“With every shared laugh and every quiet moment, we grow closer—two souls weaving into one.”
X–-X—X—
MANIK
“Ahh…” Why does no one let me sleep?
Don’t they know that my sleep is so precious?
Knock!
“Bhaiya…. Bhabhi…”
I groaned in sleep and pulled my pillow closer while snuggling in it.
Wow!...
My pillow smells like vanilla. I loved it.
“Bhaiya… Bhabhi…”
Uff, whose Bhaiya and whose Bhabhi?
I stirred and tried to open my heavy eyelids.
“Manik… Manik…”
I open my eyes at last to look at my sleepy wife beside me, who is waking me up.
“Huh?” Now, what happened to her?
What the hell!
I was snuggling in her, imagining it to be my pillow.
Was my head on her chest or…..
Fuck! Malhotra, don’t get horny early in the morning.
“So, can I get horny in the afternoon or in the evening?” My heart asks with an innocent pout.
Fuck you! Manik.
From when you start talking to your conscious self?
“Open the door, someone is calling you.” My wife whispers and sleeps again, turning her back towards me.
Wow! What a start to the day!
“I am not going.” Being a stubborn sleepy head, I snuggle again into my pillow.
This time in my real pillow.
“Bhaiya…” This time, the knocks were harder than before. I doubt that he will break the door next time.
Why does everyone become my enemies?
“Manik… go naa….” Nandini whines.
I wanted to cry, but I somewhat had an idea that she had slept late after taking care of me. She plays her role well as a wife; now it’s my turn to be a good husband.
I stood up, not showing any more tantrums, and covered her properly as the room was chilled because of the air conditioner.
“Manik… dekho na koun hai?” She muttered under her breath, but loud enough for me.
“Jaa raha hoo.”
Don’t we look like a real husband and wife?
Wife orders, husband follows.
Poor me!
“Bhaiya….”
This moron will die with my bare hands.
I open the gate before he breaks in.
“Kya hai?”
“Badi Maa said you were ill, but it doesn’t look like that.” He inspects me for a brief moment and adds, “You are shining brightly like the sun.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and let him continue because I needed a solid reason to murder him so that I could justify it in front of the god.
“Aren’t you acting to get Bhabhi’s attention?”
Must say he has some nerves to say this in front of me.
“Why would I want your Bhabhi’s attention? Is she a fairy?” I asked with sarcasm.
“Yes, she is a fairy who falls into the clutches of an unromantic beast.”
Iss Bhabhi ke dass ko toh mai chodunga nahi.
(I won’t leave this Bhabhi’s disciple)
“You….” I grabbed his collar, and he flinched.
Good!
Good for him.
“Stop! Before you murder me, let me say my last few wishes.” He wriggles in my hold, and I show my eyes, making his struggles weak.
“Manik…” I heard Nandini’s shriek from my back, and in a second, she was in front of me.
And here, THE BHABHI comes.
The saviour!
“Leave him.” She tries to save him from my tight hold, and I let her.
Don’t ask me why?
“Does it suit you to trouble your younger brother in the morning?”
“Oh, hello, first, ask him who is troubling whom?” I retorted to save myself from fake accusations.
“Varun?”
“Bhabhi, I swear, I just came here to convey Badi Maa’s message.” This liar pinched his throat so that Nandini would believe him.
And, undoubtedly, Nandini believed him.
“So say and fuck off,” I shouted.
“Manik, language!”
I ignored her shout as usual.
“Maa, wanted to know when you will take Bhai to the hospital?” Varun looks at me with a smirk.
I know why he is smirking at me. I scoffed.
Soon, a burden will be lifted from this planet. I look at both of my current enemies.
One is my wife and the other is my brother.
“I am fine. I don’t find any need to go to the hospital now.”
I turned around to walk back into the room as I was feeling tired, but Nandini’s words stopped me. “Varun, inform Maa that we will leave for the hospital within an hour.”
Does she have a hearing problem?
Or, she ignored me as I did to her?
I gritted my teeth and made myself clear once again, “Arey… I said na… I am not going to the hospital.”
“Varun…” She gestures something to him, and he nods positively like an obedient student, “Ji Bhabhi,” and walks off with a smiling face.
“Oye, Bhabhi ke chamche…” I tried to stop him, but that rascal ran off while whistling. Then, I turn my attention to Nandini, “Nandini, I will not go anywhere. I am fine.”
“First, get fresh, then we will decide.” She ordered me like a fucking queen.
