It was evening, Nandini was cooking food and was trying to feel distracted but not for once she forgot any single thing. After Sumit left from school, recess started and then she was called in trustee's cabin. He behaved very politely and was very helpful, he asked if she wants to file a case which she wanted but she wasn't sure about Sumit's reaction so she asked more time to process things but somehow sensing her discomfort nd confusion Adhiraj suggested that he will look into this matter personally and news won't go out of the cabin.

Isha and Nandini were relieved after hearing him. They didn't go into details of punishment coz for a starter he made suspension letter in front of them. Though Nandini was curious if it's going in legal way or illegal but whatever it is, it's better coz she wants nothing less than pure punishment for Manohar and she is pretty sure with Sumit in her life she won't be able to do it in any way so she accepted the offer.

For Adhiraj he was making things easy for Manik. Though he made that suspension letter but he didn't give it to manohar. According to Manik's order they will keep Manohar in dark, he will behave as if nothing happened nd apart from two teachers no one knows about it. It's just a matter of day or few hours then Manik will handle the case.

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

Adhiraj sighed and plonk down on bench in garden. All of sudden he started feeling heavy from within, tranquillity was too unreal which he was feeling since month. He is sure, now situation is out of control he can't stop Manik from killing that bastard but what will he tell his mother?, she isn't stupid to believe the reasons which they will circulate later. He had promised to treasure her school nd keep it away from his father nd his mafia business. He had failed her, miserably. She will loose trust on him. Unfortunately that's not the only trouble in the hand but also the responsibilities he has for school, he will come into limelight if something happens to principal. Yet more devastating worry is Sangram, he won't stay calm nd he is not fool not to understand Manik is in love.

Love, why did he even prayed for Manik's love life. If he had any idea, things will turn this nasty he would have never prayed for that but then how he could imagine easy things in Manik's life?, he should have been careful before wishing.

How he is gonna deal with everything, he don't know?. No one understand it but he is the one who takes all the burden, other people just acts on their impulse nd do whatever pleases them. Be it Manik or Sangram or his mother who never forces her decisions on him but her righteous ways always collides with his father and unnecessarily he gets dragged in between, where he don't want to choose yet he is placed into situations where he will have to make choice.

His phone vibrated nd he saw it was his father, calling him.

"Adhiraj ...... Why did Manik returned to India within minute after your call?" He heard the question he was fearing to answer.

"I have no idea, dad ..... Is he really coming?" He tried playing with his dad.

"Cut the fucking crap ...... I'm ur dad for fuck's sake don't try to fool me" he sounded irked nd angrier than usual.

"Okay so tell me what u want to hear Daaddd?" Adhiraj sighed. He was tired already.

"Manik is in love with who?" It was statement more than a question.

"He is not in love." He tried for last time.

"Who?" He demanded in his cold fury coated voice which made Adhiraj gulped in nervousness.

"You don't need to know...... She is very simple girl nd u don't need to worry, she is married ...... It's just attraction for Manik, he didn't know she was married back then but now he knows so u can relax..... He is not behind her, anymore" he himself was not sure about the nonsense he uttered but he believed it and prayed for Sangram to believe the same.

"How sure u urself is about this bull crap u uttered?" Sangram is not a person to get manipulated, one glance into person is enough for him to see through that person nd here they r talking about the Manik whom he had mentored for 15yrs nd more.

Isha was passing by that road and suddenly she saw him sitting in garden so she thought of talking to him. So she went near him. He was so done with his father nd Manik that he didn't realise someone followed him.

"See if u r not convinced then it's ur concern ...... You know it nd as well as I, if he sets his mind for something then nobody can stop him" Isha frowned hearing him but just stood behind his bench, waiting for his call to end so that she can talk with him.

"Where he has gone nd actually what he is doing for her?"

"Manik is probably going to kill that bastard ..... And I guess, this the first thing he will do before breathing whenever he reaches here". Isha jumped in her place after hearing this but she didn't make any noise.

"Who is the bastard nd what he did to her?".

"Manohar, The principal of mom's school...... He molested her". By now she connected the links nd she guessed this is about Nandini. She got so scared and she silently moved away from there, in hurry.

