He put me down and then held my palm,entwining our fingers firmly.

I looked around the cheerful crowd and my eyes got closed instantly.I was far away from this limelight for four years.Facing this materialistic world once again twitched my heart and tears pooled in my eyes as I reminisced the cruel past of mine.

I wrapped my other arm around his arm and buried my face in his bicep,still not wanting to face the world.

"Ssshhh! Main hn na tumhare sath!" I heard him whispering in my ear softly but I shook my head in his bicep denying him to face the world.

"Tumne dekha how happy Harsh is after seeing you!"He whispered again and I sniffed before pulling my face out.

Bhaiya who was standing with Sunaina a little far from us was smiling wholeheartedly.A tear fell from his eye and he wiped it before coming towards us.

"I'll always be indebted to you for this!"He caressed my cheeks wiping my tears and I tried not to cry anymore.

"Hey Nandani!"Sunaina who was looking ethereal in a light pink ghagra choli put forth her hand.

"Hye!" Muttering feebly I raised my shivering palm and she shook it firmly while giving me a mind blowing smile.

My eyes located Rahul and Cabir bhai standing near bar counter.They were looking towards us only.They waved at me and I smiled a little in back.

"Manahil kahan hai?" Sniffing I wiped my tears and asked Bhaiya.

"She is playing in jumping castle!" Bhaiya smiled and I frowned.

"Wo akeli hai bahir?"I freaked out and before I could step forward her father spoke, "Nhi she is not alone!Shahid hai uske sath!"

I sighed and then my eyes caught our entwined palms.Raising my eyes at him slowly I took my palm back,and his soft eyes turned rigid again.

"Main theek hn!" I muttered feebly moving a little away from him and he turned his face on other side,sinking a shallow breath.

"Umm Hagemaru! Decorations kese lage?" Bhaiya chirped understanding the building tension between us.

"Beautiful Bhaiya! Very Beautiful!" I smiled wandering my eyes all around the ceiling and walls which were covered with pink roses and white pearls.

"Main Manahil ko dekh kar ati hn!" I smiled at Bhaiya and he nodded moving aside with Sunaina.In these four years only thing which happened good was Bhaiya and Sunaina falling in love with each other.  

I took a step ahead when my eyes rotated around the crowd.There were too many man.What if they recognised me?What if they made fun of me again?

The thought of being a party material scared the shit out of me and I turned only to stop by my man who wrapped his arm around my tummy,refraining me to walk more. 

"Kahan ja rahi ho?"He asked sternly.

"Nhi..hoga...mughse!"I cried shaking my head and he shook his head at me sternly.

"Mughe..nhi..aana...sab...k...
samne!"I pleaded and he curved his arm back around my waist pulling me closer to him.

"Main hn na!Tumhe mughpe bharosa nhi hai?"His eyes were so sincere that I drowned in them.

"Yeah! Right ! Tumhe mughpe bharosa nhi hai!"Assuming my silence as a no he left my waist and looked on other side,his nostrils flaring in no moment.

I closed my eyes drinking my tears back when I heard a voice, "Mama jani!"

I looked down feeling a tug on my saree.

"Hmm minno Kiya hua?"Wiping my tears hastily I caressed her chin.

She raised her arms tiredly asking me to pick her up and I smiled before picking her up in my arms.

"Aapko neeni aa rahi haina minno?" My voice turned cold as she dug her face in my neck while holding my hair and started sucking her thumb.

I tried so hard to make her sleep in evening so that she would be fresh for night but she has turned so stubborn that she didn't sleep instead she wanted to play with her father.

"Manahil! You are not sleeping now!"I took my hair back from her palm and she pulled her face out from my neck.

"Mughe neeni aa lahi haina!"She whined,close to cry and I showed her my eyes.

"Maine aapse kaha tha na k thori der so jao!Lekin aapko mama ki koi baat samagh hi nhi ati!" I blabbered angrily and in next moment her lower lip was out.

"Rona nhi!"I widened my eyes,warning her and her lips parted,emitting a loud cry.

"Why are you scolding her!Bachi hai yaar!"Her father took her from my arms breaking my angry glare at her.

"Acha chlo so jao meri guriya!Baba k paas so jao!"He cuddled her gently in his arms and Manahil clutched his hair,sucking her thumb.

"Kuch khaya bhi nhi hai isne!Abhi soyegi tou phir adhi raat main uth kar beth jayegi!" I continued to look at her with worried  eyes when she scowled at me opening her teary eyes, "Nhi uthungi main adhi laat ko!"

I glared at her and she again hid her face in her fathers shoulder making him chuckle.

"Aap has kiya rahe ho!Dekho tou sahi kitni ziddi hogayi hai ye!"I shook my head at Manahil and her father looked at me with a smile.I had addressed him for the first time,so what unknowingly but I had did and this must've made him happy. 

"Koi baat nhi! I think we should let her sleep!" He kissed a sniffing Manahil's temple and I nodded sighing.We turned towards stairs when Bhaiya called us from behind.

"Arey kahan ja rahe ho tum donu?"

