"Armaan!" I shouted and Armaan who was sitting in mandap  looked up.His eyes widened seeing me and then stopped at Nandani.He must've noticed her filled hairline.

My roar made everybody whip their heads at us.I heard several gasps but I was least bothered to them.

Mughe jo karna tha wo kar lia maine!

Armaan stood up from mandap and marched towards us not before thrashing his sehra in some corner of the hall,angrily.

I pulled Nandani behind me.She was still numb which was scaring shit out of me but only she left me with no option.Ive to do this or else we couldn't be together,never.

I smirked at an angry Armaan and he raised his fist to punch me,
"MANIK!"

Before he could fulfil his dream to punch me I held his fist in air only.A cocky smile replacing my smirk.

"In your dreams Mr.Armaan! In your dreams!"I chuckled sarcastically and jerked his fisted palm back.

"Main tughe chorunga nhi!How dare you fill her hairline?Wo tughse pyaar nhi karti! She loves me!"Armaan shouted and I gave him a bored look.

"Hogya? Chal ab patli gali pakar!" I shrugged and gestured him towards the open door making him purse his lips angrily.

"Kia zamana aa gaya hai dulha mandap main betha hai aur dulhan apne ashiq se shadi kar gayi! Arey kuch nhi tou kam az kam apne mare hue baap ka hi lihaz kar leti!"A whisper and my eyes shot up at its direction.The lady standing beside Kamini aunty was muttering venomously while Kamini aunty was busy shooting daggers at Nandani.

"Jahan tak mughe yaad hai Mrs.Arora apki beti ghar se do baar bhaag chuki hai! Aur apke mian ji teen baar bhaag chuke hain!"I spoke with tight smile and her face omitted all colour. My eyes turned sharp and I glared at her asking her to shut her shitty mouth.

"Agar kisi ne Nandani ki taraf ankh bhi utha kar dekha tou main uska wo haal karunga k khud ko dekhne laiq bhi nhi bachega!"I sneered while roaming my eyes at every guest and atlast they stopped at Kamini aunty.I glowered at her,threatening not to utter a word against my love or else she would see worst of me.
I know her tongue was churning to abuse Nandani.

"Nandani is mine! Main nhi manta ye sab!"Armaan growled and tried to hold Nandanis palm when I kept my palm on his chest.

"NANDANI.MANIK.MALHOTRA!Meri biwi hai,zubaan sambhaal k baat kar!"I growled back and then lowered my voice inquisitively.I felt Nandani shivering behind me as she clutched my shirt in her palms.

"BUT SHE DOESNT LOVE YOU!"Armaan shouted being exasperated and punched me on my face.

That punch was so unexpected that my face tripped sideways due to the sharp intake of his knuckles.
My jaws tightened and my knuckles turned white as I realised blood dripping out of my nose.I raised my lashes up at Armaan and believe me he stumbled back seeing that cruel monster awakening in my eyes.

Before I could beat him black and blue Nandani came in front.
Her eyes teared up as she touched my nose which was bleeding.
"Why?"A tear escape from her eye and my eyes softened.

"For you!"I whispered back with a smile.

"Nandani! I know you love me!Move! Today I'll end this bastard's case!"Armaan bellowed and Nandani closed her teary eyes before turning towards him.

"NO! I DONT LOVE YOU!I.LOVE.MANIK! DID YOU HEAR ME? I LOVE MANIK!"Nandani rasped leaving everyone standing there astonished.

Even I stood there with open mouth.A sensation of joy tingled in my heart.

She turned towards me and cupped my cheeks,her tears flowing like a river.
"I love you Manik! I love you bachpan se!"

She wiped my blood with her shivering fingers.
"Sirf tumse Manik! Sirf tumse!"She cried bitterly and I nodded while holding her palm and kissing it.My eyes teary too.

She wrapped her arms around my neck,bursting into cries and I hugged her back,happily.

My eyes fell on bua maa.She was sitting all silent in one corner and maa was standing beside her crying along with Shraddha di while Dad looked stiffened,no emotions lingering in his eyes.

All guests slowly slowly moved out considering it our personal matter.Only now Mehras were left.

"I told you Armaan ! She is one characterl..."Before Kamini aunty could complete her words,her eyes recognised my hazardous glare on her and she gulped.

"Let's go from here!"Battling her lashes nervously at me she spoke and walked towards Armaan.

"I'm sorry Armaan!"Nandani broke the hug and turned to apologise Armaan.Armaan looked at her with hurtful eyes before glancing at me.

