Let Me Love You ✨|| Completed

16. Baby Steps To 'MaNan'

"I know Nandini  you might have many questions running in your mind that you won't voice but I will answer them one day. Not today but for sure one day", Manik smiled at her and she looked up at him with a nod. They sat there for a long time gazing the moon and the stars in a comforting silence.

"Nandini? I have a suggestion", manik suddenly spoke out of the blue.

" Umm...what?", She aksed unable to get the context.

" What if we spend our wedding night, I mean the first night here, on the beach, taking, about what I never shared with anyone and the secrets you have treasured all your life?",  He proposed a sudden idea and she looked shocked.

Isn't it every man's dream to have his girl under him, moaning on their first night? Wasn't that's what it is shown in movies? Isn't marrige more about that part of life? Nandini was still in deep thoughts when she felt Manik calling out to her?

" Nandini? NANDINI?", He called out loud and she gazed up at him.

" What happened? Don't tell me you were planning to do 'IT' on our wedding night?", He tried teasing her and she looked at him confused.

" No I wasn't! But isn't that what men want, especially from their legitimate wife?", Nandini asked, without thinking, her eyebrows frowned.

To say Manik was not hurt with her such judgemental thoughts would be a lie. Of course he was. Anyone would be! But he masked it all with a smile, trying to understand her nature and thought process.

" Maybe you are right but Nandini , I am not them. I won't say that I don't want it but then I want it  only when we know each other, when we both are in love with each other. You got to trust me with this, hmm?", He explained softly looking at her eyes and she was again speechless. Most of the times he managed to steal all her vocal powers with his words. Just a few minutes back, he was this vulnerable with glassy eyes and now, again he was back to that caring and understanding person who was always available for others. She looked at him trying to see through his facade of maturity and care, trying to find that person she met half an hour ago. And staring at his smile she realized it was all true. The prettiest smile hide the darkest secrets. She said nothing but nodded at him and he just smiled at her.

"So plan finalized?", He teased her again but this time she found herself chuckling.

" Yup. You. Me. Beaches. Stars...", She said dreamily and he was amazed to find the dreamy expressions in her eyes. He thought she was way too practical but today he knew that even practicality hides dreams somewhere.

"But I  love moon more than stars...", He pouted at her and she laughed at his face.

" Don't worry. Moon and stars can be enjoyed together for both dwell in the sky itself...", She answered him back taking herself and himself both by surprise. For the first time, she had talked about being together and it was enough for him to hope to be with her and know the parts of her she had kept to herself.

Finally both of them got up and he dropped her back home to find the three musketeers already there, feasting on tasty south Indian food. Manik was ecstatic to see Kabir so gelled up with them and seeing him emotional, Nandini quietly sneaked her hand in his, giving him silent comfort and strength. Their sweet exchange didn't go unnoticed by Padmini who was happy to see her daughter finally taking steps of moving on in life.

Later that night, as Nandini lay with her head in her mother's lap, with Padmini gently stroking her hairs, a serene smile could be seen on her face.

" So finally, I guess my daughter gained her belief in love!", Padmini tried coaxing her and Nandini laughed.

"  No amma. I still don't have belief in love. But yes no matter how much I run from it, I have started believing in him, amma. And if not lover, I want to be his friend at least, closest friend, who he can look on to and while he continues being the problem solver and understanding person for others , atleast he would have me by his side...", She spoke to her mother who smiled through glassy eyes. For the girl who had no dreams of settling down, even trusting someone is a big achievement and Padmini was happy with the progress. She just nodded at her daughter and patted her to sleep.

The next morning, both Manik and nandini woke up with a text message- from their respective mother-in-laws.

" Manik beta, thank you for bringing back the trust she had lost. Thanku for being patient towrds her. I know sometimes her views will offend you or hurt you but please, don't give upon her. She needs you....".

" Dear daughter-in-law, I am already too happy to have you beta. For the first time in my life, I have seen him so content and Kabir so happy after a really long time and I know, all credits go to you. He is not vocal about himself and yet you managed to listen him out. Thank you. Don't ever give upon him....".

A sweet smile made its way on their faces as they pledged the same thing, though at different places.

"I won't!", Both said simultaneously and welcomed a new day with new hopes.

Note: Happy new year 2020!!!
Before we begin the new year, let's give a thought to the past year and what we went through. Good or bad. If you don't know how to, go through this questionnaire I published in my other story 'A Star-crossed Love' and hopefully it will help you.

Lots of love and luck! 💓