An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 40

The night of the venue discussion arrived, and as expected, Nandini was ready, looking as effortlessly beautiful as ever. The floral dress she wore complemented her perfectly, just the right mix of relaxed and elegant. It had been a long, tiring week, but her smile today spoke of contentment. Despite all the busyness, the sense of excitement about her wedding was undeniable.

Downstairs, Ishita and the rest of the family were already ready. Abhimanyu was lounging on the couch, casually chatting with Nandini, when they heard the doorbell ring. It was the Fab-5, along with some close family friends, who had arrived to finalize the wedding plans.

As Nandini entered the living room, her eyes immediately scanned the group, but she felt a pang of longing for Manik, who was still at work. Though they had spoken earlier, it wasn't the same as being with him in person. She had promised herself not to let the distance affect her mood, though. She knew how important this time was for all of them.

The Malhotras and Murthys exchanged pleasantries, settling down as the discussions started. Everyone seemed eager to get the wedding details nailed down but was also comfortable enough to relax in the company of family. The mood was light, and the conversation flowed smoothly, but every time Nandini's phone buzzed, her gaze flickered toward it, wondering if it was Manik.

Abhimanyu, noticing his sister's distracted look, nudged her teasingly. "Is that your Manik calling you again?"

Nandini gave him a quick glance before shaking her head, trying to mask the soft blush on her cheeks. "No, just some work messages."

As the evening wore on, the plans began to fall into place, but Nandini's thoughts kept drifting to the moment when she would finally see Manik. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy being with her family; it was just that with the wedding getting closer, there was an underlying excitement about the life she was going to share with him.

Finally, around 8, the door opened again, and there he was—Manik, walking in with that confident swagger of his that always made Nandini's heart race. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw him, and she couldn't help but smile, even though she tried to hide it.

Manik caught her gaze immediately, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He excused himself from the group and made his way toward her. Without missing a beat, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Missed you," he whispered in her ear, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

Nandini let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her arms around him instinctively. "I missed you too," she murmured, her heart skipping a beat at his closeness.

The hug lasted a moment longer than necessary, and when they pulled away, Manik's hand lingered on her waist. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, looking into her eyes with the same intensity that always made her feel seen, truly seen.

Abhimanyu, noticing the quiet moment between the two, cleared his throat loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "Alright, lovebirds, we've got a wedding to plan, not just cuddle sessions."

The group laughed, breaking the moment, but Nandini and Manik couldn't help but share a small chuckle. Manik squeezed her hand before they rejoined the group to continue discussing the wedding plans.

Manik sat beside Nandini, giving her a small but knowing smile. "So, what's the verdict? Destination wedding in Santorini?" he asked, looking at the rest of the group.

Nandini nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. "I think it's perfect. I've always dreamed of a wedding surrounded by light and beauty, and Santorini just feels... right."

Manik reached over and gently brushed his thumb over her hand, as if marking his agreement with her choice. The conversation shifted to the other details, but for a moment, the world outside of them seemed to disappear. There was no need for words—Manik and Nandini both knew that this wedding was not just a celebration of their love but the beginning of their forever together.

As the evening progressed, the final touches were added to the plans. Everyone was on the same page, and the sense of excitement only grew with each passing moment. The idea of a destination wedding in Greece was quickly becoming a reality.

Later that evening, as the last guests trickled out, Nandini found herself alone with Manik in the living room. The air felt different—charged with an unspoken tension that neither of them was ready to ignore any longer.

Manik turned to Nandini, his voice softer now. "Nandini, do you know how much you mean to me?"

Nandini looked at him, her heart racing. She didn't need to answer him, because she could see it in his eyes—the same emotion mirrored in her own. But she couldn't resist. "I do, Manik. And I'm so glad I have you by my side."

He took a step closer, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "This wedding isn't just a ceremony, Nandini. It's everything I've ever wanted. It's you, with me, forever. And I'll do anything to make sure you're happy."

The sincerity in his words left Nandini breathless. She could feel her own emotions swell, and before she could stop herself, she leaned in, kissing him softly on the lips. The kiss was tender at first, as though both of them were savoring the quiet moment, but soon it deepened, the emotions they had kept locked away finally being released.

When they pulled away, breathless, Manik smiled at her with that same loving intensity. "We've got a lot of planning to do, but for tonight, just stay with me, okay?"

Nandini nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "I'm right here, always."

And in that moment, the whole world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them, together and stronger than ever before.