There is nothing that she would decide. It’s my life, and I will decide.
“Hey, stop ruling over me.”
What the fuck, is she doing?
She just rolls her eyes at me.
The nerves of her…. My anger rose, and she was standing as if nothing had happened. She doesn’t know she has awakened a monster.
Before I could corner her to teach her a lesson, she shouted, “Maa, Manik is saying that he won’t go to the hospital.”
NO!
My eyes widen in fear. Maa won’t leave me if I don’t go there. She will starve me to death, I know her, she will.
“I am going, Maa…” I roared and added in a whisper while looking at Nandini’s retreating figure, “Bitch!”
“I heard it.” She laughed without turning back and went to the bathroom for a shower.
“I don’t care.” I hissed and took a nap until she came out of the shower, which will take around 30 minutes.
I mean, what does she do there for 30 minutes?
For god’s sake, 30 minutes has 1,800 freaking seconds.
I would have collapsed if I stayed inside for so long.
When I ask her what she does then, she answers in a single sentence, I mimicked her, “It’s girls matter. The boys who bathe in 3 minutes won’t understand it.”
I realised what I am doing.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I am giving too much attention to her thoughts.
Sleep, Manik.
---------------------------------------
I come out of the shower with a towel wrapped around my waist and shout in panic, seeing a GHOSTLY figure standing in front of the mirror.
Ghostly?
And that ghost is none other than my wife.
I am not kidding. She is wrapped in clothes from top to toes. A black full sleeves top and blue denim jeans with a scarf neatly wrapped around her face, covering her forehead too, leaving only her eyes.
“What is this?” I walked closer to look into her eyes, which looked so tiny. “Why did you dress up like we are going to rob the bank?”
Because no one in their right mind will dress up like that.
“This is my precautionary outfit.” She added with a proud smile, although her smile is not visible because of the scarf, but I can sense it in her voice.
“Precautionary”?
Does she use her demonic dictionary on the planet?
“What?”
“In this way, I can ditch paparazzi and my fans.” She chirped like it’s not a big deal. She added with a disgusting tone, “To be honest, I don’t want to get papped with you.”
What the hell!
Am I dying to get papped with her?
NO!
NEVER!
EVER!
“May I know why, Ma’am?” This is the only question that slipped from my tongue, as it took time for me to gather myself after I got an indirect insult.
“I have a standard, Mr Husband.” She teased me, and to my surprise, it triggered me.
Standard?
Am I not good enough to be called a standard husband?
“You are an asshole, Manik.” My mind mocked me, and I couldn’t agree more.
She knows the exact buttons to press to trigger my anger.
“I have to maintain my public image. I can’t trigger my fans with my nasty choice in choosing a man.” She laughed and ran away before I could catch her wrist.
“What the hell!” I sniggered, “Stop!.... Hey!”
Since morning, she has insulted me multiple times, and I did what?
Nothing!
Freaking nothing!
She has to pay for those insults.
With determination, I dressed up as fast as I could and walked out. I descend the stairs and find my mother and Nandini talking in a hush tone, and they go silent when I approach them.
What are they planning against me?
Without saying anything to me, Maa walks back into the kitchen, and Nandini drags me like I am a potato sack.
I glared at her, and she acted like it was not a big deal.
She is taking advantage of my peaceful nature.
“Peaceful nature-” My mind again tried to mock me, but I shut it out.
Virat approached us when he saw us near our car.
“We will take my car,” I said to Nandini, who rolled her eyes, and Virat gasped. I know why he is shocked. I am sure he will get used to it as I did. I added, looking at Virat, “Virat, we will manage for today.”
“Yes, Sir.” He walks away, giving a sweet smile to Nandini, who looks at him with AFFECTION.
Affection?
And, why the hell did Virat smile at her back?
And why did she respond to it with a smile?
She never does that with me.
Manik, get a grip on yourself. You are acting like a creep.
She is still looking in his direction, making me huff. What does he have that her eyes are not ready to leave him?
I cleared my throat to get her attention, but I won’t admit that.
“You don’t have to clear your throat to get my attention.” She snapped and settled into the driver's seat and started the engine.
“I don’t want your attention.” I already said, I won’t admit that. “I wanted to ask something.” My breath hitched when she pressed the accelerator, and the car moved forward.
I am dead if she is going to drive us to the hospital.
