After having a long crying session.I dressed myself into a simple pink saree and headed towards the kitchen.

My hubby was reading the newspaper sitting in the dining area.

He looked at me but I chose to ignore him.

He was looking sad.The enthusiastic charm which used to crept on his face every morning was missing.

Isliye mughe jaldi hi koi bara step uthana parega! I can't digest him being sad because of me!

I entered into the kitchen.As I was making french toasts for him an idea popped up in my tiny head.

Hmmm ye sahi rahega!Wese bhi inka mood acha nhi hai aur jab ye dekhenge to bohot gusse mein ajayenge or phir mughe gusse mein ghar se nikal denge....!

"Nandani ! Aaj kia bhooka marogi mughe?"My hubbys shout brought me out of vague thoughts.

I went towards him and served him his breakfast.

"Kaash aesa hosakta k main aap ko maar sakti!" I spoke sarcastically and he chortled.

"Koi nhi meri jaan! Iss dunya mein sari khwahishen poori nhi hoti na"He laughed making me annoyed.

He was stealing glances of me every now and then but I again ignored him.

Now it's the time to execute the plan!

"Hye!Baby!How are you?" I stated in the extra sugar coated tone while leaning on the kitchen door,pasting the mobile at my ear.

"Are haan baba I love you so much!muaaah!" I spoke enough loud to make my husband hear.

He did and I gulped a little seeing his features getting tight.

His balled fists,flared nostrils were something which were scaring me.

Aiyooo!nandu tu aag se khel rhi hai...monster nhi chorega!

He wasn't eating anymore.He was just looking down breathing like a mad bull.

"Arey!Why are you getting upset ? I promise whenever we'll meet,I'll give you a kiss!"I uttered while blushing which was of course fake.

I looked towards my hubby whose eyes travelled towards me making me shiver.

Instead of being angry he was smiling like a fool,making me scrunch my brows in confusion.

Suddenly he stood up.

Bhaag nandu bhaag!
My subconscious yelled.

I stepped back.

Arey kahan bhagoon?Aiyaapa monster gusse mein has raha hai...ye to or bhi dangerous baat lag rahi hai...kia karoon.....kia karoon......!

And when I flickered my eyelashes,he was standing in front of me and there was no distance between us.

I gulped.

His facial expressions changed.
Seriousness was dripping from his body language.

"What ? Don't you want to talk with your baby?"He asked seriously and I being afraid ran into kitchen.

My steps halted when I heard him bolting the frozen glass door.

I turned.He was standing there with a dangerous smirk on his face and his hands quietly settled in the pockets.

Haye kitne handsome hain na ye!
God Nandani ! You pervert!

"Ab kahan jaogi " He asked while coming towards me.

"Dekhiye mein chillaongi!"I warned him and moved backwards but he didn't stop.

"Dekhiye mein akhri bari bol rhi hn,aap dur rahein na plz!"I tried to threaten him but my voice more came out as a request.

His smirk grew wider and soon it turned into devilish giggles.

I looked in my either directions to find something as a shield but there was nothing except some artificial fruits resting in a basket.

I threw a banana at him which he dodged very easily and laughed again like a Satan.

"Hahahaha!Nandu!Aaj kon bachaega tumhe mughse!" He whooped with his open arms making me frightened.

"RAMU KAKA !RAMU KAKA !"I screamed my lungs out and in the next moment I was pinned by the counter with his both palms resting on the either sides.

"Seriously nandini?ramu kaka? But I am very sorry yaar ramu kaka ghar par nhi hain! Aww so sad nai?" He teased me while making fake pouts and again laughed.

I looked at him angrily and he
snatched the mobile phone from my hand.

My heart started chanting the mantras.

"Hello! Baby ? Hello?"He spoke while placing the cell on his ear.

"Yaar nandini is your baby dumb and deaf?Matlab see he isn't answering !" He faked innocence and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Dekhiye!"I raised my finger at him angrily and he raised his one brow,making my insides twitch.

Suddenly he armed my waist and pulled me fiercely towards him.

"Your mobiles battery is dead!"
He spoke and showed me the red blinking light of the cell.

