"Minno!Bas aur kitna nunu karoge aap!"

"Only two minutes mama!"

Stepping out from the washroom I  fished out her clothes,the white floor length gown.My eyes fell on that red saree which bhaiya had gifted me along with Manahil's this dress.He had asked us to wear these on his engagement which was apparently today,in the evening.

"Hagemaru breakfast!"Bhaiya came in the room with the breakfast tray in his hands and I looked at him plainly before walking towards the couch,keeping only Manahil's evening dress there.I wasn't wearing that saree because I wasn't going out of my room.

"I won't get engage without you!Agar tu nhi ayi neeche tou main ye engagement nhi karunga!"Bhaiya declared firmly and without waiting for my answer he left the room.

I closed my eyes tiredly and swallowed a little.

Ab tou iss zindagi se be-zaar hogayi hn main Aiyappa!

"Mama jani!"Manahil's loud wail and  my eyes shot open.

"Kiya hua minno?"I ran into the washroom,entering into the bath cabinet caring least about my just changed white shirt and jeans.

"Mama jani! It's itching!"She cried rubbing her eyes and I looked here and there only to find the bottle of L'Oréal Paris,my bathing shampoo all spilled on the tiles. 

"Ab aap shampoo se kheloge tou yhi hoga na!"I spoke a little angrily while removing her palms from her eyes.

"Aaahh!Nhi!Bohot jalan ho lahi hai!"She jumped on her place and I held her shoulders making her stand beneath shower.

"Ek minute!Don't rub your eyes minno!It will hurt more!"I removed her palms again from her eyes and she started crying.

"Mera bacha ek minute!"I cupped water in my palms and poured it over her eyes.Very gently I rubbed her eyes with the water and blew air on them. 
"Hmm now open your eyes!"

She opened her teary eyes slowly and I smiled. "Now is it itching?"

"No!"She grinned.

"Aley baba jani aap tab aye?"She yelled happily and I turned my head back only to find him standing outside the washroom.As soon as I looked at him he averted his eyes towards Manahil.Does it mean he was staring at me before?

"Jab aap ro rahi thi tab!"He answered with a smile and Manahil pouted, "Wo meli anthon main sampoo ghus gaya tha!" She rubbed her eyes with her forefinger cutely,gaining some sympathy from her father.

A chuckle left from my mouth abruptly listening her words and her father chuckled too after watching me. "Acha meli minno ki anthon main sampoo ghus gaya tha!"I tickled her round tummy and she giggled.

"Chlo! Ab meri minno tayyar hogi!Naye naye kapre pehnegi!" Closing the shower I stepped out from bath cabinet and wrapped Manahil in the towel before picking her up in my arms.

Casually by the man who was standing near the washroom door admiring us  I walked towards bed and made Manahil stand on it.

"Owww mama jani saldi lag lahi hai!" She fisted her palms inside the towel and spoke with clattering teeth.Before I could move to switch off the air conditioner,her dad did it after switching off the ceiling fan too.

"Baba jani!Aaj tussi bale handsome lag lahe ho!"Manahil chirped and then giggled sheepishly while looking at her father who was standing behind me,unfortunately breaking his continuous gaze on my back which was jittering me every now and then.I shook my head at her cliche language and removed her towel,wiping the remaining water off her body.

"Oye nhi Oye beautiful tou tu lag rahi hai kuriye!"He stepped forward coming beside me and pulled Manahil's chubby cheeks.They laughed and I rolled my eyes at them.

"Minno! Raise your arms up!" Deliberately I spoke a little loudly breaking their fun time.Her closeness towards her father was increasing with the passage of every second and it wasn't good,no,not at all.

She raised her arms and gestured her father to sit beside her,which he did immediately.
My eyes fell on him and they stopped there for a moment as I devoured the marvellous look of his messy wet hair,a little of which was falling over his forehead too.His body covered in dark blue shirt and white shorts seemed like cherry on the cake.

"Mama jani!"Manahil shook my shoulder pulling me out of my admiration session towards her father.

"Hmm?"Moving my eyes away from him I smiled at her.I could feel him smirking which made me roll my eyes.

"Jaldi kalein na!My alms ale paining!"Manahil whined and I nodded at her before sprinkling Johnson baby powder in her arm pits and around neck.

I felt his continuous gaze over me but I chose to ignore and very calmly made Manahil wear her pink shirt and blue jeans shorts.

