The Devil in Boots - Manan ff

Chapter 7

"You can't just drag me anywhere you want" Manik shouted, freeing his hand from Nandini's hold, for the first time in life. Nandini looked back at Manik in disbelief. "How dare you?" Nandini shouted back. "You are asking me that? You came to my life all of a sudden and everything is not normal anymore and now am moving with you and my parents agreed without even asking my consent and you are shouting at me? How dare you?" Manik roared, his eyes blood red and his skin changing its color to pale white. "Manik" Nandini shouted bringing back a stupified Manik. "Come" Nandini held his hand again and started walking. This time Manik didn't flinch or react. He was shocked of how he behaved. 'That was not me. I...I am not like that. Why did I react like that' Manik was lost in his own thoughts, he was brought back to senses by a pat on his back. He looked around and found the same old cottage he saw that day. He looked back to only to see Abhi standing there with his arms crossed.

"What are you doing here?" You don't come here." Manik was scared knowing Abhi was a member of Cabir's gang. "Kyu? Dare gayi kya?" Abhi teased Manik. "Stop it Abhi" Nandini came and hit on Abhi's arm. "He is going to stay here with me" said Nandini unlocking the door. "What and where am I supposed to stay then?" Abhi asked dramatically. "Don't be dramatic Abhi. You knew this was going to happen. So cut the crap" she said arranging the chairs and desk "and you both get used to not playing tom and jerry here. In college do whatever you want, in here you won't fight" Nandini ordered as she one by one arranged everything leaving the two guys to sigh.

"Can I ask something?" Manik asked Abhi as they sat outside the cottage looking at the setting sun. The left side of the cottage gave an amazing view of the setting sun even though it was in the middle of the forest. "Yeah" Abhi replied with a not-so-interested tone. "If you and Nandini are together...why..." before Manik could complete the sentence Abhi spoke "firstly me and Nandini are not together, she is my best friend and second of all if you are asking why she made you stay here, you'll come to know. Have some patience" Manik just hmmed and continued to look ath the mesmerising sun.

 As the darkness crept to even the corners of the forest Nandini and Abhi started making a mess in the kitchen to prepare something so that Manik can eat. "What are you guys doing?" Manik exclaimed shocked. "Can't you see we are trying to cook" Abhi and Nandini replied together. "Yeah I can see that. Do one thing you guys move aside I'll cook" now it was time for both Nandini and Abhi to get shocked. "You'll cook?" They asked in unison. "Yup, am going to be your chef for the day" he rubbed his hands together and moved in behind the kitchen table and started clearing the mess shoving Nandini and Abhi aside. "Now watch how it's done" Manik said with a glee in his eyes and voice while Abhi and Nandini looked at him in shock. "Manik doesn't know how to cook or atleast he doesn't remember that part" Abhi confirmed. "I know he doesn't remember but Manik does cook" Nandini said with teary eyes.