Chapter 21: Chapter 21

In the morning, Diya was roaming freely in the garden of their society, she asked her friends to give her some alone space and they agreed without protest.  Her heart was actually heavy with the happenings and her doings, she was really guilty nd shameful for whatever she did and whenever she cried, she had cried for real reasons though they were unknown to others except her. Now she is at a point where she don't want innocent person to suffer because of her but again she is determined to do whatever she has planned, she just hopes her plan goes to the way she has thought.

"Are you fine ?" She was startled by sudden bone crushing hug from her ex boyfriend, she did expected his arrival but she wasn't sure he will be coming at this hour, may be he got to know about it just now from his boss.

"Do you care?" She questioned him and didn't hugged him back neither she pushed him. Breaking the hug he cupped her cheeks.

"I always do ..... More than u can understand" he spoke sincerely and she remained silent.  Her eyes were gazing at the emotions his eyes were feeling .

"How r u?" His voice was heavy, eyes were teary nd fearful to hear the truth.  She couldn't say anything but just cried silently without blinking her eyelashes and looking into his eyes.

"Don't worry ...... I am here for u ..... U will get justice" he pulled her into hug and kept caressing her hair, he had so many questions like how this happened and why this happened?. Is Karan really guilty ? Because as far as he have known him, it sounds difficult to digest the fact that he could do this with any girl. But no girl would lie about such sensitive matter so he chose to kept mum as it's not right time for his questions and answers. She needs to feel protected and loved.

"Are you sure ? ...... Won't u support ur boss in bailing his brother out ? .... Like u have always done that, supported him blindly without single question" her question and distrust hurted him but he knew he had always followed Manik's orders that too without a question.

"I promise to give u justice at any cost" he could have defended Manik but as he knows she is still not going to trust Manik so he chose not to argue.  But he knows Manik is not going to support not that he cares about Diya but he is selfish enough to not care about his brother too and whatever the reason but it's keeping him away from the case which is enough for Abhimanyu to not hate Manik and also she can get justice because Karan is almost helpless and completely alone without Manik.

"I am afraid " this time she snuggled in his chest and hugged him back. She did find some peace in his embrace after hrs but he became reckless after hearing her. He can't even imagine how girl must be feeling who went through sexual abuse.

"U r safe ..... I am with you and I love you" he kissed her hair and she tightened her grip on his shirt.  Her heart flattered at his confession, it's not first time he has said I love you but it's not usual for her to hear these words. They started dating few months back but that was out of mutual liking, in that period they grew attracted towards each other and now they are attached emotionally nd physically. So this I love you meant more than previous ones.

"I love you" she kept her head on his heart and her heart did seek calmness in his embrace.

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"So Mr Malhotra no one is coming for u? ..... Obviously who will support this shameful deed ..... I am glad at least ur family has sense of humanity and not blind attachment with you" off course police inspector insulted him, still this is the better treatment for culprit arrested under section 354. He also snatched phone from his hand.

"See I can't get bail and I don't have anyone who will take stand for me ..... But please at least give me ur phone so I can at least find a lawyer for me" ignoring officer's previous hurtful words he chose to plead for himself.

"Why to waste ur money nd time in lawyer ? ..... Accept ur deed nd take ur punishment, unfortunately according to our law u will be imprisoned only for 3yrs". Officer said suggestively.

"U have already considered me as a culprit ..... It's not ur fault and even I am not bothered about ur opinion ..... Because I have known myself from last 22yrs, I know I can't do such things ..... So let me save my self esteem so next time I can look into my eyes with respect" his mother always used to teach them to believe on their own self and he was mumma's boy, even after her demise he never forgot any of her memory in fact he used to behave according to 'how his mom would react' nd this is one of the reason he wanted to be with Manik. She always wanted them to stay together but they couldn't nd today is one of those days where he is completely alone, lost and craving for his mother.

"Okay but only for 10 mins " his words affected the inspector and he agreed reluctantly.

"Thank you".

At this point Karan don't have anyone except Manik but he too turned his back on him . He can call his father and within hour he will be out of jail but he don't want to take help from him otherwise it will haunt him more than this prison. Since the time he is in Mumbai he never needed lawyer and as he was busy with Manik so he  couldn't make close friends too, he knew only few people that too because he was Manik's p.a. and if he will ask them for help, the matter will automatically involve Manik and now he don't want Manik's help. If he doesn't care about his little brother then he won't spend his love nd respect to mend the things for which he wasn't responsible .

He chuckled at the irony of the situation, he is at a point where he literally don't have anyone except his ex girlfriend who practically cheated on him, they broke up and she left him miserable. But still he could only remember her number so he called her and fortunately she was still in the city and cancelled her plane ticket of next flight to Punjab, willingly.

