The tension grew, her mask did break,
In that paper, more was at stake.

Nandini's POV,

The ceremony was finally over, and I could feel the weight of exhaustion pulling me down. Every step, every ritual, every smile felt rehearsed, forced, and heavy. I stood beside Manik, who seemed equally drained, though his face betrayed nothing. The priest announced the conclusion of the wedding, and the room erupted into cheers and applause.

We stood and made our way to seek blessings from the elders. First was his Dadi. She sat there, her expression as cold as ever. Manik and I bent down to touch her feet. She placed her hand on my head, murmuring a blessing, but completely ignored him.

I couldn't help but notice the flicker of pain that crossed his face. It was brief, but it was there. My confusion grew-what was this strange dynamic between him and his grandmother? I wanted to ask, but this wasn't the time or place.

Next, we approached his parents. Neyonika Aunty smiled warmly, placing her hands on our heads, while Raj Uncle nodded approvingly. "Stay happy, both of you," she said softly, motherly and comforting.

We turned towards my parents. Mom and Dad stood there, their faces mixed with pride and sadness. We bent down to touch their feet, and they placed their hands on our heads.

"Take care of her," Dad said, his voice slightly hoarse.

My lips tightened into a forced smile, but I said nothing. I couldn't even bring myself to meet his eyes for too long. The years of resentment and hurt were too deeply ingrained.

Next were my Bade papa and Badi maa. Their warmth was genuine, and I felt a pang of comfort as they blessed us wholeheartedly. Bade Papa pulled Manik into a brief hug, whispering something to him that made him nod solemnly.

And then there was Bhai, he stood there, his arms crossed, looking at Manik with an exaggeratedly stern expression. "You better take care of her," he warned, his tone playful yet protective. "Or else, you'll have to deal with me."

Prisha Bhabhi rolled her eyes and lightly smacked his arm. "Stop being dramatic," she scolded before turning to bless us. Her hands lingered on my shoulders for a moment, and she gave me a reassuring smile.

Manik's friends came next-Cabir, Mukti, Alya, Dhruv, and my dear sister Didu. They were a lively bunch, teasing us relentlessly. "So, Manik, how does it feel to finally be a married man?" Cabir asked with a smirk.

"Must feel like winning a trophy, huh?" Mukti added, laughing.

Manik shot them a warning look. "Shut up, all of you," he said.

Finally, Neyonika Aunty spoke up. "It's time to leave," she said, her voice cutting through the chatter.

Prisha Bhabhi appeared with a silver plate filled with rice, flower petals, and coins. Tradition dictated that I gather the items in my hands and throw them behind me as I left. My hands trembled slightly as I did so, the symbolism of the act hitting me harder than I expected. With each throw, I felt like I was leaving behind a piece of myself.

When it was time to say goodbye, Rudraksh Bhai was the first to step forward. He pulled me into a tight hug, his arms strong and comforting. "I'll miss you, Nandu," he said, his voice cracking slightly.

I blinked back tears, trying to stay composed. "Don't be so dramatic, Bhai. I'll always be your little sister," I said softly, though my voice wavered.

Abhimanyu was next. His hug was brief but warm, and he whispered something about visiting me soon, which brought a faint smile to my lips.

And then came the moment I had been dreading-saying goodbye to my parents. My mother stood there, her eyes filled with unshed tears, but she didn't move towards me. It was my father who stepped forward.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. Then, to his surprise, I moved closer and hugged him. I felt him stiffen, his body growing tense as if he didn't know how to respond.

Leaning in, I whispered, my voice low and laced with years of bitterness, "Congratulations, Dad. You finally succeeded. Today, you've lost your daughter completely."

I pulled back before he could say anything, noticing the way his face seemed to pale. My lips curled into a bitter smile. For once, I wanted him to feel the weight of his decisions, to understand what he had done.

Without another glance, I turned and walked towards the car where Manik was waiting. The car door felt heavier than it should have, and as I slid inside, I saw Bhai and Abhimanyu coming forward to give the car a playful push.

