MaNan SS - I Know What You're Doing - Archana Vinod Part 3, Pg 16 - Page 13

Awesome thriller but who is this stalker

Originally posted by: devilaonmoon

Yeah, it seriously gave me goosebumps. Especially the last scene. That scene was the highlight of the whole chapter, the writer here is really talented in writing thriller... I must say.

What's the matter guys, forgot me? 😭

PART 3

Nandini whips back into the kitchen with a frightened gasp. She blindly latches up the door and almost bolts back to the safety of her room but crashes right into someone at an arm's length behind her. She keels over but gets cushioned by the rock hard flesh of her assailant sandwiched between her and the hard, cold kitchen floor.

She squirms madly in his octopus grip. Struggles to break free. But he clamps her mouth shut and muffles out her hysterical SCREAMS.

"Quiet! Shush!" Nandini hears him snap at her frantically followed by an "Ahhh! Shit!" as she sinks her teeth into his flesh. He tears his hand off her face and cradles his punctured hand. She finds a clearing and scurries away madly, blindly crunching his flesh and bones with her knees as she does. He whimpers in agony and grabs her ankle. But she discourages him with a sharp vicious kick to his face.

She streaks back to her bedroom where an unwary Manik continues to sleep and violently shakes him out of his slumber.

NANDINI: Wake up! Wake up fast! Manik!

MANIK: (comes around, groggy) Wha---? What? What?

NANDINI: He's in the kitchen. He tried to attack me!

Her words sink in and finally make sense. Manik springs up and scuttles to the kitchen with the first weapon he could find. A flower vase.

NANDINI: Be careful!

One by one, the lights in the house begin to glow. It ends in the kitchen with Manik's aggression turning to surprise.

MANIK: (stunned) Maddy?

By now, Nandini has managed to find the courage to return to hostile territory. She is equally shocked.

Madhyam sits up, his head still reeling and his nose bleeding profusely from the kick.

MADHYAM: (sounds as though he has a stuffy nose) Dude! What the f**k! Has your wife gone crazy? She broke my freaking nose!

Manik shoots a worried glance at Nandini. She grows defensive at Madhyam's words.

NANDINI: (to Madhyam) Why did you sneak up on me!!?

MADHYAM: I didn't sneak up on you.

NANDINI: Then what were you doing in the kitchen? Right behind me!

MADHYAM: I only came down for a drink of water!

NANDINI: Really!!? A drink of water? You know what Madhyam. Right from the moment I saw you I knew that you were bad news.

Manik is worried and confused. Is she over reacting?

MADHYAM: (loud) Excuse me? What are you getting at? Are you trying to accuse me of something? For your kind information, you were the one who freaked out and ran into me. And then you started screaming at the top of your lungs!

Manik's eyes dart back and forth from Maddy to Nandini. To him, the story has missing bits and pieces.

NANDINI: You should have switched on the lights instead of crawling up from behind me like that. Or at least announced that you were around. But you didn't. You just crept up on me and waited there. For what?

MADHYAM: What do you mean!!?

NANDINI: Are you really asking me that question?

MADHYAM: (jumps to his feet) You know what? This is all bullshit. I swear. I'm not going to hang around for even a single minute.

Madhyam storms to the front door with Manik on his tail.

MANIK: Maddy wait. Listen. (stops him) Let's talk about this.

MADHYAM: Dude. Let me go.

MANIK: At least listen to me for once.

MADHYAM: Bro. I've heard enough already. And frankly, I don't think I deserved that. Enough is enough now. I don't take bullshit. You know that. I only came here to see you. Spend some time with you. Like the good ol' days. That's it. But when I come here... this is what happens. Sorry dude. But this is the last time. I'm wise enough to not commit the same stupid mistake twice. Bye.

MANIK: Buddy. Just calm down. We need to get you to a hospital. You're bleeding.

MADHYAM: Thanks. But I think that I can find my way. I'm not a kid.

He almost walks out of the gate but Manik pins him back.

MANIK: Maddy. Listen to me. You're not leaving like this. Okay? I'm coming. (turns to Nandini) Just close the door and stay inside. (shoots her a disapproving look) I'll be back in a while. Call me if anything.

Nandini's heart sinks at his tone and expression.

