Lucifer's Last Sin ✔️

• Chapter Twenty •

As Manik's friends entered his room, they were astounded. The room was in darkness as the drapes were drawn. They saw Manik huddled on the floor, his body shaking.

"Buddy," Cabir exclaimed, as he swiftly ran to embrace Manik, holding him tightly.

"Draw the curtains!" Manik's voice trembled, his face buried in Cabir's chest as Mukti drew the drapes open, allowing the room to be flooded with sunlight.

"I hate this light. Draw the curtains," Manik cried.

Cabir whispered. "Ssh...ssh. It's alright. I am here for you."

"My Nandani is in pain. She is suffering because of me," Manik wailed. "I am a sinner, and that angel is paying for my sins."

"Manik, calm down. Please, take a few deep breaths," Abhimanyu said, holding Manik's trembling hand. "Tell me, what's the matter?"

Manik's voice quivered as he pleaded, his tears flowing like an unstoppable river. "I beg you. Please bring back my Nandani to me. Save her from Harshad. The mere thought of any harm befalling her sends shivers down my spine, for without her, I am nothing."

Cabir's eyes widened in shock as the name Harshad echoed in his ears.

"HARSHAD?"

"Yes, he has abducted my Nandani. Oh, how my heart aches for her return! She is my peace. I beg you, to bring her back. I crave to hold her in my arms, to feel the gentle rhythm of her heartbeat against my chest. I vow to protect her from harm and to be her guardian. But, bring her back to me this time."

"Manik, we'll bring her back. We will find her shortly now that we know it is Harshad who is behind this abduction. I swear to you I will bring Harshad's head and keep it in your feet," Cabir promised him.

Manik muttered, "But... what if that scoundrel harm her before we can reach him?" He forcefully pushed his friends aside and ran for his rifle.

"Manik," Cabir pleaded, attempting to halt his friend's impulsive actions.

"Stay away! I shall not hesitate to blow open your head!" Manik screamed, aiming the rifle at Cabir.

"What are you doing, Manik? I implore you, give that rifle to me. We will rescue Nandani. Do you not believe me? Do you not have faith in the sincerity of my words?" Cabir asked gently.

Manik's face lit up with a flicker of hope as he asked, "Will you save my Nandani? Will you bring her back to me?"

Cabir nodded with a reassuring smile. "I promise. Now give me that rifle."

Tears cascaded down Manik's cheeks, "No Cabir, I cannot stand idly while my Nandani suffers. Harshad must pay for his mistake, for daring to lay a hand upon what belongs to me."

Saying this, Manik descended the stairs hastily, his friends trailing closely behind.

"Adam, stop Manik," Cabir screamed.

Adam ran towards Manik, attempting to block his path, but he was shot in the abdomen.

"Manik. Give me that rifle back," Cabir pleaded, his voice filled with concern, as he cautiously approached.

"Cabir, step back! He will shoot you!" Abhimanyu shrieked.

"The world calls him a Lucifer, a monster. But I know the real him," Cabir retorted.

Manik's hands quivered, causing the rifle to slip from his grasp and clatter onto the floor. He sat there, motionless, crying uncontrollably.

"Hey, Champ," Cabir gently ruffled Manik's hair. "Do you not trust me?"

"I...I do," Manik sniffled.

"Then, I want you to go to your room without delay and take rest for a while. I promise to locate Harshad before the sun sets. We'll rescue Nandani from his clutches. Once she is safe, you can take your revenge from him.

"Okay."

"Good boy."

♡♤♡

Ram and Priya arrived at France Airport around noon. Navya & Richard had come to receive them.

"I have to go somewhere. I'll catch up with you guys later," Ram quickly pecked his wife on the lips, and without wasting a single moment, he swiftly boarded a sleek black Mercedes, leaving Navya and Richard in a state of bewilderment.

Navya asked Priya curiously. "What's the matter with him?"

"I will tell you everything when I get home, sweetie," Priya retorted.

She hailed a cab and quickly followed her husband. Navya and Richard stood at the airport, their minds swirling with unanswered questions.

♡♤♡

Cabir, Abhimanyu, and Mukti were engrossed in a deep conversation. Just then, Peter, one of their trusted men, came into the lounge, panting heavily.

"Sir, I have got a vital information about Nandani," Peter informed. "Harshad has held her captive in his farmhouse. I got to know from my sources that she's being tortured there."

Cabir commanded, "Get our men ready, Peter. We are heading to Harshad's farmhouse right now."

"Alright, Sir," Peter nodded, ready to carry out his orders.

Cabir made his way to Manik's room. "Hey, bud. I have some good news for you," he said.

Manik's heart skipped a beat, his eyes gleaming with hope as he anxiously inquired, "Have you found my Nandani?"

A gentle smile played on Cabir's lips as he nodded.

"WHERE....WHERE IS SHE?" Manik's voice quivered.

"She is at Harshad's farmhouse," Cabir responded."There is a bad news too. Nandani is enduring unimaginable torment at the hands of that sick bastard."

Manik's grip tightened around the daggers and pistols that lay on the table, his knuckles turning white as his mind raced with thoughts of vengeance. The burning fire within him grew stronger.

"HARSHAD SAXENA. You will die now," Manik declared.

Without wasting another moment, he dashed downstairs.