Thank you for all the love in the first chapter. Keep supporting.
Here's the next part. Show some love 💙
..............
Nandini's POV

"Chachi meri Dr. Rathore ki assistance se baat ho gayi. Woh parsu hi India wapas ja rahe hai." (Aunty I have contacted Dr. Rathore's assistance, he is going back to India on day after tomorrow) I gave the much awaited information to my aunt & uncle. I could hear them relaxing on the other side of the call. Doctor Rathore is a renowned neurologist. It'd been two months since Chachu (uncle) and I had been trying to get an appointment with him for Rishav, my cousin brother but we couldn't get one as he was out of country from last few months.  After my parents' demise chacha-chachi, Rishav and my Amms (paternal grandmother) were the only ones I was left with to call family.

"Thik hai Nandu phir main kal hi phone kar ke appointment book kar leta hoon as soon as possible." (Alright Nandini, tomorrow as soon as possible I'll book an appointment) The nervousness in his voice could hardly be veiled.

I could understand their desperation. It was eight years that Rishav had been suffering from those panic attacks. He always used to be a jovial child, a sporty person unlike me who used to just sit in a corner hiding her face behind science books and stuffs. But this was all before that unfateful day of eight years ago... The day of our return from Missouri, the first ever long tour of our life... the day when I not only I lost my Amma and Appa (parents) but we also lost Rishav. At the age of twelve he couldn't take the trauma of that accident. Since then he'd been getting those panic attacks. Now Dr. Rathore is our second last hope to get him back.
You must be thinking why second last? Because we should never put our entire hope on a single person, if it doesn't stand up to your hope then it takes down your hope to a point of nonexistence and in Rishav's case we can't afford to lose hope.

"Ouch!"

"Kya hua Nandu?"(What happened?)

"Nothing Chachi", Balancing myself I kicked a pebble out of my path. It felt like my whole life at Mangalore flashed in front of my eyes in this one second when I clumsily tripped over a pebble in my hurry.

"Toh kuch bol kyun nahi rahi? Tu kab arahi hai wapas? It's been three years we have seen you." (Then why aren't you answering? When are you coming back?)

"Arre par last weekend hi toh baat hui thi video call pe –" (But we just talked on video call last weekend -)

"Stop your excuses. Amms bhi puch rahi thi uss din. Kabhi kabhi toh ajaya kar chuttiyon mein Nandu" (Even Amms was asking that day about your return? You can at least visit home sometimes during holidays)

"Haan chachi dekhungi. Abhi na main market pohuch gayi. Baad mein baat karti hoon. Say Amms aur Rishav I miss them too. Rakhti hoon. Chalo bye"  (Yeah aunty I'll try. Now I've reached market I'll talk to you later. Bye)

"Haan par.... Nandu –" (Yeah but –)
I ended up the call before she could start another round of "if –s" & "but-s".

The pavements are slightly damp due to the mizzling that again started a few minutes back. This was a narrow silent lane on the turn of which waited a very crowded maze of Piazza Square, the heart of commerce of Verona. I might have let chachi extend the call for some more time if not for the familiar eerie feeling of being watched that I felt again crawling in my heart.

Verona was not a city of many thieves in the crowds. But still in case- I turned around abruptly without stopping, an attempt to spot 'someone' off guard but – no one. To my distress there was no one. It's all mind playing with me. This long, deserted lane of the central city, the narrow pathways with tailing shadows of tall, looming, stoned buildings weren't helping much either.

'There is no one. Relax.' I convinced myself. The nippy air, the swishing sound of the roadside plants, vague sounds from far – nothing is helping my heart which was playing with its beats and pattern.

'There is no sound of footsteps, Nandu. It must be your imagination'. The logical part of my head tried to convince itself with more conviction this time.

'But the road, even the fallen leaves are damp wet. It wouldn't probably make any sound even if there's somebody, a dipper, a passerby whosoever.'

