Chapter 14: Chapter 14

"Aadita.... where is Nandu ? " Devary asked after waking up , it's his routine to ask this question in the morning. He asks in the hope of seeing her, if she is present in house by any chance.

"Umm no ....... She should have come by now but don't know what happened ? ...... Sometimes this girl makes me really worried " Aadita said worried-ly .

"Don't be ...... Our daughter won't let us down ...... She is my pride ...... Leaving her dream, she is filling my responsibilities for our house ...... And it surprises me how dramatic, demanding nd attention seeker child of mine just changed into responsible woman within months ..... It's good but it hurts me , I have always seen her being moody , I don't like this responsible girl " Aadita slapped her head nd cursed herself in the morning that why she brought this topic . Her husband always does this whenever she speaks about Nandini.

"U are her super dad since the day she was born and she is ur super daughter ..... Let her be ur best daughter and I am worried for her because she is smart , cranky but innocent , caring and persistent , u know she can go to any heights for the people she cares or love ...... I am not worried for mistakes she will do , because I know she is intelligent enough but I am afraid , I don't want anyone to use her innocence ..... She is strong but emotional fool too , just like you " at last line she taunted him and he glared her for that.

"My baby is like me ..... And I am proud of it" he smiled admist his worry .

"She is my baby too " she kept her head on his chest and he kissed her head.

"I guess I am adopted" they heard Rishabh's whining at the doorstep. He came here to call Aadita , he was hungry and getting late for his coaching class.

"Aww ..... Ur my my most handsome boy in whole world ..... come " Aadita opened her arms and Devary rolled his eyes at her complement , 'in whole world' isn't it too much? , she is pathetic sometimes , he chuckled from inside and kept mum . He didn't said anything otherwise he would have to fight against two of them , his partner is missing .

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"Mumma calm down yaar , I already  had my breakfast and it's really important work ..... I will definitely take care of myself and tell Papa don't take tension ..... U too take care of u both ..... Now bye " she spoke hurriedly without giving chance to her mother to say anything and disconnected the call . She don't like it when she has to lie to her parents , usually she don't lie but sometimes life doesn't give you many options.

She knew her parents will support her they trust her choices but they won't like her being driver instead of pilot and they will blame themselves for that . And about Manik there's no story to tell , she knew he is off limits for her and that's one of the reason she never cleared him about Swaroop.

"Hey why so grumpy ?" Sahil came in front of her and Sandesh also joined him .

"Nothing much ...... Mumma was cribbing and I know she cares for me and mothers are never wrong but I am not always in a mood to hear right things .....  Sometimes it irritates me" she pouted and they agreed instantly .

"All mothers are same " they too said with same expressions .

"But her concern is genuine ..... U were out whole night. ...... Even we were worried for you ...... We were roaming outside the main door almost for whole night ..... U were safe , he didn't troubled u na? " Sandesh asked seriously , they were really worried for her .

"U know Manik ..... He is ur boss from years ..... He did nothing inappropriate " she took Manik's side .

"Yes we know him but no girl ever lived with him ..... And it's not possible to know each and every side of a person ..... We trust him but u know how cruel nd unpredictable world is ...... Everyday we heard new cruelty of men towards women ...... So our concern was genuine too , when it comes to girl's safety no one can be trusted blindly" she felt highly overwhelmed , she knew gentlemen exists in world but after meeting two of them in real she felt blessed . She hugged them both.

"Thank you ...... I wish every man to be like u both so no stranger girl will be frightened amongst the men " they smiled wholeheartedly and patted her back.

"Somebody can please stop this PDA " they broke the hug after hearing annoyed groan from Manik , who just came outside the mansion to see them hugging each other , he rolled his eyes at their affection , aren't they extra concerned for her ? .

"Sure Mr Malhotra ...... Come " Nandini came towards car and opened back door for him and he followed her but not before signalling the two of them to do their work.

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"From when u r suffering from insomnia ? ..... Please explain it in detail like, when , how nd why it started ? " The psychiatrist asked him after certain pause where she felt he is ready to talk . Even Nandini was there sitting beside him as per his order , she was going out so that he won't hesitate but he told her to stay as she braught him here.

"I was 11 yrs old and like any normal child I used to have peaceful sleep and meal ...... But suddenly an incident happened which affected me , even I was in trauma almost for a year and people also helped me to stay in that zone , no one thought of pulling me out of it until my own mother...... But eventually she too died because of her one mistake that she loved her child , me ...... After that, for years I used to sleep out of immense tiredness that any 12yr old child can hardly bare ...... It continued for some years then that child became Manik Malhotra. Slowly , slowly and gradually I achieved everything which I ever wished but luxury snatched that sleep also ..... Nd I became insomniac from last 5-6 years " he told as much as he could tell without revealing his other secrets like he was in remand home till he turned 18 . He kept his tone nd emotions intact he didn't let them see through him , that he is breaking again and again with whatever he is saying.

