found Nyonika Malhotra early in the morning.

"Have you had your first coffee yet?", she asked. Talking to Nyonika Malhotra before her first coffee is threatening unless you are Manik Malhotra and know the trick to manipulate the scary businesswoman.

"I did. I am feeling wonderful. Why aren't you with your husband this fine morning?", asked Nyonika.

Nandini shrugged. "He was reading one of the new books till late night."

Nyonika shook his head. "I thought this boy would change at least after getting married but no", she muttered but then smiled brightly. "Anyways, isn't it one of the things that makes him special? Our stupid nerd."

Nandini chuckled. "True."

"So why aren't you sleeping in? You came late yesterday. Can't sleep?" When Nandini nodded, Nyonika frowned. "Is it because you can't sleep in or something troubling you? Is everything fine at the office?"

Nandini could only gape at her. Out of all the possible options, how could she guess the correct reason exactly? "How did you?", she asked but then shook her head. "Guess, I shouldn't be surprised because it's you."

"Of course, I am Nyonika Malhotra. I am amazing at everything and best at guessing my children's mood. Now spill the beans. What's troubling you? Do I need to tackle someone at the Murthy Industries?"

"No. The office is fine. As fine as it could be with everything that has happened. I just don't think I am doing a very good job at maintaining its reputation."

Nyonika nodded. "I could give you at least ten ways to get Murthy Industries back to the position it deserves when your grandfather was there but at the end of the day, you have to come out in public. Yeah?"

"I know. I am planning on it. But right now, I just need to get it back on track before drawing attention to my personal life. Because once I am out, there would be lots of noise", said Nandini.

"Yeah. So, what's your plan?", she asked.

Nandini shrugged. She didn't really have a solid plan.

"Bhai offered her to sponsor the company." It was Cabir, taking a seat after asking for a coffee for himself. "She is yet to accept it."

"You did?", asked Nyonika, "and here I thought to have a word with both of you for not offering her the sponsorship yet. Nandini, why aren't you considering that?"

"Because you have done too much for me already and I don't want to overburden you. Besides, just because Manik married me, doesn't mean you have to clear everything for me", she said. She had been having this argument with herself since the time Manik had explained it to her. Manik shouldn't be bound to help her with everything and yet there is hardly anyone she could trust. It was one of the things that had led to all the questions about her worthiness to take over the Murthy Industries.

"Okay, come back, Nandini", said Nyonika, patting her arm gently. "Listen, kid, we are a family and we are bound to help each other. If tomorrow, Manik is in a tight spot, I am damn sure, you would want to help him and you have already helped Malhotra Industries once just because he was working himself out. Besides, even if Manik hadn't married you, Nandini, I would have loved to help you. Remember when I said, I would want to work with you? I meant every word on that night."

Nandini could only hug her in answer. Every day this family was trying so hard to remind her that she belongs to this family. It was something very new and precious to her.

"Wait, what night are you talking about?", asked Cabir, "and why haven't I heard about this before?"

"The night when I realized the true potential of the future Murthy heir. It was also when I saw the glimpse of the granddaughter of Govardhan Murthy. I had to hold myself back because you were a Murthy but now you are a Malhotra and I love Malhotras", announced Nyonika, getting up.

"Mom, you are a Malhotra", said Cabir.

"I know and I love myself too. But you would regret losing your job if you couldn't convince Nandini to accept the sponsorship", she said, surprising Nandini.

Cabir whined. "Bhai is the CEO offering to another CEO Nandini. Why would I lose my job in between these two?"

"Because Manik isn't a manipulative shit when trying to force someone into accepting our deals. That is what you are for and if you couldn't do that, you would ruin my reputation. Personally, I would think of disowning you too", she said, winked at Nandini, and left for her room, leaving her younger son gaping at her retreating back.

"Every single person on the planet is unfair to me", he muttered. "So, Nandini, before I jump into the topic and, as my dear mother suggested, to manipulate into accepting our deal, tell me something first. I heard you came late into the night. What were you doing till then?"

Even the smirk on his face didn't diminish the huge smile that appeared on hers thinking about the last night. "Cabir, Manik still cares for me the same", she said.

"For the standards of a head girl, you are too slow, Nandini Malhotra."

If it was some other day, she would have punched her friend-cum-brother-in-law but today, she was still in the hangover of the time she had spent the previous day with Manik. It was the best fun she had in recent times.

