Manan : Short Stories. - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Outside college
Nandini was finding an Auto for herself. But it was as if the most difficult thing. And just when she thought she got one, she was pulled by none other that The Manik Malhotra. Manik asked the driver to leave with his eyes.
Nandini - What nonsense is this Manik? With so much difficulties I hired an auto and you send it off. Why?
Manik (calmly) - I will drop you were ever you want. But before that I want to have a talk with you.
Nandini - I don't want to talk to you. And I can help myself. Please stay away from me.
Manik (getting angry) - Oh just shut up! Stop saying me to stay away from you because thats no happening.
Nandini - Why Manik? Is it that difficult? And Manik I don't need you sympathy. I know you got to know everything. But seriously you don't need to do this.
Manik (jerking her towards himself) - Really Nandini! You think I will sympathies you.
Nandini - Then what Manik? Some days back you hated me so much to even see my face and now you are hell bent on getting close to me. Where did all of your hate go?
Manik - Nandini it's....
Nandini - Stop it Manik. Please leave me alone. I deserve this.
Saying this Nandini stopped an Auto near her and left. Manik controlled his anger and followed her. She reached near a coffee shop.
Manik (to himself) - Nandini is not the one who would come to drink a coffee this far. Why is she here?
Though Manik got some idea but still followed her in the coffee shop. He heard her talking to the owner regarding job. And the owner readily agreed as he needed staff. Nandini requested him to let her start today itself. The owner agreed.
Manik knew she wouldn't listen to him now. So sighing in sadness he left. Nandini knew he was following her. She had an eye on him. Once he left she got relief thinking he gave up on her.
At around 9 at night.
Nandini stepped out of the cafe. For once she got scared seeing no one around but then chuck of her thoughts and started moving towards her flat which was at a walkable distance of 25 minutes. It was just 10 minutes she started when a jeep of drunk boys was passing through there. Seeing am alone girl going they stopped the jeep.
Boy (smirking) - Want some ride miss? Chalo humare sath. Acche se le jayenge.
Nandini got afraid seeing them but putting a brave facade she kept walking faster. Getting ignored the boys came out of the jeep and fastly got ahead of her. Finding them in front of them she started moving backwards. One boy started getting close to her.
Nandini - What are you doing? Leave me.
Boys smirked seeing her pleading. Nandini I'm self defence hit the boy with her bag. The boy got angered and asked the others to hold her tightly. Nandini wriggled in their grip but nothing worked. Two others started touching her in an appropriate way. Nandini did what she can do that is scream but then no one heard. She was feeling so disgusted.
Nandini (crying) - Please leave me. Please.. Don't touch me please.
Boy (caressing her cheeks)- How can I not touch you? Such a beauty! Combo of hotness and beauty!
The boys laughed evilly and held her by her shoulder and tore her sleeves. He touched her naked shoulder and then proceeded to her forbidden part. But before he could even touch her there a hand gripe pulled him back and gave a hard smack on his not so handsome face.
Nandini looked at the person and was shocked. It was Manik. He was looking at her angrily. His eyes we're spitting fire. Nandini's whole face was red due to crying.
Manik just pulled her away from them. He never looked at her face.
Manik (to boys dangerously) - You dare to mess with my girl. Today you are gone.
Manik beat them black and blue. He just couldn't stop himself from beating the shit out of them.
Manik (hell angry) - You will touch her.. You..Bloody fuckers! Today you are gonna die.....
Nandini saw Manik going out of control. She tried holding him and when she was successful.
Nandini (to boys) - Please go before he kills you.
The boys were hell scared of him so they ran away. Manik tried to get away from her grip.
Nandini - Manik enough. Stop please.... Control your anger...
Manik (angrily ) - You just shut up.... How dare they touch you? And you... Why the fuck you got out this late? If I was not here at the correct time then? I just can't imagine what would have happened? I just came to your flat to see you but see what happened?
His eyes were teary with the mere thought. He removed his jacket and made her wear it.
Nandini - But I am fine. Nothing happened na! Now please go.
Manik angrily jerked her close.
Manik - You think I will leave you. And when you know it's night couldn't you just call me at once.
Nandini (tired of explaining him) - Manik which part of it you don't understand when I say I don't want to stay close to you. Don't you get it, I am a curse. I don't to be near you. Please understand.
Manik (at the edge of his anger) - God Nandini! What is this cure and all ha! For god sake Nandini, you are the daughter of a scientist! And you are not supposed to believe this superstitions. Some orthodox people told you this and you believed. Get a life Nandini!
