Nandini was lost in her negative thoughts n was moving towards her room..all this while the negative vibes were just pessing her..she knew something is gonna go wrong..she felt it. It was that moment for her when ur mind n heart both agree upon some thought..but u become so numb that u dont understand how to react. She reached her room n was just standing there.. Manik came there n saw her lost in her thoughts.

Man: Nandini..

Nandini looks at him with fear in her eyes.

Manik gets scared n cups her face.

Man: hey..kya huwa? Y do u look so scared?

Nan: pata nai Manik..mann me bohot ajeeb se khayaal aarahe hai. M getting these..strong negative vibes.. (getting lost in her stance) again. Aisa lag raha hai kuch bohot bura hone waala hai. I just...just feel suffocated.

Manik wraps her in his embrace..

Man: shsh..relax Nandini..aisa kuch nahi hoga.. Me hu tumhare saath..me tumhe kuch nai hone dunga. Aur phir..hum sab milke Anjika ko insaaf dilaayenge. Mene dad se baat kerli hai..unhu ne commisioner se baat ki hai kisi senior inspector ko ye case dene k liye. Mujhe wo Tawde pasand nahi.

Listening to Anjika's name..something struck Nandini..she breaks the hug n says..

Nan: mujhe uske paas jaana hai. I need to see her.. is baar mere vibes sahi nai hone chahiye. I cant b late this time.

Man (confused): kise dekhna hai? Konse vibes? Aur is baar matlab?

Nandini just runs from there..back to Anjika's room. She reached the passage n stopped about 15 feet away directly in front of Anjika's room. She stopped n breath in relief on seeing Mukti standing on the door with Anjika behind her. Mukti sees her n was about to call out her name..when Anjika pushes her out of the room n locks it. Abhi was standing there about 5 feet away from Mukti n seeing her about to fall..immediately rushes to hold her.

Seeing Anjika locking her room gave the first assurity to Nandini that her vibes r coming true. She ran till Anjika's room n started banging the door.

Nan: darwaaza kholo.. open the door plz..plzzz kholo

Everyone had come there on hearing Nandini's voice. Mukti too started to bang on the door.

Muk: Anjika plzz..open the door..darwaaza kholo plz..

Nandini was banging the door continuously n was crying.

Nan: open the god dam door..plzzzz... BB..kuch karo plz...she will kill herself..kholo ise

Ab: bacha relax..dont b negative..wo aisa kuch nai karegi. Hum darwaza kholne ki koshish ker rahe hai na.

Nan (yelling): wo aisa hee karegi. I knw it..i can feel it.. its gonna happen again. (Banging the door again) plzz..plzz darwaaza kholo..plz meri baat suno..mene kuch nahi kiya..plz trust me..dont do this plz...plz talk to me..

Muk: cutie plz dont blame urself..hum darwaza kholte hai na.

Manik n Abhi were trying to push open the door. Cabir n Dhruv too tried opening..but the door wasnt an ordinary wooden door with ordinary lock..it had all secured locking system..

Ab: ye aise nahi khulega. Its a secured lock.. hume iska pass dhundna hoga.
(Turning towards Nandini who was crying n still banging the door) bacha..look at me..u n i we both knw ye darwaaza nahi tootega. We need the spare pass..kaha hai jaldi bataao.

Nan (hiccuping): cho..choti maa..

Cabir runs to get the pass from choti maa..n comes back quickly.. Abhi quickly opens the door..n everyone rush inside to see on Anjika..but the sight in front of them froze them on their steps. With a dupatta wrapped around her neck..Anjika was hanging lifeless from the ceiling fan.

