"Aren't you ashamed of yourself ?" As soon as Abhilasha saw Adhiraj she yelled at him and he was flabbergasted.

"Now what ..... What did I do ?" He asked being irked. He was truly annoyed with everyone.

"Why are you supporting that Mafia friend of yours to break a marriage? .... When did you stoop so low ?" She was angry the way he suggested for Manik to drop her home.

"How him dropping her would have broken her marriage but me doing same won't have the same effect?" He questioned.

"Don't try to fool me I'm not stupid teenager to get manipulated by you ..... You seriously think I won't notice Manik's extra attention ..... Earlier at least I had doubts but after meeting her I'm sure he is behind her ..... I don't understand why and how he became this much disgusting ..... I really thought him to be different but again he is man". She spoke venom towards him.

"If u r so smart then u know better to not judge someone especially when u don't  know a thing ..... And what is disgusting about falling in love? ..... Didn't you love the father despite knowing that he is Mafia? ...... So where was your righteous self ?" He went out his frustration and then regretted whatever he spoke just after finishing his speech and seeing her colourless face. He never disrespected her but now he just did that and why ? Again because of the bastard.

Why his life is mess?

"Mom ..... I'm really sorry I didn't mean to hurt you ..... It's just I'm really bothered with everyone blaming me for mistakes of others when I'm not at a fault...... Please I'm sorry " he immediately hugged his mother but she was very hurt. She slightly patted his back nd broke the hug.

"Falling in love isn't disgusting but falling in love with already married person is ...... And I don't have any explanation for why did I loved that man but I regret it ..... I don't know what exactly I regret but I do" and he never knew the strong woman he has seen throughout his life can sound so weak and heartbroken in the current moment.

This time despite of her protests he still hugged her and kissed her forehead. He kept hugging her until she melted. It's hard for any mother to not melt before her child and especially if that's her only and most loving child.

"He didn't know mom that she is married ..... And he is still the same towards every woman ..... He respects them and he respects her too" he don't know why he defended that guy but he did. He don't want his mother to loose complete faith on Manik. He knows she don't like their business but she don't hold him responsible for anything instead she just pities the kid who turned into Mafia because of her husband.

"Agreed, he didn't know but now he does and still he is following her ..... So much of respect huh" she smirked.

"He is not pursuing her mom ..... He never mistreated her  ..... He don't even look at her with wrong intentions .... He had left the country after knowing the reality and he just came here to punish Manohar .....  He is just protecting her " he explained her.

"Still that is considered as pursuing her .... The way he is behaving is different Adhi, it's not normal act of modesty towards harrassed woman .... Stop him before he destroys something .... I have seen the girl she is too good to get involved into this" she spoke her concern.

"Trust him at least to not destroy her .... He can destroy the world to protect her but not the other way round ".

"And that's more scary ..... He don't need to protect her ..... She can take care of her own and she has husband to look after these things ".

"Then why he is never been there for her ..... Not for once I saw him since the time of incident ..... He never visited school to ask for justice or anything .... Even today he wasn't there for her ..... And I'm sure he must be drunk   ..... Manik has always seen marks on her body, here and there ..... He thinks she is being abused by her husband and I won't refuse the possibility .... He don't know the man but I know .... Her husband is alcoholic and unemployed, he just roams around the city with his gang ..... Sometimes he is involved in small robberies, in fact that's how I have met him ..... Once he had robbed Manik's thing " he didn't mentioned that thing to be drug. And though he was just trying to clear his friend's image but while doing so he realised so many things which were being overlooked by him.

"Sometimes u amuse me Adhi u r blaming her husband for robbery while supporting your MAFIA friend .... But leave it and coming to the main point if this is the case then I can help her to get rid of him if she wants to get out of toxic marriage ..... Our NGO will help her .... And I still don't want her to be involved with Manik, he is too dangerous."

"You know what mom ...... You think that your regret is, loving dad till now even after having reasons to not love him and ur incapablity to not feel compassion for that Mafia man  ..... But the real regret is that inspite of loving him and even being equally loved by him u can't live together, idk why but ik that's the truth ..... So the thing is let her choose what she wants, wether she will regret it or not, let future decide that for her ..... I won't support Manik as a Mafia but I know Manik as a man is never going to be a threat to any woman" and she was numb it was too much to take in she never told him the reason of seperation coz she never wanted to put him in a spot where he would have to choose side or hate any of them because of the other.

