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I know I know after a long long time but guys I am helpless...desh k sabhi bankers ki haalat abhi bahut tight hai...we are drowned in neck breaking work pressure so plz pray for us...😣

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N don't ask me abt DD coz I donno when will I be able to update that 😉😉

So enjoy

Marine Drive..

I looked at the waves in constant gaze. There was a different kind of restlessness in the tides today some what reflecting my own inner turmoil. Such a mess my life was now infact I was. I behaved so idiotic and irrational a while back.

<< >>

The harder I tried to push him away the menacingly he kissed me as if he was pouring in all his frustration in that one single kiss and then suddenly he retreated leaving me wheezing for breath. While I panted my heart out the jerk bore a shameless victorious smile. He rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Now I am fine...this always comes in handy to calm me down", Manik sniggered like a rogue leaning on the basin counter for support.

I looked at him in disgust wanting to rip him apart but before I could do the honors the washroom door bolted open and I saw 4 men. Two of them were the guards and the other two were probably the restaurant staff.

"Catch him...he is the guy trying to molest this girl", the girl who I had sent back when Manik forced himself in thd ladies washroom appeared from behind and looked at me with a petrified face and then pointed at Manik for reference. Shit!! She actually took me seriously.

The guards needed no more hint. They pounced on Manik all at a time. Manik was too lazy and I was too shocked to react before that the men twisted Manik's hand behind his back and pushed him against the wall to hold him captive.

"Mam please dont worry we have come for your rescue and this man will be punished for misbehaving with you", one of them tried to assure me and the girl rushed to my side to see if I was hurt anywhere.

For a moment I couldn't figure out what was happening when another man spoke.

"And you get ready to pay for this creepy behaviour of yours..we have already informed the cops and they will be here any moment".

Manik laughed like a boar at his threat, "Mujhe aandar karwayega??", and he tittered heartily, "Biwi hai meri...my legally wedded wife", he sniggered looking at me.

All eyes halted at me for an answer.

"Nandini tell them that I am your husband and we were having a sweet private moment", he chuckled wide amidst trying to free himself . I so hated this over confidence of his. On one hand he was toying with Rewa and on the other he claimed me as his rightfully owned property.

He was just too much and needed to be taught a lesson.

"I don't know him", I declared looking away from him.

An array of expressions crossed Manik's face and then rolled his eyes at me, he knew I was just annoyed on him. He tried to persuade the men to leave him but remained unsuccessful. Strangely Manik was quite in control of himself. Manik made ridiculous faces and that irritated me more. Soon the cops arrived and were narrated the whole incident. They immediately hand cuffed Manik swearing on him harshly and when Manik tried to protest one of them punched him hard on his jaw.

Manikk!!!", I yelped in reflex.

A stream of blood rolled down the corner of his lips when they punched him again and I shrieked again. On a different occasion Manik would have turned around and punched back or beaten the shit out of them but here he smiled instead looking at my terrified face. He saw the concern in my eyes which was absolutely contrary to my words and he enjoyed that. But what amazed me was that Manik was in absolute control of his temper, it was strange no confusing umm surprising?? Nope shocking but then he was the Manik Malhotra.

The very next moment Cabir,Rewa and Navya rushed into the bathroom. They were as such looking for us and the cops gave them all the clues. Rewa shrieked louder than me as she saw Manik bleeding but didn't step anywhere near him and why not the stain could ruin her lious vitton top. Some @#$@$* she was!!!

Cabir intervened and spoke to the cops and testified that we were actually husband and wife.

"No Cabir let it be Nandini wants to take revenge on me so let her do that", Manik stated making a grumpy face.

"How mean of you Nandini...you actually planned to put Manik behind bars???", Rewa enacted her fake concern.

Cabir told the cops that we had had a small fight which led onto this. Navya nudged me to tell the truth. I was in no mood to give in though but then meekly nodded in agreement. The cops immediately left Manik and he huffed in response straightening his collars. The staff and the cops grimaced at our whatsoever silly banter. They warned us and left.

"Navya you be with Nandini and I will take Manik to the doctor", Cabir suggested calmly. Manik tried to avoid but Cabir forced him to go with him and Rewa followed them.

