NANDINI MISHRA

"SHRESTH!!!!"

As soon as that man, shouted this name, I froze. The man in my arms who has just taken the bullet that was intended towards me on his chest was none other than SHRESTH DIXIT!!!!

The mafia lord of Kanpur.

He was the same man whose thoughts were making me restless from the past few hours. He was the same man, who was making my stomach churn mere by his thoughts.

Yess he is the same! His intense gaze, that eyes the way they are fixed on me . Oh god !!!!! It's making me weak .

"Aise kya dekh rahi hai Afsar madam!! Aaj hi khaa jane ka irada hai kya humein ?" He said, a faint smirk coming on his lips.

"Afsar Madam? " He knew. He knew that I was an IAS officer!

"Aapki ye aankhein, inhi ankhon ne hume pagal kar rakha hai, kabse !"
He said the blood oozing out from his chest still he was looking unaffected totally looking at me!

But why?

"You're so beautiful my butterfly! So pure, so untouched! You came here for me, to become mine. I was waiting for you so long, every minute every damn second was so fucking longing. I craved for you.
I craved for you're present near me, you're this scent that is making me mad right now!".

WHAT. THE .FUCK!!!!

What the fuck is he saying? He knew me? How? From how long? And how don't I come know it ?

No ! No!! He must be joking, right ? Yes he is joking !!!

I was swrilled in my thoughts, when he  collapsed totally in my arms becoming unconscious, his weight pressing me against the pillar at my back..

Seeing him collapsed, that man who has called out his name, came running towards me. He kneeled down on his knees and picked him up.

"Shresth...., shresth.... open you're eyes, fucking open you're eyes damn it. What have you done Shresth! How could you do this to you?
No ! No !! You can't leave me like this. I will not let you do this to me! Shresth!!!!" He cried, picking him up in his arms.

"No ! No !! He has just become unconscious. Proper and timely treatment will save him. Go ! Take him to the hospital .  Go fast !!!"

I said . I don't know why, but from a very young age I was very keen about medicine. I used to study and examine various herbs and their uses. So i did know about some treatments that can be used to save life in an emergency. So i suggested to him that fast treatment can save him!

" Hum le jane denge tab la le jaoge isse ! Isne humare bahot admiyon ko mara hai, aaj bs iski wajah se underworld mafia mein humara naam kharab hain! Aaj toh ise nhi chhodenge hum ! Dixiton ka varis hi nhi rahega toh Dixit apne dhande ka karege kya !" Dhanraj said!
What? He was going to kill shresth?

" Nhii , don't do this to him! Please ! You want to kill me , then kill me ,but don't please don't do anything to him !"

I said pleading him to leave Shresth. But why? Why was I so desperate for him ?

"Ruko!!! Inhe jane do! Shresth ko hum nhi le jayenge pr inhe aur inke sath ki ye mata ji ko jane do! Soch lo Dhanraj, Shresth ko marne ka isse accha mauka nhi milega tujhe, pr iss ladki ko jane de !"

The man who was carrying shresth spoke, that made me feel dizzy for one second.

Is he for real? First his friend saved me taking bullet on himself and now this man! He is risking both of the lives just to save me ? Why? Who am i to them? Why they fucking care about me so much?

" Jane to nhi dena chahte hum tumhein, par ye Shresth ke badle mein toh main kuch bhi chhod dun. Bahot sataya hai iss launde ne humein . Aaj jake haath aya hai yeh humare aaj nhi jane denge hum isse! Aee, jaane do re is ladki aur ye budhiya ko! Abhi Shresth ka kam tamam krte hai hum ." That man, Dhanraj said, to his men.

What? No! Already they were here in this situation because of me . And now, I can't leave him like this to die. No!

" Nandu chal yaha se, Bhabhi aur Revati Intezaar kr rahi hongi humara chala, woh log dekh lenge apna, gunde log hai ye , hume nhi pdna in sab chakkar mein! Chal na!" Chachi said, dragging me out of the place.

" No! No ! Chachi we can't leave him like this! He will die! He has done this to save me ; plz chachi , please!" I was pleading to her continuously, but she held my wrist and yanked me out of the place...

