I was still a little shaken by the whole incident. I could still feel Manik's clutch on my arms and the threat in his voice was still ringing in my ears. Cabir had got me to the hotel's restaurant for dinner. Even though I was hungry I felt my appetite had dried up. I wanted to see Manik, wanted to talk him but he was upset with me and it bothered me a lot.

"Nandini you wait here I will just meet the manager and come in two minutes okay", Cabir asked me to wait on the table and I nodded.

"Hey Nandini where were you all day?", Navya's sudden appearance in front of me startled me a bit.

"Amm I was...I was..", I was a little confused whether to say the truth or not.

"And where is Manik? You both were together na?", Navya sounded so sure about the answer.

"How do you know?", I asked without meeting her eyes.

"Come on you both were invisible together since morning and you were with him last night so it is obvious but where is he now?"

I blushed as Navya asked me his whereabouts, " Amm..he is very tired so he went to sleep"

"But I just saw him outside talking to someone; I thought he must have come back to you"

"Really??", I was a little confused with the information Navya gave me. Manik had left for his room in front of us. I was still contemplating when Navya spoke again.

"Nandini.. Do you know Harshad is missing?... I mean I haven't seen him since morning... no one knows anything about him..I thought I would tell everyone about last night but then Manik had asked us not to so I didn't...I got so scared...", Navya went on blabbering but I got thinking.

Manik had said Harshad was in his room then how come he went missing. Did Manik hide something from me? But why?

I excused myself and went out from there I thought of waiting for Cabir but he was taking time besides I felt an urgent need to talk to Manik. I crossed the lobby and entered hallway. It was just 9 but the hallway was empty. As I walked further I felt something behind me like someone following me. I immediately turned back to find nothing. A strange feeling lurked around. I made my pace brisker and walked fast. Suddenly someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me to a dark corner. I was pushed against a solid background may be a wall and before I could scream my mouth was blocked.

"Manikkk", I gasped out of breath. I saw his face coming out of the dark, relief hit me to see his face but I was confused at the same time. I couldn't understand his expressions; his eyes seemed concerned yet there was something strange about it.

"Why are you alone? Why isn't Cabir with you?", he had grasped my hands so tight that it seemed the blood supply was cut off. I felt a rooting pain on my wrist due to his hold.

"Manik I am fine now...I was a little shaken but it's okay...I don't need someone to guard me all the time", I freed my hands from his and massaged them to ease the pain, "Where were you? You went to your room na then how come you are here? Were you following me? And Navya said...", my voice was cut with his finger on my lips.

"Shhh!!!...can you keep quiet for some time", he restricted me to talk in a low warning tone.

"No I can't there is something I need to ask you...about Ha.."

"Later", he cut my words, my voice and my senses as he took my lips into his.

It was sudden almost without a warning. I didn't even have the time to adjust my head and posture before his lips engulfed mine, there was a sort of urgency in his moves but not without passion. He freed my hands from his and pressed me against the wall behind, we were lost in the darkness. One of his hands held the back of my head and the other made sure that I wasn't an inch away from his body. He sucked me hard that I could even let out moans of pleasure, he was almost getting ruthless. I flapped my hands on his chest to let me breath and he finally left my mouth to draw oxygen. I was panting badly but I had not left his collars. I wanted a second round after catching up with my breath.

Manik waited for me to be normal and again bent down for another kiss when we heard footsteps outside, Manik pulled me behind him and stepped out watching carefully.

"Wooohooo...Manik bro hold it...it's me", Cabir held Manik's fist that rose for a punch and the moment Manik saw him his body loosened, "What are you guys doing here? And Nandini I had asked you to wait for me na ?"

"I am sorry...actually I wanted to see Manik and you were taking time so"

I saw Manik glaring at Cabir for leaving me alone and when I tried asking both of them ignored.

"Manik I wanted to ask where is Harshad?", I stated my query again.

"He is resting in his room Nandini...supposedly he is not well since last night", Cabir lied glibly and that shot up my curiosity more. Manik was quiet though. I wanted to share what Navya told me but I got some strange vibes from both of them and decided otherwise. I told Cabir that I did not wish to be escorted to my room. I was about to leave when Manik held my hand. He cupped my face in between his palms and kissed me on the forehead and whispered into my ears, "I shall sleep with you tonight". He released me to leave from there.

"Manik I had told you to stop now see the consequences for yourself...I really hope that it was an accident only", Cabir uprooted at Manik in a low controlled voice, "I had told you getting her in this was not a good idea now sort the mess yourself", he spat out and left.

***

I was restless now, it was almost midnight now and he still hadn't come. The need to have him close to me was growing unbearably and what stressed me more was Manik himself. There was something that he was hiding, once again my mind began getting clouded but this time more than suspicion it was concern. In the event of waiting for him I had dozed off.

"Did I make you wait a lot?", he whispered into my ears

"Hmmm", I moved my hands to find him on the bed.

