45k reads !! 🤗
Can't thank you enough guys for your love towards the story.
The target isn't fulfilled yet but I'm publishing the next part And that's because I was missing Her Shadow,😒 this story is very very very dear to me.
Thank you to my genuine readers.Just because you guys I disobeyed my two jigar ka tukra shariya_ss & purnima17 .. Please gussa maat ho,,I was missing this story that's why I just wrote it.Sorry kaan pakadke 🙈 I know you ask me things to do for my good only but sorry dil sey !! 😞You two know Na that I LOVE YOU !!! 💞

I don't know what crap I've written but still (3490words)

🤗Happy reading🤗

___
"I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness; I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too. I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more."
-Anne Frank
__

Nandini was sitting in the backside of the car with Manik on her lap while Cabir was driving breaking all the signals ,all the speed limits of the roads which leads them towards the hospital.

Nandini was only caressing Manik's hairs,his face,his beautiful features.His eyes that shine so bright which illuminates her life,those cotton soft lips that always assures her of his being,that mouth which smiles and boom !! her all problem disappears. But right now Everything is calm.

Nandini didn't speak a word from then just looking at his face,No tears,no words.Cabir who was checking both of them time to time from the rare view mirror was bleeding,bleeding from heart to see his parts of life were lifeless.

Soon they reached hospital where Alya,Dhruv were already present as they came on bike.They were outside with two ward boys & a nurse standing with Doctor uncle.As soon as Cabir stopped the car,ward boys rushed and tried to take Manik out of the car,So that he could be taken to the ICU but Nandini looked at the ward boys horrified & clutched an unconscious Manik more tightly in a death grip.

Cabir came to them "Let them take him bunny,,He'll be fine in no time sweetheart"

Nandini looked at Cabir with a helpless expression,Her face was blank but Cabir was his brother,he knows what exactly she's going through.He's worried for her too.The bad thing is that she's isn't expressing the pain she's going through.

"Nandini baby it's getting late,,jitni jaldi Doctor uncle treatment start karenge Manik utni jaldi thik hoga,,hai Na sweetie?? Tum toh brave ho na meri behna,,Let them take him please" Cabir pleaded.

Nandini loosened her grip on Manik and ward boys didn't waste a second and bring Manik out of the car.Nandini too hurriedly moved towards the other gate,jumped down and rushed towards Manik,who was lying on a stretcher now.She holds his hand and started moving with the stretcher as they were taking him to ICU.

With great difficulty Cabir,Dhruv managed to untangle Manik's hand from Nandini's grip rather almost snatched.

Mean time Mukti & Navya too came running,The Mumbai traffic was getting on nerves.

It's been more than an hour Doctors are checking Manik.But here at outside everyone is trying to make Nandini sit or drink water at least but in vain.She was standing still like a statue right outside the ICU door;peeping through it to see her man,her ever strong transformer who transforms in whatever the situation is needed,her magician who was lying unconscious in between so many wires,so many needles are piercing into *HER* ever so handsome body. It was he who was suffering but his every little thing is hers,not only his body but his heart,his soul,his blood,his skin everything. Needles are piercing his body but she's the one who's getting hurt.

"Kho Gaya, Gum Ho Gaya
Waqt Se Churaya Tha Jo,
Apna Banaya Tha
Ho Tera, Woh Mera
Saath Nibhaya Tha Jo,
Apna Banaya Tha"

The smell of hospital were making her feel nauseate but her pain in the heart was way beyond any other feeling right then.

"Choti you'll fall sick aise..Please sit,we all are here kuch nei hoga Manik ko" Mukti tried to convince Nandini but she didn't move.The toughest member of the group,Mukti,was crying seeing Manan like this.

