Murder in Motel Mount

Chapter 17 - "Strangers to Friends..."

"However, knowing only names don't turn two people strangers to known. I don't know why I am telling you all these because it is not my usual nature. But nowadays I am feeling the urge to share all things with somebody who doesn't have any knowledge about my background, my problems and dilemmas and of course my purpose to visit this small town. Who probably won't judge me on the basis of my words."

Nandini halts for some nanoseconds. She actually doesn't know why she is telling all these things to a man whom she met just a couple of days before. She just knows that this guy can be a confidant and right now, she needs a reliable hand to hold. She continues,

"I am Nandini Murthy. An aspiring crime journalist. I stay in Kolkata with my father and..."

Her voice cracks to remember Aliya's smiling face. Manik holds her hand and makes her sit on a small mound. He also sits on the ground with crossed legs facing Nandini. His full concentration is on her. Nandini gulps the lump and adds,

"My elder sister Aliya Murthy was a model. And My father is a retired ACP. Aliya Di came here for a reason. As per her words, she came here to meet a guy whom she liked. Ummmm...probably loved. I know it will sound weird but she was engaged to a person whom my parents chose for her. But she was never fully happy with this relationship. You know she was a little crazy but she was a wonderful person. She was like an open book but this time she got lost like a mystery."

Nandini exhales sharply after uttering the last line. She continues,

"Aliya Di is dead and I am here to solve that mystery. I want to know what exactly happened that night and if she really jumped off the balcony or she was killed with a foolproof plan. Without knowing this truth, I won't leave this place."

She sounds stone-hard while placing her determined eyes on Manik. Manik feels a solid urge to admit all the truth. The truth behind that mystery man whom Aliya loved and came to meet. However, fear and anticipation seal his lips. Instead of confessing the truth, he asks with a sinking heart,

"Did your sister mention his name to whom she came to meet?"

"No! And that is the problem. Dhruv, I mean Di's fiancé told me that he performs in Motel Mount. Hey, you are a localite, right? So, you must know and see Motel Mount's performances. Do you know how many singers, dancers and performers perform there? Can you give me a list? I will meet them one by one."

Nandini's voice has hope. Her eyes flicker with yearning. Manik's whole body gets numb for a moment. It's not because he unwillingly got involved in this matter but he doesn't want to be proven as a liar and imposter to this girl. It doesn't feel good to cheat the girl who made him her confidant in a short span of time. Manik meekly utters,

"What will you do if you come to know his name?"

Nandini's eyes flicker with abhorrence. She grits out,

"I will ask him how it feels to play with a girl's emotion. Manik, I know my sister was a bit crazy but she was not meant to be used and dumped. He has to answer my question."

............................................

As Nandini gets off Manik's bike, her phone rings. Manik gave her a ride to the guest house where she and Navya are staying. The entire way coming to this place, Manik tried to tell everything to Nandini. However, her one question, made him think another way. As they were in midway of the road, Nandini abruptly enquired,

"Manik, do you know any Micky Malhotra? I heard that he performs in Motel Mount and perhaps he only helped Aliya Di to get Mr Raychaudhury's villa for staying. I also want to meet him. Maybe he can help me in this case."