𝐈 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐞 𝓦𝓪𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 ✅

Chap 24

He did like Nandini since childhood, but let go of that feeling, thinking it's just a mere attraction. No matter how he tried consoling himself saying those, his heart didn't hear any. His father died, leaving him alone in a dark corner of the world. Nandini came as a ray of light in his world full of darkness, as they met again, at the Christmas party, spent time together and when that attraction took a deeper form of love, he didn't know. And when he finally realized his love, destiny fucked things up in his life again.

A day went, 14 more to go. He crossed a day on his calendar.

'Was he waiting to go back to the harbor?' His mind questioned.

'Of course, you moron! Why do you even care anyway? To lead him in the wrong direction as you always do?' His heart taunted. 'Aur mera bhola officer gets trapped by you always. Oh God, please give some heart to this brain. So that he thinks for himself also sometimes.' Prayed his heart like a dramatic typical Indian mother.

'Get yourself a brain, you brainless creature!' Said his mind sarcastically.

'Shut up alright! Let my boy sleep. He's already exhausted for the day.' His heart said dearly.

Manik lay down on his bed, looking out of the tiny round window. The moon was shining bright in the middle of millions of stars. The sea beneath reflected the sky, giving a gorgeous view from the window. He held the photo frame in both his hands and softly caressed it. He kept staring at that until his eyes automatically closed as sleep took over him.

The next morning came with new problems, new issues to solve. Manik had been rushing from this side to that of the ship since morning.

On the other side, Captain Faizal knocked at Rear Admiral Anant's cabin to get a file signed by him. "Sir, this file requires your signature."

"What file, Captain?", asked Mr. Murthy taking the file from him.

"It's the documents of this sea voyage, saying we left the harbor on time yesterday and everyone has reported properly as pre-planned, Sir. I've checked all the details everything seems alright. You can just go through it if needed and sign at the end, kindly."

Mr. Murthy was going through the file, his eyes stopped at one place as he almost shouted, "Lieutenant Manik Malhotra?!! How did he get on the list?"

"Sir, Rear Admiral Khurrana Sir got the list updated the day before yesterday at urgent notice."

"What?! And why wasn't I informed about it? Being the in-charge, it's my right to make decisions and I had already selected officers for this exercise and Lieutenant Manik wasn't on the list the day before we left as well. Why did these happen behind my back?? Leave it, I'm gonna call Khurrana today. You send Manik in my cabin, urgently!" Anant was frustrated enough. Manik reached Anant Murthy's cabin and saw him pacing from one end to the other. He was worried or irritated, to be frank, and Manik could sense that.

He cleared his throat and said knocking at the door, "May I come in, Sir."

"Yes, sure Lieutenant Malhotra. I was waiting for you only." Malhotra? That's not a good indication. Taking small steps, he stood before his desk as he heard him say, "Forget we're on duty right now and reply honestly. What do I mean to you?", his voice was deep and hoarse. And to add up to it, he didn't ask Manik to sit either.

Manik was kinda scared of this avatar of his. He fidgeted with words, "Umm.. sir- err... Uncle I-"

"Stammering and you? What's wrong? Need some water?", he said with a hint of sarcasm mixed with dominance. Manik nodded in the negative. "You don't have an answer right? Fine then, not a problem. You can leave." Manik didn't move. He simply kept staring at Mr. Murthy's face who was now busy or pretending to be busy checking some files. "You didn't leave yet? Don't you have work to do?" After a pause, he again continued, "There are a lot of issues Lieutenant Malhotra. Get back to your work. Leave!" Manik left.