Sorry for all those words yesterday.. I am really sorry… Its just that with falling weak then and there i am kind of getting irritated with my health.. Thanks for the comments.. Enjoy the next chapter
Chapter 27 : Here
Then the next day
(Nandini) “Manik is sweet on you, isn’t he?” I asked Navya when we were out for a walk.
(Navya) “You mean Manik Bhai? He is the meanest bully you will find on this earth.”
(Nandini surprised) “Oh, you can’t be serious?”
(Navya) “He is not the type to inflict physical pain. He goes into your mind and makes you feel inferior. Sorry. That must have creeped you out. I didn’t mean to show him like that. He is, you know, intellectually strong and physically stronger. He never cared for anyone. He was trained as an heir since a child; the only thing that made him normal is his Dadaji’s moral lessons. That is why we always called him heartless and you know what, he didn’t even care that he was being called like that.”
(Nandini) “How is he with his family?”
(Navya) “Why do you ask this?”
(Nandini) “I am curious.”
(Navya) “He is close to his family, no doubt. But he is not the loyal type. He is loyal to non living things or at least the intangible things. He never lets a person know what he is thinking. The only person he shares things on his mind, is with his Dadaji. He doesn’t dislike his Dad but Uncle Raj always thought how Dadaji brought him up was wrong. Dadaji is fun and gives freedom of choice and he did the same to Raj Uncle but Uncle is very strict on his children. He feels some things with his children are unnecessary. It feels weird to know none of those sibling hate Uncle. I just shudder at sight of Raj Uncle, menacing presence, almost like Manik’s but Manik can dispel the aura when he likes. And never speak anything about his Mom. He just loves her to the core but he won’t listen to her.”
(Nandini’s POV) Somehow, I feel that kind of family to be suffocating. Dad never forced us to do anything. No wonder Manik thought the world revolved around him and that emotions expressed are not valued. Maybe that is why he acted that way.
(Nandini) “You accepted him for who he was, Navya. Why are you resenting him now?”
(Navya) “Nandini, is this you talking? Did You Forget What He Did To You?”
(Nandini) “It is not like I hated him. Maybe, even if he had confessed his love, I wouldn’t have accepted it. From the start, I felt that we wouldn’t work out. We would always be attracted to each other but never compatible. I would have been very stubborn about it without even trying to work things out. Maybe, he really didn’t have a choice?”
(Navya angered) “Nandini! Just Listen To What You Are Talking? Are You Serious About What You Are Saying?”
(Nandini) “I loved him even before all the things he did. I loved him when he was his arrogant self and I love him more seeing his kind side. I don’t think my feelings would change even if he reverts back to normal like before. I thought he would never be able to accept my feelings, so I decided to leave without telling anything. When I found out I was pregnant, though I was scared, I was happy it was his child. I didn’t stop loving him. I just couldn’t trust him anymore. Now, I just can’t think that he’s acting. He feels sincere and honest. I love him, Navya and I trust him but I am scared. I don’t know what to do.”
(Navya) “I can’t believe this! You should know that he wouldn’t be as forgiving as you are now, ever. I would have accept him if he were like this all the time but I just can’t forgive what he did. Never once has he treated a woman against her will, even when he treated them like toys. He Raped You, And You Say You Are In Love With Him No Less, Forgiving Him?”
(Nandini) “Navya……..”
(Navya furious) “DON’T! You May Forgive Him But I Can’t! I Would Have Welcomed This Change In Him Before But Not After What He Did As The Results Of His Guiltiness.”
(Nandini) “Navya, he didn’t apologise to me”
(Navya) “I Know That He Wouldn’t! He still thinks that what he did is right! Just do whatever you want with your life! I won’t forgive him! I came here with Payal, because I wanted to see how he has changed but it has convinced me to nothing!”
(Nandini’s POV) She marched off angrily towards the house. I couldn’t talk to her about what I wanted. I hope she doesn’t get into a fight with Manik.