A wave of anxiety ran through me. I balanced my handbag on my shoulder and concentrated on my walk. It is probably only me who would be more pleased to see a ned in this lonely place than seeing none. But trust me at this point I prefer a ned to none.

Goosebumps on my nape told me I had to act quickly. Quickening my speed to double I walked down the lane faster than normal... All I needed was to cross the corner and slip into the crowd in the front street.

*******************************

I had always been a girl on walk. I most of the time chose a walk from the college up to my home except for when Arya insisted a lift. Because somehow I feel with each stride my mind became more clear, more resolute.

Today after the unexpected meeting with Manik in the university many questions, many confusions were fighting for place in my head. The meeting with Manik was normal; surprisingly normal and short and... and professional. He behaved as if we're two individuals meeting for the first time. 'Was it really coincidental?' 'Or was it intentional?'

I needed this walk to cleanse my mind. And yes another reason was because I loved crowd. I loved the way people walk roughly in one direction, weaving a little, chatting as they go. My usual thing was to watch them some heads down and wonder what their private worlds would be like. But today the scenario was a little different. Every person with their heads down was running at maximum speed except those with umbrellas who were maintaining a safe distance to take wide berths. Well I was no exception. Just when I thought I had avoided bumping into someone I was proved wrong. I was about to mutter an apology though when I heard a husky, velvety voice –

"Sorry!"

**********************************

Aryaman's POV

Rage! It is all I felt when I saw that bustard standing in front of me after five years. Manik Malhotra is still exactly the same... as eye-pricking as I remember him from our last meet. At that moment I knew Nandu wasn't being stressed for nothing. All this while this moron must have been following her. Typical Manik! But what was he doing here? I couldn't ponder over my shock for long as I faintly heard Nandu whispering his name. I could feel her steps rooted and back stiffening in front of me... her hands loosening from my hold as she gaped at that man... and suddenly I felt my palm empty. I wanted to tighten my grip but I knew that would only push her to leave my hand completely.

Before I could react on my impulse Mr. Lorentz, Principal of the University of Verona, came hurried in the room introducing him. I must mention that his native Dutch tongue did make the Punjabi surname sound funny. And I saw that git moving towards us. I obviously couldn't let him get the pleasure to catch Nandu uncomfortable, unprepared. So I thought to break the ice first.

"Hello"

"Hello"

We both spoke together. He didn't seem to mind though. Strolling towards the table he offered himself a seat without waiting for Princi's invitation. Arrogant jerk as always. He patiently waited for Nandu to overcome her initial shock and greet him back and when she did he just nodded. All this while looking on with his trademark smirk that, given a chance, I would be more than glad to swipe off his ugly face. Then finally after half an hour that worthless meeting ended, a meeting that held no importance to be talked about and we got out of that suffocating place. And from the time we exited I didn't get a chance to talk to Nandu. She made an excuse of grocery shopping and left the university alone... on foot... Before I could offer her a lift or company. I wouldn't lie I did feel bad at such times when I wanted her to depend on me and she would simply walk away but I couldn't blame her for being a private person, now could I? But I also knew she would need me when she's home and I would be there for her...Always. Because she would always need me... Always.

**********************************
Nandini's POV

"You're looking lost today" I heard Nida saying as we settled on our folding dining table for dinner. I knew it was my cue to spill out but I chose to concentrate on the food.

"Arya was here. He was also looking disturbed", another cue from her end and ignorance on my part but this time I stopped eating.

Yes when I came back home from the market I saw Arya waiting for me. I knew he just wanted to make sure I was okay after the university encounter so without fuzz I assured him and saw him off for the day.

"I went for groceries alone straight from the uni so he just came to see me" I half-answered.

"What is bothering you two?" Nida asked directly this time. She was never a girl of many words.

"Manik is here... in Verona" I saw she stopped eating too but then carried on. It's her way to say 'go on' so I went on telling her about our meeting in university, Chacha chachi's call, Rishav's treatment etc. etc. I didn't want to drag the night more so kept our conversation brief and after some hugs and soothing words I signed off to my room. It's Saturday so it was her turn to dish.
.........................................................

