In His Custody ✎ | (MaNan)

✰ 56 - between the lines

This has to be a record in terms of productivity, honestly! I have no idea how I am endlessly churning 5000+ words plus updates in a span of 2-3 days. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY LOST MY MIND. OR HEART. OR BOTH. 

WARNING: This might wreck you and resurrect you both at once. 

Why is the end seemingly so far in sight, now that the worst is coming?

⭒

Manik

My conversation with Abhimanyu was cut short by a sudden, jarring thud from somewhere in the house. Both of us turned toward the noise, our bodies tense, and then we instinctively bolted to the source of the sound.

"Rishabh!" Nandini screeched, rushing forward and dropping to her knees just as he collapsed onto the floor. His little frame began to convulse violently. His face was pale and contorted. Nandini's hands hovered over him, trembling as she panicked, unsure what to do.

"What the hell is going on?" A frightened Cabir examined the scene, bothered by the sight. His focus darted between Nandini and the convulsing boy, unable to process what he was seeing.

Abhimanyu hurried to them, his arms sliding under Rishabh's shaking body as he picked him up with surprising steadiness. "I'll take him upstairs," Abhimanyu said firmly, putting an end to anyone else's discomfort for the time-being. After that, he ran up the stairs, exuding a certain composure that kept Nandini's anxieties somewhat at bay.

Nevertheless, she scrambled to her feet, following Abhimanyu as he carried Rishabh, her sobs barely contained. "Rishabh! I'm here! Just hold on, okay?" she cried desperately, brushing tears from her face as they disappeared up the stairs.

Those seizures were too similar to Dhruv's attacks.

At the thought, I scanned the surroundings and spotted Dhruv clutching his head with both hands. He was standing off to the side, with a low groan escaping his lips. My breath caught in my throat. I didn't waste any time on answering the others' questions. My thoughts were a jumbled mess as I stood beside him, carefully cradling his head in my hands and pressing it to the curve of my neck, I patted him.

"It's okay, buddy. I'm here, Manik's here..." I whispered, my voice low and soothing, even though I knew it was little comfort. His body jerked violently against mine, and I could feel his shallow breaths against my skin.

"Manik, what's happening?" Alia's eyes were wide with fear.

"I don't know!" I snapped, struggling to explain the backstory associated with it all at an unfortunate time.

Abhi was running back down to inform us of something when he spotted Dhruv and I, slouched to an edge. He took one look at the scene and seemed to understand instantly. "Manik, take him to my room." he said calmly but in a stern tone.

I nodded wordlessly, carefully gathering Dhruv in my arms and leading him up the stairwell. His convulsions had subsided somehow, but he was not at his full normalcy. For the first time, I realised I did not have my guitar with me during a time of need.

But why of all times did he get it then?

Why had both Dhruv and Rishabh gotten those seizures at the same time?

What started those attacks was the meteor shower several years ago, but that had happened in Mumbai.

How did Rishabh get those same attacks then, if he was in Bangalore that time?