Nothing seems right these days..

I feel like I am slipping away, I mean I just don't even feel like talking sometimes..and sometimes I want to talk, so much at a time..

Life is so unpredictable.. it is crazy how people leave and you are just left with their memories..and they just don't let you sit in peace..

Anyways, Enjoy Reading..
____

Manik groaned, opening his eyes and slammed his pillow on his own face at the blasting headache. Drinking was certainly a bad idea. Bad Bad idea. It was even hard to blink his eyes.

It took him few moments to acknowledge his surroundings. He was at home, in his room, on his own bed sleeping in yesterday's clothes. He still smelled of alcohol and it only made him cringe.

Memories of last night flooded his mind. He didn't remember everything in particular but had faint reminiscence- He was drinking at the bar when he heard a man pass comment on his face.

"Young Man, I understand your feelings. These women, they ruin innocent men like us. I mean look at you. You seem to come from a wealthy family, and see what did she do to you. Tell me, did she run away with another-"

Manik had not left him capable of completing that sentence. He had wiped off the man's evil grin just by a solid punch but man, the man was a giant but Manik was no less too.

He clearly remembered beating the man senseless but could not remember what happened next. Their was a dull ache in his right hand and arm, his leg had taken a kick too. The man was huge.

Aman was there, Manik remembered him driving him home. His mother had opened the door and he was crying after that. What did he even tell her?

Did he make his mother cry?

Manik frowned, hoping he had not upset his mother. He would never be able to forgive himself he had misbehaved with his own mother in his drunken state.

He sighed and left the bed to get ready for the day.

When Manik walked into the hall, he was scared. Scared that his father might have seen him drunk yesterday, and he didn't know what to expect.

Days of pent of anger had been released through the alcohol yesterday and now Manik was calm. He could think, and he could only feel ashamed of himself.

As usual, the whole family was there already. Manik looked at his father from the side eye as walked towards them. He was only few steps away, when he heard his mother say to Mukti.

Niyonika: - I asked her to come back and-

Manik: What?

Niyonika stopped abruptly and turned to face him. Manik noticed how she glanced Raj first before she looked at him nervously.

Manik: Y-You did what- ?

Manik stared at her with a frown, hoping it was not what he was thinking it to be.

Niyonika: Manik- You were drunk, I didn't know what else to do!

Manik: What did you do, Maa?

He looked at her, anxious. Manik didn't know why, this, all of this seemed like a wrong idea.

Niyonika: I called Nandini last night and asked her to come back. She said she was sorry but she didn't say anything else.

Manik's eyes widened and he felt his fear came true. His mother had indeed called Nandini in the middle of the night and cried her to come back.

Manik: Maa- Why- How could you do this!

He took another step ahead as his mother shook her head. His father seated beside her, looked all ready to scold him in case he said something wrong.

Niyonika: You wouldn't stop calling for her, Manik. You cried. I panicked and ended up calling her!

Manik: Oh My God, Maa! You don't even realise what you have done.

Cabir: Mom was worried for you bhai and we know bhabhi, she will come back when she realise your condition.

Manik: And what about her, Cabir? What about her?

He asked, and nobody came ahead to answer him. They all looked at him confused. Manik shook his head in disbelief.

Manik: Maa, when I had clearly told everyone I would handle this my way then why did you call her.

Niyonika: But you-

Manik: No, Maa! You don't even realise it. Nandini is pregnant and we are not talking. You just called her and told her, her husband came home drunk. What do you think how would she take it?

Mukti: She would be guilty.

Manik: Ofcourse!

Navya: But she loves you bhai, she might come back as well.

Manik: No. She would blame herself now, Navya. She is going to think it was because of her. That's what you did Maa!

He turned to his mother who looked guilty now but Manik was too angry to give in to the fact.

Niyonika: What else do you expect me to do then Manik? I was scared! You were drunk and you wouldn't stop calling for her! And Aman told me about the fight I was terrified-

Raj: Fight?

Niyonika gasped, realising what she did while Manik only looked down at the mention of the fight.

Raj: You got into a fight?

Manik nodded, his jaw clenched and eyes fixed on the table. God! This was turning out to be more and more difficult. Fighting there didn't feel as embarrassing as it feels now, explaining it to his father.

Raj: at the bar?

Manik: He was talking shit, saying my wife doesn't care for me and that's why I went there to forget her! I punched him-

Navya: Nandini!

Manik looked at her abruptly along with the others. His eyes widened and he turned around instantly, shocked to see her standing there holding her baby bump.

