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At Sheesh Mahal

Manik sat with his guitar resting on his lap, fingers absentmindedly grazing the strings. His gaze was lost in the quiet night, but inside-his heart was loud.

"Nandini... she's so innocent. So pure. Her heart-untouched by hatred, untainted by malice. She forgave Ronit... just like that. No questions, no grudge. How does she do it? How can someone be so soft in a world like this?"

His brows furrowed with guilt.

"I lashed out at her. Blamed her for things she never did. And still... she tried so hard to prove herself. Not for herself-but for me. For us. And what did I do? Act like a complete jerk."

Manik closed his eyes, sighing deeply as regret tangled around his heart.

"But I know she's not like those shallow, pretentious girls. She's not a 'bimbo'-no. She's different. Real. Honest. Then why... why do I feel so insecure around her? Why does my heart whisper things that my mind doesn't want to hear? No. Nandini would never break my trust. Never."

He paused, eyes drifting toward the sky.

"She doesn't even fully understand what love is... not yet. But she knows I love her. Even after everything I did-three years ago-I still carry that guilt. And she... she just carries silence."

Manik's voice trembled, his own thoughts wounding him more than he expected.

"I made that decision for her back then because I wanted to protect her... get closer to her. Not physically. Just... emotionally. I wanted to understand her-to discover the layers no one else sees. And maybe... I did. Maybe I found a new version of her."

He chuckled bitterly.

"But at the same time... I forgot that she's her own person. With her own feelings. Maybe she never saw me the way I saw her. Maybe, in her heart, I'm just the prince... and she's the servant. Just another command to obey. And that thought-it kills me."

Manik stood up and began pacing.

"Am I forcing my thoughts on her? Maybe that's why she never opens up. I know she's always been scared of me. From the very beginning. And deep down... I hate that. But a part of me... likes the control. I like knowing she listens only to me. That she's mine."

He stopped in place.

"But more than that-I want her to be free. Free to share what's inside her. I tell her everything-my pain, my thoughts, my feelings... but she? She stays silent. Always nodding, always obeying-like a servant. And that's not what I want."

His voice broke slightly.

"To me, she's special. My Princess. I treat her like one. But she... she keeps that distance between us. Like an invisible wall I can never break. She behaves with me like she does with the rest of the staff. Polite. Quiet. Distant."

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration clouding his face.

"She never tells me what's going on in her life. What she wants. What she dreams of. I only know she wants a better life for her Amms. But what about her? What does Nandini want for herself?"

He looked down, as if ashamed.

"She's so young... yet so mature. And me? I act like a child. I need to learn from her. From her strength. Her silence. Her softness."

He clenched his jaw.

"I just wish... she would share everything with me. I want her to understand right from wrong, to trust me with her truth. But the few times she tried-I wasn't ready to hear it. I was too lost in my own storm."

A long pause.

"Nandini... she's strong. But she's still innocent. Still unaware of how cruel this world can be. People would take advantage of her purity. And I... I want to shield her from all of it."

His voice softened.

"But she won't let me. She keeps reminding herself-'I'm just a servant. He's the Prince.' But I've told her a thousand times-she's not. Not to me. She's not beneath me. She's my equal. My everything."

He sank back down beside his guitar, the weight of unspoken words pulling him into silence again.

Manik's heart whispered the one thing he couldn't say aloud:

Please, Nandini... see me the way I see you.

⭑⭑⭑⭑☆⭑⭑⭑⭑

Next morning

A group of students stood huddled near the staircase, their hushed voices tinged with unease.

"Did you hear about Ronit?" one boy whispered, wide-eyed. "He's badly injured."

"Yeah..." another nodded gravely. "Someone attacked him last night. The doctors say he can't even move. They're worried he might slip into a coma."

"What?" a third boy gasped, his voice rising with shock.

A heavy silence lingered before someone finally spoke again.

"It's bad. Real bad. The blow to his head was severe. The doctors said it's a major head injury. All we can do now is pray..."

"But who would do something like this? And why?" another asked, confusion shadowing his face.

"Who knows? Maybe it's something related to his father's business. He does have a lot of rivals... maybe it was personal. Or maybe it was revenge," the boy speculated, his tone grim.

Just then, Nandini passed by, clutching a book to her chest. Her steps slowed as their words sank in. She didn't mean to eavesdrop-but every syllable hit her like a wave.

Her eyes widened. The air around her felt suddenly heavy.

Ronit... injured?