Nandini (teary eyes) - Yes I did! Because my own life gave me a reality check. And there is a world beyond science. And I don't want to hurt any one who is close to me. I already lost many because of me. I am a curse.
Manik - Bullshit! You are thinking all bullshit! It's nothing like that.
Nandini (getting frustrated) - Manik you believe or not, it's the truth. And please stay away from me or else....
Manik (looking at her suspiciously) - Or else what? (Nandini stated silent) Or else what Nandini (raising his voice) I asked you or else what?
Nandini (shouting loudly) - OR ELSE I WILL KILL MYSELF.
And thud.... Yes Manik had slapped Nandini really hard for the first time. Nandini looked at him with a shock. He was fuming in anger. His eyes were red as well as teary. Manik jerked her so close that she was literally sticking to him..
Manik - What you said? You will kill yourself? Ha... Is it that easy to say? Don't you care about us... about me. Killing your self? How dare you say this? Ha how dare you?
Saying this he smashed his lips on her into an aggressive kiss. He was literally chewing his lips in anger. She didn't respond back and neither he cared. He was just taking his anger out on her. He could even taste her blood as he was biting vigorously. She got breathless so started pushing him but he didn't bulge. But then later jerked her angrily.
Manik - You should be punished for even bringing a thought like this. And your punishment is... You will stay with me from now. You wanted to go away from me na... Then you are coming to my house.
Nandini (shocked) - No....not at all. I won't come.
Manik (smirking) - I do what I say.
Nandini - No you don't. You said you will hate me... But this is nothing like that. Can't you stick to what you just said.
Manik - I don't care. With or without your will I am taking you. I can't risk you. You are dangerous for yourself.
Nandini - In your dreams Manik Malhotra.
Saying this Nandini started to go but shrieked feeling herself in air.
Nandini (shouting at him) - Manik this is wrong. Stop it.. Get me down.
Manik - Not happening.
Manik opened the door of the car and put her down on the pasenger seat and locked the door.
Manik (dangerously) - Dare you try to escape. It won't be good for you.
Nandini (teary eyes) - This is wrong Manik. Please...
Manik didn't say anything but got on to his driving seat. Once inside the car, he cupped her face .
Manik (lovingly) - I will do anything it takes for me to get this curse thing out of your head. Even it means kidnapping you against your will.
Nandini sighed in defeat and closed her eyes and quickly drifted back to sleep as she was hell tired. Once they reached Malhotra mansion, Manik looked at her to find her asleep.
Manik (pecking her lips with teary eyes) - I am so sorry for slapping you so hard. (Caressing her cheek which had the imprint of his hand)
He wiped his tears and carried her in his arms to his room. He was not letting her leave him for a second. He was scared. ... Scared to lose her now. She threatened him to kill herself. This thought itself shook him to the core.
Once placing her softly on the bed, he took the ointment from the side drawer and applied it on her cheek. He removed his jacket from the body to apply it on her shoulders as the bastard had scratched her. He kept it aside and slept on the couch beside but sleep was far away from his eyes. He was now and then checking on her. He was so shocked seeing the effect of stupid orthodox people on her mind.
Next morning in college canteen
Nandini was sitting beside Navya with a straight face. She was acting rudely. But surprisingly she was sitting with Navya reason.....hahaha...Navya's nautanki. Navya was so stubborn. She told everyone in the canteen that she had not taken her breakfast and she will have only when Nandini sits besides her. She will take care of her when Nandini is around or else she will dance like regular days. So Nandini was forced to be with her. And Manik mentally thanks Navya for the same. Because after him anyone in this college who cared for Nandini was Navya.
Nandini was so pissed and scared at the same time. She used to be so alert when she was with anyone... Scared that because of her any harm can happen to them. Manik and Navya tried a lot to change her mind and explain few things but the curse had captured her mind like a ruler. She was with them but still absent. She had lost her faith and confidence in herself. In fact she never touched her Veena after Amms death. She was always silent. Manik decided it with one of his doctor friend who asked him to somehow get out or she might slip into depression. Manik's all attempts were failing.
He tried to no end. He brought fireflies in a jar which she broke saying she doesn't trust them anymore. He tried getting her hands on different musical instruments but nothing worked. He even arranged dates for her but she made reasons and never came. He was slowly losing hope of her getting better. Her silence was killing him. She would remind him that he should hate her but Manik just wanted to grab her saying I love you. But he was not ready to get denial from her.