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"Same team of previous album is ready with a new romantic song ...... This time song will relate to this era and it's a soft, beautiful song ..... So what's ur take on this, Mr Malhotra ?" Music director and song composer suggested this to Manik, in their regular board meeting.

"I would like to hear few lines of song" Manik showed his interest .

"Sure sir , ....... " Composer sang almost half of the song, he wasn't professional singer but still his voice is far better without music too.

"Good composition ...... Which pair u have decided?" Manik questioned.

"Same pair of last song ....... That television pair was already loved by huge number of audience nd that's one of the reason our song hit 100+ Millions views in just three weeks though song was remake of an old song"  the manager of half note shared the information and Manik nodded in agreement. But the problem is everyone is unaware of the whereabouts of actress except Manik. How he can forget when he is the reason she is out of Mumbai nd industry too.

"But sir ..... I heard they have broken up and also actress has left the show, where they were working ...... According to some sources she has left the industry" one of the board member said which is already known to Manik .

"Do one thing ....... Take a popular teenager's pair ...... This song will go smooth with teenage love ...... Keep the base and melody of the song slow and playful" without wasting time on discussing about unwanted people Manik made a right decision which was approved by everyone.

"Anything else?" Before going he asked.

"Yes sir ...... Actually we have to arrange celebration party for the success of our lastest song" his employee told him about their ritual of celebrating success of big albums.

"My p.a. is on leave so u guys discuss with urself and book decent, classy and glamourous banquet hall of any five star hotel ...... Then pass the information to my p.a. ..... U have whole week ...... Book next Sunday for celebration and also sent the invitations through my p.a." everyone nodded positively and Manik left the conference room.

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In the evening,

Nandini entered inside the society through their main gate, she looked tired and stressed . She was walking like a energyless patient in the ICU, Swaroop saw her going towards her building and he came running to her instead of going out to buy groceries which his mother has asked for .

"Nandiniii .... Stop" she stopped and turned back to look at Swaroop who was running towards her. She sighed being tired and waited for him.

"U look tired " catching his breathes he said looking at her state.

"Because I am" she pouted.

"What happened there ? ...... How was ur interview?" he asked as she went to company for a temporary job. She told her family that Manik is out of town for somedays, that's why she is on leave.

"Come upstairs..... We will talk over coffee".

"Nope ..... I have to go to market yaar ..... Come we will sit in garden then u can go upstairs and I will go to market ..... Otherwise Aai will beat me with rolling pin" their families are unaware of the case so his family haven't forgot his bday, his Aai(mother) is making chicken biryani for him as it's his fav, she asked him to bring chicken from market. He was least interested in his bday this yr so not even for once he spoke about it in front of his friends.

"Aaah I am tired .... But okay come" she whined but agreed.

They sat on bench in the garden. In the morning they all found one lawyer, Abhimanyu helped them as he has many contacts.  It was shocking nd surprising for both Swaroop nd Nandini that Diya was in relationship with him for some months and they were totally unaware of it. But eventually they accepted it, Nandini nd Abhimanyu was relaxed with the fact that Manik is out of this case, though his reason is also not genuine but at least he is not supporting culprit. For time being they don't need to worry about money but Nandini thought about lawyer's fees (she haven't received her payment from Manik yet)  so in the afternoon she went to find a job because she read in the newspaper about vacancy.

"So they didn't select you?" Swaroop asked after hearing how her interview went.

"They hired the person who deserved that job ..... Nd it's okay, I am no where related to buisness so they made right descion for their company by hiring a person who is MBA graduated" She leaned her head on his shoulder. He knew she is emotionally tired too.

"Don't take so much stress Nandini ..... I know recently things aren't going smoothly ..... But u can't take so much load on urself ...... Everything is new for u, give time a time ...... Take a break and solve one problem at one time ..... We all are together so we can fill each other's responsibilities, okay?" Caressing her shoulder he explained her and she agreed. Since childhood he have this magic of calming person then no matter what situation is.

"I am thinking of taking driving classes of nearby people ...... I mean we can start from our society, we have car and I can teach driving" in this situation also she figured out everything.

"We can print templates and will distribute ..... By the way tell me what are u eating nowadays? ...... U grew more smarter than before" he teased her.

"Sudden sense of responsibility teaches u alot" he had expected her to gave him death glare but she gave him senti dialogue.

"Sassy Nandu is better than gloomy Nandini" this time he definitely earned the punch on his stomach.

"Ohh by eating I remembered something' she said and opened zip of her handbag. She took out one bubbly dairy milk silk from her purse, which she don't like much. She unwrapped it and taking six pieces all together she shoved them in his mouth.

"Happy Birthday" she said and he smiled wholeheartedly while chewing the stuff in his mouth. He finished it within a seconds as it's his fav chocolate. She had this chocolate in her bag since last three days, she has bought it for him only but didn't get a chance to give him.

