As soon as she was gone for the treatment; Manik thumped himself on the chair , cupping his face, while his tears were playing a very good role of being his eyes' companion and not parting from them even for a second.

Cabir who too was equally hurt and broken but needed to be strong for his friend.

"Manik ... relax... She will be fine." He said after composing himself and kept his hand on Manik's shoulder.

The moment he felt his touch he turned around and hugged him tightly. Cabir too responded to the hug and patted his back to calm him down.

"I can't lose her Cabir, I just can't afford to lose her. Main phir se..." he spoke between his sobs but couldn't complete his sentence out of his fear.

"shh.. Manik... relax... nothing will happen.. She will come back, trust me. You have seen enough of loneliness , now no more being alone." He said and broke the hug. Manik's eyes were closed and he was continuously crying.

"You need her, chahe tu mane ya na mane and destiny can't be that cruel to snatch your yet another support system." Cabir said and Manik opened his eyes, looking blankly at Cabir. Tears constantly flowing from his eyes.

He patted his shoulder and said "relax..." . Manik nodded his head and wiped his face. Though he controlled his tears but was dying with each passing second. Cabir bought water for him and then went ahead to complete the hospital formalities as it was asked by the nurse. Later he informed Abhi regarding the accident.

**********************

After around 45 minutes, doctor came out and both the boys rushed towards him, praying every second not to test their patience any more.

"Doctor , how's she.?" Cabir managed to make his vocal cords work.

"Don't worry, she's fine. Nothing major or serious. Haan kuch burns aur injuries hain which will take time to heal. Rest she's fine. You bought her on the right time otherwise the smoke would have entered her lungs, which surely must have created trouble. But nothing to worry now. She needs complete rest to get fine." 

Doctor's words were like buckets of ice poured on the burning wounds of the two. Hearing him , they let a sigh of relief and thanked God for zillion times in their mind for keeping their angel safe.

"can we meet her.?" Manik finally managed to speak.

"Right now she is unconscious, once she wakes up you can surly meet her. By the way, I would like to talk to her family. Please inform them." Doctor said.

"Yes doctor we have informed her brother. He must be coming. Infact he himself is a doctor here only. Dr. Abhimanyu Moorthy." Cabir informed.

"Ohh she is Dr. Moorthy's sister. Ok, I will talk to him. You guys can relax." He said.

"And you young man, your friend is fine now, now get your hand treated or it will trouble you." He pointed towards Manik and said, patting his shoulder.

Manik faintly smiled and nodded.

MANIK'S POV:-

"I was on the seventh heaven when doctor said she is fine. Every minute that has passed has killed me. I could not have even imagined the sight of losing her. I know... I know this pain. This guilt. How I just wished that I should not face the same grievous and throbbing scenario again in life. The mere thought of losing her was making me go insane. 

The moment I saw her lying on the floor with that plank upon her, I was numb. My world came to end there only. She pushed me out of the canteen just to save my life and now her life was at risk. I called her several times to open her eyes but she was not opening them. I didn't even realized when I had started shedding tears for her. 

Yes, she is special and I admit it and the thought of losing her and seeing her in that state in my arms was drying every drop of blood in my veins. I looked at her face, pale face to be more correct; and all the memories we made in these 2 months just started playing. I had promised myself once to make her smile and that to from heart. But I never knew, her smile will have such a great impact on my life. 

Honestly, her one smile, eases all my pain, no matter how big it is. And now I was hell sacred to lose that smile from my life. I so wanted her to get up, but she being stubborn as always was not listening to me. They all asked me to leave her hand. How could I leave her hand..? How..? I wasn't sure that my cruel destiny will again give me a chance to hold her hand or not. I did not wanted her to go but Cabir said , she will be fine and I wanted to believe him so I let her hand and her go away , only with a hope that she comes back again to me with all the zeal and happiness she has. 

I saw her through the small glass partition. She was lying there on bed, her eyes were shut; arms and head were covered with bandages and medicines. She was feeble, her condition was stabbing my heart. 

All this happened because of me. She risked her life just to save mine. But now I was satisfied somehow because I knew that she was safe and she will wake up ... to come back ... come back to me. Was Cabir true in his words..? I am really...? Kya Nandini sach mein wo jagah le rahi hai jo kabhi Veebha ki thi..?"