While my eyes were still on him, he was lying there unconscious, his eyes closed those same eyes which were looking at me so intensely few minutes ago were now close.

"Hey mahadev! Inki Raksha karna !" I said, giving a final look to him! His face getting blur and distant to me as Chachi yanked me out of that building....
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Third Person

As soon as , Vishakha along with Nandini , leave the place, Shivay with the help of Sangam made, Shresth sit on a chair, he being unconscious still.

" Aaj aya hai saala mere haath , bahot nuksaan karwaya hai tune humara Shresth Dixit! Aaj har cheez ka hisab lenge tujhse! Teri katte ke deal toh cheen li hai maine, aaj teri jaan bhi cheen lunga, saale!" Dhanraj said, taking causious steps towards Shresth! Surprisingly both Shivay and Sangam were standing there unhinged!

"Kaise hizdon ki fauj khadi ki hai, tune Shresth, dekh toh teri maut tere samne hai fir bhi haath pair bhi nahi maar rahe hai!" Dhanraj said, mocking Shivay and Sangam, and their other men standing there quietly.

As Dhanraj was walking towards Shresth, his leg fell on the piece of jewellery! He bent down to see what it was, when he saw , a delicate piece of jewellery shone in the light . It was Payal!

And of whom ?

Of course, it was of Nandini.

" Ee ka hai? Payal? " Dhanraj said inspecting it , but still not touching it .

" Malik, ee woh ladki ka hoga. Abhi yaha ayi thi na uska? Dar ke mare bhul gayi hogi ! "

One of the man, standing over there said mockingly.

" Jitni sundar woh ladki thi, utni hi sundar ye  uski payal hai! Kuch bhi kaho, himmat toh hai usmein, aur khubsurti bhi ! " Dhanraj said, his expression changing like a madman, his lips curving in smirk.

"Lagta hai Malik, ko woh laundiya pasand agayi hai, kaho toh Malik ek raat ke liye utha le aaye kya use ?" His men said, filth dripping from their voice.

As soon as Dhanraj heard this, he went to that man and Thud!!!!! He hit hard on his face!!!!

" Saale , kutte, uske baarein mein bolte waqt jubaan pe lagam lagay karo, aapki hone wali Malkin hai woh ! Humko woh ek raat nhi haar raat chahiye, har din chahiye ab ! Uske jaise aag ke sath maje krne mein maja ayega ! Ye Shresth ka mamla tamam krte hai jaldi, fir humari Rani ke pass bhi toh jana hai" Dhanraj said. It was clear from his words that he has become obsessed with Nandini and will do anything to claim her .

Moving back to Shresth he pulled out his gun, and bent down to pick up the payal, saying " Humari Rani ki har cheez bas humare pass honi chahiye."

As he was about to touch the payal, a loud bang was heard!!!!

And Thud!!

One of the men standing there, was shot down to death.

And here , before Dhanraj could touch that Payal, his wrist was held by someone. His grip tight, nails piercing in the wrist.

As, Dhanraj looked up, he was Fucked up!
Shocked!
Thrilled!
All at once!!!!

He was not able to believe his eyes. The man who has held his hand was none other than SHRESTH DIXIT!!!

WHAT. THE. FUCK.!!!! WHAT AN ABSOLUTE FUCK!!!

How did this man come alive again. Isn't that bullet had hit his chest? He was unconscious right? Then how did he come here ?

Blood still oozing from his chest. His forehead glistened with Sweat. His gaze, that deadly gaze fixed on that payal? That piece of jewellery? He was looking like a madman at that Payal ?

But why ?

" Haramzade, tune socha bhi kaise , tu uski is anmol cheez ko haath lagayae ka aur hum chup baithenge?
Ye humari Jaan ki nishani hai, use haath lagane ka hak sirf aur sirf humara hai. Uske saye ke pass bhi ane ki sochi na tune toh zinda gaad dunga kutte. Aur kya kaha tune, use apni Rani banayega? Woh pehle se hi humari Rani hai , woh bhi kabse  tujhe pta bhi nhi hai. Aur humari Rani ka jikra tune apni is gandi juban se kiya na toh teri juban kaat ke kutton ko khila dunge, saale "
Shresth warned Dhanraj his eyes were burning in rage.