Did she hear him?

Everything in her posture screamed yes and Manik cursed under his breathe.

She looked weak, as if few steps more and she would no longer be able to stand on her own feet. Manik wondered how was she even holding herself up like this strong woman. Their eyes met, Manik watched her lower her gaze to the floor. His chest tightened at the sight of her trembling figure.

Niyonika: Nandini- bacha!

Nandini: I-I- I came to t-take my things- Sorry- I-

It was a mere whisper but Manik heard her. He didn't dare to tear off his gaze from her while she couldn't bring in herself to look at him. He fought, because of her.

The man might be right, she absolutely didn't care for him when she left him.

The ladies tried to get up and go to her but before that, Nandini was walking to her room ignoring everyone.

And Manik knew, he had been absolutely right all this time.

He turned back to his mother who looked regretful. Realisation clear on her face but Manik couldn't help the anger he was feeling.

Manik: This is what your phone call did to her, Maa!

With that he turned around and followed Nandini.

Manik was not sure what he was going to do but he knew the damage was already done. She was blaming herself, he didn't even need to be told.

She wouldn't look at him. She knew he was there at the door but dare she spare him even a single glance. Her hands trembled as she tried to pick her clothes from the scratted ones.

Manik wanted to go ahead and stop her, tell her how sorry he was to let her walk away, or how scared he was of this whole situation but no words seemed appropriate at the moment. So he silently entered inside and picked up the clothes he had thrown on the floor.

Nandini didn't glance up but he did see the slight tremble of her figure. His own hand twitched at his side to hold her close. Yet, he only let it rise to pick up a garment and fold it.

Manik: I-I didn't drink because of you.

He cleared, not daring to look up.

When Nandini didn't even look at him, let alone reply, it fueled his anger. He simply walked to the cupboard and took out a medium sized bag and placed it beside her with a thud, a clear indication he was not going to stop her.

Nobody said a word and Manik simply began helping her. He watched her still for a second before she began folding the clothes again.

As the clothes were folded she walked into the washroom while Manik started keeping her clothes in the bag.

He smiled faintly when he saw three of his shirts folded neatly between the layers of her clothes. All the anger he had felt a moment ago vanished, and he wanted to chuckle out loud and tease her but he knew she would not like it.

In the mean time, Nandini came out of the washroom. She stopped at her place seeing him keeping her clothes in the bag. Was he really not going to stop her?

Manik: These would do for a few days, right?

He tried again, expecting atleast a little reaction but when he heard nothing, he looked back and saw her standing still at her place. She stared at him and he couldn't look away either.

Slowly, Nandini dropped her gaze on the floor and there, Manik lost it.

A few long strikes, and he stood there towering her small figure with his large one. He looked scary with the red eyes and hard expression. Nandini wanted to run away. He was going to get angry. Manik could see it in her eyes. She looked so scared of him.

Manik: Look at me.

Nandini shook her head in no, a sob tearing her lips unannounced and Manik's jaw twitched in disappointment.

Manik: I said, look at me.

He raised his voice a little causing her to flinch. Realising what he was doing, he took a deep breathe and mumbled a sorry. This time, Nandini looked up at him.

Manik: I need you to know, I didn't drink because of you, okay?

Nandini: You did.

Manik: I didn't. I was upset because dad shouted at me. And the fight, the man was getting on my nerves. He was saying all that shit about -

He stopped in mid but Nandini didn't need to hear in order to know what it was about. She guessed it all, and right.

Nandini: Y-you got drunk, and you fought with someone, all because of m-me.

Manik: Nandini-

Nandini: We are here, in this situation because of my excitement to meet my family! If- If only I had waited for Mukti to finish and take me downstairs- all this would have never happened, Manik!

Manik: But you didn't know this would happen!

Nandini: I should have known. How did I not? I am a doctor, and I behaved so stupid! It was all my mistake, Manik. All my mistake!

She cried out loud while Manik watched her helplessly but never stopped her. She needed to let it out. She needed this, they needed this. He wrapped his arms around her and she cried out loud in his arms.

Manik blinked his own eyes to stop the tears as he held her firmly.

Manik: We can solve this together, Nandini. Please say yes for this Abortion. Please.

He pleaded, knowing force would not work on her anymore, neither could he do that now. She was so fragile and he hated himself for how he was treating her. She was pregnant and she needed care, and at this crucial moment, he had let her walk away.

However, Nandini had stilled hearing the word Abortion. She wriggled in his hold and he stepped back with a frown.

