(1 year back)

Virginia- A place well known for its serene beauty, sparkling water of Atlantic ocean makes it worth dying for. This place is well defined by people "Virginia is for lovers", couple who visit here once can spend their lifetime without any regret, this place is nothing but heaven on Earth.

Two sisters who haven't met in six months have decided to finally meet on the famous Virginia Beach. There is always one person in everyone's life with whom we can say all the dilemma, all the havoc brewing inside our heart and that one person won't judge you but will be there to patiently listen your each and every word, if needed; will provide with the best advice you can adopt. This one person can be anyone- your mother, father, brother, sister, best friend, husband, it can be anyone whom you find trustworthy. In Nandini's life it was her sister, with whom she can share every inch of happiness and sorrow she feels and same goes with Aahana but as someone rightly said "Fear is something which can take you far away from your own soul even."..

Aahana : "So tell me? What made you run straight to your clingy sister?"..she teased her as they both settled down nearby Starbucks but today Nandini isn't in the mood to take any jokes.

Nandini : "Aahana it's serious please."..she murmured with a stern face and this made Aahana concerned for her.

Aahana : "What's wrong kiddo?"..she placed her hand on Nandini's hand which is placed on the table, Nandini exhaled a deep breath and closed her eyes. Aahana let her calm down, she gave her the much needed space so that she can utter everything to her without any second thoughts.

Meanwhile, Aahana moved the tablet screen towards her which is stuck on the table, she made a quick order of one cold coffee with ice cream for Nandini and one Cappacino with extra sugar for herself.

Nandini : "A week ago. I met someone.."..she murmured underneath her breath but this made Aahana alarmed but still she kept her excitement in check as he really want Nandini to open up by her own.

Nandini again adopted a brief silence, but Aahana too didn't nagged her. It's the beauty of a relationship where you give breathing space to your mate, where you worry about them but still never cross the limits as there is a difference between possessiveness and over-possessiveness and one should always keep that in check.

Aahana : "Gee! Am listening"..her calm as water tone reached Nandini's eardrum and she looked at her with soft eyes.

Nandini : "And he is a monster.."..she muttered angrily which made Aahana laughed out loud.

Aahana : "Am officially intrigued."..she ceased her laugh as Nandini glared.

Nandini : "You find all this funny, but am pissed. From past one week, there is only one person in my head and i.e. Mr. Megalomaniac..."..she snorted but Aahana is enjoying as she can see some spark in Nandini's eyes, something which she has never seen before. It's not like Nandini for the first time is talking about some man who has pissed her off but unlike other times it's the first when despite of being frustrated she looks utterly smitten by someone.

Aahana : "Okayyyyy"..she stretched the last word a bit with force and then continued... "Mr. Megalomaniac- that's really a huge big word for me. Can't we cut it short to make our conversation smooth?"..she asked in her innocent tone which made Nandini throw a tissue on her as here she has initiated such stern topic but Aahana is focusing on adjectives.

Nandini : "Fine. Then let's call him......ummm..."..she thought for a while and then something clicked in her playful mind.. "Mr. M?"...She sounded like Eureka! I found gold mine underneath ocean.

Aahana : "Wohoo! That's very small. But I like the sound.."..she instantly covered up at the end as Nandini again glared on her remark of that's very small..

Aahana : "So yes darling continue.."..she asked being over excited to know each and every detail about this mysterious man who has entered in Nandini's world.

Nandini : "I met him a week ago during youth fest at my college. He was...."..she stopped as she recalled his face.

The way he stepped down of his car in all his glory, the whole media was there to capture his first appearance in public but none was able to click a single picture as his security didn't let them. He had wore black tuxedo with white shirt perfectly tugged inside, black aviators enhancing charm of his face, a smirk never leaving his face, his tight pointed jaw with beared is doing nothing but making every girl weak under knees.

He stopped right when the director of the college stood in front of him to welcome him in the University, he removed his classy aviators while four black commandos covered him from back, he carries intimidating personality with him.

