"Thank you," Nandini said to the sweet lady who handed her a cup of hot tea while her eyes followed Manik as he walked along the river. He was keeping away when he wasn't. He not for once tried to avoid her gaze, he looked right into them every time. All this little act of lack of connection was for inches to come into play. She couldn't guess why he would do that.
Before she could audit him further, she heard a squeal and it didn't take more than two seconds for Nandini to recognize that already feeble voice. It was Aashi.
"Aashi," A smile crept on Nandini's lips seeing that crazy girl running towards her with a teary face.
Nandini had to take two steps back to endure the force with which Aashi clung to her. Her clutch was bone-crushing as she kept hugging Nandini tightly. Nandini knew what Aashi must have gone through while she was away.
"Aashi," Nandini caressed her hair as Aashi sobbed in her arms. Nandini's vision blurred as a gust of warmth hit her. She herself was battling to prison the tears.
"Shhhhh," Nandini cooed that crying girl in her arms as she kept stroking her head.
"You are real, right?" Aashi asked hiccuping and Nandini pulled her apart trying to see her face.
"What do you think?" Nandini asked as she wiped Aashi's tears.
"I missed you," Nandini said in a heavy voice before hugging Aashi again.
"I missed you more," Aashi mumbled as they both kept standing there amid walking people. People gave them quizzical look while some of them smiled.
"I am really sorry," Aashi parted away and started to mumble all she had cluttered in her all this while.
"I couldn't save you that day," She said catching her breath. Nandini shook her head refusing to take any apology. Aashi had nothing to apologize for.
"I failed you," Aashi said holding Nandini's hands in hers.
"You are certainly his sister," Nandini quipped and her eyes darted to catch Manik's glimpse. He was sitting on a rock and was ardently looking at her.
Aashi chuckled amid that cascade of tears.
"I am nothing like him," Aashi corrected Nandini and then added, "I don't go hulk on people. Besides, I don't love you the way he does."
Nandini got ruffled with the remark and glared Aashi. Both looked at each other for few seconds just to test the authenticity of moment.
"Welcome Home, Nandini," Aashi said after a comfortable silence. Her words had this firmness.
"Home, indeed," Nandini replied tapping Aashi's cheek lovingly. Aashi's eyes roamed to spot that one ardent bystander and when she did, she smiled evilly.
"I bet he is fuming," Aashi quipped and then hooked Nandini's elbow to drag her away.
"Let's set him on fire," She added simpering and Nandini couldn't help but laugh out loud. Her giggles echoed and a faint smile crept on his blue lips.
He followed them, but from a distance. His feet were automatically chasing her and he didn't feel a need to do otherwise. He needed to see her wandering in that camp so that he could register how she looked when she was home.
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"Things are falling back in place," Aabid said as he gazed the horizon. Evening had knocked in most beautiful way.
Manik didn't answer but kept staring into nothing.
"We won't repeat our mistakes," Aabid ensured sensing Manik's heavy silence. He could guess what it had taken from Manik to undo whatever was done. Bringing Nandini was one hell of a task for all of them, but Manik had a stake in it more than anyone else.
"There won't be a second time," Manik replied this time still looking towards nowhere.
"Nobody is ever putting hands on her again," He said firmly and then held the wooden railing of bridge.
"Have you talked to Aryan?" Aabid asked out of curiosity as he spotted Aryan with Harshad on a distance. They were walking towards bonfire.
"He is busy living the first glorious moment of his life, I don't want to ruin his mood" Manik mocked and Aabid couldn't help but chuckle.
"As if you were going to have a word with him," Aabid quipped.
"We are never going to be on talking terms, Aabid Bhai," Manik replied after a pause. Somethings were better untouched. For now, he had no might to touch this frozen bond.
Soothing silence accompanied them as sun disappeared behind mountain.
"Manikkkk," Aashi called him from afar and he turned around to see her standing on end of bridge. She smiled merrily.
"Meal is ready," She informed and Manik nodded.
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"So?" Nandini asked nervously as Doctor examined her father. This was the first thing which she wanted to get done, she couldn't wait to hear Doctor's verdict on her father's lost memory.
He looked at her skeptically and she knew that look.
