"Hy..! Why are you crying?"I asked wiping her tears and she look at me sadly. "If you don't wanna come for tonight's party it's ok..!"I thought maybe that was the reason.
"No sir..! It's not like this..!"She said shaking her head.
"Then? Why these tears?"I asked softly I don't know after seeing her tears where did that arrogant malhotra in me flew away. I just wanted to hug her and calm her down.
"Wo..! Aryaman hai na..! Mr.Khurana ka beta..!"She complained like a kid and I nodded my head. "She was staring at me..! Mjhy acha nahi laga wo..!"She said making a sad pout she was complaining to me about Aryaman as if we have some kind of very deep connection I listened to her ranting carefully the main point of her complaint was she didn't liked the way with which Aryaman was staring at her. I sighed she was sensitive more than I thought. I think it was her first experience of tolerating these kind of boys. From her talks I guessed she doesn't know anything about this cruel world don't know from where the urge of protecting her from the world curled up in my heart and I felt the attitude wall in me melting away. Unintentionally in pulled her for a hug and she sobbed in my chest like a two year old.
"Nandini..! This world na..! It is full of cruel people..! They are here to harm you..! They are here to stand against you..! But I promise I will always protect you..! Chahy wo Aryaman ho ya koi aur..!"Those words escaped my mouth and I was dumbfound..! I promised her? I was hugging a girl? I was consoling someone? Am I really MANIK MALHOTRA? This girl I have no relation with her but still she was slowly and silently becoming my everything...! I rubbed her back and she hugged me more and more tightly. She was so tiny..! She was so delicate..! Just like a China Doll...! She was so perfect in my arms..! I don't know for how long we stayed like this but when we realized the time froze..! I immediately backed off and she rubbed her tears away.
...
Nandini's POV..
I was hugging Manik Sir..! Like seriously..! Maa sahi kehti hain Nandu tou bohat bari emotional fool hai..! Aiyapaa Manik sir kya soch rahy hoon gay mery bary main..! It's all because of that Aryaman huhh..! Chorron ge ni usy..!
"Come I will drop you home..!"Manik Sir said walking towards his car and I was hell embarrassed.i quietly followed him and sat with him.
"If you don't wanna come at the party..! Then it's completely your choice..!"Manik Sir said to me and I look at him. He was not looking at me and was fully concentrated on the road. I should be strong..! I can't be weak..! It's a part of my job and I can't deny it yeah..!
"I will come Sir..!"I said determindly and Manik Sir nodded.
"Ok I will pick you up at 8..!"He said in a serious tone and again silence. Manik Sir's words were echoing in my mind..! What he said to me was something which was unbelievable..! Maybe I misheard him but no..! But I very well remember..! And if he said so then it was really very heartwarming..! I smiled to myself and look at him from corner of my eyes his face was expressionless..! I failed to understand what was going in his mind and heart. Then he asked me about my address and I told him. Soon we reached the orphanage,he stopped the car in front of the gate and look at the orphanage board.
"You live in an orphanage?"He asked with a shocking expressions.
"Yes Sir..!"I nodded smilingly.
"But you were talking about your Maa..!"He was still confused.
"She is not my real Maa..! I am an orphan..! Maa is the owner of this orphange..! I was only two months old when someone left me on the staircase of this orphanage..! Maa only brought me up..!"I balabbered all my story in short words very innocently but I didn't knew how much it affected Manik Sir. "I will be ready at eight..! Bye Sir..!"I waved him and went inside the orphanage.
I came inside my room and immediately pulled the red box from my cupboard. I opened the box and my eyes twinkled. There was a red party frock in it with white leggings and matching shoes and earrings.
Now you all must be thinking from where did I get such an expensive dress tou let me tell you all Maa had gifted me this when I turned 20 that means it was my birthday gift and I not for once wore it I was waiting for a special day and I think today was the best day to wear it. I wasn't afraid of Aryaman anymore. Because I know Manik Sir will PROTECT me..! Unknowingly my heart was building trust for Manik Sir. I excitedly run inside the bathroom to take a shower.
...
Manik's POV
She told me about herself so casually and left while I was speechless..! God she was an orphan..! She was all alone in this whole world..! No relative? No blood relation? No wealth? Although my parents were separated, Although I hate them..! but I have an assurance that they are alive whenever I need them they will be there for me..! But Nandini..! How was she living? How was she surviving in this world all alone? Still she was smiling..! Still smile never leave her face..! I felt my heart was stabbed..! I don't know for how long I kept sitting out of her orphanage in my car..! Finally I drove back home and saw Cabir already waiting for me there..!
"Where were you yaar? Kitne dare say tera cell try kar raha hoon?"Cabir asked me and I fell on the couch like a lifeless body. "What happened?"Cabri asked sitting beside me.
"She is an orphan..!"I whispered as if I was trying to make sure myself.
"Who?"Cabir asked confusingly.
"Nandini..!"I whispered.
"What? Really? God...! Poor soul..! That's why Manik..! I think she need you..! I think you are the only one who can take care of her..!"Cabir said patting my shoulder and I didn't said anything..! I was not in a condition actually..!