Life After Marriage

16

It is Preethi's birthday today and I could tell that her dad is going all the way to make it a fantastic day for her. He has hired some professionals to decorate the house for the big party that he's throwing for her. 

All of us got up in the morning and assembled at the dining table to wish her. She was all smiles and looked very content. I picked some flowers from the garden and tried my best to wrap them into a bouquet and gave it to her. She gave me a smile and thanked me.

In order to surprise her for the evening party, Manik and I decided to take her out and keep her distracted for the whole day. She wanted to spend the day with her parents but her dad made an excuse of not feeling very well so that he could stay back and take care of the arrangements in the house.

I decided to put on the sundress that Manik got me last week. It is a sleeveless, light yellow dress. So, I decided to put on a cardigan over it. Manik came out from the shower and tried to spray me with the water dripping from his hair. I shrieked and stepped back to get away from him but he pulled me back to him.

"You look perfect," he scanned me from head to toe. I just nodded my head, too awestruck to say anything.

"Put on your clothes and hurry up, I will go and check on our pets," I informed as he nodded in agreement.

We went ahead and bought two bunnies and three ducks for our pond and garden. They are the cutest things ever and I love them very much. The whole family liked our idea as well. Preethi and I started to spend more time together in the garden gushing over them. 

Soon, we were waiting downstairs for Preethi to come. She came down but not without whining to her father one last time. We finally decided to go shopping at the new mall in the city. 

We invited Naina to join us, but she declined and said that she wanted to spend some time with Manik's mom. Lately, that is all she ever does. I don't see her bothering me or Manik as much and she seems to spend all her time with my mother-in-law, which is very odd.

We arrived at the mall and went bowling first as Manik insisted. It turned out to be very fun as this was my first time bowling. We laughed very hard and checked out some other games as well.

It's lunchtime now, we went to the food court very exhausted and hungry. "Hey, let's go and check that chocolate fountain," Preethi suggested. We sent Manik to order food to which he grumbled about how he wanted to eat chocolate as well.

We just giggled and went away to see the fountain. We decided on having a brownie and cake. I decided to share mine with Manik and went to sit at the table. 

"Thanks for today," Preethi said suddenly. 

"It's nothing, it was actually Manik's idea. I like the day so far, I never had this much fun." I replied.

"What, You never hung out at the mall with your friends," Preethi questioned surprised.

"It's not like that, I've been to some places but did not get to enjoy it very much as my mom is very strict. I was always the girl who had to go home early. I always hated that I had to have limited fun." I responded with a sad smile.

"I am sorry to hear that. Anyway, that was all in the past. Now, I can take you to places and show you around. It will be very fun. We can go shopping as well." She exclaimed happily.

"Okay, I would like that," I replied gratefully for finally being her friend.

"Here you go ladies," Manik came back just in time with our food. "Now, where's my chocolate," he asked looking at us.

"We did not get you any," Preethi replied with a smirk. Manik was about to respond when I interrupted their playful banter, "We can share." He gave her a smug smile and sat beside me, I just shook my head at his antics.

I put a piece of cake in his mouth and he started to lick the chocolate from my figures with a heated look in his eyes. 

"Should I give you both some privacy and shift to the next table," Preethi asked with a smirk.

I got very flustered remembering we have an audience and removed my hand from his invasive tongue. I just gave her a sorry look and dig into my food. They both burst out laughing at my expression and I gave a punch to Manik.

"Stop it!" I whisper, mortified.

We reached home by 5'o clock in the evening. The whole place was very nicely decorated, I could say that my in-laws went to a great extent planning this party. Preethi seemed ecstatic looking at all the arrangements done for her birthday party. She had no clue that they were planning a big party instead of a small one.

"So this is the reason that you couldn't spend the day with me," she dramatically exclaimed with her hands on her hips.

"Don't you like it?" Her parents asked, not sure.

"I love it!" 

"I told them about your new likes and tastes, so they could arrange it in a way that you will like." Naina piped in.

"Thanks, Naina!" Preethi moved to hug her.

"Okay, why don't you three go upstairs, freshen up and get ready for the party. The guests will start coming at 7," my father-in-law informed.

"Come on Naina, I will show you all the stuff that we bought today. There are some things for you as well. Will you join us Nandini?" Preethi asked me. 

"I want to freshen up, maybe in some time," I replied and went towards our room.

I went to take a bath while Manik stayed behind to check on the guest list. When I came out of my shower Manik was standing in our closet going through my sarees. 

"Um.. can I help you?" I asked amused as he was busy shuffling through them.

"I am looking for that saree that I gave you last month, I want you to wear it tonight." He insisted.

"That is packed separately in my suitcase," I mentioned and went on to take it out. I showed it to him and motioned towards the door so I could change.

"Don't you want any help putting it on?" He asked cheekily and stepped towards me. 

"No need," I replied and pushed him out of the closet. I changed into it and put on some accessories as well as a little makeup. Manik took a shower and was towel drying his hair on the bed.

"You look sexy," he complimented with a wink. 

"Thank you," I replied somewhat shy, and went to help him dry his hair. He made me sit on his lap and kissed me on my lips.

"Why don't you go and join the girls? Preethi invited you right?" He asked.

"Awe... is someone worried that I don't have any friends," I teased.

He chuckled and replied, "nothing like that. It seems like Preethi is warming up to you and I want the two important girls in my life to be friends. But, do it only if you want to. Not that I told you to, okay?"

"Okay! I will go and joined them." I gave a kiss on his cheek and headed towards Preethi's room.

Hey guys! Here's another update. Let me know what you think. Thank you.