Angel's Brute (Complete✅)

Chapter 25 - "Cage you forever..."

"During the entire meeting, my whole mind was occupied with Nandini's thoughts. She is all alone in the farmhouse. My mind is clouded with restless notions. Did I do the right to leave her alone in the farmhouse? She is ill and vulnerable. What if she faints...what if she needs something...what if she gets scared? Ufff...my mind gathers all the negative thoughts. Eventually, I end the meeting abruptly and get ready to go back to her. I instruct Ayan for the brief of the meeting so that I can work at night on the project and come out of the office premises. As I am about to get into my car, a middle-aged man blocks my way."

Manik looks at him with a frown. The person looks not very well to do. His cheap attire and the lines of stress on his forehead are proving that. But more of that his eyes; they are panic-stricken and pain-ridden.

"Sir, my... my daughter Nandini. She is missing for almost one month. I ...I came to know that you met her in school. Sir, can you help me? I mean...police...no I mean...if you know where she is...I think I am not being able to make you understand...my mind...my mind is not working properly."

The elderly person keeps on ranting but his words stiffen Manik's nerves.

"He is Mr Murthy...Nandini's father. At last, he reached you. Or maybe the police reached you."

Manik's mind alarms him. With hard jaws, he observes the man minutely. If any soft-hearted person observes him, he must have felt pity for him but a heartless person like Manik Malhotra only can think to dodge his query.

"Sorry to hear that but I don't know anything about your daughter. I might meet her in school but I visit so many places in a day. So, it's not possible for me to recollect everyone. If you need any other help, I mean money or something then I can surely help you."

Manik tries to normalise his tone. Maybe money can lessen his pain. A money-minded man only can think like this. Mr Murthy looks at him with sheer surprise. He can't say anything. Manik waits for his reply but when Venkatesh Murthy doesn't open his mouth he gets in his car.

"Driver, start..."

Manik orders authoritatively. Suddenly Venkatesh Murthy slams on the window glass. Manik turns at him without rolling down the tinted glass.

"I won't spare you, Manik Malhotra. You can't keep my daughter hidden for a long time. I will find her out. You can't buy me with money. My daughter will come back to me.....do you hear that?....."

Manik hears Mr Murthy's relentless growl. With fuming eyes and clenched jaws, he shouts at his driver,

"What are you waiting for, you moron? Start the car and get hell out of here."

The driver immediately starts the engine and pushes the accelerator. With no second, it whizzes out of the place leaving behind the lamenting father. Venkatesh tries to follow the car for a while by running but he doesn't know his feeble legs are not enough to compete with Audi's powerful wheels. He stops clutching his stomach. He is panting like a patient. Amidst his gasp, he mutters,

"I won't... let you go,... Manik Malhotra."

.......................................................

Manik bails in the farmhouse. His mind is burning like a furnace.

"NANDITA...."

He shouts.

"NANDITAAAA....."

He is searching for her like a prowling lion. Nandini was lying on the bed, listening to music on the i-pod. Needless to say, she couldn't hear his call. Manik barges in the room. His eyes fall on Nandini who is swaying her head in the beat of the music. Manik rushes to her and grabs her shoulders, pulling her to sit. The intensity was so wild and abrupt that Nandini flinches and a garble escapes her mouth,