Hello lovelies

Well, I know I was on a huge break and that was only because I had exam this month. I was preparing it from long and I wanted to focus on that

I'm finally done with it. So regular updates are back...
Please let me know if all of you are still around..?

So target is 100+ votes and comments
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I'm not even setting a very high target. Totally doable, given that views go upto 500 for one update
Please...

Happy reading:

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Nandini:

Laughter bubbled up in the mansion as I and mom looked through the photographs scattered on the living room table. It was almost evening since I returned back from the highway and Manik Anurag didn't. Gauging the fact that they might be aware of the fact that I'm upset about everything. My phone displayed the tons of missed calls from Manu, Manik and Anurag. Yet, I didn't find the reason to pick it.

They might justify for what happened today. Honestly I don't even know why am I upset. Indeed it was their part of story to tell. And there are chances that Manik would've known about it by chance. There's no guarantee that they themselves came up and say.

The only complain I have is that I didn't even have a slightest idea about it. Mannat shared everything with me. Even when she was getting out with Shivansh, I was the one who knew everything. This distance is not what I'm liking. I don't know what changed.

My thoughts were harshly interrupted when the doors of mansion snapped open. I did not avert my gazefrom the photographs, having an idea about who it might be.

"Ab aa rahe ho tum log?" Maa questioned, quickly gathering all the pictures. I could feel their gazes on me but I did not budge.

"Ha woh..." Manik started but I immediately interrupted.

"Maa." Their attention shifted towards me. "Inko bataiye na hum kya baat kar rahe the." My words wrapped in sugar syrup poured out.

Manik narrowed his gaze at me, unsure of how he should take this. Where as Anurag looked scared and continued to pass me puppy glances. I chose not to budge.

"Oh yes!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Anurag, I want you to get married." I saw his eyes twinkling and reaching out for me.

"Don't react too soon Anu." I thought, chuckling.

"Really maa?" He excitedly asked.

She nodded, "See, we have even started to look for a girl?" His face lost all its colors and blank eyes reached out for me.

"I know right." I spoke faking the excitement. "Even I need a devrani." I shrugged.

"Nandini?" Manik called for me while I chose to stay oblivious to his call. I was aware of the disbelieve gazes of my husband and brother-in-law but why should boys have all the fun?

"Usse aise matt dekh." Maa chided, "Even I want him to get married. Here, have them and tell me if you like any." She handed Anurag the pile of photographs who just stood there wordlessly without any expressions. "It's late now and even Raj won't come back soon. You have had a long day, just go to bed, okay?" I smiled at her care and gently nodded at Maa's words and watched her walking away discreetly.

Having no option, my eyes went to the brothers who were looking at me. One, that assumes himself to be my husband holding confused gaze and other blank one.

Biting my lips, I stood up in an attempt to move away only to stop as a voice reached, "I really love her Bhabhi." A weak, nonchalant voice reached out for me. I turn back and only to stumble behind, witnessing Anurag in front of me, on his knees, eyes down.

I gasped, "Anurag..."

He shook his head, "I'm aware how hurt you must be. I don't blame you for the reaction given, it was you who witnessed her past properly. But I love her a lot bhabhi." And for the first time, his welled up eyes lifted themselves to see me, "Uske alawa kisi se shadi karne ke bare me soch bhi nahi sakta." My heart was filled with the warmth his words were providing. He held my hands, tears on the verge of escaping the bondage of his self control. "I'll die without her Bhabhi. Please." His voice broke and head dropped, shoulders shaking with the sensation.

I sighed at his words and knelt down in front of him. I gently cupped his cheeks and made him look at me, "Stop crying." I softly uttered, wiping those tears that streamed down.

He frantically nodded, "Hurting you was the last thing in our mind. I swear."

A small smile took its place on my lips, "You shouldn't be apologizing Anu. And, I have no right to stay angry given, it should be yours and hers decision."

"If Bhai has rights to know what is going on, you hold an upper hand over him too. Kaise hak nahi hai aapka?" He sniffed, looking down.

I chuckled, "Look here." My hands gently lifted his face, "I know you. You don't have to explain me about your love for her. If she has chosen you after her past, she must've seen something in you as a partner." I coaxed him as his demeanor pretended to fall down completely. "Now get up."

We got up. My eyes went to my husband, who was the silent spectator of the conversation between me and him.

"These words are for Anurag. You will have to bellofy papad Mr. Malhotra." I thought, smiling sarcastically when he tried cooing me with his sweet smile.

"But..." He started, quite confused after my statement. "Those pictures? Marriage?" A cough escaped my throat as his question erupted out.

"That...is maa for you." I chuckled nervously.

"Now you are aware right. Just convince her that I don't want to marry." He hurriedly pleaded, eyes moving behind me to avoid any traces of Maa coming up.

I chuckled at his actions and nodded, "I won't."

His eyes came on me, shocked by my statement, "Hein?"

"Yes. I mean, this is your relationship, and now you must fight for it." I shrugged. He pulled his lips for a pout and then glanced at Manik, probably gesturing him to convince me. "Udhar matt dekho. Koi help nahi milegi." I nudged him. "Just say to maa that you don't want to marry." I carelessly said, plopping myself on the couch.

He frowned, "Who said I don't want to marry?"

My eyes widened, "Which means you want to marry those girls?"

