Living in a Mirage

Chapter Two

"There is an objective reality out there, but we view it through the spectacles of our beliefs, attitudes, and values."

Social Psychology

David G. Myers

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Dedicated to Ankahee, who despite being so busy, finds time for me.
Thank you, for your friendship, encouraging words, time and love...

(Edited: I miss you, our conversations and your friendship...I hope you are doing well...)

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"Nyonika, locking me here won't get you anywhere," Nandini shouted loudly, banging the door.

If anyone had told her before she got to know Nyonika Malhotra that she could ever feel intense hatred towards someone, she wouldn't have believed them because back then she thought of herself as a very peaceful soul. But now, what she felt for that woman was something more than hatred. It was something more consuming, more violent, more inhuman...

"Anyone please just open this door," Nandini whispered, sweating and dizzy. Her voice shaking with the effort of screaming out loud.

Water, she needed water to soothe her aching throat. She sat down on the floor, her face, bright crimson. She pressed the left side of her face in the cold wall, resting her head on it, as a thick vein pulsated at the corner of her temple. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, drawing her knees to her chest.

"Manik," she whispered the name like a prayer.

Manik, her strength, her weakness, her protector, and the one she had to protect.

"Hamesha, always," She said out loud, opening her eyes, staring at nothing particularly in the darkness of the room.

Nandini, mujhe andhere se daar nahi lagta, jab tum mere saath hoti ho...

She could recall the way he had whispered her name in a shaky voice, as if he was overwhelmed by his feelings for her, by the revelation that she was all he needed to feel safe and protected. And how even darkness, his biggest fear, in her presence wasn't a monster he couldn't fight off.

That will remain forever the most beautiful gift he gave her, the responsibility and the privileged to be the one who would protect him.'

The opening night of Musicana had been special to her, for more than one reason. It was the night when 'The Manik Malhotra' had not only let her know his weakness but also had let her protect him when he felt most vulnerable. But from the past four years, she had been unable to protect him, unable to be his shining star...

She closed her eyes, restless, as her mind come up with all the possible circumstances, situations that could have happened in these past four years when she hadn't been by his side to protect him.

"Nandini!"

She heard someone shouting her name. Whoever it was, they were too far away for her to recognize their voices. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief when the voices she heard from outside got louder as if they have moved from their previous location.

"Where is she?" She heard Mukti ask, her voice was faint, still far away from the room she was in, but distinguishable.

"They are here, thank you Ayippa" Nandini whispered, looking up, thankful.