Dil Ke Karib (Early Acess Ch 23)

🎉 How was last Chapter did this chapter make your heart flutter or break?

🛎️ New to Nandini and Rajeev’s world? No worries! Catch up on Dil ke Karib (Chapters 1–22) 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… 👇

******

The morning stillness hung heavy, thick as a held breath — then the door slammed open with a violent crash, ripping through the quiet like a jagged knife. Rajeev’s gaze snapped toward the intruder, his jaw tightening instantly.

A tall, imposing figure stood in the doorway—Vikrant. His eyes were dark, unreadable, but the threat simmering beneath the surface was clear as day.

“Rajeev,” Vikrant’s voice was low, dangerous, almost a hiss.

Nandini's breath hitched, fingers clutching the folds of her saree as cold sweat prickled her skin. Every instinct screamed to vanish into the shadows, to become invisible. Nandini turned her back, pressing her face into the folds of her pallu, desperate to disappear.

Rajeev rose slowly from the bed, his expression hardening. “What are you doing here?” His voice was calm but carried an edge that warned of consequences.

Vikrant’s gaze flicked to Nandini, lingering too long on the bruised wrist peeking out from beneath her saree. A dark smile curved on his lips. “I came to wake you, bhai… It seems last night was more eventful than you thought.”

He smiled darkly. “Burning the midnight oil with the bride...” Vikrant taunted, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Rajeev's fists clenched at his sides, his voice dangerously low as he replied, “Remember exactly who she is to you.”

Rajeev’s eyes narrowed, fists clenched at his sides. “Who told you to walk into my room without permission?" 

Nandini’s heart raced as she tried to come up with a plausible excuse, her mind racing for a way out of the tense situation. As she hides her face under her veil.

The air between the two brothers crackled with unspoken history, a storm held just beneath the surface.

"Even last time I told you, don't enter my room without knocking," Rajeev’s voice dropped low, a hard edge sharpening his words. His eyes flashed dangerously as he stepped closer, the room crackling with silent warning.

Nandini felt a chill run down her spine as she realized the gravity of the situation she had unknowingly stumbled into.

Vikrant’s eyes flicked to the bruise on her wrist. A slow, cruel smile spread. “Looks like someone’s hiding more than secrets.”

“Enough. Get out—before I make you.” His voice was ice, eyes blazing.

“Easy, bhai. I’m leaving... for now.” Vikrant smirks as he turns to stare at Nandini with a knowing look before turning on his heel and exiting the room, leaving Rajeev seething with anger.

Nandini stood frozen in place, unsure of what had just transpired, but feeling this first, she saw Rajeev close the door softly, knuckles white. The brother he once trusted now felt like a shadow he barely recognized — and his need to shield Nandini burned hotter than ever.

“Nandini...” His voice softened, tentative, almost pleading.

But even so, her spine straightened as she turned to face him, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to tread carefully in this dangerous situation.

"Ji...," she responded tentatively, trying to gauge Rajeev's mood before speaking further.

"I know you're hiding something from me, and I don’t expect you to tell me everything now. But remember — a relationship stands on trust. When you’re ready, I want you to know... you can tell me anything.”

He turned and left, leaving the silence hanging between them. Nandini stood alone, heart pounding, caught between relief and dread.

Nandini knew she would have to make a decision soon about whether or not to share her secret with Rajeev. She knew that keeping it inside was no longer an option.

But every time she tried to gain some courage to tell him, she couldn't find the right words or the right moment. And now he saw the bruise on her wrist, a visible sign of the pain she was hiding. She knew she couldn't keep avoiding the conversation any longer. It was time to trust Rajeev with her secret and let him in.

She fixed her gaze on the mirror, getting ready for the day as she walked out of the bedroom and made her way to the kitchen.

Nandini’s legs felt like lead as she slipped out of the bedroom, the weight of unspoken fears pressing down on her chest. She wrapped her pallu tighter around her face, trying to hide trembling lips as she moved toward the kitchen, the echo of Vikrant’s words still ringing in her ears.

"Maaji…," Nandini greeted her mother-in-law by touching her feet as she entered the kitchen.

"Good morning... Go give this tea to Vikrant and Rajeev ," her mother-in-law replied, handing her a tray with two cups of tea. Nadni hesitated for a moment, then took the tray and headed towards the living room where her husband and Rajeev were sitting. She passed the chai to him.

"Won't you give me, bhabi…," Virkrant's nasty voice cut through the air, causing Nandini to freeze for a moment.

As Nandini approached with the tray, her fingers tightened around the tray; her breath caught in her throat. The weight of the morning’s confrontation is still heavy. Vikrant’s cold gaze pinned her like an accusation, and when his hand brushed hers unexpectedly, a sharp jolt of panic surged through her. The hot chai slipped, splashing over her wrist in a burning wave. She gasped, pressing her palm against the sting, fighting tears.

“Nandini...” Rajeev’s voice cracked with concern as he gently took her hand, guiding it to a bucket of cold water. "Can't you see? How can you be so careless?" he scolded gently, his eyes filled with worry as he watched her wince in pain.

A small smile appeared on Nandini's face, despite the pain, as she appreciated Rajeev's care and concern for her well-being. "You are so good to me," she whispered, grateful for his presence in her life.

"Shut up and let me take care of you," Rajeev replied, gently brushing her hair out of her face. The sharp scent of spilled chai lingered, mingling with jasmine from her saree. Rajeev’s touch was steady, a balm to her frazzled nerves and fractured heart. She closed her eyes, letting his warmth wash over her — for the first time in days, feeling maybe, just maybe, she was safe.

*****

Author’s Note:

Hey lovely readers! 🌸

Wow, what a rollercoaster this morning turned out to be, right? That slammed door, Vikrant’s dark entrance, and the tension crackling in the air—it’s like the calm right before a storm ready to explode. ⚡️ Rajeev’s fierce protectiveness feels so real, and poor Nandini’s caught right in the middle, hiding secrets that are just waiting to break free. Can you feel her heartbeat racing? Because I sure do! 💔

I love how moments like these show just how complicated family ties can be—loyalty, love, suspicion, and danger all tangled together. And that tiny spill of chai? Sometimes the smallest things reveal the biggest truths. ☕🔥

Now, I’ve gotta know—what do you think Nandini’s secret is? How far will Rajeev go to protect her? And what’s Vikrant really after? Drop your guesses and thoughts in the comments below! 👇 Let’s unpack all this tension together.

If this chapter had your heart pounding or your nerves buzzing, smash that like ❤️ and share it with your fellow book lovers. And don’t forget to follow so you don’t miss the next twist—trust me, it’s coming fast! 🔥📚

Thanks for reading, you amazing humans! Sending all the love and chai vibes your way ☕✨

— Shaar Shree.