Insatiable Desires

Bonus Chapter-2

"Nandini, yaar thodi cheeni hain toh dede. Chai bana ri thi aur fir dekha toh pata chala ghatam hain," Priya, her neighbor, who was gradually becoming her friend, asked her as she came to their house in the evening.

"Haan main laati hu. Vaise main Maaji aur apne liye bhi bana rahi thi. Yahi humare saath pee le," Nandini said as she was about to walk to the kitchen. As Priya was about to deny, Nandini's mother in law insisted, making her agree.

Priya walked with Nandini to the kitchen, conversing about her children's whereabouts and about random life. While Nandini was preparing the tea, they heard Manik's voice as he came back from work.

"Nandini, paani laade," Manik's voice reached their ears as he shouted from the verandah.

"Ye tera gharwala hain?" Priya asked. When Nandini nodded, she incredulously asked, "Esse kaise order maar raha hain?"

"Woh kaam se aakar thake honge," Nandini explained gently, defending his behaviour, while filling a glass with water. Noticing as she looked between the tea and water, Priya offered, "De main paani pakda deti hu."

Nandini nodded gratefully, handing over the glass and focusing on the tea, preparing for her husband too. A few minutes later, pouring the hot liquid in the cups, she carried them outside in the verandah.

She served the tea to the three of them, sitting with her own cup beside her mother in law since Priya was sitting beside Manik.

Initially, Nandini was grateful as her husband and new friend got along, conversing cordially but soon her relief turned into anger her grip on the cup tightened as her eyes took in Manik's antics. Yesterday, he was cursing Priya and Priya was doing the same in the kitchen. But, now both of them were laughing and conversing in hushed whispers as if they were two lost friends who met back.

Even her mother in law was curious about what they both were talking about and asked, "Hume bhi bata do essi kya baate chal ri hain. Hum bhi hasle zara."

"Arey kuch nahi, Maa," Manik said, while Nandini narrowed her eyes at Priya, as she had the audacity to blush and her husband's as he was gazing at Priya with a smirk. Nandini was burning, wanting both of them to choke on their tea and die.

After finishing tea without any deaths, fortunately, Priya smiled towards Manik, simply waving to him in a good bye and Nandini forced a smile as she turned to her, bidding her farewell.

~~~~

Manik walked in the room where Nandini was patting Mahir to sleep after taking care of Agastya and Aahan. Nandini observed him from her peripheral vision as he went washroom to change for the night and a few minutes later, he stepped out. As he walked to her side, Nandini closed her eyes, intending to ignore him while he frowned at her action.

"Nandini," Manik whispered near her, not wanting to wake the kids. When she didn't budge after a few minutes, Manik mumbled, frustrated, "Saala soye hoye ko uthana aasan hain lekin jaage hue ko kaise uthau."

Nandini pressed her lips together, stifling her smile. But, she frowned as Manik leaned over her, gently pulling Mahir out of her hold and settling him. Nandini yelped in surprise as he picked her up bridal style in his arms, making him immediately shush her.

She glared at no one in particular as he carried her toward the charpai and laid her on it before settling behind her, his front pressing against her back while his arm wrapped around her waist.

"Apna haath hataye mere se," Nandini whispered, irritated.

"Kyu?" Manik asked, confused, making Nandini control the urge to smack him for his obliviousness.