||MaNan & ArSh OS|Happily Ever After?||

Nandini Malhotra woke up, bright and early. She got ready and went downstairs. It was her husband's birthday tomorrow, and she wanted to do something special. She knew that he didn't like surprises, but she couldn't do nothing. She had already started the preparations and was successful in hiding the surprise. She wasn't sure if he'd like it, but it was worth a try. She prayed then went to the kitchen to help Kajri, the household cook, make breakfast.

"Nandini ma'am, what food would you like for Manik sir's birthday?" Kajri asked.

"You know Manik's favorite food. Just make all of those, otherwise the whole plan will flop," Nandini told her. Kajri nodded, and they continued to cook. However, as soon as Nandini heard her name, she knew that her husband was awake. She quickly made her way up, and opened her bedroom door just to be hit by something.

"Ow," Nandini cried. Manik's head shot up and he rushed over to his wife.

"I'm so sorry, Nandu. I wasn't watching," Manik said, trying to soothe the pain on his wife's head.

"I'm fine Manik. Why were you calling me?" Nandini asked, shooing him away.

"Where are my favorite pair of shoes?" Manik asked. Nandini rolled her eyes and opened the cupboard. She pointed to the right corner.

"If you looked...you could find it," Nandini said. Manik blushed and thanked her.

"What would I do without you? You know where everything is," Manik said.

"Nothing, that's why you love me..." Nandini said, her eyes widening when realizing what she said. "Uh I mean...I have to go can visit Shilpa bhabhi. Bye."

Nandini rushed out of the house. She quickly called the driver and he drove her over to Manik's sister's house.

Shilpa was putting her jewellery on, when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.

"Armaan! What are you doing? Nandini will be here soon, and what if she sees us?" Shilpa said, struggling to leave Armaan's grip.

"She'll be happy, that you are finally letting me romance you after the birth of our beautiful Shona," Armaan said, tightening his hold around her.

"Armaan."

"Shilpa."

"Armaan."

"Shilpa."

"Guys." They both turned and saw a smirking Nandini standing at the door. Armaan immediately let go of Shilpa.

"How did you get in?" he asked.

"Kaka, let me in, because you guys were too busy attempting' to romance. By the way, Armaan bhai is right. I would say that," Nandini said.

"Look. I have Nandini on my side. Go team Armaan," Armaan said, putting his arm around Nandini's shoulder. This caused both women to laugh.

"Anyway, I came here for your help for tomorrow's surprise," Nandini told them.

"I'm glad that you're doing this Nandu. Don't give up on him," Shilpa said sadly. She knew that in the last year or so, Nandini hadn't been getting the love she deserved. Manik treated her like any wife should be treated, but she didn't get the love and affection she wanted, she needed. Shilpa had tried to talking to Manik, but it didn't work.

"I'm trying not to, but it's hard. Today he showed some improvement, but I don't know," Nandini said, looking down.

"Don't worry Nandu, if he doesn't realize his undying love for you, I'll beat some sense into him," Armaan said, winking at her. This caused Nandini to giggled while Shilpa rolled her eyes. "Or...since your Shilpa bhabhi doesn't like that idea, you could make him jealous. That always works with guys. Make him realize that he needs you in his life, that your attention makes him feel special."

"What? Armaan bhai..."

"Actually that's not a bad idea," Shilpa said.

"What? Bhabhi, this is Manik. He will never fall for it," Nandini argued.

"Please Nandu, Manik is guy. He might be different, but he's still a guy," Armaan said. "Do it with Dhruv, he will die, especially since it's his best friend. In fact, I'm going to call Dhruv now."

Armaan took his phone out and called Dhruv, despite the protests from Nandini.

"To! Dhruv man. How are you? Have you proposed to Navya yet?" Armaan said into the phone, while turning it on speaker.

"Shut up Armaan. Why did you call me?" Dhruv said.

"Okay, okay. We need your help in making Manik finally realize his feelings for Nandu," Armaan said.

"What do I have to do?"

"Make him jealous. Flirt a little, and whatever. That way not only with Manik get jealous, but Navya too. And we all know how jealous Navya gets," Armaan said.

"I really don't think..." Nandini started.

"I'll do it. Both Manik and Navya get jealous easily, especially when it comes to me and Nandini, so it will totally work," Dhruv said.

"What? Dhruv," Nandini exclaimed.

"Trust me Nandini, it will work," Dhruv told her. Armaan said bye and hung the phone up.

"This is going to be good, I can feel it," Armaan said. Nandini just wished the same.

Manik opened his eyes and pushed himself up. He saw an angelic sight in front of him. It was his wife, of a year now, standing in front of the bed holding out a small cupcake. It was chocolate, his favorite. She had her amazing and bold smile shining, and her huge doe eyes were excited.

"Happy Birthday Manik," she squealed as she came to hug him. He hugged her back, feeling at home.

"Thank you Nandini," he said. She pulled away and fed him the cupcake.

"Okay, now I have the entire day planned out. I know you hate doing anything big, so I have planned the day so it's just us. But don't worry, you'll still be able to see Dhruv and everyone tonight," Nandini rambled, making Manik smile.

"What tonight?" he asked. Nandini bit her tongue.

