Hold On My Heart (Complete)

9. In the Light of a Flash

Manik’s POV

I turned around, hiding my smile.
"Yes?"

"You can eat."
"Really?"

"Yeah... Come," she said, opening the door. I walked inside.

"Sit."

I sat on the bed while she went to the kitchen. I was admiring her movements, an unknown smile playing on my lips.

She handed me a plate, and I began eating.

"It tastes so good," I said.

"Thank you for the compliment," she replied with a small smile.

"You live alone?" I asked. Her expression shifted.

"Yes," she said quietly.

"I think I asked the wrong question," I said, trying to backtrack.

"No, you haven’t. I don’t have a family. They’re dead," she said like it was no big deal.

"I’m so, so—"

"You don’t have to," she cut me off and walked back into the kitchen.

I finished my food and followed her.
"Uh... the plate," I said.

She turned around with a jerk.
"Sorry, I scared you."

"No, I was lost in my thoughts. Not your fault," she said.

"I think I should leave now... Thank you for the food, I really loved it."

"My pleas—" she started, but stopped as the lights suddenly went out.

"What happened?" she asked.

"I guess the electricity is gone," I replied.

"Where’s the torch?" she asked. I realized she wasn’t in the kitchen anymore.

I took out my phone and turned on the flashlight. She looked at me—she was sweating all of a sudden.

"Hey, are you fine?" I asked.

"Y...yes," she said, still searching for the torch. I held her arm. She was acting strange.

"Calm down, Nandini!"

"Leave me... I... please leave me."

Was she scared of me?

No, you idiot, she’s having some kind of panic attack. Calm her down, you crazy man.

My subconscious kicked in.

I pulled her close, hugging her tightly. She started pushing me away.

"Calm down, Nandini. It’s me. No one’s here. I won’t harm you... I won’t let anyone harm you... Trust me! Calm down."

She exhaled deeply and hugged me back.

I started gently patting her hair, kissing her forehead. She definitely had some dark past.

"You fine?" I asked.

"Hmm," she mumbled, snuggling more into me. I smiled at the thought—she trusted me.

"Come, sit down," I said. She sat on the bed while I knelt in front of her.

"You don’t have to search for the torch anymore, Nandini. Your phone has a flashlight feature—like mine," I said.

"How do you know I have a phone?" she asked.

"You don’t have one?" I asked, pretending to be clever.

"Uhm... I have."

"So? Where is it?"

She picked it up from behind her.