Udaariyaan: Entangled Hearts

Chapter 12

Heartbreak

Kapoor House – Nikhil and Naaz's Bedroom

Advait entered the room to find Nikhil seated at the edge of the bed, wincing as he struggled to apply antiseptic to the wounds on his back. The first aid kit lay open beside him. A sharp hiss of pain escaped Nikhil's lips as he accidentally pressed too hard.

Without a word, Advait rushed forward, gently taking the cotton from his brother's hand. "What were you thinking, trying to do this on your own? You could've asked Naaz for help."

Nikhil offered a bitter smile. "Veere... after what I've done to her, I don't deserve her concern. I can't expect her to care for me—not as a wife, not even as a person."

Advait's eyes softened with sympathy. He sat beside Nikhil and quietly began cleaning the wounds, careful with every touch.

"When you knew it was wrong to fall in love outside your marriage," he asked gently, "why did you still go down that path?"

Nikhil looked ahead, then turned to face his brother. "Is love something we can control, Veere?"

Advait paused, the cotton still in his hand. The question struck deeper than he expected.

Randhawa House – Mallika's Room

Mallika sat clutching a photograph of her father, Jaiveer, tears streaking her face.

"I'm sorry, Dad," she whispered. "I never meant to bring shame upon our family. I don't even know when or how it happened... it just did."

A throat cleared behind her. She turned to see Ekam entering, now changed out of his bloodied clothes. She quickly wiped her tears and placed the photo back on the table.

Ekam walked over and sat beside her. "Are you alright?"

Mallika didn't reply—instead, she threw herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "No, Bhai... I'm not. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

Ekam gently pulled her back, wiping her tears. "Do you remember how broken you were when you thought Nehmat and Advait betrayed us?"

Mallika blinked at him in surprise. "Thought? They did betray us."

Ekam sighed, shaking his head. "No, Mallika. They didn't. That was our misunderstanding. Those photos—they were planted by someone who wanted to tear us apart."

Mallika stared at him, dumbfounded.

"It took me time to understand, but the truth is—they never meant to hurt us. We were victims of someone else's game."

Mallika looked away, the weight of guilt slowly creeping in.

Ekam's tone softened. "Do you remember how it felt when you thought they broke your trust?"

She nodded faintly.

"Then why are you ready to do the same to another woman?" he asked pointedly.

Her eyes brimmed with tears again. "Bhai, I've always disliked Naaz... but I never meant to come between her and Nikhil. I swear, we never crossed a line. We didn't have an illicit relationship."

Ekam took her hands in his. "Okay... I believe you." He gave a small smile. "Now, will my little sister listen to something I ask?"

Mallika hesitated. "You want me to never see Nikhil again?"

Ekam shook his head. "No. I want you to get married."

Mallika's breath caught in her throat.

Kapoor House – Nikhil and Naaz's Bedroom