She struggles to make it through the rest of the night alone. It was uneventful but she tosses and turns in bed, half asleep, with her mind on her phone all the while. By the time Manik returns, it is...

MORNING

The calling bell rings and Nandini answers it. A weary Manik trudges in, barely glancing at her as he makes his way to their bedroom. Her heart sinks at the look on his face. It isn't the friendly one which she is used to. But a serious one with extreme displeasure etched onto it.

MANAN'S BEDROOM

Nandini walks in and quietly settles down on the bed beside Manik. He hasn't changed yet and lies flat on his back with his hand obscuring his eyes. He senses her beside him but does not bother to look at her or talk to her.

Nandini is at a loss for words. She waits for him to say something. Anything. At least to look at her. But he remains cold and continues to block her from his eyes. Greatly distressed, Nandini gets up and goes to the KITCHEN.

She pulls out a couple of veggies from the fridge, dumps it over the counter and dresses it in an attempt to calm herself down. But she is overwhelmed with guilt. Worried that she has made a mistake. That she has ruined Manik's relationship with his best friend because of her outrageous behaviour.

Confused because she isn't sure anymore about what really happened last night. It all seems like the scene out of a nightmare. What if she was just imagining things?

And then, profound anger and sadness. Manik's reaction was unexpected. Does he trust Maddy more than me? He never defended me throughout. He only tried to stop his friend from leaving.

A pair of gentle arms wrap around her waist and snaps her out of her thoughts. Manik. He tenderly rests his chin on her shoulder and cuddles against her head with his. Her eyes well up with tears beyond control.

MANIK: (quietly) What's up?

Nandini is silent. Nothing, she tsks and gently attempts to recoil into her shell.

MANIK: (a low chuckle) Back to veggies? (notices the gloom on her face) Why so mum?

Nothing, she nods. Manik notices the tears spilling out of her eyes.

MANIK: (sweeps it away) Hey. What?

NANDINI: (in a shaking whisper) Sorry.

MANIK: (worried and confused) Why?

NANDINI: (struggles to talk) I'm sorry. I never meant to insult you... In front of your friend. I don't know what came over me... I'm--- sorry.

MANIK: (pulls her into his arms and strokes her back) Shh. It's okay hun. You don't have to cry. It's alright. Take it easy. (After she calms down a bit) Can you tell me what exactly happened last night?

NANDINI: (takes a deep breath and calms down) Last night. I got up to go to the bathroom. And--

MANIK: Go on.

NANDINI: And then... I felt like someone was watching me.

Manik is quiet but troubled at this. He continues to console her with soft strokes to her arms.

NANDINI: I couldn't see anyone outside the window. But I could really sense someone out there and I was scared so I came out fast. And then I went down to the kitchen cause we had ran out of water in our room and I was thirsty.

Manik nods, urging her to continue.

NANDINI: That's when I saw that the exit door in the kitchen was open. I couldn't see anyone outside but I could feel him. Someone was outside. So I stepped out to check it.

Manik's jaw tightens at this. He is itching to blast at her stupidity and carelessness. But he allows her to talk.

NANDINI: And that's when I felt like someone touching me. Over here. (She brushes her ear, right where she felt the "hand" touch her) I freaked out and stumbled straight back into Maddy.

Manik is worried.

NANDINI: We toppled to the floor. And he wasn't letting me go. He pulled me back and tried to subdue me so I bit him and kicked him. That's what happened.

MANIK: (thoughtfully) So you feel that he tried to assault you.

NANDINI: (in a whisper) I don't know.

Manik is thoughtful. After a brief silence he comforts her by gently tucking a loose strand of her silky hair behind her ear.

MANIK: So why didn't you tell me about this?

NANDINI: I never got the chance to. And... (her eyes become moist again) you weren't talking to me either. So I thought that---

MANIK: You thought what?

NANDINI: That you could be mad at me.

Manik smiles and pulls her into a deep hug.

MANIK: Really? Why would I be mad at you?

NANDINI: ---Because I---

MANIK: (fills in the blanks for her) Hit him? Now tell me this. When have I ever been mad at you?

Nandini looks down. Never. She had heard stories of a wild aggressive Manik from his friends but she had never seen that side of him. Fortunately. He had always been exceptionally soft and caring with her.