"Jo Dariya, Jeeni Re Jeeni
Jo Dariya, Jeeni Re Jeeni
Aankhein, Bheeni Ye, Bheeni Ye, Bheeni
Yaadein, Jheeni Re, Jheeni Re, Jheeni
Jo Dariya Jeeni Re Jeeni
Jo Dariya Jeeni Re Jeeni
Phir Aankhein Bheeni Ye Bheeni Ye Bheeni
Yaadein Jheeni Re Jheeni Re Jheeni"

Nandini has become a lifeless body.Her beautiful face has become pale,her eyes are swollen,her lips were dried,her hairs are messy.As if she has become 12x older in just 1 hour.Her hands have blood stains as well as her clothes.Its eating her from inside.She needs to cry,she needs to express her emotions.

"Nandu kuch toh bol,,, Manik won't be able to see you like this when he'll wake up" Navya tried to use Manik's name.

"He doesn't care about me" These were the words escaped from
Nandini's mouth for the first time after the incident.Her face doesn't have any expression still.

"Aisa Bhi Kya Milna, Saath Ho Ke Tanha
Aisi Kyun Saza Humne Hai Paayi
Raanjhna Ve, Phir Se Mujhe Jeena
Tujhpe Hai Marna,
Phir Se Dil Ne Di Hai Ye Duhaai
Saajna Ve, Lakeeron Pe Likh Di Kyu Judaai"

"Why're you saying this Nandini??" Navya asked shockingly.

"He shouldn't have leave me like that then" Nandini said without moving her eyes from the glass of ICU door.

"He'll be alright bunny..He can never leave you & you know that right!!?? There's nothing in this world which can break you two apart.Aur Woh janta hai you can't live without him..Please bunny don't blame yourself for this " Cabir said caressing her head & Nandini for the first time looked at Cabir & that look of her broke Cabir more.Those eyes have immense pain.

Everyone got alert as the ICU door opened and everyone except Nandini went to doctor.

"How's he uncle ??" Dhruv was the first one to ask.

"What exactly happened to him please say something!!"

"Calm down kids ! He's out of danger now.He was suffering from Hyperthermia.His body was too much heated,may be due to excessive physical work & excessive brain work.He needed rest which he didn't get.His blood pressure was so high that we can say this is responsible for the explosion.He needs proper bed rest,no work,lots of water and cold eatables will do good.Kuch bhi stressful will harm him.Ill keep him here for some days just to check the progress in his health" Doctor uncle described them.

"I know Manik & I'm sure he was so much engrossed in his works that he skipped his health issues.This got too serious otherwise nose bleeding is not good at all.He should be careful about his health." Everyone was listening to him and realised that Manik was the only one who was managing everything from past few days,like every little thing by his own and that's what lead him to this situation.

Nandini was shaken after knowing the reason of his condition.Guilt over powered her mind.As if someone pulled her in a pool of guilt.She wasn't able to look at anyone.

"Gair Sa Huya Khud Se Bhi, Na Koi Mera
Dard Se Kar Le Chal Yaari, Dil Ye Keh Raha
Kholun Jo Baahein, Bas Ghum Ye Simat Rahe Hai
Aankhon Ke Aage, Lamhe Ye Kyu Ghat Rahe Hai
Jaane Kaise Koi Chahta Judaaiyaan"

Nandini's POV-

"He was suffering & I couldn't see!!"

"He was doing everything by his own and I was troubling him more with my bloody tantrums!!??"

"He was awake almost all the nights after being so damn tired just because I wasn't able to sleep !!!"

"I'm the reason"

"I'm responsible for his condition"

"He's in pain because of me"

"How can I be so selfish"

"How come I not see him tired"

"He's there whenever I need him but look at me !!! I couldn't even take care of him!!!"

"I'm such a horrible girlfriend"

"Do I deserve Manik ??!!"

___
"Guilt is cancer. Guilt will confine you, torture you, destroy you as an artist. It's a black wall. It's a thief."
-Dave Grohl
___

Her chain of thought broke when she bumped with a boy.Just then she realised that she's not inside the hospital,she have walked outside of the hospital & the boy with whom she bumped was holding her from shoulder preventing her from falling.

