~ Life is probably not about Special days, but about how to turn Atleast one moment from everyday special! ~

"STONE
PAPER
SCISSOR.....!!", Manik and Nandini excalimed simultaneously, forwarding their right hands, Nandini enacting stone and Manik, a pair of scissors.

"Yeay!!! HAAA! ", Nandini laughed and danced while Manik made a face before making his way to the kitechen, to make a cup of coffee for his majesty.

Well, yes, as stupid as it sounds, they were fighting about who makes the morning coffee, because both wanted to shower first, both claimed they need more time and both weren't ready to go easy.

"Manik ", Nandini peeked from the kitchen door and he turned, rasing an eye, his face drawn in a smirk.

"I was just saying -", Nandini played with her hands and gave him a sickly sweet smile but he cut her off.

"Yeah yeah, I will make the breakfast also, anyway will have to kill time because you take ages to shower!", he dismissed her with the back of his hand, earning a playful chuckle from Nandini who turned on her heels to go, before turning back again to call him.

"Pancakes I know. Chocolate syrup not maple. I know. Just go!", this time he shouted across even before she could call her name, and she giggled before running into the bedroom, leaving behind her smitten husband, shaking his head as he smiled to himself and sipped his coffee.

An elaborate bubble bath later, when Nandini came out of the washroom, carrying the lemon grass fragrance around her, she found her husband sitting on the bed, tapping his foot impatiently. But she saw him sniff the air in appreciation, his eyes shining as he took her in, clad in her bothrobe.  She apologetically shrugged and Manik picked up his towel and the white kurta from the bed.

"When Maa scolds, You are bearing the blame", he stated, pointing his index finger at her, and Nandini bit her smile as she nodded. To say Manik loved Mrs. Chatteejee would be like stating earth is round, but to say he was also legit scared of her, was like stating we breath to live.

Smiling to herself, she began drying her hair, enjoying the way they smelt. Lemon grass had been her recent addition and everything from her shower gel to shampoo had been replaced with the same. And as if in a trance, her mind travelled to the fight she and Manik had two days back.

"Nandini Yaar!", Manik called, as he got out of the washroom, his face showing his irritation. Nandini who was reading sitting on the bed, looked up.

"What is this smell lingering in? I couldn't even take a long shower as I wished too", Manik complained, throwing the wet towel on the bed. Nandini squinted, her lips rolled in frustration as she got up the bed, picked the towel and dumped it in the cloth bag.

"The smell is lemon grass. I love it. So deal with it", she threw her hair in the air and went back to bed.

"What do you mean deal with it? It's such a feminine smell. It's night now but how will I go to office smelling like that?", he asked, rolling his eyes and Nandini literally threw the book in her hand onto the bed as she glared at him.

"Are you kidding me Manik Malhotra? Smell travel through air. Use your body wash and your smell will dominate the air. Did you fail in science or something? Also, if it's too much of an issue, get your lazy ass out of the bed before me and take a shower before I enter! Not my problem", Nandini shouted and pulled over her comforter, leaving a puzzled Manik behind.

"What is wrong with you? Is it that time of the month?", he snickered and Nandini kicked him, earning a yelp.

"Geez Woman!!"

"My pleasure, MAN!!!!!"

Nandini giggled at the memory because the man who claimed he didn't like the 'feminine smell' had flipped three sixty degrees in just two days!

Half an hour later, Standing in front of the mirror Nandini was braiding her hair to tuck it in the bun she was going to make later. Her white duppatta filled with star shaped embroidery was lying on the bed on one side along with Manik's half coat that he was supposed to wear over his white Kurta, and her mind was flowing with her husband's thoughts.

It had been a week since they had returned from Delhi, a week since their mini adventure honeymoon and she was sure no matter how many more vacations they take, how many more memories they make, she would never ever forget this. She would never forget the kiss they shared once Manik came out of the recording room, or the stars shining in his eyes when he had twirled her around. The trip had done a lot good to both of them, more to him and she could clearly see the changes.

Manik came out in some time, wearing his payjama and kurta, rolling his sleeves, his eyes finiding Nandini to know if it suited him when his eyes landed on her slender figure, and took away his breaths. She was applying eye liner, completely unawre of the havoc she created in her Man's heart and elsewhere.

"Aaye Haaye!!! You want to kill me or something?", Manik spoke, making Nandini smile as he saw her in the mirror and she raised her eyes to meet his through the same.

" I am on a diet Manik", she stated, putting the hair curler down and picking up her lipstick, smirking when a sudden pull made her turn back to face him.

"Yeah? But once in a while cheat day is allowed!", he caressed her earlobe watching her take in a sharp breath, her doe shaped eyes roaming all over him as she tried to gauze his intentions.

Manik gave away nothing, his hand at the back of her waist jerking her onto him, and he started to lean in, when in a reflex, Nandini put her right hand over her mouth.

