Dil ke Karib (Early Acess Ch 31)

🎉 How was the last chapter? Can Rajeev ever protect Nandini from a curse name Vikrant?

🛎️ New to Nandini and Rajeev’s world? No worries! Catch up on Dil ke Karib (Chapters 1–30) on my website before diving in. Her story is just getting started… 💔✨

🔥 Don’t miss:
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… 👇

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Chapter 31 – When Eyes Open, So Do Wounds

Nandini woke with a sharp breath.

It wasn’t a gasp—it was quieter, a fluttering inhale that barely lifted her chest. But to Rajeev, it sounded louder than thunder. He was already leaning in, one hand at her wrist, the other brushing hair from her forehead.

“Nandini,” he whispered. “You’re awake.”

She blinked slowly, eyes glazed with pain. Then: “Where…?”

“Home,” he said. “You’re home.”

He held out a spoon, a few drops of water trembling in it. She sipped. Coughed. He steadied her, every motion gentler than breath.

“You fainted,” he said softly. “You hit your head. And the vaid came. You’re safe now.”

She tried to speak again, but her throat caught. So she just looked at him—and something in his face shifted. A flicker of fear. Of love. Of a secret he was still holding tightly behind his teeth.

But before either of them could say more—

"Vikrant." She tried to tell him something, but her voice failed her. She reached for his hand. He squeezed back—steady, warm, unshakable. With a small nod, she closed her eyes, trusting him to keep her safe. "He...he..." But the words wouldn't come out. She felt his grip tighten on her hand, a silent understanding passing between them.

The door burst open.

His mother swept in like a storm, dressed in marigold, red bangles clattering, a brass plate in hand, and red chilis swinging from thread.

"Thank God you are awake," she exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and urgency. "But be careful next time. How did you slip and fall like that?" His mother's presence brought a sense of chaotic energy into the room, but also a sense of relief that she was there to take charge. "Take care of yourself; you are not alone now..."

Rajeev winced—grateful, yes. But also exposed, as if her words had peeled back a layer he wasn’t ready to face.

Not alone—what was she talking about? Was there someone else in the room with them? Nandini's mind raced with questions as she tried to piece together what had happened before she blacked out.

“Aa nazar na lagay meri bahu ko!” she exclaimed, circling the chillis over Nandini’s head once, twice, thrice, then tossing them straight into the coal sigdi in the corner. The hiss was sharp.

“Maa—” Rajeev began, but she was already reaching for the silver bowl of misri and dahi.

“Eat, beta,” she cooed, scooping the sweet onto Nandini’s trembling lips. “Good news must be sealed with sweetness.”

Nandini blinked, confused. “Good… news?”

Rajeev stiffened.

His mother beamed. “Yes! We know, Nandini. The vaid told us. You’re going to be a mother!”

Silence collapsed into the room.

Nandini stared at her. At Rajeev. At the bowl. She opened her mouth—then lurched.

She lurched forward and threw up.

Not with nausea. Not with fear.

The sweet hit the floor. So did the spoon. Rajeev caught her—held her hair, held her.

His mother gasped. “Hai Ram!”

“Ma—she just woke up,” Rajeev said. His voice cracked with strain. Nandini closed her eyes, trying to process the news that she was going to be a mother. The room spun around her as she struggled to come to terms with the unexpected revelation. A cold coil tightened around her spine. Not joy. Not fear. Just... an echo. Something too raw to name.

But Nandini wasn’t listening anymore.

Her eyes had gone wide. Not with nausea. Not with fear.

But with memory.

Something had come back.

And Rajeev saw it—in the way her hands clutched her saree. In the way her lips moved without sound.

He leaned in, heart crashing against his ribs. “Shh… I’m here. No matter what, you have me.”

Tears welled, but Nandini didn’t cry. Rajeev was beside her—solid, loyal. But not even he could shield her from what stirred inside.

Her sins were catching up to her, threatening to consume her once and for all.

Vikrant had already left something behind. Now, it was growing inside her—and there was no undoing it.

*****

✨ Author’s Note

Nandini has opened her eyes… but peace didn’t return with her breath.

A child grows inside her 👣—but is it a blessing… or a curse waiting to be named?
She remembered something. 🩸 Just a flash. A shadow. But it was enough to unravel everything she tried to forget.

And Rajeev? He’s holding onto a truth he may never speak. 👤
Because only he and she know whose child this really is.

Tomorrow, in Chapter 32, memory slices deeper.
And Vikrant? ⏳
He’s not gone. He’s watching. Waiting.

👉 See you all in next Chapter.
💭 The past isn’t done with Nandini. And the future is already growing inside her.

#SecretsUnraveling #VikrantReturns #PregnantWithSecrets #Chapter32IsComing

Shaar Shree.