"Sorry"

We could go into our sweet talks but there was something more important to know, "Manik why did Cabir lie about Harshad?...Navya told me he has been missing since morning so why did he say Harshad is resting in his room"

Manik took a deep breath, paused a bit and said, "Harshad is hospitalized...his state is serious due to the overdose...I had asked Cabir not to disclose it to anyone from the tour team because everyone would panic and cops can also be involved...it would all be a mess and so far as Cabir lying to you is concerned..he doesn't know you are already aware of the whole thing so he was just following my instructions", Manik said half hugging me on bed.

I hardly bothered about the fact that I was lying with him on the same bed that too so close to each other. The last two days had given me a claim over him. I felt concerned about him and protective of him.

"But Manik how long are you going to hide it?...I mean his friends or family need to be informed about his condition and most importantly I don't want you to be involved in this any further DO YOU UNDERSTAND", I made myself loud and clear.

He giggled a little at my bossy tone, "Are you like ordering me?"

"Yes I am because I have that right on you", I grabbed his collar and brought his face closer to mine with a jerk.

"Fine I will do what you say...okay"

I wanted to adore him for being obedient; I inched a little higher and claimed his lips in the dark. He was startled by my sudden move but I wanted to finish my pending task that was left in the hallway. I was slow and passionate giving him time to breathe and react and he too matched my tandem while responding.

"Okay enough...sleep now you are almost becoming a habit and this addiction is not good for me", Manik retorted.

"But it's good for me", I smiled and pecked him on the lips once again.

"Really!! Soch lo you won't be allowed to regret later", he pulled me close to his chest and closed his arms on me.

We laughed a little and amidst soft whispers we drifted off to sleep. When I got up the next morning I didn't find him near me. I so wanted him to be the first thing I see in the morning but then I found a note from him on the side table which said.

Will see you in a while.

I smiled a bit and thought of calling him but then realized I don't have his number. I was reaching heights of silliness. I was like literally sleeping with this guy since the last two nights and I never bothered to take his number. While I was lost in his thoughts Mom called.

"Good Morning Mom...How are you and Appa? and what is that brat doing?, I flooded her with questions in an overexcited cheerful tone.

"We are all good Kanna how are you?..I hope they are taking good care of you because you seem to be very happy today", it was difficult to hide things from Mom.

I bit my lip a little for letting my joy overflow, "Nothing like that Mom"

"Acha listen there is a surprise for you"

"What Mom?"

"Come on it is a surprise na...How can I tell?? Acha chalo your Appa is calling me I am sure he cannot find his tie or socks..this man na I tell you", she miffed a little at Appa's behavior and hung up and I could just grin at Mom and Appa's equation.

***

"Okay guys so are heading for Fort Aguada today...finish your breakfast quickly and let's get going", Cabir clapped his palms together to get everyone's attention from the breakfast table and everyone hooted in excitement. I had just reached for breakfast and I saw Manik with Mukti and Abhimanyu at a table at the last corner. I was about to walk up to Manik when I felt a dab on my shoulder.

"Hey Nandini", I turned back to find Dhruv with a band aid on his nose.

"Hi Dhruv How are you? Is your nose okay?"

"Yeah it is fine..you say where have you been? I didn't see you yesterday like in the entire day"

"Amm yeah I was a little busy", I obviously didn't want to go into details with him so to divert the topic I asked, "Where are the rest of your band members?"

"Shahid and Varun are coming and Harshad has gone back to Mumbai?"

"Mumbai??", I was again puzzled to know a different version of Harshad's disappearance.

"Yeah..some family emergency..he didn't even meet us before leaving..he just called once to inform and since then his phone is also not reachable"

I terribly felt the need to share the piece of information that I had about Harshad but then I happened to glance at Manik once and he looked plain angry. I couldn't understand the reason. Now honestly Manik had no reason to be insecure about Dhruv, he well knew my feelings for him. After spending a whole day together, sleeping in each other's arms, kissing one another like crazy I didn't think he needed any kind of assurance regarding my commitment to him.

Manik rose from his seat and walked in our direction, his posture and body language didn't give me good vibes. I thought he would stop by us and may be punch Dhruv once again but he just dashed against my shoulder purposely and walked out without bothering to turn back and blurt a sorry. I excused Dhurv and followed him.

I reached the lobby to find no one. Where could he vanish in the blink of an eye? The moment I turned back I found him right in front of my nose. When I looked up to his face he was fuming.

"You don't trust me one bit right..That's why your are asking everyone about Harshad,what do you think I kidnapped him or I killed him?"

"What..wait ...what are you talking about Manik?..I asked Dhruv just to divert him from us not because I had any doubt you"

We were about to get in an argument when the tour team came out. Manik mingled in them and went to Mukti and Navya grabbed my hand to be with her. I was annoyed on Manik so I didn't follow him or talk to him while on the bus. When we reached the fort we all dispersed in groups to take a tour of it. I tagged along with Navya wherever she took me. After the small tiff with Manik I really did not want to do sightseeing and what bothered me more was Manik, he never once tried to come and say sorry or at least talk to me. Why on earth did he have to be this difficult?, these new found emotions were taking a complete toll on me. I really wanted to cry and fight with him. But it was enough he couldn't ignore me and get upset with me over nothing. I looked around to see him at a distance. He was talking to a middle aged French cut well built man. He was obviously not from our team and somehow it didn't matter because nothing would stop me at that time.
Manik was engrossed in talking to the man and he didn't notice me walking up to him. I reached him with eager strides and pulled him by his sleeves to make him face me.

