The morning sun streamed through the curtains as Nandini woke up, her heart a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. Today was the day. Her birthday, yes, but also the day they had decided to reveal their relationship to their families. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions, and prepared for the temple visit with her family.

Dressed in a simple but elegant suit, Nandini descended the stairs to find the house already buzzing with activity. Workers moved around swiftly, setting up decorations and preparing for the evening's celebration. Her family, dressed in traditional attire, greeted her with warm smiles.

"Ready, birthday girl?" Vishakha asked with a smile, adjusting Nandini's pallu slightly.

Nandini nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes, Mumma."

The drive to the temple was quiet, each family member was lost in their own thoughts. Nandini stared out the window, her mind racing with a thousand scenarios of how the day might unfold. But she kept reminding herself that she wasn't alone-Manik was with her in this.

As they reached the temple, the serene atmosphere helped calm her nerves a bit. The scent of incense filled the air, and the soft chants of the priests created a peaceful background. They made their way inside, carrying offerings for the prayers. Nandini handed over the items to the priest, her heart silently praying for strength.

Then, she felt a presence nearby-a familiar warmth that made her heart skip a beat. She glanced to her side and saw a figure wearing a mask and cap, blending in with the crowd. But she didn't need to see his face to know it was Manik. Her lips curved into a small, secret smile, her heart swelling with relief and love.

Without drawing attention, they both bent down to take the priest's blessings. As they did, Manik reached out and gently patted her hand, his fingers lingering for just a moment before squeezing it lightly. It was a silent promise, a reassurance that no matter what happened today, he was with her.

Nandini's eyes filled with tears, but she held them back, not wanting to draw any attention. She glanced at Manik one last time, their eyes meeting in a brief but intense exchange of emotions. He nodded subtly, his eyes telling her everything she needed to hear-I'm here, and we'll get through this together.

She watched as Manik discreetly slipped away, blending into the crowd as if he had never been there. But his presence lingered with her, a comforting reminder of his unwavering support.

As her family completed their prayers and began to leave the temple, Nandini walked with them, her heart lighter. She knew the day ahead would be challenging, but that moment of connection with Manik had given her the strength she needed to face it.

With a final, lingering look in the direction Manik had gone, Nandini whispered a silent thank you and followed her family out of the temple, ready to face whatever the day would bring.

Nandini sat on her bed, lost in her thoughts, when Navya entered the room, her presence immediately lightening the atmosphere.

Navya noticed Nandini's faraway look and gently sat beside her. "Hey, what's going on in that mind of yours? You look like you're miles away."

Nandini snapped out of her thoughts and sighed. "I was just thinking about tonight. It's a big step for us... for him and me."

Navya's eyes widened slightly as she processed what Nandini was saying. "Wait, are you saying... he's coming here tonight? To the party?"

Nandini nodded, her voice steady but filled with a mix of emotions. "Yes, he's coming. We've decided it's now or never. We can't keep hiding, Navya. If we don't tell everyone now, we'll just keep running into problems like this in the future."

Navya took a moment to absorb the weight of what Nandini had just said. "Wow, Nandini, that's... a huge step. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Nandini's expression softened, and she nodded with determination. "I am. We both are. It's scary, but it's the right thing to do. We've been putting this off for so long, but we can't anymore."

Sensing the tension in the air, Navya decided to lighten the mood. With a teasing glint in her eye, she leaned in closer and grinned. "So, tonight, I finally get to meet your mysterious boyfriend, huh? I've been waiting for this moment for so long!"

Nandini couldn't help but chuckle at Navya's playful tone. "Yes, you'll finally get to meet him. Just don't embarrass me, okay?"

"Me? Embarrass you? Never!" Navya laughed, making a mock serious face before bursting into giggles.

Their laughter echoed through the room, filling it with a sense of warmth and camaraderie. Navya started chatting about random, funny stories from work, drawing Nandini out of her anxious thoughts and making her laugh until her sides hurt.

As they finished their touch-ups and got ready to head downstairs, Nandini felt a little lighter, her nerves calmed by Navya's easy banter. Navya, on the other hand, kept the atmosphere light, ensuring that Nandini didn't have too much time to dwell on what was about to happen.

"Ready?" Navya asked, giving Nandini a reassuring smile as they stood by the door.

"Ready," Nandini replied, taking a deep breath and smiling back.

And with that, they headed downstairs, their hearts a little steadier, ready to face whatever the evening had in store.