“Manik, I think it is a safer side. If anything happened to us during the journey, then we would eventually reach the hospital. So, nothing wrong. Anyhow, we will reach our destination.” My heart screams, assuring me.
“It doesn’t matter with some extra broken bone, right?” My mind further asked with a shudder.
Very good, Manik. You have a habit of self-talk.
My hold on the grab handle above my seat tightens, and with another hand, I hold the hand brake in case something happens. I can’t trust her driving skills.
“Why are you showing chivalry?” Her questions grabbed my attention, and I came back on the topic.
“Because I am a gentleman.”
I wanted to scream at her, but chose to use my tone and words appropriately. Although my eyes and ears are so attentive right now.
“Are you serious about not having Virat as your personal bodyguard?” I came directly to the question, and she answered it curtly, like me.
“Yes.”
“Why? He is the best in his field.” I try to reason with her.
You can say I am pursuing her to at least increase her security after the last incident.
I won’t always be near her shoot locations to drive her home safely.
“I don’t want your favour.”
Where does that come from?
Now, I stare at her face.
“Favour? I am not doing you any favours.” I groaned.
“Who knows what you will ask in return for this favour?” Her expressions were so neutral that it became difficult to read her emotions.
“That’s why she is an actress, dumbo.” I remind myself.
Oh god!
This girl!
“Nandini, I am seriously concerned for your safety.” I reasoned.
“Then, don’t.” She began without even glancing at me. “You shouldn’t show concern for the girl who just shares your name, and nothing else.”
Ok, I was the one who drew the line between us. However, that was for our benefit. I don’t want to fall in love again and get betrayed in the end. My heart is scared to share emotions.
I know I can’t blame anyone for this. And, I can’t even move ahead with other relationships pretending like that never happened. I can’t start being normal in this LOVELESS marriage.
I need time and space, or WE NEED TIME.
“We have reached.” I come out of my thoughts, hearing her.
Without any talk, we walked inside. She was walking ahead, and I was following her.
“Good morning, Ma’am,” The receptionist greeted us and showed her broad smile, looking at me. I rolled my eyes because I can’t handle these bimbos’ attention. “How can I help you?” Her question was for me, and I knew what she was referring to.
I roll my eyes at her attempt to seduce me. Her efforts are doing nothing except making me feel pukish.
“Good morning, actually, I have an appointment with Dr Sushanto.” Nandini waved her hand in front of her to get her attention and spoke in a neutral tone.
“Patient name, Ma’am?” She looks down in embarrassment, making me chuckle.
“Manik Malhotra”, Nandini answers her, pointing at me, and that girl looks worried.
“Just a second, Ma’am.” She began, while giving me sympathetic looks, “Ma’am, you have to wait for 10 minutes; the doctor is busy with another patient.”
“Never mind,” Nandini said and walked ahead, leaving me alone to deal with this girl.
Before I could sneak out, she inquired, sweetly. “May I know what happened to you, Manik?”
The nerves of this girl!
Man!
She called my name so seductively, making me feel disgusted.
“It’s a personal matter, Miss.” I tried so damn hard to control my anger, and continued, “Keep your horniness to yourself because not every man is as gentle as I; they won’t even think before complaining about you.”
The colour of her face vanished.
“I should leave, my wife would be waiting for me,” I said with the most fake smile of mine.
I hope that next time she won’t seduce any other man while on duty. I walk away, leaving her sweating and look for my wife, who is sitting quietly on the chair outside the doctor’s cabin.
“Nandini…”
“Manik, I don’t want to discuss our personal matters right in front of the public.”
My eyes widened in shock.
How did she know what I wanted to talk about?
Is the question written on my face?
I run my hand on my face to neutralise my expression.
Soon, our name was called, and we went inside. The doctor checked me thoroughly, and after giving numerous flirty smiles to my wife, he concluded.
What would have happened if Nandini had not covered her face?
“Young man, I will give you an injection for now and oral medication for two days. Rest for a while, then you are good to go.”
All the other thoughts went down the drain.
“No, no… doctor.” I tried to suppress the anxiety in my tone after I heard an injection, but I am failing miserably. “I don’t need an injection. Oral medicine would be fine.”
Nandini palmed my thigh under the table as I was moving my legs in stress, and hissed in my ear, “Unfortunately, you don’t have a doctorate, but he has. He knows what he is doing, so let him do that.”
“Let him do that?” I freaked out.
“Not even in my dreams.”
Not giving any heed to my words, she chirped, “He is ready for the injection, doctor. You can proceed.”
