Nandini's Pov

The room was absolutely beautiful.  The walls were baby blue with golden flowers  patterns on it giving the room an almost royal look.

In the middle of the room there was a huge chandelier  that was so elegant and grand. It illuminated the whole room giving it an elegant ballroom   look.

One side of the room was all walk in closet and indeed I never saw that grand walk in closets in my whole life. The dresses, watched, shoes everything in the closet was well kept .

"This was my mother's room "I whirled around in surprise my hand on my chest. Manik sudden appearance had scared me making me jump out of my skin a little bit. 

"Sorry if you say I can change my room ." I sincerely apologize.   

"Its okay no you can stay here. She had been dead for along time and isn't coming back. Its good to know someone is taking her room making it look more alive then ever."Manik said.

There was unspoken sadness in his voice and I turned towards  the french windows.   

"I take it as the cue you like your room." He tried to change our tense conversation.

"Like it I loved it thank u for letting me stay.  I dont know how to repay you " I smiled  warmly at him.   

"Repay me "he raised his eyebrow and smirked .Dismissively he raised his hands .

"You never have to pay me .You are happy and safe that is all I ever want " he said. My heart melted at his sincerity.   

" So " he tried to change the awkward atmosphere. Then he cleared his throat bringing me out of my train of thoughts.

"How about you take some rest .Until then the  lunch will be prepared ." Manik said.

  "Sure" I returned his smile with mine.    Then he turned to leave also to  give  me space.

"Manik " he stopped at the door. 

  " I - I " His head turned towards me unlike his usual smirk a genuine smile was there.

"You don't have to speak star I promise I am always there " and with that he was gone.

There was something about him the way he looked at me the way he spoke I wasn't able to form words.  I was  always tongue tied.   

I showered and changed into a black sweatpants and black shirt. It has been two days since I last slept. As I laid on the bed and covered myself with silk sheets  i was sleeping in no time.

"Nandu-Nandu come down. Nandu get up time to come down. "

I sleepily stood from my bed following the sound. The hallway was all dark I stood on the stairs only one light hanging from the Ceiling was illuminating the dead quiet hallway I shivered involuntary.

Then I  descended down.  My legs were heavy as if I was walking against some great force someone or something was exerting pressure on me.

My legs were wet which was astonishing I put my hands on my legs to see what was stopping me and gasp I was moving in water. I could only feel not see due to the darkness that surrounded me. And then suddenly I was submerged in water as if someone or something pulled me.

Unable to move I struggled to resurface. I was standing in an old damp room it was bare of any furniture.  I looked around  bewildered where was the water, where was the old tunnel. Then I heard it that whistling.

"No no" I repeated  to my self I knew that voice. His voice was always enough to put fear in my heart. Then I made a dash for the small room. Quickly slipping inside the room. The door was small and I have to crawl into in like a toddler. I hugged my knees to my body, shaking in fear.

Then I heard it small whimpering sound coming from far corner of the room.  I crawled there. A tiny girl with her back was sitting. She was crying due to shaking of her little frame.  That was rocking with her muffled cry. I knew some how I knew she was also escaping from what I was escaping from.

"Little girl I am here ?" She turned to me and my eyes widened.  She was me the 9 year old me.

"Nandu hide he is coming" And I know whom she was talking about. 

The last thing that I saw and heard was her terrified screams as he hurled her in his arms I knew the scene like the back of my hand because it happened million times.   

Manik's pov  

Her screams tore through the silence. She wouldn't stop. She was scared. My basic thought was it was her stalker and he was in the room as I was rushing to her room. I opened the door with so much force that it was broken. There she was on the bed panting, crying, screaming in her dream.   

"Nandu its a dream - its a dream. " I was shaking her. And then her eyes opened. She hugged me tightly crying in my arms that circled her protectively. 

"Manik she - I couldn't save her. She cried for me but I was frozen in place. I watched her as he teared her dignity apart. Manik you have to save her she is dying he is killing her every day.  Whenever I sleep her plea for help are the only things that I hear. " Just like that I held  her in my arms as she talked about a certain someone cooing in her ears until her form relaxed in my arms and she closed her eyes.

I looked at her tear stained face and for the time I saw the real Nandini the vulnerable Nandini the Nandini who would cry herself to sleep. And I promised myself I will find him and tear him apart. Just for the girl in my arms and I have no answers why? Why I could do anything for her.

To be continued......