At Malhotra Mansion

Manik:- (shouted loudly) I need drugs. Can't you hear me? I need them.

Doctor:- Manik please relax.

Manik:- I can't. My whole body is getting cold. I am dieing. Can't you get it?

Raj:- Manik you have to control this craving my son.

Manik:- I can't and you are responsible for all this.

Raj:- I know. It's all my fault but do you think I am happy seeing you like this? As much as you are suffering I am suffering too. This is my biggest punishment to see my son like this.

Manik:- Oh please stop pretending as if you care.

Raj:- No matter how much venom you put in your words, I am not leaving you like this and that's final. I am going to appoint the country's best doctors for you.

Manik fisted his own hair and pulled them harshly in frustration. He started punching on the wall making his hand bleed.

Manik:- (shouted) I can't bear this torture. Kill me, just kill me damn it. You will also get rid of me.

Raj immediately held him tightly and said,

Raj:- Shut up, just shut up okay?

Doctor:- He is going out of control. I have to inject him with sedatives.

Raj:- Okay.

Doctor injected him and he slowly slowly fell unconscious in Raj's arms. He made him sleep on the bed and started bandaging his injured hand.

Doctor:- I think he needs a psychiatrist.

Raj:- My son is not a psychopath or something. He is a drug addict.

Doctor:- He doesn't want to live and when a patient doesn't have any will power to get better our treatment won't work. He will keep hurting himself like this and we won't be able to do anything.

Raj:- Okay as you say.

Doctor:- I will talk to one of my students Dr. Nandini Murthy. She is a gold medalist and the best for this job.

Raj:- Don't worry about money. If I can't get my only son back to a normal life then what will I do with this money? They are useless to me.

Next day

Manik was again going out of control. Finding no other way Raj locked him in his room and called the doctor. He had installed hidden cc cameras in his room so that he can keep an eye on him always. He was watching him on the iPad. Manik kicked the door for a few minutes then he started breaking everything in his room. He was so addicted to drugs that it was impossible for him to live without it.

Manik:- Dad please give me a little amount of drugs. I promise I won't take drugs again.

Raj:- Every time you promise the same thing but you never keep your promise.

Manik kicked the bed and threw the mattress away. When he vented out all his anger he sat on the floor and started crying for drugs.

Manik:- Please dad. It's hurting me a lot. My whole body is burning as if someone has put me into the fire. Why can't you understand? How could you be so rude to me? How?

Raj:- Whatever I am doing is for your betterment only.

Suddenly he saw a few pieces of a broken flower vase. He picked a shape piece and started cutting her wrist brutally. Raj immediately opened the door with two bodyguards. They held him tightly and he took that glass piece from his hand forcefully and threw it away. Meanwhile the doctor reached there with a girl and injected him with sedatives. Manik slowly falls unconscious. Those bodyguards picked him up and took him to another room and put him on the bed. Doctor immediately started bandaging his wound which was bleeding badly.

Doctor:- Raj, I told you it's impossible to treat him here. We have to admit him into a rehab center. But you didn't listen to me. Now see what he did to himself.

Raj:- You just ask what you need. Any equipment or medicine anything. I will buy it for you but I will never send him to any rehab center, got it?

Doctor nodded his head. He knew arrogance and stubbornness just ran into their blood. If needed he will hide his son from the whole world but still he won't let this world talk ill about his son.

Doctor:- I wish you showed this love and care to him when he needed it. Anyways meet Dr Nandini Murthy. She is one of my best students.

Raj:- Hi Nandini.

Nandini:- Hello Sir.

Doctor:- Nandini, meet your patient Manik Malhotra.

Nandini:- What's his problem? I mean any previous record?

Doctor:- No. But it all started with curiosity and depression. Actually his parents Raj and Neonika got divorce when he was only eight years old. Raj got his custody but he is a businessman. So he couldn't give time to him. There wasn't a single person to guide him to the right path. So he started mingling with the wrong people and started taking drugs out of curiosity. Then he falls in love with his classmate Aliya Saxsena. Unfortunately she died in a road accident. After that incident he got traumatized and started taking a drug overdose.