"Oh, is the headstrong head girl smiling now? Does she know how to?", he teased.

"Ex-head girl. And when you have someone like Manik with you, you would learn to be happy, I guess", she muttered to herself but the smirk on Cabir's face said he had heard it too. Nandini rolled her eyes. "You know what I am talking about. He makes everyone around him happy, including you. So, don't overanalyze things." She was afraid when his smirk grew wider. Something was cooking inside his brain which probably wouldn't end well. It hardly ever does.

"So, let's now talk about last night. You had a good time and I am happy", said Cabir. "But let's analyze something you have told me a long time back."

Nandini raised her eyebrow and just to be dramatic, he took a very large sip of his coffee and gave the unnecessary pause. "You know, you once said, there is no true love and people always have some ulterior motives behind any affection. When they get that, they would end the relationship or jump into another. True?"

She nodded hesitatingly. It wasn't the exact words she had used but no one tried to prove her wrong either. "Why are you bringing it up now?"

"I will come there in a minute. You also said you would believe it's true love when you could stay a year apart and still love them the same or stay in a room and resist the urge for any skin contact", he told.

When he was putting it that way, Nandini felt ashamed. Especially for not believing in her friends. "Cabir, I am sorry. I never meant to insult your feelings. Damn, I need to apologize to Abhimanyu and Mukti too. Don't know how many times I had unknowingly hurt them."

Instead of replying to her, Cabir pulled her into a loose hug. "Hey, we would never blame you, Nandini. We know what people have filled inside your brain in the name of love. You don't need to apologize to anyone", he said. Breaking the hug, he ruffled her hair. "Why I brought this up was for something else. Manik stayed away from you for four years and I don't think I need to prove to you that love isn't skin contact for him. Would you believe now that Manik truly loves you?"

Nandini burst out laughing. How ridiculous can this person be? "Cabir, do you seriously think, I don't believe Manik? Even before all those years, I know Manik could never fake love. He is too pure and innocent to even think about faking it. I know I don't trust people but I would never question Manik's feelings. Pushing him away was an excuse to keep him safe from my parents. They wanted to turn him into their personal puppet and I couldn't let that happen."

Cabir gaped at her. "What the hell were you hiding all this from me for?", he almost yelled. Almost. "Come with me."

"What? Where?"

"My room. You are an idiot", he said before shaking his head. "No. Actually, I am an idiot. He is always special to you. Could get away with everything with you. How could I not see it?"

He didn't stop ranting until they were inside his room. After asking her to sit down, he locked the door and took a seat beside her. "Do you want to know why I am an idiot?"

"You don't need to give me an additional reason to believe that. I already do. But if it makes you feel better, go ahead."

He threw a glare at her. "Because I am trying to prove to you that my Manik has true feelings for you and you are telling me, you already believe that. And here I was wasting my time."

"Come on, Cabir. Manik can be naive at times but lying about his feelings. Never."

"So, you love him?"

"Are you mad? Why do you always end up here?", said Nandini and stood up to leave.

Cabir pulled her down beside him. "No. Think and answer me. If on that day, instead of Manik, someone else was there with you, would you have asked them to marry you, Nandini?"

"Yes."

Cabir rolled his eyes. "How can I forget you answering impulsively without thinking? Close your eyes and think. Would you choose Manik to stay in your life for a lifetime?"

"Yes, but who wouldn't?"

"Do you think he will break your heart?"

"Knowingly? Never", she said. Cabir is being an idiot.

"Would you want to own him sometime? To call him your own?"

Nandini groaned. She has only so much patience left. To let him know her displeasure, she smacked his head. "He isn't an object to own, you idiot."

He glared at her, rubbing his head. "That's not what I meant. He is my brother for God's sake. What I meant was, whatever you do in your foreseeable future, is Manik there in your life when you are thinking about it? Like bringing the company back to a good position, or traveling around the world, or like yesterday going to book fairs or dates, or maybe the person you want to share your secrets with. Is he the one?"

"What are you on about?", she asked. Somewhere she knew where this was going on but she was afraid to face it when Cabir was making it more rigid and clear.

He ignored her and continued with his questions. "If the next time life replaces every person with only him in your life, would you still be happy? Do you ever feel like hiding him and keeping him to yourself so that no one hurts him?"

"It can't be Manik", she muttered. "I can't love Manik."