The girls shouted on witnessing this scene..n it was their shout that brought everyone out of their stance..except for...Nandini. Manik immediately rushed towards Anjika n raised her body above to release the pressure around her neck..followed by Cabir who climbed on the bed to open the dupatta from her neck. Dhruv and Abhi helped them to bring her body down. They kept her on bed and checked her pulse..it was there..very slow..but it was there. Abhi immediately called up their doctor n asked him to come here. The girls were shaken to the core. Navya ran outside n burst out in tears. Cabir came behind her n placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned n immediately hugged him tight

Nav: kaise Cabir..koi itna jaanwar kaise bansakta hai..kaise de sakta hai koi kisi ko itna dard..k wo apni jaan hee dene pe majboor hojaay.

Cab: ssshhh Navya..is waqt hume mazboot hona hoga..taake hum use sambhaal sake..aur un jaanwaro ko unki saza dilaa sake. Aur tum daro mat..me hoo tumhare saath.. me kabhi tumpe koi aanch nahi aane dunga.

Back in Anjika's room..Mukti had dropped on her knees..

Muk: ye sab meri galti hai..mujhe use aise darwaaze pe nahi aane dena chahiye tha..wo baar baar coffee ki zid ker rahi thi..mene usse kaha koi aajay uske paas rukne to me jaake banaa lungi coffee..par wo zid kerne lagi..mene darwaaze se dekha Nandu aarahi hai. Isse pehle me use awaaz lagaati usne mujhe dhakka maar liya.
Sab meri galti hai..i m sorry

She palms her face n cries. Soon she feels someone embracing her..

Ab: tumhari galti nai hai Mukti..stop blaming urself.

Muk: abhi..kyu kiya un logo ne aisa? Kaise koi itni neech harkat kar sakta hai?

Ab: aise logo ki mentality kharab hoti hai Mukti..lekin ab wo zyada waqt k liye baahar nai rahenge. Unhe saza zaroor milegi..

Dhruv too was consoling Aliya. He took her out n told choti maa too that he wud take the kids to the nearby park in order to keep them away from all this chaos. Abhi turned around to look for Nandini..but she wasnt there..he panicked..he was about to rush out when Cabir called him..

Cab: kaha jaa raha hai abhi?

Ab: wo Barbie..i dnt knw where she is..she needs me.

Cab: wo waha..us taraf gayi hai..mene Manik ko uske peeche jaate dekha..dnt wry..Manik hai uske paas.

Ab: Manik hai? Mayb Manik can handle her..but this time..she needs her chota papa.

Abhi goes towards that side..n sees Manik sitting next to a lost Nandini.. who was siting like a lifeless soul.

Man: Nandini..kuch bolo please.. dekho..doctor aagaye honge..is waqt tumhe himmat rakhni hogi..Tumne dekha tha na..Anjika tumhari waje se sambhli thi. Is waqt b use tumhari zarurat hogi. Plzz...utho

Abhi comes n sits on the other side..

Ab: bacha..u r my strong baby..chota papa ka strong bacha hai..mushkil time hai..but we will face it na..together.. plz dont lose ur hope.. tu to hamare positvity ki dukaan hai na.. har cheez me kuch acha dhoondna teri aadat hai na..then how can u lose hope now bacha?

Nandini was again silent..nothing and no one affected her. Abhi n Manik look at each other..worried..worried that Nandini might again get a panic attack..they were scared.. Abhi was scared to see her barbie doll like this..he was the only one who knew how old Nandini was..n to daily see this version of Nandini who was completely opposite to the old one was like a hell tough job for him..n now to top it all was her killer silence. He held her hand n in a hoarse voice said..

Ab: kya huwa hai Nandini? Kyu aisi chuppi li hai tune? I knw..i knw this cannot b only because of Anjika. There is more to it..is it ur ...ur past? I knw mene tujhse kaha tha i will never question u..not only because i wanted to give u time..but because i myself wanted to prepare myself..me apni jaan ko jaanta hu..kuch to bohot bada aur bohot bura huwa jis waje se meri Barbie doll aise hogai hai. Khud pe bharosa nahi muje k me tera sach sun paau. Lekin me tujhe aise nahi dekh sakta.. plz barbie..talk to me..talk to ur BB..plzzzz..