END OF POV..

Manik was continuously staring her lost in his thoughts, which were broken by Cabir's words.

"Manik... Manik..?" he shook his shoulder.

"huhh..haan" manik came out of his trance and turned towards Cabir.

"Don't worry.. She's fine. But before she gets up, go and get your hand treated. Warna jaanta hai na wo hai to full time gabbar hi.. kha jayegi tujhe agar aisa dekha to.." Cabir said to which both smiled, and looked at her through the glass separation.

"Go. Am here.." Cabir again said and this time Manik went to get the dressing of his hand.

After an hour, inside the ward room, a nurse was present to keep a keen check on Nandini as now she from being an ordinary patient was being treated as the family member of a highly skilled and talented doctor of the hospital. 

Nandini was still unconscious. But after few minutes, she stirred and lazily tried to open her eyes but the hurt on her forehead wasn't making it easy for her. She tried to register her surrounding but was feeling too heavy. Her each body part was drenched in pain and she could feel it. 

After gaining her senses back completely, she finally opened her eyes and found herself on the hospital bed. Its then she tried to remember the morning incident and suddenly the moment flashed in front of her eyes when she saw the wooden plank about to fall on Manik, any second. Her eyes got widened with the last memory she had before getting unconscious.

"MANIK..!" was all she could utter in a low voice filled with fear.

Though she spoke in low tone because of the weakness but it was audible to the nurse. She quickly went near her and checked her pulse, BP.

Outside the room, both of them were sitting in peace as now she was fine but was waiting for her to wake up. Suddenly the door of the room flunked open and the nurse rushed out. Seeing her they both were shocked.

"Nurse.. What happened..?" Cabir freaked out.

"Patient is awake. I need to call the doctor." She replied and went away.

Their happiness knew no limits when they heard that she was awake. Manik was the first to enter hurriedly followed by Cabir. The moment Manik saw her, he shouted "Nandiniii..!!"

She was trying to get up, using her left hand as her right hand was bandaged but wasn't able to as her left hand also had some burns and was paining. Both rushed towards her. Manik held her encircling his hand around her back and Cabir adjusted the pillow. Very carefully Manik made her rest on it. At the same time Cabir's phone rang. He looked at the screen and it was from Vaibhav. He went outside to talk to him as he also needed to be informed about Nandini's condition.

After he settled her, he sat in front of her. She had an unbearable pain in her body. The moment she looked at him, he engulfed her in his embrace. His grip on her body was extremely tight. She felt more pain during his hold but didn't resisted. She slowly tried to lift her arms and with great difficulty she managed to keep her palm on his back.

Their eyes were closed, and both were just trying to live in the moment. Not after much time, Nandini felt wetness on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and it didn't took her long to realise that Manik was silently crying.

Manik's POV...

"I could not express the happiness of that moment when I saw her struggling to get up. Yes she was there, safe and sound, in front of my eyes. I rushed to her and held her from her back. The moment she was close to me, I felt alive.

Yes, I could touch her, feel her, and be with her, all over again. I sat in front of her and the next moment I pulled her to me. I just wanted to feel her close to me. I was at peace, taking her into my arms. I just wanted the moment to freeze there. How much I waited to do this.

The past 2 hours were nothing less than 2 decades for me. I didn't realise when my eyes were welled up. But that feeling...that feeling was completely different.

Earlier when I held her, she was unconscious and I was scared to the feeling of losing her. But right now, I was contend. She was safe in my arms and that feeling increased the rush of the blood in my body.

At first she didn't responded and I felt strange. A thought hovered my mind that I did cross my limit in engulfing her. Did she minded me doing that? All these thoughts were running in my mind and I was about to pull apart when I felt a soft touch on my back. She kept her palms on my back. That's when I realised she wasn't able to give in to that hug so she just shifted her head more towards mine in an indication of giving in. I smiled as I felt I was being blessed.

These 2 hours were indeed the worst hours of our lives. I just can't imagine the thought of being away from her. I can't live without her. Not at all. Agar Cabir ne jo kaha Wo sach hai ... agar being with her is all my peace ... If just by her one smile I am able to fight with the world... Then yes... I have found my love again... Haan I love her.. I love Nandini.. bas this is all I know... And I just can't stay away from her.

