II. Why me?

M A N I K

I sat with Mukhti once I reached the table Cabir had texted earlier. Looking at her face I couldn't hold back my laughter and burst out laughing on my sister. She looked cute yet angry for losing the bet. The more I laughed the angrier she got. I placed my arm around her shoulder and pulled her in a side hug kissing on top of her trying my best to control my laughter yet I ended up laughing and she smacking my head.

"Chota Bheem it's your call" Cabir interrupted her smacking session passing her Navya's phone.

Mukhti snatched the phone from his palm and walked a little away from our table to talk. I turned my eyes on Cabir and saw him drinking like an animal 'everybody loves alcohol when it's free of cost' I shook my head and ordered a beer for myself

I need to drive back home not wanting to end up in the jail next morning I'll just have to be calm. I don't want my parents to come to the Police station in the morning and see their son completely wasted. Cabir had Navya to drive him home but I had none. Roaming my eyes around the crowd I couldn't find Aryaman.

Was he not invited?

"Navya, where's Aryaman?" I asked she looked up from her phone to me and just shrugged her shoulders unaware of my other best friend's whereabouts

Navya and Cabir briefly dated each other in college and then got married a year back. They are very well happily married just Cabir's drinking habits are a pain in the ass for Navya. He'll drink like a nasty demon as if there is no tomorrow and all the liquor is going to dry up. Like really bruh!

If Cabir goes to hell which I am sure he will, he'll be toasting with the devil itself I'm sure on that. He's the ultimate drama king of our group. Mukhti has given him a specific tag the Joker.

Navya being Navya is the ultimate Bollywood queen. She is always into watching movies and rating them on BookMyShow. Well, that's what she did when we were in college but now she is an Indian film critic and a movie trade analyst. Her obsession with Bollywood met another level of madness.

Mukhti my sister she turned out to be a fashion designer. Abhimanyu her fiance and Mukhti started their own line of clothing. Abhimanyu being the investor while she is the designer. Their work is much appreciated and business is going great. Mukhti is all satisfied with her life unlike me she does love her work.

I, on the other hand, am the Art Director of the Paradigm and the head editor of all teams. I'm not sure why did I end up being in a Magazine instead of an H.R in a financial company. It's not like I hate my work I hate to work under the CEO of our magazine. The last CEO was much better than the one we are having now. Thinking of the devil I see him at the bar with a short chubby girl. The girl is short and chubby but she as well is hot with that tight dress perfectly hugging her curves.

I directed my eyes away from him the girl is probably a prey nothing else like all other girls in his list. Mukhti came back to sit beside me with a scowl on her face. She has a pair of brown eyes while mine was chocolate brown and right now her eyes were burning in fury. I touched her shoulder "something wrong?" I asked but she didn't reply instead gulp down three shots of Vodka Cabir had ordered for himself

"That's mine!" he cribbed completely drunk but me and Navya we both ignored him and focused our attention on Mukhti. "Mukhti spill it out!" Navya pestered this time. Mukhti took a few deep breaths trying not to burst out in anger she even drank my glass of beer completely in a go.

'hey! I didn't even drink a sip' but who cares she just emptied the glass and I sat there watching her how swiftly and quickly she emptied the glass as if it wasn't alcohol just the normal orange mango juices. I bite back my witty remark and patiently waited for her to tell us what was bothering. The phone call must be the reason for her alcoholic outburst.

"Waiter!!" before mukhti could even say a word Cabir yelled at the men at the other table. Now my patience was wearing off I was too tired with my work today I have to get up early in the morning for another presentation of our new launch but instead, I am tolerating their drinking habits. 'Why in the world I have all kind of fucked assholes as my friends' The other asshole might be somewhere in Mumbai with a girl hung around his shoulder but he was least of my concern. My concern was Mukhti she was boiling in anger and the way she drank alcohol gave the clear Idea some mess had happened "five more shots please" Cabir ordered Navya smacked his head started blabbering curse words to him 'why did they end up marrying, can someone remind me at the first place' I mumbled a few curse words for myself to even agreeing to come to this club anyway

"Hey, Bud! Hope I'm not late" speak of the devil and he's here. Mukhti looked at him in fury while Navya and Cabir didn't care they were busing ranting, me, on the hand is annoyed with his presence 'why are all the devils today at the same club' I wouldn't stop ranting; mercilessly everyone was trying to annoy me more than other. Aryaman was least affected by my annoying face and Mukhti's death glance, he just dumped himself next to me. The waiter arrived with four shots Cabir had ordered rather than Cabir this time Aryaman gulped all in one go my eyes widening at this action. Woah!

