The ray of monochromatic light from his torch fell on the Nandini , she was shivering very badly with her clothes sticking to her body nd wet hair locks sticking to the sides of her face , her lips were trembling and teeth were chattering , eyes were blank and cheeks had dried tear marks , she was hugging herself tightly trying to survive from chilled night.

His normal, calm face harden by seeing her condition and in next moment he was kneeling before her , he tried to hold her but she jerked his hand .

"Nandini" he again tried to touch her but she pushed him with whatever strength she had and dragged her body back away from him. 

"Don't touch me " he did saw fear behind the anger in her eyes , it was the exact sight which he didn't wanted to witness ever in his life.  She was a strong girl even at the age of 16 , she showed her courage in front of goons and saved him but today he noticed how she feared from his touch too , he never saw her being weak in front of him .  

"U r shivering .... Nandini " he said calmly.

"U r a real monster ..... U killed them ...... U broke my promise " her lips wobbled as tears made their way in her eyes. 

"I didn't ..... They are still alive " he sighed , he can't run away from truth.

"It doesn't matter Manik ..... It can't change the fact that how mercilessly u were tearing their bodies " she accused him and it angered him that he forgot she is already suffering because of cold .

"Don't u think they deserved the punishment ....... They also raped Aadira bruitely ...... They didn't stopped from doing the sin then what wrong I did in punishing them " he said in loud tone making her flinched.

"There is law for punishing them " she raised her voice too .

"Seriously ..... In which bubble u live ..... Have u ever sin rape victim getting justice ..... Our law is hollow , it serves the culprits and kills the victim ..... And it was completely meaningless in front of the sons of politician " she knew he is saying truth still her heart was reluctant to support him.

"Fine u did great work by doing this ..... But tell me , didn't u got pleasure in peeling off their skins ? ..... Did ur soul felt scared or anything near to that feeling of fear when u did whatever you have done with them ?".

"Noo " .

"That's why I am scared Manik ..... I'm scared of u ..... This is not about punishing them ...... It's about encouraging the demons inside u ..... U get satisfaction by giving pain to others , this sadiast pleasure is not normal ..... I won't blame you for this because it's a part of u ...... And u r nurturing this vicious side inside you ..... This is psychotic ..... Today u didn't even felt bad and tomorrow this will become ur habit ..... U won't even hesitate before killing anyone " she broke down in front of him and he held her hands .

"Don't be scared of me ......  I can never harm u ...... I can kill anyone for u but I won't harm u " she looked into his sincere eyes .  Yrs ago too he had to left a chance to be with her because of her this fear but this time he is not ready to lose it again.

"I don't want this Manik ..... I'm not scared for me , I know I am safest with u ..... But I'm scared for u .... This monster inside u , will destroy u ..... I want u to live peaceful life " her shivering hands cupped his cheeks , her hands were ice cold. 

"Life is too unfair with me " he smiled painfully , he never chose this life , he always wanted a peaceful life with lovable family and normal childhood but he got none even now he is helpless . He have to kill them that too before tomorrow so that she can have that peaceful life.

"U still have fair chance to make it better " she wanted to give him hope for better life .

"Only if you are with me" holding her palms he kept his forehead under her forehead. 

"I'm already with u but please don't push me away" she touched her forehead with him and said this , indirectly she was asking him to hold on her nd not to do something unforgivable . He realised her body is shivering terribly , her hands are ice cold but her forehead is burning like a lava .

"Nandini u have high fever " he instantly checked her forehead and she meekly nodded , she knew this and she is trying her best to survive in this condition.

With the help of torch he scanned her body and noticed keenly that her clothes are wet and it's worsening her condition , it's already very cold even for a normal person and she got fever . He opened his waterproof bag and fished out a fresh set of clothes , he had spare clothes in his emergency bag.

"Here ..... Wear them ..... I will find paracetamol " he kept his clothes on her lap and she observed him .

"Even ur clothes are soaked and these r ur clothes ..... U should wear them , I can't be selfish" she said in her quivering voice and he glared her .

