Sacred Heart

12.

She fell in love with him deeply;
He was both: a feral
and a gentleman. The
balance made her
feel safe and
alive.

Mannat sits there on the swing by the lake, the branches of the large peepal tree shadowing on the water that reflects the glowing full moon. The breeze gently touches her face, moves away fluttering her hair. She rests her head against the metal chain, her eyes taking the beauty of the atmosphere. It's serene and peaceful.

Sound of approaching footsteps and moments later someone sits on the other side of the swing. She looks sideways and found Ahad with her. Her expression hardens and fingers curl.

What does he want? She doesn't know and isn't interested in hearing.

Getting on her feet, she decides to return back to her room. She doesn't want to see him, especially after the afternoon incident and the meeting.

"Running away?" Ahad chuckles, "don't be that easy Mannat. Warna log kya kahenge, ek Mir peeth dikhake bhaag gayi," he taunts, his words piercing like needles, "aur main toh abhi aya hoon, sun toh le jo kehna chahta hoon."

Mannat's jaw grinds and she glares at ground, trying to be calm and not get affected by his words. She knows what Ahad is trying to do. He is trying to weaken her using psychological and manipulation tricks. Break your opponent before they know that they are ready to fight or know how to attack. Unfortunately for Ahad, Mannat is aware of those tricks of him he plays with others. As he said, she is a Mir.

Mannat nods, "okay, tell me then." She sits back on the swing, casting a blank expression on her facial features. She doesn't, cannot lower her guards infront of him.

A smile curves his lips, amused and mocking. Oh, he's definitely enjoying it. Her playing on his orders and commands. Knowing well how much she hates it.

"Sure," he clears his throat and heaves a deep breath. A fraction of silence follows before he speaks. "Working hard with Nalini aunty these days, aren't you? I heard you asked her to reconsider Kashi's decision for the upcoming projects? What happened? Ain't feeling happy with little bit of competition?"

Mannat looks at him, surprised and ashtonished of his words. Amusement fills in and she snickers and tries to cover her laugh with chuckles and cough. Competition and with Kashi? Oh, sure.

"No, I'm not happy at all. We Mir's believe in uprooting problems from roots. Why don't you remove her from the team like you placed?" Mannat shrugs off her shoulders, questioning him back, "it won't be a problem, considering how well she dances on your tunes to lull the Mishra's in the game, your game."

Even if her words have surprised him, Ahad didn't let it show. He casually shrugs, waving off her words that points towards him. "You gotta do what it takes. Kashi clearly knew what she was getting involved into and she better do it right."

Mannat couldn't help but scoff. "What do you want Bhai?"

Ahad looks ahead, the bulbs glowing like halo on boundary walls of their residence. "If I say I never want you to stand against me, will you believe me?"

A frown marres Mannat's face. Confused and in question, she looks at him, unsure of the conversation.

Taking her silence, he continues, "you are hurt, I know. You are betrayed, trampled, shattered and broken. Everyday you lived with nothing but fear in your heart and soul, yet you never said a word, nor complained . You do everything you are asked and ordered. As dadajaan said that day 'you cannot go against him'."

"Because once was enough," Mannat lets out the words, "enough, to remember and live with the consequences all the life."

Ahad nods his head, "you hate us, I know."