"that was mine" Cabir cribbed again 'why are all my friends fucking alcoholic retards' I tried to control my again and shifted my body towards Mukhti "Mukhti for the last time tell me," I said in a very calm tone as much as like a boiling volcano calm

"Soha Khurana stole my designs. An hour ago robbery took place in my store" Mukhti blurted out and drank more. She asked for tequila and that stupid bartender gave it. Soha Khurana and Mukhti are rivals since school. They were birth born enemies to each other always trying to degrade each other. Soha also had her eyes on Abhimanyu just to hurt Mukhti but then Abhimanyu from start was always a love-sick behind Mukhti.

"How do you know it's Soha," Aryaman asked. Mukhti shot him another glare to hunt him down till death "Because I have CCTV camera's in my store" Mukhti barked on him while Aryaman made a bad face

"Why is everyone so mean to me" he mumbled with a grumpy face

"Suit yourself" I mumbled back. I asked for the check and end their drinking session Aryaman, Cabir and Mukhti did protest but it went to my deaf ears so I just ended up paying instead of Mukhti. Being the elder brother why do I have to pay all the time. I groaned in frustration pressing my card password in the P.O.S machine. Once the bill was paid I called a substitute driver for Aryaman while Navya suggested dropping Mukhti on her way home.

Mukhti, Navya, and Cabir settled in Cabir's Audi while I dumped Aryaman in his Toyota. When they all headed off I went in search of my BMW. Last I remember I parked it in C block I guess but I couldn't find it. I roam around the parking lot finding for my car. The more I got closer to the F block the more I heard the noise of a female. I went a little closer and saw the same short chubby girl pleading to Madhyam. I couldn't much hear the words she said but her cries were louder than her words. She was helpless in love with him.

Madhyam Ahluwalia was a stone-hearted person the girl was littering begging but he didn't even once spare a glance at her. He pushed her but she again pleaded to ask for an answer but he coldly said he was never in love with her and she broke down. She tried to stop him again holding his elbow but he just pushed her harshly. I ran just in time to catch her small frame in my arms. She was afraid to fall. Her eyes were tightly shut with pain look washed over her face.

The moment she realized she didn't fall on the cold hard floor of the parking area. Her eyes flew open her light brown eyes stared at my chocolate brown orbs. She was tiny as compared to my large figure, eyes filled with tears I made her stand on her feet bending a little to match her height I whispered "Guys like him aren't worth your tears"

Finally, when I found my car I quickly headed home all I wanted was a deeply peaceful slumber. No one to disturb. I rouned my car out of the parking area. The girl was nowhere to be found she might have left for her house. I saw the message flashed on my iPhone. 15,000 debited from your account and blah blah blah. I didn't even get a sip of my drink but I ended up paying a bill of wholesome 15,000 rupees. I need to remind myself why did I agree to this fucking treat. It was on Mukhti why me? I mentally cried on my situation and drive on the now empty road.

The darkness eloped the Mumbai city not many cars in the area nor are any shops open at this hour just a few drunkards here and there. The streetlight where the only light that illuminated my way the stars were all hidden under the clouds whereas only the half-moon was visible. I drive my way to the area that leads to the main road beside the few drunkards there was also a girl running. I stopped the car and watched her as she fell flat on her face on the road.

She is the familiar girl from the parking area if not there then she fell here but why were these drunkards hovering over her. I quickly marched out of the car rushing towards those guys if not anything at least the dignity of the women was important. I didn't know her personally but my dad always said women should be treated right with honor and dignity.

