I'm back!
Sorry for the delay.

Before going into the story, I'd like to say 'Thank you a lot'🙏 to all of u... Thank u, Thank u so much for the love and interest u show for my book... 😍 I'm so happy with ur votes n comments...🥰 I'm so glad! And I'll try my best to improve my writing n stand to ur expectations!!

Happy reading!
*****

Nandini's POV

Maintaining those piercing deadly angry glares all the while, Manik walked down the stairs to stop just in front of me. His face is not holding the same arrogant look but a dangerous destroying look. His eyes are also giving tough competition to fire; I would've burned under it if I myself had not made of one.

Now, what's wrong with him?

"Where were you?" his voice is enough to say that he's having a hard time controlling his rushing anger.

"Some important work" I replied wanting to get away from here, directly to my room so that I can get some peace of mind.

He closed shut his eyes briefly before those dilated red eyes stare back into my tensed eyes. "Which IMPORTANT WORK?" he deliberately stretches the last two words in a demanding tone.

Now, even I'm getting frustrated and remembering where I just came from creates more havoc inside me. How that place snatches away every bit of my happiness in just a minute of time! How I could just stare helplessly when the two most important part of my life are counting their last breath, just in front of my eyes.

I closed my eyes to erase the live flashes screening in my mind like I'm watching them right here, right now. Taking a deep breath in, I opened my eyes only to see him waiting for my answer with full attitude.

"None of ur business" I muttered and turned to walk past him. But a sudden tug on my wrist forced me to dash into something hard out of blue; his chest. He's grabbing my wrist in a tight grip behind my back so that my front press with his well-built chest. His pointed eyes looking intensely into mine while his hot raged breath fanning on my forehead.

"Whom are you with?" he reformed his question in a slow dangerous voice still holding me at the position. I wriggled to come out of his hold but man: he's strong!

"The more you resist, the more I'll force" he whispered leaning down just near my ears and tightening his grip.

What's with him? Why does he have to poke his nose into everything? And what with 'resist n force'?

He is messing with me at the wrong time. Now it's enough!

"I don't feel the necessity to tell you everything. Leave me!" I yell ordered at his face. His eyes turned dark in red shades... As if I'm scared of his red eyes!

He jerked my hand with a force that I stumbled back two inches before eyeing him back dangerously for his stunt.

"Just because I'm letting you stay in my mansion, talking to you normally, listening to your nonsense; you've forgotten who am I and what can I do?" All narrowed their eyebrows not understanding what is he indicating.

"I should have finished you right when you got to know about us; just like no one's alive after knowing who are we. I did a huge mistake of listening to your sweet talks and letting you n your so-called friends with us. I've given you the freedom you demanded, instead just asked to keep ur mouth shut, That you couldn't do. How cheap can you stand that you can't even keep ur words!" He shouted without even thinking of what he is saying.

"What are you saying, Manik?" Cabir intervened while I just couldn't estimate how worse today will get for me.

"Ask her! Where she was when all her friends return back? Who she was with?" Manik shouted glancing Cabir and all others who're standing silently n confused. "And what is she plotting against us, staying close to us?" He added but this time looking into my eyes, directly asking me.

"What the hell are you rambling? What did I plot?" I yelled back fully frustrated.

And instead of replying, he started clapping like a mad man and walked around me in a circle before halting in front of me. "Still pretending! You should get Oscar for ur acting, you know?" He mocked bobbing his face closer to me.

And trust me when I say; I just want to slap hard on his face.

"What you mean? Say it clearly!" Navya voiced and I looked briefly at my friends who're standing all worried n confused.

"This is what I mean!" He shoved his hands into his pant pocket to take out his phone n showed everyone a picture, which I couldn't take a glance properly as he moved his phone to show everyone before turning his face to me.

"Now what more will you say?... You're bloody informing about us and our Mafia business to DGP. How dare you backstab us and leak our information to the police?" He threw his phone in anger only to break it into powder beside me. I did flinch with the intensity but didn't break the eye war we're having.

He thinks so! He concluded this! And...

"You're spying on me?" I voiced with a little disbelief tone. I mean, after all that happened in this past 2months; how we revealed our secrets to them and theirs to us, how we together rescued Roshni and had a great time in Korea. He still can conclude like this and keep his men behind me. Damn this man!