Nandini: I still don't want an abortion, Manik.

Manik: Nandini- Don't do this.

He looked at her helplessly but she stared at him determined. Manik stepped back in defeat when he realised she wouldn't give in, yet.

Nandini walked to the bed to pick up the bag. She had only touched the strap when Manik came ahead and picked it up.

Manik: I don't support you and I hate you for doing this to me.

Nandini gasped, looking at him and he looked back at her, so bitterly that she felt her stomach churn at the sight of him.

Doctor: Manik, I understand that it is rough time for you and Nandini, but I really needed to have this conversation with you both.

Manik: What is it doctor?

Manik was not even surprised now. His wife was going to die, what could be worse than this?

Doctor: Manik, You do know in three days Nandini would enter in her six month, right?

Manik nodded, gripping the chair tight. Three more months and they were supposed to hold a life in their arms. But it was not the same now.

Manik: What is your point doctor?

Doctor: Abortion in sixth months would be dangerous, Manik. I would not suggest you to go for abortion now.

Manik: She can die.

Doctor: I know, Manik but you have only two choices, either make her agree or you agree to her. By pushing her away, by fighting with her you are adding to her stress and stress at this point is poision to her mind and then maybe we can save her. We do have two percent chances.

Manik: and what if we don't? What if we are from the rest of ninety eight percent of people? What if I lose her on the hospital bed? Then what doctor?

Doctor: If you don't want this, make her agree. You have two days Manik. After that, I would not proceed with the abortion.

Manik gulped. He had visited the doctor two days back after dropping Nandini till the car. Niyonika, Mukti and even Navya had tried to request her to stay back but she didn't.

Manik's hand grabbed the picture of them kept at the now neatly arranged side table. It was their wedding picture.

His heart ached bad, and he knew hers was not anything better. He knew it yet he could not find himself to bend down to her wish for the first time.

He had promised her a forever, how did she expect him to leave her in the middle? She deserved to live rather than going on a suicide mission.

The more Manik stared at their wedding picture, at the small smile on their faces, the more the pain accelerated.

Why did he have to fall in love?

For if he was never in love, this would not have hurt to this extent.

Maybe it would have been easy to let her go then.

Maybe they should have never fallen in love.

Maybe they should have just chosen to comprise and have a baby for the sake of their parents - maybe all this would have hurt less.

But then, it hurt physically to think of a life where he was not in love with her. She was a need, a necessity he couldn't survive without.

Manik struggled to hold back the tears in his eyes that escaped at the very mention of her.

He tried to calm himself but nothing worked. Manik looked around his room, neat and clean like it has always been.

But what scared him was the absence of her fregnance from his room.

Her scent was nowhere and it reminded him how he had failed as a husband, or even as a father.

He picked up his mobile, letting his fingers linger on her picture on the lock screen for a moment. Manik took a deep breathe and shook his head.

He had to do this.

He dialed her number. He was sure she would not pick up after how he had behaved with her but she did, on the first ring itself making him beleive she was waiting for his one call only.

Manik let out a shaky breathe as he heard her breathe from the other end. He looked down, choking a sob.

His heart was on fire, and her stubborness was a fuel to it.

Manik: I told you I choose you,

Nandini: M-Manik-

Manik: I choose you, Nandini. Keep the baby but come home.

He heard her gasp and chuckled, tears falling off his cheeks rapidly.

Manik: Come back. please.

Before she could even say a word, Manik had cut the call as he sobbed in his palms.

She wouldn't stop and he would continue to burn in..

To be Continued.

I wrote this chapter ten days back itself but I was yet to edit it.. before that, I caught fever, cold and bad headaches..

Later on, all of that happened.. I am not sure if you guys know, but it is all over the news..

A famous Punjabi Singer was shot dead in his own village in Punjab on 29th May by Gangsters.

Reason? He was a fearless man. He spoke whatever was right and he was killed so brutally. Seven bullets, and I just don't know what to say anymore!

He was only 28 years old. Only. A young man, who was going to marry next month. My heart breaks for his parents, for the girl he was to marry. So many dreams they must have seen together, and it all shattered.. for what?

Life is unpredictable. People leave, memories stay. I was not a great fan or something, but he was a great man and I admired the courage he had.

I am not even sure why this is effecting me so much, but it is and I couldn't write a single word. I will, in few days come back and write ahead..

I hope you guys understand..

Anyways, we are heading to the end.. Hardly, 5 chapters left now.

Do share your reviews.

Thankyou ✨❤️