"U r really grown up young man now" she just caressed his cheek and smiled at him but he could see the turmoil on her face, unintentionally he has touched the broken strings.

"I love you mom" he again kissed her forehead with one small hug and bid her goodbye.

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

"Bro ..... I saw her getting out of the posh suv car" Kiran screamed as soon as he reached his group. After her call they decided to put someone outside the chawl to keep an eye on her. And Kiran willingly agreed to be that person as he wasn't much drunk.

"That must be her Madam's car ...... She said that driver is going to drop her" Sumit defended her. Though he trusts his friends but he don't want their doubts to be true. He don't want to go with their plan mostly because he is scared, what would he do if their assumption comes true?

"May be ..... But she was sitting on passenger seat instead of backseat" Kiran tried again.

"That's because she is not used to such luxury and it would have been insulting for driver ..... That's what she must have thought and most of the times poor people don't take pride in making someone feel inferior" Sumit again clarified. Today alcohol was giving him courage to speak without their influence or judgement.

"True that but on a second thought ..... Even driver must be richer than you .... In fact more approachable than trustee or any other super rich man ...... May be that's why she rejected our offer" Sameer smirked when he saw Sumit frowning. He praised himself, he is always good in manipulating people. Or may be he can't take so much credit, Sumit himself is a very dumb man.

Before he could have think of something else he saw her coming inside the chawl she was about to take a turn towards her house but she found Sumit and his group in the near by corner. He signalled her to come there and she with timid steps went there.

"Done with whoring out ?" And he slapped her just like that in his rage. And when he saw deep hurt and shock instead of tears in her eyes, that was the point he realised he uttered something which she never expected nor did he. But that might be affect of his alcohol.

"Sumit calm down man ..... What are you doing?" Kiran came in between.

"Exactly ..... You can ask her nicely if you have doubts ..... Raising hand and directly accusing her is not right" Sameer too spoke in her support.

"Aren't you the one who thought she must be with driver as he would be richer than me, at least  ..... And you are the one who saw her getting out of the car Kiran" he raised his voice on his friends when they changed their colours in front her.  His anger didn't stop them from lusting on his wife who was getting uncomfortable under their alcoholic and lusty gazes but Sumit was still engrossed in his thoughts about his friends.

He was incapable of seeing truth, she don't need to prove anything but he just needs to open his eyes to see it.

"We didn't ask you to raise your hand .....  He just told you that he saw her coming out of car ...... He didn't say she was doing something forbidden" Sameer smartly refused his earlier claim which had raised doubt in Sumit's mind and tried sounding innocent in front of Nandini without offending Sumit.

She wasn't surprised by his friends behaviour but it hurted her knowing that he trusts his friends more than his own wife. He didn't even see her doing something wrong but he trusted his friend blindly. This was lowest of him, she never felt this much disgusted with the fact of him being her husband. He didn't just trust them but he raised his hand in front of others and humiliated her for something which she haven't done nor thought of doing it.

Today she realised she wasn't protecting marriage instead she was disrespecting the very core value of that sacred relationship by living with a bastard in the name of marriage. Marriage is not about having nuptial chain or vermilion in the partition, these are the most superficial things, marriage is more about companionship between two people who trust each other and respect each other. And she is having none of it even the love she felt, that has been faded out in last two years.

She didn't wait to hear their ongoing discussion instead silently left from there. She knows he will never take a stand for her nor she wants it now.

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

Just when Adhiraj was about to start his car he got a call from living headache.

"Why did you called?" Adhiraj asked him bluntly.

"Why are you sounding so different ? ..... Anyways leave it ..... Just be prepared u might need to use your presence of mind to handle upcoming situation" Manik spoke while driving his own car.

"What situation?"

"Tell me ur location .... I will pick you up" Manik asked him without answering his previous question.

"U know what Manik ..... Go and fuck your annoyance ..... I'm least interested in your life ..... I don't care what you do and don't do ...... Don't call me ever again ..... And .... And .... Yeah .... I won't ca" and he just heard beep sound coz Manik had already disconnected his call.

And he was defending this guy infront of his mother, he sighed in disappointment. He was hurt but it wasn't first time that Manik did something like this with him.

