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M A N I K

"So? Tujhe lagta hai that Nandini cheated?" Cabir nudged my arm and I closed my eyes tighter as I held the whiskey glass firmer in my hand.

My phone vibrated in the pocket. Dad. Doesn't he understand I don't want to talk to him? Not now, not ever without Nandini. I squeezed my eyes tighter as frustration crept inside. I was a total mess without her.

Every time I closed my eyes, I could visualise her face right in front of my eyes. I could see her smile, her widened eyes, her laughter still played in my ears like music. I could see the way she cried for me when I was in the hospital, when she started hallucinating me here and there. I could see her jealous face when other girls loved throwing themselves on me and the way she often tells me that my heartbeat is her favourite rhythm.

Isn't that love?

Can a person who only seemed revenge for a non existent reason act so good?

Can the Nandini that I held in my arms every night, I kiss every morning do something like that to her very own monster?

And if it was just revenge, why would she wait until now? Why not when I confessed my love to her? Why would she agree to marry me in the first place?

Why?

"No!" I sighed, nodding negatively as I opened my eyes and Cabir smiled at me. "She can never cheat on me, she has loved me!" I smiled as I could see the smiling Nandini right in front of my eyes, the one who loves kissing my stubble.

"Then let's go Manik, let's get her home. We have found her location through Harshad's phone call. What are we waiting for?" He asked in a calm tone and I sighed.

"It's not so easy Cabir, I-.. I am scared.", I sighed. I hated speaking out my emotions, it was like one of the most difficult jobs. Couldn't everyone be Nandini? Couldn't everyone just read me so well just like she does.?

"I am scared that the bubble that I have formed around me might blast. I have convinced myself that my Nandini can never cheat on me, this has to be some kind of trap. But what if everything is a lie? What if she actually-......", my voice faded and I couldn't speak a word more. I couldn't term her as a cheater because my Nandini was not, and she never will. She can never betray me.

"Manik, itna math soch. Jo hona hai voh toh hoke hi rahega na. Tu usse trust karta hai na?" He asked and I nodded positively. I trust her, and I trust her blindly. Even if she herself told me that she doesn't love me and all of this was a stupid game, I wouldn't believe her. That's the kind of trust I have on her.

"Manik, we have our concert in the evening. We need to get her back, let's go!" He held my hand and I stared at his hand upon mine. It was like I was racing to her mentally but physically I felt to drained to even get up.

I could do this. I have faced things much worse in life. I can face her. She is my Nandini, the girl I love, the girl I trust.

"We'd bring her out of this mess. Keep faith in your love Manik!" Cabir reminded me and I took a deep breath getting up.

This has to be some kind of trap, and just as I promised, this monster has to bring his naive girl out of it.

Stay strong a little more time princess. I promise to save you from everything, I promise. I promise this monster will protect you from everything here on. Just hold tighter a little more time Nandini, prove those messages wrong. Don't give up on us so easily Nandini, don't give up on me.

N A N D I N I' S  P O V

I hated darkness, right from childhood. And at this moment, I sat in complete darkness. I couldn't see anything, but that didn't scare me anymore. Because I had fallen in love with this darkness. I had seen the monsters darkness and made it mine with all senses. And the darkness didn't intimidate me any more, it gave me peace.

I could see a small ray of light in the dark room as the door freaked upon and I pushed myself more into the corner.

"Nandini!" It was a lady's voice. My eyes widened hearing the voice as I tried looking at her in the darkness until she walked right to where I was sitting, keeping a hand on my shoulder.

"He will hate me!", I confessed dropping my head on her lap as the tears I had been holding for long came running out.

"No he doesn't. He can never hate you, I have seen it in his eyes!", she kissed my forehead and I cried more. I could see her eyes glistening too, as a lone tear fell off her eye.

"But you didn't have to do this for me. I know, I know you have come here for me," she said guiltily and I nodded negatively. "Aapne hi kaha tha that I am like your daughter, itne mein paraya kar diya?", I asked and she nodded wiping my tears.

"I am my son are both blessed to have you in our lives!", she kissed my forehead again and I hugged her tighter. Nyonika Aunty was the mother I always wished for but could never have.

And when I got to know that Harshad has kidnapped her, I couldn't stop myself meeting him. And I had to lie to Manik because of that. I told him that I was going to meet Abhi, when actually I had gone to Harshad.  And he told me if I wanted Nyonika Aunty safe, I had to leave Manik.

I couldn't think of anything, I didn't even think how he got his hands of Nyonika Aunty, how long was she with him, why did Manik's Dad not tell us about it yet. All I knew was Manik loved her more then anyone in his life, and only I had the capacity to save her.

Harshad had asked me to leave Manik. I could have just left, just disappeared, but I knew that would have broken him. I didn't want to be another Soha of his life, so I took up the fake kidnapping. So that atleast he knows I haven't left him, I have not given up on him just like everyone else.

