I was not crying like crying but I failed to understand why the tears wouldn't stop. Was I so affected of him?? But how on earth is it possible it was not even 24 hours that I had met in again and I felt so let down. Was is just because of the kiss or had I really started feeling for him?? But why?? He had every quality that was apt for me to hate him then why was I crying for that jerk. I should have been happy and smiling to have got back at him royally, I knew somewhere I was happy that I could generate some sort of a reaction in him which showed even I affected him as well. He was capable of up surging a range of emotions in me. My tiny head was throbbing hard due to this mental mess. I shoved my face in between the pillows and slept off.

I woke up with my phone ringing. I checked there were 3 missed calls from Mom, I had been sleeping pretty tight to have missed them. I got out of the slumber and called them back.

"I am sorry Mom I was sleeping"

"Aaiyyo Nandu we got so scared kanna...why didn't you take Appa's call in the morning?? Is everything okay there??"

"Yes Mom I am fine don't worry...I was a bit tired so...I was anyways going to call you"

"Are you enjoying there?? so what are the plans for the evening?? "

"Yeah we are supposed to be visiting the nearby markets", I said in a disinterested tone when I heard a knock on my door, "Mom I think someone is at the door I will talk to you later okay"

I hung up and got the door it was Navya. She looked all decked up as if it was her birthday.

"Nandini you haven't got ready yet?? Come we have to go for shopping ..I heard the local markets especially the ones near the beach are fab..we will get lots to pick"

"Amm Navya I don't think I want to come...I am having a terrible headache you guys carry on na", I tried to avoid rubbing my temple. I seriously didn't want to face the jerk after the afternoon crying session. I couldn't torture myself anymore.

"What are you saying Nandini??", she opened her mouth in such a big O as if I had announced tsunami was going to hit our hotel, "Nandini no please...you can't ditch at the last moment...how can you forget Dhruv's invitation"

"Just say sorry to him on my behalf"

"Nandu please don't do this to me...Mom would not let me roam with them alone...please come na I will get medicines for you don't worry please come na...it would be so much fun and you never know you might feel better"

Although I didn't feel like going but Navya's constant nagging was hard to avoid. Besides I thought why was I spoiling my holiday because of him? I can well go out with these like minded people and have fun and more so if I didn't show up Manik might get ideas that I got scared of his threat and I could not let him have an upper hand on me .

***

It was almost 6 when we reached the beach, the dusk had just fallen mingling with the seawater and it was an amazing view in front of us. Goa's beach life was a different life altogether, it was a perfect blend of being hip and happening and serenity. Navya had obviously vanished after Harshad trying to get a moment with him. Honestly I didn't like that guy much; he looked too much into himself types but Navya liked him and I had nothing to do about it. Rest of the tour members were on their own or should I say I had excused myself from them. Dhruv had tried to talk to me but I remained low may be because Manik wasn't around to see us. Although he came with us but then vanished somewhere.

He didn't even smile at me when we met in the evening; he was too busy talking to Mukti and her husband and another random guy. His behavior was getting on my nerves. I seriously didn't know why I was thinking so much about him. I had taken my place on the beach and just looked at the sea, it was a perfect view that could calm the raging tornado in me. I was too lost in my thoughts when I felt a dab on my shoulder I looked up to find Dhurv.

"Hi...Why are you sitting alone?"

"No nothing like that...I am liking it here"

"You seem to be quite like me...I love the see the sea alone just like this for hours together", he paused for me to say something but I didn't so he filled in, "We friends make it a point that we come to Goa every year..it's a refreshing change"

I just smiled playing with the pebbles and sand but said nothing to add to the conversation. Well I was rude may be but I couldn't help it I was just not in the mood. It was at the very moment when my eyes fell on a shack at a little distance from us, I found Manik the monster glowering at us. The distance was quite a lot yet I couldn't miss the intensity in his eyes. He looked at me as if he will eat me up alive; I shuddered at his posture which was raring to go.

"Hey you have such beautiful fingers...no wonder they looked so amazing on my guitar", Dhruv took my hand into his and trace along my fingers.

I didn't look back at him because I couldn't move my eyes one inch from Manik. He stood up from his place and I knew he had seen us. I don't know why my heart beat raced faster than the Formula 1 as he took long strides to reach us. I immediately retrieved my hand back to me.

"I am sorry...I didn't mean to.. ", Dhruv said apologetically as he saw me react.

"Dh...Dhruv please go...go.. from here", I stammered to alert him.

