Lucifer's Last Sin ✔️

• Chapter Eighteen •

"Why did you let Nandani go after abducting her and bringing her home?" Cabir was perplexed. "What's going on in your mind? Care to explain?"

Manik whispered, "I could have forced her, Cabir. But that's not what I want."

Cabir let out an exasperated sigh. "Then what is it that you truly want, my friend?" he questioned.

Manik took a sip of his beer. "I want to win her heart, Cabir," he confessed. "I want to earn her trust, to be the one she chooses to love."

A chuckle escaped Cabir's lips. "Back to reality, buddy," he retorted. "You're keeping a lot of unrealistic expectations these days. After taking the life of her beloved fiancé, do you truly believe she can ever love you? Let's face it, my friend, you both just aren't destined to be together. She is an angel, and have you ever witnessed the union of an angel and Lucifer?"

Manik's mouth twitched in a pained grimace. He knew that his best friend was right. He was yearning for somebody who could never be his. He grabbed some beer bottles and cigars from the counter, and made his way towards the bedroom.

"Manik, stop right there! I'm speaking to you," Cabir bellowed, but his words fell on deaf ears as he was already gone.

Manik sat on the floor, tears running down his cheeks. With trembling hands, he clutched the pillow. He looked at Nandani's photographs on his walls.

"I would travel the darkest corners of the universe to claim you, my love," he lamented. "But alas, you'll stay a distant dream, forever beyond my reach."

Gut-wrenching sobs tore through his chest.

                ◤──•~❉᯽❉~•──◥

When Richard came home, he saw Navya and Aryaman pacing up and down the room. Every few seconds they stole a glance at the clock. Concern and fear were visible on their faces.

"Hey, what's up, guys? Why did you call me home this urgently?" he asked. "Is everything all right?"

"No, Richard. Nothing is okay," Aryaman rubbed his temple.

"For Christ's sake, Arya, stop frightening me and tell me what's going on. Wait...Where is Nandani?" Richard took a cursory look around the room.

Navya informed him that Nandani had gone missing. She isn't at home, nor is she answering the phone. They decided to approach the police.

"Officer. Help us," Navya pleaded. "Our friend Nandani Murthy has gone missing."

Aryaman, implored, "Officer, I am sure that Lucifer is behind her abduction. I am afraid he will hurt her. Please act quickly, and save her life."

The officer crossed his arms as he inquired, "Mr Khurrana, do you have any evidence against Mr Malhotra? Did you see him abducting your friend? Or has he made any ransom demand?"

Navya could not contain her furry. "Are you trying to save that criminal?" she screamed.

The officer retorted firmly, "Ms Naveli, I'm not saving him. I'm simply carrying out my duty. Understand that without any solid evidence, I cannot arrest Manik Malhotra. I cannot act solely based on your suspicion!"

"Officer, that scoundrel stabbed Nandani in the dead of night! Didn't you witness it with your own eyes? What more evidence do you need?" Richard exclaimed.

Aryaman chimed in, "Let's approach the media, guys! We can't waste another precious moment here. These officers are slaves of that culprit. How can we expect them to arrest that devil when they're lining their pockets with his ill-gotten gains!"

The officer, his expression slightly shaken at the mention of the media said, "Please, young man, have faith in us. We shall begin the investigation immediately. I assure you, we won't rest until we find your dear friend. You may go now. We'll reach out to you if needed."

Officer Jack wasted no time. He hurried to the Malhotra mansion as soon as Richard and his companions left.

"Hello, Officer. How may I help you," Cabir warmly greeted the officer, extending his hand for a firm handshake.

"Um...Sir. Is Nandani Murthy here?" The officer inquired hesitantly.

"Nandani Murthy?" Cabir was befuddled. "Why would she be here?"

"Well, Sir, Ms Murthy has been missing for the past six hours. Her friends had come to lodge a complaint of her disappearance, harbouring doubts about the involvement of Manik Malhotra," the officer explained. "If that is the case, we shall immediately stop our ongoing inquiry."

"Which investigation are you speaking about?" Manik who came downstairs, inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Buddy, Nandani has gone missing," Cabir informed him.

Manik's eyes widened in shock as he processed Cabir's words.

"What?"

The officer, bowing respectfully, began to recount the details of the situation. "Sir, this is the matter at hand. I am here to inquire about Miss Murthy's whereabouts. If she is with you, I will immediately close the case without further investigation."

Manik leaned forward. "I was with Nandani today between 6 PM and 8 PM," he admitted, his mind racing to recall every moment. "Afterward, I dropped her off at her residence around 9 PM. That was the last time I saw her."

The officer, carefully listening to Manik's statement, interjected, "That means you did not abduct..."

Manik, yelled at the officer, "Why the fuck would I kidnap the love of my life?" he screamed.