She knocked on a door. Of a little house a house that was size of his spare bathroom.
"Nandani who is this?" Her parents asked when she brought him inside looking as if they were ready to scold her.
"Manik Malothra" He said his name. Their eyes widened with recognition. Her parents mutely watched. He watched her as she rushed and brought out a first aid box. She was pretty, fair skinned, long pretty hair.
"Where are you hurt?"
When he said nothing Nandani pulled his hand and lifted his sleeve.
"It's under my shirt" He said uncomfortably. Nandani nodded and raised her hands to unbutton his shirt. He stopped her.
"I..."
"Don't be shy I just want to see if it's bad" Nandani said.
"I am not shy"
"Then remove it" She said. He unbutton it and allowed her to take of his shirt.
"Where did you meet him?" Nandani her mother asked from behind finally finding her voice.
"On the road some goons where following him"
"Ouch" She said looking at his scared skin.
He had head scars all over his chest.
"You look like you have been to war"
He said nothing.
When she finished.
"There you're all new" She said with a smile.
"You want a pain killer or something?" she asked after putting the kit away.
"I want to use your phone" She nodded and gave him her cellphone he dialed Cabir.
"Cabir come pick me up I am..." She took the phone from him and explained it to Cabir.
She hung up. While Manik just stared at her.
"He said he will come just now for now you just lie down" She said.
"Mummy papa aap dono sow jao please mein I will be fine" He parents looked at her worriedly but did not object.
"So why were those men following you?" She asked. He had closed his eyes for a second he opened them and found her dangerously close. She smelt like baby powder and vanilla. He wanted to lean in and inhale her scent but he held back.
"Why should I tell you?"
"You know at collage everyone tells me their problems, maybe I can help"
"I know I should be grateful you saved me but Shhh" He said bringing a finger to her lip.
"You talk too much" He told her. She frowned and pushed his finger away.
{}{}{}
As Cabir helped him to the car. He dug into Cabir's wallet and handed her a few bills.
"I don't want your money" She said shaking her head with a smile.
"Why everyone wants my money" He said.
"I didn't bring you here to take your money. A simple thank you would be enough" Manik shook his head and grabbed her hand.
He pushed the bills into her hand.
"Keep it" And motioned for Cabir to drive away.
{}{}{}
"Hello who is this?" Cabir asked the next morning seeing a foreign number on his phone.
"Manik Malothra ka ghar kaha hain?" Cabir could see his bhaiyaji coming down the stair buttoning his coat.
"Livella Boulevard" Cabir said and then he frowned as the tone beeped at the other end.
"Good morning Bhaiyaji" Cabir said following him and opening his door.
"Why do you have that look on your face? Like you did something wrong?" Manik said stretching his arm as he sat down.
Cabir told him about the girl who phoned.
Manik barely heard him. He was thinking about Nandani.
"How is your arm" Cabir asked after a while. Manik felt a slight throb but ignored it.
"It's fine" He said.
"What are you going to do about Aryaman?"
"I am going to get married" Cabir's eyes widened.
"K-kya? With who?"
"Not Soha, I will marry someone else, imagine how Aryaman will feel knowing I rejected his sister" Manik said.
{}{}{}
"Manik sir is not home. He will come home after 4" The guard said to Nandani. She bit her lip and sat down on the curb outside his house.
"Would you mind if I waited here?" She asked the guard. He shrugged and walked off.
It was only a half hour more for 4.
{}{}{}
Manik felt tired on the way home.
"Yeh kaun hain?"
He followed Cabir's eyes and looked. Nandani sat outside his house. She was holding a flower in her hand.
He motioned for Cabir to stop. He got out of his car.
"What are you doing here?" He asked. She looked up and sighed.
"I came to give you this" She said digging her hand into her pocket and pulled out the money he had given her.
"What are you playing at?" Nandani frowned at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you trying to make me fall for you?"
"W-what?"
He grabbed her by her arms.
"You are really pretty why you don't ask once I would keep you here with me" Nandani pulled away and slapped him.
"I am not a prostitute, I don't take money I did not earn this is why I brought it back" Nandani threw it at him and left.
"Bhaiyaji uss ladki neh tumko tapar mardiya" Cabir said shocked. Manik touched his cheek.
"Should I kidnap her?" Cabir asked a little unsure.
Manik slapped the back of Cabir's head.