Her breath caught in her throat, and before she could stop them, tears welled up and began slipping down her cheeks. Her legs trembled beneath her, but she kept walking-silent, shaken, shattered inside.

⭑⭑⭑⭑☆⭑⭑⭑⭑

At Shish Mahal

Nandini pushed open the door to Manik's room.

He was sitting on the edge of his bed, downing shots, one after another-his jaw tight, eyes stormy.

"Yuvaraj... did you do this?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger.

Manik looked up at her, startled by the sudden accusation.
"What?" he muttered, his voice low, before taking another sip.

"I'm asking you, Yuvaraj. Did you do this or not?" she pressed.

He paused, placing the glass down, his expression shifting.

"Looks like you've forgotten the first rule," he said coldly. "Don't raise your voice in front of me. Who told you this? And did you even have permission to barge in like this?"

Realization struck Nandini. She had overstepped.

"I-I'm sorry... b-but did you-"

"Speak clearly!" Manik snapped, cutting her off.

"Yuvaraj... did you hit R-Ronit? Please... tell me you didn't," she asked, her voice shaking, her eyes pleading.

Nandini's mumbled in her mind.

Please, God. Yuvaraj can't be the one who did this. He just can't.

Manik scoffed. "Who's Ronit?" he asked nonchalantly, reaching for another drink.

"Ronit... the guy who... who proposed to me. You got angry after that. Please tell me you didn't hurt him. Please... he's in a coma... his life's in danger," she whispered, her voice breaking.

Manik's eyes darkened. He clenched his jaw.

"I thought he'd be dead by now," he said through gritted teeth. "Surprising he's still breathing."

Nandini took a step back, stunned.

"Yu-Yuvaraj... you..."

"Yes," he said, eyes locked on hers. "I did it. I beat him. Crushed his face. Smashed his head. I *wanted* to kill him. How dare he touch you with his filthy intentions? You're *mine*, Nandini. Only mine."

"I love you," he added, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And he had the audacity to propose to you? He got what he deserved. I made sure he'll never repeat that mistake."

He lifted the glass again and took another slow sip, as if nothing had happened.

Nandini stared at him, horrified. She had always known he was possessive. Obsessive. But this... this was monstrous.

Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

"And now you're crying? For him?" Manik growled, grabbing her arms tightly. "You're crying for that bloody coward? Why? Why these tears, Nandini? For him?"

Nandini couldn't speak. Her lips trembled.

All she could do was cry-for Ronit, for Manik, and for the growing fear taking root inside her heart.

"W-Why?" Nandini's voice trembled as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Why did you do this, Yuvaraj? I-I told you... he never spoke to me again after that incident. He never tried to come close. Then why...?"

Manik stood up, his eyes burning with rage and pain.

"I did it because of you!" he shouted.

"Because I love you, dammit! I can't stand the thought of another man even looking at you. No one-no one-has the right to come near you. Only I do. Only I have that right. Do you understand that?"

Nandini flinched. Her body shook with fear. Her voice broke as she tried to speak.

"B-But... Yuvaraj... this is wrong... Amma always tells me hurting someone-killing someone-that's what bad people do. But you... you're good, right? Then how... how could you do this?" she whispered, choking on her sobs.

Manik let out a bitter laugh, stepping closer to her. His face twisted with something dark, something terrifying.

"No, Nandini," he said coldly. "I'm not a good guy. Who told you I was? I only pretended to be-for you. That sweet, caring Yuvaraj... that's just a mask I wear for your sake."

He raised his hand and gently brushed her tear-stained cheek. The softness of his touch was in stark contrast to the madness in his eyes.

"The truth is... I'm still the same Monster Manik. That part of me never died. I only buried it-just long enough to win your trust. But when it comes to *you*, Princess... I don't care what's right or wrong. If something is *mine*, then it stays mine. No one takes it from me. Not even you."

Nandini froze, her breath caught in her throat.

This wasn't the Yuvaraj she knew. This was someone else-someone who had hidden behind a gentle smile and soft words. She had trusted him, fallen for the warmth he showed her. But now, that warmth was gone.

Now she could see the truth.

He was a monster.

And maybe... he always had been.

She stared at him, silently crying, paralyzed by the fear that the man she trusted was the same man she now feared the most.

He didn't change.
He couldn't.
Because he was born this way.

And now, Nandini wasn't just heartbroken-
She was truly afraid.

"Yuvaraj... p-please... leave me," Nandini whispered, struggling against his grip, her voice trembling with fear. She looked into his eyes-eyes that once comforted her but now burned with a cruel, uncontrollable rage.