His dark chocolate brown eyes instantly made Nandini's heart bounce, she is standing quite far from him and as the crowd is too much thus it's very difficult for anyone to recognize each and everyone's face, hence she didn't came in light at least from his end.

Aahana : "Back to earth kiddo.."..her tone brought her back to the present but when Nandini was lost in Mr. M's thoughts, Aahana noticed her each Expression which made her happy as she can really see more than a spark.

Nandini : "You know what di, for the first time in my entire life I feel like carpe diem. Even though my experience with him afterwards is quite frustrating but I can't deny the very first feeling I experienced. It was different, weird, intricate, bewitching, something I have never experienced before..."..she told her honestly and all Aahana was doing is smilingly looking at her baby sister who is too naive to comprehend. Meanwhile, waiter placed their order on the table and left, Aahana gestured her to drink, Nandini complied.

Aahana : "This person has to be very special as for the first time my sister has noticed such minor details."..she smiled as Nandini took a sip of her cold coffee topped with creamy vanilla layer, iced with chocolate syrup and a scoop of ice cream dipped in it.

Nandini : "I don't know di, it's like all the time am crowded with his thoughts, his face, his smirk, his charismatic eyes vivid of any feelings but still deprived of peace, every thing about him makes me insane. But if I'll sideline all this, I would say he is a monster, worse than Satan."..she scowled at the end, Aahana smiled to her.

Aahana : "To be honest when I met prince, it was the exact same experience for me as well. His intimidating personality caught me off guard but as I got close to him I found him the most loving, caring person."..she added with a smile and now Nandini is listening patiently.

Aahana : "Sometime we take time to analyze a person and I think we should, as prevention is better than cure my love.."..she finished with a smile and Nandini too nodded complying with each and every word of hers.

True that, before going close to any person one needs to evaluate them thoroughly not because you are too perfect and want perfection in life but because you have flaws and you know your weakness which can lead to heartbreak thus it's necessary to keep yourself away from the red line.

But sometimes even after knowing all the dangers, all the loopholes, we tend to move towards the high alert zone only. As it's a human nature to go behind things which are prohibited.

***

Calmly sitting on the swing in the huge balcony beneath the stars is a beautiful lady who has lost herself in the hands of cruel game. There is a wave of tsunami inside her but she looks calm more than water in the sea level, she is the perfect example of "visuals can be deceptive".

She looked at the red book in her hand which Cabir hand over to her after the whole truth came into light. She has no courage to open those pages of her life's story which she herself shredded, deep down there is a part of her soul which so badly wants to live that life again which was so peaceful, so soothing, so carefree that not even for once she thought that any day all she'll be having is memories in her hand and that's all.

Gathering all her courage she opened the red diary and as the first page came in her visual region, a tear rolled out of her eyes and fell down on the page.

There was a picture of Aahana and hers pasted beautifully on it, NiNa forever curved on it in most beautiful calligraphy. They used last alphabets of their names as they want their bond to last forever. She caressed the picture and flipped the page with a heavy heart.

04th April'16.. Date on the right extreme corner came in light, she thought how she never had the urge to write down anything as Aahana was always there to listen before she lock her secrets anywhere, but when she was miles away from her sister that day she had written down everything she experienced in New York- a city which never sleeps, it actually took her peaceful sleep but forever!!

She read out in her heart holding all her emotions back, this is going to be toughest part at her end to once again live those memories.

Dear diary,

This day was something I can never be able to frame in words, this day brought me to life; yes it actually did. I used to believe that no man can ever charm me but today all my beliefs were questioned. His eyes holds so much intensity in them that I couldn't resist, he had no smile on his face still his smirk was making him magnificent, I wonder how handsome he'll look with a smile. It sounds cliche but I think I fell badly for him at first sight. He has an intimidating personality and his glares can scared the hell out of anyone, trust me when I say you shouldn't find him in darkest alley if you don't want to die out of fear, it's not like he has horrifying face but he has terrible sexy looks.

