As soon as Manik left the room maa turned to see me.I was on my knees crying hard.

She shook her head while crying and went away from there.

"Maaa!"I yelled-cried but she had gone already.

"Ye sab Kia hogya Bhagwaan ji!Main Kia karoon!"I palmed my face,crying bitterly on my fate.

"Jesa aap chahti hain wesa hi ho raha hai!"

I raised my head up at the door from where the voice came.

"Di?"

She entered in my room and locked the door behind.

Coming towards me she held my shoulders and made me sit on the bed.

Sitting beside me she held my palms on my laps while I continued to weep like a child.

"Manik chale gaye Nandani!Wo ghar chor kar chale gaye!"She spoke with teary eyes and my eyes shot up at her,listening her words.

"Kia aap unse pyaar nhi karti?Dont you love Manik?"Her words got tinted with anger,suddenly.She looked hurt.

I lowered my teary eyes when she sighed and nudged my chin up.

"Kyon Nandani?Why are you spoiling your life?Aap khud apni zindagi barbaad kar rahi hain!Kyon?"She was so soft at the moment that I couldn't control and threw my arms around her,sobbing in her chest.

"Main-main Kia karoon Di! Main Manik se bohot pyaar karti hn Di lekin main maa se bhi bohot pyaar karti hn!Maa tou meri taraf dekh bhi nhi rahi ab!Wo naraaz hogayi hain mughse!"I cried loudly and Di rubbed my back affectionately to calm me down.

"Bua maa,Aapki maa hain Aur koi bhi maa apne bache ki khushi nhi cheenti!Just go and hug her,see how she'll gather you in her arms!"Di broke the hug and cupped my cheeks after wiping my tears.

"No Di! I've broken her trust!She won't forgive me!"I cried again and Di closed her eyes,sighing tiredly.

"Tou iska matlab aap kal Armaan se shadi kar rahi hain aur wo bhi is wajah se k aap pyaar ka iqraar karne se darti hain!"Di left my cheeks and spoke,anger and hurt laced in her tone.

"Nhi Di..."Before I could say something she stood up from bed.

"Ek baat yaad rakhiyega Nandani!Hamare bhai aap k sath khare the,aap k liye puri dunya se larne k liye tayyar the lekin apni na-samjhi ki wajah se aap apna pehla pyaar kho bethi!Ek Aur gustaakhi kar gayi aap!"Di glanced at me for last time and left the room,leaving me flummoxed.

That night I couldn't sleep.Clutching the pillow tight to my chest I cried thinking about me and Manik.

Mera pehla pyaar hai Manik!Kia main  jee paongi uske bina!

Morning,11:00 am.

I was in my room,sitting lifelessly on my bed in the same position when I heard my room door creaking.

My eyes widened seeing maa entering in the room with bridal attire and jewellery in her hands.

"Maa!"I stood up hastily from bed as after keeping the bridal set on bed she turned towards door,without sparing me a single glance.

My eyes had become teary .Standing behind her I spoke feebly,
"Maa!Im Sorry!I didn't want you to get hurt but..."My words left in middle as she showed me her palm without turning back.

"Get ready!My son in law will be here anytime soon!"She spoke ruthlessly and left the room.

I stumbled on my steps.My heart was dying a million deaths.

Maine sabko kho dia Kia?Manik tou chla gaya ab Kia maa bhi pyaar nhi karti mughse!

My eyes fell on the red bridal dress and I pursed my lips angrily before throwing away that dress and jewellery on the floor.

"Nahi karni mughe ye shadi!"I cried out loudly.

"Mam!Are you ok?"Some girl clad in black top and blue jeans entered in my room.

I frowned at her sight and she smiled at me.

"I'm appointed as your makeup artist!Ahaana!"After smiling at me she picked up my bridal dress and jewellery from floor and then closed the door.

"Mam! You may have bath till then I'll set up my things here!"Thumping the bridal dress in my palms she started arranging her makeup accessories on my dressing table.

I looked at the bridal dress with demised eyes,no emotions were left in my heart.

Maa tou nafrat karti hi hain mughse!Shayad mere shadi karne se wo mughe maaf kar dein!

