~MaNan FF~Benaam Rishta...The Ill-Fated Souls💔

2. Pehli Diwali (First Diwali)

Manik (softly) - Ghabraa mat. Kuch nhi hua hai. Theek hai tu. Mera haath pakad aur chal (Don't be scared. Nothing has happened. You are alright. Hold my hand and come)

Pulling out his right hand, he gently grabbed her left wrist and gestured her to follow him. He took one step ahead but sensing that she was not moving...he faced her again and e gave her a questioning look...

Nandini (looking down and in a soft voice) - Aapke daahine haath mei uss din chot lagi thi. Uspe zyaada zor mat dijiye nahi toh dard hoga...
(Your right hand was wounded that day. Don't put much pressure on it or else it will pain)

His heart skipped a beat hearing the concern in her voice. He was rendered speechless and pleasantly surprised as this was the first time someone had uttered such caring words for him soothing his heart.
Stretching out her right hand she held his left hand and got up on her feet. His trance was broken when she whimpered due to the pain in her legs and then he remembered the marks he had seen on her body that day.

Manik (rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand) - Ab bhi dard hai? (Is it still paining?)

She knew he had seen her in the most vulnerable condition and was slightly happy for his heedfulness towards her bruises...

Nandini - Jab bohot der baithne ke baad uthti hu tab thoda dard hota hai
(When I get up after sitting for a very long time, it pains a little)

When they were about to exit the bus, he realised that there were 3 small steps near the door. Thinking that it would pain her to descend down these 3 odd steps, he got down first and then circling his left arm around her waist, he lifted her against his body earning a gasp from her at his sudden action. They shared a deep eyelock...he tried to notice any apprehensions in her eyes and she stared at those orbs which were filled with care for her.

He put her on the ground slowly and their moment broke when he heard Siddharth calling out to him. Again holding her hand, he took her to the jeep in which Siddharth arrived and made her sit inside handing her a bottle of water.

Manik (attention towards the ringing phone) - Tu paani pee. Mai thodi der mei aata hu . (Drink water. I will be back in some time)

He felt her hold tightening on his shirt as if indicating him not to leave her alone...

Manik (placing his hand on her) - Darr mat. Yahi hu mai (Don't be afraid. I am here only)

The moment he showed her his back, the concerned man was gone and Inspector Manik Singh Chauhan was back in action. He picked up the phone and answered.

Tiwari - Chauhan, Is it done?

Manik - Yes, Sir

Tiwari - All dead?

Manik - No sir. Purposely, kept one of them alive to divulge information

Tiwari - Any passenger casualties?

Manik - No casualties. 3 injured

Tiwari - Take an off tomorrow

Manik - Not required, Sir

With that he hanged up the call and went to Siddharth to explain him the further course of action.

Manik (authoritatively) - Apni team bhej...pata karne ke kaun hai yeh log. Kiske liye kaam karte hai. Inka adda kaha hai. Kul milaake kitne log hai. Poori khabar kal tak mhaare table par honi chahiye office aane se pehle (Send our team to investigate who these people are, for whom do they work, their hideout, total number of gang members. Before I reach office, I want all the information to be kept at my table)