Manik Malhotra (The Insidious love) Complete✅️

Chapter 14 - "Pains of the past..."

Nandini's rough push on my chest and Chandresh Murthy's bewildered expression make me realise the jeopardy of the situation. To be frank, I should have been embarrassed and afraid of the consequences but in reality, I was kind of wishing for this moment. At some point, we had to disclose it to this man and I don't care how did it come to light. Nandini nears Mr Murthy and I hear her shaky voice,

"Appa...I...we...ummm...he is Manik. I was about to tell you. He...he studies in my college. I..."

She tries hard to keep her tone steady. On the other hand, Chandresh Murthy's concentration is more on me than on his daughter. Nandini again tries to utter the main point,

"I...ummm...I..."

Damn man! This girl can't do this. I step forward and complete her line,

"She loves me. I mean we love each other."

Nandini looks at me. Fear and worry are tangible in her eyes.

"Ufff...how much she can be scared of her father!"

I scold her inwardly without shifting my eyes from Chandresh Murthy's penetrating ones. Come on, Mr Murthy! We are waiting for some reaction.

"You are the same person whom I talked to on the phone, right?"

Mr Murthy's tone is flat and stern. Thank God, he utters some words. However, it was not expected.

"Ummm...yes...that day I was..."

He stops me and ends the line,

"Rude, arrogant and disrespectful. Do you always talk like this with other people? Mostly with elderlies?"

His voice steps down in a lower yet arctic pitch.

"Look, Uncle, I didn't want to insult you that day. I was a bit pissed off and you were arguing so....I...I am sorry."

I get closer and stand beside Nandini. My voice is laced with repentance.

"I am sorry, Appa. Manik shouldn't have said all this to you. Please forgive him. He is not like that."

Maybe my initiative has instilled some courage into her. Chandresh Murthy looks at his daughter and mouths in an icy tone,

"You shouldn't choose someone as your partner for whom you are to ask forgiveness to someone. And you, Mr Manik..."

He turns at me and continues with the same forbidding pitch,

"You shouldn't do such a thing for which you are to apologise in future. You know morning shows the day and the first impression is the last impression. So, I don't think we can be in a cordial relationship in future."

His words pique my temper. I just apologised and he just refused it. Nandini tries to intervene but before that, I spurt out,

"Same goes with you, Mr Murthy. Even you didn't cast any good impression on me on that day. You were also rude, arrogant and disrespectful to me. The only difference is that you are elder than me but that doesn't justify your words. Still, I am here and have the courage to tell you that I love your daughter. But you are not that benevolent to forget the incident. It shows that age doesn't make a person nice and right."

All the veins on my forehead must be visible because I am really angry right now. This man needed this reality check. Nandini yanks me by my elbow and chides with gritted teeth,

"Manik! What nonsense are you talking? You are insulting my father. Have you come here for this only?"

Bravo! She has her voice but unfortunately not for me. I chide at her too,