"Mama jani apko saldi nhi lag lahi?"As I was making her wear hairband she pushed my wet tresses behind my ear and then eyed my wet clothes with worry.At that time realisation dawned upon me and I looked down with a jerk.My eyes widened seeing my black innerwear along with my half bosoms and tummy seeming so clear.

Abruptly I raised my wide eyes up at the man sitting in front of me and he smirked at me making my eyes wide more. "Hmm go change warna shayad mughe bhi sardi lag jayegi!"He winked and threw a naughty glance at my almost visible bosoms to which I immediately crossed my arms against my chest.

My lips quivered to curse him but just because of my little daughter I stayed mum and gave him a pathetic glare.
Picking up towel I fished out another pair of my shirt and jeans and ran into the washroom,leaving both father and daughter laughing behind. 

"Aiyappa!"My jaw dropped down to floor as I eyed myself in the mirror infront.

Sab tou dikh raha hai! 

Closing my eyes I stepped back and rested my head on the wall behind.

Iska matlab Itni der se ye sab dekh rahe the!Aur isilye samne aa kar beth gaye the k sab saaf saaf dekh sakein!

My blood started boiling and I fisted my palms on either sides.

I think I've to teach him some sharam!

.......

"Baba jani! Bas aul nhi khana!"Manahil's words peeked in my ears when I stepped out of the washroom,rubbing my wet hair with towel.
He raised his eyes scenting my fragrance and I stopped rubbing my hair,feeling nervous.Availing the opportunity Manahil ran out of the room leaving us alone behind.

My eyes widened and my heart started jumping as he stood up from bed and took steps towards me.
"Ye...aap.."I looked at him with questioning unbelievable eyes but the way he was staring at me sizzled my each cell,gracefully refraining me from uttering something more.His eyes blinking softly,his steps subtle discreet.Looked like he was lost,lost in my beauty,perhaps!

The towel fell from my hand as my back touched with the wall behind.Before I could move he came so close to me and kept his palms beside my head making me flinch.

"Aap...!"An abrupt whisper left my mouth when he bent his face down and snoozed it in my dampened hair.My eyes got closed and I clutched my jeans tighter as he continued to snuggle in my hair which were resting over my shoulder.

I shivered feeling something cold sliding around my neck.
He moved back and I opened my eyes looking down at my neck.

Mera Mangalsutra!

"Tumne tou phenk dia tha ise!Nhi?"He spoke with clenched jaws and I closed my eyes after fisting my mangalsutra in my palm.

"Aap jaiye yahan se!"A tear fell from my eye and I opened them to look at him.

"Nhi jaonga! Kia karogi?"He slammed his palm angrily beside my head and I jumped on my place.

"Please....chale jaiye yahan se!" I cried harder and he stepped towards me.

"Nhi ja raha main kahin bhi!"He whispered-gritted.His declaring breaths fanning my face.

I fisted my shivering palms against my tottering chest and he slammed his another palm beside my head,totally caging me to which I cried more.He was scaring me,undoubtedly.

"Tumhe pata hai maine chaar saalon se chummi nhi ki!" He gritted again and I cried more.

Huh?

My forehead squinted into thin lines and I looked up at him,confounded.A smirk embellished his face and he inched his mouth closer to my mouth.

"Bohot sabr kar lia,ab chahiye mughe!"His sudden husky baritone made me more shocked,fortunately stopping my fall of tears too.

"Kia?"I asked meekly,shocked still.

"Aaj raat ko bara baje!" Instead of my lips he moved towards my ear and whispered there,widening my eyes more.He winked at me with a smile before leaving the room and I stood there rooted to my place,all aghast.

"Bohot sabr kar lia,ab chahiye mughe!"

"Aaj raat ko bara baje!"

Aiyappa!

And I thumped down on floor with my palms cupping my head.

This man has the power to make me go crazy!

........

"Mama jani you ale looking so beautiful!"Manahil complimented me while I was making her wear her white pumps.I smiled at her. "Nhi My minno is looking more beautiful !"I kissed her pink puffy cheeks and she acted being shy after listening her taareef to which I chuckled and pinched her nose, "Bohot badmaash hogayi hai meri minno!"

"Uhmm uhmmm!" We heard bhaiya's cough which broke our laughing moment.

"Hals mama!"Manahil jumped off the bed when I muttered, "Araam se Manahil!" Giving no care to my spoken words she ran towards her mamu and her mamu picked her up in his arms.

"How am I looking?"She asked gleefully while gesturing him towards her white gown and Bhaiya smiled.