"Way too hard for a child ..... I see u r not very comfortable to share some incidents in details but I need to know as I have to work on it ...... U were suffering from very tender age so that lost child in u is what I want to look at so I could heal you ..... I won't force you for now but u have to get comfortable with me as our sessions will proceed " she said knowingly yet professionally with the softness nd assurance that she will help .

"Some things are better to be hidden ..... Because after certain period past doesn't matter ...... It's not going to change anything" he said with emotions and expressionless face . He was trying very hard to be normal , he only shared 1/4th part of his suffering that too because doctor asked otherwise he hate self-pity nd sympathy from others because according to him person or fate is responsible for his / her own deeds  .

"Obviously it won't change but it will help to heal the scars which past have left " it was Nandini she couldn't control herself and spoke with teary eyes looking into his blank eyes . Since the time she heard him , only she knew, how she is holding her tears back . It's so much for a kid to vent through a depression at very early age where any kid hardly knows meaning of it.

"Ahem ....." Counselor coughed breaking their eyelock . Manik immediately looked back at her and Nandini also paid attention to doctor as she needs to behave mature-ly and not irrationally.

"So what have been ur escape or cure for this insomnia ? ...... I mean something might have helped you to get necessary sleep ...... And be honest with me , I am ur doctor " she said that because she has seen patients hiding things because of the fear of judgement .

"Sometimes sleeping pills ..... Sometimes small amount of drugs and occasionally sex..... And very rarely I drink till I lose my senses nd darkness consumes me " he said without hesitation and Nandini gasped listening about drugs , it's dangerous for his health . It also cleared her doubt that why he drinks every now nd then .

"Okay ...... In this sex is only healthy way others are way too dangerous for ur health ..... But what's the frequency of sex ,do u guys have it regularly or ........ I mean are u sex addicted ?" She asked and this time Nandini's gasped was heard by them , Manik rolled his eyes at her dramatic nd expected reaction but doctor frowned being confused .

"Aaah ..... Do u think this small, not so beautiful, little doll can please any mankind on earth ? , I wonder how her boyfriend is surviving (he exaggerated and cringed at his words )..... She is my driver ...... I am single and have been in physical relationship with random girls ...... Mostly one night stand ..... Yeah I am not sex addicted " he cleared doctor's frawns and humiliated Nandini , she looked down in embarrassment of her previous act but that was normal for her to react on her imaginary sex life with Manik, but he went too far which made her infuriated .

"Obviously I am not whore to please beasts on earth " she too taunted him . She never use such words but he left no choice and she was angry.

"Umm sorry for my misconception ....... But I expect, u to respect her ...... So moving forward can u explain what makes u sleep after sex ..... I mean how it helps you ? " Saying sorry to them and after warning Manik she started her job.

"When those hormones covers my other senses and thoughts that I don't have to think about anything else other than fulfilling my sexual needs ...... It keeps me away from stress and finally after being exhausted it helps me to sleep at least for 3-4 hours ..... But I am not addicted to it , I mean it gives me pleasure but it's not addiction even sometimes I am less interested in it , until my body craves as a reflex of sexual actions from other person " he explained it casually but the girl sitting beside him was vulnerable , it did hurted her knowing his sexual relationship status as she loved him but it's not her right to complain about it, but she complained to her Aayiappa that why he suffered so much , what was his fault .

"Sex therapy is good for stress relief but if you will do that everyday it will become ur addiction or may be after particular point u will loose interest to an extent that it won't help you at all and in both cases u r at loss " she explained it to him and he nodded knowingly . He knew this already but here he is sitting because he have given his words to Nandini .

"That's why we r here ? ...... How he can sleep naturally like normal human? " Nandini asked impatiently though she knows nothing is illogical going here , but it's definitely making her nervous which didn't go unnoticed by him .

"So coming to main point ...... I will suggest him to join rehab ...... Because any medicine or drug is injurious to his health ...... He needs rehab so that he can get rid of other bad habits like smoking ,drinking regularly nd taking drugs ...... And he just need to be positive in his life because power of subconscious mind is key to better life ...... So I will give u form nd address just fill this form nd pay advance money ....... I will recommend, join it immediately ...... Manik don't think too much just join it " she gave warm smile and he nodded where Nandini was sure his positive nod is fake and he won't join it but she wants him to do this.