"Manik, no. We will be late, Maa is waiting", she immediately panicked, her eyes lingering over the wall clock for a second. She was also worried about her just perfectly applied lipstick which she was sure her husband would ruin to perfection.

"Haan toh? Wait? You thought I am going to kiss you and we will make out or something?", he asked horrified, the fakeness of which Nandini could read through his mischievous eyes as he shook his head.

"Very bad Nandu! You should thinl about something else also", Manik took steps back, and picked up his overcoat, wore it and began to button it.

Nandini smiled, walked forward and started it to button up for him.

"I know, I am sorry. I think about you too much these days", she clutched the lapels of his overcoat and trailed a finger down his kurta clad chest, watching him getting stiff under her touch, before actually buttoning it up properly to remove any doubt he had in his mind.

And all of a sudden, without any warning, she dropped on her knees, making him gasp loudly.

"Nandini!", his call sounded hoarse and before he could say anything, she was back up on her feet.

"My ring", she showed him a ring she supposedly picked up from the ground, "Kyu? Tum kya soch rhe the?",  her voice was amused and teasing both.

Manik shook his head and turned his face to the mirror.

Why on earth does he ever think he can win from this evil queen in his life?

Nandini silently giggled as she picked her purse and the gifts, watching Manik setting his hairs from her peripheral vision. Once he was done, they left for the Chatterjee House.

As known, Abhik Chatterjee had finally found the guts to propose his long time sweetheart, Anushree Samal, and somehow, miraculously she had agreed. They both were engaged in a formal, Aashirwaad ceremony, the evening before with close friends and families. Today, though, they were hosting a late brunch for the crowd, celebrating their engagement and also exchanging rings since Anushree wanted to.

The theme had been white and gold, and Manik was pleasantly surprised when Nandini told him she would go for Indian rather than a gown. He matched her in his white kurta and the golden overcoat, both of them looking like the perfect couple they were.

Mr and Mrs. Chatterjee were in a formal white suit and a golden Saree respectively, while the couple of the hour looked ethereal in the three peice suit and the body hugging silver gown.

Nandini loudly clapped when they exchanged rings, hooting while Manik relentlessly teased them, asking Anushree to run away. The elders, including Appa, laughed at their banter.

Mrs. Chatterjee introduced Nandini to the guest like her own daughter in law, not the she wasn't, but it filled her eyes to receive so much affection from her. Manik noticed, but he kept mum.

The brunch continued into late evening, and by the time all the guests left, it was almost 8. Manik and Nandini stayed back, and helped them clean, while Anushree's parents went back home. Anushree though, stayed behind on some pretext.

It was almost 11:30 by the time Manik and Abhik finished cleaning the dishes after their light, but family dinner. Mr. Chatterjee and Appa were playing chess while the ladies were discussing something in the bedroom.

"Chal beta, lag ja kaam pe", Abhik nudged Manik who pushed him away playfully before both men began their work.

Sometime later, Anushree nudged Mrs. Chatterjee who looked at the clock, and then at Nandini who was almost sleepy.

"Nandini, please get me a glass of water!", she asked, and Nandini opened her eyes, and rubbed them, before standing up, but as soon as opened the gate, she was welcomed with darkness all around.

"Maa, does these Men already fell asleep?", Nandini asked confused, and before she could reach the light switch located in the drawing room, a loud sound scared the shit out of her, only to earn her widest smile back!!!

"Happy Birthday Nandini!!!!!!!".

Note: Hello. I am back after one complete month, gosh! I think this has been the longest I have been totally MIA in last three years! But nonetheless, here you go!

How was the update?

What are your expectations from Nandini's birthday? Any ideas?

Also Mohit Sehgal and Sanaya Irani as Abhik and Anushree. They were the first ITV couple I fell for, so I thought why not them? Also it's easy to find their couple pictures for their instagram is flooded with them!

I did consider all your suggestions. Pooja and Sahil were a good choice but I didn't want Kzk stans to come and spread negativity here🙈🙈🙈. I am not blaming everyone but some are there, so!

Arjun and Mouni and Mishkat-Kanchi were good to, but finding their pictures was tedious. So I dropped the idea because I am already lacking time!

Harshad - Jennifer, I adore them, love them, ship them, but already have two running stories on them. 🙈

On the same note, Wahi and Winget, and Rithwik and Asha are too common a couple used in wattpad stories.

Shantanu-Vrushika are already as Mihir and Raima in 'The Alleged Happily Ever after'.

I hope I answered all of you wrt Jodis.

Also, we missed the date, but #ASCL completed an year in September. Congratulations to all of us, to each reader who read and to those who voted and commented, you guys are precious. Thank you!!!!❤️ ❤️

Have fun reading. Until next time!!!

Also, picture credits - Twitter!!!!