Nandini shouted, but didn't move her feet - She knew running would only feed air to the flames. Manik reached her and started flapping his hands frantically at the fire, which was now licking her mid-thigh, not caring how his palms burnt because of it. He then took off his blazer and tried putting off the flames with it as Nandini wailed in horror and agony. Slowly, thanks to Manik's frantic exertion, the fire began dying and Nandini dropped on to the ground in sheer exhaustion. Another few moments and the flames had completely extinguished. Nandini's legs had suffered some burns, and while most of her dress had burnt off, some of it had melted and remained stuck to her skin. As Manik examined her burns taking care not to touch the melted pieces of cloth, Nandini shut her eyes, still in shock. Tears escaped from the corners of her eyes because of the searing pain spreading across her legs.

Tears stung Manik's eyes too as he registered Nandini's agonized, ashen state. The sight of her in flames had been most horrifying to him. He couldn't see her in pain, nor could he afford to lose her. He moved close to her, and tried to wipe the tears off her face, hissing in pain as her salty tears touched his palm. Nandini's eyes flew open at his sound, and she grabbed his hands to take a look, forgetting her own suffering for the moment. His palms were badly burnt and his raw red skin made her cry even more. He hadn't cared for himself, putting his hands into the scorching fire to save her. She looked at him. There was a myriad of emotion in both their eyes. Pain. Anguish. Fear. Acceptance. Love.

This was it. Both knew what they felt for each other was far beyond attraction. It was true Love. Pure, deep, intense Love. Love, that did not allow one to exist without the other. Their hearts now beat as one. Both were suffering from equal pain. The pain was more because the other was hurt, their own injuries had become secondary.

In this pained and injured state, their lips fused, in acceptance of their true love.

The kiss assured them that they were alive and together, though in pain. Manik pressed deeper into her soft lips, the magical sensations helping him forget the horrifying image of her ablaze for the moment. Nandini too poured in all her affliction into the kiss, losing herself within its pure passion. They were burnt, hurt and amidst smoke and heat, yet lost within each other because being next to each other was all that mattered.

The sound of footsteps nearing made them break their blissful kiss. It was Professor Raghav along with a couple of students. The smoke arising from behind the college had alerted them. Raghav's eyes widened in shock as he registered the two injured students. ''Quick, get them in a car and to the nearby City Hospital. They need medical attention'' He ordered to the students, trying not to panic.
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''Do not stress or over-work your hand if you want it to heal as fast as possible. I have also prescribed some pain-killers which you can take in case the pain gets unbearable along with an antibiotic ointment.'' The doctor was saying to Manik, covering his burnt hands with sterile dressing. However, Manik was least interested in what the doctor had to say. It had been 15 mins since he last saw Nandini, and he couldn't wait any longer. Once they were brought to the hospital, Manik insisted on having her treated first and only after her burns were cleaned and bandaged, did he allow himself to be tended to.

''Here you go'' the doctor handed Manik his prescription. Manik grabbed it and rushed outside with it, his only aim to check up on his precious Nandini.

As soon as he stepped out, five familiar faces laced with anxiety and guilt surrounded him. Fab 5.

''T-Tu theek toh hai?'' Mukti stammered, wiping a stray tear off her face. ''We heard from a few students that you and Nandini were injured in some fire...'' Alya continued, in a low and shaking voice.

Manik knew that despite their anger and irritation with him, they considered him family and it was hurting them more than anything to see him in this state.

''Bas thode se haath jal gaye..'' Manik replied as casually as he could, holding up his bandaged palms. ''Aur Nandini..?'' Cabir asked in concern .
Manik blinked his eyes furiously, willing himself not to break down or let tears roll down. Until now he had kept up his strong facade, but their concern and love was making it crack.

''Nandini.. Her legs..burns..'' Manik tried forming a sentence, but his voice trembled recalling Nandini's wounds and a lump formed in his throat.

Immediately Alya and Mukti embraced him, sobbing, realising how much pain it was causing him to even speak about her injuries.

''We're so sorry, Manik..We can see important she is to you. Hume tum pe aur uss pe aise chillana nahi chahiye tha.'' Alya apologized, amidst sobs.

''Your anger was justified.'' Manik assuringly replied, glad that they were no longer mad at him or Nandini. He was too exhausted to give any more explanation.