Aiyooo!

He chuckled seeing my bad puppy face.

Kia yaar nandini ek kaam theek se nhi hota tere se .....ab to monster ko pta chal gaya! Aiyappaaa!

I tried to push him but he tightened his hood more on me.

"Seriously nandini do you really think that after all this I'll let you go and after viewing these cute expressions of yours tou sawal hi nhi banta!"His voice turned hoarse instantly as he glanced my quivering lips.

He left my waist and cupped my cheeks from his both palms.

"Kia?kia chahiye aapko? I asked while arching my back over the counter.

"Tumhe nhi pta?" He hovered over me and stared at my parted lips.

I chewed my lower lip nervously.

And his eyes turned chafed.

"Nhi!"

"Main btaon?"

"Mughe nhi Jan'na!"I stuttered and before I could push him,he grabbed my waist again and I breathed near his heart.

"Kiss!"He murmured making my eyes wide.

phir se !

But before I could protest,a popping sound echoed in the kitchen.

He pecked my parted lips.

His lips made way in my mouth and mine covered his lip line.

Again we didn't kiss
we just breathed in each others breath.We just felt each others soft flesh.

I came out from my shocking state when he pulled me more closer to him making our noses touched.

"Listen carefully Nandani Manik Malhotra till the time I'm alive I won't allow any man to come near you aur agar kisi ne jurrat ki Manik Malhotra ki amanat k paas ane ki to use aesi saza dunga k har dekhne wala kanp (shiver) uthega!"His eyes were red rimmed.His words were determined enough to make me scare.

"Aapko kisne kaha k mein aapki amanat hoon?" I asked him while looking in his eyes,trying to find some answers but there was only one thing and that was pure love.

"Kisi mein itni himmat nhi hai k Manik Malhotra ko btaye k kia uska hai or kia uska nhi aur mene to khud apni taqdeer ko tumhari taqdeer se jora hai. Manik ko bnaya hi nandini k liye gaya hai or nandini is dunya mein aai hi sirf manik k liye hai!"

He said and our breaths mingled but his cell phone rang and he backed off.I moved towards the refrigerator to get myself some water in order to calm my uneven breaths.

"Nandini mein bahir ja raha hn mughe kaam hai.Shaam tak aajaonga.Take care !" He spoke lovingly and left bussing my forehead.

I was still drinking the water when from nowhere he peeped into the kitchen and shouted while grinning like a teenager,making me spit the water.

"Acha mughe ziada miss mat karna haan!"

"In your dreams" I shouted back and he left blessing me with the most peaceful music,his giggles.

As he left I went towards our room and after arranging the bed I rested my head at headboard and reminisced his words.

Aap nhi jante apki amanat jitni pakeeza dikhti haina utni hai nhi....jis din aapko Sach pata chalega tab mein bhi aazmaaongi k apki mohabbat sachi hai k nhi!

I tried to convince my heart but I know my man loves me with all his heart and soul.

And with the emerging thoughts I didn't realize when slumber took over me.

..........

MEANWHILE SOMEWHERE IN A DARK ROOM.

Cabir: "Yaar Manik koi clue nhi hai uske bare main hamare paas!"

Rahul:"Haan or kisi ne use aaj tak dekha bhi nhi hai! Hum kese dhoonde use?"

Manik:"Guyz kuch bhi ho we have to find him.I just can't take chances,he can be dangerous!"

Shahid:"Lekin manik bhai ab sirf ek hi insaan hai jo shayad uske bare mein hamein bta sakta hai!"

Manik:"Lekin hum nhi puch sakte us se" Manik ran a hand in his hair and kicked the chair which smashed into tiny pieces.

Cabir:"Dekh Manik ye sab gussa karne or tod phod karne se kuch nhi hoga.Hanein bohot dhyaan rakhna hoga,koi to clue chora hoga na usne!" Cabir spoke while thinking deeply.

Rahul:" Tu fikar mat kar buddy,hum dhoondenge use aur phir wo haal karenge k agle saat janmon tak koi aesa karne k bare mein sochega bhi nhi!" Rahul was gritting his teeth.

