**Manan: Strings That Bind Us**
Manik: A kind-hearted and devoted young man, values his family above all else and is willing to make any sacrifice for their happiness. But life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself married to the sister o...
He had never taken the time to truly *see* her before.
Not like this.
That's when Nandini turned, sensing someone’s presence, and her eyes widened slightly when she saw Manik standing there.
Nandini: "Oh! You’re awake."
Manik smirked, leaning against the glass wall.
Manik: "I woke up to find my wife missing, only to discover her secretly enjoying the pool."
Nandini laughed softly, pushing her wet hair back.
Nandini: "Secretly? It’s not my fault you were sleeping like a log."
Manik chuckled, shaking his head. His gaze softened as he watched her, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt different—lighter, almost playful.
Manik: "Mind if I join?"
Nandini raised an eyebrow but smiled.
Nandini: "It’s your house. You don’t need my permission."
Without hesitation, Manik pulled off his hoodie and stepped into the pool. The water rippled as he moved toward her, stopping at a comfortable distance.
They stood there, facing each other, the soft glow of the pool lights reflecting in their eyes.
There was a pause—a quiet acknowledgment of their unusual beginning. But instead of sadness this time, there was something else.
Hope.
Nandini hesitated before playfully splashing some water toward him.
Manik blinked in surprise before a slow grin spread across his face.
Manik: "Oh, you’re asking for trouble now, Mrs. Malhotra."
Nandini felt different listening Mrs. Malhotra from Manik and other side his situation was not different either.
Before she could react, he splashed water back at her, making her gasp.
Nandini: "Manik! That’s unfair!"
She tried to swim away, but he caught her wrist, pulling her closer.
Nandini’s breath hitched as she found herself just inches away from Manik. The water between them rippled softly, but it wasn’t the warmth of the pool that sent a shiver through her—it was the way he was looking at her.
She had never seen this side of him before.
Gone was the usual indifference, replaced by something deeper, something unreadable.
Manik: "You’re not running away now, are you?"
His voice was low, teasing, but there was something else in his tone—something that made her heart race.
