Note - Hello guys, How are you guys?
I hope you remember me and this story.

First of all sorry for not updating regularly.

U can read previous chapter before starting it again coz even I had to read it first before writing this one.

And last thing is I won't promise you anything but I would try to be regular if you guys are still little bit interested in story.

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"Good evening ma'am" As soon as she met Abhilasha she confidently greeted her. It was like her second nature to be confident and she doesn't fumble even if her inner world is whirling violently like a tornado. She was always brilliant student but marriage had made her miserable but again her job gives her necessary boost to keep going with confidence, in professional life at least.

"Good evening.... Miss Nandini  ..... Please have a seat and be comfortable" Abhilasha treated her with sweetness and even asked other questions related to school and her individual work as a teacher. She wasn't wearing a nuptial chain today so Abhilasha assumed her to be single.

"Coming to the main question as Adhiraj has already informed me about the incident ..... But I would like to know details if you are comfortable .... Because I need to ensure that women working in my school are safe and they are working in free environment otherwise it would be wastage of my efforts till date".

"Your efforts aren't wasted ma'am ..... In fact they have helped many women like me to survive and fight with problems in some or other way and we all are very thankful for the kindness which you have shown towards the underprivileged children and women .... And my working experience has been wonderful till date however whatever Adhiraj sir has told you about the late principal isn't wrong either." She spoke as firmly as she could without hesitating to show her gratitude towards Abhilasha.

"Glad to know that you acknowledge it but it's not only my efforts but cumulative efforts of every entity involved in this chain ..... Anyways coming to the topic was he misbehaving with all the ladies or just you?" .

"I wouldn't know about others but as per my observation it was just me" she didn't know the reason behind the abrupt question yet she spoke calmly.

"And since when this was happening? ..... Why didn't you complain about it to Adhiraj or anyone?"

"He never misbehaved with me directly before that day but it was always uncomfortable whenever he interacted with me previously ...... Many times I could sense malice in his intentions but I could never put finger on exact action..... I also thought it might be my assumption and he might not be abuser ...... When I felt he could be threat and thought of complain did came to my mind but he was more powerful and had more experience ..... I wasn't sure if anyone would have supported me over him" she spoke the truth and Abhilasha liked the way she spoke since the beginning.

"Lack of power is just excuse to hide your lack of courage to fight against wrong ...."her words sting Nandini cause that was true not just in this case but also in her personal life.

"Always remember I work for justice first then I do the charity ..... So never hesitate again to raise your voice against wrong ..... Although this time I am letting you go cause I can understand your hesitation but I hope you are responsible enough to learn your lesson ..... Sometimes your silence is your weakness and strongest weapon for person to use it against you" She made it clear for Nandini that there is no space for mistakes from anyone in Abhilasha's life. She is a woman who studies every aspect of the situation before reaching to unbiased conclusion.

"Yes ma'am I will never forget this ..... Thank you for giving me your time and guidance" she wanted to add that unknowingly she has helped Nandini so much. She was in awe with the lady, her intelligence, her kindness and her attitude. It was the first time she was meeting such lady in person while having first hand experience of handling such situation.

"Next week in our school I will ask Adhiraj to invite a guest to shed some light into vishakha guidelines and posh act for our teachers and you will be helping him for this event ..... Do something to spread awareness before the actual day of event". She thought of giving some different work to Nandini to see her potential.

"Sure ma'am ...... And I would like to request you for something else too if it's not too much to ask." She hesitated a bit but she knew this topics needs immediate attention.

"Yeah, go ahead".

"I feel there is a need of sex education in our school ..... I know this is topic is not been discussed openly and it might seem bad idea to expose it in front of teenagers.... But ma'am we are not seeing it doesn't mean they are not doing it ..... Nowadays children are very fast forward, it's just us who thinks it's not right time ..... But ma'am this is the right time .....  This age is very crucial and teenagers goes through many problems which are ignored by elders or aren't handled in right way ..... All they need is right direction and someone to understand them in a way they wants to be understood ..... We can show them how necessary it is to follow some protocols in life not because elders are saying it but because they realise the possible repercussions of their actions ...... All they think is that they are right and they know what is best for them but they are delusional, they don't see the bigger picture but just things around them is their world, which always leads them to do wrong things due to the peer pressure ..... So please do consider it once " she put forward her wish, she didn't know how she got the courage but she knew it was the right time and right person to talk about it.

"You are really thoughtful ..... I'm glad to know there are teachers in my school who are concerned about children and their lives outside the school too ..... I will surely think of it and as you have pointed out the problem so it's your responsibility to come up with solution.... And I will grant it if I find it genuine".

"Thanks again..... I will try my best for the future of kids" she don't want someone to be Nandini again because of the lack of awareness nor she wants any boy to turn into Sumit.

"You may leave now" she ended her conversation and Nandini made a way outside.

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"You know right that you can leave ..... I mean it's not like that mother has told you to stay back in fact she would like it better if u leave" Manik just raised his one eyebrow and Adhiraj's courage to speak further died.

