Dil ke Karib (Early Acess Ch 17)

🎉 How was last Chapter did it make heart pump or stop.

🛎️ New to Nandini and Rajeev’s world? No worries! Catch up on Dil ke Karib (Chapters 1–15) on my website before diving in. Her story is just getting started… 💔✨

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Married to My Brother-in-Law, In Love with His Brother — dropping Mon–Fri at 9 PM
Dil ke Karib — continuing Mon–Fri at 9 AM

✨ Two stories. Two time slots. One unforgettable journey.

Now, let’s dive back into the latest chapter… 👇

******

Rajeev’s footsteps echoed down the hallway, each one tightening the knot in his chest until it was hard to breathe. His hand lingered on the doorframe, fingers brushing the soft silk of Nandini’s saree—still warm from his kiss moments before. He wanted to stay, to reach out, but the silence pressed against them like a weight, smothering any words before they could form.

Tension hung heavy between them—unnamed but impossible to ignore.

The space between them was a cold, unyielding wall—each silent step another brick in place.

He longed to ask if she needed anything else, to stay a moment longer—but the words caught in his throat, swallowed by the heavy silence that stretched between them.

Nandini froze, muscles stiff as ice. Her breath caught—a fragile thread ready to snap—while her fingers clenched the saree, desperate to anchor herself to something real.

Why can't I speak? Her thoughts spiraled, desperate for escape. Her throat tightened—dry and clenched—sealing her lips shut.

She still remembered the last time she trusted someone with her heart—how quickly it turned into judgment, how fast love vanished. Fractured by betrayal, broken promises, and wounds she thought buried deep.

Her fingers clawed at the saree’s folds, scraping her skin raw—she didn’t even notice. The fabric bit back—sharp and unforgiving—like the secret pressing down on her.

A scream clawed at her throat, but silence smothered it—unyielding, suffocating.

Rajeev stopped, eyes locked on hers—searching, waiting.

His voice softened, hesitant but steady. “Do you want to stay, Nandini?”

Her lips parted, then sealed shut. All she could do was shake her head.

Tears shimmered behind her lashes, ready to fall. For a fleeting moment, he saw the terrified girl beneath the wife—the one he longed to save but didn’t know how.

“Nandini?” His voice cracked, desperation bleeding through.

Her shoulders trembled—fragile, like jasmine petals caught in the wind. The room spun; the silence thickened, unbearable.

“Take care…” she whispered, turning away and retreating inside, avoiding his gaze.

She vanished from sight, leaving him alone in the hallway—helpless, lost. He knew he had to reach her before it was too late.

He sighed, unsure what to do next.

“Rajeev, are you coming or not?” His brother’s voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back.

Maybe I’ll talk to Nandini once I’m back, he thought.

Rajeev grabbed his bag and headed for the door. He needed to stop drowning in his own doubts and focus on helping her. Determined, he left with a plan to make things right.

As Rajeev’s footsteps faded, heavy silence settled over the house. Nandini forced herself into motion, grabbing a pile of clothes and scrubbing furiously—trying to drown the storm inside.

She would tell him everything soon; she just needed time to gather her courage and sort through her emotions first.

She gathered a heavy load—her clothes, Rajeev’s, her mother-in-law’s, bedsheets—anything within reach. Scrubbing became her escape, a way to quiet the overwhelming emotions threatening to consume her.

The maids offered help, but she waved them off—needing this time alone to sort through her feelings. She appreciated their kindness but knew she had to face this storm herself first.

Her mother-in-law watched from afar, curiosity flickering in her eyes. Why all the laundry in the harsh afternoon sun? Still, she held back, giving Nandini the space she seemed to need.

Nandini scrubbed the clothes with soap and water, the physical rhythm offering a temporary balm to the storm inside her. As she worked, a sense of catharsis slowly washed over her.

Her hands were sore, but her mind felt lighter, more at ease. The burning sun beat down on her back, warmth mirroring the slow healing inside.

Suddenly, she felt piercing eyes on her. A shiver crawled down her spine—but she didn’t look. She didn’t have to.

Vikrant.

His gaze clung to her like a shadow—unseen but impossible to ignore. A reminder that some truths never stayed buried. Despite the discomfort, she stayed focused, refusing to let his presence distract her from finding peace in the work.

Sweat dripped down her back as she toiled under the blazing sun, Vikrant’s intense stare only adding to the heat. She knew she was a coward for not confronting him, but with her mother-in-law watching, she doubted he’d cross any lines here. She pushed on, determined to let her dedication speak for itself.

“Massi… Is your new bahu trying to win you over?” Vikrant’s voice sliced through the stillness, taunting and sharp.

“Leave her be. Come, Vikrant, I’ll make some chai.” Her mother-in-law’s calm voice eased the tension.

Vikrant stepped closer, crouching near her feet, smirking. Her heart pounded—anger and fear tangled inside her.

“Bhabhi…” The word sent a shiver down her spine. “Leave the clothes. Come, have some chai.”

Her eyes flamed with silent fury as he reached to touch her arm.

She clenched her fist, biting back the urge to lash out. The room thrummed with tension as she fought to hold her ground against his unwelcome advances.

“Vikrant… come, beta,” her mother-in-law’s voice called softly, breaking the moment. She led him away, granting Nandini a fragile peace.

She splashed cold water on her face, took a slow breath, and returned to her chores. The tension ebbed. She focused, steadying herself—refusing to let anyone’s words undo her.

As she folded the dry clothes, her gaze lingered on the doorway where Rajeev had stood.
She whispered, “Come back soon, Rajeev.”
Not just to the house—but to her.

*****

✨ Author’s Note ✨

Hey lovely readers! 💖 Chapter 17 dives deep into Rajeev and Nandini’s tangled emotions—the silence, the pain, the unspoken words. Can you feel that tension? 😟 Sometimes love is loudest when no one’s speaking.

What do YOU think Rajeev should do next? Should he fight harder for Nandini, or give her the space she needs? Drop your thoughts below! 👇💬

Thanks for being on this journey with me—your support means everything! Ready for more? Stay tuned! 🌟

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—Shaar Shree