"Take care of her!" Rudraksh shouted, his voice fading as the car began to move.

I looked out of the window, watching my family grow smaller and smaller in the distance. The tears I had held back finally spilled over, but I quickly wiped them away.

Beside me, Manik sat silently, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. Neither of us spoke, the silence thick with unspoken words and shared uncertainty.

As the car sped away, I realized that my life as I knew it had ended. What lay ahead was a future I hadn't chosen, with a man I barely knew. The only certainty was that there was no turning back.

As the car pulled into the driveway of Malhotra Mansion, I gazed out of the window, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The house looked understated from the outside, but as I stepped out, with Mukti and Alya helping me adjust my heavy bridal lehenga, I noticed the intricate decorations inside. The entire place had been transformed, glowing with soft lights, flowers, and a warmth that seemed to welcome me-but somehow, I felt it wasn't for me.

Manik was already out of the car, standing tall and composed, his expression unreadable as always. My own nerves were on edge as we approached the grand entrance, where Neyonika Aunty, Navya Didu, and his Dadi waited for us.

Didu smiled warmly, setting a pot filled with rice on the floor near the threshold. Dadi handed me a plate of haldi-kumkum, her gaze lingering on me with a scrutiny that made me feel like I was being measured. I dipped my hand into the mixture, pressing it against the wall to leave my imprint, a tradition signifying the arrival of a new bride.

Neyonika Aunty then performed our aarti, her smile calm and graceful as she circled the small lamp around Manik and me. My stomach churned as I realized the gravity of what this moment meant-I was stepping into a new phase of life, one I hadn't chosen but was now bound to.

"Kick the pot and step inside beta," She said gently.

I hesitated for a moment before lightly kicking the pot of rice with my right foot, watching it topple over as the grains spilled across the marble floor. The sound seemed to echo in the vast hallway. Next, a plate of red alta was brought, and I dipped my feet into it, my toes staining red as I stepped onto the white cloth laid out for me. My footprints trailed behind me like a map of my reluctant journey into this new world.

Manik and I were then guided to the temple within the mansion. It was serene, the soft glow of diyas casting flickering shadows on the idols. Neyonika Aunty asked us to bow our heads in prayer, seeking blessings for our new life together. I complied, my hands folded, silently asking for the strength to endure this sudden upheaval.

The rituals didn't end there. Didu soon appeared, carrying a tray with various items for a post-wedding game. "Time for some fun!" she declared, her excitement contagious as others gathered around.

A pot of milk was brought, and two rings-one gold, one silver-were dropped into it. The challenge was to find the ring first. "This will decide who will have the upper hand in your marriage!" Mukti teased, laughing.

I sat across from Manik, our hands dipping into the cold milk simultaneously. I felt the ring almost immediately and pulled it out, much to the cheers of everyone around.

"Round two!" Cabir announced dramatically.

This time, Manik seemed determined, but I was quicker, pulling the ring out again. The room erupted into laughter and teasing.

"Well, looks like Nandini is already the boss," Mukti joked.

"And Manik will be her obedient Romeo," Navya added, winking at me.

I tried to smile, but the exhaustion was beginning to weigh on me. Neyonika Aunty noticed and turned to Mukti and Alya. "Take Nandini to the guest room to rest for a while," she instructed.

As they led me away, Cabir and Dhruv couldn't resist taking a jab at Manik. "Looks like you'll have to wait a little longer to spend time with your bride!" Cabir teased.

"Shut up," Manik muttered.

The guest room was cozy, though I barely noticed the details. Mukti and Alya helped me sit on the bed, handing me a glass of water. "Do you need anything else?" Mukti asked, her tone surprisingly kind.

I shook my head. "No, I'm fine. Thank you."

They then began removing my jewelry, piece by piece, relieving some of the weight from my tired body. My hair was let down, and I felt a small sense of relief as the tight pins were pulled out.

Didu walked in then, carrying a fresh set of clothes and lighter jewelry for me to change into. "Here, wear this. You'll be more comfortable," she said, placing them on the bed.

