Chapter 2:
Manik and Nandini were still dancing their lives away, taking a break from their usual hectic lifestyles. It was their moment to let it go and have fun, but more than anything they were enjoying being around each other, even though they just met, they felt a connection with each other that they had never felt with anyone before. Especially for Manik, he has had more girlfriends than there are states in India, but Nandini is different, she's already special for him.
Manik was having a gala time till he spotted something in the crowd that he didn't want to see. Pasha, Manik and his dad's biggest enemies men were in the crowd, probably looking for Manik. He then realised he forgot to call his dad and Cabir back. If Nandini wasn't with him, Manik wouldn't be scared and would have fought with them, but right now he couldn't risk her life because of him, so he just grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the crowd and walked out of the restaurant. Nandini gets very confused by his behaviour, 'Manik what's wrong?' she asks whilst trying to free her wrist from his hold, but he doesn't leave her hand. 'Woh... erm.. It was getting really crowded inside so I thought we should leave. Besides you had to meet your friend right so let's go' Manik tried to cover up so Nandini doesn't doubt his sudden change in behaviour. 'But Manik where are we going? Your car is still parked in the restaurant' Nandini said. Manik had purposely left his car in the restaurant, as Pasha's men would recognise his car, with them around he couldn't risk getting in that car. 'Actually car mein petrol khatam ho gaya hai.. So we have to walk' Manik said whilst dragging Nandini along with him, he did not let go of her hand for even a second. 'What?' Nandini was confused by his weird behaviour and stupid excuses. 'Manik how do you know petrol nahi hai? You were with me, inside the restaurant, how do yo...' she was cut of by Manik as he placed his index finger on her lips. 'Shh.. You talk too much, you know that? No more questions now.. Let's go' he said firmly, held her wrist tightly and started walking. Nandini didn't object this time as she knew he wouldn't listen so she just followed him.
They were walking out of the restaurant when Nandini cleared her throat and said 'Manik.. I'm coming with you, you can leave my hand now'. Manik realised he was still gripping on her hand really tightly, he smiled and came closer to her and said 'agar na choro toh?'. His closeness made Nandini happy, she liked him being close to her, it gave her goosebumps. Nandini smiled and was about to say something when they heard a gun shot. The loud noise made Nandini jump with fear, whilst Manik's gaze shifted to Pasha's men coming at him with guns. Manik's hold on Nandini got even tighter. Manik started running but Nandini didn't move, she was too confused as too what was happening 'NANDINI RUN!' Manik screamed as he literally grabbed her with him. They hid behind a tree, Nandini was shaking with fear, she almost got shot. 'Manik.. What's.. What's happening?!' she asked nervously. 'Just come with me!' said Manik.. 'No.. where are we going? Who were those people, why were they firing at us, what di..' Manik again shut her up by placing his finger on her lips, 'sh Nandini! Relax. I won't let them hurt you I promise.. Just trust me' he said looking straight in her eyes, and Nandini couldn't refuse anymore, she just quietly followed him.
Manik and Nandini ran back to Manik's car, that's when the goons spotted him and started firing at them again. Manik drove at the highest speed he possibly could dodging all the bullets. He was scared, not for himself but for Nandini. All this was too much for the innocent Nandini Murthy, tears made their way to her eyes and before she knew it she was weeping in fear. Manik looked at her and immediately felt guilty for putting her in this mess, he felt it was all his fault. Whilst driving his put his hand on Nandini's hand, 'I won't let them hurt you. I promise.. I know this situation might be scary for but just.. Just trust me, I won't let anything happen to you..' He said looking directly in her eyes. Nandini just nodded her head and faintly smiled at him. Manik increased the speed of his car even more and tried to call his dad, since his dad wasn't picking up he thinks to call Cabir, but before he could call him one of the goons shot his car's tyre which made the car lose its balance. The weather started getting bad as well, it started raining heavenly which didn't help the car maintain its balance, it made it much worse. The car started shaking, Nandini freaked out but tried to stay calm as she didn't want to stress Manik further, she just kept her trust in him. Another one of the tyres got shot and the car completely lost its balance, 'NANDINI' Manik screams, 'HOLD ME!' he screams.. Nandini was too scared and confused to react to his words, Manik looked at Nandini to see her completely lost so he himself grabbed her hand and pulled her towards himself. He made her sit on his lap and held onto her waist tight. 'Close your eyes' he said very lightly, Nandini immediately closed her eyes and held collar of his shirt tightly. Manik opened the door and jumped out of the moving car along with Nandini in his arms, he completely hid her in his arms so she doesn't get hurt by the impact of climbing out of a running car. He wanted all injuries to go to him instead of her. They fell on the road and Manik hurt his hand badly, and it started bleeding. Manik helped Nandini get up from the road, 'I'm sorry' he whispered to her as he helped her get up. Nandini just looked at him with tearful eyes. Just then Manik saw one of the goons pointing his gun towards Nandini, he pushed Nandini away and came in between, in the process the bullet went through Manik's arm, he didn't get shot, the bullet touched his arm and passed by which made him arm bleed even more.
'MANIK!!!!!' Nandini screams his name out loud and runs to him seeing him getting hurt. 'Manik you're hurt!! Your arms is bleeding' she says worriedly. 'I'm fine' Manik says coldly keeping his focus on the goon. 'No you're not fine! Your arm is hurt Manik you need dressing..' Manik shows his hand to him to make her stop talking whilst his focus is still on the goon, 'I'm fine Nandini' he says. The guy that fired the gun at them starts running towards Manik and Nandini with a gun in his hand, and Manik is forced to pull his gun out. He never wanted Nandini to see the ugly side of his life but he is left with no choice. Manik pulls his gun out whilst Nandini is startled and shocked to see the weapon in his hand, but more than anything she's scared. Manik shoots the goon right in his heart twice, and he immediately dies on the spot. Nandini freezes at her place as all this was too much for her to take in, she looks away from all the firing and covers her face with her palms in fear, wishing all this is just a bad dream. Manik puts the gun down and looks at a very frightened Nandini, who at the time had fear in her eyes, she was afraid... of Manik. 'Nandini..' he said as he tried to move closer to her but much to his surprise and disappointment she took a step back from him nodding her head in a no, indirectly asking him to stay away from her. Her state made Manik feel terrible, her clothes got torn when they jumped from the car, her elbows were slightly bleeding due to small cuts and her eyes were filled with tears. But what hurt the most was the fear she had in her eyes, fear of HIM.
Sooo?? Liked it? Let me know :) also I'll try updating both stories twice a week from now on.. And do you guys want promos for this story as well? Let me know and have a lovely day :) x
Cricket
Udne Ki Aasha
Veer Hanuman
Anupamaa
