As Navya left the hospital, Nandini sat back in her chair, her cheeks flushed as she smiled softly, lost in the lingering warmth of the memories she had just shared. Her mind drifted further into that unforgettable night, her heart racing as she recalled what had happened next after they stepped inside Paradise Point.

Flashback,

The night had been magical, with the stars shimmering brightly above and the moonlight casting a soft glow on the villa’s facade. Nandini remembered standing at the entrance, her breath catching at the sight before her. The gate was beautifully decorated with marigolds and roses, their vibrant colors standing out against the night’s darkness. She could tell that Manik had put a lot of thought into every detail—it looked just like a traditional Indian home welcoming its family for the first time.

A small silver pot filled with rice sat on the ground near the entrance, and the sight made her eyes well up. It was a ritual she’d seen countless times but never imagined experiencing in such a personal way. She turned to Manik, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and found him watching her intently, his expression soft and loving.

“Manik… you did all this?” she asked, her voice choked with emotion.

Manik nodded, a gentle smile spreading across his face. “Of course,” he said softly, stepping closer. “It’s our home, Nandini. I wanted it to feel right. I wanted it to feel like… us.”

Nandini bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears, but they slipped free, trailing down her cheeks. Manik reached out, gently brushing them away with his thumb. “Hey,” he whispered, his voice tender. “No tears, remember? Only smiles tonight.”

Nandini laughed softly, nodding. “I know, I’m just… overwhelmed.”

Manik squeezed her hand, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles. “Come on,” he said, gesturing to the pot of rice. “Time for the Graha Pravesh. Kick the rice, just like in the movies.”

Nandini chuckled through her tears, nodding as she lifted her foot and gently kicked the pot. The rice scattered across the threshold, a symbolic welcome into their new home. Nandini looked up at Manik, her heart swelling with love and gratitude. He took her hand again, intertwining their fingers as they stepped inside together, crossing the threshold as one.

Once inside, Manik turned to her, his eyes twinkling. “Ready for the grand tour?” he asked playfully.

Nandini nodded eagerly, her excitement bubbling over. “Absolutely.”

They walked through the house hand in hand, and Nandini marveled at every detail. The living room was spacious and tastefully decorated, with soft lighting and cozy furniture that made it feel inviting and warm. There were photographs of them scattered throughout the room—snapshots of their travels, their laughs, their quiet moments. Each picture told a story, a chapter of their journey together.

Nandini spun around the room, taking it all in. She felt like a child on her birthday, every corner of the house revealing a new surprise, a new token of Manik’s love. She couldn’t stop smiling, her heart fluttering with joy as she moved from room to room.

Manik watched her, his eyes never leaving her as she twirled around, her hair fanning out and catching the light. He loved seeing her like this—carefree, happy, completely in the moment. He followed her as she explored, her laughter echoing through the house, filling it with life and warmth.

Finally, Manik led her to the last room—their bedroom. He paused at the door, his hand on the handle, and turned to Nandini with a nervous smile. “Okay, this is my favorite part,” he said, his voice a little shaky with anticipation. “Ready?”

Nandini nodded, her curiosity piqued. “Show me,” she said softly, squeezing his hand for reassurance.

Manik pushed the door open, revealing a beautifully decorated bedroom. Soft, sheer curtains framed the large windows, letting in just the right amount of moonlight. The bed was covered in a plush comforter with soft, inviting pillows, but what caught Nandini’s attention were the photographs covering the walls. They were pictures of the two of them together—laughing, holding hands, making funny faces. Each picture captured a different moment, a different emotion, but all showed the same undeniable bond between them.

Nandini gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. She turned to Manik, her eyes wide with amazement. “Manik… this is… it’s incredible.”

Manik stepped closer, his gaze soft and full of adoration. “I wanted this room to feel like… us,” he explained. “Every picture here is a reminder of why we’re together, of why we keep fighting for us. I wanted you to look around and always feel our presence, our memories, our love. No matter what happens outside these walls, in here… it’s always just you and me.”

Nandini felt her eyes welling up again, her heart too full for words. She walked over to the nearest wall, gently running her fingers over one of the frames. It was a candid shot of them at a concert, Manik’s arm around her shoulders as they both laughed at something off-camera. It was a moment she barely remembered but seeing it now brought back the rush of emotions—the thrill, the joy, the pure, unfiltered happiness of being with him.