"Then Manik could have sent someone else to do the job if he he is no more interested in her ...... But u see, her presence is very dangerous for Mafia business ...... Keep an eye on him don't let him go out of control.... Try to keep them away, it's not good for business if he will prioritise her like this ..... She could be his weakness if he is gonna get affected like this".

"Now I know why mother don't live with you" he felt suffocated hearing his father speaking this shit, isn't he the same man who is deprived of love nd yearning for his wife, how he could wish opposite for Manik? Though Nandini is married but even if she wasn't, his father's response wouldn't have changed.

"No u don't nd u will never know how love could be destructive" he said before cutting the call and at that very instance his voice was lower nd little heavier than before.

"Puff ..... Now it feels normal yet abnormal tension in air" he dumped down on chair nd sighed helplessly.

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

"Nandini ...... I heard some Manik has gone to kill that bastard principal" Nandini heard Isha's panicked voice from other end.

"What ?? ...... How did u know Manik? ..... Nd how do you know this?" She was worked up hearing his name after a month.

"Actually I was thinking of your divorce when I was walking on the street ...... I saw trustee's car parked so I thought of talking to him ..... So I followed him" she said hurriedly.

"Divorce? ..... How he is gonna help you? ..... You aren't doing anything stupid, please?" Nandini was shocked to hear her.

"That's the long story but I heard Adhiraj sir talking to someone nd he said it ..... Idk who is this Manik but I guess he hired a person, you remember he said he will look into it personally?" she reminded her of their earlier talks.

"Ohh God ...... How the hell Manik got to know about it ?" Since the time she heard Manik everything else got blurred for her.

"Do u know Manik?" Isha raised a question seeing Nandini panicking with the name.

"No ...... But what if it's Manik the Mafia otherwise who will kill person just like that" she reasoned, instantly covering up for her earlier act.

"May be .... But why would sir will have connections with mafias nd all?.

"How would I know? ..... Forget it .....  Tell me where he is now?"

"He is in nearby park, still talking on his phone".

"I was asking about Manik".

"How would I know?".

"Yeah sry ...... What we will do now ? .... I don't know how to react ? ..... I didn't think things would turn so ugly". Earlier she was desperate to know about Manik's whereabouts that she forgot how current matter is serious nd it will affect their lives.

"Me too ..... But don't panic nd let me try nd talk with sir ..... See if we r in trouble or not ...... I will call you again in few minutes" though Nandini's turmoil was important but in that instance making sure of their security was more important.

"Okay sure ".

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

Not knowing where to go nd what to do, she looked around to find nobody present in the house, her mother in law was at neighbour's place nd Sumit was hanging out with his useless friends. So she bolted the door and came out of the chawl just to seek some some fresh air.

Though it was little cold outside still she was sweating cause of the anxiety. She  just wants to see Manik. She don't know what is the reason behind this desperate wish but only he can give her some closure about whatever is happening. It was very tough decision to go nd find him especially when she has no idea about his whereabouts and also she don't want to witness any unpleasant scene but if nothing has happened yet, then she can obviously go and stop it. But can she go ? That too when Sumit don't know anything and she is unsure of his reactions to her actions. With a confused mind she kept walking in straight line, she didn't realise when she reached near Radha Krishna temple.

She looked at the temple but as usual she didn't go inside. Her beliefs are still same so in thought of seeking some serenity she stay rooted to her place and without wasting second she remembered, that night too she met him in nearby area. And again unconsciously hoping against the hope she wished to see him tonight.

After a minute she turned to go however she was stilled after seeing the pair of eyes which landed on her at right time. She don't know if her prayer was heard instantly or was he already there before she prayed but anyway she looked at temple with gratitude.

He left Russia in impulse but he got many hrs in plane to think about the scenario. He definitely has anger issues but he isn't someone who will do things in the heat of moment, his brain never leaves him in any situation. So this time too he started thinking about punishment. Not that he needs to find safe escapes for himself, he can handle anything but she can't. He can't be impulsive, she might need to repay cause of his actions. He was sure as hell, he can't bear single finger on her so first he took descision of not seeing CCTV footage so that his urge to kill bastard with his own hands will be suppressed.

