Next morning, when Adhiraj woke up the first thing he checked for, was Manik. He sighed in relief after seeing him sleeping soundly. How ironic it was to get scared of this helpless man who usually make other's helpless and he won't lie but that was the hardest thing he faced last night.

He just thanked his own consciousness which brought him here at Manik's place after meeting his dad. Cause the Mafia was wide awake but that wasn't the cause of concern however the way he was destroying things to go out of the house, was. Gaurds were following the orders of Adhiraj to not let him go but he was Manik afterall, who can control him? No one.

When Adhiraj reached there
He was perplexed to see the Manik's desperation to go out and save her, he was going frantic with a thought what if she is still in fire. And that was the time Adhiraj realised Manik wasn't angry or in mood to destroy the world but he was just helpless lover trying to ensure about safety of precious miss little.

"She is fine Manik ....... Fire was instantly stopped as rain started pouring" knowing the subject of his concern, Adhiraj replied grabbing Manik's attention who paused after hearing him.

"Obviously, she has to be...... Let's go nd check with my own eyes" at that very instance Adhiraj knew she isn't the moth I'm their story but the fire which can either light up Manik's world with her presence or burn him with her absence.

But, he?

He was that love lorn moth longing to engulf the fire which can burn his existence into aahes.

It wasn't too long when he had to hit Manik again. Yeah it was hurting but it was the only way to stop Manik. If not longer then at least for a night. It's not like Manik will turn more sensible over a night but still he would be sober enough to deal with heart break or whatever. And then Adhiraj will manipulate him.

He also called doctor who put ointment on burnt area and also gave the injection to avoid any infection. Need not to mention he gave a sedative too which would work for 10hrs as it was necessary for Manik to sleep.

After half hour, Adhiraj got ready in Manik's room only. He decided to visit school again. He can't neglect the presence of drugs in school premises, even if he wants to. He was not sure when will Manik come but his father won't take any reason if Manik don't put last nail on security with his eyes.

"Nandini ...... Nandini" Manik's faint voice turned into a subtle scream as he opened his eyes slowly after a heavy dose of sleep nd medicines, his head was heavy. And his arm was burning when he tried moving it.

"Aaaah ..... Not again" Adhiraj silently groaned before turning to face Manik.

"Manik for the nth time I'm telling you accept the truth that she is married and get done with ur heart break ....... In fact it's not even a heart break, u wasn't in love with her ...... It was just attraction it will be over in a day or two ..... Okay" grabbing Manik's shoulder he tried launching some sense into Manik.

"U r not that stupid to not know that it's simply not attraction" without looking at him Manik replied in deadly tone.

"And u r moralistic enough to not be obsessed with married woman".

"Out of everyone, why she has to be married?"

"Manik listen calmly, we can't control her nd we surely can't change the past ...... And if it's hard to accept the truth then remember ur mother and ur last promise to her ...... No matter how worse of a person you have been but u have never crossed the line of decency with any woman ...... U have never disrespected any woman ...... Please don't disrespect Nandini by following her even after knowing she is married" he explained calmly. He looked at Manik who seemed lost and slightly he felt guilty for pushing Manik into the memories of his mother but again that was only his hope to save Manik from his own self.

"Dad had received ur consignment last night ...... But eye security is yet to be set ..... So hurry up ....... We will leave in hour" Adhiraj changed the subject when he didn't get reply, after a minute.

"Hmm" that's the only reaction Manik gave before getting up from his bed and going to washroom. His acceptance made Adhiraj more worried than his denial would have.

He just sighed and prayed to God to bless him with peace. Don't know why, but he was sensing trouble ahead.

.........................||

"Hello Nandini" Isha greeted her when she faced her back in staff room while Nandini was arranging her stuff in her locker.

"Hey hii" her voice sounded tired but more than that she looked disturbed or may be depressed too, cause when Isha looked closely she found Nandini lost in her thoughts, she wasn't finding anything in locker but she was just hiding her face so that Isha won't notice her emotions which were all over the place.

"Nandini" Isha calmly turned her around to gasped in horror, Nandini's forehead has swelling on it and it was turned into deep red colour.  In addition to that her right cheek had red imprints of something, may be fingers of man.