" U have two minutes to change ur clothes by urself or else I will do it " he said sternly.

"Switched off the torch and turned there ..... Don't look here " she warned him innocently and he rolled his eyes but nonetheless did whatever she asked. 

She removed her dampen clothes , her inner wears were slightly moist so she didn't removed them and wore his full sleeves black t-shirt which gave her some warmth and was reaching till her thighs .

"U can at least change ur pants ..... See I can't wear them " he turned to her side.

"I'm fine ..... U should wear it " even he was feeling so much cold but he wanted to make sure she is safe because they can't go back in this darkness neither she has energy to go back.

"They are too big for me ..... And I don't want you to catch fever because of cold nd dampen clothes .... Now don't argue" she left no choice for him and he agreed , she was right at least he need to be fit nd fine , so he can take care of her .

He took them from her hands and he didn't noticed blush on her face in the darkness when he took back his clothes because there was his underwear too with his shirt nd pant which made her cheeks red .

He removed his tshirt because it was wet then he just pulled down the zip of his pant and she screamed.

"Aaah ..... Off this torch again " she said by keeping her palms on her eyes , she was very weak still she managed to say that.

"It's nothing that u haven't seen " he teased her reminding her about the day when she saw him naked .

"Manikk" she whispered yelled as her cheeks turned pink even in that freezing atmosphere. He switched off the torch and changed his pants .

"What do u have in that basket ?" He asked by pointing torch towards her wooden basket . He found paracetamol tablet in his small first aid kit but she should eat something before having it.

"Some snacks and one floor rug " she said in her timid voice . He opened the basket took out the thin , rectangular stripped floor rug and it wasn't big but long enough for two or three people to sit comfortably . He spread that rug on the dried surface of cave. 

"Oww" he lifted her body from that big stone and made her sit on the rug , he took out packet of snacks and kept them in front of her .

"Th....a...nk...s" this time she was shaking terribly that it became difficult to utter even one word without stuttering. Her teeth were chattering so badly that it made him worried.

He emptied that basket in front of her on tha rug and broke it harshly with his leg  making her eyes widened.

"Th..at ...... Was ..... My .... Fav " she made crying face but he ignored and keep finding lighter in his bag .

"Shut up .... I will buy new " he said without looking at her . He took out lighter then he was finding something that will help to set basket on fire , then he found there are two small beer cans , she might have bought them for both of them.

He poured one can and set the broken wooden basket on fire , he made a small bonfire for her , so that will keep her warm and it really worked for her at least chattering of her teeth stopped .

He came and sat beside her in the warmth of fire which also saved his bare body from feeling immense cold. She shifted closer and kept her head on his shoulder making him smile then she filled his heart with joy by placing chips near to his mouth.

"Even u must be hungry" he opened his mouth looking at her small hand which fed him the chips . He looked at her calm face which was glowing under the orange flames of fire , making her more beautiful and opening the undiscovered parts of his heart.

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

"So what u will have in dinner ?" Swaroop asked as they were ascending the stairs to reach Aura's apartment. Today she was feeling little low as they were working after office hours so he suggested to spend night together .

"Are you sure , you can visit my house ? ..... I mean there are umm .... Our pictures in all rooms " she hesitated but she wanted to tell him truth , she was trying to denied his suggestion earlier but he was persistent because he has seen her having little health problems almost from month now but she ignores them as she is serious about work and after demise of her ex fiance she became workaholic .

"I guess we can work in kitchen ..... U haven't seen my cooking skills " after a minute he spoke , his eyes couldn't stop showing little bit hurt in them but nonetheless he stick to his earlier plan.

"So what's ur best dish ?" She tried to sounding excited , she can see how he is putting efforts into them and she can't be selfish bitch . It's not easy for her to give him chance but it feels good to be with him , her tedious life seems bearable with his presence in it.

"I can almost cook everything .... Specially junk food " he said as they entered inside her house when she opened her door with a key. 