"Thank you" he was putting two pieces in her mouth but she held them in her hands, she ate them in her usual style, first she let them melt on her fingers then put that into her mouth, she licked her fingers like baby till then he finished his remaining chocolate. He became really happy with this short term happiness.

Situation wasn't right but little happiness for a moment won't cause any harm . And that's the beauty of life to find moment of happiness in the pile of sorrows.

"Now get up ..... I have to go to the market" Swaroop stood up from his place and she rubbed her fingers on the back of his shirt to which he groaned. She always does this with his shirts.

"Arey wait ...... I want to wipe my face too" she also stood and in the annoyance he forwarded his hand. She wiped her face on his sleeves and smiled cheekily to which he just smiled which surprised her then he wiped his fingers on her long skirt which she was wearing today.

"Bye " before she could catch him nd hit him with her bag he ran away from there, laughing.

Her phone beeped with a notification when she reached near the lift. It was msg of money transfer, Manik has transferred 1lakh to her account, her salary of this month. She smiled proudly after seeing her first salary in her whole life. It was the money, she earned with her own hardwork. He paid for full month instead of 25 days.

All the time Manik was standing there with cheque in his hand, watching her sitting comfortably with her boyfriend, first she was looking tired and sad but then she started getting better and at the end she was laughing which made him so distant with human feelings which he was feeling in last few days. He realised whatever he was feeling was illusion and his reality doesn't fits into her world, his life is better with hollowness in his heart.  In the morning Sahil told him that Nandini didn't responded well she was so busy with the case.  So in the evening Manik thought of asking her about rejoining himself or at least he can gave her cheque of her work .

At the first place he don't understand what was the need of leaving his job even after he told her that he was angry nd in the heat of the moment he fired her. But no, she has to be stubborn with simple things.  No worker of him would have done such mistake which she did. That little bundle of stubbornness.

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One week later,

A week passed in hurry, youngsters were busy with the case. Three days before they had first inter court hearing limited people were present including judge, two lawyers, police officer and other younger clan except Manik. The waiter of that resturant was also present there as a witness.

After showing the pictures of marks on her body, in Karan's defence his lawyer told them that he touched victim with her consent, he had asked her permission first inspite of being drunk and he moved further after getting her approval. Also the marks weren't too harsh or wild  but they were there on her body which were enough to register case of molestation.  She fumbled with her words during her statement in front of Karan which made people suspicious then in her defence she called waiter from hotel. He agreed that something happened there and Diya ran out of the hotel, crying. But Karan questioned back did he watched the scene to which waiter nodded no. The case was in Diya's favour until waiter said in the last that she asked him to take care of Karan, and why any girl would say that for a person who has physically abused her?. She said she didn't wanted to create a scene so she avoided the situations but still these statements weren't enough to give final statement so judge gave them another week to find proof against each other and submit it in court.

After coming out of court Nandini asked that waiter if they could arrange cctv footage to which he said management won't allow him but it will allow the police.  But Diya refused to involve police, if police will get involve in search, news can go to media if any person from hotel open his or her mouth. Waiter suggested to use their powers if they knows anyone from the higher authority of hotel they can help . Abhimanyu told them if Manik will ask the owner of hotel he will give the footage within second. But the problem is he won't listen he has kept himself away from this case as if he is no where related to any one of them.

Abhimanyu tried using his contacts and people were ready but they just needed Manik's one confirmation call because no one would risk their security for random person especially when they are unaware of the case. Having no option he also went against Diya and told the manager about case but then situation worsen more he backed out completely not wanting to involve his hotel's name in such case. Though Abhimanyu assured them it will be hidden from world but that person wasn't ready to put hotel's reputation at stake. Since then they all are trying to find one or other way.

Manik was utterly alone in this whole week because no one was there to nag him. Everyday he just used to ask to Sahil if Nandini replied to job letter but used to get plain simple no in answer. After that day he never went to her address. His insomnia was troubling him and also he was little stressed so in these days he spent two nights with random girls as stress relief. That night he has decided about not going near to others but he can't survive on invisible hope when she is already in relationship and there is no future for his unwanted tiny winy feelings.

In this week Nandini and her friends also did work of distributing templates and she got two customers yesterday and one of them is going to join today. In the chaos of case she managed to find some source of income, she wasn't ready at first place but Diya convinced her to which she agreed. She told her parents that she is doing this to spend her time till Manik comes back.

They were waiting for her first customer with one notebook nd pencil in her hand, she wore ripped jeans, sleevesless black crop top  and tied her hair in messy bun, her look was very casual. She was little bit nervous because it's not easy to teach driving to the person without having another break in same car. Swaroop and Diya were waiting with her in parking lot.  Then only one known car entered inside their society.

