Tattling was the only background score as Manik tried to gulp the breakfast served to him. His mind was on fire as if thousands of bees had stung him. He couldn't keep himself away from thinking about Nandini.

"Manik," Harshad called out a bit loudly to bring him out of his thoughts.

"Colonel Singh has called you in his office," Harshad informed and Manik looked at door to find an irate peon who must have called him many times. Manik nodded and walked out.

Knocking the door, he heard colonel calling him inside.

Colonel Singh didn't look up from file on his desk but his face hardened as Manik walked to him.

"Sir," Manik tried to mark his presence and colonel closed the file just spare a hard look to Manik.

"You brought Nandini to my house?" Colonel asked.

Manik was expecting this question. He sighed and nodded.

"You brought her here when you knew how I would not like it?" Colonel asked raising his brow.

Manik opened his mouth to say something but colonel was in mood to throw another question.

"And You again didn't care about academy and your future," Colonel mentioned in a defeated tone as he slouched back in his chair. Manik looked up to find colonel gazing him with something illegible.

"I had nowhere else to take her," Manik replied lowly but profoundly.

"Besides, Mrs Singh is fine with it," That had tinge of irritation now.

Colonel Singh chuckled and Manik tried to find out what was so funny.

"Sahiba said the same thing," Colonel explained and Manik pursed his lips trying not to look amused.

Colonel kept shaking his head as if trying to make himself understand something.

"Go attend your classes," He told Manik. Manik kept standing there unable to believe how that was all about it. He had expected another severe penalty, and if not that at least some scolding. Nothing of that sort had happened.

"You can leave now, cadet," Colonel again said while opening the file on desk. Manik nodded and walked out only to overthink that what could be reason of colonel's leniency. His mind had been put into a state where he now always tried to fetch what was wrong instead of taking things how they were. He needed to know what was colonel's next move. He had gone beyond sanity.

______________

"Just give her these medicines and she will be fine," Doctor informed Mrs Singh while walking out of room.

"Don't worry, Ma'am," Military doctor tried to reason a worried Mrs Singh.

"It's just aftereffects of drenching in rain," He informed casually.

"Thank you, Sameer," Mrs Singh thanked wholeheartedly.

Closing the door, she walked upstairs and saw Nandini sleeping peacefully. Mild sunlight was showering her pale face through window and she looked like one unarmed princess. Mrs Singh closed the door and walked back to living room. Last few hours were nothing less than a tough drill. It was difficult to explain Colonel why and how Nandini was there in their house. Well, Mrs Singh did quite a job telling her husband off. She knew it was her territory and no one could ask her why she does what. Her eyes darted towards landline and she wondered if she should inform Murthys or not. She didn't know what was situation there. She pondered for a minute or two and then she chose what was right. Picking the receiver, she dialed a number.

____________________

Manik tapped the desk impatiently while Harshad checked the clock for nth time. His impatient friend was becoming a matter of concern for him. He had never seen Manik this restless.

"Just five more minutes," Harshad whispered to Manik.

Manik nodded and tried to concentrate what Major Sinha was saying. It all was sounding gibberish to him. He didn't know how he had restrained himself from running to Colonel's cottage and see her.

Last night played in his mind and he didn't realize when he turned so hot. His forehead was furrowed and palms sweaty. It was anger which was shaping up now. He still couldn't believe how any family could oust their daughter like that. Pen in his hand crackled as he exerted all his might on it. He knew he wasn't ever going to forgive Mr Murthy. He earlier had no one to feel this much protective about but now when he had, he could feel the feeling touching the lid. He didn't know what extent she could take him to. He knew he could never lose her.

Bell rang and he stormed out like there was nothing which could hold him back now. Harshad collected his and Manik's books from desk. He followed Manik while entire class gaped them.

__________________

Door of Colonel's house was open and Manik didn't hesitate to barge in. Someone was sitting in living room. It was a lady. Her back was turned on Manik.

"Manik," Mrs Singh said elated seeing him there.

That lady turned around and now Manik knew who she was.

It was Nandini's mother. Manik's gaze hardened as he stared right back in Mrs Murthy's eyes. She too didn't have any kind of warmth in her eyes.

It was like she was condemning him. Manik knew he could never like her or her husband. He had seen how they treated Nandini. It didn't matter anymore what they thought of him.

"I called them," Mrs Singh tried to cut the dense air. Manik's gaze was questioning as Mrs Singh tried to reason him.

