"Bhabhi..."Nandini knocked the door twice but before she could knock thrice Soha opened the door. "Since when do you started to knock Nandini..you know na you can come into our room anytime you want." Soha held Nandini's hand and pulled her in. "You don't need permission Nandini...don't you know that."

"I know..it's just I thought you were sleeping because you were looking tired since morning..I didn't wanted to disturb you.."Nandini was about to say something more but Soha cut her in "Nandini..will you stop being so formal..you can never disturb me okay.."Soha scolded her which made Nandini smiled.

"Fine I won't.."Nandini held both her ears and said "Sorry.."

"Oh god Nandini.."Soha removed Nandini's hands from her ears and clasped them in her hands. "..you are such a DRAMA QUEEN..I don't understand how come you have changed so much in past couple of days dear."

Soha's words wiped away Nandini's smile. "I wish Bhabhi...I so wish to have the answer to that myself...but unfortunately I don't.."Nandini's words caught Soha's attention. So without wasting any time she asked "You are worried...aren't you.."

Nandini's head snapped up. She was shocked that Soha had caught her "How do you know this Bhabhi..is it that obvious..."

Soha shook her head and smiled. "Come here.."Soha turned and after walking few steps sat down on the bed and patted the empty place on the bed next to her.

Nandini simply nodded her head and sat down on the bed next to her. Caressing her face Soha said."Nandini..I want you to open up to me today..pour your heart out. I know there are gazillion of questions that might be raising in your mind. Since this might be the last time before your marriage that we might be talking in "Nandini-Soha time" so get it off your chest..let it all out.."

"Bhabhi I won't ask "why all this happened to me"..nor will I ask "why me"..because i already know one thing that what's written in the destiny only that will happens...so one can't fight with that but yes there are somethings that I want to know..and hopefully you will answer that.."Nandini requested.

"Go ahead..I am listening.."Soha nodded her head.

"Bhabhi..I want to everything..and when I say everything..I mean everything.."Then looking straight at Soha she finally said the words out loud. "What is exactly that "thing" which you all talk about.."

"Is it a Vampire..A Werewolf..A hybrid..what is it..what's the actual story behind all this.."Nandini questioned."I know you know all the answers to it because your family belong to the class of priest who have dealt with these kinds of "supernatural things" for years. So please tell me everything related to that..please."

When Soha didn't say anything Nandini immediately understood the reason of her silence "I know that Madhyam doesn't want you tell me all this..but don't you think I have a right to know about all this..since it's happening with me. You only say am I wrong.."

Soha sighed and finally answered. "No you aren't wrong. In fact you are correct..you have every right in the world to know everything."saying this Soha got up from the bed "Just wait here..I will be back in a moment.."

Opening one of the cupboard--which was more like a book shelves--she take out a huge book. Then holding the book in one hand and after closing the cupboard from the other hand she came back to the bed.

Soha sat opposite to her and kept the book at the centre. Then she looked at Nandini and asked "Are you sure about this.."

"Absolutely positive.."Nandini nodded her assent.

"Then close the door.."Soha ordered.

Nandini did what she was asked to do. Closing the door she got back to the bed and sat opposite to Soha.

Looking back at the book Soha moves her right hand around the book just once and said "OPEN SESAME"and the very next moment a golden colour light started to radiate off the book and in matter of seconds the book lied wide open in front of them.

Nandini looked at her Soha with wide eyes. She was too shocked to react. Looking at her expression Soha  starts smiling and shakes her head in amusement.

"How..How..do you do it Bhabhi..how did it happen"Finally she manages to get the words out.

"Magic"Soha replied while Nandini continued to gawk at her. Soha smiled and caressing Nandini's hair she said "Nandini..this world is way more mysterious than you could ever possibly imagine. Humans aren't the only species that exists on this planet..."

"What do you mean Bhabhi..what are you trying to imply.."was all Nandini could ask.

"What I mean to say is that we "humans" aren't the only walking and talking creatures on this planet.."Nandini's eyes widened in horror as she started to understand the hidden meaning behind Soha's words.

"Supernatural creatures.."the words came out of Nandini's mouth automatically.

"Yes"Soha nodded her assent. "But whenever we talk about Supernatural Creatures...generally our thoughts are only limited to Vampire...Werewolves...and stuff like that..but unfortunately these aren't the only species that exists.."

"You mean.."Nandini gulped in fear. "There are more "things" like them..out there.."

"Worse Nandini...way more worse than them.."Soha's words gave Nandini goosebumps. "Are you sure you want to know about them..you think you are ready.."Soha questioned.

