Man Mohini | {ON HOLD}

Chapter 7

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Yudhishthir and Mohini finally spotted Bheem standing near a stall, towering over the crowd as he inspected something with unusual seriousness.

“You go to him,” Yudhishthir said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Mohini’s shoulder. “I will go and search for Nakul. That boy must be running around somewhere.”

Mohini smiled softly and nodded. She turned towards Bheem and walked to him, her anklets chiming faintly with every step.

She reached out and tapped his broad shoulder to call him. Bheem turned at once, and his eyes brightened in an instant.

“Oh! I was about to call you,” he exclaimed, his voice unusually cheerful. “I was looking for some earings for you!”

“Really?” Mohini asked, her tone carrying a sparkle of excitement.

He nodded earnestly, then turned back towards the stall with childlike enthusiasm, scanning through the trays of glittering earrings.

“Here, look at these ones!” He picked up a pair and held it beside her face, squinting at her like an art critic inspecting a masterpiece. “Hmm… no, no. Too small. It won’t do.”

Mohini giggled at his exaggerated seriousness. But Bheem was relentless. He picked another pair, held it near her ear, then shook his head dramatically. This went on for several minutes, his face twisting into thoughtful frowns and decisive nods while Mohini’s giggles grew into helpless laughter.

“Wait, wait!” she said at last, raising her hand to stop him before he grabbed yet another pair. She leaned forward and carefully picked up a pair of delicate golden hoops, with little balis dangling gracefully. “How about this one?”

“Let me see…” Bheem said, his deep voice softening as he studied them. Then, without hesitation, he gently held Mohini’s chin between his large fingers and began fastening the earrings on her ears.

He worked with unusual care, his touch slow and deliberate so as not to hurt her. What he didn’t realize was how close his face was to hers, but Mohini did. She could see every detail of him the stern lines of his face, the warmth of his eyes, the contrast between his intimidating stature and the tenderness in his touch.

Once he had fixed both earrings, he drew back just slightly and looked at her, and for a moment even his normally stern face softened completely. “Beautiful,” he murmured, the word escaping him before he could stop it.

Bheem was a massive man broad, strong, and often fearsome to strangers. His presence alone was enough to intimidate anyone. With his family, however, he was playful and warm, though he sometimes scolded Arjun, Nakul, or Sahdev when they crossed the line. But with Mohini never. He could not raise his voice against her, not once. She was far too precious, far too dear. The one time he had done so, he had been miserable for days. To him, she was his gentle, lovely Mohini.

With surprising tenderness, he guided her by the shoulders and turned her towards the mirror hanging at the side of the stall. Mohini looked at her reflection, her heart caught between disbelief and wonder.

‘Is it the jewelry itself that looks so pretty,’ she thought, ‘or the fact that he is buying it for me that makes me glow like this?’

Bheem leaned in slightly, his reflection appearing beside hers. “You look so beautiful,” he whispered, his voice low and filled with awe.

Her cheeks warmed instantly, and she dropped her gaze for a moment, overwhelmed by his affection.

The stall owner, an older woman with sharp eyes, cleared her throat and spoke with an almost teasing smile. “Would you like to buy them, or are you both simply going to stand there all day staring at each other?”

Startled, they both looked away in embarrassment. Bheem hastily pulled out coins and paid her, then took Mohini’s hand firmly in his and led her away from the stall.

A few steps ahead, they spotted Arjun at a dagger shop. He was bent over, inspecting the blade of a dagger with intense concentration.

“What are you doing?” Bheem boomed in his deep, intimidating voice, making Arjun squeak in surprise. Shree giggled at his reaction.

Arjun sighed in relief when he realized it was only his brother. But then his eyes drifted to Mohini, and his breath caught sharply. ‘Oh lord… she is going to be the death of me,’ he thought, his chest tightening at the sight of her.

Just then, a sweet aroma from a food stall nearby caught Bheem’s attention. His nose twitched, and he struggled to stay composed. “Arjun, look for something you like. I’ll… go see about something else,” he muttered, trying to appear casual.

Arjun and Shree exchanged knowing glances.

“Yes, Bhrata,” Arjun said, playing along.

But before leaving, Bheem turned serious again. “Take care of Mohini,” he ordered firmly.

Arjun nodded with full sincerity, the weight of his elder brother’s trust sinking into him.

When Bheem left, Arjun noticed Shree staring intently at a nearby stall. Following her gaze, he saw a young married couple at a shringar shop, blushing and flirting openly with one another. He couldn’t help but smile half amused, half embarrassed but when he turned to Shree, he saw her watching them with open admiration.

“What’s so mesmerizing about them?” he asked curiously.

Mohini smiled wistfully. “They are just so lovely together. That is the kind of love life I want with my husband someday.”

“Husband?” Arjun repeated, almost offended.

“What?” Mohini asked, blinking innocently.

“I’m not going to stay with you all my life, Arjun,” she teased. “One day I’ll have to get married.”

She tried to say it jokingly, but her voice softened at the end, as if she herself was unsure whether she liked that truth.

Arjun, however, felt a sharp pang inside his chest. The thought of Mohini belonging to someone else of calling another man her husband made him unreasonably uneasy. He didn’t understand why, but he disliked it intensely.

Suddenly, a loud voice drew their attention. They turned to see Sahdev marching towards them, something in his hands making a soft chiming sound.

He greeted Arjun quickly, but when his eyes fell on Shree, his breath caught for just a second before he collected himself. Smiling shyly, he turned back to Mohini.

“Mohini, yesterday I couldn’t give you anything for your birthday,” he said earnestly. “So today, I brought you something.”

He knelt gracefully before her, took her foot gently in his hand, and wrapped a delicate payal around her ankle. The tiny bells chimed sweetly as he fastened it. Then, with equal tenderness, he did the same for her other foot.

Mohini’s heart fluttered at the gesture, her throat tightening with emotions she didn’t want to admit.

‘What is this feeling? With all of them? No, no… this is wrong,’ she scolded herself silently.

“Mohini!” Sahdev called softly for the fifth time. “Where are you lost?”

She looked at him, but her eyes quickly darted away. She couldn’t meet his gaze not after realizing how her heart was betraying her. A faint shame spread across her, though she didn’t fully understand why.

“Are you alright? Do you want to go home?” Arjun asked with concern.

“Yes, please,” she whispered, her voice almost pleading.

“Alright then,” Arjun said gently, giving her a look full of quiet understanding. “Let’s go back.”

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There goes the seventh chapter you guys!!

I am sorry I updated late but I will try my best upload the next chapter ok?

Pandavas and Mohini are slowly realising their feelings towards eachother..but Mohini is feeling guilty about it...

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