Chapter 11: Chapter 11

"Welcome to my home" Supriya greeted Manik when they entered inside her home , he just nodded with a smile , it's quite awkward for him to visit a home filled with love nd not the mansion with money . Because it's easy to carry fake smile to the people who cares less just like him but it's hardest thing for him to meet innocent people with warm smile and that's one of the reason why he hate innocent people.

In between the drive Supriya did asked about her uniform to which she answered she borrowed it from her colleague as her dress got spoilt due to hot coffee nd blood . Manik also heard how she lied nd this must be happening with her everyday that's why she finds way to avoid uniform.

"Swaroop ...... Swaroop ..... Come outside nd bring first aid kit , Nandini's hand is bleeding" hearing Swaroop's name Manik instantly looked at Nandini who was lost in her own thinking , she is actually scared of Manik's unpredictable nature , she don't want him to humiliate her aunty and even she wants him to behave like a normal person but she don't trust monster inside him.  Manik was shocked to know that he is sitting inside her boyfriend's house and it made him a very little uncomfortable.

"What u broke this time ? ..... How many times I am supposed to break my sleep for you " he came out yawning with a first aid box and when he opened his eyes clearly he literally got mini heart attack by seeing the devil in his house , he raised an questioning eyebrow at Nandini and she blinked her eyes.

"Come here ..... Sit " he asked nd Nandini sat on couch opposite to Manik with Swaroop beside her . Supriya went inside to arrange lunch on dinning table .

"Aaah ..... Do it slowly na..... It's burning" she cried out and he glared her . She always do this with him , she throws million of tantrums when he is taking care of her and that's why he finds himself in trouble whenever she is in pain .

"What did you do this time nd don't lie " he asked sternly and Manik grew attentive, he wasn't looking at them instead he was busy in his mobile, though his eyes were at ph screen but his whole attention was towards the couple sitting in front of him .

"I will tell you later " she glanced at Manik who looked inattentive to them but still she needs to share whole story so she will tell him later . But there was something different the way she was speaking so when Swaroop observed her keenly then he noticed faded red marks of fingerprints on her chubby cheek.

"Who did this ?" He caressed her cheek smoothly ,his touch was pure without any dirt , only of concern but Manik felt as if he touched his bleeding heart and not her , he was burning with a feeling he never felt before .

"Later " she removed his hand instantly when she looked how Manik fisted his mobile in tight grip , she don't know why but in that very moment she felt she did right.

"So when r u free?" He asked while packing his kit .

"Yaar Idk even Rishu is upset that I don't give him time .... But u know na I am stuck in mess " she sighed in helplessness and he nodded knowingly .

"Come ..... Lunch is ready " they all settled on small dinning table of four people . This dinning table was very small for Manik but without any word he sat , he did felt coming here was mistake after knowing that this house belongs to Swaroop. Every second it's getting awkward for him neither he is here for professional lunch nor they are his friends or relatives.

"Do feel comfortable ..... I hope you will like the food "she said that to Manik because she felt he is silent than a person should be . She also felt consious about food though Swaroop's friends always praises her food but still this is the first time a chairman of famous company having lunch with them .

"Don't worry food looks tastey " he said in quite warmer tone than usual which made Nandini choked on her water . Don't know what happened to him but he didn't feel like insulting Supriya or faking emotions with her .

"When this happened?" Swaroop whispered in Nandini's ears while rubbing her back and she gave him 'idk' look and shrugged her shoulders.

"Umm .... How is ur mother ? ..... I mean u live alone or with family ?" Supriya asked suddenly and Manik stopped eating , Nandini saw him going stiff at Supriya's question and she just prayed to her Aayiappa that Manik don't lose his calm .

"She is dead ..... I live alone " without any expression on his face and totally dark eyes he said this in low yet dangerous tone that other three went numb to react .

"I am sorry ...... I was curious, I found ur face similar to the friend I have known from my clg years , Aisha Kapoor..... I didn't mean to hurt you, sorry " Supriya apologized truely , she felt hurt to see him going all numb but since the time she have seen him she felt his features are familiar. His eyes , his fair complexion , his height , his nose looked similar to her friend  .

"She was my mother " for the first time Nandini saw something in his eyes , may be a vulnerability of pain he went through without his mother , he was looking at Supriya with some feelings in his eyes , this is the first time in Mumbai that he is meeting with someone outside the family who knows his mother .

"I am sorry for ur loss ..... She was very beautiful not only by face but also her heart was pure .....  So she must be at peace don't be sad " Supriya caressed his hand on dinning table though he didn't showed any emotions still she felt like doing that instead of asking so many questions like when nd how did this happened ? With whom she got married ? With her clg crush or with someone else ? Where she got disappeared after clg?  Is his father is alive or not? .

