MaNan: Strings That Bind Us

"A New Beginning: The Swiss Awakening"

Nandini swallowed, attempting to play it off. 

Nandini: "Maybe I should." 

She moved to turn, but before she could, Manik’s fingers gently curled around her wrist again—not forceful, not demanding, just holding.

Manik: "Stay."

It was just one word. Simple. Soft. But it sent a wave of emotions crashing over her. 

She wasn’t sure what this was between them, but for the first time, she didn’t feel out of place. 

Instead of pulling away, she stayed. 

Manik released her wrist slowly, as if giving her the choice to leave if she wanted. But she didn’t move. 

Nandini: "I… I don’t really know you, Manik."

Manik exhaled, running a hand through his wet hair before nodding. 

Manik: "I know. And I don’t really know you either. But maybe…" 

He looked into her eyes, his voice quieter now. 

Manik: "Maybe we should start trying."

Nandini felt her heart skip a beat. 

It wasn’t love. Not yet. 

But in that moment, with the snow falling silently outside and the warmth of the water surrounding them, something shifted between them. 

A beginning. 

A possibility. 

And for the first time since their marriage, Nandini didn’t feel so lost anymore.   

A small smile played on her lips as she splashed water at him again, breaking the heaviness of the moment. 

Nandini: "Then let’s start with this—do you even know how to swim?" 

Manik smirked. 

Manik: "Are you challenging me, Mrs. Malhotra?"

Nandini grinned. 

Nandini: "I don’t challenge people who are scared of water."

Manik narrowed his eyes playfully before moving closer, his hands suddenly gripping her waist. She gasped, her hands instinctively landing on his shoulders. 

Manik: "Careful what you say, Nandini. You might just find yourself in trouble."

Nandini’s breath still caught in her throat as Manik’s hands rested lightly on her waist. The warmth of the water surrounded them, but the heat between them felt almost tangible. Every little movement, every subtle shift in the way he held her, made her heart race.

She could feel his breath near her ear, slow and steady, as he spoke.

Manik: "You’re not scared of me, are you?"

The teasing tone in his voice made her smile, but there was a flicker of something deeper behind his words. It was as if he was testing the waters—seeing how far they could go, how much they could explore without pushing each other too far.

Nandini: "No, I’m not scared of you."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet in that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world. She could feel the tension in the air, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was… right.

Manik: "Good."

His grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly, pulling her just a little bit closer. She could feel the thrum of his heart against hers, matching the rhythm of her own. There was no more teasing, no more jokes—just the quiet understanding that something was shifting between them.