Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she stared at the ceiling in confusion, a frown etched on her forehead at the feeling of a soft mattress instead of the cold hard floor. She flickered her eyes around, staring at her bridal jewelry strewn on the dressing table before she remembered yesterday's events.

Raking her fingers through her hair, she exhaled, resisting the urge to forget everything that her life had become in mere hours by sleeping back. She got up from the bed and moved towards the bag, taking out a maroon colored Anarkali suit that had been gifted to her by Manik's grandmother and moved towards the washroom to freshen up.

After a few minutes, she stepped out, freshly showered, drying her hair with a towel before applying minimal makeup consisting of kohl and lipstick and sprinkled some perfume. Stepping out of the room, she closed the door behind her and took in the house as passed the empty hallway while moving towards the staircase.

The house was simple with cream coloured walls and woodwork. It consisted of three bedrooms upstairs as well as downstairs, a kitchen and a living room while a staircase on the first floor led to a terrace. A picture of an old man, who she assumed as Manik's grandfather, with a garland hanging around it was hung at the wall at the entrance of the house.

As she reached the bottom of the steps while looking around, she crashed into someone, making them hold her by her arms. She raised her head, her eyes meeting the similar brown orbs. Akash Malhotra.

"Nandini, you alright?" Abhishek, Manik's cousin brother, asked, his eyebrows squirting as he gave her a once over in concern.

"It was you, wasn't it? The person who gave my Chachi money to get me married to Manik. Do your grandmother know?" Nandini said, her voice laced with bitterness, making Abhishek flinch and pass her an apologetic look as he said, "I'm sorry. I know it was wrong of me to deceive you like that."

Nandini scoffed and replied, "You didn't deceive me. You destroyed my life." Abhishek shook his head and opened his mouth to say something but Nandini raised her hand, stopping him and said, "Save it. Marrying him or not was a choice that was meant to be taken solely by me. A choice that you took away from me. No excuse can ever overcome what you did. So, now, stay the hell away from me if you don't want me to reveal the truth to your grandmother."

Without awaiting his reply, she stepped aside, forcing a smile on her face as Manik's grandmother accompanied a young woman, clad in a green plain saree, came out of the room. Dadi smiled as Nandini bent down and touched her feet to seek her blessings, doing the same to the mysterious woman beside her.

"Nandini, this is Riya. She had been working here for the past five years after Manik's accident. If you want to know anything about him, you can always go to her," Dadi explained, making Nandini nod her head.

After that, the three of them moved to the living area, the laughter and talking ceasing while Nandini's heart pounded in her chest as everyone eyed her presence with disdain. Ignoring them, Dadi assuringly smiled at her and pulled her gently towards the couch before they both sat down.

She introduced her to all of the family members before turning towards Riya.

"Riya, I think Manik is still in his room. Go and bring him so that we can complete the games that were left yesterday," Dadi said, and Nandini watched one of the ladies in her mid forties, Manik's Maami, wrinkle her nose and her lips tugged down at his name in disgust. She got up before leaving and soon everyone followed her out, until only the three of them were left.

Dadi breathed out a sigh and turned towards Nandini before saying, "Don't take them seriously. Gradually, they all will come around you."

A few minutes later, Riya came downstairs with a frown as she said, "He is having a fever. I have given him medicine and maybe we should take his breakfast to his room." Riya turned towards Nandini and softly suggested, "Nandini, why don't you accompany him in his room? I will bring up both of your breakfasts."

Nandini nodded, slightly apprehensive before she climbed upstairs towards his room. The door of his room was slightly ajar so she peeked in and saw him sleeping with his back turned towards her. She pushed open the door gently and tiptoed in the room, comfortably sitting beside him by leaning her back against the headboard.

A few minutes passed by before Riya Aunty brought in their breakfast and arranged it on the table at the corner of the room, rushing out before Nandini could ask her to wake up Manik.

Placing her hand on his shoulder, she shook him gently and called out his name softly. He turned away, mumbling something incoherent before Nandini loudly called out his name.

Nandini snapped her eyes to Manik as he shuffled on the bed slightly, his head turning back to her before his eyes opened, blinking to clear the haziness and a small smile graced his lips on seeing his Nanni Mumma on his bed, making her heart flutter in her chest at his innocence, managing to break some of the ice around her heart.

His eyes lit up in happiness and he raised two of his fingers as he said, "Nanni Mumma aap doh doh dikh rahi ho. Iska matlab mere pass doh doh Mumma hai, haina?"

Nandini frowned, moving forward slightly and placed the back of her hand on his forehead which was burning. She shook her head, slightly smiling and explained, "Aapko fever hai is liye mai doh doh dikh rahi hu."

Manik made an O with his mouth, making Nandini close it with her hand as she chuckled slightly and discarded the blanket to one side before getting up. Riya entered just then, smiling at Manik before asking, "Nandini, why don't you have your breakfast till then I will freshen him up?"

"Sure," Nandini said with a small smile, despite the question burning in her mind as she stared at Manik following Riya. Nandini took out a parantha from the box, wrapping the rest to avoid them from getting cold.

A few minutes later, Manik came out freshly dressed and sat beside her on the couch. Nandini looked up, observing Riya's wet clothes as she said, "I will take my leave now. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

Nandini nodded before Riya left, closing the door behind her. Silently serving him, she placed the plate consisting curd and parantha in front of him. As she was about to take a bite, Nandini noticed his hands shaking as he had his breakfast.

Discarding her own piece of morsel, she moved her hand, stopping and comprehending mid way before gently placing it on top of his and squeezed it, stopping his movement. As he looked up at her, she asked, "Main khila du?"

(*Shall I feed you?)

Manik shrugged and she pulled the plate towards herself before feeding him patiently. As a few bites were left, Manik turned his her hand holding out morsel for him and said, "Bash."

"Bas three bites toh reh gayi. Manik good boy hai na chalo jaldi sai finish karo," Nandini tried to coax him but he zipped his lips together and shook his head stubbornly.

Sighing, Nandini finished the rest of the food and as she was wrapping up everything, she stiffened as Manik's arms wrapped around her waist suddenly and before she could comprehend her actions, instinctively she pushed him away.

She swallowed, a flicker of guilt housing in her heart as she saw his innocent eyes immediately filling up with tears at the prospect of yet another person rejecting him. Nandini squeezed her eyes shut, her heart and mind in a war, one unable to accept her situation and another fighting for her to give in, knowing he was as innocent in this marriage as she was.

She snapped her eyes open as a light sniffle reached her ears, her decision made as she saw him wiping away the tears falling down his cheeks. Scooting closer to him, she cupped his cheek, wiping his tears with her thumb as he raised his eyes to hers when she murmured, "Sorry, Manik. Mai bas surprise hogayi thi jab aapne mujhe hug kiya."

Manik nodded his head even though his eyes showed distrust, his innocent mind scarred by wrathful actions of most of the people in his life not allowing him to show his affection towards his Nanni Mumma after she pushed him away twice.

Nandini released a shaky breath as she watched Manik silently get up before he laid back on the head and pulled the comforter on his head, hiding away from the bad world. From her.

As Nandini got up to move towards him, she froze, sinking back on her seat when her mobile beeped with a message, "Meet me tomorrow night by eight at you know where. I'll be waiting for you."

So, what do you suggest that Nandini should do to make up and win back Manik's trust so that he can finally open up to his Nanni Mumma?

And, who do you think might have messaged Nandini? Will it cause trouble for her?

Lastly, thank you for reading. Please share your thoughts in the comment section and don't forget to vote. I really appreciate them.

Take care! Till next time...