"I am fine " he said not wanting to get sympathy anymore . He started eating his food and others too started without saying anything . Supriya have made stuffed brinjal , chapati and Paneer Biryani ( Nandini's fav) . She have made food only for 3/4 people. She served one Chapati to each person and there was extra chapati in container .

She took that Chapati and was about to put that in Manik's plate as she saw his plate is going to be empty after two morsels. She knew he won't ask for more but she realised he needs more to eat , he have great body.

"Aai give me chapati " before she could place that Chapati in Manik's plate Swaroop asked for more and everyone looked at her. At this point she can't make anyone disappoint , one is her son nd other one is her guest who is also son of her late friend .

Manik thought again he won't be her priority over her son but she proved him wrong . She tore the Chapati into two pieces and served that to both of them , he don't know why but he felt so touched at her this gesture which was very common for others .

"Thanks" he said wholeheartedly and Supriya caressed his one cheek , again he felt her gestures are giving him motherly warmth , not exactly like his mother but she is the first one after his mother who cared for him .

"Tell me my mother is not really planning to adopt him as per ur  earlier deal " annoyingly Swaroop whispered this in Nandini's ear , he don't like Manik and surely he won't share his mother's love with anyone except Diya nd Nandini .

"R u mad ? ..... I am not going to marry him " she too said instantly , she remembered how she once told Supriya to adopt her future husband so that she can be her mother in law . Though she loved Manik but she never thought about him in this way and now when she knows him personally it's impossible , she won't spend her life with him .

"Don't u love him " Swaroop teased her and she gave him irritated look .

"Shut up " she was little louder that other two also heard her .

"U both shut up and eat " Supriya said sternly , she is observing them since beginning how these two are whispering to each other and that too in front of guest , it's embarrassing to ignore guest .

"Serve me Biryani " Nandini too said in duh tone and Supriya shook her head in disbelief but nonetheless served her . Manik was observing how Nandini is comfortable with Swaroop's family . He realised how he is missing family in his lonely life . He was busy in his own thoughts that he didn't realised how Nandini silently put her chapati in his plate , without anyone's notice.

He looked at his extra chapati then at her and she knew he is looking at her but she didn't looked up nd kept eating her food . Having no other choice he too ate his food silently , he didn't knew innocent people can be so intelligent that they realised by their own about his hunger that too without him asking for more .

"Nandini how is ur dad  ? ...... I mean I met him last week and then I didn't got time to meet ur parents " Supriya remembered  Devary .

"Physically he is okay but internally he is not happy with my working ...... He always wanted to see me flying in the sky ..... He don't say it but I know he is feeling low from inside that he is not working " she said silently and went numb thinking about her father .

"He needs time to adjust with it ..... But he will be fine don't worry " Nandini smiled a bit in acknowledgement.

Indeed food was simple yet delicious nd homely . Almost after after 12/13 years he ate homemade food, his stomach is full and satisfied .He was having his Biryani when his ph rang showing Abhimanyu's number.

"Haa ..... Okay ...... I will be there in half hour" he said and disconnected the call . Others too heard him and saw how he became serious over the call . This call was like a reminder to him for his sadiast actions .

"Thanks for meal ..... I will leave " Manik said after washing his hands .

"Come again " Supriya said with a hope and he just nodded , he is not sure he will come again or not . Probably he won't come again . He looked at Nandini who was washing her hand nd Swaroop was helping her as her other hand is injured . Her boyfriend is caring, loving , his family is good too and Nandini deserves all these , he thought.

"U can stay ..... Come tomorrow on work " he said looking at Nandini who looked astonished , she surely needs to check him he is not behaving like himself . He his different today and that may lead her to heart attack .

"Thanks" she appreciated and he left from there after bidding bye to Supriya.

"He is reserved little bit but he is so handsome and good in nature too ...... U should think about him " Nandini instantly got shocked after hearing Supriya's suggestion just after he left.

"Ohh God ...... Why all the mothers of this generation are desperate for my boyfriend ..... Someone please save me " she earned a slapped on her back for this dramatic reaction, from Supriya .

"Oye drama queen what's your plan for rest of the day as ur mighty boss has given u holiday" Swaroop asked her excitedly .

"Now I am going home ...... In the evening we will go out , you tell Diya nd I will bring Rishu with me ..... I have promised him to buy a cricket kit " she explained her plan for the rest of the day and he looked pleased with it .

"Now bye and Aunty lunch was delicious as usual " she said hurriedly while going out.