Jerking Dhanraj's hand back he took the Payal in his hand.

Staring at the Payal, he muttered, " Aap pe , aapki har nishani pe , aapke saye tak pe bas humara hak hai AFSAR MADAM . Aur marte dum tak bs humara hi rahega!"

Saying this, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Dhanraj in fury of Shresth claiming Nandini, went and was about to punch him , when shresth still looking at payal, in one hand from his other hand halted the punch furiously.

The yanking him back he jumped and with one leg he kicked on the chest of Dhanraj, making him fall on the ground, his back hitting hard against the cement floor.

" Tujhe kya lga be, tu humare katte ka appraisal le lega aur hum chup chap baith ke tujhe le jane denge? Ye sab ek natak tha saale, taki tujhe yaha rok ke rakhe aur waha humare katte ka appraisal pass ho jaye. Saale tujhe kya lga? Tu humare gang mein apne logon ko ghusa dega aur humein pta nhi chalega ? Chutiya hai tu saale, khud ka hi kaatwa ke liya hai tune, dekh Shresth bhi thik hain yaha pe aur waha katte ka baksa bhi apni jagah pohoch gaya sahi salamat." Shivay said, mockingly giving the ultimate shock of his life, to Dhanraj.

Dhanraj who was now shocked as hell, looked at his men for confirmation, who in turn put their head down with affirming the news given by Shivay!

"Saale, tujhe chhodunga nhi main" saying this Dhanraj went furiously towards Shresth to hit him but was stopped by Shivay and in turn he started slapping him hardly across his face.

While all this drama was going on, shresth was busy in remembering his first meeting after 3 yrs with Nandini! Her eyes, her lips, the way they trembled, the way her body shivered under his breath was making him go insane for her.

"Chalo, Shresth yaha se , police aati hogi kisi bhi waqt humein katte ke bakse ko bhi sahi thikane lagana hai, ye dhanraj ko kisi aur din dekh lenge, chal yaha se "

Shivay said, making Shresth come back to reality.

"Aise kaise chhod de is suar ko hum , ise toh sabak sikhana hi hoga isne humare pyaar pe bandook tani, usi apna bananae ki sochi . Nahi ise toh saja milke hi rahegi " like a man gone insane, Shresth walked towards Dhanraj who had fallen on the ground his men scattered around, breathless.

He took a wooden stick, full of nails pinched in them.

He went towards Dhanraj, bend down to his level and said, in dangerously insane voice, " tere man mein aaj use apna banane ka khayal aya na, us khayal ko hum aaj hi dafana denge sale"

Saying, this, he took his right hand in his hand, by which he had touched Nandini, and then bang!!!!

He started hitting that hand with the nails stick, insanely. Hit after hit !!!

"Tune. Socha. Use . Apna. Banane . Ka.. woh . Bas humari hai. Shresth. Dixit ki. Uspe bas. Humara. Adhikar . Hai. Bas . Shresth ka " Shresth said, each word hitting his hand, blood oozing out of it.

Shivay came running towards Shresth and held his hand pleading him, " Stop it Shresth. For fucking sake . Stop it. We have to go. We can't get caught by police. We have to get that box of illegal weapons in a safe place. Let's go Shresth. Let's go !"

Saying this he began yanking Shresth back, who was still hitting the hand of Dhanraj, as if trying to clean the touch that lingered on his fingers and palm that was of Nandini.

After almost making his knuckles get torn out, he stopped.

Than giving that final blow, he said," aaj ke baad Nandini ka khayal bhi aya na tere dimag mein, aaj jo tere haath kaa haal kiya hai na , wahi haal tere dimag ka kr dunga saale." Saying this he threw the stick and keepin6g the payal in his pocket, he went out of there.
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AT KALYANPUR;

Nandini, along with Vidya, Vishkha and Revati had come to Padma's home.

Vishkha, narrated all the story to Vidya, who was furious with Nandini for involving herself, in the matter of that mafia.