"Why is she called here ?" Manik asked seriously.

"Aai wants to ensure that teachers are safe and people like Manohar aren't there in school ..... She simply wants to seek information about working environment in school ..... That's it" he explained it.

"And you r dumb to think that's her only motive ..... I'm sure she called her so that she can have closer look into the situation and she is definitely trying to see if there's any link between us".

"And you are making it easy for her to see the direct link ..... What do u think she won't understand this behaviour of yours? ..... My father must be big Mafia but still she has wrapped him around her fingers even after years of seperation". And unfortunately Manik couldn't deny the fact. He always knew that woman is shrewd but he admired her for that. However he never wanted himself to be target of her.

"Shut up". Adhiraj silently sat on sofa in the living room and texted his father about his mother's recent invitation meanwhile Manik also sat on the same sofa in opposite corner.

Silence prevailed until they heard the sound of door getting opened after a long fifteen minutes and then Manik's gaze met with her's who was shocked to see him there, was he waiting for her? She dismissed the stupid question, it's his friends house of course he can stay here whenever he wants but she just didn't understand how person like Manik can be associated with Abhilasha ma'am.

"Did it go well miss Nandini?" Adhiraj's voice broke their little eye lock and Manik looked at Adhiraj who was approaching Nandini and they both were heading towards the exit. He was about to follow them but before that Abhilasha came out of the room.

"Yes sir " Nandini replied timidly.

"Actually Nandini I forgot to ask what are your qualifications and how old you are?" Abhilasha asked as she thought of using Nandini's potential and she was thinking of giving her good position.

"I'm 22 ..... I have just completed my first year of graduation" she looked down in shame while answering and that action itself was enough for Abhilasha to know that there is more into this story and that could be the biggest possibility that she was able to put forward her concerns related to teenagers may be because she herself went through same.

Answer didn't only shocked Abhilasha but it also affected Manik. Though she looks younger but he never thought her to be married and below 25. She was very much younger than him. Along with her age her qualifications also rang the bell in his mind, something was definitely wrong. He never believed her marriage is happy one and now he just needs one proper signal to work on his intuition.

"Okay no problem ...... By the way it's quite late how are you going home?" She dismissed the topic and spoke last sentence just for the formality because 10 pm isn't that late in Mumbai.

"My husband is going to pick me up" this sentence shook the whole thinking of Abhilasha. She had believed Manik was interested in Nandini and after meeting her in person her suspicion was no longer suspicion. But this sentence was questioning her overall belief. For some reasons she knew Manik won't disrespect any woman, he won't pursue married woman not until he goes through rebirth.

"Call him .... Check if he is here or how much time he will take to reach here ?" Adhiraj's concern was genuine but it disturbed three other people in room. Abhilasha knew her son won't show fake concern does that mean her husband could be problematic?

Nandini lowered the volume of her phone and called him, she was nervous to call him in front of others cause she don't know how he will react.

"I will try again " for the third time she tried and he didn't receive. She knew at the moment he might be drunk and wasted. But she don't know what excuse to make in front of these people.

"It's okay Nandini ..... Manik is anyway leaving for his house ..... He will drop you " Adhiraj immediately remembered that it's a bad idea to show Nandini's husband to Manik when he saw Manik being lost in his own misery. He was really stupid enough to even suggest her to call her husband in front of Manik.

"No Adhi ..... You can't send a lady with a stranger" his mother who finally realised the Manik's presence in the room and now she was sure her first assumption was right but she was missing something.

"He isn't stranger Mom ..... And you know it that any lady is safe with him" he instantly defended his friend.

"But she doesn't ..... Do one thing book a cab for her" she declared her decision which put Nandini into more trouble coz she wasn't sure if she had more money than 500 with her, what if bill exceeds more than 500 and even if it doesn't what will she do for the rest of week if she will spend 500 at once that too just for travel but then she is also little afraid of traveling alone at night.

"So cab driver isn't stranger but I'm" with this Manik stormed out in a rage. He seriously can't stand a thought of someone thinking him as a threat towards woman's safety.

"It's okay Mom ..... I will drop her and she knows me , I'm not stranger ..... I hope you trust me enough" Adhiraj suggested and she had no choice but to agree.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you ..... Ma'am I can really manage on my own and thank you for your help sir  .... But I can go on my own just the way I came and it's not that late either ..... Good night" she politely denied their help and left the house immediately before they come up with another suggestion. She thought of taking train and then she will take auto rickshaw from station till her chawl in that way she can save some money.

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She was walking towards the railway station which was one kilometre away from Abhilasha's house. Road was as usual crowded with cars, leaving very little space for passerby to walk. With a crowded mind she was silently walking on footpath when she heard the loud horn followed by multiple horns after that because certainly someone just stopped his car abruptly on a busy road that too away from signal.

She looked into her side to see the known car and as realisation was drowning into her mind he lowered window of his car.

"Just sit inside without creating a scene..... I promise you are safe with me" despite being angry he spoke in softer tone. Agreed he was angry but she don't deserve to be on the receiving end of his anger.