"Yeh rak aur let me think about it" He handed him his money. Forgetting to get back into the car and walking away to the house.
{}{}{}
Now
Nandani could not sleep. She went to the door and touched the knob surprisingly it was open.
She went down the stairs cautiously.
She felt so tired but her eyes would not close.
"Who said you could come out of your room" Manik said from the bottom of the staircase. He looked like he had been drinking.
"I can't sleep" Nandani softly.
"Then you were going to run away and find somewhere else to sleep?" He asked sarcastically.
The baby moved again.
"He keeps moving I can't sleep, I feel so restless" She admitted with a yawn.
Manik reached out and touched her stomach. The baby stilled. Nandani's eyes widened.
"Papa se dar lagta hain tumko?" She said to her stomach.
When he let go. The baby moved again.
Nandani pulled his hand and pressed it to her stomach and instantly it stopped moving.
She smiled.
"Nothing is happening go back to sleep in your room" Nandani rubbed her eyes.
"Please let me sit in the study while you work, I can't stay in the room whole day" She begged.
He said nothing and pulled her wrist into the room. He went back to his laptop and poured himself another drink.
"Did you eat?" She asked.
He ignored her and focused on his work.
She played with an ugly sculpture that was on one of the shelves. She hated this sculpture.
"I want to sleep so badly" but the baby kept moving.
He said nothing.
"If only he would stop moving" She said yawning again.
"Come here" She looked at him confused.
"You said he stills when I touch your stomach" Nandani walked slowly towards him.
He sighed and grabbed her. He sat down and then he pulled her into his lap. The baby instantly stilled.
"I can't sit like this with you" Nandani said trying to wake up.
"You sat here before all on your own" He reminded her. Nandani blushed but kept quiet.
"Close your eyes" He said. Nandani closed her eyes.
He felt her become soft and pliant in his arms. He leaned back and put his laptop off. He had typed the same sentence 50 times, completely distracted by her proximity.
"Why are you so scared of me?" He asked her stomach.
"Am I really that bad?" He touched her stomach and got no reply. Seemed like both mother and child had went to sleep. He picked her up and carried her upstairs to their bedroom. He laid her down and covered her with the blanket.
Her breasts had become fuller, he noticed. So had her hips. He pushed her hair behind her ear and touched her lower lip.
Her lower lip had always been a little more full then her upper one. He traced it with his finger lightly. Then let go abruptly.
He stood up and left.
{}{}{}
Nandani awoke a few minutes later.
"Why are you so angry?" She asked her stomach as her baby stretched restlessly. There was still quite a few more hours till the morning. She waited a few minutes but the baby persisted.
She woke up and peeked outside she found Manik sitting on the floor next to her door.
She bent down and touched his cheek. He smelled like whiskey.
She helped him up and took him into the room. He fell onto the bed roughly.
She removed his shoes and could not help but stare at him for a minute he was so handsome.
She knew it was wrong but she wanted to sleep so badly she climbed in next to him and pulled his arms around her. She had always liked the fact that the planes of his chest fit so perfectly when she laid against him almost like two puzzle pieces coming together.
She fell asleep instantly.
{}{}{}
Before
Nandani wore one of the night dresses her friends had given her before she had gotten married.
She wondered what Manik would say at it. It was blue and short.
She knocked on the door.
"Come in" He said she heard a click as if he was putting something away. He's eyes widened as he took note of her standing there in the night dress.
He rubbed his eyes for a second and then looked up at her again blankly.
"What are you wearing?" He finally asked after a second.
Nandani went to his table.
"It's a night dress" The vein on his forehead looked like it was going to pop.
She went around and sat on his lap.
His held her.
"Happy birthday" She said kissing his cheek.
He kissed her lips slowly. He bit her lower lip.
{}{}{}
Nandani put on the dress she had bought earlier.
"How does this look" Manik who was looking at his phone looked up.
He frowned.
"It's too short" Nandani frowned.
"But the lady at the shop said for these kinds of party's people wear dresses like this"
"Change it"
"Manik I don't have another dress" Nandani whined.
He stood up and looked at her legs.
"I don't want everyone to look at your legs"
"No I want to wear this dress, it's so pretty" She said with a pout.
He put the TV and ignored her protests. Eventually she flopped down next to him.
"You are so stubborn" She said poking his cheek with her finger.