"Princess... please don't be afraid of me," Manik said, reaching out to touch her face gently, his tone softer, but his eyes still wild. "Please..."

"Yuvaraj, let me go!" she cried, trying to break free. "You... you've hurt someone-you tried to kill someone!"

"Baby, he's still alive," Manik muttered defensively. "I didn't mean to kill him. But when I saw him near you, I-"

"You said you only wanted to teach him a lesson! But look what you did, Yuvaraj!" she cut him off, her voice rising with disbelief. "You put him in a coma! He's fighting for his life!"

"He's just injured-"

"No, he's not! He's unconscious, Yuvaraj! He might never wake up!" Nandini cried, her voice shaking.

"His only mistake was that he... he liked me. He just proposed! That's it! Why don't you trust me? Do you really think I'd ever betray your trust? I told you so many times-I'm not interested in any of that. I just want to focus on my studies. So why don't you believe me?"

Manik sighed, his jaw clenched. "I trust you, Nandini... but not the others. They're not like you. You're too innocent. You can't tell who's good or bad. And you... you're so beautiful. You don't even know how many eyes are on you-lustful, disgusting eyes. They don't see you, they just want your body. And I hate them for that. I just want to protect you, that's all..."

He cupped her face tenderly, but she pulled away, her eyes burning with tears and fury.

"Protect me? Is that what you call this?" she snapped. "What about what you did to me, Yuvaraj? Three years ago... do you think I've forgotten? Those boys you hate... they only looked at me. But you did it. you-you crossed the line. You touched me. You hurt me. So tell me... who's the real monster? Them? Or you?"

Manik froze. Her words hit him like a slap.

His expression shifted to one of shock, guilt flickering in his eyes.

"Nandini... don't compare me to them. I'm not like them. I know I made mistakes. I apologized. You forgave me. And since then, I've kept my limits. I've changed-for you. You know that..."

"Changed? Really?" Nandini laughed bitterly through her tears. "Just now, you said it yourself-you were only acting. You haven't changed, Yuvaraj. You've just found new ways to control me. You just changed your methods. Your mentality hasn't changed."

She took a shaky breath, rage trembling on her lips.

She paused, then spoke slowly, every word like a blade.

"You know what hurts the most? I saw you... Do you think I didn't notice? All those times Amms left for the palace, and you came here secretly... watching me from the peephole while I took a bath. You think I didn't know? I did. And I felt so disgusted. So ashamed. I hated myself for trusting you again. I thought... maybe you were different. But I was wrong. You fooled me. Again."

Manik stood frozen, the weight of her words crashing over him like a tidal wave. He couldn't speak. He couldn't move. Because this time-he had been caught. Red-handed. And by the only person who ever truly mattered to him.

His darkest truths had been exposed.

Nandini's voice dropped to a broken whisper.

"You say I broke your trust, but the truth is, Yuvaraj-you never even knew what trust means."

"Nandini... it's not like that. I-"

"Then what is it, Yuvaraj? You'll never change."

"You're just overreacting! I said sorry again! I admit I broke my promise. But what do you want me to do? I'm trying. Please stop talking about Ronit-it's over."

"No. If I had known that falling in love meant endangering lives, I would've never loved anyone. Never. Just because I loved you doesn't mean you have the right to hurt others. Amms didn't raise me to support this madness."

"Stop it, Nandini!" Manik shouted. "Since when are you so protective of that guy? He made a mistake and I punished him. That's it. Why don't you understand?! I did this because I love you. I'd go to any extent for you. I'm mad for you!"

He held her face again, desperation flooding his voice.

"Then go and live with your madness," Nandini said, breaking free. "But I won't be part of it anymore. I'm leaving. Just... leave me alone."

"Nandini..."

"Don't follow me. I'm done."

"Nandini, why are you so upset?" Manik demanded, his voice laced with frustration.

"I don't think I did anything wrong, so why are you overreacting like this? Why are you being so possessive... so protective of him? What's this concern about, huh? Just because of him, you're ready to fight me? You've never raised your voice at me before. What's changed, Nandini? Let me guess-you have feelings for him? Just say it!" He grabbed her arms tightly, eyes boring into hers.

"Yuvaraj, what are you even saying?" Nandini shot back, panic rising in her voice.

"He's just a classmate-we're not even friends. But this... this situation is about me. He got hurt because of me. And what if he dies tomorrow? What then? What will you do? What will *I* do? I don't want to carry that guilt for the rest of my life. I don't want to be responsible for his death. And what if Amms finds out?" Her voice trembled, eyes filled with dread.