But his looks didn't captivated me,his eyes did. In the crowd of thousands of people I found the pair of eyes hollow, empty, as if they were screaming in the four walls. I actually felt some pain in them, and in the next moment I realized am staring at him from past 1 hour. He was giving speech on Corporate Social Responsibilities and Individual Social Responsibilities but I didn't heard a word as I was totally busy in analysing his each and every reaction.

He stayed in the NY University premises for more than 5 hours and to be precise, 5 hours 43 minutes and 54 seconds: yes! I actually counted every single second or perhaps my mind was doing maths whereas my heart was loosing somewhere else. In the time frame, me and him never came face to face, he was busy with officials and I was busy in checking him out, how would he have noticed me? Am just a random girl for him. How I wish I could be the special one.

Ahhh! I forgot to mention his name. He is The Manik Malhotra: CEO of Malhotra industries and the business man of the year as claimed by the Forbes magazine. I wonder, why he don't like to make any public appearances? Why he doesn't like media to click his snaps and post on SNS? But whatever good reason he has for such private life, in the very first meet I started admiring me. There is a urge in my heart to know him to the depth.

Manik- This name cause goosebumps all over and unknowingly smile touch my lips.

Utterly confused with mixed feelings..
NM..

**

She opened the last page of her diary which showed date 07th December 2016. Tears eloped as she recalled the significance of the date, all she could do today is remorse but on the days she met him, she fell for him, she chased him, she entered in his dark world and without his knowledge she made him god of her world.

She cut the date and below the line wrote 7th July 2017. She closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them, her love for him is clearly evident in them. Anyone can tell how badly she is trying to hate him, to be mad at him but failing miserably as being with him simply means loving him deeply.

She penned down a small poem which summarized her feelings, her dilemma and some unsaid confession which she never expressed in front of anyone..

Kitna kuch kehna Tha tumse magar keh na paye,
Kuch the shikhwe ese jinhe bayan na Kar paye,
Yuh to ruk mor liya tumhari yaadon se humne,
Magar yeh Dil Hai ki aj bhi Tere bin reh na paye..

(And here comes a small poem from my end for my ardent readers who love my poetry and keep asking me to post some.. ❤❤.. thank you so much for loving whatever I write..😘. )

She closed the diary and placed it in her hand bag safely, she knows she can't keep that red book with her as it can be very risky for her. Thus she decided that next day itself she'll settle this first.

Nandini : "I loved you Manik, I really did. Perhaps! I still do but my hatred for you is far bigger than the love I ever had in my heart for you.."..she confessed to herself with a heavy heart.

She laid on the couch comfortably and closed her eyes, tears eloped from the corner of her eyes and as the cold soft pair of wind touched her body she wrapped her hand around her body, hugged herself tightly and slept without having any communication with the inner part of hers who still loves him deeply..

***

Fresh start after the dawn breaks. Warm sun rays covered the whole Mumbai city like a blanket.

(How many of you dislike her for her rude poisoning attitude? Get ready to see the other side of hers.)

Nandini's pov:

I was peacefully sleeping when suddenly I felt uneasy, it feels like some heavy weights is been placed on my body. I sacrificed my sleep and reluctantly opened my eyes as soon as I opened them, my eyes witnessed the most serene peaceful scenery, Manik! He is sleeping next to me, holding me actually caging me in his warm tight embrace, it feels like he must be thinking that if he'll loose even a bit grip on me then I'll run away. A smile touched my lips as I saw the innocent smile crept on his lips, his warm breathe mingling with mine causing my hair stand at first place.

I can't deny the fact that my heart still skip a beat whenever he look straight in my eyes, when am this close to him I feel like shutting down myself and submit to him. But Everytime I take one step towards him, my heart filled with pain, agonizing pain which might never going to leave me.

Manik : "Khawab!"..he murmured underneath his breath but I heard him,I can even hear his heartbeat with this much closeness. My eyes welled up as I heard the name from him after such a long time that I don't even remember when was the last time I heard him calling me "Khawab"...