"Aapse naaraaz main ho bhi nhi sakta Nandani,pyaar jo kar betha hn aapse!"Rolling his eyes towards Nandani again he spoke tearfully and Nandani lowered her eyes.I took a deep breath,trying to ignore his spoken words.

"I'm-sorry-Armaan! But I only love-Manik!"Nandani cried and Armaan chuckled humourlessly.

"It's not your fault it's my fault Nandani that you don't love me!Shayad hamari jodi bani hi tutne k liye thi!"He muttered and looked at me. "Tune mughse mera pyaar cheena hai,agle janam mein,main tughse tera pyaar cheen lunga!"He wiped his trickling tear and I stood there giving him a nonchalant look.Somewhere I felt sad for him but I was happy too.It was his fault,after all I tried a thousand times to make him understand but he didn't.

He glanced at Nandani lastly before stomping out off the house along with that kameeni aunty.

"Mr.Raj Malhotra! Our friendship ends here! Mughe afsos rahega k aap jaise bad-tehzeeb logo k sath kabhi rishta raha tha hamara!"Mehra uncle eyed dad with abhorrent eyes when I opened my mouth to utter something but dad raised his eyes at me,asking me to shut up.

"Umeed karta hn phir kabhi mulaqat na ho aap logo se!"Mehra uncle left finally.

I held Nandani's palm who was staring at bua maa with hopeful eyes.

She looked at me with teary eyes and I pressed my lashes at her.
"Sssshhh! Main hn na!" 

Smiling at her i held her palm more firmly before walking towards dad.

"Dad!Im sorry!Don't be mad please! I really love...."Before I could complete my words our mansion echoed with a thunderous slap.The ladies there gasped and maa immediately came towards us.

"Dad!"I whispered with teary eyes when again I felt his palm slapping my just slapped cheek.

"Raj!" A crying mom tried to hold dad's palm but dad jerked her hand away.

"Don't! Don't dare to come between us Suman!" Dad glared at mom angrily and mom stepped back,unwontedly.

"Mr.Manik! Pack your bags and leave my house RIGHT NOW!"Dad hollered while clutching my one collar and a tear slipped from my eye.

Mom and di palmed their mouths crying hard while bua maa was still sitting silent in one corner.

"Mama ji!"Nandani left my palm and came between us.

Dad averted his eyes as Nandani joined her palms infront of him.
"It's all my mistake mama ji!Manik is nowhere at fault!Agar koi ghar chor kar jayega tou it will be me because I'm the root cause of every problem!"She cried but her words widened my eyes.

"Have you gone mad!Pagal hogayi ho tum?"Clutching her elbow I turned her harshly towards me.

"Sahi tou keh rahi hai! Ye laiq hi nhi hai iss ghar main rehne ke"Bua maa snapped while staring at Nandani and she lowered her eyes crying more hard.

I looked at bua maa with pleading eyes when she stood up and walked towards us.

"Chli ja yahan se! Bohot bari hogayi hai na tu! Jaa apni zindagi,apne tareeqe se jee le phir!"Bua maa cried.Hurt and anger reflecting in her tone very clearly.I left Nandani's arm letting her turn towards her mom.

"Mom!"Nandani cried while falling in bua maa's feet and bua maa immediately kneeled down.

"Don't call me your mom! I'm not your mom anymore! Maa se aese chupate haina sab!"She cupped Nandanis wobbling cheeks and Nandani kept her gaze downcast.

"I'm-sorry Mom! Main-dar-gayi-thi-bohot!"

"Maa hn teri! Teri khushi se barh kar kuch nhi hai mere liye!" Bua maa held her cheeks more firmly making Nandani look at her. 

"I'm sorry!"Nandani whispered while staring at bua maa and bua maa hugged her after shaking her head.

"Idiot!"She slapped Nandanis head while hugging her tightly making her smile amidst her tears.

I smiled at them and wiped a tear which didn't know when escaped from my eye.Suddenly I felt a sharp pain on my cheek,once again.

"Dad?"I looked at Dad,stunned.

"What are you smiling at ? Maine kuch kaha tughe ! Nikal ja mere ghar se!"He spoke rudely and I looked at him with hurtful eyes,my eyes getting scratchy in no time.

Nandani immediately stood up from floor along with bua maa.

"Nhi Mama ji! Sab meri galti hai ! Aap mughe saza dein na k Manik ko!"She pleaded and Dad turned his eyes at me.

"Saza tou tughe mil hi rahi hai,iss bewaqoof k sath zindagi bhar rehna parega jo ab tughe!"Dad muttered in same tone but I was standing there all gloomy.

