The quiet of the morning was broken by a phone call that shook Khan Mansion.
“Doctor Asad Khan?” the hospital voice crackled. “Your daughter, Dr. Nandini collapsed during duty. She’s stable now but admitted for observation. You should come immediately.”
Asad’s face drained of colour. Zoya who was sitting on dinning table saw his face and rushed towards him, panicked. “Asad, kya hua? Kis ka phone tha?”
His voice trembled. “Nandini… hospital mein hai.”
Zoya gasped, hand flying to her mouth. “Ya Allah!”. She called out for Aliya who started crying.
Mukti and Ayesha were called. The whole house was in chaos.
Soon the entire family was in panic, rushing to gather shawls, car keys, and prayers on their lips.
But the first to reach the hospital… was Manik.
He was already on his way to patch things up with her. Mehndi ke baad se she’d been ignoring him and he couldn’t take it anymore. But instead of reconciliation, what he saw snatched the ground from under his feet—
Nandini, pale as paper, lying unconscious with IV lines attached.
“Nandini!” He rushed forward, grabbing her cold hand.
Her lashes fluttered weakly. “Ma…nik…”
An elderdly doctor who was standing beside Nandini’s bed shifted his attention towards Manik.
" Mr Malhotra, she is doing much better now. We have observed her. Her stats are improving. She hasn't been eating or drinking properly so main cause for fainting I would say is dehydration. Still to be pre cautiouswe have done some bloods too" saying this he walked out with a pat on Manik’s shoulder," take care of her young man, "
' When did u last eat?" Knowing fully that she has been skipping meals as she was so busy with handling stuff. Manik had been reminding her and even bringing food for her until Mehndi function but after that Manik got busy too with handling main events.
' ma..manik'
' kab khaya tha' his voice sharply stopped her mid sentence. She looked down feeling guilty.
' Nandini please don't test my patience when did you eat' Manik was trying to control his rage bcz he know the answer is going to snap him.
' yes...yesterday.. morning ' there was pin drop silence in room
Something inside him snapped. He shouted, voice raw with fear and fury.
“Pagal ho tum? Itni lapar wahi? Khana nahi khaya upar say kaam kr rahi ho aur bhi mana krnay kay bawajood Tabiyat kharaab kay sath duty pe a gayi. Nandini, what the hell were you thinking?! Do you even care about yourself?!”
Nandini winced, tears pooling. “Main… busy rehna chahti thi. I just… didn’t want to think too much.”
Manik’s anger flared hotter. “Busy? Busy rehne ke shakar mein jaan nikal jani thi. Do you even realize jab mujhe call aayi toh main almost lost it! Mujhe laga…” his voice broke, then rose again, “Mujhe laga main tumhay kho dunga. And you—just keep pushing me away!”
Nandini sobbed. “Main aapko ignore nahi karti, Manik, but every time you’re angry! Aapko samajh hi nahi aata mujhe bhi space chahiye. Mujhe breathe karna hai!”
He leaned closer, jaw tight, eyes blazing. “Space? Main tumhe kho nahi sakta! Itni dair baad meri honay ja rahi ho. Jab tum meri nazron se door hoti ho, I lose my mind. Main gussa isliye karta hoon because I can’t stand the thought of losing you. Tum meri ho… sirf meri.”
Her tears spilled over. His heart softened instantly. Gussa still simmered, but love drowned it. He wiped her tears roughly, kissed her forehead, and whispered, “I’m sorry. Main gusse mein sab kuch bhool jaata hoon… but please, never scare me like this again.”
Nandini’s trembling hand caught his sleeve. That one touch shattered his walls. He pulled her against his chest, hugging her like his life depended on it.
...
Minutes later, the door burst open. Asad and Zoya rushed in.
“Nandini!” Zoya cried, hugging her daughter fiercely. “Beta, Allah ka shukar tum theek ho.”
Asad’s voice was heavy. “Beta, apni sehat sab se pehle aati hai. Khud theek ho gi tu patient to theek karo gi.”
Aliya’s face was streaked with tears. “Di, aapne humein itna dara diya.”
Mukti tried to lighten the mood through her own tears. “Doctor banne ka itna craze tha na? Ab khud hi patient ban gayi.”
Ayesha quietly observed everything. Manik, hovering protectively by Nandini’s side. She murmured under her breath, “Bilkul apne baap pe gaya hai… pyaar mein bhi, gusse mein bhi.”
Doctor reassured the family it was just weakness and exhaustion. “Rest karein. By evening she can be discharged.”
Evening fell, and they all returned to Khan Mansion. Faiza and Ibrahim rushed in too, both hugging Nandini like she was the most precious thing in the world.
Later, some relatives came by for tea. They had attended Faiza’s wedding and were full of praises.
One elderly aunty leaned toward Zoya. “Mashallah, your daughter is such a gem. Bohot adab se baat karti hain, itni composed. Mein apne bhatije ke liye iska rishta mangna chahti hon”
Everyone smiled politely, but Manik’s blood boiled. His grip on Nandini’s hand under the table tightened like iron.
He bent close, voice a low growl meant only for her. “Heard that? Isi liye main possessive hoon. Faiza ki shaadi pe bhi sab tumhari tareef kar rahe the. Mujhe laga koi tumhe mujhse cheen lega. Aur main bardasht nahi kar sakta.”
Nandini’s eyes widened at his bluntness. “Manik… aa..app.. hadh kar dete hain.”
But he only smirked, leaning so close his breath warmed her ear. “Haan, karta hoon. Because you are mine. Sirf meri.”
Her cheeks flamed red. She didn’t answer—just lowered her gaze, but her fingers unconsciously tightened around his.
Zoya " Maaf kijiye ga lekin iski baat already pakki ho gaye ha Manik betay say "
"Aur nikkah bhi jald honay wala ha" Ayesha added
" ap aye ga zaroor" Mukti said with a smirk
---
That night, after everyone had dispersed, Manik sat by her bed.
“You scared me today, Nandini,” he admitted, his voice rough. “Main gusse mein kuch bhi bol deta hoon… but sach yeh hai ke without you, I’m nothing.”
She whispered softly, “Kabhi kabhi lagta hai aap sunte hi nahi. Sirf apna gussa nikalte hain.”
He sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I know. I’m not perfect. Lekin ek baat samajh lo… main tumse lad sakta hoon, rooth sakta hoon. But live without you? Never.”
Her lashes lowered, a tear slipping free. He kissed it away, murmured against her skin, “Ab aur aansu nahi. Just me and you.”
Pulling her into his arms, he whispered, “Sleep. I’m right here. Hamesha ke liye.”
For the first time in days, Nandini closed her eyes with a small, peaceful smile.
---
✨
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...