"Bhaiya! Manahil is sleeping Bas use change kara k sula kar ati hn!" I answered plainly while Bhaiya gave me a look.

"Come on Hagemaru its time to exchange rings and don't tell me you are not going to be here with me!" He complained childishly and I smiled.

"Only two minutes bhaiya !" I gave him the most convincing smile and he nodded not so likely.

"Minno!Bas jaldi se change kar lo!Phir aap so jaana!" As we reached room I took Manahil from her father's arms and she frowned getting disturbed.

As I sat on bed after making her lay infront,she rubbed her eyes,crying again.

"Bas do minute mera bacha!Aap khud nhi so paoge aese kapron main!" Hurriedly I took off her pumps and made her sit to open the zip of her gown which was on back.

"Suno first drawer main Manahil ka night suite hai wo dena mughe!" Being oblivion to our current problems I spoke as normally as husband and wife converse with each other.

"Bas ssshh hogaya!"I made her wear her night suite which her father gave me before sitting on other side of bed.

"Minno eat something then sleep!Haan mama aap k liye khana le kar ayein?"I held her in my laps trying to wake her but she shook her head stubbornly.

"Baal...chahiye!"She cried with closed eyes and I laid on bed with her in my arms.

"Baba jani!"She stretched her arm towards her father and I looked at him.If sleeping with him was getting Manahil's habit then this wasn't good,no way. 

"Minno!Were you playing alone in jumping castle?"I tried to divert her attention but she turned her face towards her father ignoring me completely. 

"Baba...!"She hiccuped and her father pulled off his kurta before laying beside us.

"Ji baba ki jaan!"He moved closer to us and took Manahil in his arms. 

"Itna sara rona?Meri guriya Kyon roti hai itna!"He caressed her cheeks lovingly,wiping her tears and Manahil sniffed.

She curled her arm around his neck and clutched his hair but soon left them as she was more habitual to my hair.

She turned towards me and I stretched my arm towards her with a smile. "Mama k paas aao minno!"Inspite of being near her father she missed me and it made me happy.I know I was getting greedy for my daughters love but I can't help it.She is the only one whom I love so much.

"Nhi aap idhal ayein!"
She pointed her finger at her fathers chest and my smile vanished.

"Manahil ya aap apne baba k paas so jao ya mere paas!Ye fuzool harkatein karne ki koi zaroorat nhi hai apko!" I lashed out abruptly and she looked at me for a moment before bursting out in tears.Her little demands weren't leading to right way.

"Nandani!" Manik scowled at me and I stood up from bed.

"Mama!"Manahil sat and started rubbing her toes vigorously on bed,crying loudly as she saw me going towards window.

"Minno!"He tried to calm her down when she threw her head back stubbornly making her head collapse with the backboard behind.

"Aaaahhh!"She cried loudly while palming her head which she got banged and I ran towards her, "Manahil!" while her father picked her up in his laps immediately.

"Mera bacha!Kia kar rahe ho aap!"He turned so worried as Manahil started crying harder.He rubbed her head while peeping into her hazel brown hair trying to find if she got any lump on her skull.

"Give her to me!" Hurriedly I sat on bed infront of them and took Manahil from him who adhered to me like I was her last wish.  

"Mama!Dald ho laha hai!"She cried while rubbing her head and I pulled her face in my chest. "Hoga na!Meri minno k kaam hi aese hain!"I rubbed her head while shaking my head and she cried more.

"Bas!Ab so jao!Mama ki achi beti haina minno!"I tapped her back before laying her in my laps and wiped her cheeks.

She nodded at me before clutching my hair and soon after sucking her thumb for more five minutes she slept on my laps.I stopped tapping her head and shaking my lap as she finally entered into a deep slumber.

My eyes rotated upwards and his inquisitive angry eyes were fixed on me which jittered me for a second.

Ignoring him I stood up from bed and moved towards my side,laying Manahil there. 

Before I could even take a breath my wrist was clutched harshly and I was pulled into the corner of room.

"Kia kar rahe hain aap?Choriye mughe!" I struggled while whispering angrily to him and he pursed his lips,furiously.

"Samaghti kia ho tum apne aap ko!Haan?"Leaving my wrist he clutched my shoulders.His eyes were so white hot that I blinked my eyes several times to adjust to their intensity.

"Manahil uth jayegi!Chodein mughe!"I threatened him with my wide angry eyes and he pulled me even closer.

"First answer me!Are you a kid?Bachi k sath bachi ban rahi ho!Wo na-samagh hai Nandani use hum,humari problems ki wajah se hurt nhi kar sakte!"His voice turned low a little as he tried to make me understand.

"I know how to deal with my daughter!You better stay away from us Mr.Malhotra!"I clenched my jaws,giving him the most angry glare and pushed his chest with my all might resulting into my freedom.

I turned to go  when he held my arm and twisted it behind my back. "Ouch!" I shrieked feeling sudden pain.

"Don't instigate me Nandani!Main tumse pyaar se baat kar raha hn iska faida mat uthao!"He growled in my ear from behind and a tear slipped from my eye.