<< >>

"Here your chowpatty special masala chai", Navya's voice zapped me out of the flashback a while back. She handed me the glass and settled by my side. My silence irked her a little , "Nandini are you okay?"

I looked at her for a second contemplating whether to discuss my issues or not.

"I know Manik is very difficult...he has always been like that but whats with this dumb Rewa yaar...AURA chod ke bhi usse chutkara nahi hai...such a pain that woman is and what is wrong with Manik....why was he giving her so much importance??", she too sounded extremely irritated at Manik's behaviour.

"I know what he is doing? He is trying to get on my nerves..he is trying to make me jealous...what does he think I am a fool that I won't understand his tricks...just 2 days ago he was spitting fire at the mere mention of Rewa's name and today all of a sudden he is going all gaga over her...as if i dont understand his ways..karu main iska Navya...I am just so fed up with him dekha na tumne sabke saamne aaise behave kar raha tha as if usse fark hi nahi padta...he just doesn't care Navya itna insensible ho gaya hai wo", I was again on the verge of breaking down.

Navya dabbed on my shoulder in consolation, "Then why are you reacting Nandini...he does this only because it affects you...if you start being indifferent he will stop pulling these silly stunts on you"

"I have decided Navya once this show gets over I will go back to Ahmedabad forever...I really cant deal with him anymore", I covered my face with both my hands trying to hide away from the world.

Navya removed my hands and wiped my tears softly , "Everything will be okay..just give it some time... come lets go now...I will drop you home"

We were about to leave when my phone beeped. It displayed a call from an unknown number. I picked it up. Someone from Manini's school had called and said I had to come to school. I panicked at the thought if something had happened to my baby but I was assured otherwise. I quickly sent Navya back and took a cab to the school.

***

I rushed through the corridors to reach the administration office and halted at the reception desk, "Excuse me..I am Manini Murthy Malhotra's mother...I was asked to come urgently..where is she? Is she okay?"

"Mam...please go inside Principal Sir is waiting for you", the young girl across the table informed me in a somewhat frantic tone.

Her look said all wasnt well. I quickly shifted my glance at the next important destination and braced myself. I went in after a brief knock and found Manini sitting on the chair and playing with a paper weight alongside dangling her legs and her Principal and her class teacher Ms. Desai darting glares at her as if she had denied them a share in her pizza.

"Please come in Mrs. Malhotra", the Principal looked at me but his facial expressions hadn't softened a bit forget about a welcome smile.

Manini dropped the paper weight on the table with thud as she saw me, "Mommyyy", she squeaked excitedly and hopped down stepping on the foot of the teacher sitting by her side and she bellowed frantically.

"Kaddu careful baby", I stopped her quickly, "I am really sorry Ms. Desai", I apologised on Manini's behalf. It was almost routine now. Manik and his daughter gave me ample amount of reasons to apologise to others.

"I guess your count of sorry's is going to be a little more than that", Ms. Desai replied rubbing her foot.

"What is the matter Sir? Has she done anything?", I asked just for the heck of it because by now I was sure Manini had done something.

"Here this is what she has done", a voice from behind answered.

I turned back to find Mrs. Kulkarni. She was stout fat middle aged lady and was Manini's maths teacher. She stood at the door with a bunch of hair in her hand. I was in a terrible dilemma whether to greet her or to laugh my guts out at the sight. She looked like one of those aunties from the bollywood films whose hair had spiked up after a massive electric shock. Freak!! she looked hilarious how on earth was I going to control and then my daughter finished the task and she giggled heartily and I quickly pulled her to me.

Mrs. Kulkarni was seething with anger waiting to get her hands either on me or my baby. I could hardly understand anything and then they told me about her activity. Apparently Manini had stuck not one not two but three chewing gums in her hair while she was taking her class and she had to chop her hair from three sides thus making her look like a zombie.

I looked at Manini with shock. I couldnt believe she did something like that. She was naughty though but had never been a part of such hideous mischief.

"Kaddu did you really do that?", I asked the kitten to spill the truth. But she was she as a matter of fact. She fiddled with her toes, then poked the trophies neatly placed on the open cabinet, bit her lips, made a hundred faces. Basically did everything to test my patience but not answer me.

