"I'm fine, Avneet. You go and freshen up. I'll get hot chocolate for you."

Nandini was about to get up but Avneet stopped her. "I don't need it now." 

Nandini was about to say something but before that only Nandini's phone started ringing. 

Avneet walked inside before Nandini and saw the caller id. It was Manik. She smiled thinking at least there was someone who loves her sister truely and she surely deserved all of it. She hid the smile on her face and passed a teasing smile to her sister who looked at her in confusion.

"I'll take your leave now. You talk to my jiju. I'll go and freshen now."

Then Avneet left from there running.

"Hello, Manik."

Manik sighed in relief hearing Nandini's voice from the other side. The whole day his ears were craving to hear her voice. "Nandini, where have you been the whole day? Are you okay?" He asked impatiently and his voice was a clear indication of how worried he was for her.

"I'm okay. Actually I didn't get the time to check my phone that's why I didn't realize that the battery was dead and my phone was off. But why are you asking like this?"

"That time Mr. Kapoor took you away like this and he also slapped you in front of us. I don't know what he had done to you in the house. I was so worried for you. I can't come to your place. I've been trying to call you that how're you or what did he say to you. But I couldn't reach you. Avneet wasn't home as well."

"Don't worry. I'm okay now." Nandini smiled seeing his concern.

Manik sighed which was inaudible to her. "That time I shouldn't have replied like that to him. I should have been more cautious and thought properly before saying anything."

Nandini was astonished seeing him thinking that way which was not even needed. "Why? What happened? Why are you thinking like this?"

"What if Mr. Kapoor tries to hurt you more because of me? Then I won't be able to forgive myself ever."

Nandini chuckled hearing him. He was still the same. Even if he was not at fault he was still apologizing. He did the same at their first meeting too. Maybe that's why she had fallen for him. The innocence, kindness and goodness in him. She was thankful to God for sending an angel in him for her.

"I see! That's why Dr. Manik Malhotra was having trouble the whole day. There is a commotion in your head about this matter." Nandini chuckled playfully.

"I have a problem in my head because of one person only and that's none other than you."

"Then hear one thing carefully this problem of your head can give her life too for you and it's just a small matter."

"I can't wait to get you out of that house and take you here, in my world where you'll be with me, where I can keep you covered with all the happiness you deserve, where I can keep you away from all those people who want to hurt you. You don't deserve this life, Nandini. You deserve all the happiness in this world. What should I do to erase all the pains in your life, Nandini?"

"Manik, relax. You don't need to be worked up so much for me. You're here by my side and that's enough for me. I can ask for anything else. Just a few days more. Once I finish my graduation, you can take me away with you."

"I'm waiting eagerly for that day. Anyways, it's enough. Tell me did you have your dinner?" Manik asked.

"Avneet just returned. I'll have it now. What about you?"

"I'll also have it now." Manik inhaled a breath. "Will you come to our place tomorrow?"

"Yes, he has gone out for a few days. So, I can come."

"Thank God. You'll be fine now. Even if it's only for a few days." Manik sighed. He was happy with the news.

Nandini chuckled. "I'll hang up the call now. See you tomorrow."

"Bye. Good night."

"Good night."

Manik was relieved that Nandini was okay. Finally the weight he was feeling in his heart was gone and he could breathe freely. The peace in his heart could be guessed seeing the carefree smile on his face which was missing the entire day. He picked up his guitar and started humming her favorite melody. He was surely missing her a lot.

Darkness engulfed the sun as it was seen and the darkness of night descended.

MANIK'S   PLACE
"Mom!"

"Mom!" 

Manik's voice echoed all over the house. 

Neelima frowned and entered into Manik's room. "What's wrong with you? Why're you shouting like this?" She looked at him in annoyance. 

"Mom, I can't find one of my important files." He replied still searching for it, to be more precise throwing everything from its place. 