Shahid:"Lekin bhai aap bhabhi ko apni asliat baat do warna jab unhe pata chalega to hosakta hai wo aap ko chor dein!"

Manik:"Kabhi nhi mein apni asliat use kabhi pta nhi chlne dunga chahe kuch bhi hojaye!" Somewhere Maniks voice had fear,fear of loosing her.

........

After having a nap I entertained myself by playing games on my mobile and watching TV but I was missing HIM.

Call karti hn inhe.Wese bhi it's 9 aur unhone to kahan tha k shaam tak ajayenge.Hmm I should call him.

Tring Tring..

Bheege hont tere !
Pyaasa dil mera !
Lage abrr sa haan mughe tan tera
Jamke barsa de mughpe ghatayein!
Tu hi meri pyaas!tu hi meri jaan!
Kabhi mere sath koi raat guzar
Tughe subah tak main karun pyaar ha
Oh...oh ....oh...oh....oh...oh!

I palmed my ears instantly.

Aiyappa ! Ye Kia tha ! Chee kaun rakhta hai aesi ringtones ! Main baat hi nhi karungi in se!

I disconnected the call after muttering some curses to him.

Suddenly my cell beeped with his name,Monster Habibi!

I cancelled the call being angry.

Tring Tring.

I canceled.

Tring Tring.

I canceled.

Tring Tring.

This time I didn't cancel. This man will surely make me loose my sanity.

Kahan phasa diya Aiyappa!

"Nandini agar tumne khud se baatein karli ho to ab zara mughse baat karogi!"He said in a sarcastic tone again making me angry.

"Nhi!nhi karni mughe aapse baat" I muttered furiously.

"Kyon kia hua meri jaan"He was laughing.

Monster!

"Ziada masoom ban'ne ki zaroorat nhi hai"I yelled.

"Hahahaaha"

"EK baar ap ghar to ayein!Apka phone nhi tora na mene to mera naam bhi Nandani Mutthy nhi!"

"Malhotra!Meri jaan!Nandini Malhotra!"He chortled and I scrunched my nose up.

"Haan haan wahi! Aur aesi ringtone kon rakhta hai agar kabhi aapke papa ya mumma ka phone aye ya phir koi or phone kare to kia wo apki ye aesi chiiiii,mughe to bolne mein bhi sharam ati hai,ringtone sunenge!"I scolded him trying to knock some brains in his head but his next answer made me quiet immediately,

"Meri jaan! Tumne manik malhotra ko itna saste mein le liya.Arey tumhare liye alag phone rakha hai mene!"He snickered.

"Par kyon?"I asked shockingly

"Wo actually we are couple na aur wese bhi tum itni hot ho k mein tumhara number apne random use wale mobile mein nhi rakh sakta tha sare contacts ko jala dogi apni hotness se."He said while bitting his inner cheeks and I pursed my lips tightly.

"FINE! MUGHE AAPSE BAAT NHI KARNI!GHLTI HOGAI MUGHSE K MENE AAPKO CALL KARLI!" I ended the call after his hysterical giggles peeked my ears.

Suddenly something very loud caught my attention.

Someone was banging the main door furiously.

My heart stopped beating.

I started sweating badly.

My whole body started shivering.

My eyes started flowing.

Nhi !!! Wo aagaya mughe phir se lene!
Mein nhi jaongi uske sath!
ye usi ki aahat hai!

Inhe phone karti hn!

"Suniye!Aap jaldi ghar ajayein!jldi ayein!"I cried loudly.

"Arey kia hua meri jaan ko ?" He instantly panicked.

"Koi hai darwaaze par.Wo mughe lene aagaya hai! Main mar  jaongi,mughe nhi jana uske sath!"I wailed more loudly while curling myself in a ball behind the couch in lounge.

That someone was still beating the door very hard making me breathe heavily.

"Shhh! Meri jaan!Im coming !Jab tak meri saansein chal rahi hain tab tak tumhari saanson ki zimedari meri hai !Bas don't cry mera bacha ! Main aa raha hn !Acha mughse baat karti raho!"
He tried to comfort me and his words actually made me feel better.Somewhere I felt secured.