"You are so tiny" He said reaching out and holding her hand. Manik was an expert at deflecting. Nandani shook her head and kissed his jaw.
"You are lucky you are so cute" She said.
{}{}{}
Now
Manik awoke to the distinct smell of baby powder and vanilla.
A scent that had haunted him for months.
He could hear a soft breathing. He peered down and found Nandani there.
She was holding onto his arm like it was a life line.
"Nandani" He said her name she said something incoherent.
"Nandani" He repeated she wrinkled her nose and pouted.
"Manik don't wake me up yaar, 5 more minutes" He half smiled.
"Nandani" She slowly opened her eyes and looked at her tummy.
"I am sor-ry" She said pulling away.
"How did I end up here?" He asked her.
"I woke up and found you out side and brought you inside"
"Stop acting like my wife, she is dead to me" He said coldly. Nandani felt as if she had been smacked across the face.
A tear ran down her cheek. His eyes widened. He straightened himself and went to the door.
"If you step outside even once by mistake I will tie you to the bed" He said.
"Does that mean I can be anywhere in the house?"
"Yes"
{}{}{}
"Mrs Kakad do you have anything sour to eat?" Nandani asked with a pout.
The older women smiled at her then frowned.
And shook her head.
"I really am feeling for something sour" She said. Mrs Kakad held out her hands and motioned for her to phone Manik.
"Good idea" Nandani went to the phone and dialed his number.
{}{}{}
"I don't want to sell drugs" Manik said. Cabir nodded in agreement.
"I prefer illegal arms" He's phone buzzed he looked at the number and for a second his heart sank thinking she had run away again.
"What has happened?" he asked.
"Manik hello" The soft sweet voice calmed his nerves. As long as she did not leave again everything would be fine.
"Nandani"
"I am having cravings for something sour" She said reluctantly. He half smiled as he went to his car. It almost felt like she had never left. She would often phone him before during the day. She was playing a game with him trying to make him fall for her lies again so she could run away.
{}}{}{}
Nandani held her tummy and went to answer the door.
Manik stood on the other side with his secretary Nida.
She had always hated Nida.
Nida had always tried to flirt with Manik.
He handed her a packet.
"Nida choose some sour foods for you" He said without interest.
Nandani took the packet from him and said no thanks to Nida.
She walked off towards the kitchen.
"I am going to make a phone call you make me some coffee and I will be in my study" Nida nodded with a smile and went to the kitchen.
"Hello there Nandani" Nida said watching Nandani throw out the food she had bought.
"You know after Manik left you, I have been staying here looking after him" Nandani's heart sank immediately.
Nandani ignored her. Nandani wanted to cry. Nida stood their looking like a super model while she had always looked so normal. She had always wondered what Manik had seen in her.
"You know Nandani it's nice you are giving Manik a child he can marry me afterwards and I'll never have to have one and spoil my figure"
She reached out to touch her stomach. Nandani pushed her hand away and glared at her.
"Touch my baby and I will kill you" Nida went to the coffee machine and tried to prepare the coffee failing horribly.
Nandani laughed.
"You have been staying here, yet you have no idea how to use the coffee machine?"
Nida reached out and grabbed her hand so tightly that her nails stabbed Nandani's hand.
"Let go of me" Nandani said pushing her away.
Nida fell back. Some water fell onto her dress she shrieked.
Manik came into the room.
"This low class girl threw water on me" Nandani lowered her eyes and tried to move away.
"What is your problem Nandani?" Manik noticed she had thrown out all of the sour food, he had bought but lied Nida had bought.
"She is a liar"
"Nandani said she would kill me for work for you Manik sir" Nida lied again.
"I never said that"
"Did you threaten me yes or no?" Nida asked.
"Yes but..." Nida cut her off.
"Manik sir did you see. She said she is having your baby and will take all of your money once it's born"
"Nandani go to your room" Manik said. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I never do anything"
"Go to your room"
{}{}{}
"Do you think I am stupid?" Manik asked Nida.
"N-n-n-no sir"
"Nandani may have left me but she never was greedy for money" He said he pulled out some money and handed it to her.
"You are fired stay away from my family"
{}{}{}
Nandani cried bitterly.
She felt as though nothing had changed she had come back into a gilded cage.
{}{}{}
Before
Manik had been watching her for a day.
She had a lot of friends.
She basically spoke to everyone.
She was like a small ray of sunshine.