Manik was taken aback on seeing Abhi crying and saying all this to Nandini. Now even he was getting scared of knowing Nandini's past. But Nandini was not shaken. She was all the time sitting n staring in front of her..as if some film was reeling in front of her n she was lost in that.. she withdraws her hand from Abhi n walks away. Abhi n Manik follow her.. Nandini goes to Anjika's room..where doctor was prescribing her some medications..n everyone was present there. Anjika was another lifeless soul sitting there. Mukti n Navya were sitting next to her..holding her hands..comforting her. Choti maa was trying to give her a glass of milk..and Cabir was talking to the doctor. Nandini looks at everyone and then at Anjika. Anjika..who till now showed no emotions..on seeing Nandini she couldnt control anymore.. she got up from her bed n ran n hugged Nandini tight..n started crying..

Anj (crying): m so...sorr..sorry Nandini. M sorry..mene tumhe haraa diya. Me...me haar gayi. Mujhse bardaash nahi huwa. Me dar gayi Nandini. Lekin jab tumhari awaz suni..to i... i wanted to fight.. but bohot dair hogayi thi. M sorry Nandini.
(Breaking the hug)
Aaj agar me zinda hu..to sirf tumhari waje se Nandini..sirf tumhare.
I want to fight Nandini..but i.. i cant. Me nahi lad sakti. Wo call...wo call shradha ki nahi thi. Shivam ki thi.

This comes as a shock to everyone standing there. Nandini looks at her in a shocked state. Anjika was crying a lot. Nandini makes her sit and gives her a glass of water.

Man (angrily): lekin us kameene k paas Nandini ka no. kaha se aaya.?

Anj: inspector Tawde se.

Ab: what? Us inspector ne Nandini ka no diya kaise?

Anj: sirf no. hee nai..usne use complain ki file b de di. Aur uske paas..mera mms b hai.. agar mene dobara complain ki to wo mere mms ko net pe viral kerdega. Ab mere taraf se koi complain lodged nahi hai..aur mera case shuru hone se pehle hee khatam..me ladne se pehle hee haar gai. Haar gayi me

She palms her face and cried again. Nandini removes her face from her palms n says..

Nan: insaan tab tak nahi haarta jab tak wo koshish kerna band nahi kerdeta. Jung mushkil hai..namumkin nai. Unhe unki gunaaho ki saza milke rahegi. Lekin uske liye..tumhe zinda rehna hoga.. unhe saza me tadapte huwe dekhna hoga.

Anj: lekin kaise?

Nandini stands n turns around to leave.

Ab: kaha jaa rahi hai bacha?

Nan: police station.. after all..suicide k baare me unhe b to pata chale.

Nav: lekin Nandu..Anjika to zinda hai.

Nan: sirf humare liye.. police aur duniya k liye wo mar gai hai.

Muk: lekin ek mare huwe insan k liye ladega koun..

Nan: i will fight for her.

Man: nahi..we will fight for her... (Holding Nandini's hand) together.

Nan: BB.. Ise kahi aur shift kerna hoga.

Cab: dont wry..wo me arrange ker sakta hu. She will b safe there.

Nan: ab Inspector Tawde se milna hoga.

Saying so..she leaves from there followed by Manik n Abhi.

Police station:

Insp: arre Nandini jiii.. aayiye aayiye..lekin aapne takleef kyu ki..hume bulaa liya hota. Waise aap kyu aai?

Nan: us ladki ne suicide kiya.

Insp: kya? Oh ho ho..ye to bohot bura huwa. Khair..ab kya kar sakte hai. Waise ek salah de aapko. Aap b is case me na padhe to behtar hoga.

Nan: lekin un logo ne uska rape kiya..use suicide kerne pe majboor kiya.

Insp: arre Nandini ji..kyu is daldal me phasna chahti hai. Meri salah maaniye to aap is case se peeche hat jaayiye. Waise b..ab jab victim hee nai rahi..to ye case waise b band hogaya.

Man: band kaise hogaya?

Insp: kyunki ab ye case ladne waala koi nai hai.