"We can only wait, Nandini," Doctor said trying to cheer her up as worry had already covered her face. Meeting the dead end wasn't easy every time.
"Living in this camp doesn't help," Doctor explained and Nandini knew what he was trying to say. They had limited resources there and things weren't going to improve anytime soon.
"Maybe, he would start to regain his memory with time and care," Doctor assured and Nandini smiled faintly.
"I am going to do my best to heal his body," He ensured and then walked to his desk. Nandini looked at her father who was sleeping peacefully under that quilt. She didn't know how but she needed to bring him back somehow. He needed to tell his people what had happened to him and their state. He needed to be fine to lead this battle they had to have.
"Nandiniiii," Aashi voice brought her out of her thoughts. She was standing on door of dispensary.
"I am starving," Aashi said swinging on door.
Nandini smiled seeing that eager lady and nodded her head.
"Doctor," Nandini called before leaving the dispensary.
"I will get it done," He said blinking his eyes in assurance.
"I have no patience to treat that bullhead," He quipped and Nandini smiled.
Nandini walked out and Aashi held her hand to drag her near bonfire. There were so many people out there.
"Everyone wants to see you," Her eyes twinkled as she said it to Nandini.
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Meal with camp-mates had to be one of most beautiful experiences of her life. So much love after a deadly storm, she had pinched side of her hand for umpteen times just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. It wasn't a complete bed of roses, there were people who looked unsure of her. She could understand, she had returned with traitor minister as they thought.
She wore the sweater and sat on her bed. A smile crept on her lips when those smiling faces flashed in front of her eyes. Most of them didn't hate her anymore, was it first victory? She immediately closed her eyes to see her mother. That's only place she could see her anymore. The thought that how proud she would have been of her, It filled her chest with immense warmth. Her mother would have been so proud of her. She still remembered the day when she had walked amid those people holding hand of her mother, and they all hated her. Things weren't same anymore. She so wished that her mother was there to see it.
Nandini picked the glass bottle from bed as she kept preparing herself to head out. It was dark outside and it was about time.
There were so many feelings in her heart at same time, that she didn't know which one to cater and which one to leave. She was happy that she was back, she was anxious that Manik wasn't the same. She was elated that she had found her father, she was stressed that he wasn't the same either.
She carefully removed the curtain of tent and looked out only to find a tranquil aloof. She bit her lip and stepped out closing the fold of tent cloth.
"Where do you think you are going?" A voice startled her and she jumped in her place. She closed her eyes as that voice sank in. It was him. She looked around and Manik jumped off the grass pile. She shuddered further but then his stern face was enough to make her heart warmed up, warmed up for taking the charge. He was the reason she had to choose the night over broad daylight.
"I was about to go find someone who has been running away," She replied sharply trying not to sound a bit mild.
He took a deep breath and then relaxed. His body reposed as he leaned on grass pile. He knew whom she was talking about.
"I wonder what that someone was doing outside my quarter," She said instigating the quiet tumult, only difference was that he was the only party in it.
His demeanor hardened but he tried his best to look unaffected. He didn't budge and it provoked her.
"See you around," She said keeping her chin up and took a step towards somewhere, anywhere.
He held her arm in a jiffy and her back collided with his chest. His grip started as painful tight but then eventually softened.
"What are you trying to do?" He murmured in her ear and she tilted her head to close the space for his lips. It was not going to be about his sweet ways to close her up.
"I am just trying to maintain a safe distance so that you can gaze me comfortably," She taunted and then pursed her lips in anger.
He made her face him and glared her. She needed to take her weapons out.
"You have been trying to avoid me," She said peeping into his dark eyes.
"I am not," He replied quickly and looked away.
"See, you are trying to avoid me," She said pointing towards his darted attention.
He immediately looked towards her and she pursed her lips baring every guise. Sliding his arm across her waist, he pulled her up where her eyes could meet his properly.
"I am not," He whispered on her lips. His breaths telling altogether another story. She kept staring into his eyes angrily and he sighed, maybe giving in.
"I didn't want you to witness someone you don't know," He said with this fear in his voice.
"I want to see," She replied and his eyes flickered. He seemed to be in a fight as he thought something.
Next she was swept off her feet as he lifted her in arms and walked towards her tent.
