Udaariyaan: Entangled Hearts

Chapter 8

Family first or family reputation first?

Naaz's Room – Kapoor House

Naaz stormed into her room, her eyes blazing with fury. She swept everything off her dresser in a rage, perfume bottles and hairbrushes clattering to the floor.

"To hell with their so-called friendship—Mallika and Nehmat!" she fumed. "Wasn't the lesson I gave them on my wedding day enough? And now they dare to come between me and Nikhil?"

She threw open her wardrobe, snatched her purse, and marched out with purpose in her stride.

As she descended the stairs, Rama and Neeru caught sight of her.

"Naaz, where are you going in such a rush?" Rama asked, startled. "What's the matter, child?"

Neeru added, "And what's with all this anger?"

But Naaz brushed past them without answering, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Rama and Neeru exchanged alarmed glances.

Just then, Nehmat entered the hall. She hesitated before softly saying, "I think you both deserve to know the truth about what's going on with Naaz and Nikhil."

Rama turned sharply toward her. "Truth? What truth?"

Nehmat hesitated for a moment, then confessed, "Nikhil has fallen in love with someone else... with Mallika. And she loves him too."

The air fell heavy. Rama's expression twisted in disbelief. "What?! Nikhil loves Mallika? Has he lost his mind?"

Nehmat, in a quiet voice, replied, "They both love each other genuinely. Maybe it's time we stop forcing people to stay in loveless relationships."

Neeru scoffed and crossed her arms. "Of course you would say that. After all, who in this house understands the pain of losing a lover better than you?"

Nehmat felt a sting in her chest but remained silent.

Rama stepped forward, her tone sharp. "Listen carefully, Nehmat. I've tolerated enough because of you. You manipulated my elder son, tore this family apart, and got my husband sent to jail!"

Nehmat's eyes welled up. "Mummy ji, please—"

But Rama silenced her with a glare. "Don't interrupt me! Let me make one thing very clear. I won't let you interfere in the life of my other son. For the sake of our family's dignity, Nikhil will remain married to Naaz. I don't care how much he claims to love Mallika."

Nehmat stood frozen, wounded by Rama's words, unsure of what to do next.

Kapoor & Co. Construction Site

Nikhil arrived, his eyes scanning the area anxiously. He pulled out his phone and called his secretary.

"Cancel all my meetings for the day. I'm at the construction site for an important matter," he said curtly.

"But sir, what meeting—?" the secretary asked.

Before he could finish, Nikhil cut the call. He quickly checked his phone to see if Mallika had listened to his message. Seeing the blue ticks, his heart raced.

"I hope you come, Mallika," he whispered to himself. "Because this isn't just about today. It's about the rest of our lives."

Moga Police Station

Ekam was buried in case files when Naaz entered, her face a mask of cold resolve.

"Naaz? What brings you here?" he asked, standing up. "Is everything alright?"