Few hours before-

Nandini

Another morning without seeing him through the window….without hearing his sweet morning voice. How long do i have to wait for you my dear Manik Malhotra? Ab intezaar nai hota…..

Upar se even aunty is not reachable. Mother and son are so alike.

I made idly for breakfast and thought may be she would be interested to have them. I packed them and thought may be I will hand it over before i leave for work. I am wearing my favorite white kurta, Manik once complemented. It makes me miss him more now. Hmm…..

It’s going to be a busy day today, with three meetings lined up, and then lunch with a client, and then dinner with the team I am working with right now. I may make an excuse and not show up for the dinner, hanging out with new people is so not my thing.

Locking the door behind me, I walked downstairs. I put my bag in the car, and walked up to the Malhotra house. I rang the bell, but the maid who was in the garden told me that aunty had already left for work.

I expected a totally different kind of spending time with her in the week Manik but here the scene is totally different. I haven’t seen her even once since he’s gone. I gave the idlies to my watchman and drove off to work.

The meeting has already started and as usual i am late. The moment i stepped in the conference room, my phone started ringing. I hadn’t realized that my phone isn’t on mute. All the serious glares poking me….i cut the call. It was Appa. I sent him a message that i will call him later and turned the phone on mute, muttering a sorry.

The meeting continued for 40 minutes. After grabbing a coffee i sat down for the second one. I hate such days when i have to do nothing but sit there staring at the screen. Sometimes i don’t get a bit of what they are talking about….sometimes i feel like stopping them and continue myself with the talk, that’s usually when i am aware of what they are talking about. This is the first kind where i have no clue about what’s going on. And on top of that it was Shivam who was presenting it. Another reason for not paying attention.

“What do you think about this Nandini? Do you find the finances justified?” I heard someone taking my name and only then i realized i was being asked something.

“Ahmm… Yes. Can you please go back to the previous slide?” i asked him for i had to see where these finances came from.

It was not totally clear but i could atleast give them an answer, vague one though.

He nodded in yes, everyone did. Hufff, bach gayi.

The other meeting was also pretty much same and after that we finally left for lunch. I chose a punjabi restaurant, a newly opened one. Since i am the boss here i get to choose. I was missing Manik so I thought may be i’ll enjoy his favorite food. Extra butter was the suffix of every item in our order.

Ṭhe food was decent and my team was enjoying it.

“So you guys like the food?” i asked.

“Yeah. it’s good. Good choice” one of them said.

We were there for two more hours. One of the teammates was new to Mumbai so we drove the longer way so she could get a glimpse of this city. Now every new girl in the city is not destined enough to have a Manik who could give a city tour right?

“It was always a dream for me to come to Mumbai” she said.

“So you like it now?” i asked.

“I haven’t spent enough time so I can’t judge already” she said. I found many similarities between both of us. I could see it that we could turn out to be good friends, like thick friends.

It was almost 3 PM by the time we reached office.

The next three hours we had training session and then finally i was back to my desk probably the first time since morning.

I brought few stuffs from my home this morning to decorate my desk. A flower vase, new document holder a pink one, three pictures of mine, one with Appa. one from my childhood and a latest one Manik clicked for me and a few magnets. I put them up all and called a couple friends to see it. I also clicked a picture and sent it to Appa.

“That’s cool kanna” he replied after seeing the image. Everyone who passed by my desk took a minute to appreciate the cuteness my desk carried now.

I also put up a sand clock Appa gifted me for my last birthday. And bingo. It’s ready.

See, these are some easy ways to spend time in your office when you don’t have work.

And finally it was 7 PM, time to log out. I packed all my stuff in the bag and walked to the elevator.

My car is in the basement and the staircase is little scary, so whenever i park in the second level I take the elevator.

I reached downstairs and there was unusual silence. Two cars just left the parking space and i couldn’t see anyone else that moment. I walked up to my car real quick, and then just before i was going to open the door, there was another envelope.

Okay, now this is kinda scary. With shivering hands i took the envelope, and opened it. It was empty. I looked around, when i heard someone’s footsteps.

And there was light all of a sudden, from a car that came stood and right infront of me.

Due to the strong light, i couldn’t see who was getting down, until i felt a hand on my shoulder. Jerking that hand off my shoulder, i turned around to see someone I didn’t want to see that moment. It was Shivam.

“May be this is what you’r ve been looking for” he said giving me a paper.

I opened it and it read, “Got you”

“What is this? Were you the one sending me all those envelopes? What are you upto?” i asked him.

“Calm down, and get into that car” he said pointing toward the car.

“Why would I? Let me go” i said and was walking upto my car when he followed me and held myhand stopping me.