Ab: hum ladenge case.

Insp: abe yaar..kaaiko magaj maari ker raha hai. Case ladne ka hai na tere ko..to ja..jaa pehle victim ki sign ki huwi written complain le ker aa..phir baat ker.

Man: lekin complaint ki file tumhare paas hai na?

Insp (smirks): kya saboot hai? Kya saboot hai k victim ne koi complaint likhwaai thi? Hosp me usne kuch b bolne se manaa kerdiya..aur doctors is baat ka saboot hai. Tum logo k paas kya saboot hai k usne complaint likhwaai?

Nandini was listening to all this..she was itching her forehead with her fore finger.. then proceeding towards the inspector..she slaps him hard on his left cheek with her right hand.

Insp: saali..teri itni immat tu mere hee thaane me mere pe hij haath uthaai. Teri to ....

Nan: kya saboot hai? Kya saboot hai k mene (slaps) tujhpe haath uthaaya?

Insp: Ae ae.. pagal hogai hai kya tu. Ae Gavaskar..bol re isko..tune isko mere pe haath uthaa te dekha.

Before the constable says anything..Abhi removes a thick bundle of money from his pocket n smirkingly shows it to the constable..whose eyes glitter on seeing the bundle.

Cons: mere ko kya maaloom saab. Me to aapke liye samosa lene gaya tha na.

Insp: ae Gavaskar..rishwat ki khatir tu jhoot bolega?

Nandini again slaps him..n keeps on slapping him on the same cheek..n while slapping says..

Nan: kyu? (Slap) tu rishwat ki khatir (slap) ladki ki izzat ka (slap) sauda ker sakta hai (slap) to ye to sirf (slap) jhoot bol raha hai (slap)

Inspector falls on his chair with his hand on his left cheek..

Insp: ae madam..aur kitna maare gi.me yaha ka inspector hai..aur tu mere ko hij aise.. (swallowing his saliva) Dekh... dekh..me tera dard samajh sakta hu..abhi abhi tune us ladki ko marte dekha na..me samajh sakta hu..

Nan (furious): samajh sakta hai? Kya samajh sakta hai?
Us dard ko samajh sakta hai jo ek ladki mehsoos kerti hai uski izzat lut jaane per?
Us dard ko mehsoos ker sakta hai jo ek ladki bardaash kerti hai..jab uski marzi k khilaaf kuch jaanwar insan k roop me uspe toot padhte hai..jaise k wo koi gosh ka tuqda ho?
Us dard ko samajh sakta hai jo ek ladki mehsoos kerti hai..jab use ghaseet te huwe wo rakshas use uski izzat lootne k liye lejaata hai?
Us bebasi..us lachaari ko samajh sakte ho jo ek ladki mehsoos kerti hai jab wo apni izzat tak ko bachaa nahi paati..kyunki us jaanwar ne uske haath pair baandhe huwe hote hai?

Nahi samaj sakta tu.. tu kya..koi nahi samjh sakta.. (going close) siwaay uske..jisne ye dard mehsoos kiya ho..ise jiya ho.

Insp (stammering): to...to kya...tu..tu..is dard ko...sa...samajhti hai?

Nan: haan samajhti hu..is dard ko..is bebasi ko..is lachari ko..bohot ache se samajhti hu.

Abhi n Manik go numb on hearing Nandini's words..Nandini's words had sent them off guard..they were in that state of mind which was refusing to accept what was going on around them.. they were just looking at Nandini..who was extremely furious at the moment..completely in her rage.

Nan: Jaake boldena apne Shivam se..k use saza dilaane k liye mujhe is beeke huwe police waalo ki zarurat nai hai. Me khud use saza dungi..use waha maarungi jaha use apne mard hone pe fakhr hai. Bacha sake..to bacha lena use.

Saying so she leaves from there..followed by Abhi.

Man: bacha sakta hai..to apni naukri b bacha lena.