In all this Fab5 got an album but he declined saying Nandini's reason. Alya, Mukti and Dhruv were offended since he promised he won't let Nandini affect Fab5. Once Nandini got this news she blackmailed Manik to participate. And Manik had to agree.
On the performance day.
Fsb5 were all set for the performance. Hell excited, nervous and happy. Manik was waiting for Nandini as for him she was his lucky charm.
Manik - Guys I will be back in seconds.
His friends nodded to him. He searched for here and there. And yes... Manik had started leaving her alone since he also warned her that he will not participate if she does something to herself. And she would never compromise with his career. So now he wanted her atleast to wish him luck.
And finally he found her at the back side of the college. He called out but seeing him see pretended as if not heard, when from there. He fastly reached her and turned her towards him.
Manik - Nandini stop... I know you are trying to ignore me.
Nandini - If you know then why are you following me?
Manik (chucking off her behavior) - Okay calm down... Now wish me luck. It's by big day.
Nandini (calmly) - Go from here Manik. You know I won't wish you so please.
Manik (irritated) - Hell with your curse! I need my lucky charm with me. So now wish me.
Nandini (angrily) - Don't you get it once. I said I won't. And my one wish won't decide your future, okay. And who am I to decide yours and your friend's future?
Manik (pulling her close) - You are.... You are.....
Nandini - No answer na.... I knew it. But I have an answer... I am a curse... I will ruin you. I will ruin your friends. So please leave (joining her hands in front of him)
Manik looked at her with hurt.
Manik (hurt) - I never knew the unknown people will affect you more than me. You don't care about me, my pain, my luck nothing. I bloody let my anger flow away for you.... That time I was hurt but still for you I gave up on it. But for once you can't ignore those people and be my lucky charm. (Smiling fakely) It's okay cool.... I understand.. It's fine. You take your time.
Saying this Manik left from there not before wiping his tears which were threatening to fall. Nandini couldn't hold more seeing him like this. He cried for her. He cried because of her. He needed her but she can't be there. She collapsed on the floor crying.
Nandini (keeping her hands on her eyes crying) - I am sorry Manik... I am sorry. But I love you and I can't let anything happen to you. Don't make it difficult for me please. I can't see you like this. Please let me go... Please...
She was crying harder and harder. Seeing him hurt she was breaking down. But suddenly she heard someone saying.
Person - Don't hurt him this much Nandini. He has never done what he has done for you. He Loves you Nandini... He loves you.
Nandini looked at the person wiping her tears.
Nandini (small voice) - ALYA
Alya - I am sorry, I listened your conversation with him and witnessed your breakdown too. I have never seen him like this. I still don't like you but you have to give up in your fears for him. If you go away from his life then he can't never get himself together.
Alya forwarded her hand to make Nandini stand. Nandini took it and stood up.
Alya - He is not ready to leave you Nandini. When you were not here for one month, his condition was worst. He lost all the charm he had, he used to speak less and all the aura was lost in him.
Nandini - Alya do you think it is easy for me. To go away from him or ignore him. No it is not. But I don't want him hurt.
Alya (chuckling) - Then what are you doing now?
Nandini was speechless as Alya was right.
Alya - See Nandini I was with him for 7 years and atleast I know this much that he is not the one who will let go off himself for someone. But for you he has done everything and you can't return it in the form of hurt. (Taking her hands upwards) But... It's upon you. Consider it as an advice from a friend. If you really love him enough then you can atleast wish him before performance. (Taking out a tissue) And first please clean your face... You look like a zombie. (Smiling little genuinely)
Saying this Alya left from there feeling contented as she did what she felt. Nandini wiped her face with a tissue and went into thoughts.
On stage
It was time for Fab5's performance. Manik's face was very dull.
Cabir - Manik.. You know her condition, she won't come. So just lift your mood.
Manik faked a smile and nodded. But from inside he was hurt. Alys just wished her words have some effect on Nandini but then she was just some other girl for Nandini. And when her best friend, Manik everyone tried then what her words will affect her? But then she doesn't know that her words did affect and the result were in front as Nandini came running from the door and shouted.
Nandini (shouting) - MANIK
Manik abruptly turned to find her running towards him. She came to him and directly crashed on his chest. It was so fast for him to react.
Nandini (kissing his chest) - All the best Manik. Your lucky charm is with you.
Manik smiled hearing her. His face actually brightened. Alya gave an imaginary pat on her own back.
Manik (kissing her forehead) - Thank you my star.
Nandini departed from him and indicated him to go. She too went as no one was allowed in. And finally their performance started. But how can everything go well when Harshad has returned?