MY MYSTERIOUS MAN

Chapter 23

"I want to take walks sometimes. Staying in the room all the time is not good. Not for me, nor for the baby," Nandini voiced her desire, her words punctuated by the completion of her morning meal.

Manik, seated in his usual corner of the room, listened attentively to Nandini's request. Over the past few days, he had made it a habit to remain close to her, providing a sense of security that she found comforting. However, despite his presence, Nandini couldn't shake off all of her worries and fears.

Nandini's yearning for walks stemmed not only from a need for physical activity but also from a longing for a sense of normalcy amidst the challenges they faced. The confinement of their room felt suffocating at times, and Nandini sought respite in the simple pleasure of strolling outdoors, if only for a brief moment.

Manik rose from his seat and approached Nandini with a measured stride, his expression unreadable.

"It's not easy to go out," he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of restraint.

"Why?" Nandini questioned, her tone edged with frustration and curiosity.

"It's a matter of safety," Manik replied, his words tinged with a sense of caution.

Nandini's frustration boiled over as she demanded answers. 

"Are you gonna at least tell me now why you brought me to this house?" she exclaimed, her voice rising with indignation.

Manik's response was sharp, his demeanor unwavering.

"If I were you... I would stay quiet," he retorted, his tone stern.

But Nandini refused to back down, her fear and anger driving her forward. "No! If you were me... you would escape. But you know I can't because of a baby in my stomach!" she yelled, her voice echoing with defiance and desperation. 

Manik's calm demeanor only served to stoke the flames of Nandini's anger, but she knew better than to press further. With a heavy heart, she retreated to the bed, feeling the weight of her powerless position within the confines of the room and the house.

Their sleeping arrangements mirrored the divide between them. While they shared the same room, they maintained a physical distance, with Nandini claiming the bed and Manik opting for the couch. It was a silent acknowledgment of the gulf that separated them, both physically and emotionally.

In the quiet moments of the night, as Nandini lay awake on the bed, the loneliness and boredom of her confinement weighed heavily upon her. With no distractions or outlets for her restless mind, she found herself trapped in a cycle of monotony and isolation. While Manik immersed himself in his books and other activities, Nandini felt increasingly disconnected and adrift in the unfamiliar surroundings of their shared captivity.

"I am bored" 

"So?" 

"Do something" 

"Are you forgetting you are kidnapped?"

"You still didn't give me the reason for that" she replied and he calmed down. 

"Do you like art?" He asked and she nodded her head. 

Nandini used to love painting when she was younger. She and her mother would paint together after school. But ever since her mother passed away, she hadn't had the chance to paint again. When she was asked that question, the first thing that came to her mind was painting.

Our minds work in strange ways. If we think about something or someone negatively, our brain starts to remember all the bad things that happened, showing them to us like a picture in our head. It helps us understand why we feel negative about that person or situation.

The same thing happens with positive thoughts. If we like something or someone, our brain looks for all the good things that happened and show them to us as a reminder. It's strange, but it happens to everyone.

"I'll ask someone to bring all the necessary art equipment," Manik spoke, his voice carrying a hint of warmth that Nandini hadn't heard before. Her eyes lit up with excitement, a spark of joy dancing in them as she imagined herself with a paintbrush in hand once again. Manik couldn't help but smile at her reaction, a soft chuckle escaping his lips at the sight of her happiness.

"I was about to ask something," he began, his tone shifting slightly as he broached a new topic.

"What is it?" Nandini replied, curious about what he had to say.

"Can we share the bed?" His question caught her off guard, causing her to blink in surprise.

"WHAT???" Nandini exclaimed, her voice betraying her astonishment.

"Why are you raising your voice at me?" Manik questioned, his expression unreadable.

"I never shared a bed with anyone," she explained, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Neither do I," Manik admitted, his gaze steady as he met her eyes.

"So why?" Nandini pressed, her confusion evident.

"Because that's my bed and the couch is uncomfortable," he reasoned, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Then you go to bed and I'll sleep on the couch," Nandini suggested, trying to find a solution.

"I don't know if you remember, but you are pregnant," Manik pointed out, his words firm but gentle.

"But--" Nandini began to protest, but he cut her off before she could continue.

"If you don't want to leave it! I'll order another bed for the room and end of the discussion," he declared firmly, his resolve evident in his tone.

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The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room as Nandini stirred from her sleep. As she blinked away the remnants of slumber, her gaze fell upon the figure lying beside her on the bed. It took her a moment to register the sight before her - Manik, with his shirt removed, his bare chest rising and falling with each breath.

Her heart rate quickened as she realized the intimate proximity they shared. Panic surged through her veins. 

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Nandini screamed at the top of her lungs, the sound echoing through the room.