"Why are you asking her? You think I am lying?", Mrs. Kulkarni growled like a mad bull. She was about to take off when the door bolted open with a jerk and she who stood just by the door took off like literally and landed on the Principal's table. Our eyes travelled the entire distance that her body covered from the door to the Principal's table. The Principal jumped back in horror. I was stunned and my baby giggled heartily at the sight.

"Where is Manini??", Manik panted heavily as he stunned everyone by his act of sudden appearance. His eyes suddenly fell on his heartbeat standing in a corner feeling cornered by all the allegations. Manini was one drama queen, just a while back she was giggling naughtily but the moment she saw Manik she had to act panic stricken. She cringed her baby face and raised her arms in response to her Daddy frantic panicky face. She well knew he was the only person who could save her in this situation.

He rushed in her direction and engulfed the baby into the warmth of his embrace, "What the hell is wrong? What did you guys do to my daughter", Manik darted his glare towards the Principal without another thought. He was definitely one of a kind. For him the wobbly face of his daughter meant the rest of the world was at fault.

Manik was in a mood to make them run for their life but then Manini whispered something into her ears and he muttered something under his breath. I had had enough of the daddy daughter secrets.

I huffed looking at his face and got back to the menace in his arms, "Kaddu answer me...did you really do that?", I asked pointing at Mrs. Kulkarni's wonderfully new hairdo.

Manik couldn't understand the situation and then I narrated him his daughters latest mischief. Typical and myriad expressions of shock crossed his face but the moment his eyes fell on Mrs. Kulkarni he broke into hysterical giggles.

"Manikk!!!", I glared at him to stop. He pursed his lips to control but then gave up and hid his face into Manini and just laughed.

Both the father daughter well knew how to embarrass me in just about any situation.

"I am really really sorry Sir, Mam please...please excuse Manini for this time...I really don't know why she behaved like that...but Mam I assure you she wont repeat it ever...Kaddu say sorry to Mam", I ordered her firmly and she blurted a meek sholly rubbing her nose on Manik's chest.

Although Mrs Kulkarni was in no mood to buy my pleas so I directed them to the Principal. He seemed irritated for a while but then nodded his head lightly to comfort me. No one could be spared from Manini's puppy eyes. She made faces and their hearts melted. I apologised once again and gave them a thousand assuraces of Manini's behavior and then we walked out.

Just as we got to a safe distance from the Principal's office I grabbed Manini from Manik's arms and brought her to me.

"Now tell me...why did you do such a mischief...come on now answer me", I shook her a little to make her look at me.

"Nandini let it be na...it's all sorted besides I am sure that my daughter wasn't at fault", Manik as expected advocated for his baby at which I could just roll my eyes. It was as usual pointless to explain Manik about his daughter's notorious activities Meanwhile Manini read our faces and our discussion on her swaying her head in both directions one by one.

"Mommy I didn't do anything...it was Shleya...I was tlying to take it out but the chuing umm was shoo eee sthicky it didn't come out then Lahul said if we sthick it on the othel shide it will come out so I was tlying to do that but then alsho it didn't come out and then that blahhh miss caught me", she finished her part of the story with all the necessary animations and expressions. While I looked at her face to see through any more mischief Manik huffed at me for having doubted his baby's integrity.

I picked her up and her baby look vouched that she wasn't lying. I shrugged helplessly looking at her monkey face...what was I going you to do with this baby of mine. My own life was such a mess and she did everything possible thing to add to my troubles but I couldn't thank her enough for being in my life. Her silly antics innocent talks and babyish activities made me smile even in dire situations. Nevertheless I brushed her hair and made her look at me.

"Kaddu...baby listen to me please dont do such things you saw na how upset your teachers were and my Kaddu is a good baby na... promise me you won't do such mischief ever"

She looked at me for a while and made a variety of faces, "Plomishh!!", she finally said after making me wait for two minutes.

"It's okay baby...besides Mrs. Kulkarni was looking great in that hair do", Manik picked her up swiftly and comforted her in his arms and moved his face close to her , " and please give such a make over to your Nani as well..she just doesn't let me do anything", he whispered into her ears and both of them giggled naughtily.

"What did you say?", I pried suspiciously. I was sure Manik said something about Mom.

"No..umm.wh..what did I say...I told her to be..have pro.. properly with everyone...hai...hai na baby"and as expected he fumbled with possible word.