"What? No!" He urgently exclaimed. "I meant, I want to get married, maybe in future. But to her. Not to...these." He said, giving disgusted expressions to the photographs maa handed him and threw it on the table. I giggled at his tensed expressions. He sighed, "Aap jake rest karo bhabhi. I'll handle this mess." He spoke quietly.

I stood up and walked to him, "Tum karo jo karna hai. Kuch hua toh tumhare Bhai Bhabhi hai sambhalne ke liye. Theek hai?" I couldn't miss the slight smile on my man's face behind. My heart went wild at the mere glance of his smile.

No no. I mentally shook my head. You have to stay angry Nandini.

Don't slip on this sky smile.

Anurag's expressions softened at my words. Next I knew, I was taken into a bear hug by him, "I'm sorry bhabhi."

"It's okay." I hit his head gently as he chuckled and stepped back. "I'll go. You talk to Mannat ones." He nodded and I moved to go towards my room, ignoring the presence of one man who was passing me all his longing looks.

I bit my lips and averted my gaze before stepping towards the stairs. I could hear his footsteps approaching me. My heartbeat accelerated and steps quickened itself.

I'm not angry. But a little pretendence won't harm. A bit of pampering isn't wrong, is it.

I giggled at my thoughts mischievously and entered my room. I attempted to close the door but the attempt went futile as his hands grabbed the door. I was using both of my hands while he was just standing there using one hand.

I gulped as his intense brewed pores on my skin. I stumbled behind, leaving room for him to enter.

Oh this is going to be fun.

End:

Manik:

When a person becomes a book to you, reading becomes your passion. Her expressions give away what her heart wishes to convey. It would be a lie if I say that her intraction with my brother did not evoke the sense of jealousy in me.

Here she wasn't even talking to me and that unplanned boy is getting all of her love and attention.

Iske wajah se mein phasa aur ab meri hi naiyaa dub gayi

Even though the news of his marriage shocked both of us, something in me told that something else was going in background. And confronting my wife about it right now was equal to pouring oil in fire.

As her steps quickened towards our room, I couldn't help but discreetly follow her. I love the fact that she assumes to hide about her feelings and think that I won't find it out.

Her eyes came to mine, everytime her conversation with anurag halted for a moment. Albeit she averts it everytime, but that made me realize that my beloved wife isn't upset with me, but longs for some pampering and attention.

Little did she know, even her breath manages to grasp my attention. Her mere existence leads me to madly fall in love with her, even more than I am now.

I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief at her futile attempts of shutting the door. Her eyes went fury and foot immediately took a step back. I stepped inside as her steps fumbled to give space for me.

"Someone is upset." I commented, taking steps towards her. She simply rolled her eyes and walked off towards the closet. I found myself following her, only to witness her fishing out her night wears. She attempted to pass by me but my hands immediately found their way towards her wrist to jalt her movements.

"Jane do Manik." She murmured, her wrist wriggling under my hold.

I chuckled at her endeavour and jerked her towards me. Her back crashed with my chest and lips near her ears, "Abhi na jao chod kar." The silent atmosphere echoed with the subtle gasp that escaped her lips, "Ke dil abhi bhara nahi."

My eyes couldn't miss the light smile that formed on her lips until she chose to control it. I sighed and wrapped my hands around her waist from behind, smuggling deeper into her neck, "Chote se kusur pe aise ho khafa." I sang, planting chaste kiss on her skin. "Ruthe toh huzoor the meri kya khata." Gently turning her around to fill my eyes with her dark ones. "Dekho dil na todo?"

She giggled at my gesture but promptly straightened up, narrowing her eyes at our joined hands, "Chodo haath chodo."

My eyes darkened. I pulled her closer to me, placing her hands on my chest and in turn enveloping them in mine, "Chod diya toh haath maloge samjhi?" Her audible inhalation was a turn on for me. Everything we did few days ago came rushing.

Her eyes softened at my gesture, which hit my like an arrow. She isn't upset now. But was upset before. That thought drove me to the conclusion, and I did what I had to.

I dropped myself on both of my knees before her, holding her hands in mine, "Bura na maano baat ka, yeh pyar hai..." My left hand traveled my ears and held it, "Gila nahi."

Her lips broke up to give out the most beautiful smile that lights my world. She dropped herself before me, her eyes glistening. She softly pulled away my hand from my ears and nodded in a no and said, "Jo khatam ho kisi jagah, yeh aisa silsila nahi."

"I'm sorry." I murmured, caressing her cheeks softly.

She shook her head, "I am not upset."

I had no explanation. I am aware that she wasn't upset. Maybe she convinced herself that it was their part of story to tell or understood that I would've had my own reasons. This isn't wrong but I couldn't help but gauge the disappointment her eyes held when she came to know that I was aware about everything. "No. You aren't forgiving me like this." I might sound stubborn but she needs to realize that if she's upset with me, she held all rights to demand explanations.

She chuckled, "What do you want me to do?"

"Punish me." Two words escaped my lips effortlessly.

"What?" She laughed at my words and shook her head. As she laughed over the conversation, my heart couldn't control the acceleration as her laughter echoed in this room. The laugh that brightens up my day, my life. The shining eyes that stare deep into mine, claiming not only my soul, but also my oblivion.

Oh Manik Malhotra, you are so doomed!

End:

Precap: Damage Control

Hello everyone

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Nandini Anurag moments?
I know I was not here for a long time but now I am here. Please stick around?

Lots of love

~
Mahak