She turned back to Manik, her eyes shimmering with tears. “You did all this… just for us?”

Manik nodded, his expression serious but his eyes soft. “For us,” he repeated. “Because you’re my home, Nandini. This house, these walls… they’re just the backdrop. What makes this place special is you. And I wanted to make sure you felt that, every time you stepped inside.”

Nandini couldn’t hold back anymore. She crossed the room in a few quick steps, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a tight embrace. She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt, but she didn’t care. She just needed to feel him, to hold him close and never let go.

“Manik,” she whispered against his chest, her voice trembling. “I don’t know how to put this into words… but I’m so happy. You make me so happy.”

Manik held her close, his hands gently rubbing her back in soothing circles. “That’s all I ever wanted,” he murmured into her hair. “To see you happy.”

Nandini pulled back slightly, looking up at him through her tears. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands, her thumb gently brushing over his cheek. “I love you, Manik,” she confessed, her voice raw with emotion. “More than words can say. You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted… and so much more.”

Manik’s gaze softened, his eyes filled with an emotion that mirrored hers. He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers. “I love you too, Nandini,” he whispered. “And I’ll keep loving you… every day, for the rest of our lives.”

Nandini smiled through her tears, her heart pounding in her chest. She leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a soft, tender kiss. It started gentle, a simple meeting of lips, but quickly deepened as the emotions they had been holding back poured out. Manik’s hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer, while Nandini’s fingers tangled in his hair, holding him to her as if afraid he might disappear.

The kiss was a promise, a reassurance, a reminder of everything they had fought for and everything they had yet to face. In that moment, it didn’t matter what challenges lay ahead or what had happened in the past. All that mattered was the here and now, the undeniable connection between them, the love that had built this paradise around them.

When they finally pulled away, both were breathless, their foreheads still pressed together. Nandini’s eyes sparkled with tears, but her smile was radiant, filled with all the love and hope she felt in her heart.

“Welcome home,” Manik whispered, his voice low and full of affection.

Nandini laughed softly, nodding. “Welcome home,” she echoed, knowing that as long as they were together, anywhere could be their paradise.

Manik's eyes, dark and intent, bore into hers, and before she knew it, he pulled her close again, his lips capturing hers in a searing kiss that took her breath away. This kiss was different from the one they shared earlier—it was urgent, demanding, and filled with a hunger that had been building between them for the past year.

As their lips moved together, Nandini’s hands found their way to the nape of Manik’s neck, her fingers tangling in his hair. He pulled her even closer, his hands exploring her back, the fabric of her saree the only barrier between their heated skin. The kiss deepened, tongues meeting in a dance of passion and desire. Nandini could feel her heart pounding, matching the rhythm of her breaths, fast and shallow.

Manik slowly moved her towards the bed, their lips never breaking apart, their movements in sync as if choreographed. When they finally reached the bed, Manik gently pushed Nandini down, his body hovering over hers. He pinned her hands to the side, his grip firm yet tender, as he trailed kisses from her lips down to her neck. Nandini gasped, her back arching slightly off the bed as he lavished attention on her sensitive skin. He nibbled, sucked, and licked, each touch sending sparks through her body.

Manik moved the pallu of her saree aside, exposing more of her shoulder. He kissed the newly exposed skin, savoring the soft gasp that escaped her lips. He pulled the fabric of her blouse slightly down her shoulders, his mouth following the path of the material, pressing open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone and shoulder. He moved lower, kissing the soft skin of her stomach, his lips leaving wet trails that made her shiver.

Nandini was lost in the sensations, her breaths coming in ragged pants. She watched him through half-lidded eyes, her body trembling under his touch. Manik paused, sitting up slightly to remove his jacket, tossing it aside without a second thought. He leaned back down, capturing her lips in another fervent kiss, one that spoke of all the unspoken words and promises between them.

Nandini responded with equal fervor, her hands sliding up his bare chest, feeling the taut muscles beneath her fingertips. She tugged at his t-shirt, pulling it over his head, leaving him bare-chested before her. Her hands roamed freely over his torso, exploring every inch, her lips following soon after, peppering kisses along his neck and chest.