“I said get into the car” he screamed. Why can’t anyone hear us? This is an office where more than 3000 people work.

“What’s wrong with you?” I asked letting go off his hold.

But this time he literally dragged me to the car. My bag fell down and all the things were scattered. It was a bucket bag so it got opened.

“Leave me shivam” i was trying to let go off his hold but it was too strong. Where is taking me to? What is he upto? Manik! I need you.

He threw me in the backseat, taping my mouth and hands. I was immobile. The car had dark tints and it is not possible for people to see anything through them. He went back, to get my bag.

I started crying like a maniac unable to figure out what is happening. Manik should be landing any moment now. My phone…..my phone is still in my pocket. How do i take it when my hands are tied? I could feel my chest getting heavy, i am sure something scary is going to happen. I never thought this boy would stoop so low for such a silly thing.

“It took me this long to finally have you” he said getting into the car. He threw my bag in the backseat and turned the engine on. I hope there are cctv’s here and someone can find us out.

The tears...they have been unstoppable. I wanted to shout asking him why he is doing this to me. I felt so helpless. It’s been a day since he has gone and my life's in danger already.

Manik! Please kuch karo. I had no clue where he was driving us. I was hitting his seat with my legs, trying to irritate him.

“Don’t make me mad Nandini. Just stay still” he yelled. That scared me more.

And then, my phone started vibrating. What if it is Manik?

I tried to take the phone from my pocket without him noticing. Alas! He found it.

He stopped the car, came to the back seat and tried to grab the phone from my pocket. I felt so humiliated for him touching me like that. Gaining all my strength, i kicked him with my right leg and he fell on the road. I jumped out of the car, gave him two more kicks and started running for my life.

In less than 5 seconds he stood up and started running behind me. I also saw him calling someone. I had no clue where we were that moment. There wasn't a single person i could locate. I hid behind a tree, and he was looking for yelling my name like crazy.

After two more minutes, two another car was spotted there.

I was wondering who they were until i saw Alya getting down. What is she doing here? Is she with Shivam in all this? But how is it possible? Alya doesn’t even know me.

“Kaha gayi?” she was screaming furiously.

“Pata nai mam. I was careful, but she is smart” shivam said.

I started crying more. Silent tears escaping down my cheeks. I tried cutting the roped that was tied to my hand, rubbing it against a tree branch.

I looked back to where they were standing but they were gone. I sighed, just when i heard a voice, “Need help?”

Wondering who it was, i turned around to see Alya, with Shivam standing behind her.

They found me.

Now there’s no way i can escape.

My phone was still vibrating.

Shivam caught hold of me and Alya grabbed the phone from my pocket.

“Manik huh? So i was right about you both seeing each other. See Shivam. I told you” she said disconnecting the call and turned my phone off.

Alya pulled the tape off my mouth.

“What are you guys upto?? Why are you behind me? And you Alya, what have I done to you” i started screaming at the top of my voice.

“How dare you Nandini! How dare you being a commoner, a stupid fangirl, try to take my Manik away from me! I knew it, i knew he was after someone. But now i pity his choice. For it’s someone like you!” she said.

Non-sense.

“Stupid fangirl? Did you really say that?” I asked.

“Oh yes i did. I am not as foolish as Manik. And now i will see to your end Nandini. That’s for sure” she said.

“Shivam, get the car” she ordered and he ran off.

In the next instant, he was there with the car.

“Leave me” i was trying to free myself, when all I could feel was….nothing.

------------------

Manik

Where could she possibly go?

Nandini, it’s been just a day since i last saw you and you have already started worrying me.

I tried again and again and her phone was still not reachable.

And now i thought may be i should inform her dad, before things get worse. If i tell him atleats he can go there and see what’s going on. And he would really never forgive me, if god forbid she is really in trouble.

I called him up immediately.

“Hello uncle”

“Hello Manik. I knew it was you. How are you? How was the flight?”

My voice had a shiver in it, one word i speak and he will recognize it.

“Uncle” i said.

“Is everything fine?” he asked.

“Uncle. I think Nandini is in trouble. She left her office an hour back and her phone is not reachable. I tried her calling many times and now it is turned off” I took the courage and finally told him.

“Kya bol rahe ho Manik tum? I am leaving right now, I just hope she is alright. Manik, if something happens to her, i can never forgive myself. You know what she means to me” he said. He was crying. A father’s pain was clearly being heard in his voice.

“I informed the police and they have already started looking for her” I said.

“I am leaving right now. Mein tum se baad mein baat karta hoon”

“Okay uncle” I said and hung up.

I texted mom as well. Coz i can’t hear her voice when she comes to know of it. Why am I so far away from her!!!

Nandini. Be safe. Please. I love you.