Nandini:- That's so sad. Maximum people take drugs out of curiosity and can never get out of the addiction.

Doctor:- Exactly. But we have to treat him anyhow. You know I am his family doctor. He was a bright student. I still can't believe that he is the same boy I met a few years ago. He used to play guitar and sing. People would listen to his songs as if he casted magical spells in his songs. He was so passionate about music that he wanted to be a musician.

Raj:- Yes Nandini. He used to always smile. In fact I never saw him sad before. I don't know why he became a drug addict but you have to bring him back to a normal life. I am ready to give you everything you ask for but please bring my son back.

Nandini:- Don't worry, I will try my best to treat him. I just need some time and your cooperation.

At evening

When Manik opened his eyes he saw his hands were tied with the bedpost. He tried to move his hands and tear the rope but he couldn't do that as his body was weak without any food and water. In frustration he started to shout loudly.

Manik:- What the hell? Who tied my hands?

At that time Nandini came to the room with two bodyguards and told them,

Nandini:- Open his hands.

Bodyguard:- Sir forbidden us to open his hands.

Nandini:- Your sir also told you to always obey me, isn't it?

Bodyguard:- Yes Mam.

As soon as that bodyguard opened his hands Manik immediately slapped him and said,

Manik:- (shouted) You are fired. Never come in front of my eyes. Got lost.

Nandini:- Manik, please relax. I will talk to Raj Sir, they won't tie you again.

Manik:- Who are you?

Nandini:- Consider me as your friend.

Manik laughed out loudly and said,

Manik:- Friend? Seriously? You are my new doctor right? I guess my doctor uncle got tired of handling my madness that's why they appointed you for me.

Nandini:- You are a smart boy. Why are you spoiling your life like this?

Manik:- You only know what dad and doctor uncle told you. But the truth is something else.

Nandini:- Then what's the truth? Tell me.

Manik:- Curiosity kills the cat. If you want to be alive, stay away from this matter.

Manik went to the bathroom and stood under the shower with his clothes on. He didn't even bother to close the door. When cold water touched his wounds he hissed out in pain. He came out of the bathroom and went downstairs. He pulled out a liquor bottle from the refrigerator and started gulping the liquid. Then he went to his room with that liquor bottle and started playing guitar sitting on the floor. Nandini sat beside him and patiently waited for him to talk. First he was playing a harsh tune but after sometime he started playing a sad tune. Then kept the guitar aside and stood up. He opened his wardrobe, took out a set of clothes and went to the washroom. This time he closed the door and changed his clothes. Then he directly went out of the house but the bodyguards stopped him and said,

Bodyguard:- Sir you can't go out.

Manik:- Why?

Bodyguard:- Raj sir strictly forbidden us to let you go out.

Manik:- Damn it.

Manik knew that he can't fight with those professional bodyguards, that's why he came back to his room and laid down on the bed closing his eyes. After sometime he felt a wet cloth on his forehead. He opened his eyes immediately and saw it was Nandini who kept that wet cloth on his forehead.

Nandini:- You are having a high fever. Please eat something so that I can give you medicine.

Manik:- If you behave nicely with me I will open up to you. That's what you are thinking right? You are wasting your time here.

Nandini:- If you don't want to tell me anything then it's okay. I won't force you. But please eat something.

Manik:- Go home doctor. It's not safe to be with a drug addict.

Nandini:- Right now you are so weak and sick. What would you do?

Manik:- A rabbit shouldn't dance in front of a lion just because he is sick. A lion never leaves eating non veg even if he is sick.

Nandini:- Nice example but don't you think I can force you to eat with the help of those muscular bodyguards?

Manik suddenly held her hand and pulled her towards him. Nandini lost her balance and directly fell on his chest. Manik cupped her face gently and said,

Manik:- Then why don't you do that?

Nandini:- I don't want to force you.