The air around them grew hotter, their breaths mingling, their movements more desperate as they lost themselves in each other. It was the first time they had been this close, this intimate in their entire relationship, and the significance of that was not lost on either of them. They were exploring uncharted territory, and while it felt exhilarating, it also felt right.

Manik’s hands moved to the back of her blouse, fingers trembling slightly as he fumbled with the hooks. Nandini’s breath hitched at the sensation, her body reacting instinctively. As Manik continued, his fingers brushing against her bare skin, Nandini’s hand inadvertently knocked against the side table, sending a framed photograph crashing to the floor. The sudden noise jarred them both, snapping them out of their heated haze.

They froze, eyes locking as the reality of their situation dawned on them. The tension that had been building between them dissipated, replaced by a mix of shock, embarrassment, and a touch of regret. Manik sat up quickly, running a hand through his hair as he cursed under his breath.

“Damn it,” he muttered, his voice strained. “I’m sorry, Nandini. I— I lost control. I didn’t mean to—”

Nandini, still catching her breath, sat up as well, pulling her saree back around her. She looked at Manik, who was now sitting at the edge of the bed, his face buried in his hands. The room was heavy with silence, and she could feel her cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and lingering desire.

“Manik,” she said softly, reaching out to touch his shoulder. He flinched slightly but didn’t pull away. “It’s okay. I was… caught up in the moment too.”

Manik turned to face her, his eyes full of remorse. “No, it’s not okay. I promised myself I wouldn’t push you or rush things. I never wanted to make you feel uncomfortable.”

Nandini shook her head, her fingers lightly brushing his cheek. “You didn’t. I… I wanted it too. But maybe we just got a little carried away.”

Manik sighed, nodding slowly. “Yeah, I guess we did. I just— I want everything to be perfect for us, you know? I want to do things right.”

Nandini smiled gently, her heart warming at his words. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting hug. “We will, Manik. We have time. We can take things slow, wait until we’re ready, until… until marriage, if that’s what you want.”

Manik hugged her back, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Yeah,” he whispered, his voice steadier now. “That’s exactly what I want. I want to make this right, for both of us.”

They sat there in each other's arms for a long moment, the intensity of the previous minutes ebbing away, replaced by a sense of calm and understanding. Eventually, they pulled back, and Manik offered her a small, apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, his thumb gently brushing the side of her face.

Nandini shook her head, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “You don’t need to be sorry. We’re figuring this out together.”

They lay back down, this time side by side, Manik’s arm draped protectively over Nandini as she nestled against him. They talked quietly, about their dreams for the future, their plans for Paradise Point, and the life they hoped to build together. And somewhere in between the quiet conversation and the comfort of each other's presence, they fell asleep, the promise of a new day awaiting them.

The next morning, they woke up to the soft sound of the waves crashing in the distance, the sun filtering in through the sheer curtains. There was a quiet knock on the door, and a priest entered, ready to perform a small puja to bless their new home. Manik and Nandini stood side by side, their hands folded in prayer as the priest chanted the mantras, the fragrant smoke of incense swirling around them.

After the puja, they spent the rest of the day exploring their new home and making it truly theirs. They laughed as they moved around the villa, occasionally stopping to take in the breathtaking view of the beach nearby. They dipped their toes in the cool water, walked along the shore hand in hand, and dreamed out loud about the future they were building together. It was a perfect day, filled with laughter, love, and the simple joy of being together.

Flashback ends

Back in the present, Nandini sighed as she came out of the flashback, a wistful smile tugging at her lips. She missed those days—the simplicity, the certainty of their love, the promise of forever that had felt so tangible. She wished that things could go back to the way they were, that the complications and misunderstandings could just disappear.

But deep down, Nandini knew that life wasn’t that simple. Yet, even in all the chaos, she held on to the hope that they could find their way back to each other, that Paradise Point could once again be the symbol of their love and their haven from the world.

With that thought, she wiped away a stray tear, steeling herself for the rest of her shift. She glanced at her phone, half-hoping for a message from Manik, but the screen remained blank. She sighed, her fingers grazing over the picture of them on her lock screen—a reminder of happier times, and a silent promise to keep fighting for what they had, no matter how difficult things got.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️