"How about momos ? ...... I'm craving for them " she said and offered him to sit on couch . Her 1bhk appartment was small but comfortable with all cosy things . He with a plastered smile just glanced on everything and tried to put the smile even after seeing their couple pictures on walls. He is not bothered about her past but seeing it for the first time is making him little bit sad specially pictures from their engagement.

"U chose best ..... Nandini only likes homemade momos specially made by me .... Otherwise she won't even look at them " he said looking at her , he decided not to wander his eyes anywhere around . Her beautiful face is peaceful.

" I'm really curious now ...... Do one thing .... U go nd freshen up then we will start making it " she said and he agreed. He went inside the washroom till then she changed her clothes and then she started rearranging the things in her living room . She never thought she had courage to do this but today she did it with her consent .

"Hey .... Why are u doing this ?" He came after ten minutes and saw her removing all the photo frames of her and her fiance.

"U don't need to pretend Swaroop ..... I know u were hurt nd it's okay , u can be ...... The whatever we have between us is should be from both sides ...... I don't want to forget my past but I want to give chance to my present ..... I still love him but I don't want to take u for granted ..... I don't want u to compromise always ..... U r already dealing with my silent attitude and I know it's taking ur lots of patience " he smiled at her realisation and it made him happy ,his efforts aren't going in bin she is aware about his feelings and efforts .

"Don't do something only because of me .... Do it with ur consent and don't worry ..... I will wait .... take ur time " he knows she is not over from her love and it's just been month that her fiance have left the world , it's not easy to forget their love of yrs for some soft corner for him .

She stood there numb with those frames in her hand , she was already dealing with her inner turmoil by seeing those pictures closely. He just came closer and kissed her forehead making her heart calm just with touch of his lips .

"Help me in kitchen ..... I'm not familiar , yet" he literally dragged her inside the kitchen . He asked her for things and she gave it to him , this literally worked on her , she got distracted . After giving things to him she went inside the restroom because she was feeling nauseated .

She felt relaxed after puking everything out and even her head felt less heavy , she didn't tell Swaroop otherwise he would have been worried about her and she was really relieved after puking.

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

"Now I know why Nandini is obsessed with ur momos ..... They are so tasty " she moaned after eating hot momo , she was sitting on kitchen slab .

"Umm actually it's my recipe but it has touch of my Aai's Idea that's why they are tasty and different" indeed his recipe was different and better even she noticed this when he was making them. 

"U live with ur family ...... That's good " she said in timid voice with small beautiful smile on her lips but that smile also had pain in it.

"If u won't consider me selfish then can I suggest something " he stood between her legs and asked , she gave him light nod while trying to adjust with little proximity.

"I think u should go back to ur parents house ...... I know this house is filled with his memories and u must want to preserve them , they might be giving you peace ..... But they are also holding u back from living ur life , past maybe makes u smile but next second these things might be reminding u about the future u dreamt with him but now u can't live that in reality ..... This must be hurting u and tell me this empty house doesn't haunts u ? ..... U r living in the delusion where u r not ready to leave him , u r still not ready to accept that he is not here but trust me u r not holding him either ..... U r just confusing urself because u r not able to seperate this delusion from ur reality and maybe it's also holding u back from taking steps towards me though deepest part of ur heart dares to dream a future with me " his words directly went to her heart , he was undressing her making her soul naked in front of him by unfolding the layers of her vulnerability .

Her teary eyes met with his and she couldn't help herself but kissed him with all her heart . He was shocked for a while but then kissed her back with all pleasure.  It was their first kiss and they took all the time in exploring sweetness of each other's mouth slowly and happily.

"I'm amused " he said after breaking the kiss with big blushing smile on his face and she looked down while controlling her blush. 

"How come u r so mature and understanding ?" She asked him seriously because she never thought this joyful guy to be a deep thinker .

"It's one of the side effect of spending almost whole life with two crazy witches " he laughed at his own sentence and she rolled her eyes. 

"U love them alot , don't you ? " .