Taking a bath,changing into dress I came out from the washroom.

"Wow! Mam you look so beautiful!Aapko tou makeup ki bhi zaroorat nhi hai!"Ahaana exclaimed while eyeing me with admiring eyes.I gave her a small smile and went towards my dressing table,sitting on its chair with no shine in my eyes.

An hour passed and I was bedizened by makeup for my wedding.The wedding time arranged was 2:00 pm and it was 12:45 already.

"You look so pretty!I wonder who is that lucky groom!"The makeup artist held my shoulders from behind and we stared at the mirror infront.

I looked at myself and suddenly I saw  reflection of Manik in the mirror.

"Waah Gol-gappi! Ek dum kamaal ki lag rahi ho!"He whistled and a smile appeared on my lips.

"Ohh! Thinking about mr.handsome haan?" Ahaana teased and my trance broke.

I looked at mirror vividly as there was no Manik now.
That means I was hallucinating him.

Nhi Nandani! You have to forget Manik!Ab sirf Armaan hi hai tera sab kuch!

Closing my eyes I gulped my tears back.

"So!Mam!Ill take a leave!Goodbye!I wish you a very happy ever after!"Smiling at me last she left the room.

I kept looking at myself in the mirror.My lips coated in red shade,kohl filled eyes enhanced by golden-black eyeshade,the gold tika on my forehead.Everything was so beautiful,except me.

I closed my eyes and a tear trickled down my cheek,slowly.

I heard a knock on door which made me sniff my tears back,immediately.

"Yes! Come in!"

A tall waiter came in with a tray in his hands having glass of orange juice.

"Take it back!Mughe kuch nhi chahiye!"Without glancing at him I spoke nonchalantly and started wearing the set of red bangles in my pale wrists.

Shayad main wo pehli dulhan hn jiske haaton par mehndi bhi nhi lagi!

A sad smile broke on my lips.

"I never knew my bride would be this beautiful!"I heard a faint whisper from behind and my eyes widened.

I raised my eyes up at the mirror and my chest starting tottering hard looking into those passionate,very familiar,Belgium rounds.

"Ma-nik!"I whispered.I was astonished to the core.

Standing up from the chair I turned to face him.

"Tum-tum yahan?"I stammered and he smirked before keeping that tray on bed.

"Meri dulhan ko dekhne bhi nhi aa sakta Kia main?"He chuckled while removing off his fake turban and big moustache. I frowned at his words.

"I'm.Armaan's.bride!"I gritted while glaring at him and he raised his lashes at me.

"You.arent.yet!"He too clenched his jaws shaking my moral to push him away,a little.

My eyes widened as he started taking steps in my direction.

"Manik! Main chillaongi!"I warned him with my steps moving back and he rolled his eyes.

My heart shivered feeling the wall behind and before I could move Manik banged his palm beside my head,blocking my way. "Chillao!"He whispered fearlessly,coming close to my face.

"Main!"I glared at him but my threat left in middle as he came more close to my lips.

"Chillao gol-gappi!Main bhi dekhta hn kis main itna dum hai jo Manik Malhotra ko uski dulhaniya se dur kare!"He whispered coming more close to me and looking in my eyes before looking back at my red lips,hungrily.

"This is wrong!"I pleaded breathlessly ,he had nudged my chin up to take a more clear view of my lips.

"Sssshh!Dont spoil it!"He whispered with his breaths falling on my lips making my heart go haywire in no moment.

"You know I love red! And I would love to kiss these rosy lips until I die!"He murmured breathlessly on my lips and fused his lips with mine letting tears slip from my eyes.

He nudged my chin more up and his fingers after caressing my belly button were wrapped around my bare waist.Squeezing my waist,pressing me to him like I was his breath and he was breathless.

Tears kept falling from my eyes as instead of pushing him I kissed him back.

Being breathless he pulled his lips back.His lips red and wet as he ate my lipstick clad lips like a mad.

I looked at him with teary eyes and he stared at me back while wiping his mouth with the back of his palm.The victorious look in his eyes made me feel embarrassed and I pushed him to walk when he held my wrist from behind.