"Um...just a small dinner with Dhruv, bhabhi and Armaan bhai," Nandini quickly covered up. Manik nodded. "Now no more lazing around, get your butt up. We need to go."

"Okay, my dear wife," Manik said. Nandini quickly got dressed too. When Manik came out, he was mesmerised by Nandini.

"What is there something wrong with what I'm wearing?" Nandini asked, when she saw Manik staring at her.

"No...not at all. You look...amazing," Manik said, still unable to get his eyes off her. Nandini blushed, and pulled him out.

"Come on. We need to get started on your best birthday ever," Nandini said, and with that they were out of the house.

To say that day was fun, would be an understatement. Manik hadn't had so much fun in such a long time. They did a bunch of activities, and they were all fun. When they got home, Manik was a little upset that it wouldn't be just him and Nandini anymore. He didn't know what was going on, but recently all these feelings for her had been building up. He knew he wasn't a bad husband, he gave her everything she wanted. But he also knew that he didn't give her the love that she wanted, the love that she gave him, the love that he now wanted to give her. This was it. The best birthday present for him, would be giving Nandini his love and having her accept it. As he got ready, he was excited. Meanwhile Nandini also got ready, and she called everyone to come and help. She heard the bedroom door close.

"Okay, everyone shut up!" she cried, and they all got into their positions. The lights went off.

"Nandini...? Nandini, why are the lights off?" Manik said, starting to sound on edge. Nandini felt bad, but she knew it was only for a couple of seconds. Suddenly the lights came on, and everyone yelled SURPRISE'. To say Manik was surprised, is absolutely correct. He was happy that everyone he cared about was here.

"Happy Birthday Manik," they all chorused. It was Nandini, Dhruv, Armaan, Shilpa, Navya, Cabir, Mukti and Alya. Him and Alya were still friends despite having broken up, and Manik getting married to Nandini.

"Wow! I wasn't expecting this at all," Manik said, hugging everyone.

"Thank your amazing wife. She's one of a kind. She put all of this together," Dhruv said, putting his arm around Nandini, who blushed. Manik saw this, and got a little annoyed. He loved Dhruv, and he knew Dhruv would never try to steal Nandini away from him, but Nandini was his wife.

"Oh shush Dhruv, you're making me blush," Nandini said, playfully hit him.

"Yes, my goal has been achieved," Dhruv said, tickling Nandini. Nandini giggled and pushed him away. Manik's grip on Cabir was tightening.

"Dude...Manik. I missed you too yaar, but not that much," Cabir commented. Manik let go of Cabir.

"Sorry dude," Manik said.

"No worries, I am pretty irresistible," Cabir joked. Manik shook his head smiling. Manik watched as Dhruv and Nandini joked with each other. Little did he know that both Shilpa and Armaan were watching him too.

"I told you it would work," Armaan said.

"Not yet it hasn't...I'm counting on him confessing tomorrow," Shilpa said.

"No way, he's going to do it tonight if not soon," Armaan said.

"You are on Mr. Armaan Malik."

"I can't wait to see you lose Mrs. Armaan Malik," Armaan said, kissing Shilpa's cheek. Shilpa blushed and giggled.

As the night came to an end, Nandini, Manik, Shilpa and Armaan bid everyone farewell. Manik had to admit that this was one of his favorite birthdays, and he was about to make it so much better. He ran upstairs, and started to decorate his room. Nandini cleared up downstairs, while Armaan and Shilpa decided to stay overnight in the guest room.

"Did you see the way Manik ran upstairs? He's definitely going to prepare something," Armaan said.

"It seems so," Shilpa replied.

"You know what this means, right?"

"What?"

"You lost, that means I'm the winner. Which means, I get a prize," Armaan smirked. Shilpa knew what he wanted, and moved closer to him.

"Should I give you your prize now...or later?" she whispered huskily to him. Armaan gulped.

"Wait...are you being serious?"

"Yeah...I mean you did win," Shilpa said.

"Well in that case," Armaan said. He wrapped his arms around Shilpa and lifted her towards the bed. "I'll collect my prize now!"

Shilpa laughed as Armaan joined her on the bed.

Manik had prepared the room. This was it. They were going to have the wedding night that never happened. It was going to happen today. As the door opened, Manik turned to see Nandini coming in. She looked around, surprised.

"Manik...what is all of this?" Nandini asked.

"This my dear Nandu, is my present to you," he told her, slowly walking towards her.

"But...it's your birthday, not mine."

"Yes, but this is what will make me happy today. I'm finally going to give you what you've wanted for the last year of your life."

"What?"

"My love." Nandini looked at him with great happiness and surprise.

"Manik...do you mean..."

"Yes Nandini. I love you Nandini Manik Malhotra. I love you with all my heart, and I'm so sorry I didn't tell you before." Nandini couldn't say or do anything but hug him as tight as she could.

"I love you too Manik!" She pulled away and planted a kiss on his lips. She had never been this happy in her life, and Manik...well no one had any clue how ecstatic he was. As Manik deepened the kiss, he led Nandini over to the bed. And that night...that night was the night they had been waiting for. It was everything they wanted and so much more. They finally, after a year of waiting, became Mr. and Mrs. Manik Malhotra.