The ladies behind me chuckled and my mind clicked what dad muttered.

I looked at him with wide amused eyes and he smiled,opening his arms.

"Oye khote aaja yaar!"

And I was hugging him tight crying like I used to when I was a child. 

Dad gestured Nandani to join the hug too and she did it happily.

"I love you Dad! I love you!"I cried harder and he patted my  shoulder.I know he was also in tears. 

"May God bless you both!"He kissed our heads before breaking the hug.

"Kar lia na jo karna tha! Itna ziddi hogya hai tu !"Mom pulled my red nose while crying and I kissed her cheeks before hugging her. 

"Akhir beta tou apka hi hn na! Mughe pta hai dad aapko bhaga k hi laye the!"I spoke playfully in her ear to stop her cries and she slapped my bicep making me wince.
"Badmaash!"She glared at me with a smile and I chuckled while hugging her tight.

"Ab tou Nandani hamari bhabhi ban gayi!"Shraddha di chirped coming towards me and everyone's eyes located Nandani who lowered her eyes,blushing.

Oye hoye gol-gappi! Kitna zulm karogi iss dil par!

I rubbed my nape while biting my lower lip when Di dashed her elbow with me.

"Finally She is yours!"She spoke with true happiness in her eyes.

"Mine! All mine!"I whispered while staring at Nandani with all that love which I hold for her.

...........

Thankyou bhagwaan ji! Thankyou !

After taking seven vows and doing all those wedding rituals we all thought to rest for a time being and till then house cleaners were supposed to clean the house.

Though Manik was hoping that I would come to his room oops our room but I shook my head at him shyly before running towards my room and latching it before he could enter. 

Currently I was standing infront of mirror,all fresh n up in a cool black top and white skirt. 

I caressed my hairline which was filled by Manik and immediately my cheeks turned scarlet,realising I was his wife now. 

Shaking my head shyly I kissed my mangalsutra before blow drying my hair.I was happy,very happy.

My stomach growled suddenly leaving me groan.

Kal sham se kuch nhi khaya maine!

Pouting I turned off the dryer and walked towards door.

Jaldi se kuch kha leti hn!

I made my way to the kitchen and peeped in fridge,trying to find something eatable.Actually the food which was cooked for my wedding,remained untouched thus it was decided that it would be distributed among needy people.Sighing I closed fridge upon finding nothing when suddenly a pizza was raised infront of me.

My eyes twinkled and my mouth watered immediately,
"Pizza!"I exclaimed happily while rubbing my palms,all ready to grab that pizza and gulped it down but before I could even touch it,it was taken back leaving me frowned.

"Not like this wifey ! Aese pizza nhi milega!"Someone very familiar from behind whispered in my ear and I shivered when he blew air on my silky hair.

Gulping I turned to face Manik and he smirked seeing my condition.No wonder,just his breaths sizzles the blood in my veins.

"P-pizza!"I made a puppy face while pointing towards pizza which he was holding up in air and he shook his head negatively while taking steps back.I pouted at him while moving towards him and he continued to take steps back.Unknowingly he was taking me to his room and I being greedy for pizza didn't understand his trick.

See how smartly he plays with my innocence.Huhh! Monster Manik !

He stepped in his room and I entered too while eyeing pizza with my watering mouth.

"Pizza chahiye gol-gappi?"He asked innocently and I nodded,pouting.

"Ohk! Eat then !" Smiling,he forwarded the pizza and I raised my palms happily to grab it when he again took it back making me frown again.

"Manik kiya hai?Im hungry!"I nagged like a child annoyingly and he muttered in his breath,
"Even I'm hungry!" Which I didn't hear.

"Hmm? What you said ?"I wriggled my brows and he shook his head with a tight smile,
"Nothing!"

"Acha you can eat pizza but on one condition!"He spoke plainly and I nodded without thinking,
"Go ahead!"

"You'll eat pizza and I'll do my work! You won't stop me ok?"Some kind of mischief flashed in his eyes as he tried to maintain innocence in his words.

"Ohk ! Arey tumhe jo karna hai tum karo! Why will I stop you ! Now give me my pizza !"I snatched pizza box from him and sat on the edge of bed keeping pizza beside.Unknown to me I had granted him permission and the cheeky smile playing on his lips was proving how happy he was on his victory.

Awww mera kamina pappu!

I was so busy in relishing pizza that I didn't realise when he locked the door and sat beside me on bed.

