The house was buzzing. Dhol beats played from someone’s phone speaker, fabric rolls covered the sofas, and cousins ran up and down the stairs, carrying bags of bangles, trays of mithai, and endless shopping lists.
Dance Rehearsals 💃
Aliya clapped loudly in the centre of the living room.
“Attention sab log! Rehearsal start!”
Mukti groaned. “Yaar, pehle khana toh khilado. Energy chahiye hoti hai dance ke liye.”
“Energy tumhari nonstop bakbak se bhi aa jaati hai,” Aliya shot back. “Ab bas, positions lo.”
Faiza, Ibrahim, and a few cousins lined up as Aliya connected the Bluetooth speaker. Nandini was pulled into the front row despite her protests.
“Main toh bilkul bhi… mujhe steps yaad nahi rehte,” she mumbled, trying to hide behind Mukti.
“ghar ki badi bahu banay wali ho, aage khari ho!” Mukti announced, dragging her forward.
The music blasted. Everyone clapped in rhythm while Aliya counted, “One-two-three-turn!”
Nandini tried, stumbled, and then burst out laughing when she almost bumped into Faiza. Laughter filled the room until a sharp voice cut through.
“Bas!”
Everyone froze. Manik stood at the entrance, arms folded, eyes dark as they fixed on Nandini, who was still smiling.
Aliya smirked. “Lo aa gaye bhai. Ab rehearsal bhi unke permission se hogi.” Mukti murmured
“Mukti, tumhari nautanki band karo,” Manik snapped before stepping closer. His hand shot out, gripping Nandini’s wrist. “Tum itni tired kyun ho? Kal designer ke paas bhi gayi thi, ab yeh sab? Shaadi Dida ki hai ya tumhari training chal rahi hai?”
“Main bas help kar rahi thi—” Nandini tried to explain, but his grip only tightened slightly, his voice dropping low.
“Help karni hai toh sirf meri karna. Samjhi?”
Her breath hitched, cheeks turning crimson as everyone exchanged mischievous glances. Aliya whispered, “Possessiveness alert.”
“Shut up,” Manik barked, making Mukti and Aliya giggle louder.
---
Shopping Trip 💍
The next day, Ayesha dragged the girls to the bazaar for last-minute jewellery and bangles. Shops glittered with colours — stacks of glass bangles, trays of earrings, embroidered clutches.
“Di, yeh try karo!” Aliya shoved a pair of heavy jhumkas into Nandini’s hands.
“Mujhe nahi… itna heavy—”
Before she could finish, Manik’s voice came from behind, “Wear it.”
She startled, turning to see him leaning against the shop’s pillar, arms folded, watching her like a hawk.
“Bhai! Aap yahan?” Mukti exclaimed.
“ Ma ka phone aya tha help ke liye. mujhe toh bas check karna tha sab sahi chal raha hai.” His tone was casual, but his eyes never left Nandini.
Nandini hesitated before trying on the jhumkas. As she adjusted them, her dupatta slipped slightly. Immediately, Manik stepped forward, lifting it back over her shoulder, his fingers brushing her neck. Her heart hammered.
“Perfect,” he said softly, loud enough for only her.
Aliya caught it and whispered dramatically, “Ajeeb obsession hai yeh.” Mukti snorted so loud that the shopkeeper looked confused.
---
Outfit Trials 👗
Back home, outfit trials were chaos. Lehenga skirts half-zipped, dupattas slipping, cousins running for safety pins.
“Nandini, jaldi aao!” Aliya yelled from inside the room.
When Nandini finally stepped out in her mehndi outfit, all chatter stopped. The green and yellow dress hugged her frame beautifully, her hair loose, face glowing without effort.
Manik, who had just entered with Ibrahim, froze mid-step. His eyes softened, his usual smirk replaced with something deeper.
Aliya elbowed Mukti. “Dekha? Bhai ki aankhon mein full filmy look.”
“Bilkul Bollywood ka slow-motion shot,” Mukti agreed.
Nandini quickly ducked back into the room, cheeks burning. But inside, she couldn’t stop replaying the way his gaze lingered.
---
Midnight Kitchen Encounter 🌙
That night, while everyone was asleep, Nandini sneaked into the kitchen to get water. She jumped when the fridge door closed to reveal Manik standing right there.
“appp… yahan?” she whispered.
He stepped closer. “Tum kyun yahan ho? Subah se bhaagi phir rahi ho, ab raat ko bhi?”
“I was just… thirsty,” she stammered.
Without another word, he reached above her head, grabbed a glass, filled it, and handed it over. But as she tried to leave, he blocked her way with one arm against the fridge.
“Tumhari energy sabko dena band karo,” he murmured. “Save it for me.”
Her breath caught. “Manik—”
“I don’t like sharing you, Nandini.” His voice was husky, possessive.
For a moment, neither moved. Then a sudden noise upstairs made her step back quickly. She rushed out, heart pounding, while Manik watched her with a smirk.
---
Departure Scene 🚗
The next morning, bags were packed. Aliya and Nandini had to return home before festivities officially began.
Manik insisted on dropping them off. During the ride, Aliya kept chatting about dance steps, while Nandini silently watched the road. She could feel Manik’s eyes on her every now and then, and each time, her stomach flipped.
When they reached, Aliya hopped out first. “Bye Bhai!” she waved, already running inside.
Nandini lingered. She turned slightly, ready to thank him, but before she could, he leaned across, lowering the window.
“Kal se sab functions shuru ho rahe hain… yaad rakhna, tum sirf meri ho.”
Her lips parted, but no words came. She simply nodded faintly before stepping out, clutching her dupatta tight.
As the car drove away, she stood frozen for a moment, her cheeks flaming, her heartbeat refusing to calm down. Inside, Aliya was calling her, but all Nandini could think of was the echo of his voice—low, firm, and possessive.
YOU ARE READING
Meri Jaan
Romance'Why can't you leave me alone' Nandani yelled helplessly. 'Why should I leave you? You are my life, Zindagi ban gayi ho meri' I whispered yelled each word so it stays in her mind forever. She ignored my confession as usual and pushed me away. 'Mer...