But I don't know how, I left my phone at home. And if has got his hands on it, and by any chance he saw the messages with Harshad, he will interpret everything wrong.

Yes, I have cheated him and betrayed him by lying to him this way. But that is for him. And I just hope he doesn't take everything wrong.

I ain't giving up on us Manik, I just hope you don't too. Hold us Manik, don't stop trusting me.

The door cracked open and the devil came walking inside. "Nandini!" He smiled at me. How did he even get the guys to kidnap Nyonika Aunty? Manik was right, he actually looked gay.

"Harshad, now that I am with you, leave Nyonika Aunty, please. This was the deal right?" I pleaded. I didn't care about my own life, I just wanted her safe. Once i know she is safe, I can kill this Harshad and run away myself.

"Do you think I am a fool? Should I leave her so that she goes and tells Manik the entire truth, hun?", he crept closer to me, his finger nail tracing my side face and I pushed him away. This was the first time he had tried coming close to me physically, and I just hoped he doesn't think I am the kind of girl he'd do anything to and I will keep quiet. I am a fight, I am a strong girl. I am the monsters girl.

"So, what do you want now?", I demanded in a cold voice.

"I want you...," He laughed dryly and I felt disgusted enough to puke on his face. "I'm your dreams.," I mocked back and he laughed louder. "I do have you in my dreams, every day..", his eyes showered with lust as his face was inches apart from mine, his hands gripping mine closely.

I was so busy analysing his looks that i didn't realise two of his men took Nyonika Aunty out already.

"Harshad, get aside!", I screamed, wriggling away from him and his smirk just increased. I was out of patience so I raised my foot and kicked him right where the sun doesn't shine.

He groaned in pain holding his dear part as he fell aback and I laughed dryly. "I ain't the weak girl, Harshad.", I toned back and his eyes fiercely stared into mine. And just before I knew, he jumped upon me, our bodies touching, and his hand grabbing my hair.

I shrieked in pain as he pulled my hair, trying to push him away as his head dug into my neck, eyes pertaining into my cleavage.

"Get aside, you douché!" I screamed as his hand touched by bare body and I slapped him hard. He wiped his face with his hand, the smirk still on his lips. "I tried babe, I tried being patient with you and winning you just the way you would have liked. But you've made a terrible mistake now!".

His voice was sharp and cold that sent shivers down my spine, and somewhere, I just wished Manik to come and save me. I was strong enough to save myself but I was tired of fighting; fighting for Manik and me, fighting for myself, fighting for our relationship, fighting from everyone. Somewhere, I just wanted to give in.

His hand traveled upwards as he tore my top from the side and I bit his shoulder. I was helpless with my hands cuffed but he was too strong for me.

I closed my eyes on the verge of giving in as he bit me near my cheek when I couldn't feel him upon me anymore. I opened my red eyes to the sound of punching as I saw someone tall punching him.

He was tall, just like Manik, but not Manik. I had never seen him before. His jawline was so sharp and he looked so good. But the fierce with which he fought Harshad showed him angry, as if he has seen something like that happen to someone before. And then finally, he turned to me.

I held my disheveled top in place somehow. Giving me a small smile, he removed his coat, making me wear as he opened the cuffs.

"Are you okay?" He asked and I vaguely nodded. I was a strong girl, strong then this and so much more, yet somehow this had shaken me up.

"I'm Zubin," he smiled giving me his hand for a hand shake and I took it weakly. "Nandini!" I whispered as he helped me get up. "I heard your screams outside, thought to check...", he informed and I nodded weakly.

I had hurt my right foot badly and he helped me get up as I covered my body with his coat as I limped outside, with he holding me. No words were exchanged between us. I wanted to thank him but it was as if I was too tired to speak, I was giving up on myself.

I got outside that room with Zubin by my side, just to see Manik, Cabir, Mukti and Nyonika Aunty. Manik's eyes were red and furious and it seemed he knew the truth. As his eyes met mine, they softened. But as he saw my state, they hardened again.

"Nandini!" He whispered as he ran to me, taking me in a big hug. I was pushed behind by the force but he held me tight. His hands hurt my shoulders but he didn't let me go. He pulled Nyonika aunty inside too as he hugged both of us together.

"Are you okay?", he asked. His eyes were blood red and I could see them glistening. No matter what, I have never seen Manik crying. I can be broken, deviated but I couldn't see Manik like that.

"Thank you buddy!" He smiled weakly at Zubin and I tried smiling too, but nothing came out.

I started walking away, outside. I needed time to take a grip on myself again but he held my hand tightly.

"We'll fight it!" He smiled looking at me as he held my shoulder, helping me walk. "..together," he completed looking in my eyes.

And just as his hand held mine, I finally felt home.

~True love doesn't mean being inseparable. It means being separated yet nothing changes~

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