Manan ff : College Diaries

chapter 29. Shopping Mall

Within 45 minutes, Manik drove us to the nearest shopping mall.
Once out of the car, I was jumping like a kid.
For the first time, I was visiting the mall to do grocery shopping. The mere thought of it, was hell exciting to me.
Me ( excitedly ) : jaldi chalo naa Manik. ....
Holding Maniks hand, I literally dragging him. While, Manik gave me a fond smile.
Manik ( pov ) ( happily ) : gosh. ....she is really a kid! !!!!!!......shopping ke naam se kitna khush ho rahi hai. ....
With glittery eyes, I entered the mall, holding Maniks hand tightly.
On feeling Nandini's grip tightening on his hand, Manik confusedly asked " hey. ...are you okay kid? ????"
Looking at Manik, I just smiled.
Collecting a basket from the counter, Manik led me towards the grocery section.
I, like a lost puppy, just keept on starring at different products and brands, arranged in the racks, neatly.
There were toys, buckets, different kinds of food items and ingredients, cosmetics, scented candles and God knows what.
I just keept on gaping at them, with a mesmerised look. I mean. ...I don't even know the names of so many products. I know, it is strange. But I am not at all a domestic kind of a person and moreover, I never had any interest in the household works, except cooking.
So, this is a first for me.
Leaving my hand, Manik was busy in collecting some food ingredients. While, I just roamed around, all awestruck.
Unknowingly, I reached the bedsheets and curtains wala section.
Fascinated by the colours, I was going through them. When my eyes fell on a particular bedsheet, which was full white in colour, with red heart's and star's.
The bedsheet was really pretty and my hands automatically moved towards it.
But, before I could pick it up, an old lady took it away.
When I looked at the ladies face, she gave me a cunning smile.
That was it, I was on the verge of crying like a baby and I faintly mumbled " Manik "
Manik was nearby and on listening to her cry baby voice, he immediately came rushing towards her.
On seeing her face, Manik was all horrified.
Taking her face between his palms, Manik sweetly asked " kya hua? ?????"
Me, all ready to cry, pointed towards the bedsheet " Manik. ...I want that. ...."
Manik first took a careful look, at what she was pointing and then, gazed at the lady, who was holding it.
Manik ( calmly ) : Nandini. ...woh unn hone kharid liya hai. ....you can't have that. ...please kuch aur select karo. ....
But me, not at all ready to listen, moved his hand away from my face.
Me ( with a pout ): no. ...I want that only. .....
Looking at Nandini, Manik very well knew, that she is not going to give up, so easily.
Instead, he decided to plead to the lady, only.
Moving towards the lady, Manik made his cute puppy dog wala face and pleaded whole heartedly " Aunty please. ....kya aap yeh bedsheet mujhe de sakti hai? ????...please. ....I know. ...yeh aap ke liye easy nehin hai. ...but woh kya hai naa. ...hum dono ki abhi abhi engagement hui hai. ...and for the first time. ...she has asked me for something. ....so please. ...aap yeh bedsheet mujhe de dijiye. ...please. ...."
Taping my feet Impatiently, I gaped at Manik and that cunning lady.
Finding no way out, an incredibly crazy idea, struck my mind.
Without anyone's notice, I sat on the ground and lied down.
Closing my eyes, I slowly mumbled "Manik " and acted as if, I had fainted.
On listening Nandini's voice, Manik immediately turned his body, only to find her lying on the cold floor, lifeless.
That was it, on seeing her like that, Manik was hell scared.
Composing himself, Manik rushed towards her and sank on the floor.
Scoping her in his arms, Manik carefully looked for any signs of injury. But, there were none.
Manik ( literally screamed ) ( all horrified ) : Nandini. ...kid. ...please ankhe kholo. ...please. ...please. ...please. ....
On listening to Maniks scream, a crowd gathered around them.
Manik ( yelling ) : please koi doctor ko bulao. ....yah phir ambulance. .....jaldi. ....
Manik was almost looking like a wounded lion, all ready to pounce on anyone, who comes in his way.
The shopping mall authorities took his orders hesitantly, knowing well, who the hell they were dealing with.
Manager (scared ) : Mr Malhotra. ...please calm down. ....5 minutes mein ambulance aa jaega. ....
Manik ( angrily ) : 5 minutes? ?????.....are you kidding me. ...I swear agar meri Nandini ko kuch hua naa. ...I will sue all of you! !!!!!.....keep that in mind......
Me ( pov ) ( full panic mode ) : gosh Nandini. ....yeh tune kya kar diya! !!!!!.....Manik kitne gusse mein hai. .....are toh tu gayi! !!!!!....kis ne kaha tha aisa stupid sa prank play karne ke liye! !!!!.....ab toh ayyappa ke pass jaane ka full tayaari kar le! !!!!
On listening to Maniks monster wala voice, I didn't dare to open my eyes. Lying in his arms, our proximity was long forgotten.
While, my mind was pacing too and fro, busy in finding a solution, to calm this Monster Manik.
Okay. ...I hate to admit. ...but I am hell scared of him. This is the second time, I am seeing him go all thermonuclear, that to for me. I mean, I don't know whether to dance or cry.
Manik on the verge of crying, softly patted Nandini's cheeks " please kid. ...aapni ankhe kholo. ....I promise main tumse kabhie fight nehin karunga! !!!!!.....tumhe' Miss Violent ' bhi nehin bulaunga! !!!!.....tumhari har baat maanunga !!!!!....bass tum please aapni ankhe kholo. ....."
There was sheer terror on Maniks face and finally, he couldn't hold back from thinking about the dreadful possibilities. A lone tear ,rolled down his eyes and fell on Nandini's cheeks.
While, I was lost in Maniks confession, a water droplet fell on my face.
It took me few minutes, to register the fact that ,Manik has actually started crying.
That was it, I can't torture the poor soul anymore.
I immediately opened my eyes and said " Manik "
But, before I could say anything, Manik took me in a bone crushing hug, burying his face in my hair.
Holding me in his arms safely, Manik started crying, helplessly.
While I was damn confused, by his sudden outburst.
Without uttering a word, I patted his shoulder and ruffled his hair.
Manik, controlling his sobs " never ever......pull these kinds of stunt on me Nandini! !!!!!!......tumhe pataa hai. ....main kitna dar gaya tha. ....agar tumhe kuch ho jataa toh????. ....toh mere kya hota? ?????......main. ...main kaise jeeta? ?????......tum mujhe kabhie chhodke nehin jaogi! !!!......hamesha tum mere saath hi rahogi. ....aur main bhi tumhe kabhie jaane nehin dunga! !!!!......kabhie nehin! !!!!"
On listening to his childish demands, I sat over there, grinning like a fool.
Trying hard to digest the fact, that somebody is actually dependent on me.......somebody actually wants me in his life. .....I must say. ..the feeling is really very overwhelming. .....