I looked at her with shock and opened my mouth to fight back, but she pressed my thigh, and all the anger turned into something else.
Don’t ask what that something is.
I got goosebumps, and the blood rushed down there, making me gulp.
“It was an unintentional touch.” I tried to make my heart understand.
“I am surprised that he agreed so soon.” The doctor’s voice brings me back, making me realise where we are. “You did magic on him, Miss.” He said while patting Nandini’s arms.
Oh God! Why is everyone getting on my nerves?
I gave him a death stare and snapped, “Mrs.”
“Huh?” That dumbass doctor asked confusingly.
“Mrs”, I start with a warning tone, “She is my Mrs.” I clarified for his dumb brain, “I mean my wife.”
“Oh… Nice couple.” He took a step back with surprise. That’s good for him. He continues, “Sister, prepare this injection for Mr Malhotra.” He added, embarrassingly, “I didn’t know you were married.”
“Ya, it was an intimate wedding with only close ones.” Instead of me, Nandini replies.
The doctor went behind the nurse to prepare the injection, and I tried to persuade her again. “Nandini, I am not feeling fine. Let’s go home.”
“You are not fine, that’s why we are here, Manik.” She began, sarcastically, and added further, “We will go, but not before this.” She points at the injection and the doctor.
I know that it was nothing but just an immunity injection.
“You are so cruel.” I pouted to melt her, but she is crueller than me.
“First time, I am so happy hearing such adjectives for myself.” She chuckled, and I did what I am best at: showing anger.
I don’t know when that fucking doctor reached near me with an injection. I so wanted to run away from here, but then, Nandini would think that I am a coward.
I have to maintain an aura in front of her, or else she will make fun of me for eternity.
“Roll your sleeve, Manik.” If stares can kill, then that fucking doctor would be in hell.
I didn’t attempt to roll my sleeves, except glaring at the doctor, that’s why Nandini insisted, “I will do this.” She rolls my sleeve while my stare shifts from the doctor to her. The doctor tied a band on my arm, applied a liquid, I don’t know what it is called, and right now I don’t freaking care.
Am I sweating?
HELL YES!
I turn my eyes to look at my wife, who is looking at me with an amusing face. I couldn’t stop myself as the vulnerable words slipped out of my tongue. “It will pain.”
It was a question rather than a statement.
Her eyes soften, “Trust me, it won’t.” I wanted to trust her, but the needle pricked me, making me wince lightly with closed eyes. “It is almost over.” She ran her hand on my face, and I opened my eyes to look into hers.
Her eyes were so tiny and brownish. I am sure her eyes will shine like the brightest star in the daylight.
The moment was so peaceful, yet it was ruined by that fucking doctor who instructed us about some dos and don’ts.
Nandini asked as soon as we left the doctor’s cabin, “Did you even feel it?”
And, my sore mood is back.
“Yes!”
We passed from the reception, and I saw the same girl who dug her head into the computer as she saw us approaching.
That is very good.
Now, that lights my mood to some extent.
“Manik Malhotra is scared of an injection,” Nandini teased me as we settled back into the car, and guess what? She is driving us back home again. “Oh god, I can’t forget your face when you saw the doctor prick you.”
Can this day get any worse?
Nandini is teasing me and laughing at my expense, and driving us home.
Why me, god?
I groaned, giving her a long, hard glare. “Will you please shut up? Here, a patient is suffering in pain, and an attendant is having fun.”
“You are exaggerating it. It was a small prick.” This damn woman! Laughed at me.
If that was just a small prick, then why didn’t she take it for me? I gritted my teeth and looked out of the window. Why am I getting angry about such silly topics? If she knows, she will make fun of me again.
I huffed!
“Ok, Ok… don’t make such a grumpy face. Let’s have your favourite dessert.” She whispers, bringing a smile to my face, which I hid.
“You will pay for the dessert.” Do I sound like a kid?
“Of course, stupid.” My heart mocked me.
“Ok, I will pay. Shall we go?” She chuckles, and I nod stiffly. The smile finally broke out on my face. All the pain of insults and an injection went down the drain.
When she stopped the car, I looked out to find that she had brought me to my favourite Bake & Delight cafe.
Wohhh!
This is a small bakery that serves the best and freshest pastries. I love them.
I took her to my favourite table from where we can look out of the glass window to watch the chaos on the street, and can also see all the pastries displayed on the counter.
