"WEB 🕸️" -' Interweaving

Chapter 20

Karan comes there, and looked at Abhimanyu, laid lifelessly in pool of blood, Karan looked at Mukti in shock and says "what happened?" Mukti hands over the gun to Karan

Karan takes the gun from Mukti, his hands shaking as he looks at Abhimanyu's lifeless body in shock and says "What have you done Mukti? Why did you have to kill him?"

She whispered, with a hint of sadness in her voice, 'He was my colleague and I was excited to see him again, but when I found out he was staying at the same resort as me, I went to visit him. Unfortunately, he ended up behaving inappropriately towards me and in order to protect myself, I was forced to take his life" in that way she baked the story.

Karan, with a subtle gesture, gave instructions to his accomplice to dispose of the evidence and make sure no traces were left behind."And he turned to Manik and said, 'Manik, please take Mukti home. I am requesting you.' Manik, without hesitation, agreed to take Mukti home as requested."

Manik brought Mukti home without any questioning, and throughout the journey, Mukti remained silent. She walked to her room, took a shower, and came back to the living room, where she sat beside Manik and leaned back on the couch. Manik called her name, "Mukti", which startled her and she looked around nervously, but Manik reassured her saying "relax".

"With a barely audible voice, Mukti whispered to Manik, "Don't ask me anything, I am sorry."and given the Abhimanyu's phone to him and says "i think it would be helpful to you".

As Karan entered the house, he walked over to Mukti, sitting beside her and asked, "Are you okay, baby? Don't worry, I'll take care of everything." Mukti nodded her head in response, placing her head on his shoulder, seeking comfort and trust in his assurance."

Manik was about to leave when Karan said "Manik, can you stay back for a while?" Mukti looked at him with a hopeful expression, desiring him to stay at home. But Manik gave Karan a disgusted look, and without any further response, he left the house."

★★★

Manik was driving his car, but he couldn't quite remember how he had ended up at Nandini's house. He couldn't recall getting out of the car or walking up to her door, yet there he was, standing in front of Nandini as she opened the door in shock, clearly surprised to see him at such a late hour. His face was blank, his expression dull, indicating that something was not right with him.

Nandini, sensing something was wrong, let Manik inside her home and he sank into the couch in silence. She closed the door and sat down next to him, studying his face with concern. "Manik, are you okay?" she asked softly, trying to gauge his state of mind.

Manik lay on the couch, his head in Nandini's lap, as he hugged her waist tightly, seeking comfort and refuge in her presence. He pleaded with her, "Please, let me be like this", his voice full of vulnerability and desperation. Nandini felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized the depth of his distress and the trust he was placing in her to provide him solace.

As the hour passed, Nandini, who had been holding and comforting Manik, started to stroke his hair gently. She looked at him with concern and asked softly "What happened Manik? Can you tell me?" Her voice was filled with care and concern, and she wanted to understand what was troubling him.

Manik, with a sense of vulnerability, shared with Nandini the story of Mukti and what she has done. He didn't hold back any details and he told her everything, without trying to hide any information from her.

As Manik waited for Nandini's reaction, he observed her closely. She didn't speak immediately, instead, she was lost in thought, her mind working to understand the depth of his revelation. He watched her, feeling anxious about her response

Nandini, with a gentle and understanding tone, said to Manik, "Manik, I believe you should talk to Mukti, try to understand her reasons behind her actions. Based on what you've shared with me, I don't think she is a malicious person. It's possible that her heart was deeply hurt, and that's what led her to do what she did."

Manik, grappling with the revelation, struggled to understand how someone like Mukti, who he had always believed was innocent, could commit such a heinous act. He thought to himself and said "Whatever the reason, how could someone kill in that way, especially someone like Mukti who I always thought was innocent."

Nandini, trying to make Manik understand that he should not be so quick to judge, said "Manik, you can't jump to conclusions without hearing her side of the story. It's possible that she is also trapped in this situation, and we don't know all the details yet. You've always spoken highly of her, saying that she is a good person and a good friend, why don't you talk to her and try to understand her perspective?".

He sat up straight, a sense of remorse washed over him as he said "I am sorry, I troubled you." And She replied with a soothing tone "It's okay, I understand."

Nandini, showing her caring nature, went to her room and brought a pillow and blanket for Manik. She returned and gave them to him, and he looked at her surprised but didn't say anything. He took the blanket and pillow, and she went to the kitchen and brought back a warm glass of milk for him, saying "Have it, and sleep well." Manik drank the milk, laid down on the couch and Nandini turned off the lights and walked to her bedroom, leaving him to rest.

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Chandanakshi