Nandini's POV

We r now waiting outside the operation theater. none spoke any words even though I know they have many things to ask. But, all I want now is Adi out of danger.

The doctor said before that Navya giving his CPR n First Aid treatment helped him to keep his heart beating otherwise he could have not lasted for 30minutes journey to the hospital... But he has lost much of his blood n is critical needing operation...

I' looking down at my lap with teary red eyes n wounded arm still untreated...

"Does anyone of u have B -ve blood group?" a nurse came out of the OT asked us making us stand...

"What's wrong? Is he fine?" I asked.

"Doctor is operating on him... but his blood loss is too much n we don't have any blood left of his group... u have to arrange it as soon as possible... he needs it." she informed with the urgency for the blood clearly felt from her tone.

"Mine is B -ve... I'll donate him blood." Mukti said n they both head into a room...

Mukti has the same blood group... it completely slipped from my mind... My mind is not working. I sat down grabbing my hairs from both my palms tightly.

It's all my fault... my mistake... all becoz of me...

I felt a hand on my shoulder n I instantly stood up taking him into a hug while n patted my back...

"It' my fault, Abhi... ... for the first time, I caused an innocent life hanging between life n death... it's all becoz of me..." I mumbled in a broken tone while n tried to console me...

"No, Nandu... it' not ur fault... u r not wrong"

"No... no... if I had not asked him for the painting, he would not have followed me to give it, goons would not have captured him... nor stabbed him... in front of me... my eyes... but still I could not stop him... I could not stop him... I failed... I caused someone's death... I killed an innocent... I became a mudere... ...." I was ranting continuously breaking the hug only to stop after cold liquid ran from above my head...

I saw navya emptying a glass of chilled water on my head.

"Cool down, nandu... u save him... u got him to the hospital..." Navya said trying to put some sense to my brain which I have lost it...

I closed my eyes but could not able to control the battle going on in my mind... I took out the painting which he had in his hands before entering OT...

Such a free spirit... Happy, talented n smart... Innocent, faultless child is not in this state...

The OT red light turned off n door opened showing doctors walking out in blue operation gowns... I ran to him...

"How is he doctor?" I asked as ky heartbeats increased seeing his face.

"He is stable till now... we have treated his wound n his heartbeats r coming to normal. ... but..."

"But what, doctor?" Navya asked as I could not open my mouth anymore...

"But the stab affected a large portion of his liver... so he needs a liver transplant within 48 hours" He dropped the bomb, making me numb...

"Don't worry... I'll go search for a suitable liver donor. ... Take care." Abhi said walking out after assuring me n nodding Navya. ...

I know he can find something, after all, he is an expert in technology n would search every hospital database to get one... no need to call one by one asking for one.

... but my heart is so restless... conflicted ....  n I could not calm it... everything is just killing me... I don't know how to react... what to do, what not to?

I stepped back... n turned to run away without hearing Navya calling my name...

I know she is worried for me... I never hurt any innocent common people, I always saved them... n here I could not save someone I know n loved... She knew what I felt... How I am handling myself when my past is flashing in front of me... Screaming n showing the mirror of my life... my real self...

.... I ran to the car n sat at the driver seat. but before I could start, the passenger seat door opened n Maink stepped in.

"I wanna be alone"       I stated as I want some peace for myself n am not in any state to answer to any of his interrogations.

"I won't bother u"        He said putting his seatbelt. I signed as I know it's no use to argue with him when I've no energy for it...

I just drove like for one hour halting at a hilltop... The whole journey he didn't utter a word but I could feel his graze on me from time to time.

I came out of the car n walked to the edge of the hilltop... It was away from the city n around the forested area... Trees, bushes... dark sky with stary sky can be seen from here, which is one of the few places to view stars in the Mumbai sky... Even the sunrise is beautiful here with the sound of water falling as there is a small waterfall under it...   I had discovered it a few months before n used to visit her to get some peace of mind n heart...

"AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"           my shout also added to other natural sounds in that peaceful place. I stopped after I shouted my heart out n lungs out too...

After controlling my breaths I noticed Manik standing beside me all the while... I turned to face him n saw him looking up at the sky.