END OF POV...

Nandini was although feeling pain in her body and his grip around her was making it worst. But then too she did not for once tried to stop him. But after what became unbearable for her, she softly called him; "Manik..!" and with that he was out of his land of thoughts. He composed himself and wiped his tears and slowly broke apart.

Nandini's POV...

"I was so relaxed to see him alright in front of me. That sight scared the hell out of me when I saw that plank about to fall on him. A scratch on his body is capable enough to freak me out , and there that plank was about to hit him, which made me numb. But I thank God for giving me my senses back at the right time and I pushed him out with full force and after that I remember nothing.

He and Cabir came inside and helped me to sit. Then Cabir went out to take the call and he sat in front of me. I was trying to get acquainted with the pain. The moment I tried to look into his deep eyes, he embraced me with all his force. His grip around me was so tight that my already paining body; twinged more a bit. But I didn't said anything as I too wanted to feel him near me and make myself assure that he was safe. I just wanted to be in that moment. Also I knew that Manik was very much concerned about me and cared a lot for me. I don't know from how many hours I am here. He must have been scared to death. I know how much pain he must have gone through seeing me in this condition.

I wasn't able to give in to that hug because of my pain. I felt his grip a bit losing on me probably because I didn't responded back. I somehow managed to keep my palm on his back and to assure him that I am also in equal need of that embrace; I shifted my head more towards him keeping my eyes closed and his grip immediately got tightened again. There was defiantly something else in his embosom today. I could feel it. He was surely thinking something while I was calmly cuddling him. After few moments, I felt something wet on my shoulder. I opened my eyes to divert my mind towards it. It's then I realized that he was sobbing. I so wanted to calm him down but then I thought it's better he lets it out in form of tears cause he won't speak it otherwise. I kept silent and again closed my eyes to dive into the pool of calmness once again which I was finding in his arms. If ask me, I would have stayed like that but my body gave me tough time. The pain increased and it's then when I softly called his name. After few seconds he pulled back himself and I was his face clean. So, he didn't wanted to show his weaker side to me. That's so like him.

END of POV...

Both broke the hug and looked at each other silently. Words were actually not required at that time as their eyes were doing the talking.

Breaking the silence, Nandini asked him with all her concern and care yet in a low tone as she was weak; "Manik , you are fine right..? Tumhe kuch hua to nahi..?"

Manik did not diverted his gaze from her face and carrying his all the time famous attitude he said ; "Why you did this haan..? You have any idea, how much scared we were ? Who told you to be a stunt artist and jump in the fire? " He tried to hide his emotions behind his anger.

"Agar tumhe kuch ho jata to?" she replied in an utmost loving , caring and sugar coated tone which did nothing but help to melt his fake anger.

His look softened on her and he again pulled her but this time in a bear hug , so that she does not gets hurt. His heart was overwhelmed on hearing her pour words which came out directly from her heart.

"Don't ever try to do this. We can't see you like this Nandini. Please don't ever do this to us." He said without breaking the hug, and she slowly nodded her head.

After a while they pulled apart and Manik looking at her said; "You get enough of attention from us I guess. If not just tell me. But please don't ever try this to grab our attention, we are not giving you that, get that straight."

She smiled a bit and nodded.

After ten minutes, Cabir entered the room and smiled seeing her. She too responded back equally with her beautiful smile which was right at that a little pale, due to her weakness.

Coming towards the side of her bed, he side hugged her and asked; " so, how are you feeling now..?"

She smiled and replied; "better."

After a little pause she continued; "thank you guys, for helping me. Agar tum dono nahi hote to shayad.." but both didn't let her complete her sentence and shouted ; "Nandiniii..!!!" and she jerked with this sudden outburst.

Both looked at her with anger and scared expressions. She understood that what she spoke was not correct so tried the safest way out; making the utmost cutest puppy face and said ; "SORRY..!!"

Manik opened his mouth to say something but stopped as they heard the room door being opened. Abhi came rushing inside. He was on a visit to another hospital and so was unable to come early.