As Nandini and Navya descended the stairs, they were greeted by a few early guests mingling in the living room. The atmosphere was already buzzing with light conversation and laughter.

Nandini, wearing a serene smile, made her way toward Vishakha, Mahir, and Bela, who were standing together, overseeing the preparations.

"Looking lovely, girls," Vishakha complimented, her eyes softening with affection as she looked at Nandini and Navya.

Mahir, ever the charmer, couldn't resist teasing. "I must say, Princess, you've outdone yourself with the arrangements. Though I'm starting to think all the credit should go to Bela here," he said, flashing a playful wink at his wife.

Bela rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a smile. "Mahir, save your flattery for later. You're just trying to avoid being put to work."

Vishakha and Navya exchanged knowing looks and joined in the teasing. "Oh, we know his tricks too well by now," Vishakha laughed, nudging Mahir lightly.

Nandini, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging, chuckled along. Her eyes sparkled as she watched the playful banter unfold, the family's love wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.

Just then, Nandini's colleagues entered, pulling her into a conversation about work and life, their easy camaraderie a testament to the bonds she had built at the hospital. As they talked, the sound of footsteps drew Nandini's attention toward the entrance.

Manik, along with Neyonika, Raj, Mukti, and Alya, had just arrived. The moment Manik stepped inside, he felt a wave of nerves wash over him, his heart pounding in his chest. Mukti and Alya, always attuned to his moods, noticed the tension in his posture and exchanged concerned glances.

"Manik, are you okay?" Mukti asked quietly, leaning in close so only he could hear.

Manik forced a smile, trying to mask his unease. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Alya raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Okay, but if you need to talk, we're here."

Manik nodded, grateful for their understanding. As they moved further into the house, Mahir noticed their arrival and approached them with a welcoming smile.

"Welcome, welcome!" Mahir greeted warmly. "It's a pleasure to have you all here, Please come I'll introduce you to my family."

They exchanged pleasantries, with Neyonika and Raj maintaining their composed, professional demeanor. Mukti and Alya greeted Vishakha and Bela with a respectful "Ma'am," which caught the others by surprise.

"You two know each other?" Mahir asked, curious.

Bela said with a surprised look. "Yes, they're the new brand ambassador and designer we hired recently! What a small world."

Manik couldn't help but chuckle internally at the layers of coincidence unfolding around them. Before he could respond, a squeal of delight echoed through the room.

Navya, bubbling with excitement, rushed over to greet Mukti and Alya, pulling them into a tight hug. "You guys are here! This is amazing!" She then side-hugged Manik, her enthusiasm contagious.

Mahir looked puzzled but intrigued. "You all know each other?"

Navya nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, we all met after Nandini's reunion party and even went on a trip to Jaipur together. And this here," she gestured to Manik, "is Manik, Nandini's best friend I've told you all about."

Vishakha's gaze sharpened as she looked at Manik, her expression turning more thoughtful. Raj chimed in, "We just found out about all this last night when Mukti mentioned they were going to a friend's birthday party. Manik then told us that it was the same party."

Mahir, now more intrigued than ever, looked at Manik. "And you didn't mention this before because...?"

Manik, maintaining his calm, replied, "I didn't feel it was appropriate to introduce myself as Nandini's friend right off the bat. It felt more professional to wait."

Mukti then shifted their focus and introduced Navya to her parents. "This is Navya, and she's practically family to Nandini. You could say they're like sisters."

Navya greeted Raj and Neyonika with a warm smile, touching their feet to seek blessings, a gesture that was both respectful and endearing. Mukti and Alya followed suit, showing their respect to Mahir, Vishakha, and Bela. Manik, not one to break tradition, also sought their blessings, adding to the sense of family and unity in the room.

Just as everyone was settling into the easy flow of conversation, Nandini appeared, her presence instantly calming Manik's nerves. Their eyes met, and she couldn't hide the relief that washed over her at the sight of him. Controlling her emotions, she approached Mukti and Alya, who enveloped her in warm hugs, wishing her a happy birthday.

Manik then stepped forward, his voice soft but filled with affection as he wished her, "Happy birthday, Nandini."

She smiled at him, the briefest of touches conveying a world of unspoken feelings. Then, noticing Raj and Neyonika, she moved to take their blessings, which they offered with warm smiles and heartfelt wishes.

The moment was interrupted by the ringing of Nandini's phone. She answered it, giving curt responses, and after hanging up, she turned to Manik, Mukti, and Alya with a twinkle in her eye. "I have a surprise for you all."