"Why are you doing this to me Manik? Why are you behaving like this...you know I love you Manik", I confessed with tears rolling down my eyes. Manik was taken aback by the sudden confession even I couldn't believe for a moment that I actually said I love you to him.

"Manik!!!", the man gave a shocking disgusted look to him and glared at me with fiery eyes and left us alone.

"Why aren't you talking to me? What have I done that you are ignoring me?", I had literally started crying.

"Nandini stop crying...please...Navya is coming...stop crying and get a grip on yourself", Manik requested me helplessly. I quickly wiped my tears to not display my emotional state in public. Navya though had a dash of suspicion that all wasn't well between us but she thankfully chose not to dig in further. I felt like a fool after confessing my feeling to Manik and his ice cold reaction to it. Manik probably wanted to say something but Navya's presence didn't allow him and he left from there.

By the afternoon most of us were tired and hungry too so we headed back to the hotel. When I reached I found my surprise waiting for me there. Mom Appa and Rishab were waiting for me in the lobby. I ran and hugged Mom and cried like a baby. It was too emotional for me to handle as such I was going through a delicate mental state and seeing Mom I just couldn't stop, I needed her warmth to comfort me.

"Nandu what happened kanna?? Why are you crying ?? aee we came a day early..your Appa wrapped up his work early and we are here to surprise you..so why these tears now??", Mom soothed me rubbing my back. She obviously thought that I was missing them, well that was also a reason but I had a bigger reason to wail.

"Di see your nose has started flowing...such a cry baby you are", Rishab mocked me laughing like crazy and Appa chided him on his behavior.

I left Mom and hugged Appa and Rishab also resigned from his silly jokes and joined in the hug. After the long family moment we were about to head to our rooms. I was a little surprised to know that they had their rooms in the 6th floor.

"How is it possible?? I had booked our rooms together in the same floor side by side so how are you in 2nd floor and we in 6th floor", Appa sounded a little surprised like the rest of us. He showed me the booking details on his mobile phone and I was taken aback by the information I found. It was room no 608, Manik's room. A sudden thing clicked me; my luggage had reached the room it was meant for. It was actually my room that Manik had occupied but why?

"Appa Mom you guys must be tired...please go to your room and relax..I will talk to the manager and find out where the confusion lies", I tried to calm them. Appa seemed extremely miffed at the carelessness, he wanted to see Cabir right away but somehow I managed to coax them and send them to their rooms.

I went to the reception desk; there was a new girl over there. I asked her to check my booking details and she confirmed my doubts further. I again asked her to find out on whose name was room no 213 booked and my heart sank when she said it was Mr. Manik Malhotra. My heart and mind were clouded with hundreds of questions but there were something's whose answer I had now. Manik would easily enter my room whenever he wanted because he always had a key with him. It was apparently his room that I was exchanged with. I felt utterly stupid how I never questioned him as to how he used to enter my room. But then why would he do that? What benefit could it fetch him? And something struck me again. Even if our rooms were swapped he never objected to the bell boy about my luggage being there. There had to be some catch. My heart was beating in my mouth and the suspense was killing me now. I rushed to my room without wasting a second more.

The moment I entered my room I threw my phone and bag on the bed and pulled my bag packs onto the bed to check. I dragged every piece of clothing and other things that were stuffed in it to find some clue but I couldn't. I emptied the bags entirely jerked it up and down to find some clue but nothing came in handy. Out of rage and helplessness I threw the bag on the floor. It made a strange sound as if something hard was hit against the solid marble floor. I picked the bag again and inspected it top to bottom, when my hand hit something at the edge of the bag. When I turned it upside down, I found something stuck to it. There was something inside it but there was no way to reach it. I realized it was closed with a sticky substance. I quickly used some water to loosen up the glue and finally managed to drag a little pouch out of it. I was about to open it when I heard a knock on the door. I stuffed the pouch in my jeans pocket and opened the door to find Rishab. He had come down to call me. Reluctantly I went with him and while walking through the corridor I glanced Manik there. I needed answers which only he could give me. I asked Rishab to go ahead and that I will join them in a while.

Manik spotted me coming to him but his face didn't give any expression neither of guilt nor apology.

"Who are you??", that was the only question I could ask and the only question whose answer I wanted to know. His eyes drifted around me, he hardly paid attention to what I was talking, "I asked who are you Mr. Manik Malhotra?", and in the blink of an eye he grabbed my wrist and twirled and pulled me behind him to dash against his back. I couldn't understand anything when I saw him pull something out of his blazer and the very next moment was a deafening sound which rang through the empty corridors and vibrated back banging my ear drums.

I gasped and would have fainted the very moment I saw a gun in Manik's hand.

Comments please..:))