"Arey waah!Laal rang tou bara jach raha hai meri beti par!"Maa stepped back and roamed her admiring eyes at me.

I smiled at her while playing with my fingers in worry.

Bhagwaan ji ! Aaj ek baari Monster se  bacha lo ! Please sirf ek baari !

"Bua maa! Kamini ji has sent chauffeur ! Is Nandani ready ?"Di knocked the door and stepped in.

She glanced at me and seeing worried lines on my forehead she pressed her lashes at me accompanied with a smile.

"Haan! My daughter is perfectly ready ! Shraddha see how beautiful she is looking in this red saree!" Maa smiled and stepped forward to apply nazar teeka behind my ear.

Shraddha di smiled.

"Kisi ki nazar na lage meri bachi ko!"She caressed my cheek while I smiled at her,with no traces of lie.

She went out ordering me to come down soon.

"Di ! Manik !"As soon as maa walked out I bit my lip while staring at di with anxiety.

"I think Nandani ! You should tell Manik ! Make him understand , Wo samagh jayenge ! Agar aap un se jhoot bol kar jayengi tou phir wo gussa ho jayenge!" Di held my palms and I bit my lip more in worry.

Main Armaan ko tumhare aas paas bhi bardaasht nhi karunga! Uske ghar jaana tou phir bohot dur ki baat hai!

His angry words echoed in my mind and I shook my head violently.

"No Di! Manik won't understand ! He won't allow me! Just last night he fought with me on this thing ! Us ne mana kiya hai mughe aaj wahan jane se!" I was worried to no extent.

Kia karoon main bhagwaan ji! I can't deny maa and I can't break Manik's trust on me too!

"Nandani ! Come fast beta !"Maa yelled from downstairs and I looked at Di with pleading eyes.

"Don't worry Nandani I won't tell anything to Manik ! Bas aap unke ghar aane se pehle ghar aa jaiyega!" Di caressed my cheek and I nodded with a sigh.

Just help me once Bhagwaan ji ! sirf ek baari!

Sighing I shook my head and then with Di descended down the stairs.

After taking blessings from mami ji and maa I left for Armaan's home.

In car,I was fidgeting with my fingers when my cell rang flashing Manik's number on it.

Ab Kia karoon !

I shut my eyes tight before swiping the answer option and keeping phone at my ear.

"Gol-gappi!"His soft voice made my heart sank instantly.

Am I playing with Manik's trust too?

"Gol-gappi! You there ?"

"Haan Manik ! Bolo na !"I tried to be nonchalant.

"Mera junior aur uski mommy kesi hai?"I know he must be smiling because he knew I would smile after listening these words.

"We both are fine! Wese junior k papa ko kuch kaam nhi hai office main ?" I rolled my tongue in cheek and Manik sighed from other side.

"Kaam tou hai par dil nhi lag raha! I'm missing you both too much!"

I smiled but somewhere my heart was dying with guilt.

I'm sorry Manik ! Bas ek akhri baari! Aaj aa kar main khud maa se baat karungi!

"Acha suno! I need a kiss when I return from office  !"Manik spoke notoriously and I wiped my lone tear which just fell on my cheek bone.

"We love you Manik!"I muttered earnestly and I felt Manik's lips curving into a smile.

"I love you both too meri jaan!" Manik pressed his lips on cell and I smiled.

"Madam ! We have made it!"chauffeur spoke after halting the car inside the Mehra's house boundary.

"Nandani where are you and whose voice was it?"Manik's voice turned serious suddenly.

"Umm Manik I'm at supermarket with maa ! I'll call you later !" Before Manik could reply I hung up.

Sorry Manik!

After taking a deep breath I was about to open the door when someone opened the door from outside.

A smiling face came in my view and my breath hitched.

Armaan!

I wandered my eyes from his perfectly fine legs to his all fit arms.

"Kesa laga apko mera surprise ?"Armaan held my hand and I stepped out.

My eyes were still wide which made him chuckle.

"Ye kese...?"I muttered no whispered seeing him standing on his feet all healthy and bright.

According to the doctor he wasn't capable to stand on his feet for two months!

"Bas ! Aapki duaon ka hi asar hai !"Armaan laughed slamming me out of my thoughts.

I smiled weakly at him when suddenly he left my palm and jerked me towards him by my waist.

I gulped in fear as he nudged my chin up with his thumb and leaned forward.

"Ar..maan!" I stammered seeing his dark eyes staring my red lips.

"You look mesmerising Nandani! Aap Janti bhi nhi hain how desperate I've become to see you as my bride!"He muttered while staring in my eyes passionately and my already forlorn heart turned more sad.