''You know Manik, we have never seen you so worried and grieved for anyone. We can see it in your eyes - how attached you are to her. You like her a lot, haina?'' Dhruv asked, absorbed in thought. This made Manik's eyes light up, recalling their passionate kiss sometime back as he confidently replied ''I don't like her... I love her''.

All 5 smiled back warmly.

''Let's go check up on her now?'' Cabir asked. Manik nodded simply and led the way to her ward.

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Meanwhile..

''Harshad? Tum yahan?'' Nandini asked, as she leered at the towering figure at the door. Her legs had been raised to reduce the pain, and she had to tilt her head uncomfortably to speak to him.

Harshad gestured the nurse to get out and ordered her ''Don't let anyone enter. I need to speak to this patient alone for a while'', slipping a wad of notes in her hand. She took the signal, nodding delightedly at the notes and moved out, closing the door securely behind her. Nandini looked on, puzzled with what was happening. Harshad walked closer to where she was lying and raised her bed rashly to a sitting position making Nandini groan in pain ''Yeh tum kya kar rahe ho.. Dheere se..Mujhe dard ho raha hai''.

''Aur jo dard tumne mujhe diya uska kya?'' He responded furiously ''Tumhari wajah se hamare Musicana mein jeetne ke chances kharab ho gaye? Do you even know how important winning is to me?''

''I understand Harshad, but this was an accident.. It wasn't intentional.''

Nandini replied in a desperate attempt to calm him. ''Fine. I've lost in music, but I won't lose you.'' Harshad replied, his frown changing into an evil smile.

This statement made Nandini shudder and she stammered ''W-What do you mean?''. Harshad stepped close and sat next to her, bending his bulky frame to match her eye level, saying ''I mean.. I love you and I'm going to make you mine''. Nandini gasped at his proclamation, but gathering courage rebuked him ''You are disgusting Harshad Saxena. You don't own me and I will never be yours.. Because I love Manik Malhotra. I am his and he is mine''. Harshad only laughed and whipped out his phone, saying ''You have no choice, beautiful''. He turned his phone's screen towards her and what she saw on it made her go numb with shock.

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''Sir, you can't go in. Someone has come to meet Miss Nandini, and he has asked me to let no one disturb them for sometime.'' The nurse said, blocking the doorway. Manik glared at her and barked ''Who is it?''.

''Some.. Harshad..'' the nurse said, remembering the name she heard Nandini utter when she had seen the guy enter. Manik's face turned a dark shade of red hearing this and he spoke to the nurse in a sinister tone ''Get.Out.Of.My.Way''. There was an air of finality in his voice. The nurse gulped and moved instantly, shuddering at the way he spoke.

''I think we should let Manik deal with this situation himself'' Dhruv turned and said to Alya, Mukti and Cabir, to which they nodded understandingly and stepped back. Manik barged inside.

Harshad's face was an inch away from Nandini's and she had a shocked expression on her face. Manik's blood boiled and he charged at Harshad, pulling him away from her by his collars and screaming ''How dare you get so close to her?!!'' . Harshad didn't struggle and showed no reaction, just glaring at Nandini threateningly.

''Manik. Leave him. He was just helping me sit up'' Nandini's weak voice arose. Manik turned his head towards her, unsurely, his hands still on Harshad's collar. ''Please, Manik, I need you'' Nandini begged. Manik huffed and left Harshad, whispering menacingly to him ''Get out of this room this very moment. Warna shakal dikhane laayak nahi chodunga''.

Harshad smirked and before leaving, turned to Nandini, saying ''Remember what I've said''. As soon as he left, Manik suspiciously asked her ''What did he mean? Kya kaha usne tumhe? Dhamki toh nahi di? I know how he gets when he loses''.

''Arrey, Calm down. Aisa kuch nahi huwa.''

''Par woh..''

''Manik, I just need you right now''

Nandini cut him off, her eyes begging and her arms opening wide. Manik understood she wanted him to take her in his arms. He walked up to her and sitting beside her, gently took her into his embrace. Nandini sighed, melting in his arms, letting the feel of his heartbeat soothe her pain and the warmth arising from his body give her a sense of peace and safety. She wished time would stop just like this, because her world now lied within him. ''Thank you for being there..''She mumbled. ''Hamesha'' Manik whispered promisingly, his nose nuzzled into her hair, as he hugged his life.
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