"Do you like him?" Manik's voice turned chillingly cold.

"What?"she blinked, stunned.

"If it hurts you this much... if he dies, will it make you sad?" he asked again.

"Yuvar-no, Manik-"

"Just answer me!" His grip tightened.

"Y-Yes... b-but not because I like him. Because it's *wrong*! You can't take someone's life just like that. I know what it's like to lose someone, and I can't go through that again... not because of me..." Nandini's voice cracked.

Manik stared at her, wounded. "And if I were in his place? If it were me lying there, would you feel this same pain? Would you be this broken? Tell me, Nandini. I've never seen you this worried over anyone else. Why him? Why not me?" His voice was filled with a deep, aching insecurity.

"Yuvaraj, what are you saying? Nothing will happen to you! And I don't want you to be hurt-especially not because of me. No!"Nandini's eyes brimmed with tears.

Suddenly, Manik snatched a wine glass from the table and smashed it. Holding a shard near his wrist, he said coldly, "Then prove it. Forget him. Forget all of this. Otherwise, I swear, I will-"

"Yuvaraj, no! Please stop! You'll hurt yourself!" Nandini rushed to him, trying to snatch the glass from his hand.

"Then say it. Say you don't like him. Say there's no feeling at all!" His eyes were wild, desperate.

"Please... I don't like him! I don't feel anything for him! Please believe me!" Nandini sobbed, trembling.

"I love you, Nandini," he whispered, tears glistening in his eyes. "Promise me... that if you ever love anyone-it will only be me. I'll be your first and last love. Please... promise me."

Blood dripped from his hand as glass pierced into his skin, yet his focus never wavered from her face.

"Yuvaraj, please! Your hand-it's bleeding! Don't do this!"she pleaded, her voice shaking with fear. He looked like a madman-unhinged and broken.

"Promise me first," he said, unmoving.

Nandini closed her eyes tightly, heart pounding. When she opened them again, she looked straight into his.

"Yes... I promise. I'll do what you want. I will always... love you." The words barely escaped her lips, each one soaked in pain.

A faint smile appeared on Manik's face.

Nandini instantly pulled the glass from his hand and took it in hers, tears streaming down her cheeks. She began cleaning his wound, carefully removing the glass shards and wrapping it with a bandage, while he just stared at her, smiling like a fool.

"Yuvaraj... why are you doing this to me? Why? Why are you hurting yourself like this?" she whispered, crying softly.

"Because I love you," Manik said simply, staring at her as if she was his entire world.

"This isn't love... it's madness," Nandini looked up at him, her face wet with tears.

"But this madness exists only for you," he replied, brushing her hair gently.

She stood up to leave after finishing the bandage, but he caught her hand again.

"Don't go," he said.

"It's already so late... I need to go. Please take your medicine and rest," she urged softly.

Manik suddenly pulled her back, making her sit on his lap.

"Just this once. Please," he whispered, leaning closer to her lips.

"But... Yuvaraj..." she pleaded, unsure.

"Please," he said again, moving even closer.

Nandini closed her eyes tightly. She knew he wasn't in the state to understand right or wrong. She began to pray silently.

"Yuvaraj, please don't do this..."her heart cried out.

She wasn't ready for this-not emotionally, not mentally. Not now\... not like this. Three years ago, something similar had happened. A memory she had buried deep. A memory that still hurt.

Things had changed in these three years. Manik had changed-or so she thought. But deep inside, she always sensed that the same intensity still lingered in him. That's why she kept her distance. Not openly, but quietly. So he wouldn't notice she was protecting herself.

And now, after all this time, being in this situation again-especially with him-was terrifying.

Manik kissed her lips, gently. Softly. His rough lips brushed over hers, slow and deliberate. She clutched his T-shirt tightly, frozen in place. Her eyes remained shut, lips unmoving. She didn't respond.

She wasn't prepared for this.

After a long moment, he pulled away and stared at her, caressing her face with a soft smile.

She was blank-lost in a haze of emotion and fear.

"Yuvaraj... c-can I go now?" she asked hesitantly.

He gently rubbed her lips with his thumb.

"Please..." she whispered again.

He placed a small peck on her lips and said softly, "Go."

Nandini immediately stood up and walked away. Manik kept smiling, watching her go.

She reached home to find it empty. Amms wasn't there.

She locked the door behind her-and collapsed to the floor, crying uncontrollably.

⭑⭑⭑⭑☆⭑⭑⭑⭑

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