SECRETS.....

NANDINI'S POV:

I got up for the puja at 4 a.m., dressed in a white Anarkali, and went outside. Navya was still sleeping, so I knew she was tired. Everyone was. I did not expect anybody to attend the puja.I reached the hall and saw Manik, Abhi, Dhruv, and Cabir.

"Nandini, I want to talk to you," Abhi and Dhruv said as soon as they saw me.

Their betrayal flashed in front of my eyes.

"She is my sister." They said to each other.I did not have the will to argue. It did not matter anymore. I did not trust them anymore."Bhai has asked Bhabhi to come upstairs." One of the guards said.I went up to the terrace, followed by everyone."Good morning Jaanu." Raghuveer hugged me. He reeked of alcohol.I smiled."Did my jaan sleep well?" He said and I nodded.He gave me a cold stare."What did we say about using words?" He asked."Sorry. I slept well. What is this puja about?" I asked."This is a puja to wash off your sins." He said casually."Her what?" Abhi asked.

"Sins. You know she has violated the sacred bond of marriage and slept with Manik before our marriage. Now she has to perform this puja to be pure again." He said, disappointed.I was beyond embarrassed. My moments were being spoken about so casually. I could not take it, and tears welled in my eyes. I saw a blurry image of Manik fisting his hand.

"How dare you?" Dhruv grabbed Raghuveer's collar.10 guns were pointed at his head instantly."You switched sides, Dhruv. You are a traitor, a rat. Rats are killed. I did not kill you because Nandini cares for you. Don't mistake it for a miracle." Raghuveer said as he shrugged Dhruv's hands from his collar."Raghuveer please." I whimpered."Guns down," he told his guards. "What are you guys doing here anyway? " he asked."I told you I am not leaving Nandini with you," Manik said."She is my wife." Raghuveer retorted."Not yet," Cabir said."What do I have to do?" I said, ending their argument and wiping my tears."You have to sit on that big plate. Pandit ji will perform the puja and pour milk over you after that puja." Raghuveer said.

I would be bathed in front of everyone. He had asked me to wear a white anarkali. I did not want to think anymore and sat on the plate.How did I get here? What was my fault? I had done everything correctly. I just fell for a guy. The wrong guy. I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a hot liquid falling on my head. I cried out in pain. Raghuveer grabbed my hand."I am sorry Jaanu. We are almost done." He kept saying until Pandit Ji finished pouring the hot milk on me. I closed my eyes and shouted.

"Stop please stop." I heard Manik's voice. I did not have it in me to open my eyes.What felt like hours Raghuveer said it was done. I opened my eyes to see 5empty pots of milk. My skin was still burning and had turned red. I saw the 3 boys had averted their gaze and Manik was sitting in front of me and Raghuveer on his knees. He looked so helpless as he looked at me. Tears were pouring from my eyes. However, I looked down to see my dress sticking to my skin. The white dress had turned translucent. I took my hand from Raghuveer and tried to protect myself from everyone. Manik sensed my discomfort and stood up. He was directly in front of me and with his body, he tried to shield me from everyone. Pandit Ji left and Raghuveer received a call. He asked me to change and directly go to my room to rest and hurried down to receive his call.

As soon as he left Manik gave me his shirt. I wore it and all the boys ran to me. I looked at Bhai.

"Bhai it hurts," I complained to him like I used to in our childhood."I know bacha. I am so sorry." He said as he hugged me. I pressed myself to my brother and cried. "Nandini. Go to your room and change. I want to talk to the boys" Manik said."I will drop her," Cabir said.I moved away from Bhai."I hate you Bhai. Why?" I said as Cabir dragged me down."Sorry, Nandini. We have only limited time to share the plan with the boys." He said."You know I am your cousin brother." He said as we walked down the stairs."Cabir, please. Can we not be family? Can you just be the guy who was remotely better to me than other boys in my life? Family only hurts." I said as we reached my room.

"I know we screwed up. I promise we will come out of it. We have a plan but sure I will be whatever you want me to be." He said sadly as we reached my room.

I did not know what to answer. I ran to the washroom and had a bath. I wore clean clothes snuggled next to Navya and slept.I felt a cold sensation. I opened my eyes to see Manik rubbing ice on my hands. I got up to see Navya was not next to me.

"Bathroom," Manik answered my unasked question.I snatched my hand from him and saw the time it was 9."What are you doing here?" I asked."Are you okay?" He asked."Please leave," I said standing up from the bed.

He got up and pushed me to the wall.I felt an ice cube on my cheek. Manik was rubbing an ice cube on it. Closed my eyes due to the cooling sensation. I felt Manik's breath on me."I promise baby I will make him pay Jaan." He whispered in my ears soothing scent spread over me. I felt my knees giving up. Damn, my heart fluttered so fast as his hand grazed my cheek. I opened my eyes to see him looking at me. My hand went to his cheek on its own accord. He kissed it.

"You are the purest soul." He whispered looking into my eyes.That brought me back to reality. He was doing all this to make me feel good about today's puja. I pushed him back.

"I don't need your pity, Mr. Malhotra," I said, straightening myself."Jaan that is not what I me...." He tried to say but I cut him off."Plan?" I asked."We have one. We all escape tonight." He said as Navya came out from the bathroom."What is it?" Iaksed/"I think you need a dress Ms Shekawat." He said as he walked out of the room. Leaving us confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!