Manik goes out to check on them..n finds Abhi staring at Nandini with fear in his eyes. Yes..Abhi was scared..scared of what he heard back in the police station..scared to ask Nandini the meaning of whatever she said inside..scared to know the truth..scared to share her past.

A mobile ring breaks the silence..

Nan: haan bhai

Cab: kaha ho tum log?

Nan: bas...abhi nikle. Wo...wo theek hai na?

Cab: tu fikar mat ker behna. Mene use ek safe jaga pohchaa diya hai. Tum sab abhi Malhotra mansion aajao. Partner aur mother India b yahi wait ker rahe hai.

Nan: hmmm

Man: Nandini..

Nan: sab humara Malhotra mansion me wait ker rahe hai.

Man: hmmm..chale?

The trio leave for the mansion..where fab 4, Navya, Nyeonika and Vishal welcome them. Nyeonika takes Nandini in a motherly hug..Nandini reciprocates the hug.

Nyeo: mushkil fight hai..but i knw it..u will pull it off..u all will win it.

Vishal comes n takes Nandini in a side hug. He makes her sit on a couch n runs his fingers in her hair.

Vis: its gonna b okay Angel.

Nandini shuts her eyes n releases a breath..she clutches his shirt tight but then hisses.

Vis: kya huwa angel?

Nav: Nandu..kahi chot lagi hai kya?

Manik notices that her right hand is swollen. He immediately rushes to get the first aid kit. He comes n kneels down on the floor in front of her..n carefully takes her right hand in his. Nandini opens her eyes n looks into Manik's eyes..n finds care n concern for her. He very gently starts applying an ointment on her hand. She was still keeping her head on Vishal's shoulder..who had wrapped his one arm around her.

Muk: ye chot kaise lagi cutie?

Man: she slapped that inspector.

Girls: acha kiya

Muk: kaash me b hoti..me to uska moo tod deti.

Cab: waise behna..kitne thappad maare? I hope hum sab ki taraf se ek ek to zaroor lagaaya hoga..kyu..m i right or m i right? (Winks at her)

Nandini passes a small smile to him..but that small smile was enough for others to breathe in relief..

Vis: its gonna b okay Angel. Remember..all is well that ends well..n if nothing is well now..then it isnt the end.

Nandini just closes her eyes n nods her eyes.

Vis: u need some rest..bacho..tum sab b thak gaye ho..jaao..jaake araam kerlo. Angel b thodi der sojaaygi.

Ab: uncle..hum ghar jaayenge.

Vis: m not listening to anything today Abhi. U all will stay back n thats final. Just look at Angel..she is so tired..poori raat soyi b nahi hai. She will sleep here tonight.

Ab: Barbie...

Nandini opens her eyes..

Ab (cupping her right cheek which was free): Barbie..i need to go to the orphanage..urgent hai.. tab tak sona nai. Okay?

Everyone frown in confusion on hearing Abhi.

Nav: sona nai matlab? Abhi ji use araam ki zarurat hai..aur hum sab hai na uske paas. Wo jitna araam karegi utna behtar hoga. Hum sab ne kamsekam thoda to araam kiya tha kal raat..lekin nandu bilkul b nahi soi. Use sona chahiye.

Ab: me jab aau..uske baad wo sojaaygi. Barbie..tab tak sona nai..okay? Y dont u go n take a long shower? U will feel good..hmmm?

Nandini just nods her head in a yes.

Ab: me jaldi aajaunga.

He kisses her forehead n leaves from there.

Man(self talk): Abhi ne Nandini ko sone se manaa kyu kiya?

Nyeo: chalo bacho..sab log jaao jaake araam kerlo. Navya..tumhare aur Nandu k kamre me geyser nahi chal raha..to tum aaj Mukti aur Aliya k kamre me fresh hojaana.

Nav: ji aunty. Chalo Nandu.

Man: Navya..tum jaake Aliya Mukti k room me fresh hojaao. Nandini chaahe to mere kamre me fresh hosakti hai. Me Cabir aur Dhruv k paas fresh hojaaunga.

