Cover credits: Neetika Creations

I. ❛Please I request❜

M A N I K

"All the topics are covered?"

"Yes, sir! A little editing is left. It'll get over in an hour"

"Manik I don't want any mistakes this time. I trust you. You're the most capable to handle this project"

"Don't worry sir. I'll make sure nothing goes wrong" I confidently said to the CEO of our magazine. He nodded

I collected the papers and files scattered on his desk and made my way towards the door. It was a long three-hour meeting with the worst CEO ever. I wonder on what qualifications did the directors appointed him the CEO.

I threw all the files on my desk and dumped myself on the chair. Another long hectic day until the launch of our new magazine. 'The Paradigm' the best and renowned magazine of Mumbai. last month as well we topped the charts by selling 900k copies all over India. I saw the newspaper article i had kept in my drawer.

"Madhyam Ahluwalia. The young CEO has got The Paradigm new heights" our CEO was the highlight of the newspaper cover page. He is young, energetic and very picky and dedicated towards his work - the newspaper article said and I let out a sarcastic laugh

I shut the drawer as I heard my phone ringing it was Cabir. "Hello" I heard the excitement filled voice the moment I picked up the phone

"Haa Cabir" I replied

"It's Mukhti's treat today" he shouted from the end and I wondered on what basis is my sister giving the treat. I wonder on what did they bet and she lost it

"Kis khushi mein?" (a good reason?) I asked. I balanced the phone between my ear and shoulder and started packing my stuff. I need to get away as early as possible. Before the so-called CEO kicks my ass again and I have to work overtime today as well

"tere zinda rehne ki" (that you're alive) he said sarcastically and I mocked back "shukar mana tu zinda hai" (Thank god! that you are alive)

"Navya karwa chauth rakhti q hai phir" (Why do you think Navya keeps the Karwa chauth fast) Cabir said and laughed.

"I pity Navya. zabardasti tuje inda rakhna pad raha hai bichari ko" (I pity Navya, for no good reason forcefully she has to keep the wrath to keep you alive) I laughed and I knew he's just finding a good comeback

Instead of stretching it I added "Tell me the reason, my sister's giving treat" I asked again. keeping all the important files and laptop in my bag I walked out of my office. waving goodbye to my secretary I pressed the elevator button and conversed with Cabir

"teri pyari behna ne bet lagayi aaj RCB jeetegi. Zindagi mein jitni girlfriends teri nai hui usse zyda toh RCB IPL mein haari hai"

"Mukhti!" I sighed "Virat Kholi ka pyaar pagal kar dega. Ab toh chota bacha bhi bol sakta hai RCB se na hopaye. I wonder entertainment purpose ke liye hi rakha hoga" (Her love for Virat Kholi might turn her into a mad person. Even a small kid can say by now that RCB can never win a single match. I wonder they have kept the team just for entertainment purpose) Cabir laughed along with me. The shit was accurate though

"Villa 63. Sharp 10 pm. Don't be late" Cabir gave the club information and canceled the call. I entered the elevator and pressed G. Finally I was able to leave the office. I am in no mood for the party all i wish is to crash on my bed and have a sound sleep.

I do sometimes wish impossible things!

Cabir won't let me be that happy. If he goes to hell he'll even drag me there. No wonder I will happily accept his offer cause life is no fun without Cabir

N A N D I N I

I look around my surroundings and searched for Madhyam but he was nowhere to be found. It's hardly been a few hours to me in Mumbai and here my foolish boyfriend has left me unannounced.

What a shame! My brain said but I erased it. Madhyam is being weird since morning, I met him at the Kerala station and we boarded the train together but he was upset. I could feel it

I asked him has something happened but he denied, for a moment I felt he wasn't happy seeing me there, But I again erased my thoughts. we were in a relationship for the last six months. It hasn't been that time may be running away with him wasn't the best decision I made. But I didn't have any other option either.

Freedom made me do it.

I simultaneously moved my eyes in the crowded club but I couldn't find a single trace of Madhyam. Where is he? My insides started to churn

The bartender looked at me with sympathy filled eyes. A lump formed in my throat. Mumbai is an unknown city for me, the streets, the people and even Madhyam. I was in a long distance relationship with him for six months that's it. I have hardly known the guy but I needed support for running away and he was the best I could think of.

I felt Deja Vu

Suddenly my eyes settle at the exit of the club, I spotted Madhyan but he was with another girl. The lump in my throat got heavier. I followed him to the exit. He was leaving the club I shouted his name.