So pretty, pure innocent.
"Bhaiya ji why are we following Nandani ji?" Cabir asked confused.
"Because she is going to be your Bhabhi ji" Cabir's eyes widened as he watched her with Manik help someone cross the road.
"I want someone who does not fear me" Manik said.
"But if she knew the truth, then what?"
"I will never let her out of my sight long enough to find who I am"
{{}{}{}
"Wh-h-h-y are you h-h-h-here" Her mother stuttered as he sat down in their lounge"
"I want to marry you daughter" He said smoothly.
When they said nothing. Manik could tell they knew who he was and how much power he had it would be easier than he thought.
"Before you say yes or no. I will promise you one thing. If she marries me I will kill anyone that hurts her"
"All I ask is you keep your mouth shut about who I am"
{}{}{}
"Nandani beta teriliye rishta aya" Nandani who had half a piece of barfi in her mouth spat it out.
"What? Who would want to marry me" She asked scrunching her face up.
"Manik Malothra"
{}{}{}
Manik was on his way home from work.
The car suddenly came to a halt.
He looked up and saw her standing in front of the car.
He got out of the car.
Nandani tried not to notice how handsome he looked.
"Looks like you found out" He said.
"I will not marry you, what is wrong with you did the slap affect your brain?"
"Well I spoke to your parents they agreed"
"I won't marry someone like you"
"I don't think you have an option"
{}{}{}
"Ma what do you mean I should marry him?" Nandani asked.
"Become his wife willingly Nandani he is very powerful, he will force us if we protest. Win him over. Nandani your life will be easy" Nandani shook her head. Her father sat down next to her mother.
"He paid all our debts, Nandani"
{}{}{}
A month later she was married.
A month later she became Nandani Malothra.
{}{}{}
Nandani wore a blue dress and headed down the stairs despite Manik's now and then tantrums he treated her well.
He never touched her.
She went to go cook something for him to eat.
Mrs. Kakad was off today. Nandani frowned when she found no vegetables.
Cabir was standing in the yard.
"Cabir I am going down to buy some vegetables if he looks for me tell him ok" She said and went.
"Bhabiji wait you are not allowed..."
{}{}{}
"Bhaiyaji Bhabiji ghar se bahar gayee" Cabir said looking panicked. Manik closed his eyes and his jaw ticked.
He gave Cabir a smack on his head. And went to his safe and took out his white barreled gun.
{}{}{}
"How much is this?" Nandani asked picking up some strawberries. Manik liked strawberries. She had noticed.
"Hello there" Someone said to her.
Nandani did not look up.
"Ay wait Khalid she's married" The man said looking at her forehead.
He grabbed her hand.
"Let go of my hand" Nandani said. Her eyes narrowed on the man. He looked visibly drunk.
"Why such a pretty hand why should I let go of it?" Nandani ducked her free hand into her bag and latched onto some pepper spray.
Nandani sprayed it onto his face. He swore at her and bent down rubbing his eyes. Nandani waved the spray around at his friends.
"Touch me and I will not spare you" She said.
"What is going on?" Manik asked spotting Nandani in a crowed. She went to him and held his hand. It was a small gesture but in that moment he felt different about her. He wasn't sure what it was this feeling of having someone to look after. This feeling where he wanted to make sure she was safe.
Then feeling of anger flooded his every fiber.
"Come try and hold my hand in front of my husband" Nandani taunted them.
"Manik Malothra" One of them recognized and ran off.
Manik motioned for Cabir to catch them while he brought Nandani home.
"Don't leave the house like this it is not safe" Manik said as he drove her home. Nandani pouted and poked his arm.
"Don't scold me I was buy food to feed you" Her dress had rode a little up he could see her pretty white thigh.
"Go inside I will said someone with the food" He told her.
Nandani went into the gates.
Manik dialed Cabir's number.
"Cut of their hands for touching her when I reach there I will deal with the rest"
{}{}{}
When Manik got home that night.
"Are you in love with me?"
"What?"
"I mean it makes sense you married someone like me for no reason"
"I was bored"
"So you married me because you were bored?"
"Yes" He said blankly.
"I think you love me"
"I don't" Nandani smiled and reached out and touched his hand.
"I know you do" She said.
He remained quiet. She woke up and kissed him on his cheek.
He grabbed her into his arms and kissed her.