Nandini just looks at Manik..who had fixed his gaze on her while talking to Navya.

Nav: tum Manik k room me fresh hojaaogi nandu?

Nandini..while keeping her eyes on Manik just nods in a yes. Manik holds her hand n takes her to his room.

Cab: Manik ne aaj tak hum me se kisi ko apne room me freshen up hone nahi diya. He is so much obsessed with his things..his washroom in particular.

Nav: wo isliye kyunki aap nandu nahi hai.

Muk: i agree.. Nandini Manik k liye sirf dost nahi hai..we all can see that.

Al: i hope he too realizes it soon.

Manik enters his room with Nandini. It was the second time Nandini had entered his room..the last time was when they were close..very close to each other..on the bed. Manik makes Nandini sit on the bed.. he kneels in front of her n cups her face..

Man: tum theek ho na.

Nandini just nods her head in a yes.

Man(with a desperate defeated look): Nandini...mujhe tumhari awaaz sunni hai. Plz bolo..tum theek ho na.

Nandini finds utter care n concern in his eyes..his voice held desperation to hear her voice.

Nan: yes..Manik.. me theek hu.

Manik closes his eyes in relief..with the stress lines on his forehead relaxing..

Man: never..never stop talking to me Nandini. Ur voice..its magical...its the force that keeps me going. Plz..never stop talking..

Nandini gets surprised on listening all this from Manik. She nods her head..n when Manik glares at her..she giggles a little.

Nan: Yes..

Man: finally....thodi si to hasi aai. Ab tum yaha fresh hojaao..me kapde leke Cabir k room me jaata hu.

Nan: Manik..aap yaha fresh ho sakte hai. Pehle aap fresh hojaayiye..phir me fresh hojaaungi.

Man: its ok Nandini..i dnt want u to feel pressurised. Tum araam se fresh hojaao.

Nan: i dnt have any problem Manik..sach me

Man: but Nandini..mene kaha na..tum araam se fresh hojaao.

Nan: Mene kaha na..i wont mind..Mikku.

Man (frowning): phir...phirse...ufff..

Nandini chuckles on seeing Manik getting irritated..n on seeing her smiling n chuckling..Manik too smiles with her.

Man: 10 mins..me fresh hoke aata hu..tab tak tum araam kero.

Nandini nods her head.

Manik turns to go to the washroom..before he enters..he turns around n says..

Man: humesha smile kerti rehna Nandini..tumhari smile se mujhe bohot khushi milti hai.. i feel alive.

Nandini looks at him stunned..Manik smiles sheepishly n goes inside. Nandini closes her eyes n rests on the headboard. After 10 mins..Manik comes out n sees Nandini had already slept in sitting position..with her head on the headboard. He smiles looking at her..her innocent..stress free face..how much he wished to keep her like this forever..no tension..no stress of the world..he just wants to protect her from everything and everyone around. Carrying her slowly n carefully..he adjusts her gently on the bed..adjusting her head on the pillow..n wrapping the duvet on her. He slightly caresses her face..n gently kisses her forehead n slowly leaves the room..keeping the night lamp on. He goes down to find everyone waiting at the dining table.

Cab: Manik..behna kaha hai?aur tu fresh hone aaya nahi phir b fresh lag raha hai..

Man: wo..pehle me fresh hone chala gaya..baahar aaya to dekha Nandini so gai thi. To use wahi kamre me sone diya.

Al: lekin doll ne subah se kuch khaya b nai hai.

Dhr: i think use abhi sone dete hai...jab wo uthegi..tab use kuch khilaa denge.

Nav: lekin hume ek baat samajh me nahi aai. Abhi ji ne aisa kyu kaha k Nandini unke aane tak soye na?

Muk: ye baat to mujhe b ajeeb lagi.

Man: abhi ka call hai.(answering the call) haan bol Abhi.

Ab: Manik..Barbie kaisi hai?