As I fumed, Manini cupped Manik's face and looked at the slight cut at the corner of his lips cringing her nose and eyes.

"Ow did thishh ooouuu appen Daddy? Did Mommy beat you again?", she asked to confirm as if she was expecting something of that sort and why not she was aware of her Mommy and Daddy's current equation.

Manik purposely poked it with his fingers and hissed in pain, "Baby this time your Mommy got me beaten by the cops...", he complained to her making a face more innocent than his baby's. Manini built a big O on her face in astonishment and before she could express any further I quickly clasped her hand and started walking. Manik followed us somewhat stumbling to whatever came on his way.

"Nandini come on I will drop you both home then I have a meeting in your office", Manik took Manini's mini mouse school bag and crossed us and went to unlock his car.

I stood there quiet for a moment clasping Manini tight, she did make her attempts to hop behind her father but I didn't let her. I well knew about his meetings in Panache that too in my absence. I had had enough of him and his nonsensical tricks.

"No thanks we will manage..", I took the bag swiftly and walked aside to look out for a cab without giving the daddy daughter another opportunity to protest.

I had decided the right thing. I could never handle myself around Manik. All the pretence of being unaffected came across as a clear facade and always gave him the edge but this time I had defeat my weakness.

***

I came back home to find another trouble waiting for me !!Mom!!

"What was that husband of yours doing in the hospital that too with a tall young girl...if I am not wrong I saw her at the event??", Mom shot point blank without giving me a second to breathe or think.

I didn't need a hint to guess which tall young b**** was she talking about. Mom had apparently spotted them at the hospital where Cabir took him but what did she see that she got so furious.

"You should have seen that girl...she was behaving like she was his wife...I so wanted to confront them then and there but I was their with some other people...so embarrassing it was", she had got her chance to prove her allegations right and why not Manik gave her that.

I listened to her quietly without a word in Manik's defence this time because honestly Manik had bereft me of any opportunity.

"What are you doing with your life Nandini? Please think clearly...is this how you want your life to be...ye example set karna chahti ho tum Manini k saamne...come on say something...pagal nahi hun jo akele mein badbada rahi hun", my silence was definitely making her lose patience.

I heaved a sigh and looked at her, "Don't worry Mom...maine decide kar lia hai k mujhe kya karna hai...Sach mein hadh ho chuki hai...", I wiped the tear even before it made its way.

***

In the evening at home...

I was trying to concentrate on the designs but could hardly. Mom had left for Ahmedabad and I had no reasons to stop her. I couldnt handle the madness around me anymore.

Manini was busy folding the pages in her notebook to make them into rockets so that she could fly them off and be free of them. I watched her in awe, the best part about childhood is that we could so easily get rid of our problems.

"Kaddu come here", I called her flapping my palm. She ignored the first time but finally flopped to me on the second beckoning . I pulled her and brought her to my lap.

"These days you dont love Mommy...you dont even come to me", I complained in her childish tone and she nodded her head vigorously.

"I love you Mommy", she widened her baby eyes to counter the baseless allegation on her and when I didn't show any signs of being convinced she faced me and dropped a dozen kisses on my face to vouch for her love for me.

"I leally love you Mommy...", she repeated in her baby voice encircling her arms around my neck.

"Okay...then will you come with me if I ask you?", I proposed her softly. I had to talk to her some day then why not today. Last time when I had decided some thing like this I didn't need to seek her willingness. She was safe inside me agreeing to all the decisions I took on her behalf but this time I needed her consent. She had every right to choose and I couldn't deny her that.

"Whel will we go Mommy?", she asked flickering her eyes, "Will Daddy alsho come with ush?", yes that was the most important thing for her to know.

"What if I say he won't?"

Her face fell in a second. She definitely didn't like the idea of going anywhere without Manik.

"Mommy ale you angly on Daddy? Daddy leally loves you...I plomishh..he ish sholly pleash folgive him pleashhh", she had to cover for her Daddy in every possible way. I pulled the baby into my arms to comfort her. I hated myself for doing this to the little one. All she wanted was to be with her Mommy and Daddy and we couldn't do this much for her.

My thoughts broke as the door bell rang. It was Manik.

"Your Mom left? ", he asked with a happy zing in his voice, "Umm..no I mean I was just asking wo watchman ne bataya..you could ha..have asked her to stay for some more time", he muttered for the sake of formality.