I didn't realise when the banging stopped.

"Hello ! Hello! Nandini are you there? "My hubby on the other side got panicked as he noticed my silence.

"Kuch to kaho meri jaan! Bas main aagaya ! Hello ?" His voice was getting louder and louder and again I realized.

HE LOVES ME SO MUCH!

BUT I CAN'T LOVE HIM!Main inki zindagi barbaad nhi kar sakti!

My thoughts were disturbed due to the loud horns.

"Nandini! Open the door my baby ! See I'm home!"His voice echoed in my ears and I ran towards the door after throwing the phone on the couch.

"Kahan...the....aap.....mein...mein...kitna..dar...gayi....thi.....pta hai apko!"As soon as I opened the door I hugged him with all my might due to which he stumbled and held the door from one hand or else we would have fallen.

"Ssshhhh!Acha mein aagaya na!Dekho koi nhi hai yahan pe"He kissed my hair trying to calm me down.

"Mughe.....nhi jana uske sath....aap....aap....mughe...bcha....lein.....na....mein...mar... jaongi!"I cried loudly in his chest,my nails must have pierced his skin at back.

"Maine kaha na kuch nhi hoga tumhe!Main hoon na tumhare sath! Bas ab rona band karo!"He kissed my hair again and tried to break the hug but I was literally holding on him.

"Acha ! Let's us go inside!"

"Nhi...mughe....kahin. ..nhi...jana....bas....aapke....paas....rehna hai!"I wailed loudly while holding his shirt more tightly in my palms.

I didn't notice but a smile appeared in his lips after registering my words.

He lifted me in his arms and asked me to close door.I obliged immediately and hid my face in his neck.

"Acha did my Wifey had dinner?" He asked with a smile.

I wasn't crying anymore,being in his arms was most soothing for me.

I moved my head vertically and he glared at me to which I smiled sheepishly.

"Kyon nhi kia haan dinner? Ab agar tum apna dhyan nhi rakhogi,tou strong kese bano gi aur strong nhi bano gi tou meri cricket team kese aayegi dunya main haan? He scolded me and earned my beautiful smile.

We headed towards the dining area and he sat with me in his laps.

He was scared.
He tried to hide his fear but I caught him sweating.

And with me in his arms we had our dinner.

After changing myself into my nightsuit,Iwas arranging my bed when he held my wrist making me turn.

"Nandini!Why did you call me when you needed someone beside you?Why you needed my assurance? Why you cried in my arms?" He asked and I lowered my eyes.

I remained mum.

"Answer me please!"He stated no he begged.

"B...E..CA...USE...I....TR..UST...YOU!"I stuttered still with low eyes.

He chinned me up.His eyes were shining with tears.whereas his lips were curved into a beatiful smile.

"Say again!"He pleaded.

"I trust you!This time I said while looking in his eyes without any hesitation.

And he left my wrist but in next second he lifted me up and twirled me around.

"I LOVE YOU TOO NANDINI" He said laughingly making me annoyed.

"Mene ye nhi kaha!" I slapped his right shoulder.

He was still twirling me.

"Neeche utarein mughe!"I tried to moved my legs tro and fro but nothing seemed to be worked.

Suddenly he stopped twirling me but still I was in the air.He was looking up at me and I was looking down at him.

My palms were resting on his both shoulders.

"EK baar kehdo sirf!" He said with tears dripping from his chin.

"Nhi kahungi!" I stated while my chin wobbled with the intensity of flowing tears.

"Kabhi bhi nhi kahogi?" He asked like a toddler.

"Nhi!kabhi nhi kahungi!"I cried more.

"Agar mein kahun k ye mere jeene ki akhri waja hai phir bhi nhi?" He sniffed.

"To mein pehle mar jaungi.Lekin ye alfaz kabhi nhi kahungi aapse!" I sniffed too.

He put me down and hugged me tightly.

We were crying incoherently in each others arms but my last words made him tightened his grip more around me and his tears on my shoulder started flowing down like heavy rainfall.

"I CAN'T LOVE YOU "

My last words and our unstoppable tears!

.........

Yours
NEW WANDERER!