Meri Jaan

Part 26

It had been a few weeks since the grand waleema, and life inside the Malhotra mansion had slowly returned to normal. The echoes of music, laughter, and endless relatives had been replaced with quieter mornings and busier routines. But for Nandini, every day still felt new.

She had slipped into the role of the elder bahu with surprising ease-taking charge of small household responsibilities, learning Ayesha's preferences in meals, and managing to balance her own career alongside everything. She was no longer the girl who nervously looked down every time someone spoke to her. Instead, she was growing into the woman everyone admired-gentle yet firm, shy yet dependable.

And Manik... he had changed too. To the world, he was still the angry young man, the perfectionist who expected things done his way. But with Nandini, his edges softened. She was the only one who could melt his temper, though she herself hadn't realized how deeply she affected him.

It was a lazy Friday morning. Sunlight spilled through the sheer curtains as Nandini entered the dining area, carrying a tray of parathas. Ayesha sat with her tea, while Mukti scrolled on her phone, still in her scrubs from the hospital.

"Good morning, Mumma, Mukti," Nandini said softly, placing the tray down.

Ayesha's face lit up. "Subah ka taste tumhari haathon ka ho toh din acha guzarta hai, beta."

"Exactly," Mukti added, grinning. "Bhai ko pata chale ga tu aur zyada possessive ho jaye ga. Waise bhi, woh bas chance dhoondta rehta hai tumhe apna bolne ka."

Nandini blushed, trying to hide her smile. Just then, Manik walked in, phone pressed to his ear, brows furrowed. He ended the call sharply, muttering under his breath, and sat down.

His eyes immediately searched for her. "Tumne nashta banaya?"

Nandini nodded. "Ji. Aap chai lenge ya coffee?"

"Coffee," he answered, still staring at her as though daring her to serve anyone else first.

Mukti exchanged a knowing look with Ayesha and giggled. "Possessive bhai alert."

"Bas karo, Mukti," Ayesha scolded lightly, though her smile gave her away.

Later that week, some distant relatives dropped by unexpectedly. The drawing room filled with voices, the clinking of teacups, and polite laughter. Nandini sat quietly beside Ayesha, serving tea and sweets.

One of the older ladies, chachi from the extended family, eyed Nandini and said, "Mashallah, bohot pyaari hai Nandini. Beshak Zoya ki beti hai, khoobsurti aur tameez dono saath hain."

Another aunty leaned forward, lowering her voice just enough to be heard. "Magar Ayesha ji, abhi bhi itni chhoti hai. Aap logon ne zara jaldi mein nikkah kar diya. Itni zimmedari nibha paayegi kya?"

The words stung. Nandini's hand froze around the teacup, her smile faltering. She forced herself to keep serving, but the comment played in her head like a cruel echo.

Before Ayesha could respond, Manik's voice cut through the air, sharp and cold. "Aapko fikr karne ki zarurat nahi. Jo bhi zimmedari hogi, hum dono mil kar nibhayenge. Aur meri wife ko underestimate karne ka kisi ko haq nahi."

The entire room fell silent. The aunts shifted uncomfortably, offering weak smiles. Ayesha quickly changed the subject, but Nandini's heart raced.

She excused herself soon after and hurried upstairs, her throat tight. She didn't want anyone to see the tears brimming in her eyes.

Inside their room, she finally let go. She sat on the bed, clutching a pillow, whispering to herself. "Kya main sach mein sab ke expectations poori kar paungi? Sab mujhe bas ek... ek chhoti si ladki samajhte hain."

The door opened, and Manik entered. His anger from earlier hadn't fully faded. He shut the door behind him and strode toward her.

"Nandini." His voice was low but firm.

She quickly wiped her tears. "J...ji"

"pretend karne ki zarurat nahi hai," he snapped, sitting beside her. "Main jaanta hoon tum ro rahi thi."

Her silence only fueled his frustration. "Kyun sunti ho tum aise logon ki baatein? Hamesha chhup kyun ho jaati ho? Ek baar unke saamne bol nahi sakti ki haan, tum strong ho, tum sab kuch kar sakti ho?"

His tone was harsh, but underneath, there was pain.

"Main... main bas thak gayi hoon, Manik," she whispered, finally meeting his gaze. "Main koshish karti hoon, sabko khush karne ki, par phir bhi kisi na kisi ko lagta hai main chhoti hoon, inexperienced hoon. Shayad main waise strong nahi hoon jaise aap sochte ho."

Her tears flowed freely now.

Something inside Manik snapped. His anger twisted into desperation. He grabbed her face gently but firmly, forcing her to look at him.

"Bas. Ab ek lafz aur nahi. Tum meri wife ho, meri zindagi. Aur duniya ki koi bhi baat mujhe tumhare baare mein galat sochne par majboor nahi kar sakti. Tumhe apne aap par shak karne ka koi haq nahi hai, samjhi tum?"

His voice cracked slightly at the end, his eyes glistening.

Nandini stared at him, stunned by the intensity in his words. "Manik..."

He pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly as if he feared losing her. She buried her face into his chest, her sobs quieting as his warmth surrounded her.

"Main hoon na," he murmured against her hair. "Main hamesha rahunga. Tumhe akela feel karne hi nahi dunga. Aur agar kisi ne tumhe hurt kiya na, toh main usse bardasht nahi karunga."

For the first time in days, Nandini let herself lean on him fully.

Later that evening, as they sat together on the balcony, Nandini finally found her smile again. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"thanks," she whispered.

"Kis liye?"

"For being my strength... jab main apne aap pe shak karti hoon."

He kissed the top of her head softly. "Tum meri strength ho, Nandini. Bas tumhe samajhna hai."

She closed her eyes, comforted by his words, knowing that whatever storms lay ahead, his arms would always be her safe place.