"Gorgeous! Aesa karta hn Sunaina ko chor deta hn aur aap se shadi kar leta hn!"He chuckled and Manahil blushed. "Hayee mamu tussi bale mazaki ho,bale mazaki ho!"She slapped his shoulder while shaking her head to which Bhaiya laughed and my eyes widened in astonishment.

"Manahil aap ne ye sab kahan se seekha?" I raised my brows at her and she smiled sheepishly, "loolel se!"

"What? Kis se?" I asked scrunching my nose and Bhaiya answered, "She is saying google! Right princess !"Bhaiya raised his hand in air and Manahil gave him a highfive "Hundled pelcent light!" and they winked at each other.

I blinked my eyes sighing in annoyance  when Bhaiya came forward "You got ready just because I asked you to then can't you come down?Meri ek aur baat maan nhi sakti?"

I smiled sadly at him and he understood my answer.

"Manahil go with mamu!Im coming in five minutes!" I lied to her seeing she was giving keen interest to our conversation.

Bhaiya tapped my cheek while smiling sadly and they left the room.

I turned to look at myself in the mirror.

It's been four years since I've got ready,I've applied this red lip-colour!

Pehle tou inke liye tayyar hoti thi ab tou koi wajah hi nhi rahi mere sajne ki! 

I wiped that tear which fell from my eye in oblivion.

"In palkon k saaye main jiyun main!
In zulfon ki kashish se aashiqui karoon main!
Teri ankhon ki angrayon main majnu hojaon main,
Tere labon ki naazuki pe qurbaan jaon main,
Ek baar meri taraf bhi tou dekh le zaalim,kahin intezaar karte karte mar hi na jaon main!" Soft yet torrid words were spoken and I turned my face to the source from where they came.

"Nhi Cabir this is so cliche! Koi aur try kar phir koi larki pategi tughse!" He was outside my room talking to Cabir bhai on cell.I swallowed slowly,taking that thought back that he was praising me.

Why will he praise you Nandani!He doesn't find you beautiful anymore of course when you aren't one then why would he!

"Hey!" He stepped in the room jerking me instantly.

He gawked at me from my toes to my head and then chuckled, " You must be thinking that you are looking beautiful! Right ?" His voice had sarcasm and my heart shed a tear seeing him making such a stinking face while eyeing me.

"You can leave my room Mr.Malhotra!I didn't ask you to put forth your thoughts regarding me!"Controlling my emotions I spoke sternly and he rolled his eyes,twisting his lips, "Whatever!"

He turned towards door and I wiped my teary eyes.His such rude behaviour was breaking my heart every minute.

"Tum nhi aa rahi?"Turning back towards me he squeezed his brows and I gave him a stern look.

"Aap se matlab? Maine pehle bhi bola tha aapse k apni had main rahiye aap!"

His eyes turned fierce listening my snarl and he stomped towards me leaving me scared for a second.

"Ye kia kar rahe hain aap?Leave my hand!"I yelled at him but he was busy pulling me towards the door.

"Mughe nhi aana! Aap haath choriye mera!"Tears fell from my eyes as I tried to loose his grip around my wrist.

"Nhi! Please! Chorein mughe!" I cried loudly and he turned towards me.

"Enough!"He roared clutching my bare waist and I shivered, "Nhi...mughe..nhi..." Before I could cry more he pulled me more closer. "I SAID ENOUGH NANDANI!" He shouted angrily and I joined my shivering lips,sealing my mouth right away.

"Wipe your eyes!"He ordered and I wiped my eyes hastily with my both palms.

"Ab nhi rona warna mughse bura koi nhi hoga!"He warned me with his inquisitive eyes and I nodded drinking my tears back.

He left my waist and again held my palm turning towards door.
"Nhi!" I whispered totally frightened,my chin jiggling because of refraining tears.

He sighed and turned towards me. "Tumhari taraf ankh uthane wale ko zinda zameen main garh dunga main!"
Two tears fell from my eyes again and he stepped towards me. "Manik ki jaan ho tum!Aur Manik ko ye bilkul bhi gawara nhi k koi uski jaan ko takleef bhi pohonchaye,tum bhi nhi!"He wiped my tears,smiling softly and picked me up in his arms.For the first I found that love in his eyes which he used to behold before.

He took me down to the engagement hall in his arms,all the while I was busy staring at him only.

Kia ab bhi ye wohi pyaar karte hain mughse ?

........

Do leave your feedback!And the ones asking very impatiently for update should respond or else next time even I won't give any importance to their requests!

Next chapter can be named "Chummi!"🙈
If you guys want then only!😜

New Wanderer!