"You are being stubborn, Nandini. You are pushing him away", said Cabir. He paced around the room, taking a few breaths before sitting down. "You know what? Let's ignore this whole conversation. You don't love Manik but we are friends. And mom loves you so you would always be a daughter to her. But my Manik needs a partner. How about we patch him up with Meera?"

She didn't need to look up to see the smirk on his face. "You know?"

"Trust me. She has this super huge crush on Manik ever since she had joined the company."

Nandini gritted her teeth. "That pathetic excuse of a human being. She-"

"No, no. I understand if you are just friends but Manik's wife shouldn't curse a woman. He doesn't like it", said Cabir, interrupting her.

When she tried really hard to refrain from verbally abusing the woman, Cabir smirked again. What's up with him today smirking at every single thing?

"If you are only friends, you don't have to stop, Nandini."

She glared at him. Their conversation was reaching normalcy. Either him smirking and she throwing daggers at him or vice-versa. She ignored his jab. "How could you allow something like this to happen to your own brother at your workplace? Aren't you supposed to protect him? Weren't you hanging on his arm at every chance during college?"

"That was college and my Manik was naive back then. He is a CEO and capable of handling himself now", he explained.

As always, his logic was stupid. Girls were more dangerous in offices than in college.

"Anyways, my Manik is one of the most eligible bachelors in the city", he said. "I can't push every girl away because I guess everyone has a crush on him. Except you. You don't have a crush on my Manik, right?"

"Manik is not yours", she told. She cringed at her own argument.

"Is that the only thing you care about? Do you feel my Manik is only safe with you?", he asked, emphasizing on 'my' again.

When Nandini glared, he pulled her into a sideways hug. "You know what? Take my advice and seduce him. Accept your feelings, enjoy your marital bliss, and name a few kids after me."

"I am not seducing my husband?"

"Are the rest of the things okay to do with your husband then?", he asked.

Nandini groaned. When did she lose the argument? When did this Jungli become good at arguments? There was a knock and she mentally thanked the person to divert Cabir's attention.

"Stay here. I will check who's on the door", he said and left the room.

What was her life even?

XXX

Cabir mentally patted himself. His job as a cupid was prospering more than he had imagined. And he gets to make Nyonika Malhotra proud. When he found Manik on the other side of the door, he stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. Manik was looking restless?. "Good morning, Bhai."

"Morning. Have you seen Nandini around? I haven't seen her since morning?", he asked.

"Nandini, right?", he asked. She should be thinking about their conversation and if Manik sees her now, he would assure her something very stupid and idiotic like no one would force her, and Cabir's hard work would go to waste. "She is in my room", he said, without making any move to step aside.

"What is she doing there? Is she fine? Did I do something?", he asked.

Why was Manik disoriented today? "You didn't do anything, Bhai. She is fine. I am just teaching her meditation."

"You don't know meditation, kid."

Disoriented but never out of his logic. "I know. I just have varying objects to concentrate on like food", explained Cabir. "Anyway, why are you looking low? Are you alright?"

Manik shrugged. "Tired. Didn't sleep last night."

Cabir smirked. It was his expression of the day. "What were you doing last night that you couldn't sleep?", he said, waggling his eyebrows at his brother. Although tired, the huge grin on Manik's face was everything.

"I went to the bookfair yesterday, right? I started one of those last night. Couldn't put that down", explained Manik.

The huge grin on Manik's face was nothing. "Why do I have to deal with all the stupidity on this planet?", he muttered to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing", said Cabir, faking a smile. "Why don't you go to the office? I will come an hour late."

"Okay. Just make sure she's fine", he said.

Make sure she's fine. Not a word about 'baby, are you fine?' or 'how are you dealing with two idiots all alone?'. Cabir rolled his eyes and went inside, where Nandini had a frown on her face. "What are you thinking?"

"Was that Manik?", she asked, and when he nodded, the frown got deeper. "Is he fine? He hardly slept last night. Why can't he take a day off?"

Cabir looked up at the ceiling. "Why me?", he asked no one. When he turned towards Nandini, she was glaring at him. He was the goddamn cupid and there's no respect for him anywhere. He glared back at her in retaliation. Suddenly, he got an idea and squealed, jumping on the couch beside her.

"I am damn sure you have gone mad. Can I announce R.I.P Cabir's brain?", she asked.

