Hello People. Don't kill me after reading the chapter. There was a point explained in it.

Happy Reading...

Murthy house

Manik reaches Murthy house in the fastest way possible and in the shortest duration of time. After reaching there, he checked the surroundings and found everything to be normal. He called Nandu.

Call

Manik: Hello Nandu. Are you fine?

Nandu(whispered): Yes.

Manik: Open the door. I am standing outside.

Nandu(scaredly): Manik. What if the person is inside somewhere. What if he is waiting for me to just come out. What if..

Manik(explained softly): Nandini. Nandu, take a deep breath and just open the door. Main hoon na yahi. I am still on the call. Kuch nahi hoga tumhe.

Nandu: ok.

While Manik still being on the call, the door gets opened and someone flung into his arms. Manik cuts the call and hugs her tight after shoving his mobile into the pocket. He stroked her hair to calm her down.

After a while, when Manik realized they are still at the doorstep, he forcefully tried breaking the hug but Nandu didn't even move an inch. Having no other way, he picked her up and she hid herself in the crook of his neck. He pushed the weird sensations that were happening inside his body owing to the situation at hand.

Taking her inside, he made her sit in the living room also switching on the lights on the way and sat beside her.

Manik(softly): Nandu, what happened? I don't think there's anyone here.

Nandu(blabbered, looking down): I am sorry, Manik. Bhai Delhi gaye hai and chacha, chachi might be sleeping. I was thinking whether to call you or not, aur galti se call lag gaya. Sorry to disturb you at this time of night. I am..

Manik(shaking her a bit): Nandu relax. You didn't disturb me. Ab call kar diya and I am here. Beside you. Batao mujhe, kya hua? Why are you this scared?

She fidgets with her fingers nervously. Seeing this, Manik stands up abruptly and starts to walk when he felt a tug on his hand. Turning he saw Nandu looking at him with all possible questions. Patting her head, he said.

Manik: Nandini, pani lane ja raha hun. I will be right back.

She leaves his hand hesitatingly. Manik comes back with a bottle of water and hands her, asking her to drink. She gulps down the water.

Manik: Now tell.

Nandu(stuttering badly): Manik...I..happened to watch a horror film and it had all those super extra effects. I started feeling someone's presence at home. It was scary.

Seeing her stammering, Manik hugged her and started patting her head softly.

Manik(cooed): It's ok. See, I am here right. Koi nahi hai yahan.

He waited for her breathing to become normal before asking.

Manik(looking around): Where's kaka?

Nandu: he had some work at his village. He will return in two days.

Manik nods. They stay still in the same position, Manik being lost in his thoughts. Suddenly breaking the hug, he stood up and forwarded his hand to hers. Confused, she took it. Holding it tight, he took her to her room.

Manik(declared): Pack your bags. We are staying at my place.

Nandu(hesitatingly): Manik, it's really not needed. I am fine.

Manik(cupping her cheek): Please Nandini.

Nandu nods and starts packing her bag. Meanwhile, Manik goes to the balcony to call Cabir as even they were worriedly waiting for them.

Call

Cabir(worriedly): Manik, is she fine? Kya hua?

Manik(assuring): Yeah, everything is fine Cabir. She is safe. Tum log so jao. Main Nandu ko ghar le aa raha hun. We can talk in the morning.

Cabir: Are you sure?

Manik: Yes Cabir. Bola na maine, she is fine yaar.

Cabir: Ok. Jaldi aa jao.

Call ends.

After ending the call, he goes inside the room and finds Nandu sitting on the bed, thinking something. He clicks his fingers in front of her making her snap her head towards him.

Manik(smiled): chale?

She replies with a nod. Manik takes her bag and moves out of the room, holding her hand. Locking the house, he makes her sit in the car and started driving.

Since their ride, Nandu didn't speak a word. Sighing he stops the car and gets down. Nandu looks towards him and again at her side due to the sound of the door being opened by Manik. She gives him a questioning look but eventually gets down and finds herself in front of their common favorite place, the beach.

They walk for some time and settle down at some corner of the beach. All this while Manik didn't leave her hand even for once. After moments of silence, Manik thought of breaking the silence.