"Don't dare change the topic, you bloody--" he hissed but I cut him off.

"Enough!" there was a pin drop silence for 2 seconds with only our rasping breaths that I could hear.

"Firstly, you're sending ur men behind me to monitor my every step and inform you, means I've no privacy. And even after knowing who we are, you've ur men behind me, means it's directly interfering in our work, which.we.could.NOT.tolerate!" I made it slow. loud. & clear.

"We never interfered in your dark business, which means we want u to do so. But you failed!" I added abut he opened his mouth to protest.

"I'm NOT finished yet!" I spoke shutting him before he could start. And I hear a gasp from Alya; shutting the Mafia King right on his face, and that too when he's enraged; Inviting Death. But I'm not scared!

"If you've lost ur memory, then let me remind you, Mr. MK. that if we have a dark secret of yours then you too hold one, which definitely we won't want the police to even smell. And moreover, you're not in a position to question here, especially to me after 'I' did you a free favor by getting Roshni n her baby back safely or you're not even a bit close to her, let alone, getting her back this soon." I hissed.

"Nandu?" I heard gasps from Navya, Abhi, and especially Mukti listening to my choice of words because this is not me. Indeed it's my frustrated mind!

"And yes! What did you just say: 'Backstab', 'cheap that I can't even keep my own words'?
Then let me be very clear to you, Mr. Malhotra... Nandini Murty when gives her words to keep her mouth shut, then even alcohol couldn't take the secret out of her! Remember that!" I pointed my index finger and spoke stepping closer to his face and locking my eyes into his.

"One more thing, I never backstab. Even when I'm in disguise for a mission, I never place blind promises which I could never fulfill and never get emotionally attached." I spoke before backing away and taking my phone out.

"Hello Uncle" I put a straight face before Satya Uncle see my face on the video call.

"Nandu! Are you... Okay?" he asked studying my face and I know what he meant. But this is not why I called him.

"Uncle, I've called you to introduce someone to you. You're on speaker." I informed before turning the screen towards all to see him.

"Uncle, He's Manik Malhotra, who is generous enough to keep us in his mansion" I taunted and Manik's face changed after seeing the person on call, DGP of police, with whom I was captured in the photo.

"And he's Dhruv and Alya, their friends, and finally the one I want you to meet, Cabir Dhawan, your future son-in-law, only if all goes well." My words hit them hard and Manik n Cabir's expression flicked drastically.

"And guys, He's my uncle, DGP Satya Naveli." hearing 'Naveli' word they all got the confirmation of what I'm trying to say n what just happened. But this is shocking to them that we, Devils are related to a Police officer.

"The rest things, your daughter will explain. Navya!" I forwarded my phone towards her telling her with eyes that she needs to explain to both; Uncle & the Mafia clans.

As soon as she took the phone, I just dashed out before anyone could stop me. I came here to get to my room and have some peaceful thinking but now, this place didn't provide me any peace rather enrage me more.

I made my way to the place which gives me peace with its nature's view; trees around, the cool breeze flowing, stary night sky on the top, and waterfall sound below: the hilltop on the outskirt of the busy city of Mumbai.

Spending all night sitting on the grass leaning back onto the car, staring at the stars up high on the sky and recalling the sweet-bitter memories of my childhood I've left with...

"Papa, I want to learn driving your bike!" A cute 8 yrs old with two ponytails pouted at her father when he approaches his bike to take her for a ride.

"Ohh! Nandu wants to drive my bike. Can you handle it's weight and do you reach the height?" He asked her picking her up and placing her on his front as he sat to drive.

"How does weight n height matter, Papa? When I want to do something, I can do it. And I will." her words held the determination that you'd rarely find in any 8yrs old fragile girl.

"You're right, Doll. But there is always a perfect time for everything. You should never hurry for something until it's perfect time." Her father never fails to fill her with morals n life values at every moment. That's why she loves her Father so dearly, more than anyone. He's her superhero and superstar then, now and forever.