"Hey!! You're fine right ??" The boy asked but Nandini couldn't see his face properly as her eyes were too glassy to get a proper view of anything.She was lost.

She rubbed her eyes harshly & saw it was Abhimanyu,her doctor who came to their house to treat her.

She just nodded in positive in his answer.

"Jo Dariya, Jeeni Re Jeeni
Jo Dariya, Jeeni Re Jeeni
Aankhein, Bheeni Ye, Bheeni Ye, Bheeni
Yaadein, Jheeni Re, Jheeni Re, Jheeni
Jo Dariya Jeeni Re Jeeni
Jo Dariya Jeeni Re Jeeni
Phir Aankhein, Bheeni Ye, Bheeni Ye, Bheeni
Yaadein, Jheeni Re, Jheeni Re, Jheeni"

Abhimanyu felt weird seeing her condition but he didn't want to interfere but thought to check if she's alone here or not.

He left her saying "Take Care" & went inside while he saw Mukti,Cabir & Navya.It seems like they were trying to find someone & Abhimanyu understood that Nandini is with them.He went near them "Are you guys finding Nandini??"

"Ohh!! Abhi tum yaha ?? Yes we're finding Nandini,,Manik isn't fine so we've admitted him here.We were talking to doctor but when we turned she was not there and she's not in a state to go alone anywhere" Mukti said everything to Abhimanyu.

"Don't worry guys I saw her outside just now but ...... !!" Abhimanyu couldn't complete.

"Aur yeh tum Hume Aab baata rahe ho!!!! What if she goes somewhere alone??!!! Are you crazy !!! " Saying this Mukti Cabir ran towards the exit.While Navya said "Sorry yaa,,they're not in senses right now..Please don't mind"

"It's absolutely ok Miss,,I can understand but what's up with Mr.Malhotra?? Is he fine now??" Abhimanyu is a gentleman.

"Yeah doctor said he's out of danger right now but needs proper rest" With that Navya described Manik's condition.

"It's ok ,,Don't worry he'll be up in no time .. If you guys need anything then do let me know,,I'll be at 3rd floor." Abhimanyu said genuinely to Navya.

"Thank you so much Mr......"

"Abhimanyu,Dr.Abhimanyu Thakur,you an call me Abhimanyu or Abhi too" He introduced again.

"Navya Naveli" They both talk about Manik's health while Abhi suggested some general take care process and left for work.

"And yes Navya,Nandini can't go outside of the hospital,Seeing her like that I guessed something's wrong and that's why I asked a nurse to bring her back inside" Before going Abhi turned with a smile and said this to Navya but Mukti & Cabir too heard as they just came back with Nandini.

Mukti put her head down in guilt.

"Nandini kaun hai ?? Mr.Malhotra is getting back his consciousness and asking for Nandini." The sister who was with Manik just informed them.

A smile crept on her lips,,a smile of satisfaction that her man is with her and asking for her.The wait is over,Wait,wait to crash in his arms and ask for forgiveness.

Nandini hurriedly took some long steps to went inside but suddenly that guilt again overpowered & she stopped on her track,the smile vanished,the pale face became more pale.

"Go Nandini just run" Alya who was scared seeing all these around her dared to say something after knowing that Manik is improving.

"What're you waiting for Nandini ?? Just go,,he needs you" Dhruv it was.

Cabir blinked his eyes looking at everyone as if saying HE'LL MANAGE.

"Bunny!! Look at me" Cabir Made Nandini look at him.

"You want him to get well soon right?? Nandini don't look down look at me and answer my questions" Cabir was getting angry.

She was torturing herself & being a soul brother Cabir can't tolerate her suffering.He can't loose any of these two.

Nandini got a little afraid seeing Cabir angry for the first time on her.She looked at him and nodded in positive.

