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c h a p t e r f i f t e e n
"Where are you going?" He had asked her when she was about to leave, catching her by surprise. "I can drop you, if you want."
Nandini looked at him for some time, her eyebrows cringed in confusion. He always managed to surprise her. He was always patient and considerate towards her but after what he'd done, with the kidnapping and the forced marriage; she didn't understand why he would act like that. She was always expecting him to be rough and violent but he wasn't. She didn't know whether it was his personality or just a farce.
"I'll be fine," she told him. "The theater is close by. I think I can walk that far."
"Which theater?" he asked again, a bit more persistent this time. Nandini narrowed her eyes at his sudden interest.
"Why do you care so much?"
Manik paused at that. He, himself, didn't know why he cared so much about what she did and where she went. He knew that he enjoyed her company earlier and he supposed that he wanted more of it. But he didn't want to get too attached because he knew that wouldn't ever do him any good. Everyone he got attached to and truly wanted to be around had left him, the most important ones being his parents. Ever since then, Manik always had trust issues. Cabir was the only person who stuck with him through thick and thin and Manik knew it would always be like that. He couldn't risk getting hurt again.
"I don't," he decided. "I just want to make sure you're safe."
"And you think I will feel safe with you?" she questioned, and those words struck an arrow right in his chest. He knew he deserved it but it still hurt to hear her say it. Her hatred was suffocating him and he knew he couldn't complain. That realization of knowing that it was his mistake that compelled her to do and say all of this was the absolute worst.
"For my peace of mind, then," he suggested. "Can I please drop you?"
Nandini didn't have a clue as to why she didn't refuse.
"Okay then, thanks," Cabir said as he ended the call and taking his pen, he crossed out a name from the list in front of him. When he offered to find a house for Manik and Nandini, he never knew it'd be so hard. He thought that having connections would make the job relatively easy but to his uttermost surprise, houses for rent were not that easily found in Mumbai. Houses which would suit Manik, that is.
Before Cabir made the next call, he paused for a while. He didn't know how he got here. He knew that Manik wouldn't be living in a mansion anymore, and he wondered how his friend would cope. At that moment, he started blaming himself. If only he hadn't made the decision that quickly, then maybe they would've been somewhere else now.
But then she would find out, he thought to himself and closed his eyes.
The painful memory of elementary school flashed back to him. He remembered the one incident he witnessed that scarred him for life and changed everything, absolutely everything, for him. He clearly remembered how he had a classmate named Sameer in fourth grade. Sameer was different from most boys in his class. He was always alone with barely any friends, but there was something else about him that stood out. Sameer was gay.
At first, no one knew. Everyone simply thought that he was the shy type and didn't like to talk much, which was partly true. However, one day word got out from a female classmate that Sameer had a crush on a boy. The rumor spread immediately and that was what made his life hell.
When Sameer would walk in the corridors, people would point and whisper at him. The children told their parents and the parents, utterly disgusted, advised the children not to mingle with the abnormal one. Later, Sameer would get beaten up by the tough kids during break and people would always, always, tease him.
Cabir never liked the idea of bullying and, after witnessing it happening to Sameer, he hated it. It pained him and one day, when he went to help the poor boy, another kid accused Cabir of being gay himself. Scared of facing the same situation, Cabir backed away immediately. Ever since childhood, he had been attracted to men more but after seeing all that had happened to Sameer, Cabir couldn't take the risk of exposing himself.
Sameer was bullied to such an extent that eventually, he had to leave school. His story always made Cabir fear what would happen if people ever found out about his sexuality. He knew it wasn't considered normal and that the society would never accept him.
He didn't want that. He didn't want to be another Sameer and he was willing to do anything to make sure he wasn't.
Manik was disappointed. In the car ride, he had tried to speak to his wife a few times, but she didn't seem to have any interest. He was slightly upset because he wanted to know more about her and spend more time with her. He knew he shouldn't get too attached but he just couldn't help it.
"I guess we're here," he said as the car came to a halt and Nandini grabbed her bag. "I'll see you, then."
He didn't like the way she was in such a rush to go away. He wanted to stop her but more than that, he wanted her to stop. Manik enjoyed her company and he wanted more of it.
He liked the way she wouldn't stop talking once the topic was interesting enough for her. He liked the way her eyes twinkled when she spoke about her likes and dislikes. He liked the way she let out an occasional chuckle. He was mesmerized by her laughter. She had such a beautiful smile.