"How did this happen?" Nandini immediately swallowed her unshed tears and gathered herself to lie.

"What it could be ? ........ Again it was my clumsiness ....... I collided with a wall, I was in a hurry so I didn't see wall in front of me ..... I'm so silly" she lied effortlessly like it's her second nature but may be people's acceptance to her lies made her believe that she is best at it. But one needs to just peak into her eyes to know how hollow her words are and how it takes a lot from her to lie conventionally.

"I want to believe you like everytime I do even if it's always against acceptance of my brain ......  But don't know why but today I want to follow my brain ...... These marks on ur cheek doesn't explain ur collision with wall ..... Nd I'm sure they are fingerprints of someone" Nandini didn't give into Isha's words and kept ignoring by looking everywhere around however Isha didn't have plans of backing off.

"If I'm not wrong it was ur husband, .... Right?" Nandini instantly looked at her and that apprehension in her eyes was the proof that Isha was right. Something broke inside Isha's heart, she always suspected that Sumit's ways of affection nd all, were just show off but still somewhere down her mind was wrapped with Nandini's perfect lies which were convincing to accept.

"So I was right ...... Everytime you put something to cover up ur wounds, it was his cruelty which u kept defending ..... Ohh God why didn't I confront you before. Always I had doubted his intentions, every sweet reaction of u to his mushy things felt pretendence still I never asked ...... I'm sorry Nandu" she instantly hugged Nandini. Honestly she was feeling guilty not because Nandini was her best friend or something but she couldn't do something against the domestic violence, not that she could have move mountains but at least she would have been mild support to her. At least she could have been listener or may be adviser to Nandini.

"U don't need to" and that was the first time in years she was crying in someone's protective arms. She don't remember when was the last time she hugged someone just out of the need for warmth and love. Earlier she always had her parents and friends to rely on small small things but when Sumit happened, she literally pushed everyone out of her life just to be with him. And that was the last time she had friends, 4yrs back.

"Don't hold urself ...... Let go of ur pain, tears and everything ..... I'm holding you" she caressed Nandini's hair as she was crying on her shoulders. Nandini is comparatively shorter than her so it was easy to console her physically.

"Thanks ....... I don't remember when was the last time someone was willing to hold me" It was stinging to know that this little girl was suffering so much, that too alone with a smile on her face so that no one would suspect.

Not knowing exactly what to do, Isha let Nandini cry for fifteen minutes. In between she noticed it was time for her class but without Nandini's notice she msged her co worker to take her class today. And that way no one would be in staff room for another hour at least. The institution is small so they have limited and selected staff.

"Shh ..... It's enough Nandini ..... Now sit and we will talk" though Nandini was reluctant still Isha made her sit on the chair and she also sat near to her. Now Nandini was very much in control and wasn't crying anymore. Somehow she felt a momentary peace after crying her heart out, she really needed that space and finally she got that.

"I'm really fine Isha ...... We don't need to talk ...... In fact we should go back to our classes" Nandini said while wiping her face and neatly, adjusting her saree.

"We need to ...... I need to know ....... I won't let you go without telling me the whole story".

"Isha ..... I"

"Nandini please don't deny ....... I don't know what I have to do to make you believe that u can trust me".

"It's not about trusting you but I need time to get comfortable with the idea of sharing it  ..... There is a fear of judgement for the deeds I have done in the name of love, sometimes even I am ashamed of the things I have done ..... And I don't know if ever a person would understand my stand or not .... I guess I am not prepared to share" Isha sighed helplessly.

"Yet" Nandini added to appreciate the efforts of Isha.

"Take your time ..... And I will try not to judge you ...... Be comfortable ..... Okay" Nandini nodded in acknowledgement nd both left the area.

......................||

"It's too late ..... Why are you driving so slow?" He ranted again about the speed and Adhiraj was driving at the normal speed.

"We aren't driving for a competition, I guess ..... And also it's not one of you sports car ...... In addition to that I don't understand why are freaking over time, it has nothing to do with us?".