"Then stop blaming yourself.And please milo usse,,baat karo .. Agar tum aise rahogi toh woh kaise thik ho payega?? Nandini,meri bachhi be strong,,it's time for us to be the Gardian.Let's play the roll then" He tried to cheer her.

"Please Nandini ko ander vejhiye,,Mr.Malhotra is getting restless." The nurse again said.

"Tell him she's coming" Cabir told the nurse & she went in again.

"Jayegi Na meri behna??" Cabir again asked to which Nandini nodded & ran towards the door..

"Raajhan Dhoondan Main Chaliya,
Raajhan Milya Naahi
Jigra Vich Agan Lagake
Rabba, Lakeera Vich Likhdi Judaai."

Nandini opened the door & there her soul was half lying,tapping his hands,tongue in cheek,looking here and there,biting his lips.His symptoms were clearly saying that he's restless.

Restless for what??

Restless to meet me!!! Who's responsible for all this???

Nandini mocked at herself inwardly.

"Finally you're here!!! Kaha thi tum Nandini??kabse I was asking for you?? Please come to me bachha" He complained like a restless father. Her condition wasn't helping him to keep his sanity intact.Her pale face was hurting him more than his physical illness.Seeing Her swallow eyes something stabbed on his heart.

His simple words did something which can't ever be expressed by our words!!! Her whole body could feel a wave of happiness inside,,her every emotion that she was holding back was getting released.Her anger on herself,her happiness for his recovery,her fear of loosing *her* life.She ran to him and crashed in his arms which pained him but he knew her condition,the nurse was about to say something when Manik glared at her and asked her to leave through his hands.

He engulfed Nandini in his arms.Kissing her temple when she clutched his hospital shirt more tightly.

"It's ok it's ok i'm here see !! Look at me bachha" Manik made her look at himself.

Nandini nodded in negative.

"Am perfectly alright mera bachha..Tumhare rehte Mujhe kuch Nei Ho sakta patah hai Na tumhe??" His words hit the wrong cord this time as she was already blaming herself for his condition and now he said he's fine because of her.

Nandini broke the hug and look at his eyes with a sarcastic smile on her face.Manik got confused with her sudden change.Just then Fab4 burgled in with Navya.They bombard him with questions

"You bloody moron !! How can you be so selfish ??" Mukti it was.

Manik frowned on her *statement* but before he could say something ....

"Khudko koi super hero samajhta hai tu?? Saab kuch kar sakta hai akele!!! Duniye Ki bojh apne kandho pe le leyna fir.." Cabir burst out.

"Buddy you should have told us.We could've helped you somehow" Dhruv's concern.

"Haan Manik,,agar hume batateh toh hum kuch help kar dete tumhe kaam mein.Itna stressed hone Ki Kya zaroorat thi?? After all we're family Manik." Navya said calmly.

"Huuh!! Family ??? Leave it Navya!! Yeh toh hume dost bhi nehi manta hai k humse share kare problems" Cabir was hurt. Not only Cabir,everybody was.Cause Manik is the one who never let any trouble reach them,he's the one who has always been there whenever they needed him but when he was in stress they couldn't even notice that.

"How're you feeling now Manik??" Alya asked.

"Oh!! God !! Thank you Alya for asking that,it seems like you're the only human being here" Manik tried to ease the atmosphere.

In between all these Manik's eyes didn't miss to notice the uneasiness in Nandini's behaviour.Her eyes aren't meeting his.She isn't saying anything.She was fidgeting with her frock and fingers.

"Guys am fine,kuch Nei huya hai mujhe,It's a mere incident nothing big" Manik said but WORDS MY BOY !!!!

"Mere incident !!!" Nandini stood up from his side smiling.That smile has sarcasm,that smile has pain,that smile has anger,that smile has fear.

"Nandini..." Manik holds her hand when Nandini released her hand from his grip.

"All these are mere incident to you right ??!!" Nandini repeated stepping backward.

"Bachha listen to me" Manik tried but Nandini showed her hands to stop.