Mukti and Alya excused themselves as Neyonika Aunty called them for something.

She sat beside me, her expression suddenly serious. "Nandini, are you okay?" she asked softly.

I nodded quickly. "Yes, Didu, I'm fine."

Her brows furrowed. "Are you hiding something from me?"

I stilled, my hands frozen mid-motion. "No, Didu. Why would you think that?"

She sighed. "Because you don't live in Murthy Mansion. And you went to New York for studies even though you never wanted to. What's going on?"

I opened my mouth to respond but faltered, the words catching in my throat. "It's nothing, Didu. I just... wanted to be independent. The apartment is closer to work, and as for New York, it was Dad's idea. He thought it would be good for me, and I agreed."

She didn't look convinced. "You're lying, Nandu. I can feel it."

"Didu, relax," I said, forcing a chuckle. "You're overthinking. It's really nothing."

Before she could press further, there was a knock on the door. Navya called out, "Come in."

It was Manik.

Navya immediately smirked, her teasing mode activated. "What is it, Romeo? Missing your bride already?"

Manik rolled his eyes. "I need a file," he said curtly.

Navya's jaw dropped. "A file? Are you serious? You got married just a few hours ago, and you're talking about work?"

"It's important," he replied, ignoring her exasperation. Turning to me, he asked, "Where did you keep Mr. Arora's file?"

I blinked, trying to recall. "It's not in the office. I brought it home for some work. It's in my apartment."

"Shit," he muttered under his breath. "We need it today. It's the last date for the quotation."

"I'll call bhai and ask him to bring it," I offered. "He can get it from my apartment, and I'll bring it back in the evening."

He nodded, his expression relieved. "Okay." With that, he left.

Didu shook her head in disbelief. "Workaholic much?"

I gave her a small smile and started looking for my phone. "It must be with your stuff outside," she said. "Don't worry. I'll call Rudraksh and ask him to bring the file. Where's the key?"

"In the side table drawer of my room. The file is in the cupboard," I replied.

She nodded. "Get some rest. I'll wake you up later."

As she left, I leaned back against the headboard, my mind swirling with everything that had happened and what was yet to come.

I woke up to Didu's soft voice calling my name. She shook me gently, her warm smile easing the grogginess from my mind. "Nandini, wake up. You've had a good rest, but now you need to freshen up. There's still a lot to do today."

I nodded, rubbing my eyes as I sat up. The events of few hours ago came flooding back-my marriage to Manik, the grah pravesh rituals, and the endless teasing from Mukti and Cabir. It all felt surreal, like a dream I wasn't sure I wanted to be part of.

Didu handed me a fresh set of clothes and some light jewelry. "Take a bath and get ready. Mukti and Alya will help you," she said before leaving the room.

I got up, my body still weighed down by the emotions of the past few hours. The bathroom was spacious and luxurious, but it felt unfamiliar. As I stood under the warm shower, I tried to gather my thoughts. Was this really my life now? Married to someone I barely knew, living in a house that didn't feel like home?

Once I was dressed, Mukti and Alya came in, their cheerful chatter filling the room. They helped me adjust my dupatta and fix my mangalsutra around my neck. Mukti lightly teased me, "You're glowing, Mrs. Malhotra."

I gave a weak smile but didn't respond. I wasn't glowing-I was still trying to make sense of everything. They left the room after finishing, asking me to come out once I was ready.

Before stepping out, I paused in front of the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked different. The vermillion in my hairline and the mangalsutra around my neck were stark reminders of the new identity I had taken on overnight. My reflection seemed to mock me. Who was I now? A wife? A daughter-in-law? Or just a pawn in my parents' plans?

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage and walked out. The living area was lively, with everyone sitting around and chatting. Manik was on the couch, scrolling through his phone, his usual calm and aloof demeanor intact. He didn't even glance up when I entered, and I found myself oddly relieved.

Dadi noticed me first and smiled warmly. "Nandini, come here, beta."

I walked over hesitantly, feeling all eyes on me. "Yes, Dadi?"

