Channeling much needed courage Adhiraj came back in the evening to meet Manik. Earlier he had left Nandini alone at the gate because he didn't want to face a monster in front of Nandini, he has an image of a trustee which he won't risk just because of Manik's impulsive behavior.

Guards opened the gate for him to enter his car inside the premises of Manik's house and he was surprised to see her sitting on the sidewall of a garden in front. He instantly climbed down his car and threw the keys at the guard signaling him to park his car.

“You are still here, why ?” He asked as soon as he reached her. She instantly looked at the source of voice.

“He denied helping you, right?” Before she could answer his first question he asked second one too.

“No” she muttered silently.

“Then?” He asked while sitting beside her.

“His guard said he isn't at home” she smiled painfully and he just looked upward towards one of the balconies in the mansion.

Just in line with the balcony there was a big window. Though windows don't allow inside view of the house to the outsiders yet
Adhiraj knew another distressed human being was standing on the other side.

“I will be back” he got up from his seat and turned to leave.

“Thank you” she said with the gratitude and he knew that she is aware about Manik's presence in his own house.

“I will try my best to help you” after gulping the lump in his throat he said and she gave him hopeful smile.

………………||

“What is this Manik?” Manik turned back from the window to look at Adhiraj.

“Aren't you scared of facing me anymore?” Manik smirked at him.

“Just to get me here you kept her outside for 5 freaking hours ?” He asked with disbelief.

“You give yourself too much credit ….. If I wanted you I would have got you without any help ….. I hold at least that much power don't you think?” he gave a smug reply.

“You are not angry with me ?” Adhiraj was shocked because till now he behaved very calmly which was very surprising.

“What makes you think that ?” Manik raised his brow at him.

“You wouldn't have stayed so calm even now you are not doing anything ….. And it's unlikely to happen that your anger is gone without you punishing the other person …. That means something has changed, so tell me what it is?” by now Adhiraj was sprawled on the bed while Manik was still standing near the window.

“I think whatever you did was right …… You saved me from doing irreparable damage” he said while looking outside of the window. He didn't want to accept this in front of Adhiraj but anyhow he did.

“And may I know how this realisation was drowned in to this thick skull of yours?” Adhiraj sat straight on bed and asked. He knew he did right thing but he didn't expect Manik to realise that this soon.

“For five hours without food or anything she is just sitting there with determination and hope for her husband's bail ….. She would have never forgiven me for killing him” each word burnt his tongue yet he uttered those painful words out of realization.

“By looking at you I'm pretty sure even you haven't moved from this place from last five hours ….. So my question is why are you not meeting her ?” For the first time Adhiraj was feeling pity for this person who stands strong as a stone in front of any crises.

“She could have asked me my life and I would have given it to her ….. But she is here for her husband's life” he muttered after turning his back towards Adhiraj to get a clear view of her who was sitting in the garden.

“You can say no to her so that she can leave from here” Adhiraj sat up on bed.

“Only if that was easy ….. I can bear anything but her helpless state …. I can't stand that site …. And I can't give her fake promises either …. Trust me, everytime seeing those wounds on her body it boils my blood and I want to finish the reason behind those marks” his tone was low but words were coated with sheer agony.

“Till when you are going to keep her outside ? ….. Don't you think she will faint without food because as far as I remember I saw her at the police station in the morning then she came to meet me in the afternoon, I doubt if she had eaten something” Adhiraj shared his concern.

“Go downstairs and send her in” he said after a minute, he can't delay this meeting anymore.

“Here upstairs?” He asked in disbelief.

“No …. She won't be comfortable in the room …. I will be waiting in the hall, send her there” he said and moved out of the room, Adhiraj followed him till they reached the living room.

“Adhiraj” he turned back to look at Manik.

“Wait outside for her …. And when she comes out, drop her to that hell hole …. I don't want her to travel alone” his words pinged Adhiraj's heart. He never wanted to see Manik like this, it's true you can't see person you love being helpless in front of you.

