Part 50
Next day
Morning
Manik was the first to open his eyes after the blissful experience of last night. He stretched and flexed his muscles to ward off the slumber. He moved a little, eyes still closed. He wanted to see her, the first thing in the morning. After making sure that she is there, he opened his eyes and saw her sleeping on her stomach, facing away from him. A smile broke on his face watching her cute, innocent and serene face. Her back was fully exposed to him. She hadn't dressed up like other times, as she had been very tired. And with that manik's chain of thought went back to last night, their love-making. He bent forward and kissed on her back, his lips lingering there for a while. Nandini groaned, snuggling more into the sheet and complained in her sleepy voice, "manik...sone do na" manik smiled and got up from the bed, while nandini pulled the sheet over her head, veiling herself from the rays of sunlight. He put on his clothes and then adjusted the curtains and then went away to freshen up.
...
After a while
Nandini rolled on her side towards the other edge of the bed, hoping to find manik. She opened her eyes on not finding him and got up lazily , holding the covers close to her chest and sat taking the support of the bedhead. She was relaxing and reminiscing about last night, just then the door flung open and a shirtless manik walked in.
Nandini shrieked, "manik!!"
He looked at her startled, "what?? Why are you shouting?"
"go out i need to freshen up!" she said. Manik gave her a what look and sat down beside her on the bed, "madam, you are talking like some stranger has walked in! Let me remind you...i have seen what is hidden behind that sheet!" he said flapping his palm across the length of her body.
"manik you are so shameless!" nandini remarked and he smirked, "and i would suggest you too, drop this business of shame" he said and raised his hand towards the sheet to pull it off. nandini covered herself more with the sheet and got up from the bed giving a horrified look to him and rushed towards the washroom.. He laughed like a maniac watching her reaction.
...
Nandini had chosen a semi-indian look for the appearance at the ball. Since it was going to be an international event, she wanted to make a statement through her choice of outfit that she believed in the superiority of her culture.
Manik was mesmerised by her as he saw her coming towards him, all ready.
"beautiful would be an understatement, you are looking just...just...o god i am not able to form the right words...you are looking..amazing, gorgeous, sexy...and what not! simply awesome!" he said taking her hands in his. Nandini blushed , "i just tried to match up to you! You know you are so handsome...it takes effort to be able to complement you!" she said smiling. Manik shook his head and said "i think you are buttering me...is there anything that you want from me? because this statement of yours can't be true. Because its me who is trying to look good enough for you"
"manik!" she complained and he chuckled "ok, ok...we will drop this topic. There's something more that i want to inform you. First, our company is the main sponsor of the event that's why we have been invited as a guest. Second, while we walk together, i will hold you by your waist, which means you will not hold me by my arms? Ok?" as he finished, nandini looked quizzically at him , "but why can't i hold you?" she asked.
"people study our body languages and then make their own ideas about us. So, if you hold my arms it will mean that you are clinging on to me but if i hold you that means you are my possession. Did you understand my point?" manik asked.
Nandini nodded thoughtfully "but how did you know this?" she asked.
"my image consulter told me" manik replied.
"is there anything , i need to take care of?" nandini asked
He smiled "just be your own self"
...
Manik got down from the car, and walked to the other side and stopped the chauffeur from opening the door. He himself opened the door for nandini and helped her to step out, then he held her by her waist and walked in towards the entrance. People waiting for them , guided them towards the hall.
All this time shutterbugs kept flashing
They were greeted warmly by each and everyone. Manik kept acknowledging them and nandini stood by him, smiling and occasionally replying to queries or compliments.
The event started and manik and nandini got engrossed in their respective conversations. As nandini was talking standing a little distance away, manik walked up to her with some acquaintances.
"meet my wife, nandini " he introduced her proudly and she returned the greetings equally warmly.
"ye, i ve heard bout er. Got to kno' that she's goin to start a new non-profitable project fo th' homeless " the man spoke in his british accent.
"you have indeed heard right, sir" nandini replied.
"she's beauty with brains, eh" the man spoke smiling.
...
"just after the dance, we will leave from here. Few more minutes" manik whispered in nandini's ear and she turned red in embarrassment thinking how come he knew that she is not liking it here, but she kept quite.
MaNan danced so well that they had people in daze for quite some time. Nandini was surprised with herself, she couldn't believe she danced so well. She had liked only the time she danced with manik, from whole of her time spent in the party.
She took off her footwear as soon as they were in the car back to their water-house' and massaged her heels. Manik rubbed her arm soothingly.
"i know it has been hell tiring for you. Thank you for doing so much for me!" he appreciated genuinely and nandini looked at him annoyed "its feeling like you are talking to your business partner! For god's sake manik ! i am your wife...itna formal q ho rahe ho! I can do anything for you...because i love you" nandini replied.
Manik smiled "and that's why i love you more! And you know what the time we danced together na...was the best moment from whole of the time spent there" he said and nandini smiled because she had felt the same.
...
10th day
MaNan were standing in the balcony and looking at the vast expanse of the sea in front of them.
"nandini, let's take a dip" manik suggested out of the blue.
"will it be safe?" nandini asked and manik grinned. She looked at him confused and tried to decipher the meaning behind his naughty grin. She saw him taking off vest and next moment he jumped in the sea right from the balcony itself. Nandini gasped in horror and covered her mouth. But then she saw him come above the surface of water and breathed a sigh of relief.
She shouted "manik! Are you crazy?? Ase koi karta hai...main kitna darr gyi thi"
"yaha paas akar jhagra karo...if you really wanna fight" manik shouted back.
"no...main..how..main..kaise...i can't" she stammered
"kya bol rahi ho?? Mujhe kuch sunai ni de raha...just jump off from there taking a deep breathe...baki main tumhe sambhal lunga" he said but seeing her still undecided, he added "don't you trust me?"
Nandini gave in to his whim and took off the top, now she was in her lingerie. She took a deep breathe and jumped off.
Splash and she hit the water. She went deep and then soon was on the surface gasping for air. Manik quickly came to her and held her steady for a while. Soon she recovered and then he took her for a swim and some under water romance.
...
Same day
Few seconds before midnight.
"nandini" manik spoke sotly to a sleeping nandini.
She hummed in sleep.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAAN!" as manik wished, her eyes flew open. She sat up on the bed.
"its my birthday" she said as if confirming.
"yes! Happy birthday" he said lovingly kissing her forehead.
"thank you"
"come with me" he said
"par kaha?"
"arey just come na...itna question q puchti ho?"
"ok" she chirped.
He took her to the living room. it was well decorated with candles and flowers and there was a centre table with the cake on it.
"oh my god manik ye sab tumne kab kiya!!"
"jab tum so rai thi"
"acha islye you made me sleep at 10'o clock itself?"
"yes"
"manik?" nandini called him suspiciously "tumne ye cake kse manage kiya?"
Manik tried to maintain a straight face and said "tum cake cut karogi ya 100 questions continue karogi?"
Now nandini was sure that something was fishy...