"Yeah yeah that's why u gave ur chapati to Manik " Nandini stopped in her track nd Supriya smirked while Swaroop was shocked .

"Umm .... Wo ...... Umm ..... I don't like brinjal so that was already like burden for me so I just shifted that burden to his plate ..... Nd moreover u know I like to share my food ..... Now bye " before she could ask any more questions Nandini was out of her sight , it's true that she shares her food with everyone or anyone but today she shared with different feelings may be she cared for his hunger . Supriya too felt good that Nandini is like this , caring nd loving with everyone , how she wishes to keep Nandini with her for lifetime but she knows both children shares beautiful friendship nd she don't want to ruin it.

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"Why doctor is suddenly asking for money ? ...... Is he going all greedy over money nd trying to blackmail ? " Manik asked suspiciously when Abhimanyu informed him about doctor's demand .

"He wants to buy expensive equipments in his hospital he was asking for help but if we don't agree then it may turn into blackmailing " Abhimanyu said and Manik clenched his jaw , no one can blackmail him or else he will destroy the person .

"Do one thing ..... Give cheque or cash of 10crores to hospital as a charity from our company or from me ..... Announced it in media too " Abhimanyu was totally shocked as how Manik can be so kind though he did thought about his favorable image in front of media but still how can he be okay with someone who tried to blackmail him .

"U really wanna do this ..... I mean I am confused" he went confused from being shocked when he saw Manik smirking evily.

"Aaah no ..... U don't need to be confused ..... I am same Manik Malhotra ..... Just make sure that particular doctor will get suspension letter from his own hospital .... Do something which will ban him from practicing or doing surgeries for 5 yrs , at least " Abhimanyu somewhere regretted for doing the job of his P.A.  He have known Manik from yrs nd he had always supported him but this time it's different , something is telling him he is wrong in supporting Manik.  This never happened with him before but it's happening because of his girlfriend , she always try to make him better person but it's not possible to stand in gutter nd don't get dirty .

"Don't u think it will affect his family too ?" Abhimanyu tried for once. Manik thought for a second ..

"I don't care .... Now go find a way for this ..... Update me about his current location...... Contact with media , invite reporters in morning , tomorrow at Half Note " having no any other option , Abhimanyu agreed and left his car .

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It was late afternoon Nandini was sleeping peacefully on her soft fluffy bed after so long she got time to sleep without any worry . But just then her phone rang showing Aniket , she woke up reluctantly nd saw his name flashing on her screen , she frawned that why he is calling her almost after one year .

"How do I get so lucky to receive ur call after a year ?" She said sarcastically and he chuckled at her response .

"Just to make ur day more lucky , I called to tell you that I am getting married today " she coughed after listening this , she is little shocked to know this, as she was his crush from long time , he did asked her to be his girlfriend many times in their first year of CPL but she friendzoned him.

"Ohh so u moved on from me, so easily?"

She teased him though she already knew he was just attracted towards her but he used to think that he is serious .

"Or let's just say u missed really handsome guy because of ur constant deniel" he too replied back in same way.

"Ohh or may be u realised that I am not that special someone in ur life" she said seriously yet teasingly.

"May be and thanks to u for rejecting me ..... I think I was attracted towards u , I used to adore u, like u  .... But now I am in love with Sajal" he too accepted honestly.

"Jokes apart but I am genuinely happy that u found someone special " she expressed her feelings.

"Then u have to come here to share my happiness ..... Please come. ..... I have told Sajal about u nd she wants to meet you, please " he invited her , he genuinely want her to be there .

"Okay okay ...... I will ..... just text me address "

She knew arguing with him is waste of time , he is very persistent and also she can manage . She disconnected the call and looked back at door to see Rishab standing there all ready to go out with her .

"Rishu I am sorry " she pouted sadly and he nodded in understanding . He was little upset though he understood her but still he felt sometimes it's not good to be understanding always .

She looked how his face fell and he went out, she don't like to make him sad so she messaged Diya nd Swaroop to go along with their earlier plan , take Rishabh with them and buy a cricket kit for him , she will pay . She knew he wants to spend time with her but this is the least she can do, now.

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"Today he is busy in his daughter's wedding ..... His daughter is getting married in three star hotel tonight at 7.30 " Abhimanyu informed this to Manik over the call .

"Okay send me location ..... We will execute plan tonight only ..... Just do find recently died body , do anything to get that body , use as much as money u want and I will handle rest of things " he smirked evily with a plan in his mind , after so many days he is going to do something interesting nd thrilling that's why he is excited . He was always like this since childhood , he used to play such games to kill his loneliness nd finds something interesting to live his life .

