The mansion was drenched in green and gold that night. Strings of fairy lights covered the walls, the courtyard was alive with the fragrance of roses and marigolds, and the beats of the dhol echoed in every corner. Mehndi was always the most vibrant function, and the Khans had spared no effort to make it spectacular. This function was arranged and hosted by Khan's at Khan mansion.
Inside Nandini’s room, Zoya helped her drape the emerald-green lehenga. The intricate gold embroidery shimmered under the warm lights.
“Beta, zyada tension mat lo,” Zoya said softly, brushing away a loose strand from Nandini’s face. “I know sab kuch itni jaldi ho raha hai, but tum strong ho. Aur… Manik bhi tumse bohot mohabbat karta hai.”
Nandini looked up, her eyes uncertain. “Maa, kabhi kabhi lagta hai… main samajh hi nahi pa rahi unhe. Woh gussa kartay hain , phir pyaar bhi kartay hain Kabhi itna paas kheench letay hain ke main khud ko bhool jaati hoon… aur kabhi itna door lagta hai ke dar lagta hai.”
Zoya’s smile was gentle but knowing. “Mohabbat mein hamesha thoda dar hota hai. Lekin jo ladka apni maa se itni mohabbat karta hai, apni behnon ka khayal rakhta hai… uska dil bura nahi ho sakta. Tumhe bas usse samajhna seekhna hai.”
Nandini squeezed her mother’s hand, feeling a wave of comfort.
Downstairs, the courtyard glittered with guests. Asad stood tall in a black sherwani, greeting Ibrahim’s family with his usual calm authority. Aliya flitted around in a yellow sharara, clicking selfies with cousins.
“Arrey, tumhara nikaah ho raha hai ya Faiza beti ka?” Asad teased when he caught Aliya twirling in front of the mirror.
“Papa!” Aliya giggled, hugging him before running off.
Ayesha and Zoya led Faiza to the stage, who looked radiant in her orange lehenga. Ibrahim’s side welcomed her warmly, and soon, the rituals began. Mehndi cones were passed, songs filled the air, and both families broke into spontaneous clapping and laughter.
Asad, usually serious, even tapped his hands on the dhol with Ibrahim’s elders earning whistles from the youngsters. Zoya shook her head, laughing. “Yeh Asad na, bhi kabhi kabhi surprise kar dete hain.”
The air was thick with warmth, traditions, and the undeniable bond of two families becoming one.
When Nandini’s turn came, Mukti snatched the cone from the tray. “Artist ji, chhodo! Main likhungi.”
“Mukti, please!” Nandini whispered, horrified.
Aliya joined in with a wicked grin. “Yes! Dulhe ka naam likhna hi padega, warna mehndi adhoori hoti hai.”
Before Nandini could stop them, Mukti carefully traced four bold letters inside the swirl of vines: **M A N I K**.
Her cheeks flamed. “Tum dono bilkul pagal ho!”
“Pagal toh hai, but pyar wale,” Aliya teased, kissing her sister’s cheek.
The cousins erupted into laughter, but what Nandini didn’t see was Manik — standing across the courtyard, watching her every move.
It got worse when Ibrahim’s cousin Sameer leaned toward Nandini during the dance segment. He was teasing harmlessly, pointing at her mehndi. “Bhabhi, dikhaiye zara. Naam kahan chhupaya hai?”
Nandini pulled her hand back quickly. “Kuch nahi…”
But before she could move, Manik was there — sliding between them, his tall frame blocking Sameer completely.
“Stay in your limit,” he snapped, his voice sharp enough to freeze the boy mid-smile.
The music faltered for a second as people noticed the tension. Mukti quickly grabbed the mic. “Bas bas! Abhi ladies’ performance hai!” and signaled the DJ to turn the music louder again.
But the damage was done. Nandini saw the storm brewing in Manik’s eyes and dread pooled in her stomach.
After the rituals, when the guests moved to the dining area, Nandini slipped away to the side garden, needing air. She had barely stepped into the quiet when she felt a hand wrap around her wrist and pull her back to his chest.
Manik.
“What the hell was that?” His voice was low but laced with fury.
“Woh bas mazaak kar rahe the,” she said, her own voice trembling.
“Mujhe farq nahi padta! Tum meri fiancée ho, samjhi? Kisi ka bhi haq nahi hai tumpar.” His grip tightened. “Aur yeh… yeh naam likhwa kar tum khush ho? Sabko dikhana tha?”
Tears pricked her eyes — frustration boiling over. “Bas karo, Manik! Har cheez mein gussa, har cheez mein possessiveness. Main kitni koshish kar rahi hoon… tumhare liye… phir bhi tumhe sirf meri galtiyan hi dikhti hain!”
He stared at her, shocked by her sudden outburst.
Her chest heaved as she continued, “Agar tumhe mujhpar itna bhi bharosa nahi, toh main yeh rishta yahin khatam kar deti hoon. Main…main.. quit karna chahti hoon.”
The words hung heavy in the air.
For a long beat, Manik didn’t move. Then suddenly, he stepped forward, pinning her against the wall of the garden. His breath was ragged, his eyes burning.
“Don’t you dare say that again,” he growled. “Tum meri ho, Nandini. Sirf meri. Aur tum kahin nahi ja rahi.”
Her pulse raced as he leaned closer, one hand braced against the wall near her head, the other gripping her wrist firmly. She tried to push him back, but his closeness melted her resistance.
“Chhodo mujhe,” she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.
Instead, he lowered his forehead to hers. “Tum mujhe chod kar jaogi toh main khud ko kho doonga.” His breath fanned across her lips. “Aur main tumhe kabhi jaane nahi doonga.”
Her eyes fluttered shut, torn between anger and the pull she couldn’t deny. For a fleeting moment, the world outside disappeared — only his touch, his voice, his possessive love filling the silence.
When footsteps echoed nearby, Manik finally pulled back, his jaw still tight but his eyes vulnerable. Without another word, he walked away, leaving Nandini shaken to her core.
Later that night, back in her room, Nandini sat hugging her knees, her mehndi-covered hands still trembling. Mukti slipped inside quietly, carrying two cups of milk.
“Tu theek hai?” she asked softly, sitting beside her.
Nandini didn’t answer at first, then whispered, “Mukti… main samajh nahi pa rahi unhe. Kabhi itna pyaar kartay hain ke lagta hai main unki duniya hoon… aur kabhi itna gussa kartay hain ke main toot jaati hoon.”
Mukti sighed, placing a comforting arm around her. “Bhai aisay hi hai. Unka gussa bada hai, lekin dil usse bhi bada. Woh tumse mohabbat kartay hain… bas unhe seekhna hoga ke apna gussa kaise control kare. Aur tumhe seekhna hoga ke unke pyaar ko kaisay dekhna hai, gusse ko nahi.”
Nandini looked at her, eyes wide with doubt. “Aur agar main nahi kar paayi toh?”
“Tab main tumhe pakad kar khud bhai se ladungi,” Mukti joked, making her laugh through her tears. Then her voice softened. “But sach kahun, tum dono ek dusre ke liye bane ho. Tumhari shanti aur unka tufaan — ek doosre ko balance karenge.”
Nandini leaned her head on Mukti’s shoulder, her heart still heavy but a little more hopeful.
Somewhere in the silence of the night, she admitted to herself: she didn’t want to quit. She just wanted him to understand.
....
Mystery
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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...
