The Devil in Boots - Manan ff

Chapter 8

"When are you planning to tell him Nandini?" Abhi asked as they stood outside keeping a watch around the cottage. After Manik said that he felt someone was following him, she made sure to keep a close watch on him. She was sure 'they' were close to Manik and she had only a limited time break the secret, she has been keeping for so long, to Manik. "Soon" was her only answer. Abhi knew Nandini's dilemma. She didn't want to impose the secret on Manik but she had no other choice right now.

"Dinner's ready" Manik came to stand beside Nandini. Three of them stood there in silence. "Manik" Nandini called him "I have something important to tell you". Manik understood that whatever she wanted to say was going to change his life again. But he wasn't sure if he was ready. "I know." Manik replied. Before either Abhi or Nandini could react, he spoke again "Am not dumb to ignore the fact that you know more about me than I know. But can it wait for a few days? I don't think I can handle all of these straight away. Please." Both Nandini and Abhi understood him, it was hard for Manik to get used to all these, them in a matter of hours. So Nandini just nodded in understanding, Abhi just looked away.

Abhi is Nandini's best friend, there was no doubt in that, but before Nandini entered his life Manik was his best friend, brother. And seeing him like this wasn't easy for him. Everything that happened brought Nandini and Abhi closer. But he couldn't help but miss his old best friend. Abhi wasn't sure whether manik will forgive him, after all the bullying he did with Cabir, when he comes to know the truth. He wanted Manik to be safe without spilling the secret and it was the only way to make sure of it.

Abhi cleared his throat, wiping the single tear that fell from his eyes, and turned to the other two. "Enough with the emotional drama.  Am damn hungry. Chalo lets eat" he said in his usual fake chirpy voice, he mastered. But Nandini knew otherwise. She knew being this close to Manik wasn't easy for him either. They both desperately wanted Manik to know everything, but knew, a wrong step and everything will turn hell.

As the three ate in silence, Abhi noticed Manik stealing glances of Nandini who appeared to be in deep thoughts. "Something never changes no matter what" he muttered under his breath. Nandini looked up from her plate to look at Abhi. "What?" Abhi asked innocently, way too innocent for Nandini's liking. She narrowed her eyes and threw a piece of carrot at him. "What did you say?" Nandini asked throwing another piece which he dodged effortlessly. "I said Somethings never change no matter what" he replied back sarcastically. Manik was just staring in confusion. "Guys, guys, ho kya raha hein?" Manik asked raising a hand silencing both Nandini and Abhi. "And what never changes?" he asked again turning his gaze to Abhi. "Nothing" he muttered and left without looking at anyone.

Manik shifted his gaze back to Nandini who was trying to frame an acceptable lie. Noticing this, Manik said "Don't try to lie Nandini". When she opened her mouth again he cut her off again " I want to know" his tone was serious and calm, just like she remembered. "You said you wanted to wait for a few days before we tell you whatever it is that we wanted to say right?" when he nodded she continued "Then you'll have to wait. Whatever this was about involves a lot of other things. I'll explain everything, just not now" saying this Nandini, leaving a curious Manik behind.

Manik's mind was full of things that have been happening with him lately and he was sure his head might explode if he think about it anymore.  There was this feeling in the back of his mind that he knew Abhi and Nandini from some where. It was a  tiny feeling, but it grew bigger as he spend more and more time with them. The last thought that crossed his mind before sleep engulfed him was 'Will my life ever be the same again?'