Daring To Love Him (Sandhir Mafia Story)

17. Danishk and the Guilt

*Trigger waring... skip this chapter if you can't deal with the sign of rape and molestation*

"Maybe there's more we all could have done, but we just have to let the guilt remind us to do better next time."
― Veronica Roth (Divergent)

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A small rented kinda office space was right in front of Prajakta with a worn outboard of 'Simran properties' with very bad graphics were next to the thin plywood board kinda door. She made her way inside and found a male in his early forties chewing paan in his mouth and watching a cricket match on his phone screaming at the players.

"Umm... where can I see Mr. Naveen Chaurasia?"

That guy ignored her and kept on focusing on the match. Really?

"Oh, uncle... do you know where can I find Mr. Chaurasia?"

She enquired once again as she slammed her hands over the desk where he was occupied. The day has already been so grueling, she didn't have patience for anything else now.

"Arrey madam, why are you irritating me? Go inside and you will find him. Now let me focus."

Ugh! What a rude man! She made her way in and the dingy, deserted-looking space somehow caused chills to run down her spine.

"It's okay Praju, just get everything done and leave already!"

She gave herself a pep talk and tried to figure out where it was the person in the question was while she took hold of her pallu and kept it closer so that it won't get caught on the sharp edges and tear.

Manali hopped around with her thin backpack and twirled around occasionally. Why is she so happy and jovial today? Because her emotionally unhinged boyfriend called her up for a change and informed her that he will be going to his friend's meaning Danishk's workplace and asked her to be there after her classes so that he could pick her up from there. With delight, she skipped on her steps and reached the floor where Danishk's cabin is and entered his cabin without knocking.

"Who the-"

As Manali ruffled a very busy Danishk's hair playfully, he yelled at her to stop it as his voice shook the whole cabin but an unfazed Manali chuckled and corrected his shirt collar as he faced her, tight-lipped and a surge of emotions wavering in his eyes.

"What? Forgot to shout this time?"

She mocked with that question playfully while he shook his head and looked away.

"You remind me a lot of Roohi though."

A bittersweet smile escaped Manali's lips and she engulfed Danishk into a bear hug.

"I know you miss them, I... I can't replace them no matter what... f*ck no one could replace them... but I swear, whenever you need me... no matter where I will be and when even if I will be dying, I will be there to back you up. D I swear on it."

Danishk chuckled and hugged her back in the same vigor and deep down inside he knew it. He knew that Manali meant what she said even though her voice was totally playful.

"Either way, what are you doing here miss? Your boyfriend isn't here."

As Danishk questioned, Ishaan got in the cabin with a knock.

"And speak of the devil... he appears."

And by muttering this words, she ran towards him and dramatically embraced him causing Ishaan and Danishk to roll their eyes at her.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to ask you this, I have been hearing that your assistant has been such a pain in the a** these days, can I teach her a lesson?"

She asked in excitement-filled eyes causing Danishk to laugh at her words.