Author's PoV
2 months later
It's been three months since Manan marriage. And is there any advancement in their forced relationship??? Then it is a NO. But there were some developments in both Manik's and Nandini's behaviour towards their family members. Manik came back to his jovial nature. But he stayed rigid with Nandini.
Whereas Nandini slowly started accepting his family members. She speaks to them whenever they ask something relating to her or work. She became a little close with Mukthi and Tarak. The three became good friends. She tries to reach his house earlier at night. One day she politely asked Nyonika not to wait for her till she reaches home. Nyonika refused that. Regardless Nandini explained to Nyonika that she was handling an important case. Though she handled many cases prior as a Practicing attorney but the current case tends to be her first case as a lawyer. Nyonika understood her and asked her to at least reach home by ten. This one incident made Nandini feel relieved and made her start accepting his family.
But that doesn't stop her from staying at her home. She will visit her home at weekends. Still, His house remained as a place that gives shelter but her home made her feel all the emotional connections and a sense of belonging.
She wished to stay there every day but she couldn't as she didn't want anyone to feel hurt.
One day Nandini had a hectic day at work. She had a small clash with her client and she was frustrated over that. So she reached Manik's house early in the evening. When she entered his house, she saw Mukthi and Tarak shouting.
"Tarak you're cheating. You did the same in the last round," screamed Mukti.
Tarak smirked and said, "What?? No, I didn't cheat in this game. Dii accept the fact that you can't beat me."
Then Mukthi started throwing pillows towards Tarak and started to chase him. Tarak started up running to save his life. When he saw nandini standing there, he ran near her and hide behind her, "Bhabhi....Please save me. You know I am innocent right. Please save an innocent from this devil."
"Tarak you're a cheater and Nandini too know about that. So she will not support you," said Mukthi.
"Guys guys stop this chase. First, explain to me what is happening here," asked nandini cluelessly.
"Nandini he cheated on this game. We made a bet that if he loses this game then he had to pay for my shopping. When he realised he was losing the game, he cheated on the game." clarified mukthi.
"Dii you're lying. Bhabhi you know I am an innocent. I would never cheat in a game." told Tarak. Mukthi scoffed at his statement.
"You're a cheater. Accept the fact bro!!!"
"Dii you're lying. I was playing honestly."
"Cheater, Cheater, Cheater..."
"No, you're a liar."
"Okay, guys stop this bickering and play another match" suggested Nandini. They both shouted no at the same time.
"No, I am not playing with a cheater again. But I have one idea. Nandini will play on behalf of me." told Mukthi.
"What?? Mukthi, no I am not playing. I am already tired of my work guys." confided Nandini.
"Please Nandini. Please for once play on behalf of me. Please please please please...." pleaded Mukthi. Nandini accepted to play after a lot of pleas.
When both of them started playing, nandini played slowly at first. "Nandini come on. You can win over him easily." cheered Mukthi.
Then Nandini increased her phase and started dominating the game. Within ten minutes she defeated Tarak. Mukthi happily shouted, "Wow Nandini won. Tarak, Now what will you do? You have lost the bet so we are going shopping tomorrow. And nandini will also join us. You have to pay for both of us."
"Bhabhii..." whined Tarak.
Nandini laughed at their playful actions. She completely forgot about her frustrations because of this. Usually, she will feel like it was a burden for her to stay at his home. But that day she felt happy about staying there. Then she began to stay at his house because of Mukthi and Tarak. She enjoyed staying with them.
One day as usual by seven in the morning, when Nandini was leaving for her work.
Nyonika stopped her and asked, "Nandini can you please come home early today? Because Manik's bua is coming home. She is coming here today as tomorrow the weekend starts and she is coming especially to see you and Manik. So can you come by six in the evening?"
Nandini replied, "Aunty, I will try to come by six. But I am not sure because I'm having my case hearing on Monday. So I have to complete all my work by today. It will be hectic today at work. But I will try my best." Nyonika smiled and nodded.
She left for her work. Nyonika informed the same to Manik as well. Nandini worked hard for her first case. She completely forgot the time as she was immersed in her work. By seven, she got a call from Navya. Then only she realised the time and Nyonika's request to reach home by six. She immediately left for Manik's house.
When she entered the house, she saw everyone sitting in the living area. She also saw a familiar person chatting with his family members. She couldn't forget that familiar person because she was the one who changed her life. She only gave the idea of replacement during Mishka's elope. At that time she didn't know who that lady was. But now Nandini got the idea that she was Manik's bua.
