Nandini’s P.O.V ~
” Where is my bag! My phone? Oh God, my books… shit, I’m late! ” I exclaimed, running around frantically, almost stuffing all my belongings into that little backpack. Meanwhile, Manik laid back calmly.
” Get up! It’s 10 pm. Dad is going to eat me alive. ” I muttered, and pulled him up.
” Okay, okay. Are you sure, that you’ve taken everything? ”
” Yes. Ab chalo! ” I said, dragging him out.
I was going to be dead. I just hoped that dad would come home late. I had promised him that I won’t be meeting Manik anymore. But now that the promise was broken, I did not know how to face him. All of me was guilty, because I was going to have to lie to him till Manik returned.
Manik stopped outside my house, and the first thing I did, was to look at the parking area.
He’s not home…
Dad’s car was nowhere to be seen. I sighed with relief realizing that dad had not yet come home.
” It’s not a goodbye, right? ” Manik asked, once we were standing outside the car.
” It’s not. ” I assured, pecking his cheeks. He smiled, and wrapped his arms around me. I swear at that moment, I felt like crying. I was on cloud nine, that I had finally found someone who loved me for who I was. Who was here for me… but, it was really hard to stay away from him.
” I feel like crying. Can I cry? ” I asked, burying myself in his chest.
He chuckled. ” No. ” He replied. ” No more crying. I’ll be away only for some time. Then I’m gonna get back, and we’ll work this out. I promise. ”
I nodded. I trusted him more than myself now. Somewhere, I had a hope that in the end, it was all going to be okay. Dad was not gonna hate me or Manik for this…
” I know we’ll work it out. I’m just worried about my dad, y’know. ” I said.
” It’s going to be okay. I love you, and your happiness is everything to me. I promise that I’ll do whatever it takes to convince him. ” He said. ” Oh, and its not even that easy to ignore my charm. ” He added. I laughed at how witty he was even during emotional times.
” Yeah yeah, whatever. Now go, before dad comes home! ” I exclaimed, pushing him back into the car. But being the stubborn person he is, he just stayed there.
” Itni bhi kya jaldee hai, chashmish? Wait for some time, na, ” He said, pulling me closer to him. I laughed and tried to push him back, but his grip around me was strong. His chest was hard as a rock, so were his arms. But his heart was soft, pure. His eyes showed how much he cared for me.
God save me now. I am helplessly in love with this man…
He said something really cheesy in my ear, and then planted a trail of kisses down my neck, till he reached my shoulder. ” Manik, stop, please… ” I tried to say, but he knew that even I was liking it. I laughed, still trying to push him away gently.
” Arrey, koi dekh lega, ab jao! ” I said, keeping my voice as low as possible. He pursed his lips, and looked at me with a somewhat depressed look.
” I’ll miss you, ” He said, in a barely audible tone.
” Me too, bubba, ” I said, resting my forehead against his. He flashed a weak smile, and landed his lips on mine. My heart dropped down to my stomach, as he pressed me against him. I was again feeling those fireworks, that electricity around myself. I tugged at his hair, not wanting to let go. This was hard, really hard for us. Specially now, that we had admitted our feelings to each other.
” Come with me, Nandini, ” He suddenly said, parting away. Both of us were panting, out of breath. It took a moment for me to process what he had just said. Come with me?
” What, where? ” I asked, confusion written all over my face.
” With me, to Delhi, and then wherever I go. You said, you wanted to be with me. That’s exactly what I want. So come with me to Delhi, meet my family, stay with us for a while, ” He said. It was completely unexpected. Like a total surprise. I did not know what to say!
” Manik, I… I want to. But its my dad… ” I said, regretting all of it. If it wasn’t my dad controlling me, I definitely would have ran away with Manik. His hopeful face turned into frown.
” Right, ” He said.
” I’m sorry, Manik, ” I said. He quickly shook his head and covered his disappointment with a smile.
” Its okay. We decided to wait, so we should wait now. I don’t want to do anything that will hurt you or your family. ” He said. I smiled, as his gaze suddenly shifted to my left. His expression was unreadable as he looked at something behind me; or should I say someone behind me.
I turned around, and my heart just stopped beating for a second. Totally unexpected, my father stood in front of us. He looked angry, and more than that, he looked hurt and betrayed.
” Dad… ” I blurted out after seeing him like that, unexpectedly. Well, it was unexpected for him too.
I was going to be dead soon…
***
Back after a long time. Well, how did you find the chapter? Nandini’s dad sees it all! Will he accept Manan? Or will The Hard Times come now?