"I thought they would be worried," She explained.

Manik didn't reply but stride upstairs. He could hear someone talking from away. Nandini's room was open a bit and he could hear a familiar voice. He reached the room and saw Nandini cuddling to her Daadu. Rishi was there too standing in corner. His face was relaxed but he looked taut.

"Daadu," Manik called and Daadu looked towards door.

"Manik," Daadu said elated and walked to him. Manik's eyes were on Nandini who looked so weak and feeble as she tried to smile at him. Daadu hugged Manik tightly and murmured a quivering thanks. Manik wrapped his arms around Daadu and smiled.

"This brigadier owes his life to this cadet," He whispered with a shaky voice. Manik didn't know how to console the big man. He had never felt warmth of bonds and it would take time to get used to it. His eyes found Nandini's and she smiled more.

Daadu let go after a long time and walked back to Nandini. Manik found the situation quite awkward as he stood at door not knowing what to do. He smiled at Rishi while walking inside. There were medicines on table and he found it best to check them to leave the family alone.

Nandini shook her head totally sensing Manik's awkwardness. It was scary how they both had started to understand each other without a word. Kids had signed up for something much bigger than their shoes.

"We didn't find this brat anywhere, how did you find her?" Rishi asked as he walked to Manik.

Manik looked up and then at Daadu. Nandini leaned on huge pillow as simper on her face grew big. Manik knew it was working. This visit by her family might have worked wonders as she looked much better.

"It was easy," Manik told shrugging his shoulders. He didn't know what was the issue but he could feel his palms going sweaty. He was anxious and uncomfortable. Something was stopping him from being normal. Maybe something had changed. He was unsure.

"Nandini and easy..." Daadu laughed out loud and added, "That was a good joke, Malhotra."

Manik looked at Nandini and found her gazing him so intensely.

"Right," Manik gave up and said, "At east most border and that too on other side of fence." He sighed retiring and again got busy with medicines in his hand.

"You are mad," Rishi tapped Nandini's forehead and she growled at him.

"Why this sedative?" Manik asked totally trying to talk to Nandini. she hadn't given him deserved attention till now and that was a matter of concern. He could feel himself growing impatient.

She looked at wrapper clueless and shrugged.

"Wait, I will ask Mrs Singh," He said and ran out of room. Giggles did touch his ears as he walked downstairs.

"I was thinking, Sahiba..." Mrs Murthy was with Mrs Singh in kitchen.

"We would take Nandini to farmhouse...until Madhav calms down," She explained the plan to Mrs Singh.

Manik halted at doorstep as he heard that.

"See, I know you are her mother and think best for her," Mrs Singh started to say but then a very impatient young man walked in with an apparent angry face.

"She will not go anywhere with her. And if you have any problem keeping her here, ma'am, I will take her anywhere else," Manik spoke without being able to keep a check on his temper.

Mrs Singh gaped him while Mrs Murthy walked to him furiously.

"It's because of you, we are in such a situation," She spoke furiously.

"From the day Nandini has got this little crush on you, she has lost her mind," She added.

"I am still not going to let you take her anywhere," Manik replied calmly.

"You are shameless," Mrs Murthy was amused.

"You can now leave," Manik said in controlled voice.

"Manik," Mrs Singh tried to barge in. Manik looked away and Mrs Singh sighed.

"We are leaving, Mom," Rishi called out as he and Daadu walked downstairs.

"I am not leaving my daughter here," Mrs Murthy made it clear.

"Then fight it out with your husband first," Daadu remarked as a matter of fact.

"Instead of blaming innocent people," He added pointing towards Manik.

"No, I am going to take my daughter along," Mrs Murthy was adamant as she walked upstairs.

Daadu sighed while Manik gazed outside the window trying to tame his anger. It was turning cold and dark outside.

"I was never going to let her take Nandini away," Mrs Singh said in slight hurt tone. Manik looked at her and realized how he had talked so rudely to her. She had helped them in every way and that's how he had repaid.

"I am sorry, ma'am," He said lowly and added, "I didn't mean to accuse you."

She nodded and walked upstairs.

"Anger ruins things, cadet," Daadu spared some word of wisdom as he saw Manik taking dives in guilt.

"Apologize to her later, she is a kind woman," He added and Manik nodded.

-------------

"Please come with us," Mrs Murthy pleaded for third time as she sat in front of Nandini.

"I am not going anywhere with you," Nandini replied not meeting her mother's eyes.