I could not understand why didn't he ask me anything? Why is he still silent?... I just stared at him blankly as I could not find a suitable explanation for his silence.

"Why r u so much affected by him?" he finally broke the silence turning to me.

"Who?"

"That kid" he said looking deep in my eyes.

"Not only him... this whole situation is scraping my wounds which still hurts" I answered honestly... My past still hurts... that time also when I saw them getting killed I could not save them... even now I was unable to save Adi from the stab. ... I'm still the same, restless n helpless...

"Does it hurt more?" he asked softly scanning his brown hazel eyes over my teary doe one...

His eyes r so deep that it holds more of the emotions even worded n I could not just take my eyes off his... His mere presence, his words... his eyes... all r spreading its comforting arm to engulf me in it n I could not help it...

For the first time... a huge drop of saline drop escape from my teary eyes which had been threatening me from a long back...

He raised his palm to weep away the tear before it reaches my chin... his hand lingered over my cheeks giving an unknown comfort... I was so drowned in his eyes to close my eyes feeling this newly found sensational comfort.

Then... I don't know when I slid my hands around his back, hugging him tight as my life depends on it... n he too wrapped me in his arms close to him after sudden stiffening.

That moment... only one thing strike my mind...

   'This is PEACE'

Manik's POV

I closed my eyes pulling her close in a tight hug... This seems so relaxing that I want time to stop...

I stayed like that while my mind has many questions yet to be answered but her pathetic self n this situation made me wait...

Everything seems so unreal... Nanz's punch, her fighting with goons so skillfully, starting the car with a pin n driving it so fast, whatever happened in this small-time... And even she didn't complain about the cut she got in her hand... CUT...

I abruptly broke the hug to which she became startled first n awkward afterward. I took her left arm in my hands n she looked at me confusedly.

I warped my handkerchief in her wound which has stopped bleeding but blood is still on her hand... I felt like doing some magic n vanishing the wound away.

"Let's go back." I broke the silence making her look into me...

"I want to stay here till sunrise." she said n walked into the car seat without waiting for my reply. So, I too took my seat n saw her put on the music system playing 'Manchala song'...

She rests her head closing her eyes... wrapping her arms around her body...

She must be feeling cold in this short crop top...

I took out my jacket n put it over her, covering her front body. She didn't open her eyes n drifted into sleep...

She must be tired...

The darkness surrounds me as I was staring at her sleeping figure...

.... .... ...

I could feel hot breath on my neck side n hair strand brushing my face, a feminine scent close to me... With my eyes close; It must be a dream!

Slowly I opened my eyes, only to see Nandini's face just a bit away from me... she is leaning over me with her hand to my side, face a centimeter away, lips too close... n eyes... She looked into my eyes...

Am I dreaming? ... Again?

"Umm... woh.. " she said awkwardly moving back to her seat... Means I'm not dreaming... it is real... She was really that close to me.

but what was she doing like that?

"Actually, u r sleeping toh... I was trying to put on ur seatbelt. We need to rush to the hospital as they got the liver n was going for the surgery." she said while starting to drive back.

I saw her wearing my jacket properly... I was a bit oversized for her... But she looks cute.

'What am I thinking?' I thought n turned outside to see running trees n roads, the sun rising from the horizon n beautiful blue sky...

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

They reached the hospital n surgery went successful... Adi got transferred to City hospital for proper care n observation. They inform Tai about him n told her not to worry... And finally, they reached Mansion...

Dhruv, Alya n Sid welcomed them. They knew everything as told by Cabir n messaged by Manik.

Nandini's POV

I get that this is high time to answer their unasked question... Their faces r clearly questioning n may have formed as much as assumption as possible... But, this is the time.

I walked to the dining table n grabbed all the apples n throw one to Mukti, Navya, Abhi, Manik n Cabir n I for me.

I'm damn hungry...

"So, first of all, Thanks a lot for accompanying us up till now without any words even though u r full of questions." I started while churning my apple.

"As far as I guess, u must have run a biodata n background check over me & my friends, Am I right or am I right?" I asked them while the 5 clans give us looks.

"Ok... I guess u didn't find anything, Right?" they still didn't answer but just stare at me as if I am I ghost.