………………||

“Who are you?” Abhilasha asked the woman who was quarreling with the guards to send her inside.

“Hello ma'am ….. I'm Isha Dube ….. I work in your school as a primary school teacher” she immediately introduced herself to the Abhilasha.

“Okay …… Come inside …. Sahil, open the gate for her” he did as per instructions and she followed Abhilasha inside her house.

“You came all the way directly here …. I assume reason must be genuine behind your visit” indirectly she told her not to waste her time on silly matters.

“Sorry for coming abruptly but it was urgent ….. I tried to reach Adhiraj sir first but he was out of reach that's why I came here” she explained.

“That's fine …. Now tell me what's the matter” she asked calmly.

“Meena bring two cups of coffee” she asked her household and then again looked at Isha to start the conversation.

“Actually ma'am it's related to my friend Nandini Kamat ….. You might have met her recently” she reminded her about the Nandini and her recent meet.

“Yeah …. What about her?”

“The thing is that her husband is very abusive and manipulative …… She has been victim of domestic violence …… He abuses her verbally and physically ….. She wanted to give him divorce and we were also planning to approach you for the same to help her with divorce thing” this wasn't completely shocking for Abhilasha as she already had idea about this but she never thought Manik's assumptions would be true instead she thought he must be covering up for his actions.

“If that's the thing then you don't need to worry ….. Our NGO will help her ….. We have divorce lawyers too, they will help her to get divorce as fast as possible” Isha smiled after hearing her words.

“Thank you ma'am ….. But we have one more problem Sumit, her husband has been arrested by the police yesterday”.

“Why? …. Did she file a complaint against him?” Abhilasha asked.

“No ma'am …… Police found CCTV footage of the night before months and he was caught in that footage ….. They suspect he was either stealing drugs or wiping out the evidence ….. He has been suspected as some Mafia’s trusted man ….. And Nandini says he is not that smart to be a Mafia's man …. He might have been there to drink or to steal other things but he is not that audacious to be a Mafia's man ….. This case is complicating many things for her as she doesn't want to leave him when he is in jail …. That's why I am here to ask for your help” Isha skipped few details purposely.

“Which Mafia?” Out of everything she chose to ask this, seriously? Isha thought in her mind.

“I think I heard his name is Manik Malhotra” she replied.

“So you want my help to bring him out of jail?”

“I know it's too much to ask ….. But this is impossible for common people like us ….. That's why I am here to ask for your help …. Please ma'am help her to move out of that hell hole, please?” She almost cried in front of Abhilasha.

“Look I still can help her in divorce thing but I can't say about her husband ….. I will try my best that's what I can say for right now” she replied positively. She will have to talk with Adhiraj for this matter because she knows it must be one of their play to send him in jail.

“That would be great help”.

“If I'm not able to bring him out of jail ….. Bring your friend here, I will help her with divorce ….. First she needs to come out of that mindset then only she can help herself” Abhilasha thought if Sumit is in jail because of Manik then even she can't do anything about it but still she needs to help Nandini anyhow.

“Actually that's what she needs most …… Thank you again” she genuinely bowed down in front of the respectful woman and left from there.

……………….||

“Why are you behind me and my life ? ….. Please live and let me live peacefully” she was frustrated by waiting for him outside his house in the heat. It was her luck that his driver offered her a fresh water bottle to survive and also the trees in his small garden protected her from direct sun rays.

“Let u live? ….. Seriously ? ….. Are you even living or just breathing?” He questioned rhetorically.

“You can't decide that for me  ….. You don't have any right to interfere in my life.” Though whatever he said was truth but even he was stranger to comment on her life.

“Then you can leave ….. I didn't do anything with your husband“ he showed her the way to the door with his hand gesture which made her fumed in anger.

“I know ….. But it's because of you Adhiraj sir was forced to do what he did” despite being angry she spoke very calmly.

“It's not my concern ….. He chose to save that spineless man” he said with a smug face.

“He is my husband“ she replied slowly, she wasn't really offended with the remark but she can't show that to Manik.

