"Anything else.."Navya stopped abruptly only to look at Nandini who was staring right back at her with amused expression. As Navya knew what Nandini wanted to hear so she sighed and finally spoke the words out loud "...Nandini.."
Nandini finally smiled and replied "Nope..not right now..if I will need anything I would let you know Navya..but for now you are free to go back home as you are done for the day.."
"Are you sure.."Navya asked.
However before Nandini could answer someone else spoke "Yes she is.."
Both Navya and Nandini turned around only to find Manik walking in. "You heard her..your work is done for the day..you can leave now.."Manik ordered her authoritatively.
"Yes My Lord.."saying this Navya simply bowed down in front of him and without looking at anyone she simply walked away from there.
"God Manik...you are impossible.."Nandini's words caught his attention. He looked back at her only to find her scowling at him which only confused him. "What..what did I do now.."
"Are you serious Manik...you literally scared the hell out of Navya and you are asking me what did you do.."Nandini rolled her eyes in annoyance. " Can't you behave nicely with anyone for real...why you have to be such a MONSTER all the time."
"Nandini.."Manik was about to argue what Nandini cut him off "let it be Manik..anyways did your friends left.."
"Yes they did.."Manik smiled out of nowhere which only confused Nandini. "Why are you smiling like this.."
"You seriously asking me this Nandini...after what you did Alia.."Manik snorted. "And you called me a MONSTER"
Nandini scowled "Are you complaining" which only made him smile even more. "Of course not.."raising both his hands in air he continued "I can never even dare Ms. SHE DEVIL"
"Hmm..."Nandini smirked in response. "SHE -DEVIL" she tested the word. "I like it.." she looked at Manik only to continue "It's perfect...don't you think...after all..ONLY A SHE DEVIL CAN HANDLE A MONSTER..correct"
"Of course.."Manik smiled as well. "Can't agree with you more...in fact even my friends agree with me as well...they say WE ARE A PERFECT MATCH."
The moment Manik said the words something changed in Nandini's eyes which didn't go unnoticed by Manik.
He was about to say something but once again Nandini cut her off "Are you sure Manik that I am only your perfect match..and not someone else."
Her words froze Manik for a second which was enough to break Nandini's heart "What happen Manik..have no answer for my question.."
When he didn't replied she asked again "Tell me na Manik am I the only one to whom you said these words.."
Manik could feel the acrimony in Nandini's words which got too much for him to bear so unable to take it anymore he finally uttered the words out loud "YOU ARE THE ONE FOR WHOM I MEANT THESE WORDS"
"Wow Manik Malhotra...i am honoured."Nandini replied sarcastically. "I am sure you would have even given the very same answer when SHE asked you this question..haven't you Manik."
"If I say No would you believe me.."Manik questioned her back. "Would it make any difference if I say that you the only one who ever touched my heart and gave hope and meaning to my directionless life.."
"But it still won't change the fact Manik."Nandini said looking straight into his eyes. "Will it.."
"If you already know the answer then why this question Nandini.."Manik replied looking back at her.
"Because every coin has two sides Manik..and I am pretty sure that even this question has two aspects and I want to hear your side of the story as well..."before Nandini could complete her sentence Manik cut her in. "..before you decide to leave.."
Manik expected her anger but what he didn't expected was her reply..
"If I had to leave you then I guess I would have left you thousands of years ago only. I agree I don't remember everything but still whatever parts of this puzzles I have managed to put it up together I have deduced one thing very clearly.."
"..that I was anything but a lovesick teenager who simply chose to not use her brain."
"I was the Princess of Homosepian.."
"..the only heiress to the HOMOSEPIAN THRONE.."
"..so isn't it obvious that my father had trained me enough to use my brain.."
"If I hadn't left you then..even after knowing everything.."
"..if I chose to be with you after knowing this fact.."
"..then I am pretty sure that there must be a solid reason for me to stay back.."
"..and I am sure that reason must not be only "love" between us.."
"..it definitely must be a part of it..but I don't think that's the whole and sole reason of it."
"If I stayed back in your life.."
"..if I fell in love with you to such an extent that I chose death over a life without you.."
"..even after knowing everything.."
"..then there must be a reason behind it.."
"..that reason which I am sure that I would have found in your side of the story.."
"..so tell me Manik.."Nandini got up from the bed and stood right in front of her and asked looking straight into his eyes. "..tell me the whole truth.."
"Tell me.."
"..that why after knowing the truth I ended up falling in love with you.."
"Tell me.."
"..that why even after knowing everything about Raina..I couldn't stop myself from falling in love with you.."
"Tell me.."
"..that why I ended up falling head over heals in love with you even after knowing that.."
"..RAINA LOST HER LIFE BECAUSE OF YOU"
Manik's head snapped up as Nandini finally uttered the words out loud.
"YOU WERE THE ONE WHO SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH.."
"YOU WERE THE ONE WHO BETRAYED HER.."
"YOU WERE THE ONE BECAUSE OF WHOM RAINA CROSSED THE LINE OF DEMARCATION AND TURNED INTO PILE OF ASH.."
"YOU WERE THE REASON WHY WE LOST RAINA..FOREVER.."
"..but still even after everything if we fell in love than I am very sure there is something that's missing from this story..."
"..there must be another side of the picture which was only known to you, Raina..and later me.."
"..otherwise I am not stupid enough to fall for someone who was the reason for the demise of someone so close to me.."
Nandini looked straight into his eyes and demanded "So tell me Manik...what is the truth that you have hidden from the rest of the world...and why.."
"Tell me everything Manik.."
"Right now.."
Manik held her shoulders and asked her "but how would you know that I am not betraying you...how could you be so sure that I will not lie to you.."
"Because.."Nandini got away from his embrace. "You won't tell me the truth Manik.."
"What.."Manik couldn't understood what she meant. "Then how.."he stopped abruptly as Nandini spoke. "Yes Manik..you heard it correct...you won't tell me the truth.."Nandini could see fear in Manik's eyes when she uttered the words out loud "..because you will show me the truth."
"You mean.."Manik's eyes widened in horror as he understood what Nandini was referring to.
"Yes Manik.."Nandini nodded his head as she continued speaking "..you will show me everything..like you always do...the only difference will that this time you will let me get inside your head and see the truth for myself.."
"Because words can lie Manik..but memories can't"
"You might create illusion in my mind by getting into my mind but you won't be able to do anything if I get inside your head."
"And how will you do that.."Manik asked this question even though he already had the answer to this question.
"Just like the last time Manik.."Nandini's words only made his words fear realised as she spoke the words out loud...
"...through Legilimency"
-----------------------------------------------------------------