Confused but intrigued, they followed her gaze as she turned toward the entrance. The sound of familiar voices caught their attention, and when they turned, they were met with the sight of Dhruv, Cabir, and Abhimanyu entering the room.

A chorus of excitement erupted as Mukti immediately rushed to Abhimanyu, embracing him tightly. Alya did the same with Dhruv, and Manik, with a broad grin, hugged Cabir. Their joyful reunion filled the room with laughter and energy.

"How did you guys get here?" Mukti asked, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Dhruv laughed. "Nandini invited us for her birthday. Or should I say, she threatened us to come?"

Everyone burst into laughter at his playful tone. Cabir chimed in, "Yeah, we couldn't say no to the birthday girl. Besides, it's been too long since we all got together like this."

As they all turned to Nandini, who was beaming with happiness, Cabir, Dhruv, and Abhimanyu each took their turn wishing her a happy birthday, their warmth and affection evident.

Nandini then introduced the trio to Bela, Mahir, and Vishakha, who welcomed them with open arms. The group quickly bonded, the initial nervousness fading into a comfortable and joyous atmosphere.

As the evening progressed and everyone busied themselves with the festivities, Nandini discreetly sent a message to Manik, asking him to meet her at their designated spot. Her heart raced with anticipation as she made her way to the secluded corner, a place they had chosen beforehand for moments just like this.

When she arrived, she found Manik already there, waiting for her. The moment their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passed between them. Without a word, they moved closer, and as their arms wrapped around each other, all the anxiety and nervousness of the day seemed to melt away.

They held each other tightly, savoring the warmth and comfort of the embrace, letting it convey all the emotions they couldn't quite put into words.

After what felt like an eternity, they slowly pulled away from the hug. Manik gently caressed her face, his thumb tracing the curve of her cheek as he whispered.

"Happy birthday, moonshine." His voice was soft, filled with love and tenderness that made Nandini's heart flutter.

He continued, his words flowing like a gentle stream, "You know, every moment with you feels like a gift. You're the light in my life, Nandini, and I can't imagine my world without you."

Nandini blushed deeply, her heart swelling with joy as she looked up at him. "Manik, you always know exactly what to say to make me feel special. I feel so lucky to have you."

Manik smiled, his eyes never leaving hers. He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and asked, "Are you ready for this? For tonight?"

Nandini's eyes sparkled with determination. "Never like before. As long as you're by my side, I'm ready to face anything that comes our way."

Manik's smile grew wider as he leaned in and kissed her forehead, a gesture filled with affection and reassurance.

"That's my girl," he murmured against her skin. "After the party ends, we'll tell everyone. But until then, I don't want you to worry about anything. Just enjoy your day, okay? And don't you want your birthday gift?"

Nandini shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "My gift is that everyone accepts our love. I can't lose you, Manik."

His heart ached at the sincerity of her words. "They will, Nandini. I promise you that. But now, I want to give you something special." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Opening it, he revealed a delicate anklet, adorned with tiny, shimmering charms.

Nandini's eyes widened in surprise and delight. She watched as Manik bent down on one knee and carefully fastened the anklet around her ankle. The cool metal against her skin sent a shiver up her spine, and she felt a wave of emotions wash over her.

Kneeling before her, Manik looked up and smiled, his eyes filled with love. "There, now you have something beautiful to remind you of today, and of us."

Nandini, overwhelmed with emotion, leaned down and kissed his hands. "Thank you, Manik. It's perfect. You're perfect."

Their intimate moment was interrupted by the buzzing of Nandini's phone. She glanced at the screen and saw Navya's name flashing. Answering the call, she heard Navya's voice on the other end, "Nandini, Amma is looking for you. Where are you?"

"I'll be there in a minute," Nandini replied, her tone steady despite the fluttering in her chest.

Hanging up, she turned back to Manik, her expression a mix of reluctance and resolve. "I have to go. But remember, come out after five minutes. We can't risk anyone getting suspicious."

Manik nodded, understanding the importance of discretion. "I'll see you soon, my moonshine."

With one last lingering look, Nandini turned and made her way back to the party, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt the weight of the night ahead, but knowing Manik was there with her, ready to face whatever came their way, gave her the strength she needed.

After waiting the agreed five minutes, Manik also left their secluded corner, rejoining the crowd with a calm exterior, though his thoughts remained entirely with Nandini. Tonight was going to be a turning point in their lives, and he was determined to make sure it ended with them standing strong together.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Will everything go like they have planned???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️