She gestured toward the kitchen. "It's time for your first rasoi. You need to prepare breakfast for everyone."

Neyonika Aunty interjected gently, "Maa, I think something sweet will be enough. There's no need for her to make an entire meal today."

Dadi frowned. "Neyo, don't forget, you made an entire meal for your first rasoi, and so did I. Why should there be an exception now?"

Before their discussion could escalate, I quickly said, "It's okay, Dadi. I'll make it."

Dadi nodded in approval, and Neyonika Aunty smiled at me. "Come, I'll show you where everything is kept," she said, leading me to the kitchen.

The kitchen was massive, with state-of-the-art appliances and neatly organized shelves. She walked me through the layout, pointing out the spices, vegetables, and utensils. "If you need anything, just call me," she said kindly.

"Okay, aunty," I replied automatically.

She paused, her expression softening. "Nandini, stop calling me aunty. I'm your mother now. You can call me whatever you're comfortable with-maa, mom, or even Neyo maa."

Her words caught me off guard. I nodded slowly. "Okay... Neyo maa."

She smiled warmly and left, leaving me alone in the kitchen. I stood there for a moment, trying to decide what to make. I didn't know everyone's preferences, so I settled on making a variety of dishes. It felt safe.

As I worked, the familiar rhythm of cooking calmed my nerves. The aroma of ghee and sugar filled the air as I prepared halwa, and the sizzling of spices brought a small smile to my face.

Just as I was finishing, Mukti, Alya, and Didu walked in. "Oh my god, Nandini!" Mukti exclaimed. "You made so many dishes?"

I shrugged. "I didn't know what everyone likes, so I made a few options."

They laughed and helped me carry the food to the dining table. As everyone sat down, I served the dishes, starting with Dadi. She asked, "Did you offer the bhog to God first?"

I nodded. "Yes, Dadi."

"Good," she said, tasting the food.

Neyo maa smiled at me. "Now, Nandini, sit down. Everyone will serve themselves."

Reluctantly, I took a seat. Raj papa tasted the halwa first and smiled. "This is amazing, Nandini."

"Thank you, Papa," I said softly.

Dadi and Neyo maa both praised the food as well, which eased some of my anxiety. Cabir, however, couldn't resist teasing. "Wow, Nandini! Why don't you teach Navya to cook like this?"

Didu rolled her eyes. "It's useless talking to him. He says this to everyone who makes food."

Dhruv chuckled. "Manik, you've been quiet. Didn't you like it?"

Manik looked up from his plate, his expression neutral. "It's good."

Mukti frowned. "You're no fun, Manik. At least praise her properly!"

The breakfast ended on a light note, and I felt a small sense of accomplishment. Dadi gifted me gold bangles as a shagun, and Neyo maa and Raj papa gave me gold earrings. Their gestures were kind, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was still an outsider here.

Soon after, Bhai arrived. He greeted everyone respectfully and hugged Didu and me. "We should leave now," he said. "Everyone is waiting for Nandini at home."

Neyo maa nodded, and I excused myself to get my purse. When I returned, Bhai surprised everyone by saying, "I'm not just here for Nandini. This is Navya's pag phera too."

Navya's eyes filled with tears. "But Bhaiyu..."

"Don't argue," Bhai said firmly. "That's your home too."

Didu reluctantly agreed, and we left together.

In the car, Bhai asked, "How was your first day?"

I told him about the morning, avoiding any mention of my inner turmoil. Soon, we arrived at Murthy Mansion. Ansh ran out to greet us, hugging us tightly. His innocent joy made me smile genuinely for the first time that day.

Inside, Mom greeted us warmly, hugging Didu first. When she turned to me, I bent down to talk to Ansh, pretending to miss her gesture.

She brought out our favorite dishes, but I couldn't bring myself to eat. "I'm not hungry," I said, leaving the room despite Didu's protests.

Once in my old room, I let out a shaky breath. This house, this family-it wasn't mine anymore. Or maybe it never was.