Neelima nodded in disbelief. "You're shouting like this just because you can't find a file! Can't you remember where do you keep your things? Who'll find them every time for you?"

"We'll see that later but for now look for it please."

"Which one?"

"The one I got last night."

Neelima took the file from the cupboard and gave it to Manik who smiled sheepishly. "It was here only. Where were you looking?"

"Thank you, mom." Manik hugged her mother.

Neelima smiled and slapped on his arm. "It's enough. Leave me. I've work." Saying this, Neelima left from Manik's room and he sat down to do his work.

NEXT   DAY
The light of the intense swallowing of the sun diminished and at last the darkness came down in the heart of the city.

Nandini and Avneet were passing by the road of the park of the Windy Lane. The light cool breeze indicated that the winter was almost there. The flowers of the tree had dried up and were lying on the road carelessly and the darkness was all around. 

"Di, did you notice this road seem to be emptier than usual today?" Avneet tore the silence and spoke up. 

Nandini nodded. "I was thinking of that only." 

It goes without saying that people are almost non-existent today compared to other days. Suddenly a large white car, blowing dust, came and stood in front of them at high speed. Nandini and Avneet were dazzled by the light of the car's headlights. They covered their eyes with their palms trying to protect their gazes. After a while, they opened their eyes and saw that the light had gone down.

"Is this the way to come and stand in front of someone? They had almost planned to kill us." Avneet spoke directing the car as they had passed almost touching them. Thankfully they were not injured.

Nandini also looked at the in anger. "Can't you drive looking at the street properly? You own a car that doesn't mean you won't see the people who are walking and push them."

Just then, some people in black dress covering their face came out of the car. They were looking very strong. They came down and surrounded Nandini and Avneet. 

Avneet clutched Nandini's hands in fear. Nandini was also taken aback the way they stood around them. "Why are you standing around us like this? Just move and let us go."

Nandini tried to get out of there with Avneet but her effort went in vain. 

"Why are you in such a hurry? Spend time with us too." They burst out laughing as one of them spoke up. 

Nandini and Avneet got a little frightened. They looked at them carefully and realized that these people must have come with some intention. 

"See, leave us else it won't be good for you all." Nandini tried her luck once again.

"It won't be good for us! We know what is good for us. You don't have to think so much for us."

"Yes, that's right. But you can make our work easier by coming with us without making any fuss else it won't be good for both of you."

"Why will we come with you? We don't even know you. I am asking for a long time to leave our way. Let us go or we'll shout." Avneet gulped but tried to look as calm as possible just like Nandini.

"They're a good catch for us. We're surely gonna have a huge benefit selling them. Just look at them customers will be so happy seeing them and I'm sure they would pay anything for these birds." One of the men eyes Nandini and Avneet from head to to making them feel disgusted under his gaze. 

"Hey! You're crossing your limits now. You can't get us like this. Just let us go." Nandini tried to behave courageous. She was not alone. She had to save Avneet too who was scared and she could feel it. She knew it's not gonna be easy still she had to escape from here anyhow to protect both of them. 

"They're speaking too much! Don't test our patience. It won't take us a minute to catch you both and send you away from where no one would be able find you." A man spoke in a dangerous tone.

A shiver ran down through Nandini and Avneet's spine. 

"Di, what'll we do now? I'm really scared." Avneet whispered near Nandini's ear who herself was feeling terrible looking for ways to get out of here. 

"See." Nandini gulped. "We have done no harm to you. So leave us alone."

"Take them in the car." One of them spoke ignoring Nandini's words completely.

As soon as they moved ahead to get them in the car, Nandini and Avneet pushed them with all their strength and ran away from there. They also started chasing Nandini and Avneet without wasting another moment. After they ran to some distance, they could no longer see Nandini and Avneet due to darkness. Having no other options left, they had to retreat and at the end of the dark lane, Nandini and Avneet vanished somewhere. 

~~•°•~~
That's all for today. I hope you liked it. Do vote and comment.

29.03.2024