Humesha- An Accidental Love Story

8.False Interpretations

Nandini

Sometimes people don't want to listen to the real truth because they feel safer living in denial and that's human tendency right? We always want to live in our own delusion because we feel afraid to face the reality which may not match ours and that's something we dread. We feel threatened from our own made up opinions and that's how my life has always been after I lost my family.

I hardly trust people now. Every new person I come across becomes a jigsaw puzzle for me that I try to figure out, adamant to find a flaw or a loophole so that I have it all figured. I can't help but eye everyone around me with suspicion even when I shouldn't but slowly and steadily that has become a part of my nature and I can't help it.

The day I met Manik, my perception about him wasn't any different but somewhere deep down I knew there were chances of me being on the wrong side this time.

The first time when Manik bursted on me for categorising him as someone who doesn't treat women well, my heart has began to grow a little affinity towards him and then I met him in Space which made me see him in a different light. In Space, I met the rude Manik Malhotra who wanted everything according to him and who could go to any extent to protect his friends. The friend in him made me admire him unknowingly but after whatever happend today, I started doubting whether he deserved my admiration since he didn't leave any chance to hurt or taunt me.

"Tell me Nandini. Tum kya karogi?" He tried provoking me, his taunts not stopping at all.

"Mujhe kuch nahi karna...just leave my way" I retorted.

I pushed him away and began leaving when his words stopped me.

"Why pretend Nandini when we both know who you really are? Weren't you enjoying my attention like all those girls in your club do? If you weren't then why didn't you stop me?" He asked while I remained mum.

"Why are so quiet now? Bolo na!"

"Assume whatever you want to but let me go" I said, not meeting his eyes maybe because I was guilty for not stopping him or pushing him away when he came close to me.

"Run as much as you want Nandini but at the end I'll catch you anyhow because you still have to pay for what you did today. You yelled at my friends and not only that, you attempted to preach your stupid lecture too and just so you know....No one goes against fab 5 and you have dared to do so" his voice icy cold as he spoke.

"Try thinking from other's perspective too Manik. Maybe you'll realise what am I doing and why" I replied softly and left the place, tired of people always looking at me to find that someone in me which I wasn't.

I knew Manik was just being protective of his friends and our encounter at the club the other day just aggravated things and like everyone else even Manik thought that I was some slut who was only thirsty for money and attention and I don't blame him. Infact, it doesn't even matter to me because I had expected this out of him afterall that was the image my so called mother wanted to create of me and she succeeded. Even though Manik felt I was different when he first met me at the club, his perception about me changed the next instant.