MANAN--In a different world

Chapter 6

Nandini closed the novel and placed it on the desk before her. She then rose and started downstairs hoping to find her brother in the living room with a bottle in one hand and a remote in the other. She went into the living room but found it empty. "Bhai," she questioned waiting for a response.... There was none.

She wandered the different rooms sticking her head in and continued calling his name. She pulled her cell to check whether there had been ant calls or so.....but no there was none. She dialled his number. It rang six times before hanging up and going into voice mail.

Her heart began to beat more quickly as she called him again and again. There was no answer, her pulse grew stronger and more rapid with each passing minute.

Frustrated after calling Rishab for more than 30 times Nandini immediately began to feel fury raise in her chest. She slammed her phone shit gripping it as tight as she could ....both of her fists turning white at the knuckles.

Just as Nandini thought she could do nothing else and that she was absolutely helpless, she realised she always had options. If she wanted to find her brother and make sure he was all right, all she had to do is find him.....

For an hour Nandini drove down through the alleys near her house. She went to all the four bars that Rishab frequented and the roads that led to them in case he had passed out on road.

But when she came empty, she didn't feel she had a choice anymore. She pulled out her cell from her back pocket and dialled 'his' number.

"Hello", he answered with a slight brightness in his voice.

"Manik", she said, hopelessness clear in her voice without her realising until it was too late.

Manik instantly stopped playing with his daughter and his smile disappeared," Nandini, What's wrong?".

"Bhai...he he is missing," Nandini replied trying to keep her voice steady.

He questioned," What can I do for u?"

She swallowed hard." I have checked most of the bars except two. One place is far east wards and the other....."

"The Nights Out" Manik said knowing where she was going with this," I'll head over there while you go check the other one. If I find something I will call you."

Nandini sighed. "Thank you so much. This means a lot to me."

"Don't mention it."Manik replied. "Be safe".

"You too", and she hung up.

Manik placed Mannat in the car and strapped her into her car seat and after making sure she was comfortable he started driving. He reached the bar in five minutes but it took him another 3 to get Manni out of the car. He then took her into his arms and wandered into the bar.

There Rishab turned around to see Manik," Hey there.....so we met again huh?".......

Nandini parked the car and closed the door with the bang. Without even thinking she burst into the bar and scanned for a familiar face. When she saw Manik sitting in a booth with a small girl on his lap, she dashed over there.

"Bhai,what the hell were you thinking? I called you and you didn't answer. Its been just a few days since you were in the hospital and here you are in a bar........",Nandini shouted.

"I needed a drink", Rishab casually replied.

Nandini was going to shout again but she realised it won't be nice to scream and curse in front of a child. She spoke trying to keep her anger in check," You could have informed me before coming?"

Rishab replied," I am an adult ,Nandu. I can take care of myself."

"Right," Nandini scoffed. "That's why you ended up bashing your head huh!?"

"Nandini", Manik tried to calm her down.

She snapped at him,"Stay out of this Manik." He hushed up.

Nandini looked at her brother with a deep passionate bitterness and her eyes conveyed the anger underneath as she spoke," Bhai just look at yourself. Do you think Nancy would have wanted this?!"

Rishab shot out of his seat as his words blasted into the air," Don't you dare bring her into all this."

"This is all about her, Bhai. All this drinking and all."

"Stop," Rishab spoke angrily.

By then they had already caught the attention of most of the bar and Manik knew if they don't stop now then there is a great possibility that someone will kick them out.

Manik placed Manni on the couch and telling her that he will be back soon marched toward the duo.

"May be this is not the right place to argue", he told the duo.

Nandini just looked into the opposite direction while Rishab agreed to Manik.

"Yeah you are right. Nandu you go home and I will be back soon."

Nandini looked at her brother and said," In your dreams. I am not leaving you here alone."

"Nandini," Manik breathed again. "Its fine. I can watch him."

"Why should I trust you huh??", Nandini snapped.

"Because I want to help.", Manik never knew he could be this patient with anyone else except his Manni.

"If Bhai is staying then I am too.", Nandini stated.

"Yeah sure....we would love to have your company.", Manik smiled finally able to calm down the angry Nandu.

Nandini stared at Manik trying to figure what he tried to mean by loving to have company.... But whatever she shook of the thought out and moved towards the booth and sank into one of the chairs.....

Precap: Mannat and Nandu forming a bond..... Manik feeling something for Nandini....

I didn't get 20 votes though. But its okay. Thanks to all of you who had voted. Hope this time I get the 20 votes. Till then happy reading and do share your thoughts and forgive me for the mistakes.