"It surely does, u dickhead ...... The recess will be over in next 10mins" he freaked out without thinking and when he looked at Adhiraj he knew that he had guessed the reason accurately, that disappointed look gave away his displeasure with Manik's choice. But they both stayed silent not wanting to hear the truth because the pretendence was more comforting.

.......................||

When they reached at school, the lunch break was over and whole ground was empty, just one or two peons were here and there, in the corners. So both of them sighed, one in disappointment nd other one in relief.

Soon Manik was done with his eyes security installation. And Adhiraj went to staff room as principal had requested him to look into some matters related to boys who had destroyed the fans of their classroom.

"So Manik  ........ What was the emergency?" Manik heard the voice of his mentor from behind and then he turned around, he had no idea what reason he would give, he don't want to lie but it's not in him to replay the story all over again that too in front of a person who has strictly restricted him from going near to anything close to 'woman'.

"It was an emergency kind of emergency" he replied in his usual tone which didn't satisfy Sangram.

"As if such emergency exists ...... I hope it wasn't this little burnt on ur arm ...... Tell me u r not that weak to not bear that momentary pain" he said looking at Manik's burnt which was on open display as Adhiraj didn't let him wear shirt, instead forced him for tshirt as per doctor's advice. It was very ugly burnt and doctor said it would take a month to recover so Adhiraj was very precautious.

"No ...... That was some serious matter ........ I wouldn't have backed off from the deal even if my body was on fire ...... So u can be assured about my strength and seriousness towards matter"  now this answer satisfied Sangram.

"That's what I love about you ...... And to boost up ur spirit I have news for you...... It's something which u always dreamt off" that rang the warning bells in Manik's mind, it shouldn't be the thing he is thinking about.

"U don't need new safe place ...... I have gotten in touch with Russian mafia and here, it's ur first step towards ur mission" he stated with a pride. It wasn't just a deal which will convert their 500 crores into 10,000 crores but will make his entry into international smuggling. He was always greedy for the power, so having India's goons under his control never felt enough.

"Nooooo" he said calmly but inside it was whirlpool of emotions. He just can't go without having her in his life.

"What rubbish u r speaking?" He exclaimed in horror.

"Has excitement gotten into ur head, already?" He screamed.

"I'm as calm as nice ...... And yes I'm saying in my full senses that I can't go ...... Not now" he said in his deadly tone, nothing was disrespectful yet there was a warning in his tone to not cross the border of his patience.

"Again it's about the same emergency which u was having yesterday, right?" He suspected but Manik stayed rooted in his place with stoic expressions on his face.

"Tell me u r not in love?" He himself shivered before asking the question and he don't want to hear the answer if it's gonna be yes because that would be the cruel end to their Mafia business.

Manik's face turned more whiter and his body felt cold. He don't want to answer, he knows it's not love but he can't deny wether it's love or not but it's the woman, that too forbidden. He wasn't living with only his dream instead he was carrying Sangram's dream along with his and all of sudden he felt remotely close to guilt, for breaking it.

"No" he replied calmly nd firmly but that delay in his answer left area for suspicion in Sangram's mind. Feeling strongly disappointed he just moved out of the lab, before turning into the monster cause of rage building inside him.

.......................||

Nandini was walking towards library to grab few GK books as she had given a free period to her class. Though she couldn't complete her last yr of graduation yet she haven't lose hope, so whenever she gets time she keeps herself updated with the ongoing issues in the world. Though she don't believe that she could pursue her dream anymore, but still it's like those preparations from early age has been absorbed in her blood, naturally.

"Woah" she got scared when out of nowhere she found him standing at the entrance of the staircase from where she was supposed to pass and usually no one comes to this place without a reason so she wasn't hoping to see anyone.

"U r fine, right?" His eyes were shining and his handsome, arrogant face was softer than usual. He controlled his subconscious urge to hug her tightly to ensure if she is real nd breathing in his arms. He was really offended by his fire stunt when he realised even she could have gotten hurt but much to his relief there were no burns.

"Yeah ....... But u don't look one" she said in dazed, firstly she didn't understand why was he asking that. Her eyes travelled to his left arm which was burnt and it really looked bad, it might have hurted him the most. But how did he got that, last night he looked okay then how? Unless he was there when fire caught up or may be he is the cause behind abrupt fire? Was that why Adhiraj was covering for Manik nd Sumit was being loyal dog of Adhiraj?.