MANIK: (lifts her chin up) Oye. Look at me. And answer my question. Have I ever been mad at you?

No, she nods.

MANIK: Then? Where did you get all these bullshit ideas from?

NANDINI: (looks down again, sulking) From your face. You looked so angry this morning. Disappointed. I felt so bad.

MANIK: (playful surprise) Is it? I never realized that I looked like a demon this morning. But jokes apart (holds his ear) I'm sorry. It wasn't on purpose. Honestly.

Nandini is speechless. She just watches him with no clue of what to do.

MANIK: You know... I feel that after living together for all these months, you still haven't figured me out. I know that you would never do something like that without a solid reason. So why would I be mad at you?

Nandini pulls herself into his chest and calms down. She did know him inside out. But today, she had been exposed to a different side of Manik and that stunned her. Hurt her. The look on his face was something she had never seen before.

MANIK: Now you'd probably be thinking that I trust him more than I trust you. Isn't it?

Nandini remains silent. But her escalating sadness agrees with his statement.

MANIK: (quietly) See babes. Let me tell you something. I know that he looks fishy and stuff. But I know Maddy for a long time. A very long time. Just like I know you. And trust you. (His eyes take in the details of her face. He straightens out her hair and brows as he speaks) And that's why I'm telling you, he won't do something like that. He's not that type. Trust me.

Nandini isn't convinced. She simply couldn't trust that guy.

MANIK: (nervous) I had a talk with him on the way.

Nandini looks at him curiously.

MANIK: He's--- sorry about what happened. And he agrees that you must have felt that way because he behaved like wise. He also apologized. For everything.

Nandini looks away. She is surprised at this information but she isn't ready to accept his apology. She still couldn't manage to like the guy.

Manik walks around and pulls her into his chest from behind, his arms circled around her waist.

MANIK: (in a husky voice) As for your problem, I've thought about a brilliant solution.

NANDINI: (curious) What?

MANAN'S RESIDENCE - AFTERNOON

MaNan has a new permanent member in their family. A cute yellow Labrador puppy. It plays around with its new toy - a rubber chicken. Nandini is enthralled and has lots of fun. She sits on the floor and plays with the pup.

MANIK: (smiles) So. You like him?

NANDINI: Of course!!!

MANIK: So what do you want to call him? Thought of a name?

NANDINI: (excitedly) Bernie!

MANIK: Hmm. Bernie. Nice name. Cool. (moves closer to her, pulls the pup into his lap and talks to it) So Bernie. From now on, it's your job to watch over my baby. If someone dares to get close to her, then rip off his ass!

The puppy barks at him. Manik is startled. Nandini laughs.

MANIK: Oye. Everyone except me. I can get as close as I want. Right baby?

He winks at her and she fidgets uncomfortably on the spot. Manik smirks. He so loves it when he sends her heart fluttering up her throat.

MANIK: I've got to get back to work. Been getting calls like crazy.

NANDINI: Who's going to take care of him when I go off to work?

MANIK: We won't be gone forever babes. It's just for the day. He'll manage till then.

NANDINI: Or we could ask one of our neighbours if they could take care of him for us while we are away.

MANIK: Good idea.

MANAN'S RESIDENCE - ONE EVENING

The next couple of days pass by pretty uneventfully.

This evening, we find Nandini preparing a cup of tea in the kitchen. She has Bernie for company. She giggles and talks to him about random things as she goes about her work and earns a puzzled look from the pup.

The calling bell RINGS and Bernie goes into a barking fit for the first time ever. She is a bit troubled at the way he is barking and shushes him up before proceeding to open the door. It's the mailman.

Nandini is relieved. But she is also impressed. And soon after the mailman leaves, she praises the pup and gives him a treat. She goes on to chat with Manik on WhatsApp and tells him about the latest development.

NANDINI: (on chat) So guess what happened today? Bernie barked at the mailman. Like a big dog. Ferociously. I had a tough time shutting him up.

MANIK: (big smiley) That's awesome! So my boy is turning out to be a full-fledged guard dog eh?

NANDINI: (tongue) No doubt about that!

MANIK: Achcha see listen. I'm going to be very late today. Stuck with some issues that needs to be sorted out urgently. So you'd better have dinner and tuck into bed. Don't wait for me. I'll call you once I'm there.

