|| ENDLESS LOVE || -- A MaNan FF

|| Chapter Nineteen ||

#Note : Thanks for all those lovely people who comment regularly. It's always a bliss to read those comments. I read all of them, twice.  Keep'em coming. #HappyReading

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As I look into the mirror in our bedroom, I feel like I have gone back in time, I am wearing a sheer flowing white gown with gold bodice, it looks perfectly fitted and flatters what little curves I have. My hair falls in soft loose curls around my face, spilling over my shoulders and a little beyond. I tuck one side behind my ears revealing my diamond ear drops that I haven't adorned in ages. It was a gift from Manik, he loves it when I wear'em. I kept my make-up to a minimum with just an eyeliner, mascara and a pale pink lipstick - a natural look. Looking at the much younger and stunning version of me, I smile with satisfaction.

"Nandini!!!"  I hear Manik call for me. He is pissed that we were late.

I frown looking at the mirror.

Well, I am pissed at you too Manik!!!

Are you really? My conscious frowns back at me with her hands on her hips. I roll my eyes at her and ask her to mind her own business but I know she does have a point.

I can never stay angry at Manik!

He asked me to get ready and has been reading a bed-time story to the kids, can he get any more adorable? I decide I am going to forget the whole thing - mainly because my kids are safe and happy and they will be so, as long as Manik is with them.

I walk into the kid's room. He is sitting on a chair facing Tara's bed and reading something to her, Nikki has already fallen asleep beside her. "Papa can you buy me a magic wand tomorrow?"  she asks him nicely.

"Sure sweetheart, can I use it to make you fall asleep?"  Manik asks her.

"Duuuh! My wand will not work for youuu!"  she hits her forehead with her tiny palm.

"Ohh, it will not?"  Manik fakes genuine interest. Liz and I look at each other and smile at her silliness.

"Mummma!!..."  Tara's face lights up and this catches Manik's attention. He turns towards me. "...you look like an angel"  Tara exclaims.

Manik is looking at me and it is a look filled with awe. I give a shy smile and walk to them as he breaks his gaze and turns to Tara.

"Shhh!"  he signals her. He gets up passing her story book to Liz. He carefully takes Nikki in his arms and puts him on his upper bunk and kisses his forehead.

I walk upto Tara and sit beside her. "Baby, close your eyes and count till thousand and you will fall asleep. Papa and I will be back in a few hours, we will see you in the morning. Is that okay?"  I ask her.

She nods her head. "Where are you going?"  she asks.

"Tara, go to sleep. Enough of questions for today."  Manik scolds her. I close her eyes with my hand and kiss her forehead. "Sleep bunny. Good night."

"Good night mumma."  She doesn't open her eyes.

"Let's go, Nandini"  Manik signals and I walk to the door.

"Go to sleep and don't wake up Nikki. Kapish?"  Manik kisses her.

"Cah-piiish!"  she giggles without opening her eyes.
He looks down at her and smiles.