I placed my hand on his cheek and he wrapped his arms around me more tightly, for a second I felt suffocated in tight embrace but in the next I was more than comfortable.

Nandini : "Manik!"..I murmured softly and a smile touched his lips, he is really a child when he smiles.

There was a time in my life, when I used to visualize how good it'll be to wake next to him and he'll hold me in his arms, we'll share a sweet morning talking almost in half sleep but everything got ruined on 7th December 2016.

As I drifted to the memory lane, I suddenly noticed Manik stirring in his sleep, he look extremely nervous and scared. The frowns on his forehead made me intrigued, what he is dreaming? I wish I could get into his head and get a clear picture.

Nandini : "Manik! Wake up!. ".I tried to get him out of the dream but nothing could help.

Manik : "Nandini don't leave me.."..I clearly heard his words, my eyes moist as I noticed only helplessness in his voice and on his face.

But do you even care Manik? Whether I'll leave or stay? Why you care? You are one mysterious personality to me, Everytime I think I know you a bit, everyone you prove me wrong.

Nandini : "Am not going anywhere,  am right here. With you!"..I don't know why but I consoled him, I don't know why but I still cares for him, still my heart cries when I witness him in pain.

I still care, I still feel something for him and it sucks! Badly. My life with him is intricate, unexpected and undoubtedly one hell in which I can survive without worrying about to be doomed in the end.

He opened his eyes lazily and smiled, there is something in his eyes which to be honest I don't want to analyze or perhaps I do. His eyes holds some unsaid emotions, some feelings which we both never said aloud but we do feel it inside us.

Manik : "Good morning sunshine..".he whispered in his morning tone, and his this tone make me weak in knees.

Suddenly I realized something which I had not noticed all this while. I noticed my surroundings, am in his room , in his bed. But wait! Didn't I slept outside on the couch? Yes! I did. I was sleeping outside but the question is how I came in? Actually the real question is who brought me in?

But then that smirk on his face gave all the answers. He is looking at me with mischievous glint and all I want right now is to smash it off.

Nandini : "You brought me in. Didn't you?"..I asked angrily while he is looking at me with mischief in them.

Manik : "Who else? If someone place one hand on you I'll rip his hand off his body."..there is only possessiveness in his tone, as if he owes me and somewhere I like the sound of it.

Nandini : "You think am your private property? No! Mr. M am not. I don't belongs to you.."..as I snapped rudely to him I feel pain in his eyes and somewhere it hurt me. There was a time in my life when I believed that I belongs to him and only him.

Manik : "Morning rudeness not a good way to start such soothing day."..he muttered in his soft tone and kissed my forehead.

Manik : "Good morning Mrs. Nandini Manik Malhotra."..he whispered in my ears and bit my earlope at the same time. My whole body shuddered under him and that smirk on his face clearly indicates that he knows how much his closeness affects me.

Nandini : "Morning with you can be anything but good."..I snorted and pushed him, before he could grab me I stepped out of the bed and ran straight to the restroom. I heard him laughing outside, don't know why but I feel some changes in him this morning. I felt like he has started opening up with me, unlike other days he isn't trying to control me and for some reason I like this change in him.

But not to forget, me and him and this relationship of ours is nothing but toxic. Sometimes am scared of my own demons, my own angels and my own heart who either get heighten around him it feel the weakest.

I closed the door tight and sat down on the floor while some tears eloped from my eyes , there is only one thing left in my heart.

Nandini : "I still love him.".. realization hit on me and I feel weaker than ever.

****

I know am 2 days late this time, but I was at my home this weekend thus wasn't able to make up.

I had decided something more for this chapter but because of lack of time I wasn't able to.

Next chapter is going to be a turning point of the story and you'll also get to know how Nandini get into Manik's life.

Take care all of you. Am seriously hell busy at work these days. Thus perhaps won't be able to update on time but still will try.

And also ignore the errors as I have no time for proof reading.

Loads of love.
Your storyteller ❤😘