Mission Manik Malhotra - A MaNan FF [Completed]

Chapter 15 - The end of 'us'

~You know you love someone when the mere thought of losing them brings you to tears~

''Manik, wait. I can explain.'' I told him, as I frantically opened my suitcase to take out the case files. My hands were shaking and I tried not to panic too much, though my heart-beat raced.

He had gone into a complete state of shock as he pointed at me and then at my phone ''It was..you. It was my Baby-girl who betrayed me?'' His tone was heart-wrenching.

''Manik. Hear me out before assuming anything. I.. I'm a detective by proffession. Nyonika had assigned me this case. Mission Manik Malhotra. I ...''

''Sshh.. '' he placed a finger on my lips and grabbed the file from my hands. I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress and watched his face turn even more pale. As he turned the sheets, a lone tear escaped the corner of his eye. ''Manik.. I can explain.'' I finally broke my silence, trying not to break down at his devastated expression which was killing me.

''So it was you. You came with me to Pune to spy on me. You told Nyonika I met dad. You were behind mine and Dhruv's separation.'' He stated accusingly and trying to unfailingly mask his agony as he shut the file and looked straight up.

''Manik.. Listen to me..''

''Am I right or not?'' He asked, turning his head towards me, his tone deadly and low.

''But..''

''AM I RIGHT? YES. OR. NO.!'' He screamed this time, pinning me back on to the dressing table behind me, the amount of ferocity in his voice causing me to shudder.

I had no choice but to whisper a 'Yes.' I tasted salt as I opened my mouth to answer and I knew the tears had finally found their way out. For a moment, he squeezed his eyes shut as if to register my response and then bought his fist out, shattering the mirror behind me. I screamed and moved away . Maybe the broken glass reflected the state of his heart at the moment right now. Shattered.

''And I thought you loved me.'' He said, watching me react but himself, not even wincing. The amount of self-loathe in his voice made me cringe - He was hating on himself, more than me, for just thinking that way. That's how much I broke him. I grabbed his bleeding hand in horror and wept ''Yes, I do love you. And I can't see you in pain. I love you so, so much''.

He jerked back his hand and shouted ''SHUT UP. Just shut up! Your hugs, your kisses.. They were all just to fullfill your purpose. And I.. Being a complete idiot, couldn't see behind those innocent expressions you made and your lying, scheming eyes filled with fake love and concern.''

''No, no..I've dropped the case now...You can ask Nyonika if you want.'' I said, begging him as I grasped his hand once again and began picking out the shards of glass in his skin. He hissed in pain and I blew over the cut, carefully lifting his hand close to my mouth.
''Is it hurting too much?'' I asked, trying to blink back my tears.

''Yes. A lot.'' He replied.

He drew back his hand once more and added in a hollow tone ''But it isn't my hand hurting. Its my heart.''

''Manik, believe me. I was about to tell you all this..''

''Believe you?'' He asked with a sarcastic laugh and grabbed my arms so tight that I felt like crying out in pain. ''Never again, Detective Nandini Murthy. Now before I kill you, I want you to leave my house and never show me your face again.''

He dragged me behind him, his fingers still digging into my skin, ignoring my pleas and pushed me out of the house into the darkness before shutting the door with a loud bang.