"I still remember each n every values n life-skills you taught me, Papa. And I'm patiently waiting for the right time for the last 17yrs with this fire in my heart. I'm back here in this city which snatches away everything from me, only to snatch away every damn thing from him. I just need the lead." I mind-talked with my father staring at the brightest shining star on the sky.

"Is Maa with you, Papa?" I questioned looking at the tiny twinking one right beside the brightest one.

I'm still unsure, uncertain, and messed-up with the thought of possibilities of that survived woman to me my birth giver, my blood, my mother, my Maa!

I don't know if this turns out to be true, how am I going to react to all this. I just don't know. I'm tired. I'm leaving it for tomorrow, Let's see what it holds for me.

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

When the first ray of sunlight strikes on my face, I forced open my tired eyes thinking; it's time!

I've not slept the whole night; How could I? I'm just resting my head n closing my eyes but sleep is far away from my eyes.

Standing on my feet, I took a glance at the beauty of rising sun from the hollow of the mountain between the dense trees, orange-yellow rays lighting the dark sky, and wiping the darkness.

"I hope today will be a fruitful day!" I whispered to myself before settling in the car to drive towards Uncle's house where 'she' would be coming or would have arrived already.

As the distance reduces, my heart pounding against my ribs, blood rushing at unusual speed...  I couldn't help but wonder all those questions haunting me from the time I got to know 'she' is coming. And the most haunting one is 'Could she be my Maa?'

I know if she turned out to be my mom, I'll be happy but with other feelings of sad, angry, guilty, anxious too... And if she didn't turn out to be my mom, I'll be sad, but still with all other feelings. This is so much mess...

Finally, I reached.

Picking my disheveled mess, I walked in consoling my heart:

Let's hope for the best!

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.

.

.

.

...4hrs later...

I came out of the house forcing my legs to walk towards the lawn so that I could at least breathe...

It's so suffocating!

As I reached the lawn, soft grasses brushing my legs, rows of flowers planted aside... but my mind is too occupied to notice all these. It has traveled down the memory lane to that dreadful night, which took away everyone precious to me... but gave me one, who's dear to my life; Mukti!

Running away to save my dear life and that of my Lil brother after I couldn't save my parents... I got spotted by one of those goons in the process who ran behind me shouting n yelling, gathering a few of his partners.

To hide from them till they get out of sight, I got into one of those big precast cement pipes lying on the roadside and sat there hugging my knees, silently crying and shivering...

Not much time later, I heard a sniffing sound coming from very nearby. Someone's crying, louder than me!

Guessing it coming from my adjacent pipe, I peeped out to see no one around and hurriedly got into the adjacent pipe scaring the little girl hiding in it.

She has her hairs falling out of her hairband as if someone has pulled it out, her lips bleeding from a corner, her face looks ugly with vigorously running nose n eyes, her lips quivering and she's overall shivering worse than me... She flinches back with my sudden entry and looked with those fearful wet eyes over her wounded knees that she's been pressing dearly to her chest. About her dress, it is torn from many sides... she looked as if abused!

"N...o... oo... m.om... N..o.. umm..." her voice came in such a low frequency that it hardly could be heard. But her expression n body language explains; she's afraid n scared of something, very badly.

When I forwarded a consoling hand towards her, she again squeezed back in fear. "Don't be afraid. I'm your friend. Nandu! I'm too hiding like you." don't know how, but these thoughtful words came out of my mouth even when I'm so disheartened myself.

After lots of sweet consoling words, she started to trust me enough to let me pat her hair, wipe her tears, and ease her.

But when asked "What's your name? How did you get here? Whom are you with? What are you afraid of?" She's not ready to open her mouth. Instead, she began to cry out aloud, making me tense that we'd get caught and I've to warn her "Don't make noise... Bad men will catch us"

After like 30 minutes, when I found no one around and this could be the right time for me to run away, get my little bro and run to Amms... I looked aside at this fragile scared girl of about my age or less. Can I leave her alone?

"I've to go" I whispered and for the first time, she grips my arms tightly as if not letting me go and shook her head left to right, clearly saying "Don't go!" But I have to go to my brother. he's alone.

"I have to run. They're searching for me... They'll kill me if they catch me." I spoke trying to shove her tight grip from me, but she didn't leave me rather held me tighter.

