CAHPTER ELEVEN

NANDINI'S POV

CHAPTER SONG : WALLS BY LOUIS TOMLINSON

Enjoy reading :)

After my chat with Cabir, I was just sitting on the couch and thinking of ways to bring his walls down. I know it will be one hell of a task but I want to do it. Because I know this is definitely not the Manik that he shows us. There will be a soft Manik somewhere buried deep inside of him which I want to know. He is an enigma and as much as I hate to admit it, I am attracted to him and I want to solve this mystery named Manik.

I don't want to be too nosy or pushy about it because I know if I become like that he will never let me in. I will have to make a plan to break down Manik's walls. I hope that I can climb them because they seem too long, considering my height.

I was standing in the balcony, admiring the view when my stomach growled. I knew it would happen because I hadn't eaten anything since morning and it was already about to be lunch time.

I decided to go down to the garden because maybe that will distract me from my hungry stomach. I went to the room and took the spare keys and locked the door.

The elevator was not working so I had to take the stairs. It was not good because our flat was on the 7th floor. I was on the third floor when it striked me that I had forgotten my headphones. I battled with my mind whether to climb all the way up again or just go without them. But obviously, I went up again to bring my headphones. I mean what would I have done without Harry Styles at this hour.

I went and got my headphones and then went to the garden. There were some ladies sitting and gossiping, while their children were playing. This is the first time I have seen these many people come out. But then again since I came here I have never been out of the apartment.

The garden was packed. All the ladies had occupied all the seats. There was only one seat empty. It was under an isolated tree. It was quite dirty but I didn't want to go to the apartment again so I decided to sit there.

As I was going there I passed the ladies. Their heads snapped at me. They were looking at me weirdly. They were looking up and down me. I don't know why. I ignored them and started walking ahead.

Then I heard one of them speak.

"What is she even wearing? Girls nowadays I tell you."

"Yeah even I thought so. She is new right?"

"Yeah she is living with Manik. I don't even know how is she even living with him. I mean its been years no one lives with him."

"Yeah maybe she is one of his flings. By the clothes that she is wearing doesn't tell otherwise."

Why are they judging Manik without even knowing him? I am pretty sure Manik must have never talked to them. And do I look that bad in shorts? Amms always let me wear whatever I wanted to wear. I let it slide and went to my bench.

It was not that dirty so I just dusted it off with my hands and sat down. The weather was very nice. It was sunny at the same time it was windy. I wore my headphones and went to spotify and started 'Walls' by Louis Tomlinson.

That song pretty much matched my situation right now. I really wanted to know Manik and bring his walls down which looked almost impossible right now but I am not someone who gives up easily. I stopped thinking about Manik and focused on the song and the weather.

My eyes automatically dropped. I was enjoying myself when I felt someone poking my legs. I opened my eyes to see a small girl pouting in front of me. She was really adorable. She looked like a doll to me. She had brown doe eyes like me and chestnut hair.

"HI, pretty girl." I said to her with a grin.

"Hi. I thought you were dead. That's why I came to you. Are you okay?" she asked.

I chuckled at her thinking. "Yes baby I am fine. I was just listening to some songs and enjoying the weather. No big deal." I answered.

"Oh I am sorry for bothering you then."

"Oh no no no. You didn't bother me. Don't worry. Anyways, what your name, pretty girl?" I asked.

"Oh yeah. My name is Amaya. Its spelled A-M-A-Y-A. In case if you don't know. What is your name pretty girl?"

"Oh I didn't know that. Thank you for spelling it for me Amaya. You have a really nice name. My name is Nandini."

"You're so pretty. I really like your eyes and smile. Your smile is so bright." She said.

I smiled at her innocence. "You're very pretty too, doll. Just like a barbie doll. Your smile is even better and brighter than me. You're too adorable."

She giggled cutely and mumbled a thank you.

"So you live here?" I asked her.

"Yes we are in A wing, 3rd floor. You live here?" she asked me with a difficulty in speaking.

"Yeah, pretty girl, even I live here. In D-wing on 7th floor. You should come, we can play with whatever you want." I said.

I really needed some company because Manik is never home. I will get really bored if I have no one. I don't even have friends here. And Amaya is a pretty likable kid. I love kids and she seems a lot of fun to be with.

"Oh you live on 7th floor with Manik ?"

She knew him. I think she is the first one whom I've seen who talks about Manik with respect. I like it because he doesn't deserve the shit that he is getting from people.

"Yeah I live with him. You know him?" I asked curiously.

"Oh yes I know him. He is my friend. Momma tells me not to talk to him because he is a meanie but he is not like that with me. You know, he once helped me. One of the boys was playing with my pigtails even when I told no. Then Manik came and scared him off." She giggled at the end.

"Oh so you like him?" I asked.

"Yeassss I love him. He is my hero." She said proudly.

That really melted my heart. How pure the kids are. They don't judge people, they don't give a damn about what people will think all of that.

She considered Manik as her hero. I felt proud, for some unknown reason. This really gave me a hope that there is a Manik that he doesn't show many people. I want to bring out Amaya's 'hero' from my Monster Manik.

I was about to answer her when her mom came and interrupted us. I smiled at her but instead of smiling back at me, she scowled at me.

"Amaya let's go home. It's getting late. Daddy will come home soon. Don't you want to meet him?" She asked sweetly.

She jumped in excitement. I smiled at her gesture.

"Of course I want to meet daddy. I missed him. But ma, meet my new friend, Nandini."

"Hi, I am Nandini. Nice to meet you." I brought my hand ahead to shake it with her.

"Hi to whatever your name is but I don't want you near my child. I don't want bad influences around Amaya. You and Manik both need to stay away from her." She said angrily.

Before I could speak anything she spoke again.

"And I even suggest you to stay away from him. He is up to no good. A girl like you shouldn't be with a boy like him. And wait why are you even two living together? Isn't there a 'only married couple allowed' thing in this flat?" she said rudely to me.

I was not going to take this now. Manik is not that bad.

"Excuse me. Haven't you heard that you shouldn't judge people. Do you even know who Manik is? I am pretty sure that he is way better than what you people portray him. This is why people don't change because they know that how much hard they will try, there will be people who will still think that they are evil." I also spoke harshly. Not as harshly as she did though.

Her anger increased.

"I don't know who he is and neither am I interested in knowing that. But I know for the fact that I don't want my child near you or him. You think that all these short clothes make you look good? Well no, you look like a whore." She spat at me and pushed me harshly.

I fell on the ground. She didn't even bother to look what she has done. She took Amaya in her arms and went.

I fell just where the I had burned my knee today. It was bleeding a lot. My eyes watered. I am not a bad influence, right? Just wearing short clothes, don't define who I am. She even called me a whore. I cringed at the word. She didn't even think that there was a little girl listening to her.

I tried to get up but failed miserably. I just sat there and cried. After a minute or so I saw a long shadow in front of me. I looked up to see...

A worried looking Manik......

--xx--

Hello lovely people!

Hope you enjoyed reading it. Thank you for reading.

Anyways, what do you think about our Little Miss Amaya? Isn't she a cutie?

Make sure to VOTE and COMMENT!

Spread Love, Always!

~Maitri.