"No..I am not.."Nandini answered looking straight at her "Honestly I don't think I will ever be ready for this..but sometimes we need to do things even if we don't want to..and this situation happens to be one of those situations..so please Bhabhi..go ahead..because I need to do this..for myself..I need to know everything.."

"Okay if that's what you want.."Soha held her hands in assurance. "..that's what you get"
Nandini simply nodded.

Soha continued "..as I was saying there are other creatures that too exists in this world..which are even more dangerous...way...way more dangerous..than Vampires..Werewolves or hybrid..and.."Soha stopped abruptly which made Nandini anxious."..and..and what...Bhabhi please say na.."

"..that "thing" which marked you...is considered as the Almighty of all "SUPERNATURAL CREATURES "..let's just say.."he" is there GOD..their Supremo..their owner.."Soha's face grew grim as she continued"..this book has everything related to "him" that will answer all your questions.."

"But what is "this creature" exactly.."Nandini finally asked the question that she wanted to since ever.

Soha looked at her and extended the book towards her. Then pointing at the book she said "this..this is what "he" is.."

Nandini looked down and her eyes widened in horror as her eyes fell on the picture that Soha was pointing at.

"What is this..."Nandini's voice was nothing more than whisper but still Soha heard it so she replied..

MANTICORE.

Nandini's head snapped up "MANTICORE"
Soha nodded. "But Bhabhi..this looks like an animal...and it's giant too..how can anyone miss it's presence.."

"Because they are blessed with loads of supernatural powers..one of them being the ability to shape shift...they can easily transform and become a human and easily become the part of the crowd..."Soha's words only fanned the fuel of Nandini's curiosity.

"What else bhabhi...what other power does it has...does it has any weakness...why it marked someone like me..who is nothing more than an ordinary human..why Bhabhi..please answer these questions or else I will go crazy.."Nandini held Soha's hand and pleaded. "Please answer me Bhabhi...please.."

"If you want to get answers to your questions then you have to read this.."Soha pointed towards the book "..like I said before..this book has the answer to all your questions.."

"So what are you waiting for Bhabhi...please go ahead.."Nandini requested.

"Things might changed everything forever Nandini once you read it...I am requesting you to think again.."Soha said in a pleading tone.

"My life had already changed Bhabhi...pretty much since the day when "his" eyes fell on me.."he" knows everything about me...so it's high time I should know everything about "him"too...go ahead Bhabhi..I am ready.."Nandini replied confidently.

"Fine.."Nandini could see that finally Soha was convinced. "Let's do this...then.."

Looking back at the book Soha started to narrate the story by reading the first line..

"ONCE UPON A TIME...."

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A/N:-

Okay..now first thing first..

Before someone accuses me of "plagiarism" for using the word "OPEN SESAME" which is the title of one of books in VATSDWRITER'S profile I would like to say that kindly go and check that book..

..as that book was being "co-written" by me..so I don't think using the title of my own work will be counted as plagiarism. But still if someone had issues I am saying this in advance that I have already consulted from VATSDWRITER..and she had no issues with that..but still if anyone want to verify..please go ahead..but kindly don't accuse without knowing the whole truth.

Now..coming back to the story..

Finally the suspense of exactly "WHAT" Manik Malhotra really is.

And the next update will answers some (if not all the questions..) that has been raising in the mind of my readers.

If anyone think that my English isn't good enough...or want me "to at least use correct words"..then I truly apologise..because honestly this is the best I can do. This is all I got when my English knowledge is concern. I am not a SHAKESPEARE'S descendent so this is the maximum limit I can go.

And yes if that "someone" truly appreciate my work then kindly vote too..because coming out of silent zone just to put up comments like this..and not replying when I asked to point the mistake out..doesn't count as  "APPRECIATION"

Without voting...without commenting...reading the story just to put up messages like this isn't counted as "APPRECIATION".

So if anyone wants to point out a mistake..please do so..I am a human being at the end of the day..it's not surprising if I make a mistake. I will more than happy to rectify it. And I will be really grateful to my readers who would help me out.

But to come out of silent zone just to point out a mistake that doesn't exist and going back even after requesting thousand time to point out the mistake brings that person equally to the status of BASHER.

And as everyone knows I have zero tolerance for Bashing..so I will straight away mute that "SOMEONE"

And of course one last request..

Please don't waste your and my time by put up comments like "AWESOME BUT BORING" because it seriously confuses a brainless person like me--who genuinely think that either an update can be awesome or boring--both can't exist together.

Coming back to the update..

Guys do let me know what you all think about it.

As always the precious comments by my fantabulous readers would be awaited 😘😘

Love you all 😘❤️❤️

God bless ❤️