CHAPTER 6

Manik's POV

In the morning, I was practicing martial arts and shooting, when Cabir came running to my room.

"Manik, Manik...," He started panting heavily.

"Cabir you are panting so heavily as if someone has left bulldogs behind you," I said laughing.

"Manik, have a look at this," Cabir told turning on the television and put the news channel.

I saw the headline- "Famous industrialist, Vikram Singhaniya's daughter, Nandani Singhania is missing since last night." The news channels were displaying the pictures of the same girl who was brought by Cabir the last night.

"Manik, that girl is Nandani Singhania," Cabir informed.

"So? What am I supposed to do?" I asked.

Mukti came to my room with the phone in her hand. "Manik, the local gangster of Mumbai, Dakran, wants to talk to you"

I asked Mukti to place the phone on the speaker.

"Manik Malhotra, speaking."

"I have an offer for you", Dakran said.

"Tell me", I replied.

"I want that girl, Nandani Singhania. I know she is with you. In return, I assure you, that my gang is going to be of your help when you need it. Also, I am having all the new drugs and arms that are issued recently in the market"

"Why do you want that girl?" I questioned.

"I want to take the revenge of her father from her. Such a valid offer I am giving you Manik, I hope you won't reject it", Dakran said.

"I will hand over you that girl, only when you give me all the new weapons and drugs that have come in the market", I made a deal with him.

"Done, I will give you the new weapons and you give me that girl", Dakran agreed.

"Where are you at present. In India?" I asked.

"No, I am in America, in the city of Boston," Dakran replied.

"Alright then send me your location, I will send my men to pick you up by eight," I said and hung up the call. I returned the phone to Mukti.

"Manik, don't you find this strange? Why does Dakran want that girl Nandani and what did he mean by he wants to take revenge of her father from her?" Cabir asked.

"I second Cabir, Manik. That girl's father is an industrialist then how does he know the local gangster of Mumbai?" Mukti added.

"Nandani Singhania. She might be in a better position to answer these questions," I replied and went downstairs towards the torture chamber while Mukti and Cabir followed me.

"Where is the key?" I asked.

"Here, it's with me", Mukti replied giving the key to me.

I unlocked the door and was shocked to see Nandani laying on the floor unconscious. There were glass pieces everywhere and some of the pieces got pierced in her palms and legs. She was bleeding and there were injuries on her forehead too.

I went towards her and bend down placing her head on my lap. I patted her cheeks gently.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Manik check her pulses," Cabir said

Her pulses were very slow. I lifted her in my arms and went towards my bedroom not before ordering Cabir to send Navya for her treatment.

I did not know what was wrong with me. I have never treated any girl with so much care. I did not know why was I concerned for Nandani?

I placed her on the bed carefully and looked at her angelic face. She is a devil and an angel at the same time. I was about to trace my fingers on her injuries but Navya came. I got up from the bed.

"Did you hit her? How cruel you are Manik!", Navya hollered at me angrily.

"Watch your tone, don't you dare disrespect me," I spoke angrily.

"You better watch your actions Manik. You are talking about respect? You don't deserve any respect at all. You raised your hand on a girl, you are not even a man," Navya yelled at me.

"Navya, Manik did not raise his hand on her," Mukti said.

"Oh Mukti, you please keep mum. You will take your friend's side," Navya said angrily.

"Navya enough is enough.", Cabir said frustratedly.

"Exactly Cabir. Enough is enough. Aren't you happy to ruin my life, why are you behind this innocents life?" Navya asked with tears in her eyes.

"Navya, I have never raised my hand on any girl nor will I ever do that. But if you disrespect me, again, I will kill you. Trust me I won't care that you are Cabir's wife," I said clenching my fist angrily.

"I cannot expect anything from a characterless man like you," Navya said disgustingly.

"You have called me a characterless man, heartless and whatnot. Mrs. Navya Cabir Dhawan if I was such a person I would have killed you and no one would have the courage to stop me, not even your husband. Do you get that?" I yelled angrily.

"Manik, please calm down," Cabir said holding my hands and dragging me downstairs.

"I am sorry Manik, on behalf of Navya. She doesn't know anything about you. If I clarify to her everything maybe her attitude towards you will change," Cabir said.

"No Cabir, you don't need to tell her anything. I don't want any person to know my past, do you get that? If they think I am a heartless, merciless monster, or a characterless man then let them think so. I don't care. When that girl gains consciousness, call me," I told and Cabir nodded.

I went to the bar to get a drink. I was sitting with a turmoil of thoughts.

"Why does that Dakran want Nandani? Is her father related to the mafia world?"

****

Navya was bandaging Nandani's wounds. She gave some saline and glucose drips to her. In a few hours, Nandani gained consciousness. She opened her eyes and found herself in an unfamiliar place.

"Hey, Nandani? How are you feeling now?" Navya asked softly. Nandani tried to sit up straight, but Navya held her hand.

"Hey Hey Relax, please lay down", Navya said pushing her back gently.

"Where am I?" Nandani asked with tears in her eyes. "I want to go back home"

"Hey, Tigress, you don't look good while crying", came a sharp voice.