"You fainted!!! It was a MERE incident. You were not responding to my pleads Manik!!! It was a MERE incident.You were bleeding!!! It was a MERE incident.You were suffering!!! Just a MERE thing" Nandini was breaking.

Nandini was standing there looking at nowhere when Manik tried to stop her.He can't see her like this,it burns inside.The girl who he have wrapped in with all his love and tenderness is being hurting herself & this time he's the reason of this himself.

But Cabir stopped him saying "She needs to break down Manik,let her speak"

But her next words shook Manik to the core.No!! He never ever in his life wants that,he never wants her to blame herself for any damn thing.She can't be the reason of his suffering.She's the only reason he's back all fine.

"AND YOU SUFFERING BECAUSE OF ME" Nandini said.

"Nandiniiii ..." Manik took her name sternly.

____
"What you believe is very powerful. If you have toxic emotions of fear, guilt and depression, it is because you have wrong thinking, and you have wrong thinking because of wrong believing."
-Joseph Prince
__

"Yes Manik I'm the reason you're here.I always behave like a bloody kid & you always have to bare my things right !!! Please Maaf kardo mujhe.. Main kabhi aisa Nei karungi Manik. Mujhe chorke maat jao i'll be an orphan again,,maar jayungi main please.I promise I won't bug you from now on!! I'll be a good girl.Kuch Nei chaiye hai Mujhe.I'll do all my works khud sey.Zara bhi pareshan na karungi tumhe Manik main." She sat on the floor crying miserably.

Manik got up from bed,removing the IV,Cabir too didn't stop rather asked everyone to vacate the room to give them their time.

Manik made her stand up holding her shoulder "This is last time you said all these,never ever again.You can never be the reason of my suffering but you're the one I'm alive.Maine yeh pehle bhi kaha hai tumse Nandini.Saanse chalti hai meri tumse.Aur you're my baby,,And you don't have any right to abuse my kid.Dare you say a word against her and trust me I'll punish you" Manik was angry too.

How can she blame herself for this!!!

Nandini hugged her tight while Manik made his hold tighter than ever.

"I love you Manik..I can't live without you..You're on my lap lying all lifeless,,I pleaded you to open your eyes and talk to me but you didn't say anything,didn't even look at me,It was bleeding.Meri saanse ruk rahi thi Manik" Nandini was pouring her heart out and he was listening to everything but her last line reminded him of something but he kept quite for time being.

"Bachha I'm alright ,,kuch Nei huya hai mujhe...Mujhe Pata hai meri bachhi Mujhe chorke Nei reh sakti zyada der,See I'm infront of you & I love you honey" saying this he took her lips in his.

Peace it was.Heaven it was.Love it was.

Manik sucked her sorrows while she sucked all his pains.They're solace of one another.The kiss was an assurance of eachothers being.

Suddenly it hit her mind that Manik needs rest,she broke the kiss to which Manik groaned fraustatedly.

"Manik you need rest" Nandini said making him lay on the bed.

"Nei chaiye rest please Nandini.I want something else" He said dreamily jerking Nandini from her waist near him.

"Yes that something else is your medicine Manik.Let me call doctor" Nandini said smiling.

This smile almost mended Manik's all illness.

"You can't be serious Nandini !!! Your hot shot boyfriend is giving you chance to kiss him and you're avoiding him.. Are you crazy!!" Manik is gonna be a drama king I tell you.

"Manik see its blood!! Why you did that haan?? Who asked to remove the IV you mad" Nandini got worried seeing his blood again and was about to rush to call doc just then Manik holds her hand "Stop worrying Nandini..Forget everything else just remember I Love You & nothing can take you away from me"

His words are healing her,

Nandini smiled and pecked on his lips saying "Stay here I'll be back"

"Where?"

"Let me call the doctor please"
She said and he let her go as he himself wants to get well soon fast because of her.

"Change, like healing, takes time"
-Unknown

_____❤️❤️_____