"Cause I'm not" he murmured but she too heard it and stayed silent. Don't know why, but his answer stung her so does his injury.

"What's this?" he touched the swollen area on her forehead making her flinch at the sudden pain which made him flinch too. He carefully and gently circled his finger there, trying to ease the pain which gave birth to new butterflies in the pit of her stomach.

She was uncomfortably comfortable with his proximity to say the least, also she tried hard to speak but her throat just went dry with the nervousness.

He touched those slightly faded red finger marks on her rosy, chubby cheek and that stopped his feathery touches. His eyes turn red and hand started shivering with rage.

"Who did this?" This time he was anything but gentle, his tone made her stepped back in fear which he saw nd tried controlling the rage in his eyes.

"Did your husband slapped you? ...... Tell me I will kill that bastard" she got more scared and started shrinking back in fear. Her back was already buried into the wall of staircase and he was just inches apart. They weren't totally exposed to the world but no one would need to put extra efforts to see them, if he or she comes to the right side of ground.

"Nooo" she uttered with uncertainty, she didn't feel right to tell him truth, because he didn't just give threat but his eyes were showing the determination.

"I don't if it's truth or not ....... But don't let him touch you, again" he was surely going to kill that bastard but for her he calmed down, in that moment.

He softly caressed her cheek which melted her heart but also made her aware of the reality where he wasn't her world, but real world was out there, where she don't belong to this touch.

In next moment his fingers were coiled around her neck, precisely around her nuptial chain which she wore again in the morning, not for Sumit but to save herself from questions of society. She felt the tugged at her neck and then looked down to see he was trying to pull out that chain from her neck, even in his subconscious he was trying not to hurt her skin so he was pulling, gently.

Yesterday when she threw that nuptial chain, she released her heart's strings which were connected to her husband which were holding back the hope that he would change, which he didn't. She didn't feel bad for doing that instead she felt free, her heart felt free after accepting that her hopes have died long back, probably at the time when she decided to marry.

However still she couldn't bear that hard strech from Manik, when he was about to remove the scared thread on her neck, no matter what she was socially revolted by her own heart's support with the Manik's angsty touch on her neck. That touch couldn't overpowered her brain and mind, both loathed the moment. And all of sudden she felt caged by society, her own morals and her relation with Sumit. It is not right to disrespect the marriage just because her husband is douche bag, no matter what, it is still the most sacred bond that ties two people though she don't believe on these metaphors anymore but still her morals kept opposing and as always and she did the right thing.

She harshly pulled back the thread out of his hand, which jerked him out of his spell where he was tempted by the idea, of freeing her from marriage and not caring in an instance of time, if she wants it or not.

"Enough is enough MANIK ...... Why it is hard for u to see that I'm married woman ...... I get it u had thing or some feelings in mind for me but please don't ruin my life by being impulsive ...... I know u didn't know that I'm married but now when u know it please leave my way ...... I'm not kind of woman u r looking for nd definitely not here to please u ...... I know u r mafia and it won't take a minute for u to destroy me ..... But if u have any ounce of humanity left then please leave me" she was feisty in the start, but at the end she ended up crying not that she was a weak but life really made her fragile and hard on herself, at the same time.

"Don't cry" tears in those beautiful, black velvety eyes bothered him more than the words. In that very moment he realised he couldn't stand with her tears.

"Please leave" when his finger touched her cheek to wipe her tears she took a step back and sternly yelled at him. Her heart knows he is not the creepy guy but her experience didn't help her fears for men.

That distrust shook him, made him paused and it really ached his heart to see the fear in her eyes. That was more than enough for him to move out.

"Prepare our chopper ...... And yeah u r accompanying me" he cut the call without waiting for happy response from other side. He was being stupid nuisance to ruin his business over her, who didn't even stutter before questioning his virtue.

Decision was made, and it was the life without her, where he chose to conquer the world in which she wasn't there to be obstacle.

................. End ..................... ||

Let me know if you find any mistake.

How was the chapter?

.................. Aish ❣️ ..................