Chapter 25

"Get in the car" Manik ordered, not even bothering to ask nicely while Nandini gave him a look

"And why do you think I would go anywhere with you?" She barked at him. She was still mad at him, but mostly hurt.

She can't forget whatever Manik said to her.

"Damn! Stop arguing Nandini! Just get in. Fast!" He snapped at her to which she flinched instantly

"Why do you keep yelling at me? What have I done to you? Why do you hate me so much?" Her voice cracked. She was already hurt and now, his loud tone, indeed made her more upset.

"It's about your safety. We have to leave. Now no more discussion." He opened the front door for her. She didn't argue more, instead she silently sat on the passenger seat

Manik sighed before closing the door and settled himself on the driver seat.

The car started in a roar. They drove fast through the streets. Manik was back to back glancing at Nandini, who was only looking straight. He could noticed she was upset. He looked in-front as he speed up.

"Listen. I'm sorry, I..."

"Ma-Manik please. Sl-slow down." She whispered making Manik confused

"What?"

"Manik watch out, Manik! The car.. infront! Please. Please. No!!" She immediately held her head, she shriek aloud.

"Nandini!" He instantly halted the car before staring at her.

She was sweating, trembling. Manik was panicked to see her in such state.

"What's wrong?" He asked almost immediately as he cupped her face, making her look towards him.

She glanced infront for a second, trying to make sure that there wasn't any vehicle coming towards them.

"Manik. I d-don't know. Please don't drive too fast. I-- I can't take it. It feels like, like my head will just..explore." Manik seemed bewildered for a moment but then, he reminisced something.

Their accident!

All seemed to be cleared. She got panic when he speed up. She was petrified.

"Man-ik. It seemed like, a car was going to hit us. I..." She could hardly try to catch her breath

"Nandini. Relax. Shh! See, we are fine. There's no other vehicle. It's just us. You're safe!" He spoke softly - caressing her hair, assuring her that everything was ok.

She blinked, and took a deep breathe. His sweet gesture indeed made her feel contented but then, this was perhaps only his sympathy.

"You okay now?" He asked. She removed his hand away from her. She nodded before looking to the side.

Manik sighed and started the car engine.

_____

Here, the detective - Aadit insisted to get inside Jiya's house.

"What's happening?" Neil arrived at the same time

He looked at a tensed Jiya, he could register what has happened.

"S-sir. We have been for a news that miss Nandini Kashyap is hiding here. So, we are here to search for her." Aadit said, being a little hesitant

Neil composed himself - wearing his attitude, he spoke, "It's illegal to dash in someone's home! And besides, I don't think Nandini ma'am is here. So, it's better if y'all leave this place, right now." He spoke keenly

"But sir.. "

"Leave." He cut him off

Aadit gestured his team to leave to which all left that place soon. But Neil looked still tensed. He knew this was just a temporary fix, but later he was relieved when Jiya told him that Namdini is safe.

"She's with whom?" He asked - being curious.

"Manik." He stiffened the second he heard that name.

Eek. He didn't like Manik, did he?

"Why did you...."

"I couldn't think of anything else. This was the only option." He sighed as Jiya spoke in her defence.

_____

"So yes... you were the rude girl." Here - in the car, Manik reaffirmed to Nandini that she once was a rude girl.

"The third time we met, was when you came to my house to find me. You'd really missed me but you weren't ready to accept that in front of me. You put up a bullsh!t excuse to deny that." He chuckled and glanced at her, who wasn't saying anything.

She seemed lost.

"You know, then I realized that you had a roundabout way of expressing yourself, and that your anger was a cover for emotions you were really feeling." He said in a soft tone.

"How can I believe it? What if it's not true?" She suddenly asked. She thought he was making all this up.

"Don't think that I'll believe your words. So Stop lying." She accused him of pelting her with lies just because she couldn't remember the truth.

"Nandini. Just listen I'm trying to make you recall everything! You remember when we went to find Suha--"

"Yeah right. Then I guess, I must have behaved completely rude. Isnt it?" She cut off. Her tone was mostly sarcastic to which he chuckled lightly.

He didn't say anything further correct and decided that this was enough for her - reminiscing for the day.

Here Aadit gave his report to Jai who was sure that Nandini was hiding with Jiya and ordered Aadit to break in if they have to.

Now he seemed most curious about why they'd hide Nandini in the first place? He really wanted to find the truth.

___

"Ladies & Gentleman. I guess, you all know, why I'd called up for an important meeting." Vishni announced as she took her seat

It wasn't she, it was Jai who had called away to a meeting where Vishni would be holding with the board of directors concerning Nandini's dismissal.

"But ma'am. we can't sell Nandini ma'am's shares! There is no news of her - being run away or anything. She might comback once and take her place! And you're an interim chairman and not the actual chairman, ma'am." One of the board members was quick to point out which interestingly caused her to change her tactics.

"We have discussed before and I know you all don't want to replace her or either sell her shares. But wait, I surely have something to show you all."

She played a brief video of Nandini which Aadit had secretly captured once when he noticed her.

Everyone present there was stunned to see it.

"This proves that Nandini don't want to return back. She wants to live her life the way she wants. I'm her mother, and I want my daughter to do whatever she wants to. I'll not pressurize her for anything." Now, she spoke like a mother to Nandini as she proved to everyone present - that Nandini had no intention of returning.

"So now, do vote on Nandini's dismissal." She spoke with attitude and left the conference room.

She smirked inwardly as her mission was finally gonna be over. Just a step ahead and everything will be hers.

____

It was evening already when Manik reached his place. He glanced at Nandini who was giving him a flustered look

"Why did you bring me to your place?" She asked, looking at him for an explanation

"I told you. Your safety! It's important. But don't worry, we won't be living here. We'll shift, tonight itself." He declared

"Shift? Why are we shifting? It's my life so only I will decide. I'm not shifting from this city." She spoke, giving him a glare

"Why are you so stubborn? You think you forgot everything? No. You didn't. You have not forget this.." He pointed at her face, "This look is still the same. The same 'murderous look' which you often give me." He spoke in annoyance to which she furrowed her brows

"Whatever. I'm not leaving this city or neither stepping inside your house. Just drop me somewhere else. I'll manage." She crossed her arms around her chest, looking sideways.

"So you've decided?" He asked her once again, she just hummed as a response

"Fine then. Don't blame me for this." He bit his lips in vaxation before getting out from the car, and coming to her side.

He opened the door. Grabbing her wrist - he pulled her out and next, he scooped her in his arms depite of her persistent struggle

"Manik! What the heck! Leave me. Manik! You... idiot!" She kept on hitting his chest.

"Damn..easy girl. You're hurting me." He hissed, which made Nandini worried

"Uhh sorry. Did I.. hurt you?" She whispered innocently as she looked at him while his eyes bored into hers.

"No. It's me who've hurt you. I can't fix all of your problems but I promise, from now on, you won't face them alone."

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So......

I've nothing to say right now. But please don't leave without voting & commenting.

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