ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

Chapter 81

Nishtha

"Good Afternoon." I said, with a smile.

He looked at me. His gaze was making me very uncomfortable but I knew I had to be respectful for the sake of the Nanda's.

I hadn't seen or heard anything about the Verma family ever since I got married. I tried asking Baba but the last thing he told me was that the Nanda's brought their Verma's ownership and share of Baba's restaurant and that our matter with them was resolved and we no longer need to see or contact them.

"Good Afternoon, Mrs Nanda." I heard Manish Verma say, with a very strange scowl.

"How can I help you today? I hope the festivities are living up to your expectations and hope that you're having a good time?" I asked.

"Oh they're fine. Thanks. I actually wanted to ask you about your alarming fate and where I can buy one like it?"

What's he saying?

"W...What? I don't understand." I said.

He chuckled, "Mrs Nanda, or should I go back to Nishtha. Nishtha Yadav. You must remember that your Dad took a loan of 60cr from me in order to start his restaurant."

"I do, but it was all handled I was told."

"Handled." He laughed, making me very scared and uncomfortable, "And how do you think it was handled?"

"By the Nanda's taking over your share of the restaurant." I explained.

"And the same Nanda who you married, just a few weeks after the share was taken. Don't you think it's a little too coincidental?" He said.

I'm so confused.

"See, Mr Verma, I'm not sure I understand what you're saying or are getting at, but now is not a good time to discuss things like this. It's my sister's wedding and I really need to be there."

I tried to leave when his words stopped me, "I know why you and Yuvaan got married."

I froze.
How does he know?
How does he know about Yuvaan's image?

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked, "Even if you know, why is it your concern?"

"Why is it my concern?!" He yelled, "Your father and I had a deal until he chose to run to your... ex - boyfriend, and make him marry you."

What?

"You have the wrong idea. The reason I married Yuvaan is not that and I don't need to tell you."
"Oh darling," he said and came close. I instantly stepped back, "You have no idea, do you?"

"No idea about what?" I asked.
"About the wedd—"

He was interrupted by a deep, scary voice. His voice, "GET AWAY FROM HER."

I turned to see Yuvaan walking towards me in anger. I froze but he came in front of me and put me behind him, his hand shielding from Manish. I looked at his neck vein popping in anger. I was really confused, "Y...Yuvaan?"

He looked at me and grabbed my hand, then turned to Manish, "You weren't invited. How did you show up? Leave and don't show your face here again or it'll be bad for you."

"Yuvaan Nanda." Manish scoffed, "Why don't we start by telling your wife the real reason you two are married? Why leave her in the dark?"

"Back off, Verma." He growled.

"Nishtha," Manish looked at me, "You so - called husband has been lying to you since day 1. You two weren't married because you're college sweethearts. Heck! I know that you two broke up and didn't even talk for 4 years." I looked at him, terrified. "You two were married because your father refused to accept my offer for you."

"What?" I yelled.
My offer. What does that mean?

I saw Yuvaan's jaw clench.

"Oh yes darling." Manish said, "Your father ran to your ex boyfriend and begged him to marry you. You were supposed to be mine. You were lied to for the entire married life. Your parents knew and put you through this contract of a marriage that I know you two have. I know that you two are separated even when married and I know that Yuvaan kicked you out just a month back."

How does he know all this?!
"How do you... how do you know all this?"

"Details are not important. What's important is that do you really want to stay with a man who has been lying to you since day 1?"

"ENOUGH." I heard Yuvaan yell, "Kabhi toh use your brain Verma. Yes, I lied to her, but why? Yes, her parents told me to marry her, but why? Or do you want to conveniently skip out the part where you and your dad wanted to ask for more money than the contract, or the part where you blackmailed Baba into giving you Nishtha or you'd sue them? Or... the part where you wanted to marry Nishtha for her body..."

I froze.
What on earth?

I had tears in my eyes hearing this confession. I couldn't believe it.

"Nanda. Stop this. I know you don't want her. Give her to me. You had your fun." Verma spoke and before he could say anything further, he was slapped on the face tightly by Yuvaan.
I gasped.

I hadn't seen Yuvaan this angry in years. He kept on slapping Verma as he spoke in anger, "You'll take her?! You'll have your fun?! You'll marry my wife?! How are you even look at her with those filthy eyes?! How dare you even think about being in the same room as her?!"

"Yuvaan! Please stop!" I cried as I caught his arm, "Please, I'm getting scared, please."

He immediately stopped and looked at me. His eyes softened and he stepped away from him and embraced me tightly. I could feel his rapid heartbeat and his body still clenched.

He looked at the guards, "Take him to the local police station and tell hi that Yuvaan Nanda sent him for property theft and trying to forcefully marry a woman and for blackmail. All proof is with Arush, he'll email it, just ask him. I want him arrested for a non-bailable offense in the next 24 hours."

The guards nodded and took him away.

Yuvaan looked back at me. I was about to speak but he just kissed my forehead and let me go and walked into the house.

I stood there in shock.
I ran inside and went to the washroom.

He lied to me for me. He never had a playboy image. He married me to save me from Manish. He hated me but he agreed to marry me. He met Aai Baba before our marriage and agreed to marry me. I misjudged him and hated him for it.

I cried and cried until I looked in the mirror and knew what I had to go.

I cleaned myself up and ran.

   
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