He titled his face towards my neck when I turned towards him leaving him jerk behind instantly.I raised my brows at him,my mouth full with pizza and he shook his head at me while smiling nervously.

Nonchalantly,I took the pizza box in my hands and walked towards bar counter,settling pizza there and sitting on the wooden high chair,ignoring the manly groan of my beloved husband I continued to eat pizza carelessly.

I was eating when I felt a arm close to my stomach but before it could wrap around my tummy I stood up from chair with a jerk and walked towards mini fridge of the bar.
"Damn! This pizza is so spicy Manik! Which flavour did you order?" Flapping my palm infront of my mouth continuously I opened fridge trying to find something decent to drink.

"Umm main pani pee k ati hn haan!"I closed his fridge and walked towards door when suddenly Manik clutched my wrist from behind.

"Manik! I'll just come !"I smiled,trying to remove his palm from my wrist when he pulled me and I banged with his chest.

"Playing smart with me uhh?"He lowered his face and spoke in his husky baritone making me flinch.

I shivered as he pressed a kiss on my shoulder.
"Mrs.Malhotra! You can't even think what this smartness can cost you!"His voice got more deep and I pulled my face out from his chest to look up at him.

"Kia ? Maine kia kiya?"I whispered in the most innocent voice I could.

"Acha? Tumhe nhi pata?" He raised his brows at me and muttered in same innocent tone.

I shook my head innocently and he shaped his lips in o.

"Main btaon?"He asked innocently and I shook my head at him again before jerking away his palms and running towards door,
"Nhi!" I screamed amidst my giggles and before he could understand I ran out of his room.

"Oye! Gol-gappi!"Slapping his foot on earth angrily he too ran behind me.

"Arey Nandani ! Araam se bacha lag jayegi!"I ran towards lounge and mami ji sitting there along with others spoke worriedly.

"I won't leave you today!"I heard Maniks gritted words from behind and I giggled before increasing my speed and running across the chesterfields in lounge.My titters resonating in the house left everyone smiled.

"Manik !"Di chuckled as Manik continued to catch me but was getting failed again and again.

"Nandani! Bas !"Maa giggled as I ran from behind her couch.

"Awww! Poor baby !" I teased Manik as he stopped running in order to inhale some breath.

He glared at me and I showed him my tongue.
"Chorunga nhi tumhe!"He mouthed angrily,warning me as in.

"Huhh!Dekh lenge!"I mouthed back while rolling my eyes igniting more fire in him.

"Manik!"Mama ji who just came out from his room called Manik and after glaring at me again Manik turned his face in Mama ji's direction.

"Yes! Dad !"

"Son! The press conference of board members which was supposed to held by tomorrow is happening today due to some unpleasant circumstances ! So we have to leave !" Mama ji completed his words and Manik nodded without any question.

Here comes the workaholic Malhotra!

I twisted my lip sadly and sat beside maa,laying my head in her laps.

"Tired?"Maa caressed my hair and I closed my eyes,sighing.

"Hmm!"

"Then go and sleep for some while!Ill wake you up in an hour or so!"She ruffled my hair and I nodded moving back from her laps,yawning.

I moved towards stairs when mami ji called me,
"Nandani!kahan chali ? Ye tou ghlt baat hai biwi k hote hue bhi mera beta akela hi reh raha hai!"

Upon listening her words I stood there still,my cheeks burning red cause of blush.

"Hmm! Ab se aapka kamra ye hai !"Di came towards me and holding my shoulders she turned me towards Maniks room.

I lowered my eyes shyly and she chuckled,
"Hamare bhai itne zaalim bhi nhi hain jo aap itna dar rahi hain unse!"She whispered naughtily in my ear and I tried to stop that alluring smile which was spreading on my lips.

"Maa! Meri white shirt nhi mil rahi !" Manik yelled from his room gaining our attention.

"Dekhiye! Aa gaya apka bulawa!"Shraddha di chuckled and pushed me in the room making my eyes wide.

"Maa.."Manik who was standing there shirtless searching in his cupboard turned realising someone has entered in his room.He stopped abruptly seeing me standing there.

I fiddled with my fingers while rolling my eyes here and there.It wasn't like I haven't seen him shirtless before but don't know why everything was getting so awkward to me.Seeing him as my husband was my dream and i was still in shock that we were husband and wife now.

"Meri-white shirt!"Manik moved aside from cupboard.He looked nervous too.I looked at him and he looked at me back before averting his eyes hesitantly.

I nodded meekly and walked towards cupboard.He sat on bed and started wearing his socks followed by black shoes.