My mouth waters, and I am sure if I were a kid, I would be drooling at the pastries on the counter. I was roaming my eyes everywhere, capturing every corner to find the changes that had happened since my last visit. I was so lost in the surroundings that I hadn’t realised when Nandini ordered, until I saw a waiter approaching our table.
“One cappuccino-choco pastry and one vancho, Ma’am.” He placed our order, and I looked at the pastries like a kid.
They look so tempting.
I am talking about pastries.
He added, “Anything else, Ma’am.”
“No, thank you,” Nandini replies, and that waiter went. “Here is your Cappuccino-choco.” She placed it in front of me and continued, “I will have Vancho.”
Wow! Vancho.
Vancho is a mix of choco and vanilla, one of my favourites.
“She eats vancho, that’s why she smells like vanilla.” My mind reminded me of her fragrance, and something hardened under my pants.
I gasped
Manik!
What the hell is wrong with you?
I remembered her fragrance, and above all, I am not feeling ticklish in my nose with that smell.
I shook my head.
What are you thinking, Manik?
How can her eating Vancho affect her fragrance?
Come back to Mother Earth.
“Where are you lost?” Nandini asked with concern and pointed at my plate. “Have this.” She removed her scarf and wore a cap that she carried in her handbag.
Why is she so scared of getting papped?
“I don’t want to get papped with you.” Her words rang in my head again.
She was teasing me that time.
Right?
I shook my head and focused on my dessert. I took the first bite. As soon as the taste hit my taste buds, everything went blank. This still tastes like old times. I munch the first bite and ask, “How do you know about this place and my favourite pastry?”
“I stalked you before marrying you.” Hahaha… that must be the joke of the year. She shrugs her shoulders carelessly.
“Is it a joke? Should I laugh at it?” I mocked her, “Hahaha… You are so funny, Nandini.” I smack her arm, making her angry, for which I don’t care. “Now, explain.”
“Maa told me about this place and your favourite pastry.”
Why can’t my family keep my secrets to themselves?
Till now, I have never brought anyone here except Maa and that reckless Varun. Now, the list has her name too.
Suddenly, she asks, “Why do you love this place so much?”
I smiled, remembering the old days I spent here with Maa, and how many sweets I had here after all the time when I was on a strict diet.
“Since childhood, Maa brought me here every time I got injected or was ill to boost my spirit. This place is the same as old times, and it tastes as good as back then.” This is my favourite place since childhood. I added while pointing at her pastry, “Have it, you will love it.”
I was waiting for her reaction, excitedly.
Fuck!
“Ummm…. It is delicious.” She moans.
Control, Manik.
Control!
“Why don’t I know this place before?” She murmurs while licking the cream from the spoon.
FUCK!
Those perfectly shaped lips and the long flick on her tongue-
For god’s sake, Manik. Stop your horses.
I cleared my throat and tried to focus on my pastry rather than on her lips.
Why am I turning into a horny man who is deprived of sex for so long?
I dig my head into my plate to avoid looking at her, but this little bitch is literally moaning.
Why me?
“Manik, divert your mind, or else you will embarrass yourself when she looks at the dent in your lower.” My heart screams, afraid of getting embarrassed in front of her.
We finished our dessert, and I asked for the bill. The waiter comes after a moment with the bill and looks at Nandini with sharp eyes.
Now, what happened to him?
“Ma’am, maine aapko kahi dekha hai.” The waiter says while straining his brain to remember her. I roll my eyes. Before I could dismiss him from our table, he shouted, “You are NANDINI MURTHY.” He shouted so loud that I flinched while Nandini tried to calm him down.
“Hey… hey… please, calm down.”
“You know, I am a big fan of yours. My… My whole family watches your show… and… and….” All the other customers were getting attentive towards our table. They are literally bending to such a level that they can get a glimpse.
I am experiencing this for the first time, and I regret not having a guard at this time.
“Ca… Can I hug you?” The waiter asked, and that turned the protective mode on for me. I stood up and shielded Nandini, who was trying hard to hide herself.
“You have mistaken, gentleman.” I tried to be as polite as I could. Other customers were also standing up to reach near us. I have to act fast. “She looks like Nandini, but she is MUNNI. My assistant.”
MUNNI? Really?
Nandini coughs, but I ignore her.
“No, sir, she-”
“Don’t you hear me? She is Munni, my assistant.” My voice was rough, I added, “I can even file a case against you for troubling my assistant in front of so many people.”
To be continued…