"This is not your home, Nandini," Mrs Murthy's voice raised a bit. Mrs Singh halted at doorstep as she heard the agitation.

"Look at this store room, you are not made to live such a low life," Mrs Murthy spoke without knowing how they had listeners.

Manik's ears too caught the bitter remark as he reached upstairs.

"Still better than your mansion, mom," Nandini got off the bed and fumbled to wear her slippers, "At least people here are not fake. They don't feed me bitter words all the time. They care a lot and that's all I need." Nandini let out the frustration and didn't hear her mother say anything further.

"You may go now. It's getting dark," Nandini said walking towards washroom.

"why are you doing this?" Mrs Murthy asked irritated and tired.

"Why are you doing this? There's no need to play a good mother. Believe me no one is watching," Nandini had tamed her anger for long and now it was getting difficult.

Mrs Murthy kept gaping her daughter in disbelief and Mrs Singh found a profound hint of family's messed up equation. She took a deep breath and entered the room.

"I hope I am not disturbing," She said with a smile and Mrs Murthy tried to straighten her face.

"I think you should leave. Nandini can stay here as long as she wants. When she will feel like coming to you, she will," Mrs Singh explained with a genuine smile.

Mrs Murthy looked at her stubborn daughter and nodded.

"Thanks Sahiba," She replied and walked out.

Nandini excused herself and entered the washroom to calm herself down.

Manik saw an utterly defeated Mrs Murthy walking downstairs. He walked inside only to find Mrs Singh arranging the little room. He knew how she must have felt.

"If I bend down on my knees and say sorry, would you forgive me, ma'am?" He asked not knowing how to take his words back.

Mrs Singh looked at him amused and found him gazing the floor.

"No," Her stern voice touched Manik's ears and he looked up disheartened.

"But I may forgive you if you stop calling me ma'am," She added folding the final sheet.

Manik took a relieved sigh and walked to her.

"Anything you say," He agreed with a thankful smile while Mrs Singh patted his cheek.

-------------------

"Is he going to stay entire night here?" Colonel asked grumpily while feasting on his favorite dishes.

He knew his wife was a mastermind. She had cooked all his favorite dishes tonight just to keep him shushed about all the things happening around.

"At least, let him have dinner. Poor boy hasn't breathed in peace since yesterday," Mrs Singh said while serving more butter chicken to her husband.

Nandini opened her mouth as Manik brought another fancy bite to her mouth. She was loving the sickness. Manik being a granny was fun sight. He hadn't smiled since he had walked in and now furrows on his forehead had started to look like wrinkles of an old lady.

"You should eat some too," Nandini suggested while he shook his head.

"I am not hungry," He replied and again got busy in decorating the piece of chapati with everything on plate.

"No, it's seriously very tasty," She tried to lure the grumpy man.

"No," He said briefly and brought another bite to her mouth.

Nandini smiled noticing his stubborn frown. She didn't know if he would ever let her sulk about anything. No, it wasn't about how he couldn't see her like that alone. It was about being an amusing kid all the time who needed attention and love no matter what. She couldn't put her mind on anything else when he was around to grab all the attention. Her heart still held so much of anger that she could walk miles and still not be over it. But she didn't feel like acting on it when such a distraction was sitting in front of her.

Door flung open and a confused man walked in with a tiffin box.

"Sorry," Harshad said seeing shocked faces of Manik and Nandini.

"I should have knocked," Harshad added and started to walk outside.

"Who allowed you in?" Manik asked baffled.

Nandini giggled and Harshad turned hue with embarrassment.

"Colonel Singh," Harshad replied through his teeth.

"He said... anything to take you out of his house," He added and Nandini suppressed her laugh.

"Liar," Manik mumbled and again resumed his granny duty.

"How are you, Nandini?" Harshad asked as he walked to her bed.

"I am fine," She replied coolly.

"A lunchbox?" She asked and Harshad tried to hide it somewhere.

He giggled nervously while Manik glared him.

"I thought I should bring you both some food but...I guess it wasn't....needed," He spoke sheepishly.

"You seriously thought these people won't give us food?" Manik asked not believing his stupid friend.

"Shut up," Harshad mouthed while trying to scare Manik through eyes.

Nandini finally laughed out loud as two friends kept talking in eyes. Her eyes dampened a bit as she realized how her giggles were only noise in room. She didn't know how to handle such contrast of emotions. She was trying so hard to be normal while nothing was normal. She was trying her best weapons to battle it out but nothing was working. She didn't know how to feel about whatever happened.