"Why r u so cunning ?" Abhimanyu dared of asking this . He is not willing to do those things but he can't refuse Manik's orders.

"I think I am still living because I am cunning " he disconnected the call and breathed deeply .

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Sahil was finding a place to park Manik's car , the road was overloaded with traffic because of the wedding function in near hotel . Car was moving with snail's speed that irritated Manik .

"Stop ...... I will go by myself " Sahil stopped car for Manik and he climbed down , he asked Sahil to sit in car only and parked it somewhere near to hotel .

He walked on the road along with the Marriage Procession (Shadi ki baarat) , groom was sitting on horse and other people were dancing in front of the horse on road where Dj was buzzing with songs , in the remix there was one song which is launched by Half Music and hearing that Manik smirked . He was walking fast but suddenly he stopped in his track when he found one familiar petite figure dancing on road without any hesitation and consious of being judged by others on her pathetic dance .

First he thought he might have seen someone else but the curiosity of finding her landed him there between the people who were dancing without caring about world.

He stopped behind her , she was dancing freely without following particular steps of dance because dance in wedding is supposed to be pathetic yet enjoyable . Her energy was something else during dance and she didn't cared about her make up or hairstyle or anything but sweat was ruining her make though she didn't had put so much of make just compact , red lipstick, eye liner nd mascara , still she was looking beautiful.

She looked so exotic with her moves and grace she carried in dance . Her petite waist was swaying properly making him urge to hold her , her jhumka's were dancing in air , hanging on her ears and ending just before her collarbones giving the view of her slender neck. She looked so tempting that he was mesmerized with every single detail of her.

"Oouch " she winced when she bumped into someone and turned to look back but when she turned , air left her lungs and she choked on her breath , he was standing dangerously close to her ,their bodies weren't touching but difference between them was just one inch .

"Why r u dancing so pathetically in this attire almost twinning with Anabelle? " he asked smugly nd she glared him for horrible complement. She was looking so beautiful in that colourful lehanga with peach coloured blouse and pastal green colored dupatta .

"Because the groom who is ghosht was a person who had crush on me " she too replied him in his way .

"Ohh lucky man got saved by u ..... But that dwarf is still unlucky to have you ..... So sad " he teased her further and also decreased the gap of one Inch between them.

"Lucky or unlucky at least he have me but unfortunately you don't have anyone " Now their bodies were brushing slightly , she spoke directly but his mood changed from teasing to serious one , because she stated bitter truth of his life.

"I don't need anyone to control my life " He again created that distance of one Inch.

"Life is not for controlling it's for living and sharing with the people who matters to us nd makes it worth living " she said softly.

"Some people do make u feel dieing is better than living and the impact others have on our feelings controls us ..... So it's better to live alone away from feelings " he said bluntly.

"We humans can't live without feelings ...... Every good thing comes with bad ...... U just have to differentiate between them and live with it ...... Nothing is permanent " she tried to make him understand.

"Every thing comes with exception nd some people r part of it who permanently gets darkness in their lives which consumes all of them and life just felt nothing but sequels of grief nd pain " he sounded like his heart is wounded very deeply and she remembered his face while he was talking about his late mother , this is the pain which she can't even dare to imagine or feel .

Not knowing how he will react she decreased that gap of one inch again and placed her small palm on left side of his chest where his heart is beating inside his chest cavity , her tender touch felt like ice on his burning heart . He felt peace which was unknown to him since years . She don't know anything but the feeling that her heart hurts to see this man in pain .

"This thing keeps us alive ..... See the pattern of its beating ...... It beats differently with different situations ..... It keeps u alive mentally too ...... Different people be  good or bad but their actions for us maintains those fluctuations in the speed of these heartbeats without anyone u r nothing but a living machine with constant rate of heartbeats ..... Give this life a chance let this heart live freely, let it experience joy nd pain " she was about to remove her hand but he held her palm by keeping his palm on her .

Between the choas of world he felt his peace in her touch , the moment was so surreal for both of them that they want time to stop for them and actually it stopped for them , they couldn't hear the loud music around them but the melodies sound of their heartbeats synchronised with each other . If it would have been in his hands he wouldn't have let time to pass without his permission . But their moment broke due to the loud vibration of his ph .

She had to take her hand back and he had to let her go because Abhimanyu was calling him , world seemed beautiful with her presence that he don't want to ruin someone else's world . He cutted the call not wanting to proceed further with his earlier plan but when he looked around she was gone .

Just like that she took away the warmth which his heart felt after years .

................. End ...............||

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?

............... Aish ❣️..................