Ye sab Kia ho raha hai Bhagwaan ji! Kese theek hoga ye sab!

His lips were inching closer to my lips when kamini aunty's sudden shrill startled us,
"Armaan ! Tu sab bahir hi kar lega ya phir meri bahu ko ghar main bhi layega!"

Armaan moved back instantly and I heaved a sigh in relief.

He scratched his nape shyly while eying me and I tucked my loose strand behind my ear nervously.

"Chalein!"He offered me his hand and I accepted it unwillingly.

Kamini aunty welcomed me after doing aarti and all her family customs.

"How are you beta? And how's Anjali ji doing ?"As we settled on the antique golden chesterfields in lounge Kamini aunty started the conversation.

"I'm all good aunty and maa is also fine!"I smiled at her genuinely.

"How were your exams ?"She asked sweetly.

"They went well aunty!"I replied and she opened her mouth to speak something again when Mehra uncle muttered,

"Kia kamini tum bhi ! Pehli baar bahu ghar par ayi hai aur tum us se sawal jawab karne beth gayi! Ja Armaan Nandani ko ghar dikha!" Mehra uncle gestured Armaan towards me and Armaan winked at him to which Mehra uncle winked him back.

"Yeah ! Come Nandani !"Armaan stood up from the couch and forwarded his hand,excitement clear in his demeanour.

I accepted it hesitantly while eyeing a dejected Kamini aunty and we climbed the stairs.

"Sirf haal chaal puch rahi thi ! Kia farq par jata agar wo thori der Armaan k sath nhi mere sath beth jati tou !"I heard aunty complaining to Mehra uncle from behind. 

"Don't worry! Meri maa zuban ki teekhi lekin dil ki bohot achi hain !"Armaan pressed my palm a little and I nodded meekly at him.

"Aur Ye hamara room!"After showing me guest rooms,study room,gaming room Armaan entered in another room and squealed.

I literally forced my lips to curve.

"Tou how did you find our room Nandani?"Armaan sat on his big round bed with his arms leaning back and raised his brows at me.

I looked here and there being short of words when my phone rang.

Di!

"Armaan one minute please !"I showed Armaan my ringing cell before going out of room.

"Hello ! Di !"I received the call.

"Nandani ! Manik ka phone aya tha ! He asked me about you and I told him that you've got some work in college!" Di spoke and I felt a bile forming in my throat.

Manik ko pta chal gaya hoga!

"Nandani ! Is everything fine na ? What happened ?"Di spoke from other side breaking my thunderous thoughts.

"Di ! Actually Manik called me too and I told him....."My almost crying words left in middle as my eyes landed on a six feet tall,angry young man standing at the doorstep.

Manik!

My heart shivered when his seething gaze met my eyes.

"Nandani ! Nandani ! Are you listening to me ?"

My cell fell from my hand in fear.

Manik stepped in the house and I faltered on my steps.My body literally started sweating seeing his clamped jaws and crimson eyes. 

"Ek minute !"Before Manik could take a step more Kamini aunty's shout made him halt. 

His brown dark eyes were still fixed on me.They were turning perilous by each passing second.

"Nandani!" Armaan came out from the room.

His eyes fell on Manik and I heard his breaths getting harsh.

Meri ek gustaakhi ki wajah se Aaj kuch bura na ho jaye!

"As far as I remember we didn't invite you along with Nandani !"Kamini aunty spoke stridently and Manik moved his eyes at her making her a little gulp also.

"I'm here to take Nandani back not to enjoy your fuc*ing hospitality Mrs.Mehra !" Manik gritted his teeth and Armaan curled his fists before shouting,

"Manik Malhotra ! How dare you talk to my mom like that!"

Armaan descended down the stairs furiously and Manik pulled up his sleeves,stepping forward all ready to jump on him. 

"Teri himmat kese hui ! Meri maa se unchi awaaz main baat karne ki !" Armaan held Manik's collars angrily.

Manik eyed Armaan's palms which were clutching his collars and groaned,
"Collar chor !"

Armaan clutched Manik's collars more tightly while glaring at him with same intensity.

I know Manik was on the edge now,one more push and he wouldn't think twice before twisting Armaan's neck.

Mughe hi kuch karna parega!

"Armaan ! Leave him !"I spoke softly and started demounting the stairs hastily.

At that time Manik's eyes fell on my nude belly and waist and his eyes darkened.

He glanced at me menacingly and closed his eyes.After taking a deep breath he jerked away Armaan from him.

