The Rake

Chapter Seventeen

It’s been a year almost to their relationship and both are almost progressing in their respective careers rather than degrading. Manik, who used to fail like anything is scoring mediocre marks and that’s a thing to cherish for his parents. He is very proud of his girl who tops in almost every subject in the college. Malhotra’s and Murthys bonds often over dinners and lunches. Adira is pampered more by Manik than Nandini and she often warns him not to. Nandini hasn’t yet told him about how her parents die though he knew that her parents died in together. He kind off doesn’t ask her to delve deeper and they are in a super happy phase. Manik still visits her daily at night and walks off to his mansion during day time only, just to be back to take his lady to the college alongside him. Soha and Harshad has left the country as Soha got accidently pregnant while MaNan are slowly progressing in their relationship.

Today was a Sunday so basically all their friends were out with their partners and so were these two love birds, who were off to a long drive.

“I love you, Manik!” She said cupping his face, sitting on the bonnet of the car to which he, who was standing leaning against the car giggled and pecked his palm and said “Well, I love you even more..but where does this version of yours run away when I try to do PDA in the college?”

“Manik, you shameless creature! Mom is the dean!” Yes, she has started calling his parents Mom and Dad, which was initially so heartwrenching but eventually, everything fell into place.

“Oh my god Nandini! You are really embarrassed from mom?” Manik asked throwing the Starbucks coffee plastic mug in a nearby Dustbin.

“Aren’t you?” She widened her eyes to which he laughed “Of course not baby! I mean she’s the one who’s going to handle all our romance after marriage!! You are so cute and innocent, my love!” Nandini looked at him as if he was a dreamcatcher. He laughed so purely. First impressions aren’t always the last impressions. Or are they? Because the first time, she saw him..she liked him.

“Marriage?” She whispered. This word meant so much to her. She remembered how lovely her parents were, but?

“Yes! Won’t you marry me?” His nerves tightened. He could never imagine a day without her. She had become his everything. She has changed the monster in him. She has brought back the angel Manik back. Won’t she marry him?

“I will Manik...I will be in every step you take, in every phase of your life..!” She spoke entwining their hands to which he pecked her knuckled “I am so blessed!”

“Let’s go then?” He asked for her hand to which she happily gave in and they hopped into the car after a small break.

“What next?” She asked excitedly to which he pecked her cheek “Let’s see where the destiny takes us!” And something happened. She felt an usual feeling, an usual lump in her stomach. She could feel something was going to be wrong..something negative, very negative. She knew her eyes were going moist but didn’t know why?

He ignited the engine and as soon as he started, a truck from behind approached them.

He pulled the brake and no..No! It wasn’t working..

“Manik, what happened?” She knew something was going to be very bad.

“I.. I don’t know..the brakes..they aren’t..!” And in no time, the car lost its brakes and the truck hit the car HARD.

“NANDINIIIIIII!” Was the last word the road could hear before the ambulance honking and the siren.

Everything was torn apart in no time. Their happy-budding love was gone.