MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

9. The Tale that broke him

~ Sometimes a bad childhood scar you for life, and it takes a lot to even try to move on~

" Alright. Whatever I am telling you is what I deduced after reading his diary accidentally. Okay?", Kabir asked and Nandini and Navya nodded at him, both of them afraid to hear but adamant about it.

"Manik was the younger son of Raj Malhotra and Veebha Malhotra.They had an elder daughter Nidhi Malhotra. Manik and Nidhi were very close to each other and Nidhi was Raj's life while Manik was the apple of Veebha's eye. Veebha always used to tell bedtime stories to her children and listening those fairy tale kind of happy ending stories, Manik who was the more sensitive one always dreamt of a happy and loving family. But the reality was quite opposite. Raj was always so busy in his work that he hardly had anytime for his family. Moreover his male ego was too much for anyone to bear. He was an arrogant and flirtatious buisnessman who used women like a tissue paper. Even as a child, Manik used to be so scared of him that he hardly talked with him. Eventually Raj's accusations and allegation started increasing. He even used to hit Veebha sometimes. All these used to effect Manik very badly. He had started being quiet and alone all the time. He could not speak a word of it to anyone else as he knew deep down his father loved all of them. Manik and Nidhi used to talk about it with each other and through Nidhi only veebha came to know how much Manik was affected with all these. When other kids of his class used to brag about their family outings, Manik only had those fights and voilence to remember. Even for Veebha bearing all these was getting difficult by each passing day.

On Manik's 15th birthday a big celebration was called on but Raj's mood was sour from the morning itself. After the party somehow wrapped, there was a big fight between Raj and Veebha. The verbal abuse increased to even physical assault. Manik and Nidhi were terrified at the sight. After what seemed like a decade to them, an angry Raj went into his room and banged the door. A weeping veebha somehow composed herself and the children and then tucked them in their respective beds. That was the last night of Veebha in that house. As everyone slept she took her luggage and left the house forever. No one knew where did she go and if she would return.

Manik woke up in the morning to find a peice of paper at his bedside. He opened it to have the greatest shock of his life. It was a letter from his mother, who had left them alone.

Dear Manik,
I know you are surprised to see this letter from me. Mumma is going away from you baby. I know that going to hurt you, but it's important for me, at this point. But beta you are my strong boy know? Mumma wants you to promise me few things. Beta when you will wake up in the morning I will be gone .Yes, I am leaving this house forever. And I want you to promise me that you will take care of your sister as well as your father. And be my good boy forever. Never try to find me beta. Please, it is my request. And do not cry. Be mumma's strong boy. And always remember that Mumma loves you and Nidhi very much.

With love,
Mumma.

Manik did not know how to react for a few seconds until Nidhi came running to inform that their mumma was nowhere in the house and then the realization set in for both the kids that their Mumma was really gone. They did not know what to do or how to react. But Manik, even at that tender age, knew he had to fulfill his promise to his Mumma. So neither did he cry not did he let Nidhi fall weak. A fifteen year old boy had matured enough to act like an adult that day. When Raj came to know that Veebha had left, he instead of realising his mistake accused her of cheating. It was daily drama now. Whenever Raj was tensed or frustated he used to talk shit about Veebha. Nidhi could not handle this much pressure and she fell ill. Manik used to take care of her like a mother but after about a year Nidhi died, of dengue fever. That was the biggest set back for Manik not only because he lost his only companion but also because he could not fulfill his promise to take care of her. Even with that Raj didnot accept his mistake and he held Manik responsible for Nidhi's death. He used to call him a curse for the family. At times, also that he was an illegitimate child. Manik never replied him back and even after listening so much he used to take care of him. That was the time when he met me in his high school. I was the only friend he had at that time. And the only other friend he had was his diary. He had started writing diary since 5th grade, when it all first started.

Then one night before his 19th birthday Raj handed him the franchise of Malhotra Industries in India and the mansion and he himself left for London forever. He told Manik that he did not want to see his face again and henceforth should not contact him. That night after four years Manik failed to keep his promise and cried. When I called him to wish at 12, he just picked up the call and sobbed loudly. I was so worried that he came over to his place instantly only to find a completely shattered Manik. I somehow managed to calm him and make him sleep. That night only, I found his diary kept below his pillow and came to know everything. But that was also the only time i saw him crying.

The next day onwards, Manik engrossed himself in his studies and managing the company but in such a way that that no one could say he was suffering this much seeing him. He always had a sweet smile on his face. Within 7 years he made the Malhotra Industries what it is now and the world knows him as Manik Malhotra, the most happy CEO anyone have ever been."

When Kabir stopped speaking, he looked up as until then he had been staring at the floor. He gazed up to find Navya in tears while Nandini was sitting numb, expressionless.

"And his nightmares? And what pills were you taking about that day?", Nandini asked still with a blank face.

" Nandu, howsoever rude or arrogant or may be emotional or caring a person might be, a common thing which everyone craves for is love. Everyone needs love in their life- parental love, friends love, sibling love or soulmate love. And he did not receive either of them. Aunty loved him so much but she left. Nidhi also left. Uncle was never fond of him but still he was his father, he also left. How do you expect him to have a peaceful sleep? His nightmares are about everyone leaving him,again and again. He is such a loving person and all his love is buried in his heart. He has no one to shower his love on. This is the sole reason he treats his employees with so much love. He could not fulfill his promise of taking care of Nidhi and uncle, but he did fulfill the promise of being strong, to not cry. Only when he fails to handle himself even after using all his strength that his tears fall down. And this habit had made him dependent on sleeping pills cum tranquilizers".

Nandini gasped at the word and shockingly looked up at him. Kabir had his head down and was staring at infinity. He then took a deep breath before continuing.

" He takes these pill only to numb himself and his thoughts so that his mind does not kill him when he tries to sleep. I have tried many times to stop him but one dose missed and he does the same you witnessed that night", Kabir sighed.

Nandini and Navya both did not know what to say or what to react. Nandini tried to say something but her voice was choked with emotion. She got up from the couch and went to the poolside silently while Navya crashed in Kabir's's chest and both wiped each other's tears, lending silent support to each other.