As expected, the talk didn't go well. Nandini was only glad that no one outside immediate family was present to hear the accusations of her mother-in-law. Her words stung but nandini wisely kept her mouth shut. When she started blaming her upbringing, she almost was ready to lash out but manik spoke before her.

" Maa please don't take it that far. Whatever I said just think about it calmly. You will realize it will benefit all of us. Arzoo will need her privacy whenever she will be here with her husband, so will arisha. Me and nandini can adjust anywhere but they are daughters of our house."

" in our times, we didn't need privacy. I slept with my mother in law when there was lack of space. You kids are so brazen" her comment was directed towards Nandini.
  
" Mum " interrupted Arisha " Bhaiya is only asking you to think about it"

When there was no response from her, manik took nandini's hand and left.

" Let's go out for a bit. I am feeling very restless" manik spoke as they entered their room.

" Okay" her voice was subdued. He turned to face her and held her chin forcing her to look in his eyes " please don't mind my mother's words. She has lived her entire life in a way, it is difficult for her to accept changes. Give her time, I am sure she will come around" he urged passionately.
Manik and nandini went back to California the next day. They quickly settled in their old routine. Nandini never brought up the topic of house again, so did Manik. At first when her mother inlaw's call would come, nandini made an effort to talk to her but it became apparent that neyonika just wanted to be concerned about her son and nothing else. So now the situation was that it had been a month since their last conversation . Nandini would get an update from manik  and she was content with that.

2 months later

Nandini was held up in office. When she reached home manik opened the door beaming at her.

" Uh-oh Mr. Malhotra! What's the matter? You look extra happy today!" She said as she walked in.

" I am extra happy today Mrs. Malhotra"

He hugged her from behind nuzzling her neck.

" Maa is ready to sell the house" he announced.

She turned in his embrace " really?"

" Yes! Now we can buy the house your father sent the detail of which"

" That's great news manik! But how did maa agree to this?"

"I have my ways" he replied haughtily.

" Oh yeah?" She asked circling her arms round his neck and rising on her toes. 

" Yeah" he replied bending to meet her lips half way.
.....
" Dad was saying that all the papers are ready we just need to be there on the appointed date to sign the papers." Nandini informed manik.

":Ok then start looking for tickets" manik replied brushing his teeth.

" Have you talked to your mother about the fact that the house will be on my name?" She enquired.

" She will understand. I will talk to her face to face" manik replied dismissing her concerns.

Nandini kept quiet but she knew another storm was in the horizon.In the following month after the initial tension over the ownership of the house,the old house was sold and a new 3BHK simplex was bought. It was in suburbs of Mumbai, away from the hustle bustle of the city. After settling his mother and father in the house, manik and nandini returned to California. Neyonika and Nandini’s relationship more strained than ever. Manik didn’t want to upset his mother by directly defending nandini and sometimes this irked nandini but then he would make that puppy dog face and she couldn’t stay mad. Apart from this their life was almost perfect until something big happened that threatened to destroy the peace in their lives.

....