The house had just quietened after the grand waleema. The laughter of relatives, the endless teasing, and the hustle of guests leaving still echoed faintly in the corridors. Nandini came down with Manik downstairs.
Khan family stood up and started walking towards gate with Nandini.
“Bas ek raat, kal subah le aana. Tumhara patience test karne ka time hai,” Zoya teased.
Manik threw Nandini a helpless look, almost childlike. She could barely suppress her smile.
For a moment, he just stared at her. “Fine. Lekin subah main khud le jaaunga. Jaldi.” Nandini shyly looked down while rest erupted in a laugh.
Back at the Khan Mansion
Nandini felt a strange comfort as soon as she entered her parents’ home. The walls, the familiar scent of Zoya’s handmade candles, Aliya’s scattered books—it felt like she had never left.
Aliya squealed dramatically, hugging her tight. “Finally meri Di wapas! Ek din ke liye hi sahi, but I’m going to keep you all to myself tonight.”
Zoya cupped Nandini’s face lovingly. “Itna thak gayi ho na tum? Aaj bas apne ghar wali beti ban jao. No responsibilities, no bahu duties.”
Asad, standing quietly in the corner, added softly, “Hum sab tumhe bahut miss kar rahe thay, beta.” His tone carried weight, and Nandini’s throat tightened instantly.
Later, in her room, Aliya sprawled across the bed “Di, you looked so pretty at the waleema. Waise bhai Manik looked like he was ready to kill anyone who stared at you.”
Nandini blushed furiously. “Aliya!”
“Arey sach bol rahi hoon. His eyes never left you.” Aliya chuckled. “I’m telling you, he’s obsessed. Thoda possessive lagta hai mujhe.”
Nandini stayed quiet, fingers fidgeting with her bangles. Possessive was the right word—but there was comfort in it too.
Before sleeping, Zoya brought warm milk like she always used to. “Tumhari new life ke saath adjust karna asaan nahi hoga, Nandini. Lekin tum strong ho. Aur tumhari kismat bohat acchi hai jo Manik jaisa ladka mila. ”
Nandini listened silently, holding her mother’s hand, her eyes moist. “mama… mujhe darr lagta hai kabhi kabhi.”
Zoya kissed her forehead. “Darr normal hai, beta. Lekin tum dono ka pyaar har mushkil ko sambhal lega.”
Meanwhile, at the Malhotra Mansion
Manik paced restlessly in his room. He had changed into his nightwear hours ago, but sleep was nowhere near. His phone buzzed—Mukti.
“Bhai, relax. Ek hi raat ki baat hai. Waise bhi Di ke bina tum bilkul lost lag rahe ho.”
Manik scowled. “Tum chup raho. Tumhe kya pata… uske bina sab ajeeb lagta hai.”
Mukti giggled. “Awww… obsessed much?”
“Mukti!” he barked, but she only laughed harder. “Goodnight, Romeo. Kal subah hi le aana. Varna tumhara mood sab par nikal jaayega.”
Manik collapsed on the bed, glaring at the ceiling. He picked up his phone, typed a message, then deleted it thrice. Finally, he sent:
Manik: “So, missing me?”
Nandini: “…maybe.”
Manik: “That’s not enough. Say it properly.”
Nandini: “I miss you.”
Manik: “More than Aliya?”
Nandini: “Haha… definitely more.”
Manik: “Good. Ab so jao. Subah 8 baje main aa raha hoon.”
Nandini: “So early?”
Manik: “Even earlier if I can’t sleep.”
Nandini smiled at her screen, cheeks flushing, before finally drifting into a peaceful sleep.
The Next Morning
By 9 am sharp, a black car pulled up outside the Khan mansion. Asad was in the living room reading the newspaper when the doorbell rang. He opened it to find Manik standing there, hair slightly messy, shirt half-tucked—clearly in a rush.
“Asad Uncle, main Nandini ko lene aaya hoon.”
Asad raised an eyebrow. “Beta, thoda toh sabr kar lete. Breakfast ke baad chale jaana.”
But before he could say more, Nandini appeared at the staircase, adjusting her dupatta. She froze seeing him already there. “Manik… aap yahan?”
“Obviously.” He walked straight up to her, ignoring Aliya giggling in the background. “I told you I’ll come early.”
Zoya intervened gently. “Beta, thoda breakfast toh kar lo. Nandini ne bohat mazay ka breakfast banaya ha”
Manik’s eyes softened as he turned to Nandini. “You made something?”
Nandini nodded shyly, leading him to the dining table where desi breakfast was placed. She served him nervously, her hands trembling. “Bas… accha ban gaya hoga.”
He took one bite then looked at her silently. Her breath hitched under his gaze. Finally, he said, “Perfect. Just like you.”
Everyone laughed, but Nandini’s cheeks burned crimson.
On the Way Back
When they finally left, Nandini hugged her parents and Aliya, her heart heavy yet content. As soon as she sat in the car, Manik leaned closer.
“Ek raat ke liye bhi door rehna tha tumse… bilkul pasand nahi aaya.”
She smiled softly. “Lekin rasam bhi toh zaroori thi.”
“Haan, zaroori thi. Lekin agli baar koi rasam tumhe mujhse door kare… toh main mana kar dunga.”
His tone was half-teasing, half-serious. She shook her head with a small laugh, resting her hand quietly in his.
For the first time since the madness of weddings began, everything felt still. Peaceful. The start of something truly theirs.
✨ Mystery
YOU ARE READING
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...