Manik:- (whispered) You have such beautiful eyes just like her.

Nandini:- (whispered back) She was my cousin.

Manik should be shocked to know that but he didn't react at all.

Manik:- I know that.

Nandini was definitely shocked to know that but before she could react he said,

Manik:- Don't react. There are many hidden cameras in this house.

Nandini:- How do you know?

Manik pulled her closer and whispered into her ears,

Manik:- I know everything. You are a free bird, fly away before that hunter comes and hunts you down.

That day Nandini left the house with so many questions in her mind. But she is determined to solve this mystery. Who was that hunter? Whom he was talking about?

Next day

When Nandini came to Manik's room she saw he was lying unconscious. The doctor was examining him.

Nandini:- Sir, what happened to him?

Doctor:- His condition is serious. I think we should admit him to the hospital.

Raj:- Can't you treat him at home?

Doctor:- No. He might need a ventilation system. We have to take him to the hospital.

Raj called those bodyguards. They lifted his body like some weightless cotton sack and took him to the hospital. That day she couldn't talk to him but she knew he had a motive behind all this. She needs to talk to her brother soon.

At Murthy's Apartment

Nandini:- Bhai, I am sure there is something that we are not able to see.

Abhi:- Aliya's death wasn't a normal accident. Postmortem report says she got hit on her head with some heavy metal. That's why she died. But there was a single piece of evidence that can prove that it was a murder.

Nandini:- Manik knows me very well and he is warning me to stay away from all this. Do you think he can be the murderer?

Abhi:- If he was the murderer then he won't have let you go even after knowing about you and your motive.

Nandini:- He always talks in riddles. First he said, "A rabbit shouldn't dance in front of a lion just because he is sick. A lion never leaves eating non veg even if he is sick." That means I am a rabbit and he is the lion here. Then he said, "You are a free bird, fly away before that hunter comes and hunt you down." What's the meaning of this riddle?

Abhi:- He is freeing you. Go away before the hunter comes and hunt you down.

Nandini:- Who is the hunter here?

Abhi:- Definitely not him. Because rabbits and lions both are animals. Though a lion can hunt a rabbit but he is freeing you and saving you from the actual hunter.

Nandini:- This is so strange. So many bodyguards and hidden cameras are indicating something else. They did not even let him go out. He is literally house arrested.

Abhi:- I think he knows something about Aliya's murderer but he is not allowed to say the truth.

Nandini:- I have to meet him.

Abhi:- But how? You are not allowed to meet him in the hospital.

Nandini:- (smirked) We can't go there but a nurse can go.

Abhi:- Is it necessary to involve my wife in this matter?

Nandini:- Oh you can involve your own sister in this matter but you can't involve your wife. You are so mean.

Abhi:- First of all I never wanted to involve you in this. You emotionally blackmailed me to involve you. Secondly, she is pregnant. Is it a clever decision to risk two lives at once?

Nandini:- Bhai, that's our plus point. Who will doubt a five months pregnant nurse?

Abhi:- Okay but how would he know that we have sent her?

Nandini:- I will send my earnings and a code word. I am sure he will get the hint.

Abhi:- As you wish.

At Hospital

A nurse came to Manik's room. There were two bodyguards standing in front of the door. They checked her medicines and then let her go inside. Manik was sitting on the bed closing his eyes when he felt someone giving something in his hand. He opened his eyes and saw it was an earring. He looked at the nurse confusingly.

Nurse:- Beautiful eyes want to see the truth.

Manik got the hint, gave that earring back to her and said,

Manik:- The truth is very ugly. You can't see it with naked eyes. Only Mother Mary knows why her son was hanged on the cross.

That nurse changed his drip and immediately left there.

At Murthy's Apartment

Nandini:- Manik is Hindu. Then why is he talking about Mother Mary and Jesus Christ?

Abhi:- How would I know?

Nandini:- You solved his previous riddle right?

Abhi:- For god's sake I am a police officer not a mind reader. Did he say anything else?

Mukti:- Nope.