After searching his shirt I walked towards him,
"Hmm!"I forwarded his shirt without glancing at him and he raised his eyes at me.His hand touched mine as he took the shirt and I flinched away.This was getting awkward,really awkward between us.

Pushing my hair strand behind my ear nervously I stood in one corner of room and Manik eyed me through mirror while combing his hair.

Squeezing his eyes,shaking his head for a second he turned towards me making my eyes wide in horror.

Coming towards me he picked me up in his arms and I gasped.My heart was beating so fast that I felt it would jump out from my chest,anytime.

He made me lay on bed and we stared in each other's eyes.

"I'm still your pappu ok? You don't need to be afraid of me!"He looked in my eyes more,our eyelock turned so deep.His voice supple and sweet.

"And this is our room so you can use any and everything which you want! You know,I don't share but I've shared my heart with you and that makes you eligible to make everything yours which is mine!"He smiled while caressing my hair,still bending down and my lips too curved into a smile.

"I love you!"I whispered and his lips widened more.

"I love you too!"He whispered back and pressed his lips on my forehead making me close my eyes in bliss.

"Sleep well ok?"He showed me his eyes and I nodded obediently with a smile.

Pulling up comforter till my chest he switched off the lights and turned to walk towards door.

"Manik!"After mustering up a lot of courage I called him and he turned while opening the door.

"Kia hua?"He asked softly standing there and I licked my lips before saying,
"Jaldi aana!"

His lips broke into a smile and I pulled comforter till my head,flushed.

"Ohk Biwi jaan ! Jesi apki marzi!"He chuckled and left the room closing door behind.

I removed comforter off my face,a wide shy smile adorning my lips.

Palming my face I continued to smile till sleep overpowered my senses.

.......

Night 8:00 pm.

"They are on the way to home!"Mami ji disconnected the line after asking mama ji that when they would come home.

I woke up just an hour back.I messaged Manik at that time that why isn't he back yet when he replied,
"In meeting!" And after that I didn't message him considering he was busy,which he was of course.

Mami ji and bua maa went into the kitchen to check dinner preparations leaving me and Di behind alone.

"Nervous?"Di held my palm at my laps and after a lot of time I nodded.

"Sab kuch itna badal sa gaya hai Di! The equation which me and Manik used to share has changed so much!Everything is getting so awkward between us.Even we aren't able to talk properly!"I spoke with low eyes and didn't know when a tear escaped from my eye.

"Arey ! Arey ! Kia hogya ?"Di immediately wiped my tear and hugged me.

I started crying and she chuckled while rubbing my back,
"Aesa Kia Kia Manik ne jo aap itna dar gayi?"She broke the hug and wiped my tears. A smile was there on her lips.She knew for what I was getting nervous.

"Kuch nhi!"I sniffed while rubbing my red nose and she shook her head.

"Hota hai Nandani! Aesa hota hai ! When suddenly you get married to a person with whom you were friend before ,it gets awkward! But here in this case you and Manik loved each other! Aur aap donu tou ek dusre k baare main itna jante hain,aapko lagta hai hamare bhai kuch bhi aesa karenge jis se aapko takleef ho?"Di asked pressing my palms and I immediately shook my head in a no.

"Bas phir !Manik aapke bestfriend the na tou ab bhi wohi hain,sirf aap donu ka rishta dosti se shadi main badla hai aur kuch nhi!"She caressed my cheek and I nodded.

"Wassup!"From nowhere Manik whispered heavily from behind and we both jumped on our place.

"Manik!"Di glared at him and he chuckled.

"Kia haal hain ?"He raised his brows at me lovingly and I smiled shyly.

"Manik! Nandani ab se tere sath hi rahegi beta pehle change kar le phir us se haal chaal puch lena!"Mama ji giggled while going towards his room and I looked up at Manik who was standing there with poker face,his ears were turning pink due to blush.

Di and me giggled and he glared at us before stomping towards his room.

I wonder How change our lives have become!

~Kuch meetha meetha dil hogya hamara! Kuch khatta khatta rishta hogya hamara!
Na jane aesi kiya kiramat thi inn haseen gustaakhiyon main k bachpan ka pyaar bhi naya naya hogya hamara!~

********

Enjoyed ? Happy now ? 😍

I used to say always,wait guys wait I'm the writer I know how to plan things!*sighs*
Chaddo! 😑

Well you guys are smart enough to understand where gustaakhiyaan is leading!😎

This time I updated early see! 🤓

Lastly!Ramzaan Mubarak!❣️

NEW WANDERER!