Part 4-
After some time we stopped at the lake...it was silent and dark, nobody present there just two of us. I walked ahead and admired the beauty front of me ...its...
Beautiful..isn't it? He asked watching the silent lake...
I nodded and turned to him he was wearing a black suit, blue tie and blue shirt underneath which I haven't noticed before...his hair was combed back and tie was loosen, he was looking strikingly handsome...maybe he is coming back from office.
Why were u crying? He asked turning his head to me.
I remembered his rude behavior from yesterday and asked...why do u care?
I don't, I was just... just... curious, he replied.
Many emotion whirling in my heart, today I m missing my mother a lot, I wish she'd be here with me today, I squeezed my eyes shut and tears rolled down on my cheeks...I felt him closer to me and after a moment his arms were around me, I buried my face on his chest, I needed a shoulder to cry and I cried my heart out, he was rocking my back wrapping his arms protectively around me, sshhh...he whispered, let it out, he didn't ask again why I was crying, which I appreciated, he just let me cry on his chest...it was weird but I felt safe in his arms, I felt comforted, I felt as if I m not alone.
After a while he broke the hug and cupped my face, I lowered my gaze not ready to see in his eyes, I cried front of him, when realization hit me I felt embarrassed...he put his finger under my chin and forced me to look at him...
Its ok to cry Nandini, nothing is wrong with it, he gave me a small smile which made me smile too...
He sat at the sand and patted an empty place beside him, I sat and we both enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and cool breeze without saying a word.
I really like this place, whenever I feel lonely I come here, he said after few minutes of silence.
I nodded.
Why it happens? Why people who were so close to you once, left you alone, why they changes so much...I asked sadly.
Well it's a law of the world, whoever came, has to go someday...nothing can be permanent here, you met with them, grew closer and one day they left u...like they met u just because some day they can leave u alone...he replied.
I don't agree...I said without looking at him
U should be, it a truth.
Why are u so negative? I asked.
I m not negative I m just practical... He replied defensively.
I don't think so, not everyone are same...sometimes circumstances changes people but situation can't change everyone, only few who cannot be stable by their affection and are weak enough to let the situations overcome them get changes...if feelings are true and someone loves the other person truly, nothing can break their bond.
Love?? He laughed bitterly, it is a biggest lie of the world, it's a just a word, people uses this word often but doesn't mean it. Love is betrayal, Love is baseless and I hate this word...LOVE. He said those words with so much hatred.
Manik...do u love someone? I couldn't help it but asked.
NO...haven't u heard that part when I said I hate Love...I don't believe in this stupid emotion anymore he replied coldly.
I wonder why he is saying that...when I know he was waiting for someone that night, maybe that person is a reason he is so bitter, did that girl ditch him or left him...I have so many questions and its killing me...Manik I want to know? I asked.
What do u want to know? He asked surprisingly.
Everything. Why don't u believe in love?
It my choice, everyone have different set of mind. He replied.
I had nothing to say after that, we spend some more time there without talking to each other, it felt nice to have him beside me even though we were silent.
When I glance at my watch it was already 11...I turned my head to him, umm I think I should go, I stood up and wiped my dress.
Do you want ride home? He asked.
yes...I replied and we both headed to his car, I was feeling cold in my sleeveless dress, I hugged myself and shivered...
He noticed it and quickly slipped his waist coat, placed it on my shoulders, I didn't protest and clutched it tightly. He dropped me home and sped away, without giving me chance to say thanks.
This guy is really weird, what is running in his mind...I shook my head and walked to the door, it was locked means Mukti is still with Abhi, I opened the door with my extra key and entered inside...
I changed my dress and washed my face, I don't want Mukti to see my crying face, she will be worried, I still have Manik's coat, I touched it lightly with a smile, I can't stop thinking about him, how can it be possible that a person whom I met only two or three times not ready to leave my mind.
I felt something vibrating, I checked his coat and found his mobile inside a pocket, it has flashing an unsaved number, I debated for a while I should receive it or not? I can say this mobile belongs to Manik but may I answer, what if he'd be angry...when I was busy thinking it stopped ringing, I took a sigh of relief but it again started ringing.
This time I picked it.
Hello, I m sorry but whoever u are, Manik had lost his phone, I will return it tomorrow so call after that, I said it all in one breath.
he chuckled...Easy easy...I know it Nandini. A familiar voice replied.
Who is this? I asked.
Owner of the phone...Manik Malhotra.
Oh its you...your mobile was in the coat I forgot to return...
Its ok, btw are u alright? He asked.
I was feeling an unknown joy inside me, that he cared...I m okay...I replied with a smile.
That's nice... btw u look cute when u smile, tears doesn't suits you.
Did he just call me cute?? My heart hammering inside chest and blood rushed to my cheeks, I can't hide this blush...thank god he is not front of me. Tears doesn't suit anyone...I replied remembering sad Manik when I met him for the first time.
He was silent and after a moment said, I have to go Nandini...good night then he hung up the phone.
I felt sad, I wanted to talk to him, I can't tolerate his weird behavior anymore, I want to know everything about him and now I will.
I opened his mobile and went straight to gallery but it has hardly five pictures and all of them were of Manik with a guy, who looks similar to him but some years older, other than that nothing, I was expecting some pictures of that girl but there is none, maybe he deleted them all...
I kept it aside and started thinking for ways how to make him tell me everything; this suspense is killing me now.
Next day I called on my mobile by his and saved his contact then went to his home for returning his mobile...
My heart was craving to see him, I knocked and waiting for door to get open, a middle aged servant opened it and asked... who are u?
I m Nandini I want to meet Manik, is he here?
I m sorry madam, but he left for office already.
Oh... was all I said, my face fell, I wanted to see him but he is not here so I returned his phone to the servant and went back to my house.
Days were passing and I started missing him more, I messaged him many times but he haven't replied...I badly want to see him, I had no idea what is happening to me.
After that saw him at another party, he doesn't seem to enjoy as he told me before he doesn't like parties. I was so happy to see him but he was behaving as if he doesn't know me and ignoring me all the time, I couldn't understand what have I done wrong? Why he is behaving like this? I can't take it anymore, I don't know when my tears started falling, I wiped them angrily...don't cry Nandini, don't... at least not here. I went to Mukti...Mukti I want to go home, can u give me your car keys?
Yeah sure but wait I m coming with you.
No Mukti you enjoy with Abhi I will go.
Nandini, are u ok?
Yes. I m just feeling little headache, I'll be fine don't worry.
Okay take care...she said hugging me.
I gave one last glance to Manik who was so busy in talking to someone and completely ignoring me. I left the place immediately and went straight to my house. I didn't understand why I was so sad, he was just a guy I met three times, why his ignorance affecting me so much.
AN:- thank so so much to all my readers u guys are so sweet...keep supporting :)
Debate Mansion
Anupamaa
