Meri Jaan

Part 18

Hmmm'

Manik please

Shhhh

He pressed his lips against hers.

Nandini gasped, pushing at his chest, but he only deepened the kiss, pouring all his frustration, love, and fear into it. Her resistance melted as his hands slid to her waist, pulling her closer.

“Tum meri ho,” he murmured against her lips, kissing her again, slower this time, more tender yet burning.

“Manik…” she whispered, breathless, her hands trembling on his shoulders.

He kissed her jaw, then her neck, his breath hot against her skin. “Main tumhe apne se door nahi jaane dunga, samjhi tum? Chahe tum jitna lad lo mujhse.”

Her knees weakened under his intensity. A part of her wanted to protest, but another part — the one that had secretly longed for him — betrayed her. She clutched his shirt, eyes shut, letting him hold her.

When he finally pulled back, both of them were panting. His forehead rested against hers. “kehti ho mujay pasand nahi krti aur meray pass anay say itna affect hoti ho. Pighal jati ho meri bahon mein, lal gaal, ankhon mein mera nasha. Say you want me too”

Tears welled in her eyes. She hated his temper, but she couldn’t deny the raw truth in his words.

' say it' he said while kissing her side of neck.

' ma..man..mani..k, please.'

' please kiya'

' I can’t breathe' she moaned

Manik stopped and looked at her. She looked his. Panting, lips swollen, small hickies adoring her neck.

She pushed him and ran off to her room.

Unknown to her, Mukti was already there. Startled when the door opened.

' kiya hoya itna bhaag kr kyun aa rahi ho'

' kuch nahi' she said panting. Catching her breath.

She went and sat next to Mukti and they started talking about their work and gossiping about shadi relatives and their clothing choices.

They didn't realis how quick time went and they were called down for dinner.

' wessay dupatta sahi say le lena warna sabku pata chal jaye ga. ' Mukti said teasingly

' kiyaa' Nandini looked lost

' meri bhai ki nishaniyan' Mukti added
Nandini’s hand quickly went to her neck . She rushed to toilet to have a look and she was stunned. She quickly put some concealer on to control the damage.
---

That night, the atmosphere in the living room turned serious. Ayesha sat with Asad and Zoya while Faiza and Ibrahim joined. Nandini sat quietly, still shaken by her encounter with Manik.

“Aaj phir phone aaya tha,” Ayesha began. “Log Nandini ke liye rishta maang rahe hain. Har koi uski tareef kar raha hai since shaadi. Main kya jawab doon?”

Zoya exchanged a glance with Asad, then spoke gently. “Ayesha, maine pehle bhi kaha…  Usse waqt chahiye. Please jaldi mein koi faisla mat lijiye.”

Ayesha’s eyes softened, but her voice was firm. “Zoya, main samajhti hoon. Lekin Manik ka bhi haq hai. Uske walid ki aakhri khwahish thi ke Nandini uski dulhan bane. Har roz naye rishtay aa rahe hain… mujhe darr hai kahin der na ho jaye.”

Manik, standing in the corner, finally spoke up. “Ammi bilkul sahi keh rahi hain. Hum siraf nikkah kr letay hain. Sabku pata chal jaye kay Nandini meri biwi ha' His eyes locked onto her across the room, intense and unyielding.

Nandini’s lips parted in shock. “Manik…”

But Ayesha cut her off gently. “Beta, tumhe samajhna hoga. Ye rishtay ka silsila rukne wala nahi hai. Isiliye maine faisla kiya hai — Manik aur Nandini ka nikkah kar dete hain. Jaldi.”

Silence.

Zoya’s eyes flickered with hesitation. She turned to her husband. “Asad, aap hi kuch kehye. Nandini ne khud mujhse kaha tha ke usse thoda waqt chahiye.”

Asad sighed heavily, looking between his daughter’s pale face and Ayesha’s determined one. “Main tumhari baat samajhta hoon, Zoya. Lekin Ayesha bhi galat nahi keh rahi. Shayad yahi theek waqt hai.”

Nandini’s heart dropped. She had expected her Baba to shield her, like always. Instead, he nodded.

Ayesha smiled with relief. “Toh tai ho gaya. Nikkah jaldi hoga.”

Nandini sat frozen, her mind spinning.

Manik, however, allowed himself the faintest smile. For the first time in days, peace settled in his eyes.

---

✨
Mystery