NANDINI: (worried) Okay. No problem. But try and see if you can make it faster. I'm not pushing you. It's just that I feel a bit scared.

MANIK: Scared? Aw why? Bernie is there with you! He's your saviour and protector, remember?

NANDINI: (smiley) Yeah.

MANIK: Did you feed him?

NANDINI: What a question. Of course I did. For the fifth time. He eats like a bear. I wonder where it all disappears to?

MANIK: (laughs) Don't worry dear! Pups are like that. We need to feed them at least five times in a day for around six to eight months. His appetite is going to shrink when he gets older.

NANDINI: (pauses to look at Bernie, types again) Here he is again. For his next eating session. He looks so cute when he begs for food.

MANIK: (laughs) Alright. Go and stuff him up. You better eat something too. And get to bed.

NANDINI: What about you?

MANIK: Digging into a huge sandwich for now. Will have dinner once I get there. Okies?

NANDINI: Alright.

MANIK: Love ya.

NANDINI: Love you too.

Ends chat session.

LATER AT NIGHT

Nandini is in a very deep sleep when she gets a call on her cell phone. She pulls herself up groggily and answers the call.

NANDINI: Hello?

MANIK: Are you dead or what? It's me. Open the door. I've rang the bell at least umpteen times!

NANDINI: (rises and shuffles to the door) Really? Strange. I never sleep so deeply. I didn't even hear a thing.

MANIK: Bet the pup must be keeping you engaged.

She opens the front door but the coast is clear. No one. The porch is empty as well. Manik's car is not around.

NANDINI: (into the phone) Where are you?

MANIK: I'm around.

NANDINI: Where?

MANIK: Step out. Around the corner.

Nandini cranes her neck from the door but sees no one.

NANDINI: Where? (hisses in irritation) Stop it Manik. It's not funny okay? Where's your car?

MANIK: Left it at work.

NANDINI: Why?

Just then, Bernie's threatening bark from behind makes her jump out of her skin. The fur on his neck stands on its ends. He growls and barks at the doorway viciously.

NANDINI: Bernie! What is it? Shush. Quiet.

But the dog refuses to be hushed.

The voice she hears on the phone no longer belongs to Manik. A chill shoots down her spine.

MANIK: What's the matter? Scared?

She checks who the call really is from. PRIVATE CALLER.

She realizes what's happening. Manik never called her. He never even returned from work. All this while, she had been talking with someone else pretending to be her husband. She stumbles back into the house with Bernie and latches up the door with trembling hands. The voice on the other end bursts out into an amused chuckle.

CALLER: Oh God. You know... you look so cute when you're scared. Anyone ever told you that before?

Nandini is voiceless. Her breathing is shallow with her heart stuck in her throat.

CALLER: For instance, take the other night when you were in the kitchen.

Nandini's heart pounds against her ribs. Which night is he talking about?

CALLER: The night you came into the kitchen to drink water? And then you saw the door open and stepped out? Oh. Just a few more steps out and I would have had you.

Nandini shudders as she realizes that her gut instincts were true. She IS BEING STALKED.

CALLER: See, I don't really mean to scare you and all that. It's just that--- you're so--- divine. Like a goddess. I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you. You remind me of my ex-girlfriend. She was a wh**e. But you are different. I just want to touch you. Feel you. Take you inside me. Really deep.

NANDINI: (screams) WHO THE F**K IS THIS?

The voice on the other end goes silent.

CALLER: Mr. McDowell.

... TO BE CONTINUED

Hey there! Missed this story, glad you updated. Could you please post the next chapter soon, can't wait :D

Originally posted by: nymphadoratonks

Hey there! Missed this story, glad you updated. Could you please post the next chapter soon, can't wait :D

Lolzz

I jst read it on wattpad

To btao
...kahan follow kru?
Yahan yaa wattpad pe ;)

Originally posted by: ps_angel

Lolzz

I jst read it on wattpad

To btao
...kahan follow kru?
Yahan yaa wattpad pe ;)

Nice update
Plz update soon
Unique story
Unique concept
Eagerly waiting for next part

omg at last u update
waiting for it for so long
thanks for the long update u almost compensate it... hehehe...
and as usual u nailed it dear
loved it to the core
but plz update the next part soon...
waiting for it dear