He planned accident so that case will be shut within a day and no one would suspect any foul play. But he himself couldn't control his impulse to beat the shit out of molester so he acted on his wish first then did everything according to his original plan.

But not for once he felt peace or calmness which he feels after killing rapists. Something was still bothering him, something was itching him and there was intense need to see her safe with his own eyes.

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

"So this is all happened....... Though I said everything to her in the moment of flow cause I was angry but still I am not sure if it's true or not ..... I mean I agree with you all about girls being like that but then I think she is not like that ..... But then again she cares so less about me so may be she is interested in others" Sumit told them the whole story and his own insecurities.

"Exactly ...... Nd I think she purposely chose principal ..... Because he is richer than others and may be he rejected her advances so she accused him ..... She might have threatened him too" Sameer said it.

"If these were her motives then why would she tell me?" he really wanted to believe her.

"May be because she thought u will take her side and in future if principal complaints against her so u could take her side" Kiran supported Sameer in his cunning plan.

"U know I think u guys are right but still somewhere I feel what if she is not like this ..... I mean she was raised with morals so if not for me then at least she won't do because of her upbringing" he put valid point.

"If it was true then she wouldn't have married you against her parents wish .... It was wrong too, according to her upbringing ...... These morals nd all are lies, people change with situations" Sameer said.

"Yeah .... But"

"See if u still have doubt then I have plan to check if she is innocent or not".

"What plan?".

"Please don't be offended...... Nd listen to me first before judging me".

"Okay say it".

"First of all sorry to say it all ..... But what if one of us try to approach her romantically or in such way and see what she does ..... If she opposes the force then she is innocent nd if not then u r smart enough ..... And with all due respect it will be only ACT that too for you ..... Otherwise I feel guilty to even suggest something like that but I think this is how we will find out". Sameer suggested.

"I think it's perfect idea" Kiran supported.

"But only if Sumit is comfortable with plan otherwise we will cancel it nd will think of something else".

"It will be only act right?". He was hesitant still he trusted his friends more.

"Offcourse ...... She is our Vahini (Sister in law) can't think bad about her bro".

"Okay ".

"So who will do it ?" Datta instantly asked.

"Sameer is good looking also he has some property nd money to show off .... So we will know it if she is interested in looks or money" Kiran went ahead with the plan.

"If you think so then I can try doing it. I don't feel comfortable but I will do it for you" Sameer said looking at Sumit.

"I can stay by ur side ..... If you want".  Kiran said, how could he leave the chance.

"Exactly, what u will do nd when ?"  Sumit asked.

"We won't do much just little flirting ...... I think we can plan to execute it in Diwali ...... We will get chance because of function and also we will have 15 days in hands ...... If till then Sumit himself finds that she is innocent we won't do anything but if not then then we will execute our plan" To sound real he said above things unwillingly.

"This sounds right ...... I can analyse her behaviour, then we can think of it" it was safe option for Sumit.

"Alright then".

"Thank you guys ".

"Everything will be fine bro ..... We r there for you". They patted his back nd gave brief hug.

"Yes ....... I'm blessed". He said in gratitude.

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

He won't lie when he felt his world stopped after finding her there, which was very unexpected, though he came to see her but he himself was rarely hopeful about this but then she turned to him and his world again started revolving, around her. He pitied himself, he can't be this hopelessly desperate man.

"Why did you come here?" When he didn't say anything and just kept staring at her which angered her and she questioned him harshly which brought him back from his staring.

"To find peace" he mumbled in low yet audible voice.

"What did you do?" Her anger was toned down.

"Nothing" he said curtly.

"What did you do to principal?" She raised her voice little.

"Killed him." His tone was cold nd firm which displayed zero ounce of guilt.

"Why?" She sighed.

"Couldn't breathe knowing someone touched you inappropriately and is still living" looking into her questioning eyes he said softly without breaking the eye contact.

"Does it matter so much?" It was more of question on her own importance. She isn't that special or worthy, right?.

"Any woman's dignity matters more than lives of such bastards" he replied and she shivered on her place coz of the oozing intensity from raw and cold words.