"I'll take ur silence as yes then." I said shrugging my shoulder eating apple.

"Who r u?" the question came from Sid who is dangerously looking at me.

"What do u think, .... Mafia Boss" I asked him in attitude making them hell shocked.

I got to know that Sid is the Mafia Boss of India, the most powerful Mafia here... but there is still someone above him whom none knows, as per the rumors.

"How do u know that?... Who the hell r u?" Manik angrily asked. I eyed Abhi who was already looking at me & nodded.

Flashback to Today's early morning

My phone rang while I was up watching the beautiful sunrise from the horizon n Manik was sleeping deeply, inside the car.

"Yes Abhi" I pick up the call.

"Nandu, I've arranged Liver for Adi n they r going for surgery in an hour."

"That's great news. thank god"

"Yes... but what will u answer to them?"

"What shall we do?"

"I got to know something!"

"What?"

"Siddhart is Mafia boss... "

"That means they..."

"Right!... They all r connection to India's most powerful Mafia... Only Sid works directly in Mafia business while others r hiding their identity. .... And I got to know that this kidnap was done by some other Mafia rival as they got to know that Sid is visiting the Mansion again n again so, they thought of abducting us as his family n got their work done."

"Oh... So, this is it."

"And... that man u described... I found his match in our video clips."

"Really?"

"Yes... Only his face matched.... but his clothing n dress is different. ... BTW Who is he?"

"U'll get to know soon. .. thanks... n I'll be there soon... bye."

END

"Calm Down... first answer me, Did u got to now who kidnapped us?" I asked.

"First answer our question" Dhruv said.

"One of ur Mafia rival is behind this becoz he thinks... all of us as Mafia boss's family & could get his work done by capturing us, Right?" I answered my question.

"How do u get to know all these?" Alya asked with unbelievable expression. I smiled n ignored her question.

"Sid... I think I can help u in searching for Roshni." I said turning to Sid n these words r like dropping a bomb on them. Even my friends r confused as I had not got a chance to tell them clearly.

"What do u mean?... n Who The Hell r U?" Sid shouted in anger. ... I can get his pain hearing those words in this situation. But this is important before we reveal our identity to them.

"Can we go to some secret place, I think someone is watching over us n it is too much of secret to reveal." I asked them calmly even if the air is heated.

"Let's go" Cabir said after their eye talk,  leading us to the study room n opened a secret door behind the self. We head in.

"Now Split." Manik shouted dangerously. I looked at my friends as they don't know that I'm going to reveal our identity to them. But this required for some or many reasons...

"We r DEVILS" I said after a sigh... and there prevailed a silence.

"Devils... as in... India's DEVILS; Terror for the criminals n Angle for the countryfolk." Dhruv broke the silence n I nodded in yes.

"The Devils whom all police are searching mercilessly but they could not even find a single trace. The common people who r asked were always chanting prayers of the one who saved them n worship them... U r 'Them' " Alay added with utmost shock.

"I never knew even Mafias think so highly of us" I said with a smile playing in my lips.

"What's the proof that u r not lying?" Cabir asked. And I somewhat guessed this.

"We'll get a lot of chances in the future to prove this. ... But for now, Dare u spoke a word against us outside. " I threatened them with a serious look in my face.

"We know ur truth... u know ours. So let's keep this to ourselves... We won't utter a word about u... n When we say so, we do so. ... But If u betray us n play against us then don't underestimate us, we have already made our arrangements." I added with a serious dangerous face looking into their eyes.

"We don't have any alternative motive with us. since u help us a lot, we'll not betray u... as long as u r not wrong. ... I hope u can belive us." I said changing my face to casual.

"Your words r too good to believe." Manik said n I somewhat would have done the same if I were in his place.

"Okay! Take ur time..." I said.

"What r u saying about Roshni?" Sid asked me, reminding me.

"Oh ya!... The bodyguard u told is missing... I have seen him." I said as I felt like I have seen him the time I saw his pic... but I was not sure myself so I asked Abhi to check all the videos we shoot while we r in missions and he found out.

"What?... Where?" he asked instantly jumping from his seat.

" I.... ...

SO, liked it?

Any words for Nandini, the Devil?

Some words for 5 clans?