Man: wo theek hai..so rahi hai

Ab:what? So rahi hai? Tune use sone kyu diya Manik? Mene kaha tha na jab tak me na aau wo soye na.

Man: relax Abhi..y r u freaking out? Use neend aagayi bethe bethe to wo sogayi. Ab kya me use neend se uthaau ye kehke k Abhi ne use sone ki permission nahi di.

Ab: i dnt care Manik..just wake her up..me waapis aaraha hu..

He cuts the call.

Cab: kya huwa Manik?

Man: pagal hogaya hai abhi..bol raha hai k Nandini ko neend se uthaau..aur wo waapis aaraha hai.

Dhr: aisa kya huwa hai jo wo aise react ker raha hai.

Cab: i think kuch to badi baat hai..werna Abhi aise react nahi kerta.

Muk: to ab kya kare?

Nav: hume lagta hai Nandini ko uthaa dena chahiye. Waise b abhi aa rahe hai.

Manik n all move towards his room where Nandini was sleeping. He reaches there n opens the door just to get frozen on his steps. Everyone else too got rooted at their steps.. it was as if a spell had struck them..paralysing them..making them unable to move.

Manik was the first one to get into senses..he painfully whispers.. Nandini..

He rushes towards Nandini who was sitting on the floor next to the bed n was struggling to breathe.

Man:Nan..Nandini...Nandini..

Nan(crying): stop stop...plzzzzz....stop..... i....breathe...cant...breathe...

Man: Nandini..calm down..plz..breathe in..its all ok..

Nan: mene...mene..kuch nai...kuch nai kiya... talk to me... stop...stop stop.......plzzzzzzz...stop...

Man: Nan..Nandini....plz breathe..its gonna b okay.. u r safe here...

Keeping her palms on the floor beside her n moving them on the floor...she frantically shouts with wide eyes..

Nan: blood..blood....see (showing her palms to Manik ) see...blood....so much... (talking in a whispering tone) so much....blood...everywhere....here....blood...

Her sight n her actions were pricking n tearing Manik's heart..he was feeling helpless in front of Nandini.

Nan (pushing her palm towards Manik's face, in a whispering voice): see..blood...stop....stop..plz.....

She again looks down at the floor...n was imagining it to be filled with blood..she runs her hands on them n makes them into a fist on the floor..as if trying to stop the blood..

Nan(crying): stop..plz stop.....blood...blood....stop...

Not able to take it anymore...Manik tightly holds her face in his palms..which makes Nandini gasp n take a sharp breath. Recalling what Nandini had told Anjika to calm her down..he starts repeating those lines..

Man: u r not a loser. U r a fighter...a strong fighter...n u r gonna fight this. We..r gonna fight this..together. I m with u..Dont give up.

Nandini was looking at him wide eyed..with tears flowing thru them..but looking at her it seemed tht she was still not in her senses.

Nan (whispering lightly): blood...

Man: we..r gonna clean the blood. I will take u to the washroom...n there..we will clean u from this blood.

Nandini was staring at him with wide eyes n taking deep breaths. Manik slowly carries her to the washroom. He gently places her on the slab next to the sink n opens the tap..all the while his gaze fixed on Nandini..who herself ddnt move her eyes from him. He slowly places her hands under running water and slowly lovingly rubs his hand over her palms. Nandini had fixed her gaze all the time on him. After turning off the tap..

Man: see..is there any more blood?

Nandini looks at her palms n again gasps in surprise..she turns her palms supine-prone multiple times..n again tears drop from her eyes on finding her palms clean of blood. Manik carries her again n takes her to the bed..he gently places her down on the bed..n sits beside her..Nandini holds his hand tightly..as if stopping him from going anywhere

Man: i wont go Nandini. Me yahi rahunga..tumhare paas..to watch over u, when u sleep.

Closing her eyes with his hand..he bends down a little n lightly whispers in her ears...

Man: sleep..My Angel.

Nandini releases a deep sigh n snuggles more into the duvet..n slowly...falls into slumber...