An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 70

Nandini stepped out of the washroom, her wet tresses cascading down her back, the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. Just as she was about to move, she felt herself being pinned against the wall, a pair of strong arms caging her gently but firmly. Her breath hitched as she looked up into the mischievous brown eyes of her husband, Manik.

"Hi," he greeted, his voice a husky whisper, his grip tightening around her waist. A teasing smile played on his lips, while Nandini, momentarily stunned by his sudden act, quickly snapped out of it and hit him hard on the chest.

"Oww! You are not supposed to hit your husband on Lohri, at least," Manik whined, feigning hurt, but his hold on her remained firm as he pulled her even closer.

Nandini narrowed her eyes at him before responding with a playful smirk. "And husbands aren't supposed to be this shameless with their wives on Lohri either."

"Shameless? What exactly am I doing?" he asked, leaning in, his warm breath fanning against her neck.

Nandini shuddered under his touch, closing her eyes involuntarily. "Th-this... whatever you're doing right now," she stuttered, her heartbeat racing.

But suddenly, the warmth disappeared. Opening her eyes, she found him watching her intently, a soft yet intense smile adorning his face. His gaze held nothing but love, making her cheeks flush a shade deeper.

"This smile, Manik... why don't you smile like this all the time? You look so cute," she gushed, staring at him with adoration.

Manik chuckled, his thumb tracing small circles on her waist. "That's because I want to be cute for you and only you. This smile is reserved for my most special girl."

His words sent a pleasant shiver down her spine, and before she could respond, he leaned in, their lips barely inches apart. Nandini instinctively closed the distance, her hands resting against his chest as their lips met in a slow, tender kiss. The world seemed to fade away as they moved in perfect sync, their love and passion encapsulated in that one intimate moment.

Feeling her breath hitch, Manik pulled away reluctantly, resting his forehead against hers. "Happy Lohri, wifey," he murmured.

"Happy Lohri to you too... it already feels so special," she whispered, smiling.

Meanwhile, in the grand living room, the atmosphere was filled with a mix of tension and anticipation. Servants bustled around, ensuring every detail was perfect for the evening celebration. In the center of the room stood Navya, facing the disappointed yet composed expressions of the family.

"I want to apologize to all of you. All I thought was that Cabir deserved to know this," Navya said, her voice laced with sincerity as she defended her actions.

Nyonika, though visibly perturbed, sighed. "I understand, Navya, but there was a reason why Cabir knew nothing about it. We did not wish to lose him. I agree he deserved to know the truth, but it should have been from us—not you."

Navya lowered her gaze, regret evident in her stance. "I'm truly sorry for that, Aunty."

Raj had already spoken to Nyonika privately, convincing her to support whatever decision Cabir made. The fear of losing their son weighed heavier than any opposition they had towards Navya. If Cabir were to leave them because they failed to stand by him, it would be unbearable. And so, Nyonika made up her mind.

"I don't want any more chaos in this family," she finally said, her voice softer. "Navya, I am trusting Cabir, and because of that, I am giving you another chance. Please don't mess it up."

Navya's eyes lit up with relief as she smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Aunty. I promise, I won't."

Just then, Nyonika turned towards Manik and Nandini, who had just entered. "Manik, Nandini, come with me," she instructed, walking towards the temple within the house.

The couple exchanged a quick glance before moving forward, but not before hugging Navya and Cabir in congratulation.

In the temple, a warm glow from the flickering diyas illuminated the sacred space. The soft chants playing in the background added a serene touch to the moment. Nyonika gestured for them to sit beside her, her eyes filled with an emotion neither of them could quite decipher.

"Because this is your first Lohri as husband and wife, I want you two to perform this ritual today," she explained.

Manik and Nandini listened attentively.

"Lohri is an auspicious occasion, especially for newlyweds and newborns. For our family, it is more than a festival—it is a celebration of prosperity, gratitude, and the joy of life. As part of our tradition, I want both of you to remove your jewelry and place it here as an offering."

Nandini carefully unfastened her necklace, earrings, bangles, and the delicate ring adorning her finger, while Manik removed his own ring. They placed them near the idols as a mark of gratitude.

"Jewelry symbolizes wealth and prosperity. By offering them, we thank God for the abundance we have received and seek continued blessings," Nyonika elaborated.

Once done, she smiled and handed them their rings again. "Now, exchange your rings once more."

Manik and Nandini turned to each other, a moment of silent understanding passing between them. Nandini extended her hand first, her eyes twinkling with happiness. Manik took her delicate fingers in his own and slipped the ring back onto her finger, his touch lingering.

"Happy Lohri," he murmured, pulling her into a side hug.

"Happy Lohri," she responded, her heart full.

Nyonika watched them with a small smile before snapping back into her usual authoritative mode. "Now, both of you—hurry up and get changed. The guests will be arriving soon."

As Nyonika left, Nandini turned to Manik, an amused expression on her face. "She really loves Lohri, doesn't she?"

Manik chuckled, reaching for her hand. "Hmm. She has always had an indescribable connection with this festival."

Hand in hand, they went upstairs and quickly changed. Nandini emerged in a breathtaking pink sharara, a delicate ensemble chosen by Manik himself, while he wore a matching pink kurta. They were the picture of a perfectly coordinated couple, their outfits complementing not just each other, but the love between them.

Manik sat on the edge of the bed as Nandini knelt beside him, carefully redressing his injured hand. Though the wounds had mostly healed, she insisted on taking care of him.

"Manik, let me do the dressing one last time, and by tomorrow, it should be fine," she said with a touch of concern.

Manik smirked, watching her fuss over him. "You know, Nandini, I might just keep this bandage on longer if it means you'll pamper me like this."

Nandini rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "Drama king!"

As she finished, he caught her hand and kissed her fingers gently. "Thank you, wifey."

A soft blush spread across her cheeks as she whispered, "Always."

And with that, they headed downstairs, ready to celebrate their first Lohri together, their hearts intertwined in love and tradition.