"I won't go inside till I get to do what I need to," She protested and he sighed deep.
"Do you want us to talk here, like this?" He asked and she realized how he had gave in, finally.
"I won't mind," He added and she gaped him.
"Not here," She declared, "Aashi would arrive any moment."
Manik gazed her flustered face and then turned around to go in another direction with her in his arms.
"Noooo," She protested as he chose the other course which would have led them to bonfire.
"Not there," She murmured as he questioned her silently.
"Somewhere private would be better," She elaborated while he raised his brow.
"Take me somewhere you would love to be," She added firmly and he took time to admire her.
Putting her down, he held her hand and started to walk towards somewhere she hadn't been.
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"They are enraged," Harshad said as he turned around.
Aabid and Aryan could see a man walking away. Harshad had told it was his informer.
"We have provoked the beasts," He added and then walked inside the tent.
Aabid and Aryan follow him.
"What did he say?" Aabid asked while taking the chair.
"Dictator is beyond angry and he has given one month time to his army to find her and her father. Army will do whatever it takes," Harshad revealed and Aabid's brows twitched.
"I still don't get it why they need Nandini and Mr Murthy," Aabid said.
"It has to be something very vital," Harshad replied, he was as unsure.
Aryan kept quiet as he tried to stress his mind if he had slightest of hint.
"Nandini and Mrs Murthy were always vital to them," Aryan said and Harshad looked at him.
"I was asked to take special care of them back in base camp," He added.
"It was like Mrs Murthy was always stressed out whenever she would have a meeting with Colonel Pal. She has been hiding things from Nandini and anybody could sense the tension between them," Aryan revealed further.
"Army always made sure that Nandini doesn't get out of their hold," He continued.
"Whatever it is, Nandini must be knowing," Aabid said.
"Mr Murthy isn't a sane man anymore," He added lowly.
"Something has happened to him and it doesn't look like he was treated very well at the castle," Aabid said meeting Harshad's quizzical gaze.
"There's a lot we don't know. It would be good if we know it before that army ends everything," Harshad replied.
None spoke further trying to ponder over the recent revelations. They had made an escape from lion's den and now lion wouldn't spare a single lamb. They were nothing more than a lamb at the moment, they were weak and it couldn't be overlooked.
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Smell of pine trees tickled her nostrils and it shouted only for him. She still remembered how this same scent had accompanied him when they had met for the first time. His dirty bandanna and smell of pine were only things she could register at that time.
He looked back at her as he left her hand. They were in middle of pine trees. Moonlight rinsed that place thoroughly and it looked so secured and warm even if it was hell cold.
"Pine trees," She mumbled looking at him. He looked at peace as if was home.
"They were my only companions all these years," He revealed as he walked further.
"You love to be here," She completed it for him and she could feel he was smiling even when he was looking away.
Manik didn't even realize when she was standing right beside him. Her arm wrapped around his upper-arm and she put her head on it. He shuddered a bit as her head pressed the wound on his arm. She immediately withdrew and looked at him.
"It was nothing," He replied trying to answer her questioning gaze.
"Sure it wasn't," She replied and held his hands.
"Take your coat off," She commanded standing in front of him. He looked displeased over sudden new topic. She didn't dart her demanding gaze and he had to give in.
He unwillingly took it off and his dirty shirt revealed all the blood strains. Her gasp touched his ears and he cursed himself for shuddering a few minutes back.
"This too," She asked feebly and pointed at his shirt.
"None of them even pain anymore," Manik retorted vaguely.
"I want to see, Manik," Her voice too raised unexpectedly.
He sighed in defeat and started to unbutton his shirt. She looked away giving him the space which he didn't appreciated.
"You don't have to look away," He reminded her as he opened the last button of his shirt.
Taking the shirt off in jiffy, he stood there bare for her to sanction a glance. Her eyes moved downwards before they gathered the courage to look at his wounded torso. Her eyes spotted a deep cut at his lower abdomen and then at end of his rib-case. They all were unattended and had started to heal all by themselves.
There was these blue marks on his body which shouted out for themselves. And then his arm had this deep cut which was still covered in dried blood. Nandini bit inside of her mouth to control the urge of crying out loud. She didn't want to.