Ignoring the self pity which he felt, he took out his car from the parking area and started driving towards his house, he reached halfway and his brain started working. He couldn't dismiss his thoughts related to Manik, he reacted impulsively but he knows Manik wouldn't have called him just like that for any simple thing. This matter might be serious or sensitive to handle and that's why he needed him.

"Aaahhhh Manikkkk " he cried in frustration before calling him again but that bastard cut his call.

After trying for two more times he knew it's useless to call him again but what would be the reason behind Manik's call.  What could be the topic ? Is it sensitive? If yes then it must be related to Nandini otherwise Manik won't mind being harsh nd impulsive. But what it could be ? What might have happened? Did something happened today which he ignored?

He was thinking about everything and he also guessed that Manik might have dropped her home, that's obvious thing. Did he saw Sumit there? Or did she tell him about the Sumit? But as per his knowledge about her she won't dare to bring Sumit's name in front of Manik. However unknowingly she did mentioned his name in front of his mother and Manik.

That's it , he might have heard that. How dumb of him to think Manik might have missed the name. He just kept silent for time being but now he won't stop before doing something and Adhiraj needs to stop that exact thing before it turns ugly.

He then called one of Manik's security guard and got to know that Manik is at his house from last half and hour. However that wasn't the topic of concern but his two bodyguards being sent to find out the man named Sumit Kamat was.

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

"Hello Nandini" Isha chirped from other side after receiving Nandini's call but she didn't hear anything from her end.

"Nandini .... What happened dear?" She asked calmly.

"Are you okay?" She panicked.

"Yeah I'm fine ..... But I just want to get out of this hell hole ..... Isha please help me" and that was it, she broke down in front of her. Isha wasn't her best friend or something but recently she is only friend figure Nandini have in her life on whom she could rely on.

"Of course I will help you ..... Do you want me to come there?" She asked instantly.

"No ..... Don't put yourself into trouble" Nandini responded immediately. She don't want to risk Isha's safety by bringing her in this area surrounded by Sumit's disgusting friends who won't think twice before hitting on her.

"Just take a deep breath and please tell me what happened? ..... Please ..... U are worrying me now" she asked as patiently as she could.

"Don't panic ..... I'm not in immediate danger but I want divorce" she uttered firmly which was surprising for Isha cause everytime she brought this topic Nandini looked hesitant but today she looked firmed and somehow desperate.

"Did something happened today? ..... Please share it with me so that u will feel better ..... We can exchange our thoughts on that which may help you to take better decision" Nandini was so fragile at that moment and it didn't take any more persuasion for her to explain whatever happened.

"You know I felt so low when he stood there like a spineless man that he is ...... I always knew he is coward but I thought at least he loves me even if it's toxic but he doesn't ...... I don't care what he feels for me, till now I was restricted because of my own inhibition ..... I have realised a woman can be powerful too if she decides to take reigns of her life in her own hands ..... Everytime something like this happened I had suicidal thoughts but not anymore ..... My life is not meant to be wasted on this bastard ..... I will decide the path for me ..... I know it will be hard but I have survived worst till now because of Sumit" she always had such thoughts but they were suppressed by the environment around her. But one meeting with Abhilasha and her perspective towards women was changed, if that woman can work for many women's right then why can't she fight for her own rights at least? May be that's why it's important to experience such meetings in real life to get inspired.

Isha was shaken after hearing that suicidal thing and she thought of hurrying the procedure of divorce before Nandini decides against it. Because she knows Nandini might be saying this under the influence of current event but she can also waver from her decision if Sumit does something wrong again.

She will seek help from someone who can help them to make it happen quickly and she knows one person. She hopes he won't turn her down.

"I'm very proud of you for accepting it ..... Acceptance is very much important for any decision to be made .... Unless you yourself are not sure for something, you can never achieve that thing..... And you know it's very hard to come out of such marriages especially when u don't have any support ..... But you don't need to worry world is big enough ...... U have my full support and we can seek help from our trustee and his mother ..... I'm sure they will help us .... Just don't let anything change your mind, promise yourself and me that you will fight and you won't back out" Isha boosted her confidence and subconsciously it was positively affecting Nandini.

"I promise" she whispered in low yet firm tone.

"That's good now sleep and meet me in the morning ....... First thing we will do is to visit trustee" she suggested.

"I'm still sceptical about their involvement Isha ..... Can't we fight it alone?" She asked and Isha sensed her hesitation again.