"Are you real ?" It was her insecurity speaking, it was her lost faith in men nd goodness. Probably she stopped expecting men to behave like a human, what she must have went through to have such beliefs deeply rooted in her, he thought.

"Are you fine?" It was very simple question with just three words but were they just three words? No. For one, it touched her heart coz it wasn't spoken just casually by the other person but with very same emotions of concern for which she craved. On the other hand he himself was surprised, he don't remember caring for someone like that after his mother. Unknowingly, the gaps were filled by the need nd givings of each other.

"How I could be fine? ......  And I don't know how will I sleep peacefully knowing someone is killed because of me?" And first time during their conversation teardrop fell from her left eye.

"Not because of you ..... But because of his dirty intentions towards you" he looked away to avoid her teary eyes. He hated that sight.

"So will u kill people like this for such reasons? Though I can never forget it but he didn't cross all boundaries to get killed just like that" she uttered with tears falling down from her eyes. However her words triggered him nd he instantly looked at her.

"You think I would have waited for it? ..... I still regret why didn't I do something before it happened ..... Trust me, I will kill every person whoever will even look at you with evil intentions" without blinking her eyes she maintained his piercing gaze.

"Why are you like this? ...... I don't know , what to do nd how to feel?" More tears spilled out of her eyes.

"Tell me didn't you feel oxygen is draining out of ur body when he did that ? Weren't you scared? Didn't u plead to leave you?" With each word he moved towards her, decreasing the distance between them.

"I did ..... I felt as if I was pushed into the hell hole nd never in life I felt so powerless ...... He attacked my self esteem ...... He brutally tried killing my purity with his evil hands ..... I was very scared Manik .... I could never forget it or him" she never intended to share this much details but everything made her vulnerable and she couldn't hold her emotions back.

He didn't know how to deal with her breakdown, he never did that after he lost his mother, not with Adhiraj too he might have sympathise that poor soul at some levels, occassionally, but he never put any efforts to make him feel better. In fact this was the far most longest conversation he was having after years.

"Nd what was exact thought that crossed ur mind to save urself if bastard was going to destroy u completely?" He never let his mother feel guilty about anything and now he was exactly going to do that, freeing her from guilt. He don't know if his little actions ever helped his mother or not but he remember she always felt content in his presence, she would hug him close to her nd all her sadness used to be gone.

(He has humanly memories or experiences associated only with his mother because he never got connected with anyone. But Nandini's presence also brings his that side so all the references he has are of his mother. So he will find resemblance between them quite often throughout the journey).

"I felt like killing him in that instance ...... I can't bear anyone's touch on my body ...... No matter whose fault it is , it makes me disgusted with my own self for being used or so powerless that anyone could get access of me ...... Am I so cheap?" Words were spoken without being filtered or measured by her brain cause heart was overpowered by the soft yet intense, demanding eyes of beholder standing in front of her.

"Look at me" he nipped her chin slightly with his forefinger.

"U won't bear anyone's touch on you ever again not because I will kill the person, off course I will ..... But I am secondary solution ...... U r the primary..... U r not weak or powerless, no woman is powerless ...... Only fear can beat the fear ..... So don't fear for something instead make that fear ur strength and scare others, that's how u survive ...... U never loose anything unless u fear it".

"These are just words, in real women are physically weak in such situations".

"But not mentally, right? ...... How u get affected by any incident is ur take on ur own thoughts ...... I don't deny that misfortune happens but then the torture comes with it is totally out of ur own brain ..... So always think u r winner of the situation cause u survived in worst ..... So fight it mentally by not degrading ur own self ..... Eventually there's nothing more stronger than mind power, sometimes physical strength fails in front of strong mindset, u remember Draupadi ( character from Mahabharata), right?".

"Yes .... I do".

"U r not cheap ..... U r strong and that intensifies your purity ..... A woman with a strong heart and will power with a mix of fierceness and empathy is a completely pure woman and that you are ...... Never doubt your worth for some cheapsters"  he don't know from where words came out but he just wanted to remove caresses of sorrows from her life.

"Should I thank you or accuse you for the misery u have created?".