Nandini:- What was his expression when he said that?

Abhi:- What would you do with his expression?

Nandini:- I am trying to understand his state of mind.

Mukti:- He was sad.

Abhi:- The truth is very ugly. This can't be a riddle. You can't see it with naked eyes. That means we have to think deeply about this riddle. Only Mother Mary knows why her son was hanged on the cross. What's the meaning of this line?

Nandini:- Let's search about Mother Mary and Jesus Christ on Google.

Mukti:- Wait a minute. He didn't mention Jesus Christ.

Abhi:- Exactly. Hanging on the cross was a punishment for Jesus Christ. So if you read the riddle carefully it means only Mother Mary knows why her son was punished. We have to find out who's Mother Mary?

Mukti:- What if he is talking about his mother?

Nandini:- Manik's parents got divorce when he was only eight years old. After that his father got his custody. I don't think he has any contact with his mother.

Abhi:- Let's find out.

Two days later

Nandini:- I can't believe it. His mother is in a mental asylum.

Mukti:- That's not important. Manik has any contact with her or not?

Abhi:- Yes. When he was an adult he used to go and meet his mother. In fact he introduced Aliya to her.

Nandini:- When she got admitted into the mental asylum?

Abhi:- 28th March, 2021.

Nandini:- Aliya was murdered on the same day. I think both incidents have a connection. Who admitted her?

Abhi:- It's Manik who admitted her into that mental asylum.

Nandini:- What?

Mukti:- Only Mother Mary knows why her son was hanged on the cross. That means she knows everything.

Nandini:- We have to talk to her.

Next day

Nandini went to that mental asylum and told the authorities that she is doing her thesis on different kinds of mental conditions that's why she needs to check the patients. When she entered her room she saw her sitting on the bed looking out of the window.

Nandini:- Hi, I am doctor Nandini Murthy.

Neonika:- What do you want?

Nandini:- I am Aliya's cousin.

Neonika was shocked to hear her name and said,

Neonika:- I don't know her.

Nandini:- You know her. In fact you know everything.

Neonika:- Who sent you here?

Nandini:- Manik has sent me here. He said you know everything.

Neonika:- How is he?

Nandini:- He has been hospitalized.

Neonika:- That monster won't let my son live.

Nandini:- Whom are you talking about?

Neonika:- The Mafia Godfather Raj Malhotra.

Nandini:- (shocked) What?

Neonika:- Aliya got to know everything about him, that's why he killed her.

Nandini:- But why is he torturing his own son?

Neonika:- He is a monster. He wants my son to run this illegal business. He even threatened him that if he didn't listen to him, he would kill me. That's why he got me admitted here.

Nandini:- What kind of business is it?

Neonika:- Drugs. They smuggle drugs and sell them to the younger generation.

Nandini:- Why didn't you tell this to the police?

Neonika:- He is a very powerful person. He even has contact with politicians. Police won't take any actions against him.

Nandini:- If we get proper evidence of him we can take actions against him.

Neonika:- Manik has all the evidence in a pendrive but I don't know where that pendrive is now.

Nandini:- Thanks for telling me everything. Can I help you in any way?

Neonika:- Can you set my son free from that monster?

Nandini:- I will try my best.

Neonika:- That will be enough for me.

Nandini:- I may take a leave now. Bye.

Neonika:- Bye.

Few days later

Manik got discharged from the hospital and Nandini was called for his sessions. When she went to his room she saw he was sitting on the bed. He left his breakfast untouched on the desk. Nandini took that plate and brought a spoon of rice near his mouth and signaled him to eat. Manik started eating like a good boy.

Nandini:- You know Manik, yesterday I met Mother Mary and she told me about her love story. She had a pendent but she doesn't know where it is.

Manik immediately got the hint. He warped his hands around her shoulders and said,

Manik:- (smiled) My love, you are my last hope. If you want to kill the rat, go to the previous curious cat.

