The engagement and roka was to be held in a hotel Audi.

Guests had arrived and so had Manik and his family. It was announced that Nandini is coming. Well Manik knew it already because both of them were texting each other whole of the time.

A smile broke out on his face when he saw the beauty that is Nandini walking towards him surrounded by her cousins. Nandini didn't dare look up because she was sure one look at him and she will forget the world around her.

She walked the 100 metre distance keeping her eyes glued to the carpet. Even when she was made to stand beside him she didn't look up. Manik was desperately trying to gauge her emotions but it was difficult if he couldn't see her eyes. They were the mirror of her emotions.

He sneaked a glance at his mother, thankfully she was busy, so he discreetly squeezed her hand. Nandini's eyes flew to him in panic. Finally! Manik sighed in relief seeing that she glared at him means everything is alright.
In the process of glaring Nandini also noticed that he was wearing pink shirt under his grey coloured suit jacket. She smiled to herself as she was wearing a pink coloured heavily brocade work done floor length anarkali.

Soon , it was time for exchanging rings. Nandini's eyes glistened a little watching the ring. It was exactly like she had shown him, means he got it made specially. He passed her a loving smile. She smiled back in gratitude.
.....

The ceremony was over by midnight and Nandini's parents sighed in relief. They had managed to sail through it without any mishaps. Neyonika, if not considerate, had at least been cooperative the whole time. Nandini's parents suspected it was a facade which she is putting up for manik's sake.

" Can I not get some free moment with you?" Manik whispered discreetly as guests after guests were coming to greet them and give their blessings.

" Not here not right now" she whispered back.
He groaned inwardly " then when??"

" I don't know"

" Tonight after the ceremony. I will make some excuse and come to your house. Meet me down in front of your building"

" No. Are you mad! What will I say to my family?"

" Nandini you will come. I will be waiting"

He didn't let her answer and said " by the way. I didn't get an opportunity to say it before. You are looking beautiful tonight!"

" Q aur din beautiful Ni lagti ??" She asked in all seriousness. And Manik mentally face palmed himself.

" You are weird!" He commented.

She bit her inner cheek to contain her giggle.

.......
" Arzoo, sun I am going to meet your bhabhi. Tu sambhal Lena yaha par"

" Arey par main bolungi Kya?"

" Keh Dena...umm....yes...! Ice cream lane Gaya hu"

" Bhai at one o clock , kaun ice cream khata h??"

" Tu khati h! Itna v unbelievable Ni hoga ye lie"

" Ok fine...go...and don't forget to share my love with bhabhi after your quota is done" arzoo winked and then strolled towards the house leaving behind a blushing Manik.

.......

Manik had borrowed cabir's car to visit Nandini. He parked it at a distance from her building. He had already given her missed call to let her know that he is about to reach. So, he didn't have to wait at all, as he saw Nandini walking briskly to reach him. He turned off the engine and quickly got out to greet her.

" This is very adventurous! We are meeting like we are doing something illegal" Nandini said hugging him.

" I thought you love adventure!" He teased but didn't let her pull back. So, Nandini remained in his embrace , hugging him tightly, like two bodies mashing together.

" Hmm I am definitely loving this" she whispered over his chest sending tingles down his spine. In response he tightened his hold on her, not leaving space for even air to occupy. He was very much aware of her soft mounds pressing on his chest and he realised that they are sharing a very intimate moment. He also realised that their relationship lacks in this department.

" Let's talk inside the car" he suggested reluctantly pulling away from her. She nodded and then they settled in the back of the car. He took her hands in his and intertwined their fingers. With the pad of his thumb he rubbed soothing circles on the back of her hand.

Nandini noticed a change in Manik. She observed that he is being very forthcoming at intimacy. For example, Instead of sitting in the front seat of the car, he took her to the back seat. The only reason that she could think was that he wanted to sit close to her without the barrier.

He had not spoken a word, he was just gazing at her with some emotions.

" Kya hua? Ase q dekh rahe ho?"
" I am just thinking how can I be so lucky ki mujhe tum mil gyi. You know that too , so easily! I always thought love is like the stories that we have read , you know, Romeo Juliet, Laila majnu....and like that...love always comes with struggle. That was my perception. That is why I was always afraid to commit."

" You mean, if situation comes, you will not fight for me?" She asked apprehensively.

" I don't know. But right at this moment, the thought of losing you is abhorrent to me." He replied with a shiver running down his body with the mere thought.

Although his answer was not that convincing, Nandini decided to let it go. After all these years of pining for him when finally she was getting to be with him, she couldn't let insecurities overshadow her happiness.

But her question had thrown Manik for a loop. He wondered what he would have done if his mother had not agreed to their marriage? Probably he would have let her go. It couldn't be that difficult? Right?

One who has not experienced heart break or separation from their loved ones, cannot know how it feels.

He was startled out of his pensive thoughts by Nandini's candid peck on his lips. A jolt of electric current ran through him and instinctively he wrapped his arms round her pulling her close and prolonging the kiss.

When they pulled back, both were gasping for air.
" I want to do so much more to you...but I will wait till we reach California" he said huskily. His eyes reflection of his desire. Nandini blushed at his words " I can't wait to be in California , then" she replied boldly. And Manik smiled a different kind of smile. She couldn't relate it because she had never seen him smile that way. He looked.....smug, Nandini concluded.

....
Later that night when Nandini was finally in bed, for the first time in her life, she watched porn. Not for pleasure, but for knowledge. Manik's 'that' smile had done this to her. She wanted to be as prepared for her first time as possible. It would be his first time too, but he looked confident and so she cannot afford to appear as a fool in this 'matter.'

LOVE does all this to a person! ;-)