"The misery ......  I ended...... U should be thankful that you or any other potential victim got saved ...... Someone used to say right thing needs to happen no matter if way chosen is wrong or not cause the right result is what we need ..... So don't feel guilty for whatever happened, okay?" He moved one step closer, maintaining one inch distance between their breathing bodies.

"I ..... I just need peace" she was exhausted mentally.

He took one more step closing the distance of one inch. Though they were very close to feel each other's breaths but still their bodies weren't touching.

He was towering her small figure and their height difference made it more comfortable for her to stand close to his heart.

"Promise me you won't let anyone touch you ever again without ..... Without your consent" 'don't let ur husband touch you' was hidden part of the sentence which she decoded and this was second time he was demanding same thing but this time reason was different nd from his miserable yet low nd slow voice she could interpret this incident has affected him badly. She wondered, is it possible in real to feel someone else's pain?

He wanted to hug her as tight as he could so that she will forget her world in his arms nd he could explore new world into her warmth but that was not morally accepted by both for different reasons. She couldn't cross her limits nd he couldn't touch her virtue.

When she didn't answer he kept looking at her nd he moved half step back unwillingly, giving liberty to walk away if she is uncomfortable. She came out of her thoughts when he moved back nd something stirred inside her needy heart.

"You don't have right to take that promise from me" her words made him numb but without breaking the eye contact she erased the distance which he had created a minute back. Her words were plain but her eyes were as needy as his, needy for him.

"Still you will keep the promise, I know" she instantly looked down nd he moved 1cm more towards her. He deliberately stood in the position where she could hear the beating pattern of his heartbeats.

Two souls were irrevocably embraced together when bodies weren't touching each other still their hearts were beating in close proximity. Sounds of his rhythmic heartbeats were soothing her aching heart, whereas her smell was giving warmth to his cold walls which already started melting with placidity her presence provided in his desert like life.

He lowered his neck to feel her more, he still didn't touch her but closed his eyes. Inhaling her scented hair he breathed the breath of relief, he don't know if she felt tranquility or not but he literally felt it. Nothing was as serene as her presence. For years, he roamed everywhere but couldn't find this peace, it was like a him coming to home in her arms.

She never thought standing close could be this much intimate but more than physical intimacy it was the intimacy between two deprived souls. She never thought someone's warmth could erase all the pain nd can actually bring contentment. Was it possible to get so much peace from the Mafia? Was he real or just fragment of her imagination? How could man like him be this soft ? She was dreaming or was he playing with her mind? But whatever intentions he has, he was healing her heart, slowly, which was burning her yet it was only calmness she was experiencing in her existence.

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

"From where are you coming?" It was the first question she heard when she stepped inside the house at 9.30 pm.

"Nowhere ....... I just went to nearby temple". She entered timidly and looked for her mother in law who was silently sitting on sofa.

"Since when u started lying? ...... U might have gone out in search of rich guys or to meet that principal ..... U went there to offer yourself again, right? And that was it, she slapped him hardly.

"Enough Sumit....... What has happened to you since when u became such doubting husband? ...... Do u even realise how cheap u r making me feel?" She stood strong but she was breaking from inside. She definitely didn't deserve any of it after living those peaceful moments. She don't know about any other feeling but in this moment she respected that Mafia man more than her own husband.

"So now I make u feel cheap too" he squeezed her jaw tightly in anger. His ego was triggered by the slap.

"Uk what, think what u want to ...... I'm not gonna argue with you ..... You are free to assume worst" she spat back with force and tried freeing herself out of his strong hold on her jaws.

"Just go away in front of my eyes" he harshly pushed her away and her head banged with one of the ends of sofa. He didn't care to look back and simply went out of the house.

He didn't expect such behaviour from her instead he thought she will deny just like she slapped him. It was first time, he felt relieved after getting slapped but then everything turned against him. Instantly he took out his phone nd msged his friends without a second thought, "Plan is on guys".

This time she wasn't hurt like she was in afternoon, she just looked in corner where his mother was sitting like a spineless woman, her eyes were staring down with shame and Nandini felt nothing more than pity for old woman. She wasn't in state to console her, so she just took her phone nd went inside the kitchen.

"Tomorrow we will go to divorce lawyer" msg was sent to Isha.

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

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