Once

twice

but not even once he turned back. I followed him to the parking lot and ran to grab his hand. In an instant, he pushed me away freeing the hand I was holding. I was taken back. I looked at him in horror but there was no trace of humor on his face. His face was stoic void of any emotion. He was cold as if my face was the last thing he wanted to see on earth

"Why are you leaving," I asked " that too without me," I said eyeing the girl hanging on his shoulder

"Who is she baby," the girl asked tracing her forefinger on his cheek and I felt something hot on my cheeks

tears

"I don't know" He denied to recognize me and turned to leave but I made him halt again

"Madhyam what is wrong?" I asked holding his hand but he just pushed me again

"I'll tell you one thing I am not interested in you nor I ever was," he said in a cold demeanor and I felt earth slipping away

He is the only person I know in this unknown city

"Madhyam please listen to me. tell me what is wrong?" I asked again more like a pleading but it went to deaf ears. He was irritated

"Nandini do you actually believe this shit that I love you?" he asked while my tears didn't have any bounds. "I was in touch with you because I had reasons"

"I ran away with you, didn't I?" I asked this time wiping away my tears

"The train was late or else I would have gone alone. I had no intention of taking you along with me" he said and I was shattered. If not love at least humanity was the least I expected from the person I thought I loved.

"Madhyam I have nowhere to got" I pleaded but he was least interested

"Then live on streets for all I care," he shouted and turned around I took a hold of his arm and pleaded again. He was my only hope in this city

"Madhyam please I request, I beg, please" I pulled his arm as a kid does to his father.

His features turned from cold to anger and with force, he pushed me away without giving me a second glance he walked away. But I didn't fell on the cold hard floor instead I was in somebody's arms. I looked at the guy,

he is handsome

This wasn't the time to praise someone I was crying. My life just wasn't something I planned to like this. We kept looking at each other I don't know about him but my eyes were filled with tears and he could see it. He made me stand on my feet and said something that made me instantly like this person "Guys like him aren't worth your tears" He said and walked away.

I gathered my shattered heart and started to walk out of parking. I had nowhere to go. I checked my purse and saw I had a little amount of money with me. Thank heaven I sold the jewelry I was wearing this afternoon. I can rent a room in a hotel until i find a way to earn money. I closed my purse and hanged it on my shoulder.

Searching on maps I found a few cheap hotels near the club. I decided to rent a room in one of them. As I was completely out of the parking, I heard the bike engine loudly from behind me and suddenly my purse was taken away with those bikers. I ran behind them as fast as I could but the bikers were lost and I was in the middle of the road alone without any money.

I felt like crying again, life was being too much difficulty with me. I haven't struggled a little all my life but in one day life showed me so many variations of reality. Even though my father is a criminal I was the most precious thing for him. He always treasured me.

"Aaj toh maal mil gaya" (today we have a feast) while I was crying in the middle of the road I heard a voice behind me. I prayed for not another problem

Turning around I found four drunkards eyeing me shamelessly, raping me just with their eyes. I walked behind away from them and they kept coming closer. I was crying again. I was so helpless

I ran saving my life and dignity. They were behind. I was their prey for the night how could they leave me. They were catching up with my speed as I couldn't run father cause of my heels they didn't help me in saving myself. I fell on the ground and hurt my leg while they caught me and surrounded me. This time the guy from before didn't come to save me. I was alone.

Those men eyes held naked desires. I could sense it.

I closed my eyes in fear and prayed to Aiyyappa just this once save me. There was complete silence my breathing went rugged, fear engulfed me completely I heard a loud shriek and after that continued the noise. As I opened my eyes I saw the guy from before was beating the men's black and blue. Those drunkards couldn't stand a chance in front of him.

As he was saving my life I took my time to admire the gorgeous man in front of me. He was tall, muscular and well built. I remembered from before he had chocolate brown eyes, high cheekbones, and a sharp jawline. He was handsome but the most thing that intrigued me was his lips. Those pink lips were inviting. I erased my chain of thoughts

Nandin he's your savior, you're the damsel in distress. Stop thinking vulgar

I mentally shouted on my brain for being vulgar at situations like these. When he was done beating those men's he turned towards me he looks annoyed he helped me to stand on my feet but it was quite difficult due to heels. He bends down and removes my heels while I took the support of his shoulder. The way his shoulders moved under his black shirt made me want to run my hands over his naked...

Nandini shut up

"I'll call a cab," he said and stood on his feet. He was way much taller than me than I thought

"I don't have a place to go," I said in a low voice looking at my feet while he titled his chin down to look at me. He placed his finger under my chin and made me look at him. He was confused.

Obviously

"What?" He shrieked and left my chin

"Yes..." I said and looked at him for any other answer or question but he didn't say a word. He turned sideways and started to walk away while I stood there alone in the dark night

"Hey! don't leave me" I shouted and tried to walk behind him but fell due to the injury on my feet

"Ahhhh" my cry in pain was loud enough for him to hear and he did hear. He jogged towards me and helped me get up on my feet but instead, I pulled his feet pleading "Please help me, I have nowhere to go" I pleaded followed by the tears

"Leave my leg," he said trying to get away but I was abundant I don't know any second person other than him. He is the last ray of hope

"Please I request"

"Listen just leave the leg"

"I beg please help me"

A/N: Finally the first chapter is out. I hope you like the storyline do let me know your feedback.

Will Manik help? What do you think?

Happy Reading!