MaNan: It all started with a lie

Flashback Continues

Maddy frowned seeing Sanjana's dishevelled state and somewhere he was worried too.

Maddy: Why were you running like that?

He asked once Sanjana reached him panting heavily.

Sanjana: Voh Pandit...van..vaha

Maddy: Breathe a little first and then speak, I can't understand anything

Sanjana nodded and sucked in a deep breathe, trying to calm her raging breath and began speaking.

Sanjana: Voh mere hostel me power cut ho gaya tha and I was feeling a little suffocated isliye main bahar aa gayi to spend some time in the garden jab Maine space ke gate ke samne ek van ko dekha and I found it weird because it's too early in the morning for someone to come to college isliye main vaha gayi. Udhar I saw that Panditji carrying Nandini in his arms and taking her somewhere while she was unconscious so I rushed there and tried saving Nandini but he already had his men to help him and I couldn't do anything. Maine bohot koshish ki Nandini ko bachane ki but nothing worked, he just pushed me away and my hand got hit with something sharp which distracted me. He took advantage of my distraction and took away Nandini with him

She completed, huffing for breath while Maddy stood there numb. Only one thing surrounded his mind at that moment and it was Nandini.

Nandini was kidnapped.

Nandini was kidnapped by Pandit.

These words registered in his mind as he began to panic.

Maddy: Nandini is kidnapped!? God we need to find her asap, we can't let anything happen to her. Main kya karu? Ha Manik ko call karta hu, he needs to know this

He had just completed his sentence when they saw Manik getting down from his car. Panic-stricken, Maddy rushed to him followed by a very worried Sanjana.

Maddy: Manik

Maddy screamed from afar, stopping Manik on his tracks. Frowning, Manik turned and was confused seeing Maddy there with Sanjana.

Manik: Maddy tum iss waqt yaha and that too with her? Are we missing on something?

Maddy: Manik voh Nandini...

And he narrated whatever Sanjana had told him along with Sanjana revising all the little details that Maddy had missed out on. By the end of it, Manik was numb.

"His Nandini was in danger" was all he could think of at the moment but he somehow composed himself for finding Nandini and getting her back safe was more important than getting all finicky about it and doing something impulsively that could lead to things going wrong.

Taking a deep breathe to keep himself calm, Manik began to speak.

Manik: Maddy call the gang right now and ask them to reach Space asap in the fab 5 jam room and until then Sanjana you come with me

Maddy nodded and began calling the gang while Sanjana followed Manik inside.

Space Art room

Manik: Sanjana do you remember the faces of any of the men who were involved with Pandit while kidnapping Nandini?

Sanjana thought for a while and then bobbed her head dubiously.

Sanjana: I think I remember one of them

Manik: Great

He said and immediately fished out his phone.

Manik: Professor Shrivastav please reach space asap

Manik called the art teacher who lived nearby space and disconnected the call without waiting for his reply and then again turned to Sanjana.

Manik: Maine humare Art teacher, Mr. Shrivastav ko call kiya hai, he'll be here in a while. He is an excellent sketcher and so all you've to do is tell him how the man with Pandit looked and he'll draw his sketch. You get it?

Sanjana nodded.

Sanjana: I'll try my best to help you as much as I can

Manik acknowledged her with a little smile and again got engrossed in his phone, dialling another number.

Manik: Hello Steve? I need you to do something for me. I want you to find the whereabouts about Pandit Trilok Chaurasiya and trace his location, also I'll be sending you a sketch in a while and I want you to find out if the person in the sketch had any criminal backgrounds and also trace his location.  I am giving you two hours to let me know about them and I hope my work will be done on time, otherwise you are fired

He spoke sternly and ended the call. His face was etched with frowns and worry and Sanjana could easily make out the love he had for Nandini.

Some minutes passed by as the art teacher reached and Manik instructed him about what he had to do. Sanjana began giving details of how much ever she could remember while Manik was busy looking at his phone time to time, waiting for Steve to call him and just as he was about to dial his number, his phone began ringing.

Phone convo

Manik: hello?

Maddy: Manik the gang has reached. Where are you guys?

Manik: Ask them to wait and also brief them about everything...we are coming

Maddy: ok

Manik disconnected the call and looked at Sanjana who blinked her eyes in assurance.

Manik: Professor is it done?

Professor: yeah just a minute

He said as he gave the final detailing and soon the sketch was ready. Manik looked at the sketch with fury in his eyes as he clicked its picture and sent it to Steve.

Manik: Sanjana let's go, the gang is here

Sanjana nodded and they began moving towards the jam room while Manik dialed yet another number.

Manik: Hello commissioner uncle, Manik Malhotra here. Actually...

He began explaining everything to the commissioner as they reached the jam room where everyone stood with worried expressions.

Manik: Yeah I'll send it to you. Thanks

Manik disconnected the call and looked at everyone.

Abhimanyu: Manik Nandu?

Manik: Don't worry Abhi. Maine commissioner uncle ko bol diya hai and he has started finding her also I have asked someone to track Pandit's location, I am sure we'll get some leads soon

Abhimanyu nodded as he looked at his face. He could very well see Manik's hidden tears but he didn't say anything for he knew if he tried talking to him, he might lose all his courage to stay strong. Cabir was about to go forward and talk but Abhimanyu stopped him and Cabir got his cue. Everyone there could make out Manik's state, even Sanjana but no one spoke a word. The silence was getting eery which was broken by Manik's ringing phone.

Phone convo

Manik: Hello Steve?

Steve: We tracked Pandit

As soon as Manik heard those words, he finally released the breath he didn't know he was holding. Those words were like a bucket of ice on his burning heart.

Happy new years lovely people!

Happy reading.

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