Meri Jaan

Part 20

The Khan mansion looked like it was dipped in sunshine. Strings of marigolds, fairy lights draped across balconies, and the soft thump of dhol echoed through the courtyard.

Inside the grand living room, women sat in a circle with dholaks, their hands decorated with mehndi, singing old wedding songs that blended with modern Bollywood numbers. Aliya and Mukti were already in full form, dancing in the middle and pulling the cousins with them.

“Di ab apki bari hai,” Aliya tugged at Nandini’s hand.

Nandini, dressed in a soft yellow sharara, dupatta pinned neatly, shook her head immediately. “No way. Main nahi kar rahi dance.”

But Mukti wasn’t letting go. “Oh please! Bride-to-be aur stage pe na aaye? That’s illegal.”

Everyone cheered. Even Ayesha, sitting with the elders, clapped her hands with a smile. “Jao beta, enjoy karo. Khushi ka din hai.”

With her cheeks already pink, Nandini gave in. Aliya and Mukti dragged her to the center. The beat of the dhol grew faster, and soon she was moving lightly, shy but graceful, her dupatta swaying with every step.

From the corner, Manik watched. He was in a simple kurta pajama, sleeves rolled up, leaning lazily against the pillar. His eyes, however, weren’t lazy at all. They were fixed on her—so intensely that Nandini could feel them even while dancing.

When she risked one glance, her steps faltered. Manik’s smirk grew. She looked away instantly, which only made him straighten and walk closer.

“Bas karo ab,” he murmured when the song ended, coming close enough that only she could hear.

“Sab enjoy kar rahe hain. Aap kyun spoil kar rahe hain?” she whispered back, her voice carrying both irritation and nervousness.

“Because I don’t like others staring at you like that,” he said flatly, his jaw tight.

Before she could reply, Mukti interrupted with another song, pulling Nandini away. She escaped, but her heart was pounding—not just from the dance, but from the fire in Manik’s voice.

...

Next morning, the house was brighter than ever. Platters of turmeric paste mixed with rosewater and sandalwood were placed on silver trays. Everyone gathered in the courtyard, laughter bouncing off the walls.

“Nandini beti, pehle aapki haldi hogi,” Ayesha announced, her eyes shining.

Zoya came forward with the first pinch of haldi, gently applying it on Nandini’s cheeks while murmuring prayers. “Khuda tumhari zindagi hamesha khushiyo se bhari rakhe.”

Nandini’s eyes watered slightly, but she smiled. Then came Asad, who placed just a dot on her forehead. “Bas itna hi kafi hai,” he said warmly, making everyone laugh.

Soon the younger girls attacked her—Aliya smeared haldi across her arms, Mukti left a bright yellow handprint on her cheek. Everyone laughed while Nandini protested, “Bas! Kitna lagayenge mujhe?”

Meanwhile, inside another section of the house, Manik sat surrounded by his friends and cousins. His haldi tray looked untouched.

“Chup chaap baithe ho? Dulhay ho, thoda smile to karo,” one cousin teased.

Manik rolled his eyes. “Smile unke liye bacha ke rakha hai jo dekhne layak hain.”

Before he could say more, Mukti stormed in with Aliya. “Bhai, ab aapki bari!”

They pounced on him with haldi, smearing his face, his hair, even his arms. “Pagal ho gaye ho kya?!” he shouted, trying to dodge, but the laughter around only grew.