Nyonika saw Nandini standing at the doorstep. She told, "There, Nandini came. Nandini come and join us.". Nandini controlled her turmoil and joined them. She sat with Navya.
Suddenly Manik's bua asked Nandini, "Do you come home this late every day?" Nandini stayed silent.
"I came home in the morning but never saw you? Who will do the work at home? You can work but at the same time, you need to manage your household work too." continued his bua.
Before Nandini could answer Nyonika said, "She is working as a lawyer nanad (husband's sister). She will come home quickly if the work is done early. But I think she had more work to do today, that why she came late today!!"
'I wanted to talk about it. Damn it. Who was she to question me? I wanted to scream. I wanted to yell at her. But all I could was whisper "I was at work." 'Nandini thought.
Controlling her anger, she sat there silently with her head hung down. She felt like someone was watching her. When She looked up she saw no one watching her and everyone was engaged in their own work. She saw Manik sitting opposite of her with some files in his hands.
But Little did she know that Manik heard all of those taunts given by his bua. Later Nyonika and Navya left for preparing dinner. Nandini felt alone. Neither she wanted to have a conversation with his bua nor with his family members.
Luckily after ten minutes, Nyonika came back and asked Nandini to join them. Nandini went with her. As they got inside the kitchen, Nyonika held Nandini's hand and said, "I am sorry Nandini on her behalf. She still follows old traditions, that's why she talks like that."
Nandini didn't want to explain her emotions so simply nodded and helped them for dinner. Everyone had their dinner and left for their rooms. At that time Manik's bua saw Manik going to Tarak's room. But she didn't say anything about it.
The next day as usual Nandini left the house early in the morning. Manik's bua saw this but kept quiet. Later at night, she saw Nandini reaching home late. She also noticed the relationship between Manik and Nandini. It continued the next day too.
It was Sunday so she taught Nandini would stay home but she didn't. That evening when everyone was sitting in the living area, she saw Nandini entering the house by six.
Bua stood up and said, "Nandini, stop right there! Where were you all this time? Did you know that you're married and you have a family to look after? Nobody here said anything or questioned you about your activities means you can leave anytime and come home late? I watched you for three days. Not even for a single day, you stayed at home. Where is your mangalsutra and sindoor? Look at your clothes. How can you be so mannerless, have your parents never thought you anything?"
Nandini felt angry because she called her mannerless and assessed her character based on her appearance.
Ram and Nyonika tried stopping Manik's bua but they couldn't. Nyonika said, "she may have work that's wh-"
But shocking everyone Nandini interpreted Nyonika and told his bua in a rigorous tone, "No I didn't go for work. I went to my home as it is a weekend. And for that, I need nobody's permission. It's my choice whether to stay here or not. And my parents thought me better." Saying this she left for manik's room.
Everyone stood there silently. Because no one could believe what just happened.
The most shocked one among them was manik. Because he shouted at her many times but she never answered back or explained the reason. Nevertheless today she stood up for herself and answered back to his bua.
The next day morning while Nandini was leaving for work, Nyonika stopped her.
Nandini thought Nyonika would question about her yesterday's act. But she surprised Nandini. She asked her to open her mouth. Nyonika fed a spoon of sweet curd to her. She hugged Nandini and told, "Nandini, you said today will be your first case hearing right? So wish you the best of luck!"
Tarak jumped from behind and said, "yeah best of luck bhabhi. I will pray for you. You're going to be amazing. I know you will win this case. So I am asking now itself, I need a big party today for your success."
This act made nandini feel elated and special. She smiled at Nyonika and made a thumbs up to Tarak and left from there. Nyonika went to continue her work. Everyone had their breakfast and left for their works. Ram stayed at home today as he had a free schedule.
So he went to his room and he saw Nyonika sitting in the bed lost in her thoughts. He sat near her. He saw Nyonika smiling remembering something. He asked, "May I know the reason for your happiness?".
Nyonika came out of her thoughts and replied, "I think both Nandini and Manik will soon accept their relationship."
Ram questioned, "How is that possible? Till now they both are behaving like strangers."
Nyonika replied "I don't know about that. But I got some instincts that they will end up together happily."
Ram said, " if that thing happened then I would be the gladdest person to see my children happy." Nyonika gleamed hearing his words.
Later in the evening, Nyonika waited for Nandini as in the morning Nandini informed her that she would reach home earlier today. Nyonika was excited to know about Nandini's case results. But Nandini didn't reach home. After some time Ram came hurriedly and informed something to her which shocked her.
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Why Nyonika became shocked after hearing Ram? Any guesses?
Thank you for reading ❤️✨
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