CHAPTER SEVEN

NANDINI'S POV

CHAPTER SONG: STRAWBERRIES AND CIGARETTES BY TROYE SIVAN

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I woke up with a really bad headache and backache. It was because of the mattress that I was sleeping on and the floor was certainly not my friend. I mentally noted that I had to put up the bed today. You mentally note that everyday but never do it, idiot. My mind mocked me, again. Do you ever shut up? I asked. No I am your best friend, remember? I can't shut up. If I do you will keep embarrassing yourself every minute. It reminded me. Point taken!

I went out to take some medicine for the headache and backache. I searched all the drawers and cabinets but couldn't find it. It was 3 pm in the afternoon and I was too lazy to go out and but it due to the scorching heat. The AC was not on so I first switched it on and then sat on the sofa and closed my eyes. I heard the front door open and I also opened my eyes. I saw Manik entering the apartment. He saw me sitting on the couch. Before he could speak anything I got up abruptly. Because of that sudden jerk my head started paining again. I winced and was about to fall when Manik held me. His arms were around me. My small body fit in his large arms, perfectly. He made me sit on the couch again. I started wiggling in his grip. He left me.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Nothing." I answered.

"You were about to fall down and you are saying it's nothing. C'mon, don't be stubborn and make it difficult for the both of us."

"Oh I am making things difficult? I am not the one picking up fights with you. I am not the one who is just standing there listening when people insulted me. I am not making it difficult if anyone is, it's you."

"Fine. It's my mistake. Happy?" He asked, tiredly.

That's when I noticed that his face was pale. He was not as energetic as he used to be. Maybe because of the work. I shouldn't behave like this to him, at least not right now.

"I have a headache, very terrible one."

"Oh, dollface! You should have told me earlier. Did you take medicine?"

I just shook my head in a no. "I couldn't find them."

"I have some Asprin in my room. I will get it for you. I think it will help you a little. Stay here only, don't get up." With that he went to his room.

Why is he behaving like this? I wondered. Where is my Monster Manik? Oh so now Madam has problem with this Manik also. First when he was behaving rudely, at that time too you had a problem and now that he is behaving nicely, then also you have a problem! And by the way when did he become 'your' monster manik? My mind again mocked me. I blushed a little and said shut up!

"But I didn't even speak anything. Why are you telling me shut up, dollface?" Manik asked.

I realized that I had spoken it out loud. "Urm.. It was not for you. Just ignore it. Did you um find the medicine?" I asked changing the topic.

He raised his eyebrow. "Yeah I did find it. I will bring the water for you."

I nodded and he went in the kitchen to bring water. He came out and gave the medicine in my hand. I had never liked medicines and injections. They freak me out, always. I looked at the medicine and inspected it. It was really very big and I could bet on it that it tasted horrible.

"How much time are you going to take to eat it? Just by looking at it, it won't go in your stomach." Manik commented.

I didn't answer him. I just made a bad face.

"Hey, what happened? You don't like medicines?"

I shook my head. "No I don't like them. They have a very bad taste."

"What are you, three? Its just a medicine, Nandini. Drink water on it and it won't leave a bad taste behind it. C'mon."

"Please Manik. Let's not eat this medicine. Isn't there anything else to mild this headache down?"

His eyes softened on my pleas. He was about to say something but stopped himself.

"Eat it on your own otherwise I will shove it down your throat on my own!" He threatened.

"And the Monster Manik is back!" I murmured under my breath.

"I heard that, dollface." He said.

"It was meant to be heard, Monster." I said, glaring at him.

"C'mon eat it . You are what nineteen or twenty? But you are acting like you are a kid in kindergarden who doesn't want to drink milk. C'mon." He said, encouraging me.

"Fine!" I huffed.

I somehow, after almost 100 tries shoved that medicine down my throat. It was really bitter. I had two glasses of water but it's bitter taste still didn't go out of my mouth.

I looked at Manik, glaring at him. But I found him looking at my head. He looked at me for a second and then again looked at my head. He brought his hand up and I flinched. He saw me flinch but didn't say anything. He brought his hand to my forehead and inspected the wound that was caused due to him. I hadn't cleaned it because firstly, I was distracted by Cabir and secondly, I was too lazy and afraid to clean it myself.

He got up from the couch and brought out his hand. I looked at him, puzzled. But took his hand, nonetheless. His grip on my hand was soft yet firm. Just by merely touching his hand, goosebumps aroused in my body. I blushed but luckily he didn't see it.

We went to my bathroom and he made me sit on the platform. I sat and looked at him. He didn't say anything and went out of the bathroom. I kept wondering as to what he was going to do. Maybe he will bring something to murder me. Or maybe he'll lock me in the bathroom, forever. Oh my god! Ew that will be so disgusting. How will I eat here? The main question is, will he give me food? I will starve to death!!! Um Nandini, don't you think you are over thinking and overreacting? My mind asked me. But he is Manik Malhotra- I started to answer my mind but was cut off. Shut the fuck up! My mind answered. Rude!

Manik returned with a first aid box in his hand. I breathed a sigh of relief. He took out an antiseptic and started applying on my wound. I winced. He just said a small sorry. His jaw was clenched. But why was he angry?

"Manik-"

"Please keep your mouth shut for a while." He said.

Oh okay! He is really bipolar. One minute he is okay and good but next minute he becomes the monster that he is. How can someone be like this. Ugh! He really does play with my mind.

After he finished cleaning the wound, he bandaged it. He washed his hand and everything. He was about to leave when out of nowhere I grabbed his hand. He looked at me.

"What happened, Manik? I don't know what is happening to you. One minute you are all caring and next minute you change to the monster. You are really bipolar. You even say sorry butt I know you don't mean any of them because you find a way to hurt me after that. But today you were really nice and now the monster inside you is back. What happened?" I asked.

He looked at me for a while and then looked at our hands. I immediately withdrew my hand from his.

"Nothing has happened to me. This is who I am. You should not try to figure me out. I am bad for you and you should know that. You are too innocent for my and your own good. I don't know what came over me today but this won't happen again. Just please stay away from me. I don't want you to get involved with me in any kind of way. If you will, it will not be good for your life. Please." He said. With that he left the bathroom.

What the hell just happened? Now I am also not going to try anything with him. But what did he mean when he said he is not good for me? Ugh it's really confusing I think I will just stay away from him.

The day passed in blur. He made lunch but he ate it in his room so I had to eat lunch alone. It was evening now. I went to my room and saw that my bed was still not ready. I went near it. I tried to do it but it was very heavy. I heard Manik's door open but didn't really thought about it. I didn't realize that he came to my room. I felt someone's presence behind me when I looked back I saw Manik standing there, shirtless. Doesn't he own a shirt or two?

"You can ask for help, you know? This probably weighs thrice your weight and you were going to do it on your own. Move aside, I'll do it." He offered.

"No thank you. I'll do-"

"I don't have the whole evening free. Move aside and I'll do it. If this falls on you, you will not be seen also." He chuckled.

I moved aside and allowed him to do the bed. After fifteen minutes, my bed was all ready. I thanked him to which he said "No problem. Anytime." He was about to leave when he stopped himself.

"Yeah I forgot to tell that I have made the dinner. It is in the fridge. I won't be home tonight. And tomorrow we HAVE to go for grocery shopping so be free. Bye, good night in advance." With that, he left the place.

So the night also had nothing new. It was boring. I ate the dinner and watched some TV. Then I called Amms and talked to her for half an hour. Then I locked the apartment and went to sleep.

---xxx---

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Love,

Maitri. :)