I was in a state of confusion,I knew he was fire and it was best for me to stay away from him but I didn't know his behaviour kept me pulling towards him,the curiosity to know his ruthlessness towards me pulled me towards him like a moth is pulled to a fire.I could not help but think about him all night....yes strange I was spending the whole night thinking about a stranger.

Finally the morning peeped in,don't know why but I was not ready to face him,to be frank I could sense the threat in what he said yesterday also I knew now I was finding it impossible to stay away from him.I had some files to return at the record room so I informed sir and got busy in finishing that,as I entered Sir's cabin I saw Mr Malhotra with Alya and Soha,they were discussing something and seemed pretty excited about it.

Are Nandu come naa see Manik is having a big party at his house today and guess what he has invited us to join him,isn't it cool???

I looked at him doubting whether I was a part of the invitation or not.We had an uncomfortable eye lock which was broken by Soha.

The party theme is classic so  that means I can finally wear my dresses.

Manik looked at me and I knew he was gonna come up with some insulting statement.

Yeah m sure you would look beautiful, girls look ravishing in dresses and gown however I don't feel all can pull off such classic wear,specially those middle class girls who come to big cities in a hope to make it big,but you........ sweetheart would do apt justice to it.

Saying this he kissed her cheeks,looking straight at me ,I felt my eyes prick with tears as they threatened to fall down,I hated him all the more if by any chance I thought that he was a good person ,I deduced those thoughts wrong,he was born of human but was pure evil,I had never seen him before a week back and the only ill I did was pulling that mischief on him for which he has been insulting me at each given situation.I went out to get some fresh air and to get my head back in my work.I spend around half an hour outside sitting in the lawn before the court.Finally after brushing all negative vibes and having decided that I won't let him affect me,I made my way back,little did I know, life is never as planned,as I was getting in ,I saw sir coming out talking on the phone he held the phone aside and whispered in my ear,

Manik is Inside,don't leave him,be with him.I will be back in a while.

I looked up at my aiyappa dejectedly.

What was it that I told you a minute ago,keep the monster away from me but no how can you make my life simple you have to push me further to him,and in situation like these even Soha is not around.AIYAPPA why do you always do this??

I walked in the inner chamber of the cabin,which sir used, to counsel his clients and all the recording equipments were kept,this room was kind of secretive and locked with a code the access to which only Sir had,as I came in I saw monster I was facing his back I tried to pull the gate but unfortunately closed it. Talk about a bad day.

I thought its best to ignore him but then I heard sniffing sound and so I walked to him and leaned in to face him,the sight in front shook me ,the monster was crying like a baby,his eyes were blood red,and tears kept on falling and he made no attempt to stop them.I was getting scared but I put a shivering hand on his Back and rubbed it trying to soothe his pain.
He looked at me and almost immediately fell on his knees in front of me pulling me with him,took me in hug a rather suffocating hug.

Manik sssshhh stop....see whatever it is ,i am sure your problem will have a solution,so just breathe ,dont get weak....

Asking him anything in this situation seemed a bad idea so I concentrated on consoling him,also sir had not discussed his case so I didn't know anything about it.

Everything seems like a lost battle Nandini,I am loosing my strength.I am breaking I can't handle this alone.I don't think I can survive more of this ordeal.

I don't know what got into me ,that my heart cried with him and for a moment all that mattered to me was getting him back to being normal I could bear any amount of sarcasm from him but seeing him defeated like this,no...I felt that I could be the strength for him,his ray of hope.I realised seeing him in this vulnerable condition that.........

THE MONSTER HAS A HEART.

No Manik you are not alone ,m with you,I promise I will never leave you alone.

I whispered in his ears, why I said those words to someone I hardly know is something I could never explain but I felt that if he breaks even I won't be able to survive.I wiped his tears and made him drink water.He looked intently at me and I could see intense pain hidden in them.Suddenly we heard the door of the cabin getting opened,and hearing that he pushed me away.I looked at him surprised.

Manik I am sorry some urgent work have come up so let's meet in the evening ..OK????

Sir told him and left us alone,I was still not able to comprehend anything,when he came near me and said.

Do not discuss what happened here with anyone ,or you will regret.

He said dangerously,which made me reply almost immediately.

I wasn't going to.

He smirked signalling that he was back in the monster mode,god his mood changes are giving me a hard time.

Good...see you at the party....nandini.

And he left a perplexed me behind.