"We can Nandini ..... But their help will make it faster and easier ..... Without them we will have to face everyone ..... His parents and even your parents .... We know how manipulative he is ..... And both families are orthodox, they will manipulate you to bend and live the way they want ..... Just remember you are not made for this" and she knew Isha was right. She didn't think of her parents reactions and that hit her in the gut with anxiety but Isha's next words gave her confidence. She was right it's going to be her fight for her new life and her family might change her decision before that happens and she don't want that.

"I guess you are right ...... Ma'am runs NGO ..... She might help us" Isha sighed in contentment after hearing Nandini's reply. She tried very hard to not break Nandini's this new decision and she will always keep trying until she get divorce. Because she knows Nandini might waver in between the process. But she will be there not just because Nandini is her friend but she don't want young girl to suffer throughout her life.

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

"Hello Aishwarya ...... I have great news for you" Adhiraj immediately called her because she was his last chance to make things easier before Manik takes the control of situation.

"And who are you?" She replied with arrogance. It's not her fault that she gets such calls almost daily and most of them are always fake or misleading.

"That's not topic of concern for you ..... You should just focus on the news which I have" he don't want to reveal his identity that's why he called from his other sim card although he knows she wouldn't care about his details once she gets the news.

"You know what just leave it ..... I know it's a prank call or something" she was irritated with same dialogue which she hears everytime.

"It's about Manik" he replied hurriedly.

"What is it?" Now she was interested even if it's prank she can't ignore the possibility of having news related to Manik.

"Actually I have got a clip from bar of that day when he was harmed and I saw one man trying to steal drugs ..... He was caught in CCTV footage ..... I don't know whether he was stealing the drugs or he was hiding the evidence ..... Even I'm not sure if that thing was drug or not but I have video and u can find out the truth" he spoke but he smartly kept some loopholes in his speech.

"Why do u think that man is helpful in anyway ?"

"Cause I have heard he is Manik's one of trusted man ...... In fact he was seen outside the Manik's house, twice ..... Nd especially on that very date he was seen outside Manik's house after midnight" he revealed as much as he could.

"And how do you know Manik's house or his address or even him for that matter to have so much knowledge about his life which is ultimately secret for everyone?" He sighed, how he could forget that woman is journalist for a reason. She knows how to dig a truth.

"I don't know anything in specific but I have vague idea and that's why I have shared things with you so that now you can look into details yourself ..... And I love my life to reveal anything more than this ..... I have sent a pendrive at your address and please don't try to contact me again, that will put my life in danger " he faked the worry at the end to look more convincing though it's true that he was risking his life by doing these things and not informing Manik. But again it was for Manik's good only.

"Don't worry ...... I will keep my curiosity in check" at the end she cares more for human life instead of hot news. No matter whether it's true or not but she can't put anyone's life in danger.

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

"Hello sir ...... Sir ..... Actually" the bodyguard stuttered on the call.

"What is it ? ....... Did he escaped?" Manik asked calmly yet his calm tone was enough to scare his bodyguards.

"No ...... Instead police took him in front of our eyes ...... They reached before us and they took him to the jail" he described the scene which was executed in front of them. They were about to pick that drunkard from the bar after searching for him for almost one hour but just before them police arrived and arrested him. He was totally wasted to question them, why ?

"Why did they arrested him ?"

"We have no Idea" bodyguard replied.

"Sir please turn on the TV and see TRUST news channel" other bodyguard came running and shouted on the phone.

After listening to him Manik turned on the news -

"Breaking news of the hour ..... Yes you heard it right ..... Finally after months we have got a lead towards Mafia Manik ..... Police have arrested one of his trusted man  ...... As per the sources the arrested man was found stealing the drugs that night when Mr Manik was harmed ..... But contrary to that it could also be the possibility that he was trying to hide the evidence from police ..... As per inspector's testimony second assumptions suits the case .... Cause why would his trusted man will steal ? ..... What do you guys think? ...... Keep watching TRUST news channel for more updates ..... We will bring the unfiltered truth out soon ...."

"You should have messed with anything but this Adhirajjj " Manik greeted his teeth and dropped the remote which got scattered on the floor.

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

Let me know if you find any mistake.

How was the chapter?

Ready for Nandini's past ?

................ Aishwarya ❤️ ...............