Meri Jaan

Part 19

The next few days passed in a haze for her. She avoided Manik as much as possible, burying herself in helping Zoya with boutique orders and supporting Mukti with hospital rounds. On the surface, she was busy. Inside, her heart was in chaos.

One afternoon, as she sat doing her patient report on her laptop, Zoya entered with tea.

"Beta, tabiyat theek ha bohat thaki hoi lag rahi ho?" Zoya asked softly while caressing her head

"Mama, bas thoda kaam zyada hai."

Zoya sat beside her. "Kaam se zyada, tumhare dil mein kuch aur chal raha hai. Beta, nikkah koi bojh nahi hota. Ye tumhari zindagi ka hissa banega. Aur Manik..." she smiled faintly, "main jaanti hoon ke woh tumse mohabbat karta hai. Uske gusse ko samajhna seekh lo, beta. Woh gussa bhi tumhari hi wajah se hai."

Nandini bit her lip, her eyes misty. "Mama... main koshish kar rahi hoon. Lekin itna sab kuch ek saath ho raha hai... mujhe samajh nahi aata ke main kaise handle karoon."

Zoya stroked her head lovingly. "Time ke saath sab samajh aa jaata hai. Tum sirf apne dil ko band mat karo."

---

That evening, malhotras came for dawat at Khan mansion. Nandini was helping zoya with dinner arrangements, Nandini felt his gaze. Manik had come straight from work, his sleeves rolled up, tie loosened. He didn't say a word, just watched her move around the dining table.

When she carried a tray into the kitchen, he followed silently.

"Tum phir se mujhse bach rahi ho?" his voice was low, edged with irritation.

Nandini froze, her back to him. "Main busy hoon, Manik."

He stepped closer, trapping her between the counter and himself. "Mujhse door reh kar kya hasil kar rahi ho? Din raat tumhe dekhne ko jeeta hoon, aur tum-bas bhaagti ho."

Her chest rose sharply. "Manik, please... mujhe waqt chahiye. Yeh sab bohot jaldi ho raha hai."

"Waqt?" he scoffed. "Mujhe darr hai, kahin waqt nikalte-nikalte tum mujhse aur door na ho jao." His hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Tum meri ho, Nandini. Aur main tumhe khud se door jaane nahi doonga."

Her heart thudded painfully, but his nearness made her weak. She turned her face away, whispering, "Itni possessiveness mat dikhaiye. Mujhe ghabrahat hoti hai."

He sighed, pressing his forehead to hers. "Main koshish karunga. Lekin tum samjho, mera pyaar meri jaan se bhi zyada hai. Main tumhe kho nahi sakta."

Her hands trembled on the tray, torn between resistance and the comfort his words brought.

---

Over the next few days, preparations slowly began. Relatives visited with sweets, neighbours dropped by to congratulate, and the house buzzed with subtle excitement. Nandini found herself adjusting bit by bit.

Aliya dragged her into dance rehearsals, Mukti teased her endlessly about becoming "Bhabhi," and Faiza, glowing with post-marriage bliss, advised her gently, "Adjustment time sab ke liye hota hai. Tumhe bhi milega. Bas Manik se baat karte rehna. Chup rehna sirf maslay barhata hai."

Nandini nodded, storing every word in her heart.

---

One evening, when the entire family gathered in the living room, Ayesha finally broke the suspense.

"Sab tay ho gaya hai. Nandini aur Manik ka nikkah agle mahine hoga. Tareekh fix kar di gayi hai."

Gasps and smiles filled the room. Aliya squealed and hugged Nandini, Mukti clapped excitedly, and even Faiza and Ibrahim smiled warmly.

Nandini, however, sat frozen, her eyes wide. She had known this was coming, yet hearing it aloud made her palms sweat. She glanced at her parents. Zoya gave her a reassuring nod, and Asad's steady gaze silently said, *Trust us*.

And then her eyes met Manik's. He was already looking at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before a smile tugged at his lips. Not his usual smirk, but something softer, relieved, almost victorious.

For the first time, Nandini let herself smile back, just faintly.

The date was fixed. The journey had begun.

---

✨

Mystery