Instead of arguing further, Cabir chose to be mature and concentrate on his plan. "I have an idea. Why don't you accept Bhai's deal? You both will get some time to spend with each other and both your professional and personal lives will be on track within days", he told. When he saw the doubt on her face, Cabir shook his head. "No excuses. Go, get ready. Get your file. We can go together to the office after breakfast."

XXX

Reaching the office, Cabir patted Nandini's arm. "Go meet Manik. I will just go to my cabin and come in a while."

"Okay", said Nandini.

"You are supposed to blush. I am giving you the privacy to be with your husband. Start working on our plan", he said.

"I didn't know I was part of any of your plans."

"Nandini, you are the plan. Seduce your husband", he said again.

Instead of replying to him, she went to Manik's cabin. If the groan that welcomed her had stung, she masked it up because she was having a good day and things were going well. "Are you okay?", she asked instead.

When Manik glanced up at her from where he had his head down on the table, a huge smile appeared on his face, relief washing over her. "Nandini, how are you?"

"As fine as you last saw me a few hours back", she teased. The blush that started to appear was a reward. She went around the table to stand beside him as she ran her fingers through his hair. Manik sighed and rested his head down, leaning into her touch. With his eyes closed and tired face, he looked like all those years back in college. I am blessed to have experienced your innocence, Manik, she thought.

They stayed in silence for a few minutes before Manik sat straight. He was looking tired.

"Why don't you take a day off?", asked Nandini.

Manik sighed. "No. I can't take leave every time I skip sleep because-"

"Because skipping sleep to read your fiction is a regular thing for you."

Manik ducked his head, nodding. "Anyways, are you on a casual visit or have some work?", he asked when his eyes landed on the file in Nandini's hands. "Wait a minute. Are you up with our plan?"

She shrugged. "Yeah. I don't know many people and even among them, I don't know whom to trust anymore." She glanced up when she felt Manik entwining their fingers.

"Give a few months, Nandini, and I am damn sure you would rule this industry", said Manik.

"You really know how to make me smile, right?"

"Hey, I am your husband. That's part of the deal."

Nandini shook her head. A few minutes with this person and the smile wouldn't leave her face for hours.

Manik pulled a chair, asking her to sit down as he dialed a number with his free hand. "Did Cabir come with you?", he asked and nodded when she said yes. "Baby. Meet me in my cabin." Cutting the call, he dialed another number. "Hey, Meera. Can you please bring the Murthy Industry's file to me? The one that I asked you to keep on hold. Thank you."

When Cabir came in a moment later, he smirked at Nandini, glancing towards their joined hands. Yeah, he wouldn't let her live this down.

"Cabir", said Manik, "we are working with Murthy Industries. I would anyway be working on it to make sure this is personally taken care of. Do you want to assist me in this one? Since it's our family, I thought why don't we keep it among ourselves?"

"Sure", said Cabir, "I am glad to be associated with you, Mrs. Malhotra."

Nandini rolled her eyes when his smirk widened. There are multiple plots running inside his head and every single one was screaming danger. Before she could retort, there was a knock and Meera came in with the file. On her way in, she glanced at their hands, glaring at them. Nandini tightened her hold as an answer. Seriously, what's wrong with everyone concentrating on their hands? Manik was her husband and no one has a right to question if she was holding his hand or wrapping them around him.

"Thank you, Meera. That would be all."

Manik's voice brought Nandini's attention away from Meera. She saw the twins start going through the file.

"Sir, do you need any help with this?", asked Meera.

Why was she interested?, thought Nandini.

"No. Cabir is handling this with me. Thanks for asking though", said Manik. "I would call you if I need something else."

Having no other option after the direct denial from Manik, Meera had to leave but she threw another glare in her direction. Nandini couldn't care less. She ignored her and concentrated on the twins, who were discussing the sponsorship. For the next two hours, they traded ideas, and finally, when they had a solid flow chart, Cabir excused himself to leave for his cabin, throwing a stupid comment about privacy and love and something irrelevant. Manik and Nandini ignored everything he said.

Nandini chuckled when another yawn interrupted Manik's speech for the third time in ten minutes. "Why don't you take a short nap? I will see you in the evening." When he nodded without a protest, she realized how tired he was. Seriously, this guy needs to make his sleep a priority in his life.

"Come, I will drop you till the car", said Manik.