“Good ….. Now leave“ his blood was boiling with her responses.

“Please help” and here comes that pleading tone which Manik tried to avoid since last five hours.

“I can't do anything ….. I didn't send him there” without looking at her face he answered.

“But you are the only person who can bring him out” He looked into her hopeful eyes which looked at him as if he is the solution to all her troubles.

“You seriously care for that pig more than anyone else” more than me? was silent in his question.

“I don't know ….. But I care enough for him to not want to see him behind the bars for something he hasn't done either” without breaking eye contact, she responded.

“Exactly he doesn't deserve to be there for the sins he has committed” and she shivered in her place because of the sudden change in his voice tone.

“At least you don't have right to punish others when you yourself are a criminal” even she raised her voice little bit.

“I have every fucking right if someone misbehaves with any woman” he growled at her. He can bear anything but the men who abuse women.

“Manik please stop ….. Don't make it more difficult than it already is ….. I beg you” she folded her hands in front and pleaded. Moisture in her eyes softened his posture.

“Okay tell me what do you want from me?” And he melted before she could burn herself for her husband in front of him.

“Promise me ….. You will bring him back and you will ensure that he is living a threat free life after that” she kept her demand in front of him which crumbled his heart.

“You don't realize what you are asking from me, do you?” his desperately low tone pinged her heart.

“I do Manik ….. Par, Har pal tutana bas uss ek pal ke umeed mein ki sab thik ho Jaye, aur us pal ka bikharne se pehle sach hona, bas chand lamhon ke liye …. Kya hoti hai ye Kasak, kaise samjhau tumhe?” her voice was equally heavy. He took a step towards her and looked deeply into her eyes making her step back in fear. Fear to see his naked feelings.

(Breaking moment by moment, just for that one moment where everything will be better and then all those hopes getting scattered just before becoming the reality, how do I make you understand what this Kasak (Intermittent pain) is ?" )

“Pal pal tumhare deedar ke liye tadapna aur jis pal mein tum milo wo hamara na reh kar kisi aur ka ho na  ….. kya yahi hoti hai Kasak, Nandini?” his eyes looked so dull at the moment as if they carried the sorrow of the whole world.

("To yearn every moment to see you and that moment to be no longer mine but someone else's, is this the Kasak (Intermittent pain), Nandini?").

“Har baar jaruri nahi ki jo chaho wo mil jaye .... Thehar jao, warna bikhar jaoge?” She turned her back to move out of the room. She was afraid to see his naked feelings, she was accustomed to his inhuman nature but this emotional side of him scared her.

(It's not necessary to get whatever you want .... Stop before it's too late or else you will be mess)

“Tum sametogi toh bikharne ka gham na rehega” he said hopefully.

(If you will be there to handle the mess then I don't mind it).

“Raaste wahi ke pakadne chahiye jaha pe Manzil mil sake” this time she didn't wait but instantly moved towards exit.

(You should choose the routes which will take you to the destination)

“Fakir manzil se jyada raaston se pyaar karta hai ….. Kyon ki uski zindagi hi, unhi raaston mein hoti hai” he said looking at her retreating figure.

(Wayfarer loves the journey more than destination because they spend their whole lives in exploring those routes)

…………………….||

Two Hours Later,

"What is this nonsense that I'm hearing ?" Sangram roared from that end on his mobile phone and Adhiraj jumped in his place out of fear.

"And where the fuck is Manik?"

"Is he drugged or what ? ..... What shit he's doing ?" His father kept bombarding him with questions. He was frustrated after hearing about the stunt Manik has pulled, especially when he is going to take control of half of the Mafia world in next month itself which is why Sangram stayed there to make sure it happens. It's going to be the biggest moment of their lives.

"I honestly don't know anything Dad …… I just got this news and I'm on my way towards the police station” he spoke as calmly as he could.

"Why?" He questioned in a angry tone.