Manik(puzzled): Nandini, haven't you ever watched a horror film?

Nandu nods in a no.

Manik(surprised): toh aaj kaise mann kar gaye that too when you are home alone?

Nandu(disappointedly): How would I know yeh aisi film hogi? I read the book and it wasn't at all scary. These people have added all those extra effects which are nowhere related to the story.

Manik burst out laughing earning a glare from Nandu. They, mostly Manik, talk for a while for diverting her mind. After some time, they leave for home. Entering the house, Manik muttered.

Manik(muttered): Umm... Alya ka room khali nahi hai. Because she is with Dhruv. Navya ke saath rakhunga toh subah tak hospital pahuncha degi. Mukti. Yes, Mukti would be perfect.

Nandu(confused): What are you talking about?

Manik(declared): You sleep in Mukti's room today.

Nandu(politely): No need. I don't want to disturb her at this hour.

Manik(smirked): Ms. Murthy, either you are sleeping with Mukti or you are sharing the room with me. The choice is yours.

Nandu(glared): Mukti.

Manik(grinned): As you wish.

Knocking on Mukti's door, they found her on a call instead of sleeping. Seeing them she cut the call. Entering inside, Manik asked.

Manik(casually): Itni der kaun call kar raha hai tujhe?

Mukti(avoiding eye contact): Ek client ka call tha. Nandini, are you fine?

Nandu nods.

Manik(informed): She will sleep here for today. Is that okay with you?

Mukti(excited): Okay kya, I am more than ok. I am so excited to share my room with you, Nandini.

Manik(raising an eyebrow): Tum dono itne ache friends kab ban gaye?

Nandu(feebly): I want to use the washroom.

Manik nods and she leaves.

Manik(sternly): Mukti, am I missing something?

Mukti(worriedly): No. vo sab chod. Is she fine? Kya hua tha use that you went away so hurriedly and all panicked?

Manik(chuckled): After effects of watching a horror film.

Mukti(amused): What?

Manik(requested): Yes. Just stay with her.

They stop talking as they see Nandu coming out.

Manik(softly): Nandu, my room is just two rooms away. If you need anything, don't hesitate to come or call?

Nandu nods. Mukti pulls her beside her on the bed. Manik bends down on his knees before Nandini and stares into her eyes. Taking her both hands into his, he continues without breaking their eye contact.

Manik(softly): Nandini, you are not watching any horror film again. (Nandu nods) You know what I went through in those few minutes on my way to your place.

Nandu(guiltily): I am sorry.

Manik(affectionately): Shh..you don't need to be. Just remember there are people who get worried about you. Iska matlab yeh nahi ki you won't call me from next time. I was so happy when you called me today.

Nandu(hesitatingly): Manik, bhai..

Manik(assured): Abhimanyu wouldn't know a thing about this. ok?

She nods. He smiled looking at her to which she reverted back. Placing a deep long kiss on her forehead, he muttered a 'goodnight' and left from there. Nandu sat there gathering her emotions, while Mukti ran after him. Closing the door of her room, she shouted Manik's name.

Manik(confused): Mukti? kuch chahiye?

Mukt(looking into his eyes): Yes.

Manik(puzzled): what?

Mukti: this.

And hugged him. Confused, Manik tried saying something when Mukti whispered.

Mukti(softly): Are you still scared of losing her, Manik?

Manik: Mukti..

Mukti(cutting him off, assured him): Listen, you won't lose her. Kuch nahi hoga use. Hum kuch hone nahi denge. It was just a situation. Stop thinking about this, Manik.

Breaking the hug, Manik nods.

Manik(chuckling): Meri Mukku itni badi kab ho gayi?

Mukti(pouted): When you wished only her a 'goodnight' in front of me and ignored me.

Manik(smiled and nodded his head in disbelief): Thank you. I just needed this.

He pecked her forehead and wished her 'goodnight' before leaving for his room. 

Many people (not only introverts) tend to see the images of someone in the dark after watching a horror film. That's a point explained. If you feel Nandu exaggerated the situation, then NO. She was just scared. If anyone doesn't agree with this point, kindly ignore that stuff and concentrate on Manan. 😋😋