She rolled her eyes. "Take a nap. I can go, Manik." When he looked doubtful, she wrapped her arms loosely around him. "Take care, yeah?", she muttered while going. Even after years of running away from all kinds of affection, holding his hand for hours felt as if it was natural, and leaving his hand felt more like parting ways. She mentally slapped herself for being overdramatic. They would be meeting in the evening. She blamed her train of thought to be Cabir who was spreading more rapidly than a deadly virus. Shaking her head, Nandini left the cabin.

XXX

Cabir banged his head on the table after coming back to his cabin. A few minutes later, he took his mobile out and called someone. "Partner, congratulate me for putting up with the most oblivious idiots for so long."

On the other side of the phone, he heard Nyonika laughing. "What did my favorite couple do now?"

"Our favorite couple but I seriously wanted to slap them hard. I brought Nandini to sign the deal with us. The whole meeting Manik was holding her hand and they actually worked with a single free hand of theirs. How can someone be so casual about holding hands in front of everyone but refuse to accept their feelings towards each other?", he complained. "They weren't even embarrassed when I entered or bothered to free their hands when Meera came in to give the file."

"It's all love, cupid. Don't lose hope. I am proud of you. One warning and you are back to your original efficiency. Very good", teased his mother.

"You don't even know half of my efficiency. If it were up to me, I would have forced them into a room until they accepted their feelings all during our college time. Mukti stopped me back then."

"Everything happens for a reason, kid. Who could have guaranteed that they wouldn't have turned toxic for each other at that time? Manik didn't know how to love a woman and Nandini was trying to protect her close ones from her parents. They would have been a chaotic pair and there were chances both of them would get hurt at the end. Now they are at a better place mentally. Calmer than their past selves."

Cabir sighed. "You make sense but I could do without witnessing my brother's heart getting broken."

"Broken heart is what teaches you how to love someone. Manik is fine now. Nandini too. I think it turned out much better at the end. So, now concentrate on our mission and your job too. I could still remove you from your job if you aren't efficient at work", she threatened and without waiting for his reply, had cut the call.

Cabir looked at his screen in disbelief. He was the cupid, he has to convince Nandini to let them help her professionally, sort her personal life with Manik, and carry half the world's burden on his shoulders. Where would the world go without him?

XXX

On her way out of Manik's cabin, Nandini suddenly felt someone twisting her arm. They closed her mouth and dragged her somewhere. Would it be the end of her? Finally? Her brain was closing off. It was Manik's office. Manik wouldn't let anything happen to her again. The thought gave her strength and by the time she opened her eyes again, she realized she was in some kind of a conference room. It was inside the Malhotra industries and she mentally sighed in relief. Breathing in, she glanced at the person in front of her and found Meera. "What the hell was that for?", she asked. This girl was crazy.

"Oh, Baby!", exclaimed Meera, dramatically, "did it hurt?"

Nandini stopped rubbing her arms. "Who are you even, woman?"

Meera rolled her eyes. "All the fame and the money that has gone into your head would come out once your divorce is finalized."

Nandini took a breath. Manik was just a few feet away from her. She could handle this. Didn't need to scream and let the whole office know about this stupid drama. "Yes, I know, Manik has given me the papers but it's none of your business if I divorce my husband or not. What's your point now?"

"Do you think you have cemented your place with the Malhotras by collaborating your company with them? I trust Manik and he would bring your company to heights within no time. What after that? You have to handle your company all by yourself and you wouldn't even have an excuse to come close to him through work."

God, is she planning a project on Nandini? Nandini grabs her arm and twists it around. Meera yelped which she ignored. She hadn't started yet, thought Nandini. "This is for dragging me here", she said. "Thank you for believing in my husband but I would suggest keeping your opinions to yourself especially when you don't know a thing about the other person."

When Nandini freed her arm, Meera took a step backward and glared at her. If only looks could kill people, Nandini would have been dead years back.

"You will soon get to know your place in Manik's life", warned Meera.

Nandini laughed, crossed her arms, and leaned casually against the table, ignoring the confused look on Meera. "Why don't we talk about your position in Manik's life?", asked Nandini. "You think you are special to Manik because he wishes you a 'good morning' first thing in the morning, asks you if you had your food or if you are feeling okay, adds a please whenever he wants you to do something for him, and treats you like an equal instead of an employee, right?"

The frown that appeared on Meera's head was an answer to her. This was typical Manik. How can she not know this about him? How can anyone not know this about Manik?