"Thank you doctor " saying so he left her cabin , after paying bill at reception he came out of hospital with Nandini following him behind .

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"Hey what are you doing?" Manik asked her when he saw her scribbling something on paper . They were sitting at cafe in one of the nearest mall, just after coming out of hospital he said he is damn hungry because he haven't eat properly since yesterday nd also in the morning his breakfast was stolen by uninvited two monkeys, so stopping her pestering session over his rehab he asked her to take him to hotel .

"Filling form on ur behalf ..... U just have to sign it " she looked up and after answering his question again resumed her writing. Without wasting anymore energy in talking with her , he started eating . She wasn't hungry so she just ordered cold coffee .

"Umm what's ur age ...... And yes I have changed ur name and address in this form because u r public figure so no one should get to know about it specially media  ..... But I am filling other original personal details like ur habits of drinking , drugs nd etc. ...... So tell me ur age " she asked seriously and he rolled his eyes at her surety , she is so serious as if he is going to join it.

"Why r u wasting ur time , ink nd paper ? ...... Save it " he resumed his eating.

"Ur age Mr Malhotra " ignoring his reply she demanded again .

"26 running " he told to avoid her and she wrote it down though she already had idea about it ,but she wasn't sure.

"Thanks for coming " waitress said when Manik paid the bill and she left from there.

"Now come " he said after getting up from chair and she grabbed her things then drank her remaining cold coffee in one go which left small moustache over her lips then she licked it by her tongue but still some foam was there which she don't know.

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She came outside and saw him resting his back on the side of car door , waiting for her to open the door , so that he can sit inside. Seeing his behaviour she rolled her eyes and cursed him in mind for being this stubborn and arrogant .

"Can't u open car door all by urself ? ...... At least for a day ?" She asked with lipped tight smile and he smirked.

"Still it doesn't change the fact that u r my driver " he said innocently and she felt like punching him .

"Okay ...... Tell me , u would like to join which batch ? " She asked about the batch of rehab for his treatment.

"Why are you doing this , when u know I am not going ?" He asked seriously , he wiped that foam over her lips and she breathed heavily for a second. His action was smooth yet she felt as if it was sensual act .

"What do u mean by u r not going? ..... Did u forgot that u agreed to do good things for a day ? " She put a brave face and said firmly though she knows how he is .

"U r going to prove me that it's good to do good nd that's only for a day " he pointed out.

"So let me prove it ...... We have a deal for today right ? , So this form is part of today and u can't deny it. ....... U will join rehab too because I am going to submit this form today only ....... U can't go back on your own words " she made it clear to him , he could have easily deny it as he don't care about others and it's not possible to control him but he let her have her ways with him .

"Very first batch of a day " he agreed and smiled evily.

"Okay ..... It starts from 6.00 am " she instantly got happy.

"That means u will have to come at 5 am to pick me " he said innocently and her smile got vanished . She will have to sacrifice her sleep everyday just for him . She is stuck between sleep and Manik , she definitely won't chose sleep over him because she has to win today's game.

"Now let's go back to Mall" she said thoughtfully .

"Why?"

"To buy toys for you "

"Are you mad ?"

"Nope ..... Tell me which toys u used to like ?"

"What r u trying to do ?"

"See from childhood I used to like barbies , unicorns , aeroplanes , helicopter and I have plenty of them in my room ..... So tell me which is ur fav ?"

Immediately he grabbed her arm and pulled her to the next door of car , he opened the door and took his fav toy from dashboard . Closing the door and caging her between that door and himself he spoke ,

"This and all other models of guns and yeah I also love swords from childhood only ..... Even I have two in car and others at mansion " he said coming dangerously close to her and she prayed for her life . He started roaming that gun over her face and she closed her eyes .

"And if u don't want me to use any one of it then stop this " he put the gun just below her chin and raised her chin up trying to scare her to death but she is a warrior princess, she opened her eyes to look into his soul piercing gaze.

"I want to find that broken child inside you .... So that I can heal him " keeping her fear aside she spoke confidently, he came more closer .

"The child is no more broken , he died long back ...... Now only this monster is alive so don't involve urself in my matter ..... I can be ur destruction " he whispered in her ear huskily , the gun in his hand was the only distance between their bodies .

"I don't fear the destruction Manik " his expression changed from smirking to amusement . She is uncovering him each and every time , she is trying to break his walls which he don't like.  He never felt so naked under any woman's gaze.

Before he could say anything her phone rang showing Diya's number and she came out of his hold . She moved far away from him .

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Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chap?

...............Aish ❣️ ...........