Her fingers raised to meet the blue spot on his chest and she expected him to wince but he didn't. Looking up, she found a faint curve on his lips which couldn't even qualify to be named as a smile.
"How?" She asked as she took the glass bottle out of her sweater.
"In a fight with Harshad," He revealed and her eyes shot up to meet his.
"And I bet he has more of these than me," He assured simpering and she shook her head.
"And this one?" She asked as her finger reached the cut on his upper arm.
His muscles stiffened under her touch and she knew this one had a story which he didn't like.
"When they were taking you away," He replied bitterly.
"That gunshot?" She asked, her voice heavy.
"Yes," He answered and her finger dipped in liquid which Doctor had given him. She slowly applied it on that cut and her fingers couldn't help but tremble.
"Why would you keep away, Manik?" She asked trying to divert the urge to cry.
He didn't answer and looked away. Her hand touched his torso and he looked at her. He didn't know the right words. He didn't even know what it was.
"I am full of fury, Nandini," He answered letting a long breath out.
"I don't want you to be scared of me," He said as his breath fanned her forehead. He was fighting a lost battle.
"I can never be," She replied applying the medicine on a wound on his chest.
"I feel like having you all for myself and I don't have a rein on it," He revealed gripping her waist. She could feel the tension inside him. He had so much and he couldn't even put one-forth of it on display.
"I don't want to hurt you," He said softening his grip. His lips landed on her forehead and stayed there.
"You won't," She was sure.
"I can't see beyond my anger anymore," He stated.
"You still can never hurt me," She replied.
"You would hate me for what I have become," He said.
"I can never hate you," She answered settling her head in crook of his neck.
"I have become someone you don't know," He whispered.
"I know this man," She countered.
"I am living in a fear," He muttered.
"That I would disappear," She completed it for him and he sighed.
"I can't lose you," He murmured.
"You won't lose me, Manik," She assured him planting a feather kiss on his shoulder.
He didn't say further. He reposed. His clutch vouched for that. He put his cheek on her head as he finally took a step towards peace. She was beside him and he was choosing to be away. His peace was right in front of him but he was too afraid.
"I want to steal you and run away so far that nothing can ever take you away," He said ardently after a long silence. She parted to look into his eyes which were showing a glimpse of dreams. They weren't as dark as before.
She had a long way before being at place where he wanted to take her. But at that moment nothing mattered but his relaxed face.
He lifted her in arms and walked towards somewhere. She didn't care where.
"Can we not go back tonight?" He asked and she raised her brow.
"Don't get ideas," He cleared her doubts and she giggled.
"I need this," He pleaded and she smiled. There was no way she was going to refuse.
He walked beside stream of river and put her down.
"I'll be back," He said and disappeared into woods. She looked around to find a steady river and its sound. It sounded so beautiful. She looked at the sky and it had hundreds of stars. There was so much of clarity in everything.
Crackling of wood drew her back and she turned around to see him setting the bonfire.
"It's going to be even colder," He said without looking at her.
Fire started with a hue and nothing felt that warm ever. Nandini walked to it and tried to grasp its heat.
He sat against tree and extended his arm to call her. She held his hand after taking three or four steps. He gave a gentle pull and she bent her knees.
"Here," He specified and She sat in between his legs. Her back touched his bare chest.
"You would catch cold," She murmured and he wrapped his arms around her. His chin settled on her shoulder.
"Not a chance," He replied and she could feel temperature going up. She rested her head on his shoulder. He raised his chin and kissed her hair.
Turning her face to look at him, she saw him gazing fire. His face had this calm and her heart relaxed instantly. Kissing side of his chin lightly, she shooed away the evil eye. He looked at her lovingly and before she could turn her face away. His fingers fixed her chin at same spot.
"Even I have something pending," He argued her questioning glare. His lips descended to meet hers and she was not going to retreat. Her lips got caught in his softly and she closed her eyes. She felt him shifting her legs sideways to have a better access to that sweet encounter. She smiled as he broke the contact for a second just to resume it again.
Music of night was sweet, stream gave it a tone. They had so much to talk and words couldn't help. A dauntless seal and sweet sleep could do it better.
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Unedited*