Opening the window wide I peeked outside. The neighbourhood was silent as a graveyard. No one was there today. No eerie feeling, no anxiety... nothing. This was kind of expected, I thought.

Leaving the window half open I slumped on the bed. It was too eventful today for a free weekend day. 'But what is he doing here in Verona?' 'What was he doing there in the market?' 'Following me?'

Flashback (from the market scene)

"Sorry"

I didn't need to look up to know who it was just like I didn't need him to turn in the principal's cabin to know who it was. However, the reflection on the glass of the proud achievement shelves in Princi's office gave away his identity back there. My eyes knew that towering height of six feet one inch, intimidating straight posture and lean shoulders too well for my own good.

What am I supposed to do now?

Run... said my heart!

Face... said my mind!

But I knew I couldn't run so I listened to what my mind said.

I looked up to see him standing in front of me coming from the other side and our eyes met directly for the second time in a day after five long years.

There he was... Manik Malhotra! Standing in all his glory in his ripped faded denims and olive-brown check hooded shirt...wet and drenched in drizzle.

"Hi Nandini"

The exuding droplets from his eyelashes were absolute distractions, a contrary to the captivating gaze.

"Umm... Hi" I gulped a huge blob of saliva that stubbornly refused to slide down my throat.
Out of sudden I was nervous facing him alone. Bravo, girl!

"No umbrella?" What a lame way to strike a conversation!

"So hum ek hi din mein do baar mil rahe hai" (So we're meeting for the second time in a day)
He said again as he made no try to hide the teasing smirk on his lips yet the eyes were sincere. An all time contradiction to his lips as always.

"Peecha kar rahe ho mera?" (Are you following me?) I asked. No I stated downright. There was no masking the obvious.

Manik raised his eyebrows and then..... He laughed; a laugh that was meant to catch me off guard instead. When he smiled, his eyes narrowed, thankfully reducing the flash of bright sparkle, radiated from the yellowish street lights, which spoke of his amused orbs. But I wasn't embarrassed. I knew what I meant.

"I would love to, Nandini. But filhal I just came to grab this" He replied calmly showing a bottle of Martini in one hand and a pizza box in the other.

"Anyways I'll hurry up. And it's drizzling so you too try to hurry up. See you later" with that he walked away.
Five years and nothing had changed. Manik Malhotra again walked out on Nandini Murthy.

Flashback ends

There is no second thought that I did not buy a single word he said... Neither the one he said in the university nor what he made up in the market.

"Peecha kar rahe ho mera?" (Are you following me?) I didn't bluff when I asked him this. I seriously believed that it was him all along. That black sub, that constant watch or should I say stalking. I mean Manik Malhotra and immature behaviours are no odd combination. 'But what was Manik doing here?' 'After long five years why now?' 'What did he want now?' 'Was he really following me?' 'But then how came he came from the opposite side? And he was already having his goods. When did he buy them if he was actually following me in the way? There is no other way to reach the stores.'

I thought my mind was playing a game with me but I was wrong. It's Manik who's playing. One thing was clear that Manik Malhotra wanted to talk to me about something but the big question was 'was I prepared for it?'

Leaving all these confusions aside I switched off the lamp and closed my eyes securing my phone beside my pillow. I could not sleep late I have my riyaaz (singing practice) to do in the early morning. I generally don't keep my cell phone on bed at night. They are harmful to nerves. But today was an exception. Today I was expecting a call. If I knew Manik Malhotra correctly a call or any sign was on its way. And true to my conviction my cell phone beeped just then indicating an incoming message –

'Don't stress yourself with questions that you don't deserve to be answered to'

******************************
Writer's POV

Sometimes we doubt. We are convinced that our doubts are true. It's a compensatory mechanism of our brain. Because at those times our heart is too afraid to hope that it is indeed true.

__________________________
Here's the second part. Hope you like it :)
Please do  VOTE, COMMENT & SHARE if you like the story.

Take care. Stay safe
Love,
Neer