Nandini's POV
The store was wedged between two taller rooms. It looked squeezed, as if the neighbours were closing in. The sign was old, some letters had become illegible in the peeling paint. With each breath, I took I entered slowly, trying to succumb with the darkness.
"Aiyappa, yaha Toh kitna andhera hai. Mujhe bachana", I took slow steps and entered inside.
The whole room was cradled with spiders webs, making it terrifying. As I entered more, darkness caved in and the floor creaked. Suddenly, some of the boxes fell and I shouted.
"Chal Nandini, let's do it fast", I clenched my fist and watched for a while.
There was a huge sack inside and it'd different files. I went closer and looked at them. I huffed and closed my eyes, in order to stop my erratic breaths.
You're strong, Nandini.
Shh. I've got you.
You can come out of this.
Ironically, I was stuck in that place, because of Manik, yet only his words were acting as the catalyst. I know I was strong, just like he said.
I moved in and found a cardboard huge box there, almost half of my size. I collected all the files whichever were needed and filled them inside the box. I huffed and finally came out of the room, heaving a sigh of relief.
I took all the stuff to my place, and kept them on the table. It was so boring. I took every single file and checked them and started arranging them, in alphabetical order, as the way I was instructed. I wished I could skipped some of the work or urge got help, but only if could. Alas,I was under constant Malhotra CCTV Supervision.
One hour passed, I was working.
Two hours. Three hours. I was still working.
It was almost 11 PM. Just like Manik Sir instructed, I completed my work within the day. Though I'd to extend my working hours by 3 hours, but it all counted. The whole office was empty, particularly it was getting scary. Not a single person, except the guard of the office. I hurriedly grabbed my stuff, packed them and went outside.
Just like, I already had less problems that one more got added. It was raining heavily. Rain washed my face of the sweat and dirt, droplets clinging to the false lashes I put on for the mission. I'd no umbrella, considering there were no traces of rain, before. Now, I'm stuck. I need to find a cab. I went outside and my clothes were already getting wet, by the downpours.
"Aiyappa, aaj subah kiski shakal dekhi thi Jo kuch bhi Acha nahi ho raha hai", I looked above.
"Monster Manik's", my brain replied immediately, as I recalled how I used to see his picture daily before waking up from bed.
I waited there, but no cab was passing through. I was left with no option, so I started walking, all drenched in the waters. Aiyappa.
*Splash Splash*
Suddenly, a car swerved in full speed and the mud from the ground, splosh on my white Kurti. Rich, smelly, wet, icky, brown, black, knee-high, sticky, manure-like mud, was all spread on my new dress. I was frustrated on the car driver, for being so reckless, and spoiling my favorite dress.
"Excuse me, agar gaadi chalane ki tameez nahi hai toh ghar par rehna sikhiye", I shouted, without caring to look up and to stare the owner. I didn't care. He had spoilt my dress, he needed to pay up.
"Oh really, Ms Murthy", I heard his voice. I shook my head, denying that it couldn't happen. It shouldn't be him. I glanced up, from the corner of my eyes, and what I was afraid of, turned out to be true. He was smirking. And I gulped saliva, considering how belligerently, I'd shouted on my boss, who was already, my loggerhead for the day. When I stared at his face, there was a constant creepy smile. The left side of his faint red lip tugged upwards creating a sinister smirk on his god like face; casting a spell of lust to eyes that dare look his way.
Even his smirk is seductive.
"Hello Ms Murthy", his triumph smirk was getting on my nerves. We were standing in the rain, all drenched and all he cared, was his greeting.
"Umm.. I'm sorry Manik Sir. I didn't see it was you", I apologized, even though he should be the one, doing the same. He spoilt my favorite dress, for I was still crying over it.
"It's alright. So it seems you've completed the work assigned to you, considering how late you're going home", he spoke looking at his watch.
It was almost midnight. And I was left marveled, what was he doing there? He was still in his office clothes, which clearly implied that he didn't go home. But why? Was he waiting for me?
"Ms Murthy. I've no time to waste for your zoning out, thing", he mocked me and I made a bad face. "So I can see, I've spoilt your clothes, so I need to pay for it", he said staring at my clothes, which were partly drenched and partly muddy.
"No need", I said involuntarily and perfunctorily, without glancing at him.
"Ah Ms Murthy", he addressed.
I was being pissed off. 'Ms Murthy' is getting on my nerves, and he is constantly addressing with that.
"No thanks, I'm leaving", I said and I left.
Precap ~ Romance and Night Stay
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