“For the last time I'm not his nanny or your servant to keep a tab on his activities and that bastard doesn't find it necessary to tell me the things which he is planning to do….. One more important thing I'm not a member of your elite Mafia club neither I'm interested to be one so keep me out of it” he replied being aghast. He was tired of being a puppet.

“Okay okay …… Sorry for shouting at you ….. Please forgive your dad and please help me one last time ….. It's a very crucial time for us….. Please don't let him make any mistakes ….. Tomorrow I will come there until then stop him from adding anything more to the mess which he has created” till the time Sangram finished his little speech Adhiraj melted by hearing the soft tone with which he spoke. There was a fear evident in his tone before using any offensive word and it seemed as if he calculated his words before uttering them which could disappoint his son.

He liked this Sangram more who cares for his own son though it happens very rarely but it makes him feel belonged otherwise their conversations are always either dry or cold. It's rare to feel this warmth.

“I will try my best ….. I can't put my respect at risk or else mom will be angry” he replied genuinely.

“That reminds me ….. What is the exact reason behind Manik's madness?” Now he was back to being Mafia boss.

“No ….. She is not the reason behind this?” He lied fluently. He doesn't want to risk Nandini by bringing her in between their Mafia business.

"Your age count will be lesser than the experiences I had with women" he chuckled from the other end.

"It's shameful enough to not flex it in front of your own son” he replied feeling disgusted.

"They were before your mother " he defended himself within a heartbeat. He knows his son is Mumma’s boy.

"Still doesn't sound right to my ears” he told him.

“I'm sorry” this sorry wasn't only for Adhiraj but it was for the mistakes he has committed.

“Bye dad” he disconnected the call as he reached the police station.

………………..||

“BREAKING NEWS OF THE HOUR ….. POSSIBLY BIGGEST NEWS OF THE YEAR ….. FINALLY FACE OF MANIK MALHOTRA IS REVEALED TO THE WORLD …. YES YOU HEARD IT RIGHT ….. FINALLY OUR MUMBAI POLICE WAS ABLE TO HANDCUFFED THE MIGHTY MAFIA” she felt her bones freezing after hearing the news and seeing the picture of him which was flashing on her TV screen. Involuntarily her knees gave up and she sat on the floor.

“NO FIR IS BEING REGISTERED AGAINST HIM ….. IT'S BEEN SAID THAT HE HIMSELF SURRENDERED TO THE POLICE …. YET THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OR ANY WORD FROM HIM APART FROM ADMITTING THE FACT THAT HE IS MAFIA MANIK ….. OUR CHANNEL IS TRYING TO DIG THE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC ….. UNTIL THEN KEEP WATCHING OUR TRUST NEWS CHANNEL TO KNOW MORE INSIGHTS OF THIS CASE” even though she ranted her lines with conviction yet she herself wasn't convinced enough with the fact that he surrendered to the police. She knows if a man is capable of hiding his identity from the last 15 years then it's impossible for him to come in front of police and admit it himself.

Straight for five minutes she stayed rooted to her place while advertisements were going on in the background. She took a heavy breath after realizing what had happened. She gathered herself and stood up from her place.

She adjusted the pleats of her saree hurriedly to look presentable, at least externally. She took her purse and ran towards the door just to bang with her nightmare. She looked up to see her husband there with a gratitude written on his face.

“Thank you Nandini” and he hugged her whole heartedly. His voice sounded heavy as he was overwhelmed with the realization that because of her he is out of jail. He doesn't know what exactly happened but he was released from the cell by constables and they told him he can leave, the case against is dismissed.

“I can't tell you in words what you have done for me” she was waiting for such words of genuine gratitude from him for two years. She longed to see him realize how much effort she puts in marriage to make it livable. She wanted nothing more than his acknowledgement but she never received anything apart from his toxicity out of his insecurities. Finally today he acknowledged her efforts.

“I'm ready to be a husband that you would want” two days which he spent in jail were enough for him to realize the worth of a goddess he has in his life.

“I'm sorry” she seperated her body from his. She gently pushed him away, who stood there flabbergasted.

……………. End …………..||

……… Aishwarya ❤️…………