(Navya’s POV) I can’t believe that Nandini was defending him! After All That He Did! How Can She! I can’t even digest the fact that he did it! When I entered the house, I saw him sleeping on the couch with Payal on top of him! Without letting anger cloud my thoughts, I slowly took her and laid her on the bed I brought for her. I really wanted to kick Manik Bhai.
Navya had marched towards Manik and she saw him sleeping. She got angered seeing him and scowled but before that she placed Payal in her bed
(Navya angered) “Get up, Manik! I want to duel (she is asking for a dual fight with Manik. All the friends group of Swalak and their brothers are martial experts and they generally fight physically by keeping tournaments. But here she wants to fight is to vent out her anger) with you now!” He woke up, still looking sleepy.
(Manik) “What are you talking about? You can fight with me in your situation. Besides, I was up all night. Let me sleep under this nature for sometime please.”
(Navya) “Get up and please don’t test my patience .”
(Manik) “Please Navya.” He shrugged and turned the other way.
(Navya) “No.” He finally got up.
(Manik) “Seriously?”
(Navya) “Yes”
(Manik) “You know that Nandini would kill you if she sees you fighting?”
(Navya) “She is not my doctor. Doc said I was fine to exercise. Get up”
(Manik)“What about Payal?”
(Navya) “She won’t get up till evening. Don’t worry about that.”
(Navya’s POV) He came with me grudgingly. As soon as we went to the back of the house, I struck him immediately. But he blocked my attack. I didn’t give him space or time for offense. All he could do was defend himself.
(Manik) “Hey, slow down a bit. Give me time to get into position atleast.” He said, backing away.
(Navya) “No” I went at him another around.
(Manik) “Come on. Go easy on me. I cannot hit back at you even if I want.”
(Navya) “I don’t care. If you find it too troublesome, then don’t block.” I concentrated on kicking him. Hitting him won’t give him as much pain as I kick him.
(Manik) “You know I can’t do that with you trying to kick me so intensely.”
(Navya) “Then let me hit you!” For a moment, he let his guard down. I stuck him in his abdomen. He fell back in pain. Finally, I feel a little satisfied. I really wanted to strike at him with all my strength.
(Manik in pain) “You Dumbest Fool! You just delivered. Don’t go kicking people like this. Ouch….” He said getting up. He was feeling the pain.
(Navya) “You don’t have to worry about that. My doc allowed me to practice since I was already practicing when I was pregnant and before that too.”
(Manik) “You practice regularly?”
(Navya) “Of course, if not, I can’t even land an attack on you.” He laid back and closed his eyes.
(Navya) “How serious are you about Nandini?” I asked him. He didn’t seem surprised by it.
(Manik) “I thought you understood as you are staying with me.”
(Navya) “I don’t. I was so sure that you would fail that I left you. If I even thought for one moment that you would enthrance VM Uncle, I would have dragged you back with me.” I sat beside him.
(Manik) “You make me sound fake”
(Navya) “Well, you aren’t who I know. So, aren’t you a fake?”
(Manik) “Then, I can say the same to you as how you are when you are with Cabir. You are a girl I don’t know when you are with him. So, does that mean you are fake?”
(Navya) “You still argue well.”
(Manik) “Not as much as you can.”
(Navya)“Just answer my question, Manik Bhai. Are you serious about her?”
(Manik) “I intend to marry her and live with her for the rest of my life. If not, I believe a bachelor life with a dog maybe, suits me fine.”
(Navya) “You have thought that far?”
(Manik) “Well, if didn’t, I wouldn’t have even turned up in front of her. I thought it was infatuation but if I am suffering this much, it can’t be.”
(Navya) “I can’t believe how you can answer so coolly.”
(Manik) “I don’t care if you believe or not. Also, I don’t care if you forgive me or not. I only need to convince Nandini. None else”
(Navya) “Brave words coming from a man who none trusts anymore.”
(Manik) “Whatever. I know that you are not going to forgive me nor are you going to help me.”