"Kitni baar kaha hai tujhse, dusron ke mamlon mein dakhal mat Diya kr, aaj tujhe kuch ho jata to kya krte hum ? Are gunde hai woh, aur gunde kisi ke sage nhi hote. Tujhe samjh nhi ata kya Nandini, tere sath baki ke log bhi hote hai unke barei mein toh socha kr tu, afsar bangyi matlb kya ab har samsya ko tu hi suljaheygi kya"

Vidya lashed out at Nandini who was sitting quietly, listening to all her tantrums.

But back of her mind was the person who had taken the bullet intended towards her .

SHRESTH DIXIT!
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" Are sun bhi rahi hai ? Kya bol rahi hu main ?" Vidya again lashed out at her for not answering her questions.

" Bas bhi kro Vidya, kitna daantogi use, bacchi hai dheere dheere seekh jayegi."

Pdma said , trying to make Vidya calm.

" Bacchi hai , choti hai , bas yahi sab krke itna bigad gayi hai ye ." Vidya said. Listening to her tantrums Nandini, got up from her place, furiously getting into the room and locking her, but not before saying,
" Hum thak gaye hai, humein aram krna hai."

Everyone in the hall was awestruck by her move, but decided not to talk to her about this matter today.

As soon as Nandini came into room, she went into the bathroom to take a cold shower.

She went and tapped on the shower. Cold water ran from her delicate body, when she remembered how Shresth touched her. His touch.

Possesive!
Unhinged!
Unapologetic!
Like he OWNS her!

He knew her better than she knew herself! Those eyes, and that piercing gaze was still flickering in front of her.

" He took that bullet for me. Is he okay now? He was unconscious when I left him?  How will I get to know if he is Okayy or not?"

She thought but in a sudden moment she remembered!

" He is a mafia. He doesn't need my worries. He can take care of himself. Why am i feeling so desperate for him. No... No ! You're an officer Nandini and he is Mafia. He is your enemy! He kills and you save. He has lost his sanity to illegal games and you have you're sanity holding for law sake. You have to stop thinking about him "

she convinced herself and showered herself, trying to remove his thoughts, his touch from her mind and body.
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After taking a shower, Nandini came  out of the bathroom, wrapping a towel around her .

She went and opened her bag, where she found a soft cotton suit.
Perfect this will be okay.
It was a pure cotton suit of pista colour with Red colour linnig on it.

She wore it. As she was wearing her suit, she realised her payal was missing.

" Ohh God! Why does it all happen to me!? Now where have i Kept it ? I have already lost my one payal 3 yrs ago, and now this. If maa comes to know about it she will really burst out of anger.  Hey mahadev kya hai ye sab "she said, almost on the verge of crying.

She was crying when she suddenly realised that maybe the payal had fallen in the building or on the road! May be it has now been lost forever.

Great! My first day in Kanpur will be memorable for life now!!!

Saying this, she switched off the lights, and pushed herself on the soft mattress, sleep engulfing her, her body stiffened from the chaos she has endured in the whole day.
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AT 1 A.M., KALYANPUR.

When Nandini was sleeping in deep sleep, there were some footsteps heard in her room. No they were not coming from outside, but coming from inside , from the balcony.

A man, wearing black tshirt and sweatpants, covering his face, was seen walking towards Nandini.

He took very careful steps towards her , making no sound to wake her up.

He went and sat beside her, the mattress sinking under his weight.
He was looking at her with keen eyes.

Those peaceful eyes, that peaceful, petite face. Those eye lashes falling on her cheeks, were making him breath heavily.

"How could someone look this beautiful even in sleep" the man muttered under his breath.

" You're such a wonder my butterfly. You belong to me. And i belong to you . Near you. Inside you. Everywhere on you. "

He said breathing heavily and he moved his hand and tucked a hair strand that was blocking his view to her face...
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He kept looking at her for a few more minutes and then took something from his pocket, that made his identity clear.

He took out payal from his pocket. The same payal that Shresth had kept with him, this evening.

Well the payal was of Nandini and the man who bought that was the obsessed lover of her, who claimed even her shadow, her's only.
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SHRESTH DIXIT!!!!!

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TO BE CONTINUED!!!
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NEXT CHAPTER COMING SOON 🔜