Hold On My Heart (Complete)

15: The Night of Us

Manik's POV

The day is finally here—we got married today. Everything was so beautiful. Everyone enjoyed, and they're still enjoying.

We're sitting outside the house on chairs while the villagers dance happily. Honestly, I'm loving their way of celebrating. Sitting together, laughing, and having fun is something I’ve never witnessed in my life.

I looked at Nandini—she was happily moving to the beat, enjoying herself. She looked at me and smiled.

“You wanna dance?” I asked, and she nodded.

“With you,” she said.

Getting up, I held her hand. Everyone hooted as we started dancing to the music. It wasn’t a romantic dance, more like a party dance.

Cabir and Navya were also dancing. It was fun.

We came back home. I picked her up and took her to my room. I made her sit on the bed and sat in front of her.

“What?” she asked, seeing me look at her.

“What?”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m looking at my wife.”

“Manik, please…”

“What please, wifey?”

“I’m going to change my dress,” she said.

“Sure, go,” I replied, and she ran inside the bathroom. I chuckled, nodding my head in disbelief.

After about 20 minutes, she came back out in a night suit—pajamas and a shirt.

“This Mickey Mouse suits you,” I said.

“I know! I love this one.”

“So, my beautiful wife, what are your plans?” I asked as she sat beside me.

“About?”

“About this night.”

“Manik, look at the time—it’s 8 PM already. Let’s sleep,” she said, laying down.

“Oh really? But you used to sleep at 11 PM, no?” I teased.

“So? I’m sleeping early today.”

“I can’t believe you, Nandini. You’re still shy of me?” I asked.

“Yes, I am!” she said, looking away.

“Come here. I’ll make sure to throw all your shyness away today.” I pulled her onto my lap.

She hid her face in my neck. I moved her hair aside and kissed her neck.

“You're comfortable, right?” I asked, and she looked at me.

“I... I am,” she said.

“You sure? Look, if you feel like stopping, just tell me. I will stop,” I assured her. She nodded. “That’s my girl,” I smiled.

I kissed her lips slowly and lovingly. I didn’t want to hurt her in any way. I made her lay down.

Nandini's POV

It’s been a week. Everything is so beautiful with him. He takes care of me like I’m a kid—and honestly, I love it.

Today, we’re going to his house. His brother Abhi called us. He was angry with Manik before, but now he’s fine. I met Mukti at the wedding—she’s such an adorable and kind girl.

“Nervous?” Manik asked as we stepped out of the car.

“No. I’ve met Mukti before, but as you said, Abhi is a bit of an angry guy, so… yeah, maybe a little,” I replied.

“He’ll be nice to you. Don’t worry,” he said, and I nodded.

Entering the house, I met Mukti and her son, Abhinash.

“So? How are you?” she asked me.

“I’m fine. You tell me—what’s going on?” We sat down. Manik was playing with Abhinash.

“Nothing. I was just looking after the food,” she said.

“Where’s Abhi?” Manik asked.

“He had to step out for an urgent call from the office. He’ll be back soon.”

“Oh, alright.”

At dinner time, we settled into our seats as Abhi was on his way. We were talking casually when he entered the room.

“Good evening!” he said.

“Good evening, bro,” Manik hugged him. “What took you so long?”

“Nothing. As you know, I’m opening a café, so just busy with that,” he said, sitting across from Manik.

“By the way, Abhi—she’s Nandini, my wife,” Manik introduced.

“Oh, sorry! Hi, Nan… Nandini,” he paused, but then continued. His expression changed all of a sudden, which was weird, but he plastered on a smile.

“Hi!” I said.

“Let’s eat. I’m hungry, bro,” Manik said as we began eating.

“By the way, Manik, you know our company—Malhotra Industries—it’s getting great rates in the market, and we’re receiving lots of deals,” Abhi said.

His words caught my attention.

Wait—I work there! But it’s not his company…
He’s also a Malhotra? Why didn’t I notice this before?

I looked at Manik, but he was busy eating.

Later that night, Mukti forced us to stay over, so we did. I came into the room and saw him using his phone. But when he saw me, he set it aside and gestured for me to come to him.

I lay in his arms while he played with my hands.

“Manik, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“That Malhotra Industries where I work—it’s your company, right?”

“Hmm.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“Because I knew you would never accept the job if you knew. That’s why I hid the truth from you,” he said. I caressed his hand, playing with his fingers.

“Manik…”

“Yes, my love?”

“I want you to join your mafia back.”

He pulled away and faced me.

“What?”

“Yes, I mean—I don’t want to snatch your favorite things from you. So, I want you to rejoin.”

“No need, Nandini. I’m happy with this simple life.”

“Manik, I’m telling you to. I know you want to. There’s no need to argue. And I know you won’t hurt anyone, so I have no problem,” I said.

“You know, you’re so cute. Sometimes I want to eat you,” he teased.

“Please—you can’t eat me!”

“Oh, I can,” he said as he hovered over me.

Manik's POV

We shifted back to my house with Abhi and Mukti, just like Nandini wanted. She went back to work, and I didn’t stop her—because she wanted to. I was sitting in the study room working on the café project, as Abhi needed my help.

“Manik!” I turned around, hearing Abhi’s voice.

“Yes?”

“I need to talk to you.”

“Not now, Abhi. I’m busy,” I said.

“It’s urgent. Leave the f**king work,” he snapped. He was beyond serious.

“What happened?”

Alina❤