"Nanhii..!!" he embraced her lightly standing beside the bed and encircled his arm around her head. Manik and Cabir gave space to them and came to the other side of the bed.

Nandini hided herself more into him. Having friends in life is a great and an amazing feeling but being around family is the joy that can be replaced by no other luxury or comfort in this world. Though Nandini had two amazing and super caring friends and seeing Abhi in front of her was something that managed to give her immense happiness. She was wrapped in the most protective arms of his brother who was nothing less than a father to her. In the events of such physical miseries, having people around us who loves and care for us, can help us to forget our physical pain completely. And same was happening with Nandini. She was in some unbearable pain but having her father like brother, brother like friend and .... Ummm... a best friend ; was enough for her to forget her pains.

"You are fine right..?" Abhi asked keeping his protective hand on her head.

"I am fine bhai ; it's just the pain. My whole body is aching." She replied in a low tone spilling her all the problems as she knew hiding anything from her brother and that too something related to her health was surely not work for her.

"Don't worry.. it will reduce with time. They will give you analgesic then you feel better." Abhi replied with a smile patting her head and she just smiled.

He was about to say something when his phone rang which showed the caller Id of the senior doctor. He looked at it irritatingly and turned off the sound.

"Bhai , it's ok.. I am fine. Aap jaao if you are needed. Duty comes first." Nandini said.

"Haan Abhi , don't worry, we both are here. Kuch problem hogi to we will inform you. You finish your duty." Cabir assured him .

"Ya actually, being the best doctor, you should not behave irresponsible and besides Nandini is fine now so you can just finish off your work and come back." This time Manik said to him.

Hearing them, Abhi started to change his mind and finally said ; "okay.. I am leaving but if you all need anything just inform me then and there." All nodded to what he said and then turning towards Nandini he said ; "Nanhii , just take care ok. And you first lie down, sitting for long will increase your pain. I will have a word with doctor about the pain , ok.?" And she just smilingly nodded. They helped her to lie down and soon Abhi left.

NEAR THE RECEPTION..

Abhi was talking to the receptionist and turned around to move when he collided with a girl.

"YOU..?? yaar what's your problem tell me. Jahan main jati hoon wahin par tum hote ho.? Are you stalking me.?" she shouted on Abhi.

"I would love to that , but unfortunately no. I guess it's the destiny that wants us to meet again and again." He replied smiling to her.

"whatever." she bluntly replied and rolling her eyes left from there.

IN THE ROOM...

A nurse came after Abhi left and checked upon Nandini. Further she informed that she would be shifted to a special ward as the permission of such is being taken by Dr. Moorthy.

They were chit chatting with each other and trying to erase the bad memory of the incident that happened few hours back. Cabir as usual was being funny and sarcastic at the same time and the two were getting pains in their jaws laughing. At times Cabir and Manik would involve in silly fights which then like always would get sorted by Nandini.
In between their fun , the door of the ward opened and the trio was surprised to see the visitor.

"Mukti..?" Manik frowned as got up from his place. 

"Haan , kyon , mai nahi aa sakti kya apni friend se Milne..? Don't forget tum dono se pehle , she is my friend ." Saying this she moved towards Nandini and lightly hugged her.

"How are you now.?" She asked
" I am all fine Mukti, all thanks to your brothers." She said looking at Manbir and they just smiled.

"But how you came to know about this.?" She asked Mukti.
"Haan Mukti , how come you here.? We didn't informed you about the accident." He asked out of his curiosity and looked at Cabir who nodded in a no indicating he hasn't informed.

"Actually I went to your office to meet you, Kuch kaam tha. But when I reached there I got to know all this and the most shocking news that it was Nandini. Luckily I found Vaibhav , who told me that you guys are here. So I came here directly without calling you both." She informed.

Nandini smiled at her and after holding her hand , said ; "Thanks Mukti for coming . Its really good to see you."

Mukti smiled and replied , "then toh you will always feel good as now I am shifting with Manik. I got transferred here."

"Really , that's awesome I mean... Like wow..." Cabir was the first to exclaim his happiness as he was really fond of Mukti.

"That's brilliant Mukti, really. I am soo happy." Nandini exclaimed .