She strongly wanted to refuse his help not because she don't trust him but she simply don't want to have any contacts with him. But she couldn't refuse especially seeing the cars honking in the background so she sat in the car not knowing whether she did right thing or not. But somewhere her heart knew no matter it's wrong decision or right but she is not going to be unsafe or unprotected until he is there.

Just when she sat and he started his car she got a call from Sumit's number and she picked it up with unsettling thoughts crowding her mind. She don't know if morally she should be in this car or not, it would have been better to take Adhiraj's help instead of Manik.

"Hello Nandini ..... It's me Kiran ..... Actually Sumit is drunk so he can't drive but he has asked me to pick u up so send me your location and I will come there to take you with me" his lustful advances made her feel relieved that at least she chose Manik instead of going alone. He didn't say anything provoking but the way he said and the way he just took her name and not called her SIL was enough for her to know he might have planned something which will definitely make her uncomfortable.

"Not needed ..... Actually it was quite late so ma'am has sent her driver to drop me home .... I denied but Sumit wasn't answering my call so she forced me ..... U guys don't need to care about me Kiran Bhaiyya (brother)". She lied without looking at Manik.

"Stop calling me that ..... You know it very well that hou much y....." The call was disconnected. She was not answerable to them and their lusty advances towards her. She is not subject of experience for Sumit and his friends that they will try their luck on her, just because she got blind in Sumit's case doesn't mean she is stupid enough to reciprocate with others.

"Is he too troubling you?" She was lost in her thoughts that she almost forgot about the presence around her.

"No ..... U don't need to worry" she gave a dry reply.

"I need to because you are surely not concerned about your own safety" he replied in same calm tone. Though his mind was working in all directions after hearing her phone call but she doesn't need to know about his thoughts.

"If you are so much concerned then why don't you just leave me alone that would be really safer for me" now she was frustrated with everything going in her life.

"So u also feel Mrs Mohite was right?" Hurt was evident in his voice it was second time she showed distrust and she regretted for making him feel that way because even after being Mafia ,the one she should detest more and be afraid of has made her feel the safest than anyone ever did.

"I didn't mean it that way ...... But around you my sanity is surely in danger" she was almost on the verge of crying and that made him forget his own anger for some time.

"Mine doesn't even exist" he whispered to himself while taking a turn with a single hand on steering wheel. Though roads were crowded and he whispered in really slow voice still she heard it as her full concentration was on him.

"Manik please, don't make me regret for something which isn't in my control ..... I don't want to do wrong things which will haunt me ..... Don't make me feel guilty for the wrong deeds I haven't done nor I plan to do in future as well" she was indirectly asking him to stop chasing her cause even if she won't reciprocate yet her simple action such as taking his help in need will also make it look like she is giving him signal.

"And what about the things which aren't right and yet are ignored by you..... Is that right?" She looked up at him with tearful eyes, precision of his assumptions scared her.

"For world,  yes .... It is ..... From my beliefs it's right to not do wrong things" he inhaled strongly and she just looked away after answering.

"In between right and wrong life passes away ...... And at the end you realise a human can never be right .... At least not in front of world " he spoke after a silence of 5 mins and she knew he is speaking it from experience.

" 'Society's opinions doesn't matter' is only for rich people but for poor people, reality is that society will always judge them and by staying right in society's eyes can only make that struggle filled life little better". He silently closed his eyes, only if she knew he has seen the darkest shade of poverty and have lived in that darkness.

"And what about the hidden reality behind the facade of righteousness? ..... Is it fair to ignore the things which aren't right nor they are good enough to continue to live with?" She again looked at him, this time she looked more vulnerable than he has ever seen her.

"Assumptions are not always right that's why they are assumptions and not facts". Her eyelids were struggling to hold the pressure of water yet she didn't let them flow.

"Sure the marks are imaginary as well ..... My morals are holding me back but trust me one abusive move in front of my eyes and there would be end to my assumptions" and finally tear dropped from her left eye. She turned her face to look outside, crying infront of him is the last thing she wants in this moment.

Silence followed till they reached her locality and she asked him to stop before entering the chawl premises, she don't want people to start talking about her and thinking the worst of her.

"You deserve better ...... So invest your time somewhere u can get best returns" she spoke when he stopped the car. She thought of making it clear once again. No matter how her life is but she don't want him to spoil his life behind her if he is still interested in her.

"What I'm seeking is already best" he calmly responded with a very small and almost invisible smile which made her gulped down her saliva in nervousness. She climbed down from his car.

"Illusions are scarier than the reality" she said as she closed his car door. His previous answer scared her.

"Reality is as it is scarier ..... At least illusions are peaceful nd rightfully mine" when she didn't respond for a complete one minute he just drove away his car but just when he covered 100 metres, he again came back to see her going inside the chawl. He waited until he was sure that she reached her house then he left from there.

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

Let me know if there is any mistake.
(I haven't proofread)

How was the chapter?

.................. Aishwarya ❣️.................