He didn't like the way she turned away from him now. He didn't like the way she was leaving in such haste. He didn't like the voice in his head that told him that she wasn't coming back. He wanted to prove it wrong; he wanted her to return to him.
More than that, he wanted to reach out for her hand and stop her at this very instant. He wanted to tell her that she was making him feel many things all at once and confusing but that he liked the confusion so very much. He just wanted her to stay.
"Please don't go," he unintentionally said and to that, Nandini turned, her eyes wide.
She had no clue why he would say that but she was shocked that he wasn't taking it back. Manik didn't intend for it to come out but he didn't want to withdraw it either. What if it made a difference?
But as he expected, it didn't. She stared at him for some time but eventually, she got out of the car and left, not turning back. He felt empty inside as he tried to convince himself that it was alright. The voice inside his head which said she would leave felt smug, and he hated that.
Nandini was trying very hard to enjoy the movie playing on the huge screen, but her mind was elsewhere. She knew she should pay attention to either what was going on in the movie or what Dhruv was trying to whisper in her ear, but she didn't care about any of it. All she thought about was what Manik said as she was leaving.
Please don't go.
She didn't know why he said that but there was certain urgency in his voice. He seemed very desperate to have her stay back and when she didn't, she saw how his face fell. It confused her very much and she had no clue why.
She noticed how he was trying to talk to her and spend a lot of time with her these few hours. She didn't know why he would do that. Why did he even care?
He cannot possibly... like you, can he?
Nandini shook her head, trying to get rid of the thoughts and Navya's stupid words. Of course Manik didn't like her. They'd only known each other for a few days and their first actual conversation took place only a few hours ago. Why would he suddenly like her?
But she couldn't deny the fact that he listened to her talk with keen interest. He seemed to be somewhat admiring her when she was speaking. For some reason, he wanted to know more about her. He asked her questions about herself and she answered them willingly. But he wouldn't stop asking.
She might just be right, Nandini thought to herself. Maybe he... does like me. I'm not sure, really. Why else would he do this? But this is very confusing. Argh, this guy!
Frustrated with her thoughts, Nandini got up and turned to leave. She noticed that Dhruv looked up and called her back but she didn't care. She noticed how the crowd groaned and some even cursed her but she still didn't care. All Nandini did was run and she wanted to run far, far away. She had somewhere much important to be now.
She knew she was ruining her and Dhruv's date but that didn't matter to her now. She would apologize to him, later. Now, something inside her told her that she just had to be with Manik.
Manik gulped the bitter liquid down his throat and slammed the glass on the table, but it didn't help. He was drinking but just not enough to get drunk. He had to be sober just in case Nandini came back.
But she's not coming back, the voice in his head said again and he clenched the glass even tighter.
"Shut up," he whispered. He just wanted it to stop. He wanted everything to stop. He was tired of the constant heartbreak he kept getting from everyone. He didn't ask for it, then why was life so cruel to only him?
She didn't turn back even once, there came the voice again, how can you expect her to return?
He wasn't expecting her to return, he was hoping for it. He was hoping with all his heart that she would turn back and realize that he's not the monster she says he is. He is a human too, one with feelings. He feels hurt when she accuses and curses him, and he feels happy when she flashes him that pretty smile of hers. At that moment, he feels so, so happy. He wanted to see that smile again but he wasn't sure he could.
She's not coming back, the voice said and he almost believed it.
Why would she come back after everything he'd done to her? He knew it didn't matter that he regretted it, at least not to her. She only hated him and she would probably always hate him. He was fine with her hatred for these days but a few hours ago when she had an actual conversation with him, everything changed. She was so vibrant and carefree and relaxed. He liked seeing that new side of her. He really, really liked that new side of her. It was a surprise and a pleasant one at that.
"Why did you say that?" a panting voice asked from behind and he turned around to see a sight that truly shocked him. The door was wide open and there was Nandini, panting heavily, her hair disheveled, the grip on her bag very light, and legs weak from probably running too much.
"Back at the car," she spoke more slowly this time and taking slow and steady steps, "why did you ask me not to leave?"
At that moment, Manik didn't know what to say.
Originally posted by: Fati.crisp
OK just read all in a go ...its an awesome storyy...!!I'm in love with it...the title name is worrying me...but hope for the best...hope to see every thing sorted soon ...can u pm me next time plz
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Mangal Lakshmi