I sat on the edge of my bed, my eyes closed, trying to silence the chaos in my mind. The room, once a sanctuary, now felt stifling. Memories of my childhood mingled with the weight of everything that had happened in the last few days. I desperately wanted to escape, but there was nowhere to go-not to the Malhotra Mansion and certainly not here.

I heard the door creak open but didn't bother looking. The soft footsteps told me it was Didu. She didn't say anything at first; she just sat across from me on the floor, her silence louder than words. I could feel her gaze piercing me, her patience dwindling by the second.

"Nandu," she finally said, her voice firm yet gentle. "What was that downstairs?"

I opened my eyes, pretending not to understand. "What was what, didu?"

She crossed her arms, her tone shifting. "Don't play dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Your behavior with mom and dad-it's not normal."

I sighed, leaning back against the headboard. "You're overthinking it, Didu. It's nothing."

Her eyes narrowed. "Do you think I'm blind? Or maybe you think I'm a fool who can't see the obvious? You've been avoiding Mom and Dad. You wouldn't even let Mom feed you today. What's going on?"

I tried to smile, brushing her concern aside. "You're reading too much into it. It's just been a long day, that's all."

"Don't lie to me, Nandu," she said sharply, cutting through my pretense. "I'm your sister. I know when something's wrong. This has been going on for a long time. Since before you went to New York."

Her words hit like a punch to the gut. I looked away, my hands clenching the fabric of my saree. "Didu, please..."

"No, Nandini. Don't 'Didu, please' me. I've been patient, but not anymore. You can't keep running from this. What happened? Why did you change? Why are you so distant from them? And don't tell me it's nothing, because it's not!"

I felt tears prick my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not here, not now. "Didu, can we not talk about this right now?" I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her expression softened slightly, but her determination remained. "Why not now? Why do you keep pushing this away? You've been carrying this weight for years, Nandu. It's time to let it out."

I shook my head, my voice trembling. "I will. I'll tell you everything... but just not today. Please, Didu. I can't... I just can't."

She exhaled deeply, clearly torn between pushing me further and respecting my boundaries. After what felt like an eternity, she nodded reluctantly. "Okay. But don't think you can keep avoiding this forever. I'm not letting you off the hook, Nandu. Whatever it is, I'll be here when you're ready to talk."

"Thank you," I whispered, my heart heavy with both relief and guilt.

Before I could say anything else, the door swung open, and Prisha Bhabhi's cheerful face peeked in. "What are you two doing? Come down for lunch, everyone's waiting."

Didu glanced at me, her expression still laced with concern, but she didn't press further. "We're coming," she told Prisha before turning back to me. "Let's go."

I nodded and stood up, smoothing out the creases in my saree. As we walked out of the room together, I couldn't help but feel like I had dodged a bullet. But deep down, I knew Didu was right. I couldn't avoid the truth forever.

Nandini's POV ends.

Manik's POV,

The evening sun dipped below the horizon as Cabir and I arrived at the Murthy Mansion. The grand gates opened, revealing the sprawling estate I had seen only a handful of times before. Cabir parked the car, and we stepped out, greeted by the faint sound of laughter drifting from the house.

Swarna Maa greeted us with her warm smile, and I bent down to touch her feet, followed by Cabir. She welcomed us with genuine affection, performing the customary aarti before Cabir and I bent down to touch her feet. She blessed us wholeheartedly, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Next came Badi Maa and Bade Papa, who were equally welcoming. Then I took a blessing from Manish Papa who smiled softly but when Cabir moved to him, the air shifted. His face remained stoic, his body language detached as if Cabir's gesture didn't matter. Cabir straightened, his grin faltering momentarily, but quickly recovered. I noticed the faintest flicker of unease in his eyes, and something inside me tightened. Cabir might laugh off such things, but I knew it hurt him deeply.

We all settled in the living room, the soft hum of conversations filling the space. Ansh, Rudraksh, and Prisha Bhabhi's little tornado of energy were perched on Cabir's lap, firing off questions one after the other.