"Really??"

"What...why are you looking at me like that...I really love her..she is sooo nice sooo kind and soo fair...with ME", he looked at me with a sarcastic smile.

I ignored his talks and called out for Kaddu for dinner. An endearing smile played on Manik's lips at the mention of his daughter and he tip toed to her room to find her scribbling something on her notebook.

"Ayy my bachha... what is my princess doing?", he picked her up affectionately and pecked her on the head.

"Daddy shee I made thishh...", she brought his notice to something . She had made a sorry card for Mrs. Kulkarni with a stick figure depicting her holding her ears and some flowers, "Daddy shee i alsho made one fol you" she held out another card which said

I Am Sorry Nandini

"Daddy give thish to Mommy..she will love it..ow ish it Daddy?"

Manik looked at it for 2 minutes and kissed it tenderly, "Anything that my Princess makes is the best and thank you baby for being there...I am so useless without you", he sniggered happily at this achievement of his and they settled in each others warmth for some more time.

***

I arranged my bed and was about to slip inside the quilt when I felt his arms slid under my arms and hold me by the waist.

"Heyyy!!", his soft whisper brushed my hair and fell into my ears. He nuzzled into my neck and his hands felt my tummy. I fisted my palms tight to be able to hold onto the feeling of being so close to him.

"What do you want?", I asked sternly.

"Umm you see that is a very dicey question...What do I want?", he pouted thoughtfully and pushed his face into my hair, "There is so much that I want...I want to rub my nose here", he whispered huskily and nuzzled into my neck, "Then I want to kiss here", he dragged my gown down my shoulder and dropped kisses there. His grip around my waist tightened but I made sure I didn't react to any of his advances, "Nandu abhi bhi gussa ho? I know thoda gussa toh hona hi chahiye...maine sabke samne tumhe embarrass kia....sorry", he held out Manini's apology card in front of me and kissed me on the head.

"Great!! Sorry bolne k bhi tumhe apni beti ki help chahiye hoti hai", I stated in a cold expressionless tone.

"So what..she is my baby won't she help me...why are you jealous?? But my baby is the best do you know...", he chuckled and loosened his grip and turned me around to look at me and as expected my tears were already banked at the bay, "Nandu what is wrong? Ro kyun rahi ho...ook fine I won't take Manini's help..I swear just stop crying ", he panicked the very moment he saw my soggy eyes, "Hang on are you crying because of what I said the other day at the police station ...uhh Nandini come on you know gusse mein main kuch bhi bakwas karta hun but you know Princess has given me a brilliant idea to keep my temper in check... ", he was trying hard to lighten my mood.

He tried to wipe my tears but I stopped him, "Please Manik just stop..stop showing that you care because you don't...atleast meri toh nahi...so let's face it now"

"What??", Manik was a little apprehensive about my mood. He wasn't really ready for what was coming next.

"We cant be to..together...we should split Manik...its good for both of us...hum sari zindagi aaise fight karke nahi guzar sakte and whenever we are together we end up fighting...even before getting married hum aaise they and look at us today we are just the same...excuses dhund te hain hum fight karne ke liye...we never agree on the same thing...we always contradict each other and I am just tired of all this.. whenever we try to sort things between us they get even more complicated...hum kabhi saath nahi ho paate kuch na kuch ho jata hai...I am not blaming you for anything but this is the truth"

I was trying hard to control my inner turmoil and sound as composed as possible but it was never easy to hide myself from this man. I maintained not looking at him because that would only make me weaker. I had dug my eyes onto the floor, looking anywhere else was not an option as my tears had started pouring in full vigor and somewhere I was preparing myself for another round of blasting by Manik . I shut my eyes tightly expecting him to grab me tight and mince me in his embrace for even thinking about separation . But nothing happened absolutely nothing. I immediately flung my eyes open to find emptiness around me.

He wasn't there, not a single trace of his was present and it was then I registered that he was gone...gone for ever. I dont know why but the feeling choked me from within. I told him that we cant be together and he just complied without any question any argument any fight. Probably for the first time he agreed with me but I didn't want him to.

There was just one thing that I could manage to mumble to myself admist a million tears..

He left me...he left me....forever...