Manik noticed her smile losing its depth while she jumped out of bed and stormed inside bathroom.

"This is tough," Manik mumbled putting the plate on side table.

"She will be fine, don't worry," Harshad said lowly while picking up the tiffin box.

"Better eat here without a word or else I will tell Mrs Singh," He warned Manik before walking outside.

Manik shook his head in defeat and picked up the plate to finish what she had left.

____________________

"She doesn't have cloths," Manik mentioned while Mrs Singh walked him out.

"Manik...do you think I won't take care of that," She said sternly.

"Of course, you would do," He said sheepishly.

He was trying to leave for dorm from past 15 minutes but then one or another thing wasn't letting him. At least he believed so.

"I still don't get it..why sedatives though?" Manik asked unsure only to earn a glare from Mrs Singh.

"Of course, Doctor knows better," He himself corrected it before Mrs Singh had to.

He walked quietly to front gate and then looked up at her room's window.

There she stood. His face formed a smile so genuine that Mrs Singh didn't have to take a guess.

"I think...I should go," He said after few seconds of awkward silence.

"Yes, you shoud. Go and sleep, Manik. She is safe here," Mrs Singh said it out loud.

He nodded and looked up at her again.

"Manik," Nandini called out opening the window while Mnaik almost jumped in his place for starting the sprint towards her room.

"Go," Mrs Singh said giving up.

He ran inside to see her while Nandini walked towards door.

Mrs Singh didn't know how not to smile at such young love. She knew for sure how those kids were irrevocably in love with each other.

Manik reached upstairs panting hard while Nandini opened the door.

He took his time to gaze her while she didn't waste time and clung to him.

His arms wrapped around her while she closed her eyes tightly.

"Everything is gonna be fine," He murmured while she cringed.

"I swear I will make everything fine," He added and she hit him on thigh using her knee.

"Ouch," He let out the pain and she murmured something in his ear which he couldn't catch. He assumed it to be some cuss word. They always sounded so sweet from her mouth.

"Just be quiet," She commanded and parted away. He could comply to everything she says any time any day.

Her glassy eyes kept looking into his worried one for few quiet moments before she inched closer. Her lips pecked his briefly and she descended his boots. When she had climbed on them, he had no idea.

"Go sleep now," She said while her fingers tried to untangle themselves from his.

As she turned away, Manik grabbed her closer just to leave a tight long kiss on her hair.

"I will be back tomorrow," He said and walked away. Nandini didn't feel like turning around and watch him leave.

It was going to be one long night. She didn't know how not to be without him. She had no courage to be alone all by herself.

She walked in and locked the room only to let out a stewing groan. She looked around and found those walls enclosing her in some weird warmth. She was glad she was in that closed space. Her eyes dampened and she slid down the door. It was some strange kind of lost. She was feeling invincible at one hand while on other she was just a scattered mess.

Fact that she had no home and she knew nothing of tomorrow was staring her face. Her own father hated her and she didn't know how to feel about it anymore. She had taken a step so new that she didn't know if she could sigh in peace or not. All she knew that she was never going to return to that place once she thought was her home. She wiped her tears and dived into cozy bed. It embraced her voluntarily. She thought it was alright to be weak after all. Window showed her a retreating figure in dark...her man. She thought it was alright to be down when he was around.

________________________________

Murthys dined in silence not knowing what to talk. Everyone had his or her own inner battle. One man was eating in peace amid all the silence chaos and that was Daadu.

"Guess what," He spoke as he picked up the paper napkin.

Everyone looked up at him unarmed.

"It's gonna be this dead quiet always from now on," He said and then chuckled.

Mr Murthy gaped his father, he was trying hard to get what was so amusing.

"You are a fool, Madhav," Daadu spoke pointing at his clueless son.

Mr Murthy put the fork down trying to get his old man.

"You gave my kiddo wings and guess what she is never returning to this HELL," He spoke out loud and got up.

"I am gonna throw a party soon," He added and walked away.

Rishi smiled while Mr and Mrs Murthy gaped each other in unknown agony.

Bird had escaped the cage to take the flight of her life. She wasn't ever returning. Daadu entered his room and sighed in peace as well as grief.

His little hellion had a tough way ahead and he wasn't by her side. But he did know she had someone now whom she had chosen to be hers, only hers. He thought he could sleep now without a worry.

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Unedited*

I know a short one but I shall be back with another one soon enough. 🙈