He was too real and solid in the confines of his car. His masculine scent clung to the corners, his voice brushed over her skin, at her insides like black velvet. It wasn't just his words, it was literally the sound of his voice. A seduction, an intimacy stolen in the night. He washed over her and into her so that she was at a loss. No one had ever made her feel so aware of her body, so feminine, or so blatantly sexual.
She blinked to keep him in focus. He seemed substantial to the touch, yet in the dark room, his shadowy figure blurred as if he was a part of the night itself. Not real. Nandani had the good sense to be afraid. It was so dreamlike she dug her nails into her palm to ensure she was awake. Her heart thundered out a fast rhythm. The heat of his body crowding so close to hers warmed her skin despite the coolness of the wind. She should have been furious, going for the gun herself; instead, she was mesmerized by him, by his overpowering sexuality.
His hand curled around the nape of her neck. Possessively. As if he had the right to her. Her body went pliant, soft in reaction. In her entire life, she had never responded so sexually to anyone. She ached for him until it seemed to be a craving she couldn't control. Nandani sat there helplessly, trapped in the depths of his black eyes. She was falling forward, his captive, forever his prisoner. In that moment she was willing to be his prisoner. His dark head bent very slowly, relentlessly to hers. She could see the impossible length of his lashes, his sinfully sexy lips, the bluish shadow on his jaw. Her body was heavy and aching and demanding things she knew very little about. He was so out of her league. A man like Manik would consume her, use her up, make her his so completely there could never he another.
Instead she closed her eyes and allowed his mouth to take possession of hers. Beneath her the bed lurched and rocked as if the ground beneath it had moved. She was swept onto a tidal wave of pure feeling, into a sensual world beyond her comprehension. Her body no longer belonged to her, but to him. Colors whirled and danced and the room spun. And she was alive. It wasn't simply her body burning for his, but her mind, craving, reaching out for his, her soul crying out to his. She felt a curious shifting deep inside, a merging, two ragged halves sealing perfectly. She felt his arms tighten like two steel bands, a wildness growing in him. She realized he was not only gaining possession of her, but control as well. She was losing herself, wanting to merge deeply with him, wanting to be whatever he needed, do whatever he wanted.
Manik lost himself in her sweetness. She was heat and honey, melting into him, twining around his heart until he knew he would never be complete without her. His mouth moved to the corner of hers, along her chin to her vulnerable throat. She was aching for him, burning as he was. Her pulse beckoned to him. She thought him an erotic dream and he fed the haze in her mind, fed the illusion of a dream to her, even while his body pulsed with need and excitement. He allowed his hunger to deepen as he forced her body back against the mattress. She struggled for just a moment, a thought of resistance. He took it ruthlessly from her mind, kissing her until she was pliant. His mouth was merciless on hers, demanding kisses, taking her response rather than asking for it. He stretched her arms above her head and pinned her wrists together to hold her captive beneath him.
Now he was going to take what he needed to unlock the door keeping her from him. Nothing would stop him. Not the boy sleeping so restlessly in the next room. Not even Nandani herself, half shaken by her unfamiliar needs and desires.
Nandani was wrapped in his body so tightly she was unsure where she left off and he started. His mouth burned a trail of fire along her throat to her neck. She felt the nip of his strong teeth, the swirling caress of his tongue. A rush of liquid heat beckoned him and she was helpless to stop it. She turned her head, wanting his mouth, wanting him to kiss her again, but he held her easily, his black eyes drifting possessively over her face. The dark needs there made her shiver. There was such a sexual hunger, a merciless passion in his heavy-lidded eyes. Heart thudding wildly, she thought to fight him.
His body hardened with a savage, unfamiliar need. At once his sexual appetite grew, erotic desires pouring into his mind, into his cells, flooding him with images of taking her in every way possible, of having her whenever, wherever he wanted. He had never thought about the things he would need or want from a woman, but she roused dark passions and an edgy hunger in him.
{}{}{}
Now
"What happened to your hand?"
"Nida" Nandani said angrily pulling it out of his hold.
"I am leaving I don't want to see you ever again. This time I am telling you to your face" Nandani said and tried to walk away. Manik grabbed her.
"YOU will go nowhere with my son" Manik said.
"I will not come back to being your perfect wife I am done"
"You don't understand do you? I won't let you leave"
"I will leave the first chance I get"
TO BE CONTINUED...
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