He couldn't understand the sudden change in my body language and tone. Before I could warn him any further, Manik just came from behind and grabbed his shoulder; the grasp was so powerful that some of Dhruv's nerves around that area must have ruptured. He could barely turn his neck to see who it was. Manik dug his nails further into his shoulder and gave me a look I so told you to stay away from him.

"Manik leave him", I protested loudly.

Manik immediately loosened his grip and patted on his shoulder.

"Hey Buddy sorry...didn't mean to scare you...I hope you are okay", he said in quite a joyous tone which of course surprised me.

"Yeah..m...I am fine", he moved his arm to check if it was dislocated or not.

"Actually there is a beach volley match going do you care joining us", although he was talking to Dhruv but his eyes were on me, "your other friends are also there...come on it will be fun", he said with an evil smirk at me.

"But I don't know how to play"

"Ah come on it isn't some professional tournament..just a fun game...we will teach you...come", he didn't wait for Dhruv's reply and dragged him to stand up.

I grabbed Dhruv's hand to stop him, "No...he said na he doesn't want to play"

Manik hissed like a mad bull at my insistence to stop him. Dhruv looked confused and out of place. I seriously didn't want the poor chap to get into some kind of a trouble because of me but luck had had it otherwise. Varun came running and asked Dhruv to join them. While Dhruv smiled at me and went ahead I just tried to decipher Manik's intentions, I was sure he was up to something. I followed them to the playing area.

There were a few familiar faces,. I saw Cabir, Mukti, Abhimanyu, Shahid and a few others. Manik conveniently sent Dhruv to the opposite team with Shahid, Varun and another guy.

"See the basic rule is you and your team members have to toss the ball over the net with an attempt to make your opponents miss it. Whoever fails to juggle it properly and the ball hits the ground I mean the sand loses a point to the other team...okay", clarified Cabir, "... and rest it's a fun game so let's just enjoy", he tossed the ball to Manik who stood ahead to take the lead.

I joined the crowd meaning the 15-20 people who had surrounded there to see the stupid match. Manik's eyes didn't leave me for a second nor did mine. I was well expecting him to do something outrageous. Manik gave me a full view look and took the lead and swung the ball high hit it with all the power he had in him. Dhruv stood in the front line to defend, he anticipated catching the ball but it came with such force that he couldn't judge the direction and the ball smashed with a thud straight on Dhruv's face and the next was Dhruv was flat on ground.

"Lo ye toh game shuru hone se pehle hi retired hurt ho gaya", Mukti slapped Manik's back more like in appreciation.

I froze at my place and everyone except Manik ran to him. Manik chuckled at me and slow walked to the spot, he leaned on the net to check if Dhruv was alive or not. I felt like ripping his head apart for being this devilish. By the time I could make myself to reach Dhruv, he had sat up with the help of his friends, Cabir got some water and ice for him and he breathed. Dhruv's state was pretty bad, his nose was bleeding, he could hardly stand. Manik blurted a obligatory sorry half looking at him and Shahid and Varun helped him back to hotel.

"Wow Manik what a shot!! You aimed at him right", Cabir remarked sarcastically in a low tone and Manik just gave him a whatever look and tried to walk past, "Where are you going now..lets play!!"

"No I am not in a mood you guys carry on"

"Yeah right why would you want to play now that your purpose is served", Cabir shook his head giving a half smile while Manik walked off.

I followed Manik till a secluded area came where I could charge him.

"What the hell do you think of yourself Manik?? How dare you hurt Dhruv?? I know that you did it purposely", I caught hold of his vest which was apparently his beach wear and made him face me.

"What?? You only said I could do whatever I want so I just did"

"You are disgusting, pathetic; gruesome...you are a monster", I shouted my lungs out.

"Aahhaa come on I am waiting for more names", he leaned on a bamboo shaft casually.

"You are horrible...inhuman...animal and I hate you", I tried to hit him but he caught hold of my hand and twisted them at my back and pulled me to his chest.

"No you don't...you can't hate me..you exactly need me as much as I do"

He had understood his effect on me and had every reason to tease me about it. The tears were now rolling down my cheeks, his eyes softened as he heard me sniffle and looked at me more carefully.

"Why are you doing this to me?? Why do you hurt me so much??", my voice went weak.

He freed me from his grip and paused for a bit. He tried to wipe my tears but I flinched, he was about to say something but Cabir called on him from behind. I could see it in his eyes as much he wanted to stay there with me but he couldn't stop, he turned back and walked off to where Cabir was. Navya too appeared from nowhere, she was little upset may be something happened with Harshad but I was myself too low to be asking anything to her. She noticed I had tears.

