MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

28. Stealing Moments!

~ Just you and me make a perfect picture~

Both Manik and Nandini walked back hand in hand, and pushed open the main door of the mansion to be welcomed by mouth watering aroma that filled their nostrils and Manik almost ran all the way to the kitchen to find the sight his heart had been longing for all these years. Veebha was immersed between the various types of spices and sauting vegetables when Manik came and back hugged her just like the way he used to do earlier.

"What's cooking?" he asked excited, and in the same tone which reminded Veebha of a fifteen year old  Manik.

" Pulav and Gajar ka Halwa? ", she answered in a question, trying to sound very obvious and normal while her heart beats were increasing in the fear that what if his choices have changed. Twelve years was a long time, no doubt.

"Wow! Maa you are great!", Manik shrieked in happiness, dipping his finger in the Halwa and tasting it, only to be playfully slapped on his hand by his mother.

Realising his food choices were at least the same, Veebha's face glowed up and she started preparing the meal with much more enthusiam, simultaneously asking him not to touch anything until it was all ready.

"By the way, the kitchen is so systematically arranged, every spice you love is there, and every basic item for any cuisine is present. Super job haan!", She talked to Manik, and at the same time praised Kaka who was standing beside her, watching his Memsahab cook after years.

" Its not me, Memsahab. It's all  Nandini bitiya's credit, she came and at least  Manik baba's eating and routine has been taken care of, otherwise your son has no idea how to take care of himself", Kaka answered taunting Manik and praising Nandini while Manik smiled remembering the early days of their friendship and how she started taking care of him and filled his life with positivity. Veebha also smiled at her mention and chuckled seeing the lost boy face of Manik. It was then she noticed Nandini standing at the kitchen door, silently enjoying the family conversation and giving them their much needed time without any complain of being ignored. She elbowed Manik to look at her and slowly whispered in his ear.

"How dare you leave my beloved daughter-in-law alone? Go to her!", Veebha pushed him and Manik turbed at the side to notice Nandini.

"I am impressed. So much for future planning. Why don't you worry the same way for own blood first?",  he faked melodrama and Veebha hit him playfully on his head, spoiling his precious hair.

"Because my son is useless either way!", she winked at him, and Manik made faces at his own mother.

All these while Nandini was noticing the whispering going on between the mother and the son and was frowning when she saw Manik moving towards her with a smirk on his face. She widened her eyes in shock as she noticed the mischievous glint in his eyes. She took a step or two back and ran back into his room before he could come near her and both Manik and Veebha burst out laughing at her innocence.

Some time later the three of them were sitting in the dining table enjoying the food. Manik was gobbling up like he had been hungry for ages while Veebha was smiling watching him eat with so much gratification. In a while, Nandini stood from the table and started arranging one more plate of food. Both of them looked at her in confusion.

"Nandini please, I can't eat one more plate!", Manik pleaded with a puppy face to which Nandini giggled.

"Foodie! It's not for you. It's time for Kaka's medicines too and he needs to eat!", she said and Manik now embarrassed, hid his face in the plate.

Veebha smiled at her and Nandini moved into the kitchen and after making sure Kaka had his food properly, she came back and joined them for dinner.

Post dinner also Manik was not ready to leave his mother. He made her sit in the drawing room couch and himself sat on the ground with his head in her lap and with his right hand, he entwined it with that of Nandini's who was sitting beside Veebha. A different sort of calmness was evident on his face. Although Nandini was able to breathe in life in him but this shade of Manik- openly flirtatious, so talkative and a complete foodie- this was something even she was witnessing for the first time. She smiled at the perfect picture moment in front of her while Manik was still busy telling Veebha about Kabir and all his other friends, his empire and his life. He skipped all those dark parts when he was completely shattered and Nandini felt a sudden urge to hug him tight for the perfect son he was. Only because his mother will feel guilty, he did not mention anything about the pain and suffering he endured. Some time later seeing no answer from his mother he looked up to find her already asleep and he saw even Nandini was sleepy. He slowly got up and carried his mom to her bedroom with a smile. He tucked her properly in bed and kissed her forehead.

"Thanku for coming back Maa..", he whispered against her forehead and closed the door.
On coming down, he found Nandini all set to leave for her apartment.

"Hello madam! Where?" he asked her with eyes shot up, and his right hand immediately went forward to hold her back.

"Home?", she answered biting her lip.

"Wow! I thought you were going to the zoo!", he answered sarcastically while she fumbled with her dupatta not knowing what to answer him. Manik studied her face for sometime. Her nervousness was clear in her actions and so were her thoughts that were bothering her. Manik moved closer to her and cupped her face making her look into his eyes.

" Nandini, you know I can't sleep without you, right? And Maa is asleep.  And even if she was awake, you know she won't have a problem with you staying back, so relax. If you are that uncomfortable, I promise I will drop you back tomorrow morning before Maa wakes up! Okay?" he explained her with a smile, initially a genuine one and later turned into a wicked one.

Nandini could see the depth of his love in his eyes and she immediately hugged him tight. For straight fifteen minutes, they stood that way in eachother's  arms. No words. No communication. No kisses. No selfishness. No pulling away.

After some time Nandini backed off and smiled naughtily at him, imitating the glint in his eyes.

"Honestly even I was wondering if I will get any sleep tonight!", she winked and Manik went all awww at her innocent yet bold move.

" Is that so Ms girlfriend..? ", he smirked.

" Definitely yes Mr boyfriend ", she replied in the same favour.

"Then let me show you how!", he said and in a split second picked her up in bridal style. Her hand bag slipped from her hand but who cares! He entered the bedroom and closed the door with his leg. Placing her on the bed carefully, he changed into his vest and track pants and laid down beside her. She snuggled into him and kept her head on her favourite and most comfortable pillow- his chest. He kissed her forehead and patted her hairs.

" Sleep. It had been a long day!", he mumbled and Nandini, who was already finding it difficult to keep her eyes open, soon drifted to sleep.

Manik admired his sleeping beauty for some time. How lucky he was to have her in his life. He knew it was her who had made this day possible- his mother back into his life. He thanked the almighty once more and caging her in his arms, he too welcomed a peaceful slumber.