"Aaj nhi gol-gappi! Bohot kar li tumne man-mani!"His tone was fierce.Clutching my wrist he pulled me back and I banged in his chest.

Dhak dhak! Dhak dhak!

His heartbeat.

My eyes got closed automatically listening to it when he muttered in my ear,
"Aaj hamari shadi hai!Congratulations!To be very soon Mrs.Malhotra!"

His spoken words and I pushed him back.

Stumbling on his place he gave me a feisty look while I took more steps back to maintain distance,a safe distance.

"Listen Manik! I'm in no mood to fight with you again and again!Last night I made it sound and clear to you that I'm getting married to Armaan and you've to accept it anyhow!"I spoke clearly with no hesitation and his jaws tightened,I could see.

"Oh really? Tou phir abhi itne meri yaad main ansoon Kyon baha rahi thi tum?"He stepped towards me angrily and I gulped a little.

"Main.tumhari.yaad.main.nhi.ro.rahi.thi!"I pressurised each and every word to make him clear.

"Tum jhoot na bolo tou hi acha hoga!"He gave me a look while shaking his head mockingly.

"I know you were missing me!"He smirked taking steps in my direction and I felt sweat gathering on my forehead.

"I wasn't!"Still mustering up courage I glared at him.

"I can see my picture in your eyes!I can listen my name in your beats! I can feel *pauses* that you love me!"Taking a long stride he armed my waist and pulled me closer to him.His voice deep like his eyes.

"I don't love you!"I whispered,a tear ready to fall from my eye.

"I know!You love me!"He muttered hoarsely,his eyes getting scratchy too.

"No! I don't love you!"I cried.

"You love me!"His two tears fell on my cheeks.

"No! I don't!"I cried bitterly.

He pulled me closer."You do!"

I stared in his eyes and didn't know when I whispered,"Yes! I do!"

His lips spread into a smile but my eyes widened realising what I muttered.

"Aaj nhi gol-gappi!Aaj peeche mat hato!"He held me tighter guessing I was again retreating back.

"Main hn na tumhare sath!I promise I'll stand by your side!Koi kuch nhi kahega tumhe! Main samne aa jaonga!"He spoke hastily.His words shining with truth.

"Nandani beta are you ready?Baaraat aagayi hai bacha!"We heard mami ji's knock on the door and our eyes widened.

"Baaraat agayi hai Manik!"I cried and he looked at me with painful eyes.

"So?So what?"A tear fell from his eye understanding my neurological condition.

"Mughe jaana hoga Manik! Mughe jana hoga!"I wiped my teary eyes and he left my waist suddenly.

"Fine! Go!"He stared at me blankly.

After glancing at him lastly I turned towards door when I heard his whisper,"Main aag laga dunga iss dunya ko!"

Being shocked I turned back and he rolled his eyes towards me,"Agar tum meri nhi hui tou main aag laga dunga iss dunya ko!"

The determination in his voice left me of-guard.How madly he has fallen in love with me.

"Nandani beta!"Mami ji knocked the door again.

"J-ji mami ji! Main bas ayi!"Without breaking the eyelock with Manik I slurred.

"Jaldi aana beta!"She yelled before leaving.

I stared at Manik while crying and he raised a step closer to me.

"Main bhi dekhta hn kese karti ho tum ye shadi!"He rasped and held my wrist,jerking me to him roughly.

"Mmma-nik!"I whimpered.

"Pyaar karta hn tumse! Koi mazak nhi!"He pulled me more closer by clutching my one wrist only and before I could contemplate he sliced his thumb with the glass showpiece kept on my side table and filled my hairline.

My eyes widened as a drop of blood from my head fell on my nose.

I raised my palm to caress my head and a gasp escape my mouth feeling my hairline filled.

"Tum meri thi,meri ho aur meri hi rahogi!Hamesha!"Manik held my palm tighter and opened the door.

And in next moment he was dragging me down the stairs with his palm holding my palm firmly.

~Ise kehte hain gustaakhi! Jo pyaar main ki jaati hai !Be-garz ho kar!~

.......

Don't you guys dare to call this update short!😡Now get used to of this length! Next update coming very soon!😎 Till then take care!
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