The Khan mansion had been buzzing all morning like usual. Servants rushed between the kitchen and storerooms, voices overlapped, and the aroma of spices filled the house. But inside the dining room, silence fell heavy like a storm waiting to erupt.
Mukti sat stiffly at the table, untouched breakfast in front of her. She hadn’t said a word since last night when Manik had casually dropped the bomb about her rishta with Abhishek.
“Beta, khao na,” Ayesha tried gently, pushing a paratha toward her.
“No, Ma,” Mukti said coldly, her jaw tightening.
Manik walked in just then, phone in hand, giving quick instructions to someone on the line. The moment his eyes met Mukti’s, he knew. Her glare could have burnt holes through him. He put his phone down and pulled out a chair, sitting across from her.
“Good morning,” he said evenly, as though nothing had happened.
“Don’t you dare ‘good morning’ me,” Mukti snapped. The sound of her voice made even the servants pause.
Ayesha looked nervously between them. “Bacho—”
But Mukti slammed her palm against the table. “Why, Bhai? Why do you get to decide my life?”
Manik’s eyes darkened. “Because I know what’s best for you.”
“No, you don’t!” she shot back, eyes brimming with tears. “You’ve always controlled everything. From which college I went to, which internship I chose… and now you think you can decide who I’ll marry?”
Ayesha touched Mukti’s arm. “Mukti, calm down. Abhi subha ka waqt hai—”
“Ammi, please.” Mukti pulled her hand away. “For once, let me speak.” She turned back to Manik. “I am not a child. I don’t need you dictating my life!”
The tension grew so thick Nandini, who had just stepped in carrying a tray of tea, froze at the doorway. She wished she could disappear, but Mukti’s furious eyes caught hers.
“And you,” Mukti said bitterly. “You knew, didn’t you?”
Nandini’s throat went dry. “Mukti… main—”
“Don’t lie!” Mukti snapped, standing up. “You’re his wife now. His perfect little partner. Don’t tell me he doesn’t share everything with you. Did you even think about me? About how I feel?”
Tears burned Nandini’s eyes. “I didn’t know, Mukti. Sach keh rahi hoon. Mujhe pata hi nahi tha Manik ne ye decision liya—”
“Bas!” Mukti’s voice cracked. “You’ll always take his side. Both of you… you’re the same.”
Nandini felt her heart shatter at the accusation. She wanted to step forward, to hug her, but Mukti’s anger pushed her back.
“Mukti!” Manik’s voice thundered across the room. “Enough. Don’t you dare speak to Nandini like that.”
“Why not?!” Mukti screamed, tears finally spilling. “You’ve taken everything from me. My choices, my freedom… even my best friend!”
The words stabbed Nandini deep. She lowered her gaze, her fingers trembling on the tray.
Manik’s chair scraped loudly as he stood. His anger was volcanic now. “You think Abhishek isn’t good enough for you? He’s educated, settled, from a respectable family. He will keep you happy.”
“I don’t care!” Mukti shouted back, sobbing. “Happiness doesn’t come from a checklist, Bhai. It comes from love. From choice. Something you’ve never let me have.”
Ayesha covered her face with her dupatta, crying softly. “Bas kar do dono. Ghar mein shor macha rakha hai.”
But neither sibling stopped.
“You will marry Abhishek,” Manik growled, his jaw tight, “because I said so.”
Mukti’s face crumpled. She looked broken, but her voice still carried defiance. “Then you’ll lose me, Bhai. Forever.”
The room went silent. Even Manik faltered for a second.
Nandini set the tray down with shaking hands and whispered, “Bas, please. Dono bas kijiye.” But no one heard her.
Just then, the landline rang. A servant rushed in. “Sir, Abhishek’s parents are on the line. They want to confirm shaam ke liye meeting.”
Mukti’s face drained of color. “No,” she whispered. “Not like this.” She ran upstairs, slamming her door shut.
Ayesha stood, torn between her children. “Allah, yeh kya ho raha hai mere ghar mein.” Her sobs echoed as she followed Mukti.
Manik clenched his fists, fury still radiating from him. He turned toward Nandini, who was quietly wiping the spilled tea with trembling hands.
“What?” he barked.
She looked up, hurt flashing in her eyes. “Kuch nahi.”
He caught her wrist before she could move away. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” Her voice cracked. “Like I don’t even recognize the man standing in front of me? Manik, you’re hurting everyone. Aapko gussa itna kyun aata hai?”
“Because no one understands!” he snapped, pulling her closer. “Not Mukti, not even you. You think I enjoy being the bad guy? I’m just trying to protect her. From this world, from heartbreak.”
Her tears spilled over. “And in the process, you’re breaking her yourself.”
The words hit him like a slap. For a moment, his grip loosened. But then desperation took over. He cupped her face, his forehead pressing against hers.
“I can’t lose control,” he whispered hoarsely. “Mukti doesn’t see what I see. Abhishek is safe. He’s stable. She needs that. She needs… protection.”
Nandini’s hands shook as she tried to push him back. “Manik, protection doesn’t mean caging someone. You of all people should know that.”
His eyes burned into hers, raw and vulnerable. “And what if I cage you too? Kya tab bhi tum mujhse nafrat karogi?”
Her lips trembled. “Manik…”
Before she could say more, he kissed her forehead roughly, almost like an apology and punishment rolled into one. Then he pulled back, his breathing heavy.
“Don’t leave me, Nandini,” he whispered brokenly. “Sab chor kar chale jayein, lekin tum mat jaana.”
Her heart softened despite the storm. She touched his cheek gently, her voice choked. “Main kahi nahi jaa rahi. Lekin agar aap Mukti ko kho diye… to khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paayenge.”
They stood like that, torn between love and pain, until footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Ayesha returned, her face pale. “Mukti locked herself in the room. She’s refusing to open the door.”
Manik cursed under his breath and rushed upstairs.
Nandini stayed behind, clutching her dupatta to her chest, silently praying for strength.
This family was on the edge of breaking, and somehow, she was right in the middle of it.
---
✨
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...