"You know what? Manik treats his driver the same", told Nandini. "It's the way he is. He cares for the people around him and makes sure they are comfortable. He is polite to a fault and if you think, he would fall in love with you or write half of his company in your name, you don't even know him. Stop being delusional and STAY AWAY FROM MY HUSBAND."

She emphasized on her each word and prayed that the girl understood. Throwing a final glare towards her, Nandini grabbed her file and left the room.

XXX

Nandini was pacing in Nyonika's room, the older woman sitting patiently, waiting for her to talk. It has been half an hour since she had returned from Malhotra Industries and she was yet to calm down.

"You know", said Nyonika, interrupting Nandini's mental conversations, "instead of pacing around and stressing yourself, you could talk to me. It's a beautiful option. I think I am even visible to have a conversation."

Nandini glared at the sarcasm that appears to run in the Malhotra genes. When Nyonika raised her arms in defense, Nandini realized she was actually glaring at Nyonika Malhotra. If someone had said this to her years back, she would have laughed at their faces.

"What's going on anyway?", asked the elder woman.

Nandini gritted her teeth. "How dare she?"

"Who?"

"That assistant. Meera."

"What did she do?", asked Nyonika.

"She is trying to snatch my husband away from me", said Nandini. It felt desperate to her own ears but Nandini ignored it. "How can she have a crush on Manik?"

Nyonika grinned. "Just to state a fact, she has a crush on Manik even before you two got married."

It was true and it deflated the anger inside her head. "You are supposed to support me", muttered Nandini.

Nyonika chuckled and pulled her beside herself. "Stop thinking about her. Manik is still yours. Or are you thinking that the history would repeat and Manik would-"

Nandini jumped in to assure Nyonika. "No, Manik wouldn't ever cheat on a person. His heart is too much in a proper place to hurt someone like that. Was Uncle anything like him?"

Nyonika composed herself and smiled. If it was sad, Nandini had wisely shut up. There are a few moments which one shouldn't witness and Nyonika Malhotra falling weak was one of them.

"No", she said. "He wasn't anything like Manik. I don't think anyone could be like Manik."

"He is one piece, I know", said Nandini. It brought a chuckle out of the elder woman and Nandini sighed. "Actually, Meera makes sense", she muttered. "According to her, she was in Manik's life long back and I was the one who popped up out of nowhere. When it's difficult to wrap my head around our marriage, how can I expect her to understand it?" It was a thought she had for a few days but acknowledging it would make it true and Nandini wanted to postpone getting a reality check for a while. She sighed again. "I wish I had met Manik earlier than when my parents initially changed. He would have been with me throughout my life like Abhimanyu or Mukti."

"The twins were right when they said your heart is in the right place but you try to cover it up", said Nyonika. When she looked confused, Nyonika stood up and pecked her head before going towards her cupboard. "I can help you with the 'meeting Manik earlier' part."

Nandini was surprised to see an old photograph of her grandfather with a baby Nandini in his lap. It looked like they were at a party. She caressed the photograph. "I didn't know that you knew my grandfather."

"I don't know him personally but we met on a few occasions. We aren't talking about him right now. Look at the kid with me", she said.

"Is that Manik? He looks so cute", said Nandini. She gushed over the pic. She was familiar with the cute nerd Manik whom she had initially met but this was on another level.

"You both were. Cute, I mean. Manik was 10 months old. You were 8 probably. You both started babbling and he refused to leave you because of which we were forced to sit beside each other the whole party. Raj handled Cabir. I was surprised because Manik has been a shy kid since birth. Hardly used to go to others. I didn't understand then but now I can say my babies are destined."

It was strange to see Nyonika squeal but she felt happy. Elders finding happiness in her happiness was rare and she would preserve it. She thanked Nyonika, hugging her tight. "I love you", she said. It came easy to her to love Nyonika Malhotra. "Thank you for being the best mom I could ever ask for", she confessed, wholeheartedly.

Nyonika slapped her head lightly. "Kids don't thank their mom, stupid."

Nandini nodded against her shoulder. Looking at the picture, she realized something. Manik was her husband and she wasn't going to leave him for someone else. 

Nyonika is amazing. Nandini isn't sacrificing Manik for someone else. Cabir is a very good cupid. Manik, well, he needs his sleep. :P

Spoilers - Why don't you guess it this once? ;)