I stopped on my tracks when I found Manik marching towards me.My eyes were tearing up.

But before Manik could catch my palm Armaan smacked a vase on his head from behind.

"Nandani is mine ! Manik Malhotra stop dreaming about her !"Armaan shouted after hitting Manik  brutally.

"Manik !"I gasped as Manik stumbled with closed eyes.

Tears started falling from my eyes and I stepped ahead to hold Manik who was stumbling while holding his head when Manik turned suddenly and punched Armaan mercilessly.

"Armaan !"Kamini aunty shrieked and ran towards us.

"This time you crossed limits Armaan! Ab dekh kia haal karta hn main tera!"Manik whispered-gritted and started punching Armaan ridiculously. 

"Armaan! Mera beta !"Kamini aunty cried and I tried to hold Manik.

"Manik ! Leave him ! Manik choro use !"I shouted with my tears but Manik was being deaf to my shrills. 

Ye sab kiya hogya Bhagwaan ji!

My eyes fell on the blood drops on the floor and I palmed my shivering lips recognising the source from where it was dripping.

"Manik!"I shouted at top of my voice and he stopped abruptly.

Armaan who looked like a corpse fell on floor and Kamini aunty ran towards him.

"Open your eyes Armaan ! Armaan !"Kamini aunty cried loudly but Armaan was not in his senses.

Manik clutched my palm and started dragging me towards the exit.

"Manik ! Meri baat suno !"I begged trying to stop him but he continued to pull me out without any kindness.

"Man..nik! Your head !"I cried as my eyes found his black hair getting wet due to the flowing thick liquid.He pushed me in the car and banged the door furiously.

"Meri..baat...tou...sunlo !"
I cried bitterly but without listening to my incoherent pleas he continued to drive harshly across the roads.

"Manik please ! Listen to me na ! Kiya hogya hai tumhe?"My chin shook due to the intensity of tears.

The sound of screeching tires was heard as Manik halted the car outside our house.

I tottered when he turned his blistered eyes towards me.

"Kyon gayi tum wahan par ?"He whispered dangerously and I cried more.

"Maa...k...kehne..par!"I stammered due to my tears and he slammed his palm on the steering wheel making me flinch at my place.

"Phir tou kal bua maa k kehne par tum Armaan se shadi bhi kar logi !"He muttered with slammed jaws.His eyes fixed infront.

"Nhi..!"I shook my head violently.

"Mere bache ko Armaan ka naam bhi de dogi!"He turned and clutched my upper arms.His voice slow yet dangerous.

"Nhi! Ma..in main sirf tumse pyaar karti hn...I sswear!"I stuttered along my cries and Manik dug his nails in my soft flesh.

"Jhoot! You don't love me!"He shook his head while breathing heavily and more tears fell from my eyes.

"I...do !"

"NO ! YOU DONT ! IF YOU LOVED ME THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE GONE THERE ! YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BROKEN MY TRUST !"He shouted suddenly leaving me all scared.

"Don't...say like this please ! Main...Khud...majboor thi..Manik !"I sniffed and he left my arms only to clutch my waist.

His thumb brushed against my stomach and he left my waist abruptly.

"Ye bacha mera hi haina?"He whispered and my heartbeat stopped.

I looked at him with unbelievable eyes as he moved away from me completely,as if my touch disgusts him.

A tear fell from my eye and I ran out from his car not before muttering,
"Tum sahi kehte ho Manik! Main tumse pyaar nhi karti!" 

"Nandani ! Nandani !" Entering home I was running upstairs towards my room ignoring everyone's shout from behind when my foot slipped.

"Aaaaahh!"A painful shout escape my mouth as my body rolled down the stairs recklessly.

"NANDANI!" Three ladies in the house ran towards me.

Mera bacha!

A tear crawled down my cheek and my palm clutched my stomach where my child was nourishing.

My body met floor and I closed my teary eyes.

"Madam ! Manik baba has been shot !" The words of our watchman were last which I heard before slipping into the darkness.

Hum naadaan the,naadaaniyaan kar gaye,

Hum Gustaakh the beparwah gustaakhiyaan kar gaye,

Anjaane main dunya walon ki nazron main apni mohabbat bad-naam kar gaye!

Kyon k hum maasoom the,hamein maaloom nhi tha kab hum apna dil ek dusre k naam kar gaye!

......

Gustaakhiyaan after so long nai ?🙈😂

What's gonna happen next?Any guesses ?😜

Will meet you soon! Take care and don't forget to leave reviews!

Yours
New Wanderer!