"M.o.m... Super.hero... Save... Mukti... Mom... Save...Superhero... Save... Mom... Mukti..." she spoke her broken words and hearing her voice for the first time... I felt; I've to save her!

"You too come with me!" I declared and pulled her out while she's still hesitating and shaking her head ranting the same mantra "Superhero... Save... Mom... Mukti..."

As I'm running pulling her with me, a shout from my back came "Here they're running away" and I knew they saw as. We need to run faster if we want to be alive.

"Run faster if you want to live" I hissed at her who's pulling me back and I don't want us to get caught due to this. She took a glance at back to see a man coming running towards us with double our speed and this time she cooperated... and we ran together.

Call it our luck or something... we managed to run safely till my house, get in, picked up some jewelry n money I could reach of, water and two-three clothes with biscuits n whatever snacks I found shoving all in a bag, putting it on my shoulder, then picking up my newborn tiny brother who's sleeping sound unaware of the storm passing by... and then pulling a lifeless walking and crying girl with me to the railway station and board in a train that would take us away from this city.

Not being able to find out her name, she's called Mukti, the name she's ranting all the while along with two others: Mom and Superhero!

Coming out of the flashback of that night... I looked at the phone on my hand; Uncle's phone as I'm not having mine with me. Taking a deep breath, I dialed my number and the ring goes on...

"Hello!" Navya picked up my phone.

"Navya" I muttered.

"Nandini? Where were you all night? Do you know how worried we are? You don't even take ur mobile with u. And how come you're calling from Dad's phone? Are you with him?" She bombarded her questions. I know everyone would be worrying about me, especially Mukti?

"I'm good and at Uncle's new house here. I want you to come here right now. And... Bring Mukti with you too." I sound tensed.

"Okay! Is everything alright?" she sensed it.

"Yes! You just come here soon and don't forget Mukti!" I ended the call and looked up at the clear sky sighing deeply.

When initially we formed 'The Devils' and started our training, we've searched through the missing person complaints filed so as to see if anyone from Mukti's family is looking for her, but we didn't find one. No one is looking for her, does she not have a family, but then she's calling for her Mom and Superhero (who could be her dad). Where are they and why haven't they filed a complaint to search for her? No idea!

And then we stopped searching. Reasons: Mukti doesn't remember anything anyway, and we're too much attached to give her away. Call me selfish if you want!

"You took away my Papa from me... Even my Maa... Are you trying to take Mukti too?" I asked looking up at the sky seeking the answers from Ayyiappa.

I let out a sad breath waiting for the tsunami to come and wash away my leftover happiness.

*****

That's it for now.
Am I able to present you with the feel I require? Do you get this chapter?

So, it was pictures of Nanz with DGP that got Manik furious about. Does anyone has guessed it? Be honest!

How do you feel about how Nandu met Mukti? Nandu is really a strong girl to cope up with everything even in the most challenging and difficult situations, Isn't it?

What do you think it means by 'taking Mukti away too'? Which tsunami is awaiting? Any guess?

That lady; it's suspense for this chapter, but some of my smart readers must have already got it? Haven't you? *wink*

Okay,

Did you noticed this book's cover; I've designed this. How is it? Does it suit?

A/N:

As many of you have known that currently, 4 of my books are ongoing at a time:
👉Manan: "INTERESTING MUCH" (IM)
👉Manan: Master Devil Do 'Not' Kiss Me (MDDNKM)
👉Manan: Marvellous turns in my Typical life (MTMTL)
👉Manan: Arranged Love Marriage - Exchanged Bride! (ALM-EB)

As I've already mentioned in my message board;
Due to my tight schedule of online classes, mock-tests, and also self-studies for preparing for NEET 2020, I've decided to update on a WEEKLY basis. i.e: 2 books in a week, each book 1 chapter.

And to decide Which 2 books out of the above 4, I'll go with public demand i.e. votes and comments on the chapters. The one which reaches the targeted vote faster would get the chance of an update first in the upcoming week.

And I'll try replying to notifications in between my class-breaks. So, do write to me, keep reading, be in touch, and please wait for the updates patiently.

                       Target votes- 160.

Lastly, All the best to my friends who're also preparing for the NEET 2020 👍👍.

Love u!

Bye-Bye!