The Khan mansion was heavy with silence, the kind that made every tick of the clock sound louder. Mukti had stormed into her room after the revelation, slamming the door and locking it behind her. Everyone stood outside, worried, while Ayesha kept pacing with her dupatta clutched tightly in her hands.
“Bas, abhi kholo darwaza!” Manik’s voice thundered as he banged on the door. His jaw was tight, his anger simmering. “Mukti, yeh koi tareeqa hota hai? Stupid cheezein kar rahi ho. Darwaza kholo warna main tod dunga.”
Inside, Mukti’s muffled sobs made Nandini’s chest ache. She stepped forward quickly, tugging Manik’s arm. “Manik, please, stop it. You’re making it worse.”
“Worse? She’s the one locking herself in! Yeh bachpana hai,” Manik growled, fist tightening as he raised it again to bang the door.
Nandini grabbed his wrist firmly. “Enough, Manik. You’re not going inside like this. She’s already hurt because of you, aur abhi tumhara gussa usay aur tod dega. Please… leave her with me.”
For a moment, his eyes blazed at her interruption. But then the tears brimming in her gaze softened something inside him. With a frustrated huff, he pulled back, muttering, “Fine. Tum handle karo. But if she doesn’t open in five minutes—”
“I said leave it to me.” Nandini’s voice, calm but firm, surprised even him. She guided him back a few steps, almost pushing him away from the door.
Manik clenched his jaw, running a hand through his hair, pacing. His protective nature made it impossible to step back, but something in Nandini’s steady expression forced him to listen.
Taking a deep breath, Nandini knocked gently. “Mukti… it’s me. Please open the door.”
For a few seconds, silence. Then the soft click of the lock turning. The door creaked open just enough for Nandini to slip inside. She closed it behind her, shutting out Manik’s restlessness from the corridor.
Mukti sat on the edge of her bed, eyes red and cheeks streaked with tears. “Nandini, why does Bhai always think he can decide everything for me?” her voice broke as fresh tears spilled.
Nandini sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Shhh… relax. Mujhe sab batao.”
Mukti sniffled, trying to steady her voice. “It’s not about Abhishek. It’s not even about shaadi. Agar Bhai mujhse baat karte… agar poochte… I would have trusted him, left the choice up to him. But he didn’t give me a choice. He just… decided.”
Her words pierced straight through Nandini’s heart. She stroked Mukti’s hair gently. “I know, and tum bilkul sahi keh rahi ho. Tumhe bura isliye laga because you felt left out, like tumhari baat ki importance hi nahi. And trust me, I understand you.”
Mukti leaned into her, seeking comfort. “Main unse gussa nahi rehna chahti. But he doesn’t see it.”
Nandini smiled softly. “That’s why I’ll talk to him. Bhai tumse bohot pyaar karte hain, lekin kabhi kabhi unka tareeqa wrong hota hai. Don't worry, main unse baat karti hoon.”
Mukti nodded, slowly calming under her bhabhi’s reassurance.
Later, Nandini walked to Ayesha’s room carrying a small tray with tea. Ayesha sat at her dressing table, clearly restless, her fingers twisting her dupatta.
“Ammi,” Nandini said softly, placing the cup in front of her. “Please thodi chai pi lijiye.”
Ayesha looked at her with teary eyes. “Nandini, I don’t know what’s happening. Meri beti apne kamray mein band hai, mera beta gusse mein hai… I’m scared this house will break. Mein soch rahi hon Faiza ku bula leti hon woh Mukti say baat karay.”
Nandini knelt beside her chair, holding her hand warmly. “Ammi, trust me. Sab theek ho jayega. I understand Mukti. And I promise I’ll talk to Manik. We don’t need to call Faiza Didi right now. Agar unko bataya, woh bas pareeshan hongi unnecessarily.”
Ayesha exhaled slowly, relief flickering in her eyes. “Tum mere bachchon ke beech ek bridge ban gayi ho, beta. Allah tumhe hamesha khush rakhe.”
Nandini kissed her hand gently. “Don’t worry. Main hoon na.”
Manik was pacing in his study when Nandini walked in. His tie hung loose around his neck, his frustration evident in the way he kept running his hands through his hair.
“She’s calmer now,” Nandini began gently.
“Good. She needed to be,” Manik muttered.
Nandini crossed her arms, standing firmly in front of him. “Manik, this isn’t about her needing to calm down. This is about you understanding her point of view.”
He frowned. “Point of view? Rishta accha hai, Abhishek is a good guy, family bhi achi hai. I just want good for her.”
Nandini stepped closer, her voice steady but soft. “I know, and no one doubts your intentions. Lekin Manik, sometimes love doesn’t mean making decisions for someone. It means giving them a choice, making them feel heard. Tumhara gussa and possessiveness… it blinds you to what they actually need.”
He looked away, jaw tight. “She’s my sister, Nandini. I can’t see her hurt.”
“She’s your sister, yes. But she’s also an individual with her own feelings. Tumne usay ek chance bhi nahi diya. Agar tum sirf usay pooch lete, woh khud tum par trust karti. But tumne usay majboor feel karwaya.”
Her words slowly seeped into his stubborn heart. He sat down heavily on the chair, burying his face in his hands. “I… I just don’t want her to ever feel alone. After Papa… main hi hoon uske liye.”
Nandini knelt in front of him, cupping his hands gently. “I know, Manik. But protecting doesn’t mean controlling. Let her know that. Show her tumhari mohabbat dictatorship nahi, support hai.”
For the first time that evening, his shoulders slumped, guilt clouding his features. “Tum sahi keh rahi ho… I hurt her.”
Nandini smiled faintly. “Then fix it. Go to her, and don’t go as an angry Bhai. Go as her brother, her friend.”
Manik entered Mukti’s room slowly. She was sitting with her knees pulled up, staring out the window.
“Mukti…” his voice was softer than it had been all day.
She didn’t turn. “Bhai, please, leave me alone.”
He walked closer, sitting at the edge of her bed. “Nahi. Aaj tak maine bohot kuch tumhari marzi ke khilaaf kiya. Aaj tumhari marzi ke bina yahan se nahi jaaunga.”
That made her glance at him, eyes still glistening.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Mukti. Mujhe laga main tumhe protect kar raha hoon. Lekin shayad main tumhe bandhan mein baandh raha tha. Tum meri chhoti behen ho, aur mujhe tumpe trust karna chahiye tha.”
Her lips trembled as tears slipped again. “Bhai, agar aap mujhe poochte, main waise bhi aap par trust karti. Bas ek chance dena tha mujhe.”
He pulled her into a tight hug. And apologised which was very hard for him“I .. I...am S..sorry. Rishta waise bhi koi zaroori nahi hai. Main khud mana kar dunga. Jo bhi hoga, tumhari marzi se hoga.”
Mukti clutched him back, sobbing against his chest. “Bas mujhe yahi sunna tha, Bhai.”
Nandini, watching from the doorway, smiled softly, her heart swelling at the sight of reconciliation.
Later that night, the three of them sat together in the living room—Manik, Mukti, and Nandini—with Ayesha joining them. For the first time in hours, the air was lighter. Mukti rested her head on her Bhai’s shoulder, while Nandini held Ayesha’s hand, her thumb stroking comfort into her palm.
“Yeh ghar tootne nahi dungi, Ammi,” Nandini whispered.
Ayesha’s eyes shimmered with gratitude. “Tum meri duaon ka jawaab ho, beta”
And in that quiet, heartfelt moment, the family felt whole again.
---
✨
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...