It took quite a ten-minute fight for those drunkards to run away. I made the lady stand on her feet again but she couldn't I decided she might have injured her leg so I bend down removing her sandals while she took the support of my shoulder. Her tiny palm rests on my shoulder while I help her get those heels away from her foot. Looking at the feet it wasn't much injured just the swollen ankle a little ice-pack and pain relief spray will do just fine with her leg. I didn't bother much taking her to the hospital it wasn't much to worry about so instead I said I'll book a cab for her but then what she told me gave my life a 180° change and my head started spinning as if any moment it can crash away from my neck if that's possible.

'I hate my fucking stars, God!'

I parked the car in the parking area of my building the parking was crowded of course I scoffed it's 1:00 AM people sleep and what I do? help. Knight in shining armor to all the damsel in distress. I jogged towards the passenger seat opening the door I removed her seat belt and picked her up bridal style in my arms. She was fast asleep. I think due to the pain in her ankle she might have fallen asleep. I am a total stranger to her we don't even know each other name yet she is here. in my arms. at my place. tragic much.

What if she turns out to be a thief? or worst what if this is all a sting operation of Madhyam? or another way to harass me? My mind was clouded with all kinds of the question but no good thought came once. She was with Madhyam trusting her is like asking the sun to rise from the east instead of the west. I don't even know why did I agree to help her in the first place and bought her home. She is a mere stranger yet the sincerity in her eyes made me do it. She was fragile just like the glass the moment she fell she is shattered and Madhyam did shatter something inside her I could see that in her eyes when I caught her from falling.

I waited for the elevator that was the longest period of time I got a few deep stares from an elderly couple who were also by my bad luck waited for the elevator. They were eyeing the girl who was clung to my body to her dear life. I looked over at the watchman he had those eyes filled with complete tease he's the gossip king of our building. 'I wonder rakha q hai isko' (I wonder why have the secretary still kept him just for the gossip)

Once the elevator arrived I hopped inside with the girl sleeping peacefully in my arms even the elderly couple hopped inside with me. They still send curious glances my way. The old woman pressed 4th she shot with a stare and I quietly mumbled 11th. My job does come with some perks like having a good salary that I could buy a flat at Worli Sea Link the best place to stay in Mumbai. It's expensive though.

The elderly couple was out of my sight once their floor was there at last I was alone in the elevator with the heavy chubby girl. She weighed tons no joking. My hands hurt she was so heavy. Once the elevator made the ping noise I walked out and sighed I was so tired I wanted to sleep peacefully but I wish life was this simple especially mine. I stood outside my flat trying to figure a way to open the door with the keys in my pocket along with the girl in my arms. I slumped my shoulders in defeat making the girl stand on her feet breaking her peaceful slumber I fished for the keys in my pocket

"What are you doing?" she asked half asleep. She clung to my body for support as she couldn't stand on her feet. Why do I have to do this? I wanted to cry for unknown reasons I wish I could cry but keeping aside all the unwanted thoughts I opened the door and again picked her up. She nuzzled in my neck deep in her sleep too tired of whatever happening in her life also I wanted to do the same. sleep that's it. Her nuzzles gave me a tingling sensation in my body. The electrons in my body started to heat up I was affected by her presence so close to my body.

'Manik Malhotra you have completely lost it' I murmured to myself calming my electrons I shut the door with my leg and walked to the spare bedroom in my apartment it was usually for my friends or Mukhti if they ever wish to have a sleepover at my place. Placing her on the bed gently not breaking her sleep I tucked the blanket up to her neck. I jogged to the kitchen and bought Ice-pack and pain relief spray from the wall wenge under the plasma tv.

After I made sure her feet are no more swollen with the ice-pack I sprayed the pain relief spray. One more time making sure she is well tucked under the blanket. I switched off the lights and left the room closing the door behind. I sighed in disbelief what am I doing with my life? Tomorrow morning is going to be more frantic then tonight. A hell lot more.

I let sleep took over me after my nice hot shower, my muscles were more at ease after the shower. Letting all the chaotic incidents happened today slid by I just slept. Sleeping is the best medicine.

A/N: Hello Lillies!!! I hope you all liked the chapter there isn't much conversation between Manik and Nandini but there is a lot more to come. Well, Manik is well all you know just going to save Nandini. DO let me know your feedback through Votes and Comments. I love reading all the comments.