Car looked very much familiar and by the time car reached there Nandini was standing with folding hands on her chest, because she is very well aware of the owner. From the last whole week she is rejecting the bouquet of different flowers with same job application letter but this time it was different as Manik himself came to her. Otherwise he used to order florist to send bouquet at her address.

"Look Mr Malhotra ...... I have already rejected ur job because I am not interested" she spoke out as soon as he came infront of her after coming out of his Audi.

"Is this how u treat ur clients? ...... I must say very unprofessional" He mocked her and she was about to start her blabbering but she paused.

"Client ?" She frawned.

"Don't tell me u r my client " she completed her sentence.  Yesterday he asked someone to call her on his behalf nd tell her that Manik will join class from tomorrow.

"Then what do you think? ..... Why I am wasting my time by standing beside ur useless frnd and good for nothing boyfriend? " he said looking at Diya then Swaroop and they glared at him and cursed him under their breathe.

"Mr Malhotra" she scolded him, raised her eyebrow and folded her hands on her chest.

"Yes Miss Murthy " he too folded his hands on his chest, he imitated her to which she groaned.

"Okay guys ..... I will be back after teaching him DRIVING" she said this to her friends and signalled Manik to follow her behind. She knew he is stubborn and she don't want to create scene in front of them .

"Driver u wait here" this time also Manik imitated her and followed her angry little figure.

"So tell me ..... What to do?" He asked after sitting on driver seat and she settled herself on passenger seat.

"Stop acting and come to point, why r u here?" She asked being irritated with him and his persistent nature.

"To learn driving" he said casually and she fisted her hand.

"Okay ...... Start the car and take it out of the parking slowly ....... Ur speed shouldn't go beyond 20" she mentioned about speed specifically because he don't have control over his speed. He followed her instructions and took her car out of the society.

She was giving proper instructions and he was also following her instructions just for the sake of her otherwise he was least interested in driving. She was annoyed with his acting, so she forgot to tell him next instructions.

"Thudd" she vibrated back on her seat as her car stopped after colliding with the metal dustbin on the side of road.  He saw that dustbin already but didn't do anything, he purposely hit her car.

"Okay come to the point ..... Say what u want?" Controlling her anger she asked him in complete helplessness. She was actually tired with everything starting from her father's heart attack to the today. Problems aren't leaving her path though everytime she try to handle situation by finding some or other way of surviving the battle.

"So tell me why aren't you rejoining ur job ?" He also looked at her tired face and asked.

"Because I don't want to ".

"Come to the point Miss Murthy and tell me real reason".

"I don't want to work at place where my job is uncertain ..... U r highly unprofessional"

"We can sign the agreement even I have sended official letters many times"

"What about my respect ? ...... U insulted me by firing me"

"U were at mistake ...... U went beyond ur job nd interfered in my personal space".

"Okay I am sorry at my part ..... U also apologize for ur mistake"

"What ? ...... No .... Not at all".

"Why ? ...... U don't know how to say sorry ?"

"Off course I do ...... But I won't say sry when I am not at fault".

"U was "

"I wasn't "

"Then sry I am not accepting ur job "

"Okay ..... Yes I need u as a driver in my life ..... My car is missing the presence of ur touch ..... And my calm life is very much interested to welcome the chaotic person with sassy mouth who don't respect her boss" yes it's true he missed presence of humanly feelings around him, she smiled through his taunt but bit inside of her cheeks, hiding her smile from him .

"I have conditions"

"Continue"

"First u won't call me at early morning or late night unless nd until it's imp work ..... U will look after my meals whenever I am with u because I can't stay hungry for long time ...... I won't wear that stupid uniform ..... U will give me one holiday in week, if you have very urgent work then u can call me ..... U will sit on passenger seat whenever u r alone in the car with me ..... And more imp thing, I won't allow ur mistresses in ur car whenever I am driving ..... If it's okay then I will join from tomorrow nd if not then ....I will....."

"Okay join from tomorrow" .

"Wait I am not selfish ..... So From ur side  ..... U don't need to give me any special treatment u will me treat me as a driver only ..... U don't need to increase my payment I am okay with my previous salary ...... Nd also I will keep myself out of ur personal life ..... Is it okay?"

"Okay ...... And my p.a. will look after servicing of ur car".

"Off course u will pay for it ..... I know u did it purposely ..... Now swap ur seat with me ..... I know u can't drive back with same broken car" he gave her knowing smirk and she gave him narrowed look to which he climbed down from his seat and she from inside only shifted herself on driving seat.

He never like losing so he tries till he wins but never gives up and this time his heart is involved.  He realised her presence in his life matters so much and life is silent without her but not peaceful. He don't need distractions when she draws his whole attention to her.

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Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?

................Aish ..................