(Navya’s mind) I was shocked to hear the words from him. I thought he wouldn’t notice.
(Manik looking at her expressions)“What are you looking all shocked for? I have known you since you were a kid. I know you can’t forgive me. In any case, I would prefer it if you just pretend we get along for Nandini’s sake.”
(Navya) “Why?”
(Manik) “She thinks she is the reason why we are fighting but both of us understand the main cause of it. Just tolerate me for her. After you get back, you don’t have to see my face again.”
(Navya’s POV) He turned away from me. I got up and left him lie. He seems like he genuinely cares for her. Does he really regret what he did? Did he really torment himself over what he has done? He looked like it. If Nandini really forgives him, should I too? I needed time to think.
(Nandini’s POV) I couldn’t talk to Navya at all. How can she help me if she doesn’t even listen to me? I have to have another talk with her. I saw the back of the house from the meadows. Manik’s sleeping on the grass. Why? Did they fight? I rushed up to him to see.
(Nandini) “Hey, Manik, what happened? Why are you lying here?”
(Manik) “Nothing. I was just talking to Navya out here. Had a nice walk with her?”
(Nandini) “Yes. But she marched of angrily. I was thinking that she may have gotten into a fight with you.”
(Manik) “Whatever. Why don’t you go out for dinner with Navya?”
(Manik saw Nandini’s surprised face and quickly said) “You don’t have to look so surprised. It is obvious that both of you want to talk about something. Seeing that Navya walked out of the conversation, means you both didn’t talk about anything. She is like that. She walks out of the topic when she doesn’t like it.” I was really surprised. He knows her in and out.
(Nandini questioningly) “You will take care of Payal?”
(Manik) “Isn’t that what I have been doing till now and still here for? Go on with her. She is mad but she won’t refuse you.”
(Nandini’s POV) I smiled back at him. Was her really this understanding before? Or this side of his was shown only to his family and close friends?
(Nandini) “Okay. What about your dinner?”
(Manik) “I will make something for myself. Don’t bother. Go and get ready for your dinner.”
(Nandini) “Aren’t you going to come in?”
(Manik) “Nah. If I come in, she may burst. Get ready. Tell her to feed Payal and when you are ready, I will take Payal from your hands.”
(Nandini’s POV) He closed his eyes after saying it. When I went in, Navya looked comparatively calm.
(Nandini announced to Navya) “We are going out for dinner.”
(Navya Surprised and asked) “Why?”
(Nandini) “Because I need to talk to you. You walked off when we were talking.”
(Navya) “Can’t you do it here? I am still mad.”
(Nandini) “Please, Navya and also one more request please listen to whatever I say with patience.”
(Navya) “I can’t believe myself. I will try to stay calm through our conversation. We will talk when we come back from dinner. Manik will drop us. I hope it is not a fancy place to his liking?”
(Nandini) “(Giggle) No. Its a cozy place and good food. You don’t have to worry about it.” We left by seven thirty. Manik dropped us outside the place.
(Navya) “Now Payal. Be a good girl and sleep till I come back. Here you go. She won’t get up till midnight. So, you can have your most wanted sleep.”
(Manik) “Are you sure you don’t want me to come and pick you up? After all, its just you two girls….”
(Navya) “We will be fine, Manik. Don’t tell me your tummy is alright already?”
(Nandini’s POV) What did she say Manik’s tummy is hurting, he didn’t even tell me about did Swalak fight physically?? I don’t know let me ask Navya later as I know she will neither tell me what happened now and neither will Manik allow Navya to tell anything.. I will talk to Navya alone
(Manik) “Thanks to you, I can’t have my dinner.”
(Navya) “See. Do you still have to worry? Get going. Don’t wake her up or you are going to be having a very hard time.”
(Manik) “Fine. See you tonight. Enjoy yourselves.” He raced back home.
(Navya) “Man, does he love to show off!”
Precap : Navya and Nandini Talks