Tangled Beliefs

Epilogue

Every chapter we lived, we lived as one. And this last one? It’s just the beginning of always.

Nandini’s POV,

“One year. One whole year of being married to Manik Malhotra,” I muttered to myself, standing in the kitchen in my satin night robe with my hair tied up in a messy bun, checking the final touches of the special midnight surprise I had planned.

And oh, what a year it had been.

A beautiful, chaotic rollercoaster of emotions. Filled with morning cuddles, late-night debates over which movie to watch, arguments about who forgot to close the toothpaste cap, stealing kisses in the office pantry, and dancing in the rain because I was in the mood and he was helpless against me.

Who would’ve thought that the same arrogant CEO who once barely acknowledged me would now steal glances at me in board meetings and throw tantrums like a child when I went shopping without him?

I still remember the morning he fought with me over chai. Not even kidding.

“You purposely added less sugar in mine,” he’d whined like a 5-year-old.

“I’m trying to keep your six-pack intact,” I’d rolled my eyes.

He narrowed his eyes and declared dramatically, “Love without sweetness is like chai without sugar.”

That made me laugh for ten straight minutes.

And then there were days when we fought over the blanket, over who forgot to water the plants in our balcony, or who left the fridge open. Silly, stupid things. But we always made up. Always.

Sometimes with kisses.

Sometimes with apologies.

Sometimes… in the shower.

And in the middle of all that madness, I had a second home, Murthy Mansion, where things had slowly changed. I had begun spending more time with Mom and Dad again. Abhimanyu and Didu still dropped in randomly just to irritate me. Bhai and Bhabhi had started this new tradition of Sunday lunch with all of us together.

Cabir Jiju had become a constant chaos in our lives, randomly crashing into our house, stealing Manik’s hoodies, and calling himself my favorite just to see Manik's nostrils flare in jealousy. Neyo Maa had begun referring to me as her daughter proudly in front of everyone, and Dadi had now appointed me the official “Malhotra House Decoration In-Charge.”

They were my people. My chosen chaos.

But tonight… tonight was something else.

Our first wedding anniversary.

And I had been planning this moment for weeks.

The fairy lights were strung across our room like little stars. Rose petals were scattered in a heart shape on the bed. Scented candles flickered softly on the nightstands. A soft instrumental playlist played in the background, our favorites. Everything was perfect.

Well, almost.

“God, please don't let him ruin the surprise with some sarcastic one-liner,” I whispered, looking at the clock. 11:55 PM.

Right on cue, I heard the door open downstairs and Manik’s loud voice echoing through the living room.

“Nandini! I’m home! Did you see where my black hoodie went? Cabir took another one!”

I chuckled. Of course. Jiju.

I quickly turned off the hallway lights, tiptoed down, and waited by the staircase.