Conditions Applied?!

26~ A broken skeleton with a beating heart!

I tried getting up yet again but I couldn't.

"Aiyappa..... It hurts" I said touching the ankle that I had just  sprained from the fall. Tears had already made their way out of my eyes. I couldn't believe that I was in such a mess!

I adjusted my position on the floor and tried getting up when I saw a hand coming in my direction. I looked up to find Manik standing there. He looked away as soon as my gaze met his.

Having no other option I took his hand and stood up,  finally. I looked at him unable to understand what his intentions were and in the next moment he picked me up and went downstairs,  back to my room.

This was really weird. I kept looking at his face but he didn't bother. Not that he didn't at all look at me but no sooner he would realise I was looking at him,  he would look away. It was so difficult to understand him.

He placed me on the bed and sat down on his knees in front of me. And finally his eyes met mine. I couldn't find that anger anymore. His eyes were still red though.

He held my hands and looked down. This was so new! A moment back he was screaming at me and now!!

I adjusted myself on the edge of the bed where I sat when he started speaking.

" Nandini.... " he said finally looking at me. I could see the little tears at the corners of his eyes. My heart ached to see him like that.

" I.... I have been faking happiness ever since.... Tum saabko laagta hai that... Manik is so chilled out... Usse koi problem hai hi nahi!... But.. But the truth is Nandini..... I ... Too need a support system! "

I was yet again suffering from an internal conflict. How come? How come this strong man was breaking already? How come he was breaking showing it to anyone but me? I shooed away my thoughts as he spoke again.

"I.... Am like those pile of bones on the floor and no one knows it but me... A broken skeleton with a beating heart... "

I was taken aback at his words. I didn't know what to do! He had kept so much into him!! Why?! He has friends. Loads of them! Why couldn't he ever let it out to them?!

"Alya.... She is the only one I have..but Cabir ne kahan woh meri habit hai!!.....aur woh bhi... Woh bhi mujhe chor degi.... I............ " he took a deep breath.

"I don't blame you.... But Nandini...... I..... I know.... I have been very harsh on you since the day you came into this house.... But..... Agar main aisa nahi karta.... Then... You wouldn't give me a divorce!!......"

I just looked at him. I had judged him wrong. I knew he would back to the monster side the next morning when the effect of the liquor would end. But I felt glad that he opened up to anyone but me!

"Manik..... If you..... " I said trying to console on that fact that I would leave soon.

"I'm sorry..... "

He put his head on my knees. He was breaking,  I knew.

"Nandini..... Agar tum.... If you stay here.... I'll hurt you.... Again....... And I don't want to...... Please..... " he said looking up at me.

"Manik... Its okay.... "

"No it isn't!!!....... Mujhe nahi karna yeh Saab aur!!!.... I'm tired Nandini... I'm tired..... " he said looking down and I felt a drop of tear on my hand, which he held. Why was it so hard for me to see him like this!!! After all the pain he gave me? Why?!

I went on to say something but he stood up abruptly. I looked at him with a surprised gaze. He didn't speak another word and left the room.

I looked at the door as he disappeared into the darkness outside. I was yet again at an internal conflict! Why?! That was the only thing I wanted to know!! Why would he break!!? I was lost in my thoughts when my phone buzzed into life.

Abhimanyu~

"Nandini..... "

"Haan Abhi.... "

"Nandini..... Listen... I need you to see something.... Its really important!! "

"See what?!...... "

"Tomorrow... 6:30 sharp... At my house!! "

"Abhi but hua kya hai!! "

"Bye"

"Abhi.... Hello.... Abhi???? "

I kept my phone aside. Abhi sounded so weird over the phone!! And what is so important?! God!! No one will let me be at peace!!

I tried getting up and soon was drawn back to reality! I had my leg sprained. I somehow managed to get the spray and tied a scrape bandage around the ankle. That was some kind of relief. I could walk at least!

I sat down with the files yet again but no matter how much I tired getting involved I couldn't. Manik's words kept on playing at the back of my mind. 
"I.... Am like those pile of bones on the floor and no one knows it but me... A broken skeleton with a beating heart... "

I had this sudden urge to check on him. I stood up and went outside , limping.

The hall I found was dimly lit and soon my eyes caught his sight. He laid there on the sofa . I tiptoed in his direction and realised he was sleeping already. That was no less worth admiring! He seemed at peace finally. I stood there doing nothing but admiring the face. I went on my knees in front of him and softly ran my fingers through his black hairs. He moved a bit to my touch and I couldn't do anything but to smile. Such things were new to me! I felt dragged to him after all that he said to me. I felt dragged to this monster. My monster!

"Manik..... I don't know whether we will be together or not.... But there's one thing that I promise you... That I'll bring you out of this mess before I leave.... I promise you that.... Nandini promise! " I whispered to him and pulled back my hand as gently as possible.

A/N
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