It's 7:30 am in the morning. Nandini is sipping on her morning green tea while sitting on the cane swing on her balcony. Usually, she is an early riser and always leaves her bed at sharp 4 am. However, it's a different morning. Because she didn't sleep at night. After giving medicine to Manik she came to her room. That time it was impossible to sleep for her. Go without saying, the reason was Manik. The name that Manik uttered amidst his sleep gave a burning sensation to her mind, soul and body. Aliya..one of the reasons for their split. But this time Nandini didn't want to land up in a conclusion so soon. The rest of the hours until the Sunrays invaded her bedroom, she was mulling over the matter. She was repeatedly playing Manik's words in her mind and eventually, a mischievous smile peeks on her lips. As per her knowledge, Aliya Saxena, Bollywood's upcoming new face has already left her acting career after she married a business mogul Dhruv Vedant and shifted to the US. Does that mean Manik was hallucinating her? Really? She doesn't think so. His injury is not that serious that he can hallucinate his one-time heroine. Nandini swings and sips her favourite Tulsi-honey green tea. It is so refreshing. It clears a person's blocked mind. Nandini's lips curve. Her eyes have mysterious look. She gazes at the ash blue sky hued with a tint of orange and mumbles,

"It's going to be fun, Mr Malhotra. If you are the silver screen prince then I am the princess of Bollywood. Let's see who is a better actor. Mr or Mrs Malhotra?"

She giggles at her words. Only then, a sound startles her. Something metallic hits the ground and makes a clank. The sound has come from the guestroom. Nandini immediately gets up and rushes to Manik's room. As she enters, a disturbing sight brings frowns to her face. Manik is pacing in the room restlessly. The timepiece which was kept on the side table is now loitering on the ground, broken into many pieces. Nandini looks at the smashed table clock and then shifts her confused eyes to Manik. Manik is staring at her with a vexed expression. His eyes are red due to less sleep. Before Nandini can ask anything, he spits,

"Who the hell set an alarm to this fucking clock? Don't you know I hate morning alarms? I hate early rising? Or I have to follow your rules if I have to stay at your house? If that so then clear it; I will be happy to leave."

Nandini composedly nears him. For a brief second, their eyes remain locked. Then she slowly squats and starts collecting the broken pieces of the clock. Manik is observing her with a flared nose. Nandini gathers all the pieces and rises up. With a calm tone, she replies,

"Sorry, I forgot to stop the alarm. But it didn't do any major mistake. Good that you are awake. I have to give you a sponge bath. After that, you can sleep again. After all, you are on total bed rest. No shooting, no routine and of course no rule. Only good food, rest and medicine. And for all these, I am at your service, my hot-headed husband."

She utters the last line with lots of seduction. Manik gapes in surprise but immediately musters his thoughts. Nandini's flirtatious eyes create havoc in his heart. However, he is Manik Malhotra...a talented actor. Manik smiles in his mind and replies with equal enchantment,

"Sponge bath. I would love to have it. You know in my bathroom I have kept a huge bathtub. So that, two or three people can easily lie down inside it."

He makes a lascivious expression as he is ruminating over some tempting and sexual pleasure. He continues with the same husky tone,

"You know that I love taking shower together. Rose...my current manager; she is awesome as a bathing partner...ummmm..."

He bites his lower lips. Nandini's ears become red and hot but she conceals her discomfort and innocently replies,

"I think I won't be no less. You remember our secret honeymoon? The hotel bathroom. The cubicle and your lesson to make me bold!"

She places her enticing eyes on his and a vivid sight comes in front of Manik's eyes.

Flashback:

"Don't provoke me Nandu..you won't be able to bear the consequences." 

Manik says huskily, approaching Nandini with a slow gait. Nandini's eyes have mischief and anticipation at a time. In this closed hotel room, she and Manik can do anything. No paparazzi, no speculation and no consciousness will disturb them. It's their secret honeymoon where there is no secret between them. Nandini glances at the bathroom door from the corner of her eyes. A monkey trick peeps into her mind. She steps back, planning to enter the bathroom and then lock the door. It will be a great teasing for her horny husband who will be able to see her bathing inside the glassed cubicle but won't be able to touch her. A coy smile appears on her lips. However, she fakes an innocent reply, 

"Consequences! What consequences, Manik? I think you have played every prank on me, till now. Now it's my turn, Hubby. What do you think, only you can trick me? I can't do anything?" 

Nandini paces a bit more towards the bathroom. Manik's vigilant eyes observe her movement. A snicker beams on his lips. He again lessens the distance and retorts, 

"Who says you can't do? In fact, I want you to do any mischief so that I can proudly say that, this naughty and horny girl is my wife. A compatible partner. By the way, if you are thinking to enter the bathroom and locking the door to make me frustrated then let me tell you, I have the key to unlock it. So, I don't think it will be a great plan to execute..rather let allow me to join you. You know that I love taking shower with you. But if you will try to provoke me like this, then I can't promise it will be any decent encounter for you...think Wifey.." 

Manik taps on his temple and winks at Nandini. Within a minute, all the mischief and naughtiness vanish from Nandini's eyes. They get wide with fear and prediction. However, before she reacts or answers anything Manik suddenly minimizes the distance at a great speed and traps Nandini's frame between his body and the back wall. Nandini couldn't anticipate this and gapes in shock while Manik meets her timid eyes, 

"Now, what, Mrs Malhotra? No smart move to show! Then let me initiate. I think I will better teach you how to be a tease...come!" 

Within a second, he lifts Nandini's lightweight frame and throws it on his shoulder. Like a helpless creature, Nandini only can rant, 

"Manik...sorry...my mistake...please..!" 

Manik heads to the bathroom and replies with a husky tone, 

"Even I am sorry...not for this but for you...just wait and watch, Nandini Malhotra. It will be great fun." 

He enters the bathroom and immediately locks the door so that nobody can step out without his will. After that, he opens the door of the cubicle and puts down Nandini on the floor. He closes the cubicle door too and meets Nandini's timid eyes once again. 

"I have seen enough of your cuteness, Nandini Malhotra. Now, show me your boldness too. Let's begin with your dress. STRIP." 

His voice is too deep which gives a tremor to Nandini's every pore.

Author's note: The flashback will continue in the next chapter. It will be great fun to see their battle of acting too. Stay tuned for more hot and steamy scenes. 😉😉😉The lines in the Italic are the flashback moments.