"Yes ..... I always felt responsible whenever they were with me because they both were really cranky babies since childhood .... And that's how I become understanding around them and we all love each other ..... We have connection and sense of belonging " he said while remembering Nandini and Diya , he was having proud smile on his face .

"I also want to be ur friend " she said with adoration in her eyes. 

"U can be my everything " he said resting his forehead on hers and she closed her eyes , feeling the moment between them .

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

At the midnight ,

Outside the Thakrey Mansion , Sattya was sitting on a bench under the sky , drinking his alcohol while waiting for a call or someone with a news which he wants to hear eagerly .

"Any by chance are you tensed for results ?" Suraj came from somewhere and sat beside him on same bench , after yrs he saw Sattya waiting patiently for something .

"U know me " he said after gulping his drink and Suraj sighed helplessly , Sattya is not interested in results nor in politics.

"So how ur plan is going ?" He asked.

"I'm waiting for the news of their demise from this world ..... It will be my peace " Sattya said calmly.

"What if Manik fails ?"

"He won't ..... I have seen how passionate he is for that girl ..... He can go to any extent for her " .

"U r seriously thinking of harming her if any by chance he fails ? ...... Sattya she is innocent just like our Aadira ..... Don't let her be a innocent victim of ur dirty games " .

"I know and I never intended to hurt her ...... If I wanted then at that night of reunion I would have killed her ..... But knowing that she means something to Manik , I am using her to get done my work ..... So she is safe " .

"What about Manik ? ..... Even u loved him once " .

"But I hated him too ..... I don't know which feeling is more strong but I won't be relieved until my sister gets justice ..... Then no matter who will suffer be it Manik or me".

"What u r going to do?" He asked being worried about the situation , tomorrow he is somehow sure that they are going to win because of the deal of collaboration with other party and he don't want to start next term with scandals . He is thankful that this time Sattya is behaving rationally and he is using his brain instead of being impulsive, he chose best way to take revenge because before or after election this thing will have worked against him but now it's in his favour , after getting the power he can easily cover tomorrow's mess .

"U will know it tomorrow " his calm  demeanour changed into evil with that smirk on his face .

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

With a passing time fire slaked down and her body literally started vibrating on the floor rug because she was feeling extremely cold , her eyes were drowsy because of the paracetamol .

Her condition was affecting his sanity he was getting restless seeing her almost at the edge of losing consious , her forehead was burning with a fever nd her body was shaking because of cold . He was rubbing her palms and toes to provide her some heat but it wasn't helping a bit .

"Manikk save me " her almost inaudible plead pinched his heart , he was feeling as if someone is squeezing life out of him , he suddenly started feeling vulnerable with her fading voice. He stared finding something to keep her warm, then he found one long cotton stole in her bag. 

She closed her eyes due to dizziness and he took a deep breath before entering inside her t shirt and making place for him .

"Manikk" she moaned in her half consious state.

"Shh .... Trust me and sleep " she closed her eyes again and he adjusted himself inside the t shirt.  That t shirt was already two times bigger for her and it was stretchable so he could fit himself easily into that. 

First it was uncomfortable then it became torture for him , because touch of  her bare, baby soft , milky white skin was giving tingles to him . Her bra cladded bossoms were smashed tightly against his bare chest provoking him to grope them and play with them but he restrained himself.

He used to think that he has best self control but he never realised how it's almost impossible to tame his lust and not to claim her right here. His hands glided over her smooth skin of legs when he wrapped them around his waist then he covered her bare legs with that stole providing them warmth.

He started grinding his strong, masculine body over her small , cold nd extremely soft body to provide her heat radiating through friction of their bodies. And to control his raging harmones he kept kissing her beautiful face but more than that her trust held him back from taking her advantage. He felt her getting comfortable with his body heat and slowly slowly she stopped shivering .

"What r u doing Nandini ? ..... First u were my peace only and now u r becoming my everything " he stared at her calm face and pecking her lips he too slept embracing his sanity close to his body.

She was marking her territory over his forbidden heart unknown to him that she is going to rule it like a queen .

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

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?

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