Lucifer's Last Sin ✔️

• Chapter Fifteen •

"Officer John is here to meet you, buddy," Abhimanyu informed.

Cabir still groggy from sleep, stretched and rubbed his weary eyes. "It's 4:30 AM. What brings him here at this time?" he mused.

"I have no clue, but the situation seems dire. Even Manik has been missing since the evening," Abhimanyu revealed.

Cabir eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what? Manik has been missing all this time, and you are just telling me now?"

Abhimanyu's face fell, remorse filling his voice. "I apologize sincerely. I made several attempts to reach him, but he never answered. I thought he was preoccupied with work and would return soon,"

"Abhi, seriously, just shut the fuck up!" Cabir snapped, cutting him off. "How can you act so damn immature? You had seen Manik's state last month, didn't you? I make sure that he is accompanied by someone whenever he leaves the house. Don't you know how deranged he gets when those sudden attacks strike? Have you not seen how he kills people who get in his way?"

"I'm sorry, dude," Abhimanyu apologised profusely.

"Your apology means nothing in the face of this situation," Cabir seethed, his anger reaching new heights. "Manik's life might be in danger because of your unforgivable negligence."

Abhimanyu implored, "I understand the gravity of my mistake. You can scold me later, but please, go meet Officer John immediately. Perhaps he has some information about Manik."

Cabir shot Abhimanyu a piercing glare before swiftly descending the stairs.

"Hello, Mr Dhawan. I extend my sincerest apologies for disturbing you so late at night," the officer greeted humbly, his head lowered.

"No worries. Tell me what's the matter. What brings you here?"

Cabir scowled as the officer's words reached his ears. "Mr. Malhotra is in our custody. He broke into Ms. Nandani Murthy's house and attacked her with a knife. We witnessed this act with our own eyes. He even assaulted my team, injuring two of them severely."

Cabir's face contorted with rage as he removed his revolver. "Do not forget, John, that we are the ones who pay you. We expect your loyalty to lie with us, not against us. Even if Manik were to kill that girl, you have no authority to arrest him."

Officer John's voice quivered as he retorted, "I was left with no choice, Sir. Mr. Khurrana's threat to involve the media forced my hand."

Fury burned in Cabir's eyes as he demanded, "Where is Manik, John? I need an answer!"

"He is currently at the police station, Sir," Officer John replied.

Cabir's grip tightened around the officer's collar, dragging him out of the house and into the waiting car.

With a screech of tires, he sped towards the police station. As he stormed through the doors, his heart sank at the sight before him. Manik, once a pillar of strength, now stood chained and tormented, his screams echoing through the walls.

"John, are you that desperate to die?" Cabir's voice dripped with venom. "Is this how you treat him, you bastard!"

"Sir, he was acting like a lunatic. He posed a threat to our safety, leaving us no choice but to restrain him," Officer John explained.

Cabir rushed to Manik's side, his heart breaking. "Hey, hey, calm down. I'm here for you. I'll set you free," he whispered soothingly, gently patting his head.

Manik's scream pierced the air, filled with pain and despair. "Alizey... they raped my Alizey," he cried out.

"No, no, Manik. They didn't touch Alizey. I've caught her culprits," Cabir reassured him. With careful hands, he removed the chains from Manik's trembling body, his heart aching at the sight of his best friend's condition.

Tears welled up in Cabir's eyes as he drove Manik back home. As they entered the house, Abhimanyu and Mukti were horrified. Manik stood before them, drenched in blood, his once vibrant eyes now red and haunted, his hair messy.

Cabir led Manik downstairs to an underground dungeon, where their adversaries were held captive. Pointing at the two men bound to the chairs, Cabir spoke, "These are the culprits, the ones responsible for what happened to Aly."

Manik brutally murdered them and slashed their bodies into pieces. He smiled contentedly. "You hurt my sister, and I hurt you."

"Now that you've exacted your revenge, I want you in the bed," Cabir said sternly.

Manik ran out of the room bobbing his head. Abhimanyu's voice quivered with fear as he whispered, "We will become his prey one day."

Cabir, taken aback, asked in a flustered tone, "What do you mean?"

"He stabbed Nandani, the woman he loves passionately. Do you really think he won't harm us?" Abhimanyu asked.

With a reassuring pat on Abhimanyu's shoulder, Cabir retorted. "Don't worry, nothing will happen. I know how to handle him. I've been dealing with him for the past eighteen years."

❉᯽❉

"What's wrong with that monster? First, he claims to love you, then he attacks you," Navya grumbled, as she examined the deep wound on Nandani's shoulder.

"He was under the effect of booze," Aryaman told his friends. "He was spouting bullshit."

"I don't agree with you, doctor. He wasn't intoxicated," Nandani reflected. "Yes, but he was acting strangely, like a ten-year-old child."

"Child?" Navya chuckled. "I have never seen a child stab someone with a knife."

"Only Manik Malhotra can do that. When he was ten, he brutally murdered his parents. People have given him the correct name, 'Lucifer,' because he is satan. I believe he is a demon's child," Aryaman laughed.

"Oh, please, even a demon is less cruel than him," Richard rasped.

"Oh lord, it's eleven a.m.," Nandani exclaimed as she looked at the clock. "We're running late for work, Navya."

"Nandu, your injuries are severe. You need to rest, or the wound will not heal," Aryaman said concernedly.

"Well, Nandani. Arya is right. You haven't gotten any sleep in the last 24 hours. I will complete all of your office work. Take some time off," Navya advised.

"I'd like to keep myself busy with some work. I have flashbacks to the night Lucifer murdered Dhruv, which makes me depressed." tears cascaded down Nandani's cheeks.

"But--"

"Believe me, I'm a fine doctor. I'll take care of myself and not put too much strain on my shoulder," Nandani assured him.