Amidst the jungle: 16th July Saturday: 2:24 am:
"I can't walk anymore Manik. Let's rest for some time. My knee is paining."
Nandini said in a weak voice by pulling Manik's hand which was entwined with her. Manik halted and looked around. Though it was still quite dark their eyes now became adjusted with it. Moreover, the starry sky was faintly illuminating the dark surrounding. A murmuring sound of water alerted their ears. Manik took out a matchbox which he got from Maddy's pocket. The faint light of the match stick evinced that they were near a brook. The density of bushes and trees were even less around here. Manik brought the lit match stick near Nandini's face. She was literally looking pale. Manik threw the burnt-out stick and lift Nandini in the bridal position. Carefully he went near the stream and made Nandini sit on a boulder. He again lit a match stick and looked around to find some dry leaves for sustaining the fire. After a little effort, a satisfying bonfire was lit up. In the light, they found the surrounding quite reassuring. The brook had quite clean water. Some big boulders in the stream bed made a shelter like surrounding in which a person can protect himself from the attack of any wild animal. Manik knelt down near the stream and filled his both palms with some water. Nandini sat near to him, so he poured the cold water on her swollen knee. Nandini felt some relief. Manik kept on dabbing the water on her bruise for some time.
"Feeling better?"
Manik asked with worried eyes. Nandini wobbled in denial which increased the fret in his eyes. Nandini mischievously smiled and touched his lips with her fingertips and again touched them on her knee. A nonchalant smile appeared on Manik's lips. He scooted forward and pecked her bruise.
"NOW?"
His voice deepened.
"It's gone."
She grinned mystically.
"You have a bruise on your lips too."
Manik pointed her lips. Nandini frowned and immediately touched her lips.
"Where?"
She sounded perplexed.
"Right here."
Manik replied huskily and placed his left hand on the back of her head and yanked her abruptly. On the next moment, Nandini's soft lips mingled with his. He was sucking them so passionately that he was thirsty for aeons. He was consuming the elixir for around 10 minutes and slowly left her petals and joined his forehead to her. Both of their eyes were closed. For a minute they were adrift into sweven.
"Feeling better?"
Manik murmured with closed eyes.
"Hmmmm..."
Nandini hummed.
"I was hell scared. I thought I have lost you forever. I was dying in every moment. Then I heard the gunshot."
Manik said with a sigh. Nandini withdrew her head and looked at Manik with a confused face. Manik smiled palely and sat on the boulder butt against her.
"After searching you in their hideout I was wandering in the forest. I was totally clueless about your situation. That Harshad didn't leave any trace that can help me. Suddenly I heard the sound of a gunshot and followed it. Finally, I found the tree hut and you."
Manik shackled her sideward. Nandini rested her head on his chest and sighed.
"That was when Maddy killed Tonny. He shot him on his head."
Nandini trembled a little when recalled the incident.
"Harshad went to the city but he will come back soon. I heard everything. I was not unconscious when they brought me here."
She continued,
"My heart was in my mouth when you and Maddy were fighting and the bullet was accidentally fired. If it was you instead of Maddy, I would have died then and there. But it was not at all your fault. He got his punishment from God."
She again sighed with relief.
"But why are you alone? Where are the other people? Have you all got the help of the police? Did they find you?"
Nandini suddenly lifted her head from Manik's chest and asked.
"Relax, I will tell you everything. But right now we need some rest. As it is impossible to find any food right now. So, we have to bear the hunger until the morning. Let's lie down there."
Manik indicated a place where three big boulders surrounded a plain ground made it like a small cave. He picked Nandini up once again and walked towards it. After placing her on the ground he shifted the bonfire near the cave and sat beside her. Before reclining on a boulder Manik pulled up his shirt and took out the revolver he took from Maddy's death grip before they left the hut. Suddenly Nandini yanked his hand to resist him pulling down the shirt in its former place.
"Wait a minute...what is this? Let me see... don't hide..."
Nandini sounded worried while trying to pull his shirt up.
"Nothing Nandini... It's just a minor bruise. I am fine. It's not paining at all."
Manik tried to dodge her effort. Tears pricked her eyes.
"You got hurt..right. You got hurt because of...me. Maddy hurt you.."
Nandini started sobbing. Manik immediately cupped her face and said intensely,
"No Baby, it's not because of you. I got it when Harshad punched me...you remember. But it's healed now...see, no pain..."
He touched the bruise on his belly.
"Let me see...take off your shirt." Nandini sounded determined.
"Good excuse to see me naked...hmmm..you horny girl..."
Manik tried to make her mood light.
"I don't need any excuse to see you naked. Now, please care to bare?"
Nandini crunched her eyes. Manik smirked and obeyed her. The light of the bonfire shimmered on his bare chest. Nandini got closer and skirted her fingertips on Manik's stomach. She caressed the bruised. Her eyes became blurry.
"Ahhh...."
A moan emitted from Manik's mouth. Immediately Nandini retreated her hand.
"I am sorry...did I hurt you? Are you okay?"
Her voice shook.
"No...you made it worse by touching it."
Manik lamented.
"I am so sorry...I didn't realise. What..what should I do now?"
Nandini was hell worried.
"Leave it. It will be healed automatically. You can't do what I need now."
Manik crunched his eyes in pain.
"Why can't I? Tell me. I will do everything to soothe the pain."
Nandini said determinedly and came closer. Her face was beaming with hope.
"Okay, if you insist. Massage the place."
Manik said calmly which made Nandini confused as a few minutes back he was in pain when she merely touched it.
"With your lips..."
Manik completed with a poker face but his eyes were shining with amusement. Nandini took some minutes to fathom his tease. She gaped with wide eyes.
"YO...UUUU. That means you are fine. No pain is there. You were making fun out of me?"
Nandini started beating his chest with her tiny fists.
"Oh...o..o..relax my lioness. I am not lying. It is paining and this is the medicine that can fix it. Come on...you said you will do anything to make me feel better."
Manik grabbed her hands and yanked her closer. Both looked through each other's eyes for a moment and slowly Nandini came down towards Manik's stomach. She glanced at him before placing her quivering lips on his bruise. Manik closed his eyes in passion. Nandini started circling her lips on the blue spot. Occasionally she was licking it. The wet and warm feeling drove Manik insane for a moment. He grabbed Nandini's nape and pulled her near to his lips. On the drop of a hat, he encompassed her soft lips into his. A blissful moan let out from Nandini's mouth. She cupped his cheeks and reciprocated with equal passion. Both were lost in their heaven where they forgot all the suffering they had in past hours. Suddenly Manik rolled and came on Nandini's fragile frame. He was greedily sucking her lips. His hands were restlessly roving on her bosoms frequently squeezing them. Nandini could feel his hardness on her belly. Manik's hands travelled towards her shorts button. He tried to unbutton them when Nandini gained her senses and withdrew her lips.
"Manik...no...it's not the right place."
Nandini's words broke Manik's trance. He looked at her in surprise.
"Why?... There is no one. Only you and me. I am missing you, Baby..."
His voice was potent.
"But our friends. We are far from them, still in danger. I can't cool my mind like this."
Nandini tried to sit when Manik pinned her down again.
"You don't love me....right?"
His tone startled Nandini.