Manik has a charming smile. His happiness was reflecting in his eyes. After a long time he got someone by his side to fight against his father. That day Nandini came home and told the riddle to her brother.

Abhi:- I think Rat means Raj Malhotra but who is the curious cat? Can't he for once make easy riddles for us?

Nandini:- I think curious cat is me because I had the curiosity to find out the truth.

Abhi:- Then who is the previous curious cat?

Nandini:- It's Aliya.

Abhi:- But she is no more. How can we go to her and ask for the pendrive?

Nandini:- Aliya used to live in her apartment right? We should go there. Maybe we will find a clue.

Abhi:- Okay.

At Aliya's Apartment

They found a locker in the almirah but it was locked. If they want to open it they have to type the password.

Abhi:- Did he tell you the password?

Nandini:- No. He just said, "my love, you are my last hope."

Abhi:- We need a number to open this locker, not a word.

Nandini:- Maybe there is a number hidden in those alphabets. If we count the word "Love" then L is the 12th alphabet, O is 15th, V is 22th, E is the 5th alphabet. So the total number is 1215225. Let's try it out.

Nandini typed that number but it was a wrong password.

Nandini:- Let's count the word "Hope".

Abhi:- Nandini, it's a locker not a video game where you will keep pressing all the buttons. If you type the wrong password twice this locker would be locked forever.

Nandini:- Okay let's try for the last time. If it opens then alright but it doesn't open then I would try again. Happy?

Abhi:- Okay let's try.

Nandini:- H is the 8th alphabet, O is 15th, P is 16th and E is the 5th alphabet. So the total number is 815165.

Nandini typed that number and it was the correct password. They opened the locker and found the pendrive in it.

Abhi:- I need some time to analyze the evidence.

Next day

Abhi went to the police station with that pendrive and Nandini went to Malhotra Mansion. She wanted to inform Manik that she got the pendrive but as soon as she entered the living room someone held her hair from the backside and pulled it with great force.

Nandini:- Ahhhhhh.....

Nandini cried out in pain but that person didn't leave her.

Person:- I was right, you have a connection with that girl. Your brother is a police officer right? What evidence did you get against me?

Nandini turned back and seeing that person she was shocked.

Person:- What? Were you expecting someone else?

Nandini:- Raj sir, please leave me.

Raj:- I didn't leave Aliya then how could you think that I will let you go? Where's the evidence?

Nandini:- I don't know about any evidence.

Raj:- Stop pretending to be innocent. You went to Aliya's apartment yesterday and got the evidence.

Raj was about bang her head to the wall but Manik came there and she landed on his chest.

Manik:- Dad, she is innocent. Please leave her.

Raj:- Stay away from this matter.

Raj was about to hold her hair again but Manik immediately hugged her and turned back.

Manik:- Dad, I love her. Please leave her.

Raj:- Love my foot. She has evidence against me. I have to know where the evidence is now.

Raj called his bodyguards and ordered them to hold Manik tightly because he wasn't letting him harm her. Then he pulled out a gun from his pocket and pointed it on her head and said,

Raj:- Where's the evidence?

Nandini:- I gave it to my brother.

Raj:- Call him right now.

Nandini called her brother with shivering hands and before she could talk to him Raj snatched the phone and said,

Raj:- If you want to see your sister alive then come to Malhotra Mansion and give me the evidence.

Raj cut the call and pressed her jaw tightly making her hiss in pain.

Raj:- Now tell me who gave you that evidence?

Nandini was silent and seeing this his blood boiled. He slapped her hard and shouted loudly,

Raj:- I said who gave you the evidence? Tell me....

Manik:- I gave her the evidence. Now stop torturing her.

Raj:- You? Aliya's death wasn't enough for you or what?

Manik:- I am sorry. Please let her go.

Raj:- A hunter never lets his prey go.

Manik immediately snatched a gun from a bodyguard and shot them both. Then he pointed his gun towards Raj and said,

Manik:- Dad, let her go otherwise I will shoot you.

Raj:- You will shoot me? Are you crazy?