"Pyaar se tou baat karna bhool chuke hain aap Manik!" I cried with closed eyes and he noticed his iron grip on my arm.

He left my arm with a jerk.Guilt must've flashed in his eyes seeing red finger marks around my arm.

"Sorry!" I heard his meek voice and I turned to look at him.

"Kyon nhi chale jate aap phir se?"I spoke severely with tears escaping from my eyes.

He turned stiff.

"Main.aapse.mohabbat.nhi.karti!Aapki soorat dekhne se bhi takleef hoti hai mughe!" My voice jiggled but I continued to say.My heart was dying a million deaths seeing his face falling and tears clouding in his eyes.

"Aap meri mohabbat k laiq nhi hain Manik !" I stepped forward and looked into his eyes.My eyes conveying the hidden message and more tears escaped from his eyes.

"You are wrong!Actually tum meri mohabbat k laiq nhi ho!"He clutched my upper arms suddenly and snarled.

"Nhi hn!"I shook my head,my lips quivering because of intensity of tears. 

He tried peeping into my eyes and I lowered them out of shame.

"Tum janti hona tum jaan ho meri!"I know he was crying just like me,harsh and loud.

"Haan Manik ki jaan ho!Khabar haina tumhe!" He pulled me more closer and I shook my head.

"Just leave!" I shouted while pushing him and he stumbled back,tears falling rapidly from his eyes.

"I.SAID.LEAVE!" I shouted more caring least about my sleeping daughter.Upon listening my shout agitation flashed in his eyes and he pinned me on the wall behind.His palms clutching my shoulders in steely grip while his body pressed against my body.I looked at him with fierce eyes and tried raising my palms up to push him.

"Enough!"He glowered at me angrily seeing my struggle and leaving my one shoulder he clutched my both palms forcefully before pinning them above my head.

"Main tumse pyaar se baat karta hn tumhe pasand nhi shayad!" He held my jaws in his palm and gritted while I didn't totter even for a second,my teary eyes glaring at him with same intensity.

"Mughe aapka pyaar hi nhi pasand!Samjhe aap!"I snarled and he pressed my jaws more, "Nandani!" 

"I'm saying truth Mr.Malhotra I hate your love!Aapki mohabbat se nafrat hai mughe!Arey aap jesi mohabbat paane se acha tou insaan mar jaye!Mughe ghin ati hai aapki moha....."My angry words left in my mouth as another mouth hovered over mine.My eyes widened,I stood there ramrod,tears cascading down my cheeks like a stream. 

"Meri mohabbat ko mat azmaao Nandani!Jis shiddat se pyaar kar sakta hn uss shiddat se nafrat bhi kar sakta hn!"He threatened me calmly in his placid tone after breaking the lip lock.He left my palms and jaws while I stared at him with my empty eyes. 

He turned and took steps towards door when realisation dawned upon me.

How dare he kissed me?

Stomping towards him I clutched his shoulder before he could open the door and without giving second heed to my thought I swatted his cheek with a wild and red slap.

His palm went to held his just slapped cheek and he took it back feeling blood on his fingers.At that time my heart shivered when he raised his menacing lashes at me.I was about to step back when he grasped my head and placed his bleeding lips over mine leaving me wide-eyed once again.

"Mmmmm..mmm!" I tried taking my lips back,by pushing his chest but his palm was clutching my head so strongly that nothing worked. 

He bit my lips remorselessly emitting out his all anger and I continued to struggle.After sucking my lips like a hungry lion he pulled his mouth back.His chest expanded and contracted against my shuddering chest as he gasp some harsh breaths.

A smirk embellished his lips and he wiped his mouth with the back of his palm. "Man'na parega Inn honton ko choomne ka maza hi kuch aur hai!" He smirked seeing my teary eyes and torn lips.

My fist was getting clenched,my jaws were pressed into thin line.I was so angry at that moment that I felt like to eat him raw.

I raised my fist to punch him but he held my wrist on the very accurate minute.He looked at my fist and then at me, "Being feisty uhh?" A dirty smile crawled up on his lips before he jerked my wrist and clutched my waist leaving me flinch in his arms. "Ab tou har raat aaonga!Tumhe khabar haina ye nasha tha mera,Sharabi tha main inn honton ka aur ye jaam tha mera!" He gave me a smug smile and left my waist. 

I was in state of shock when he spoke cockily, "Ek thappar lagao na!" He turned his right cheek towards me and I fisted my both palms,controlling myself.

"Aap se ziada kameena insaan nhi dekha maine!"These words full of hatred automatically left my mouth and he chuckled turning his face towards me. "Aur inn honton se ziada meetha koi jaam nhi piya maine!" He winked and pecked my lips once again before leaving the room.

I blinked my lashes slowly,my fingers caressed my puffed just kissed lips.

Aiyappa!Ek ghante main teen teen chummian le gaye ye tou!

........

Seriously I don't know what I've written!As I told I'm out on a foreign trip so I'm not getting enough time!Dont ask for immediate updates because I can't write regularly!
Pardons if found this chapter crap!🙈
Awaiting for your response!

Yours
New Wanderer!