"I am sure this guy also was rude to you na...all the men are same...bloody fools"

"What happened to you suddenly??", I wiped my tears in a sweep and asked in a controlled tone.

"You were right Nandini I shouldn't have wasted my time on that moron...would you believe he made me sit at the cafe and went away...I just kept waiting like a fool..I swear I am not going to look at his face again", Navya was supremely pissed.

I somewhat forgot my own misery looking at her mood. She wasn't wrong entirely men are indeed rascals, I too have one in my life currently who didn't leave a single opportunity to hurt me.

"Navya lets just screw them and hit the stalls...shopping is the best healer"

Navya sniggered dearly at my idea and we both went to uplift our mood and off load our pockets. The beach stalls had beautiful collection of beads jewelry. Although they were not my style I picked a few to go with my sleeveless tops and long skirts. I shopped for some bangles and neck pieces for Mom and Iru too, she loved such ethnic designs. I must say shopping was a huge mood lifter, in no time both of us forget our share of miseries and shopped to our hearts content. The therapy seemed to have reverse effect on Navya.

"Nandini don't you think I am over reacting..I mean Harshad could have had something really important and maybe he didn't have the time to inform me...I think I should give him a benefit of doubt what say?? "

"Navya half an hour back you were cursing the guy for his next 7 births."

"Yeah that toh I was a little pissed at that time but now after this..I am relaxed and am willing to give him another chance...I think you too should sort out with Manik"

"I have nothing with him to sort out", I was irritated at her remark of sorting out things with that monster.

"Really!! When I came I saw you two completely into each other"

"Forget it..can we move now everyone must be waiting for us", I rejected her suggestions and decided to stop thinking about him. I had just walked a few steps when I suddenly remembered that something was missing.

"Amm Navya I think I left my bag at the shop...you go ahead I will just get it and come"

"Okay", Navya proceeded happily; she couldn't waste a single moment to be around Harshad.

I trailed back to the accessory shop that I had shopped for earrings, bangles and beaded necklaces. I inquired with the shop keeper but he denied about the bag being there. I got tensed, I was sure I had left it there but where could it vanish in a few minutes. Although there was not much stuff in it except for my handy make up items, some tissues and a little money, nothing that would make my survival impossible yet I felt sad of losing it.

I stepped out disheartened and walked past the shacks to join my team. Suddenly the bag appeared in front of my eyes dangling in air and somehow it shocked me to see it appear out of the dark.

"Don't worry I have checked your plum rose is intact...I need it more than you na", Manik whispered in a low appealing tone.

"So you were following me?"

"No I wasn't it's just that I can't keep you out of my sight...the moment I leave you alone you decide to hang out with random guys and drop stuff here and there...so I have to keep an eye on you just to check you are safe and sound"

"Really??", I crossed my arms tightly against my body in defense. I couldn't lose to his charms anymore.

I looked at him with flustered eyes and tried to snatch the bag from his hands but he dodged it every time I tried to catch it. I was in no mood to play silly games with him at that hour in the evening so just gave up and moved ahead. Manik grabbed me from behind by my tummy and pulled me in his warm embrace. I just stood in his protective grip without protesting. I was too annoyed to react.

"Gussa ho??", he said in an innocently soft tone and lightly placed the strap of the bag over my shoulders.

I dug my nails on his hand placed rightfully on my tummy to answer his question. He did not remove his hand rather pressed it harder into my flesh. He rested his chin on my shoulder and whispered into my ears.

"Look what I have got for you", he opened his closed fist in front of me to show a pair of earrings. They were beautiful in fact exotic when the neatly carved stones twinkled under the moon light.

"I don't want them", I said uninterested without trying to free myself from his grip.

I could hear him giggle lightly to see me behave this adamant. He slowly raised his hand and removed the earring that I was wearing and carefully slid the one he had got in its place and kissed my earlobe softly. I flinched again to his kiss and it immediately reminded me of his behavior earlier in the day just after we had shared that passionate soulful kiss. Immediately I reacted, I used one of my hands to remove his grip and the other one to take his earring off.

"I will never wear them", I threw the earning at him and ran out of there.

It was not even 50 meters that I had run before I tripped on a rock and twisted my ankle and thumped on the ground. I was literally crying now partly because of the pain and more because of the hurt that was choking my heart. Manik came from behind and saw me crying, it was clear he didn't have an idea how to deal with me at that particular point of time. So he just said nothing and bent down to pick me up. I protested a little but after the deadly glare he gave me, I settled in his arms like an obedient school kid and we walked ahead.