Manik:- Dad, I am not joking. I will seriously shoot you.

Raj laughed out loudly and said,

Raj:- Okay, go ahead.

Hearing the gun firing, five more bodyguards entered the room with loaded arms and pointed towards Manik. Raj signaled them to stop and went to him.

Raj:- Give that gun to me.

Manik:- No, stay away or I will shoot you.

Raj:- Manik, this is not a toy to play. Come on, give it to me.

Manik suddenly shoots another bodyguard just to scare him. Then he went to Nandini and helped her to stand up. She got a deep cut on her lips and it was bleeding. Manik wiped her blood with his thumb and took her in a side hug.

Manik:- Stay away from us.

Raj:- Manik, you are crossing your limits now. I won't say this twice. Put your gun down and leave her.

At that time police started firing from outside and those bodyguards started firing back. Manik and Nandini hid behind the pillar when Raj called his men to come and rescue him. After sometime Raj's men entered the house from the back door and joined those bodyguards. But the police force was ready for it. They were giving them equal fight. When Raj's men were almost killed he suddenly held Nandini's shoulders and pointed his gun at her head. Then he dragged her to the door and threatened those police officers.

Raj:- Stop firing otherwise I will kill her.

When the police stopped firing they heard a gunshot sound and saw a bullet passing through his head. Yes, Manik shoot his father and said,

Manik:- I am sorry dad. You might be a good father but you are not a good person. You killed my best friend Aliya. I couldn't do anything then but I won't let you take another innocent life.

Manik dropped his gun down and surrendered to the police.

Few days later

Manik wasn't involved in the smuggling business directly, he killed Raj in justifiable defense that's why he was imprisoned for two years. A few questions were bothering Nandini. So I went to the jail and met him.

Nandini:- Manik, I have a few questions. I hope you will answer them.

Manik:- Okay.

Nandini:- How did you know Aliya? And how did she get involved in this?

Manik:- She was my school friend. After completing our schooling we never met again. Then suddenly one day we met at my friend's birthday party. We were best friends but everybody thought we loved each other. Aliya was a journalist. She had doubts about my dad and his business. So we decided to spy on him. We got the evidence against him but before we could take any actions he killed her.

Nandini:- How did you become a drug addict?

Manik:- When dad killed her I lost all the hope to live. I was depressed and helpless. That time he was also forcing me to run his business. That's why I started taking drugs to make him regret spoiling others' lives and I don't know when I become an addict.

Nandini:- How did you know that they will appoint me as your therapist or was it just a coincidence?

Manik:- I knew everything about you. Like your family, your profession, your likes, dislikes, everything. Whenever Doctor uncle used to come to our house he used to praise you a lot. That's why I was pretty sure that they would appoint you as my therapist.

Nandini:- How did you know me?

Manik:- Once you came to the airport to see off your brother and sister in law. That day Aliya literally forced me to drop her at the airport. First time I saw you there. You believe it or not but I believe in love at first sight. I used to ask about you from her and the more I got to know about you the more I started falling for you. Maybe you didn't notice me but I was also present at her birthday party. I wanted to talk to you but that day your parents had an accident and suddenly you left the party.

Nandini:- Aliya told me that she has a boyfriend. I thought it's you.

Manik:- That was my friend Dhruv.

Nandini:- So what did you think about your future?

Manik:- After two years I will leave the country forever with my mom for our safety purpose. I don't want to lose her too.

Nandini:- Will you take me with you?

Manik:- (confused) You have a family here then why do you want to go?

Nandini:- Because I have a secret lover and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I love you, will you marry me?

Manik:- Gladly.

After two years Manik got married to Nandini and they all settled abroad forever.

****************★******************
This story is dedicated to best friend Suk-24 thanks buddy for being with me always...🤗🤗🤗
It's a long story around 5000 words. This is the 2nd time I am writing such kind of story and I am loving it. I want your opinion on this story so please share your opinions by your comments and of course don't forget to vote.
Take care
Bye
Nahar...😘😘😘