Dedicated to Kaumudi because she's super supportive and nice <3 Love you :*
Desperate Measures
11th November was the day Nandini Murthy died. Or so she thought.
Well, how do you define death anyway? According to Google, it is "the action or fact of dying or being killed; the end of the life of a person or organism." However, that wasn't the kind of death' Nandini faced. Her death was much, much more painful. The frustration was the murder weapon, and the unanswered questions were the murderer. Trust me, that is painful.
The restless nights gave her no satisfaction - as if it would - and every time she got in her own thoughts, her best friend Navya would become worried. Just what was wrong with this girl? No one knew, except for her.
It all began a few days ago; just a plain, simple day in her college. Surprisingly, that was what she found weird; the fact that things were plain and simple. Even though she wanted things to be like that, when they were, she kept on wondering why. There was no drama at all, which could only mean that there was no Manik.
Yes, no Manik meant that there was no trace of that guy anywhere in her college. Although she despised him with all her heart - or perhaps that was what she wanted to believe - she couldn't help but look for him. She was supposed to avoid him and be glad that he was making it easier for her, but instead, Nandini Murthy became frustrated. It was not like Manik to just disappear so suddenly.
Fab5 didn't seem to care much. They were pretty normal and that was what Nandini found even weirder. Shouldn't they be worried about their friend? Did they know something?
Time and time again she kept on meeting Dhruv, in hopes of perhaps getting to know something about Manik, but that plan wasn't successful. Dhruv talked to her about anything and everything except for Manik. She couldn't just ask him; who knows what he might think? So Nandini Murthy kept mum, trying to come up with another plan.
"Nandini," Navya asked her with caution when she was eyeing the sandwich intently as if it was her arch enemy, "are you alright?"
"Of course," she answered absentmindedly, but she knew that she was far from alright.
"Are you sure?" Navya wanted to confirm and Nandini let out a groan. She loved her friend, but there were times when she found her really annoying and nosy. This, for example, was one of those times.
"I'm fine, Navya. Can we please just drop this subject now?"
"I just want to make sure you're fine."
"And like I told you, I am. So please, Navya, can we just... not?"
Navya took the hint that she probably shouldn't approach the subject for some time and stayed quiet, which Nandini was thankful for. She knew that her friend cared but right now, she didn't need that. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Manik and mind you, they weren't nice thoughts. Oh no, terrible would be the word.
She kept wondering whether or not he was fine and thought of all the worst things that could possibly happen to him. What if he's down with a serious fever? What if he went missing all of a sudden? What if he was eaten by sharks?
Alright, she had to admit that the last one seemed a little overboard, but she really couldn't help it. She knew that she cared for him, so much, but she just couldn't risk getting hurt again. He had once sacrificed her for Dhruv, what was the guarantee that he wouldn't do that again? He broke her trust and her heart. She didn't think it would ever be fixed.
But at the same time, she also knew that she had to see him desperately just to make sure he was fine. She really did care for him and it was that care of hers which was eating her up. That was exactly why she decided that she'd had enough, and now, she would go to see him. Desperate times called for desperate measures, after all.
-x-
As she stood in front of his room with the door closed, Nandini took in a deep breath. It was the moment of truth and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it. What if he wasn't inside? What if something terrible had actually happened to him? What if he was eaten by piranhas?
She cursed herself yet again for the stupid thought. Of course something like that wouldn't happen. Or would it?
Gathering all her courage, Nandini twisted the door knob as she got inside but she certainly wasn't prepared for the sight that awaited her. There he was; Manik Malhotra in all his glory, sitting on his large king-sized bed, changing the channels as he watched Spongebob.
For a brief second, Nandini felt glad that he was alive and well, but that feeling was soon overtaken by anger. She had been worrying for him for so many days and he was watching Spongebob? She wondered whether or not he was even alive and he was watching Spongebob? She felt incredibly guilty for leaving him like that and even started blaming herself while he was watching Spongebob? She was getting sick with worry for him and he was watching Spongebob?
Nandini clenched her fist as her blood boiled. It didn't shock her how he managed to always make her angry. And when she said always, she sure as hell meant it.
"You idiot," she silently spoke to which Manik finally noticed her, all grumpy and seething, as he cringed his eyebrows in confusion.
To be continued...
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