"Why don't you have hair like me, Cabir Uncle?" Ansh asked, tugging at Cabir's slightly thinning hairline.

Cabir chuckled. "Because I gave them to you, champ. You owe me your thick hair."

Navya rolled her eyes, joining in to tease him. "Don't let him fool you, Ansh. He lost it because he worries too much about food!"

Everyone burst into laughter, including Abhimanyu, who clutched his stomach dramatically. I leaned back, enjoying the rare light-heartedness in the room. Even Nandini, seated a little apart, smiled faintly. She had been quiet, but her attempts to calm Ansh's mischief didn't go unnoticed.

"Ansh, stop troubling them," she said gently, pulling him off Cabir's lap and onto her own.

"Troubling? This is fun!" Cabir protested, winking at the boy, who grinned back.

The lively chatter was interrupted when Papa spoke up, directing his question toward me.

"So, Manik, what about the meeting we scheduled for the merger? When do we finalize the details?"

The shift in tone was palpable. The warmth drained from the atmosphere, replaced by a professional edge. I cleared my throat, meeting his gaze.

"I'm not sure about the exact schedule, Papa. I think Nandini has all the details for that."

All eyes turned to her. She didn't flinch but remained oddly expressionless. Her voice was flat when she replied, "I didn't check it yet. I'll let you know afterward."

Her detached tone was strange, almost unsettling. I glanced at her, but she didn't meet anyone's eyes, focusing instead on adjusting Ansh's shirt. He gave a curt nod, and the conversation drifted elsewhere.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with her. She'd been distant ever since we arrived, avoiding eye contact with almost everyone except Ansh. I had seen her like this before, but not to this extent.

As conversations resumed, I heard the distant sound of the main door opening. A few seconds later, Rudraksh strode in.

The room fell silent.

His usual playful energy was absent. His expression was stormy, his jaw set tight, and his eyes locked on Nandini. His strides were purposeful, and he carried a document in his hand like a weapon.

My instincts screamed that something was wrong.

Rudraksh stopped in front of the center table, and without a word, he threw the document onto it. The loud thwack echoed through the room, making everyone jump.

I looked at the paper-it wasn't ordinary. It had an official seal, and from where I sat, I could make out the bold black letters of "Notice" at the top.

Nandini's reaction was instant and visceral.

Her eyes widened in alarm, her face draining of all color. Her hands, which had been steady moments ago, trembled as she clutched Ansh's shoulders protectively. She looked up at Rudraksh, and for the first time since I'd known her, I saw fear.

"What is this, Nandini?" Rudraksh's voice was sharp, almost accusatory.

Nandini flinched at his tone, her lips parting, but no words came out. Her pale face betrayed her panic, her composed exterior cracking like fragile glass.

"Nandini," he barked, slamming his hand on the table. "Answer me!"

I froze, unsure of what to do or say. The atmosphere had shifted so drastically it was suffocating. Everyone in the room was stunned, their eyes darting between Rudraksh and Nandini.

She finally managed to speak, her voice barely audible. "I... I don't know..."

"You don't know?" Rudraksh cut her off, his tone laced with disbelief. "Don't give me that, Nandini. You know exactly what this is about!"

Her hands fell from Ansh's shoulders, and she looked down at her lap. I could feel her shame and helplessness from where I sat.

"Nandu," Navya started softly, but Rudraksh raised a hand to stop her.

"This is between me and her," he said, his tone unyielding. "She owes me an explanation."

I clenched my fists, an urge to step in rising within me. But this was her family. I didn't know the full story, and I wasn't sure if I had the right to interfere.

What could have possibly been on that document to shake Nandini so badly?

Her silence was deafening, her head hanging low. The vibrant, strong-willed woman I married seemed like a shadow of herself at that moment.

Manik's POV ends.

Hope you all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik...

Few words for Nandini...

Favourite moment???

What is in those documents???

Why rudraksh is so furious???

Is this according to your expectations?

Guys please I want more comments. You are just reading and commenting like nice, next part. For God sake this is not done please comment your thoughts and all.

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Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️