Meri Jaan

Part 20

Across the courtyard, when Nandini heard his annoyed voice, she couldn’t help but smile.

After the haldi chaos, Nandini sneaked upstairs to wash off some of the turmeric. She was still scrubbing her arms when the bathroom door clicked open.

She spun around. “Manik! Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?”

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His kurta was still streaked yellow, his hair messy from the attacks. But his eyes—those burning eyes—were only on her.

“Checking on you,” he said simply, walking closer.

“I’m fine. Please neeche jaiye, koi dekh lega.”

“Let them,” he replied, his voice low.

“Manik, aap samajhte kyun nahi? Yeh theek nahi hai abhi—”

Before she could finish, he cornered her against the sink. His hands rested on either side, trapping her. “Nandini, I can’t stand it when you run away every time. Tum meri hone wali biwi ho. Mujhe haq hai tumse baat karne ka, tumhare paas hone ka.”

Her breath hitched. “Aap… bohot zyada possessive ho jate hain.”

“And you don’t like it?” he asked, leaning in, his nose brushing hers.

She closed her eyes. “Itna pass mat aaye…”

But he didn’t listen. His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing the turmeric still faintly staining her skin. Then, without warning, his lips found hers.

Nandini gasped, pushing at his chest weakly, but his kiss deepened, urgent and hungry. The world outside blurred—only the heat of his mouth on hers, the taste of haldi and desperation remained.

When he finally pulled back, both were breathless.

Nandini’s hands clutched his shirt helplessly. She wanted to argue, but her heart betrayed her.

“Manik… please,” she managed softly.

He kissed her forehead, gentler this time. “Fine. Abhi ke liye chod deta hoon. But remember, you’re mine. Always.”

Before she could react, he stepped back and left the bathroom, leaving her flushed, shaken, and secretly trembling with emotions she had no courage to name.

Downstairs, the festivities picked up again. Someone brought dholak, another started clapping in rhythm. Kids ran around with flower petals, tossing them at random.

Faiza and Ibrahim arrived too, smiling at the chaos. Faiza immediately hugged Nandini. “Aray wah, dulhan to bilkul chamak rahi hai. Yellow suits you so much!”

“Aap bhi kam nahi lag rahi, dida,” Nandini teased back.

The men sat together, joking about old times. Asad laughed heartily at one of Ibrahim’s stories, while Ayesha proudly watched her family buzzing with life again.

At one point, Ayesha leaned close to Zoya and whispered, “Lagta hai hamara Manik bhi ab khushiyan pa lega.”

Zoya smiled, though her gaze lingered on Nandini, knowing her daughter’s shyness wasn’t going to vanish overnight.

By evening, the living room turned into a mini-concert. Fairy lights twinkled, dhol beats thumped, and cousins sang cheeky songs teasing both bride and groom.

“Bhabhi, dulha apka bohot serious hai. Thoda sambhal lena!” one cousin joked.

Nandini blushed hard while Mukti added fuel, “Serious? He’s straight-up obsessed!”

Everyone laughed, including Asad, though Ayesha gently nudged Mukti, “Bas karo, bechari lal ho gaye ha sharam say”

Meanwhile, Manik’s eyes never left Nandini. Every time someone teased her, she grew redder, and he grew prouder—like claiming her silently without words.

Later, when the lights dimmed slightly for the last round of songs, Nandini sat quietly at the edge, sipping juice. Manik passed by, leaned close, and whispered in her ear, “Better get used to this. Soon, you’ll sit as my wife in every function.”

Her cheeks burned, and she quickly looked away. But deep inside, her heart skipped—not in fear anymore, but in a strange anticipation.

By the time night fell, the Khan mansion still echoed with laughter, music, and love. The **wedding festivities of Manik and Nandini had officially begun**, with haldi and dholki filling the air with promises of the days to come.

And somewhere between the teasing, rituals, and stolen kisses, both Manik and Nandini realized—this was just the beginning of their story.

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✨

Mystery