Angel's Brute (Complete✅)

Chapter 19 - "A parallel universe..."

"Nandu Di"

Someone calls from their back. Both Manik and Nandini turn in reflex. A boy of mid-teenage is standing with an imbecile grin. His eyes are fixed on Nandini. A lollipop is there in his hand and his drooling mouth is trying to articulate more words.

"Nandu Di.."

He again mouths in a lispy accent. With a perplexed expression, Nandini looks at Manik. A simper grin creeps on Manik's exasperated face. He immediately glances at his watch and grips Nandini's wrist.

"I forgot to tell you. I have an important meeting at my party office and I am already late. Let's go. I think you are right. We have shopped enough. We can come again...some other time. Come..come."

He almost drags her out from the Mall. Nandini tries to ask him about the boy who is still following them with baby steps. Manik purposely doesn't halt his pace. Neither he let Nandini question him more nor does he slacken his grip on her hand. Within a couple of minutes, they are in the parking lot. Manik presses the central lock button and the car beeps open. He almost pushes Nandini inside the car passenger seat and hurriedly occupies the driver seat. The car whizzes past the exit gate.

"Manik...that boy...that boy was calling me. That means he knows me."

Nandini finally sheds her baffled state. Without shifting his eyes from the road Manik replies in a pretentious calm voice,

"Nandita, couldn't you see; that boy was retard. He must have mistaken you by any other person."

"But...but he mentioned me as Nandu Di. He might nickname me Nandu. Nandita...Nandu...Manik, let's get back to him. He must be someone known to me. Must be someone from my past."

Nandini says restlessly. With a jerk, Manik halts the car beside the bleak road and faces Nandini. His eyes are red with fury.

"Are you not happy with me in our present? Why do you always talk about your lost past? Why can't you let it go as a forgotten dream? You are Nandita...would be Mrs Nandita Manik Malhotra. That is your identity and I am your past, present and future. Do you understand?"

His tone rises on a high pitch. Nandini flinches. Her eyes become wide and immediately brim with tears. Manik closes his eyes to simmer down his frustration and anger. After a small silence, he again says but this time in a calmer tone,

"Look Nandita. Doctor Nikhanj has advised you to not pressurize your brain to recollect your memory. It will affect your health. If your memory has to come it will come automatically. So, please! I request you, don't disturb yourself with these incoherent matters. We are happy in our world and let it be like this. We don't need anybody in our life."

With a bending head, Nandini is listening to his words. She knows how much Manik is concerned about her health. Perhaps he is telling the right thing. But when that boy called her Nandu Di; she felt a connection to that name. His innocent eyes, his pure smile instantly made her feel a strong affection. Was it a mere illusion? For a moment Nandini is adrift in the thought. Suddenly Manik's call breaks her train of thoughts.

"Nandita...are you listening to me?"

Nandini meets his eager eyes and bobs. In a hesitant voice, she asks,

"Manik...for some time I have been thinking of telling you something. Can you change my doctor?"

In reply, Manik just crunches his forehead.

"No...I mean...I don't feel good when I have those medicines. I feel giddy; weak...they only make me sleep all the time. I feel like I am going to be lost in endless darkness...It...it feels...."