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"We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as were meant to be. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache." -Brene Brown

The night was getting darker with 7 souls sitting outside Manik's cabin waiting for him to gain consciousness. None of them was ready to leave from hospital nor they slept even for a while. They all were worried for Manik. They were sitting outside Manik's cabin and time to time checking him. Doctors too came to see him.

Nandini was all restless. She couldn't sit for more than 5 minutes in a place. She was talking to and fro and trying to see Manik through the glass door. His lifeless condition that he was lying on the hospital bed like this was killing her from inside. She was praying to Ayaiappa all the while so that he gained consciousness soon. 

She was peaking inside Manik's cabin when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. She turned back only to see Cabir standing behind her. 

"Seeing him in every 30 seconds won't make him wake up earlier. Don't stress yourself so much. Manik is already unwell, what if you also fall ill?" He muttered with concern.

Nandini looked at him but didn't say anything.

"I know you're concerned for Manik. We all are. But doctor said right he will wake up soon and then do you want to see you like this? All messed up? Will he like it?" 

"I know, Cabir. I'm trying to gather myself but he's here because of me. I've a feeling that person wanted to harm me but Manik came in between. While trying to protect me, he landed up here like this. I'm not able to forgive myself because of this. It was supposed the biggest day of your life and you all are sitting here in this situation. Since the time I have walked into your life, you all are going through these worst incidents. I think I should...."

"Stop, Nandini." Cabir cut her. "You've said all this today but never even think of all these again. Let me tell you what happened after you came here. You taught Manik how to live, you made him smile, you have given him everything which he deserves, which he has always craved for. Not only for Manik but for all of us, you're very important, Nandini."

Cabir didn't say anything about the party incident to Nandini even though he knew she was right and also who was behind all this. It would only stress her more. She was already in a bad condition. He wanted to make her feel good because he has a fair idea how much this little girl is important in his best friend's life and he could go to any extent to protect them.

Nandini couldn't find anything to say.

"Now go and sit there. Dhruv has got coffee for everyone. Have it. I'm standing here. I'll keep eye on him. Okay?"

Nandini nodded with a small smile and walked after passing a last glimpse to Manik. 

It was early in the morning when Manik opened his eyes. Dhruv ran to get the doctor. Everyone ran inside the cabin but Nandini felt her legs have glued to the floor. She stood near the door, couldn't walk ahead. But her eyes were stuck to Manik only. 

Doctor came and examined Manik. "There's nothing to worry anymore. But the wound is still fresh so don't move much. I'm prescribing some medicines, take them regularly. Don't stress your body."

"Thanks, doctor." Shreekant spoke. "When can we take him home?" 

"We'll observe him today. If there's no problem, then you can take him home tomorrow."

Then he left from there. Manik looked at everyone and tried to sit but couldn't instead he winched in pain.

"Slowly, Manik." Dhruv walked closer him and helped him to sit with his back resting to the pillow. 

One by one everyone met him but his eyes were searching for his lady love. He could imagine what she must be going through. He just wanted to hold her in his arms and make her believe that he was perfectly fine. 

Shreekant moved closer to Manik and patted his shoulder giving a weak smile to him. Somewhere he was scared to lose the only person in his family. Manik is the center of his universe and he couldn't afford to lose him.

Manik could understand his situation. Manik took his hands in between his. "I'm fine, dad. Don't worry."

Shreekant let out a sigh but he didn't say anything. He stared at Manik's face. 

"Come on, dad. I'm completely okay. It's just a small scratch. I'll be okay." He tried to comfort his father even when he was lying in that state on that hospital bed. He had a clear idea of how much he is important to his father and he was no less to him. 

"Shut up, idiot. Do you have any idea of what we were going through? You had scared all of us." Cabir slapped his shoulder. 

Manik shirked a little with his punch even though it was a playful one. "Cabir, now you will treat your sick friend like this? I'm hurt, yaar." 

"I know you're hurt but you're not hurt here." He stopped for a while looking at his face. "I can handle your punches but never do this again to us. You have no idea how we've handles ourselves seeing you in this condition."

"Yes, Manik. Never do this to us ever again." Mukti joined Cabir. 

"Come on, guys. Don't be so emotional. Just look at me. See I'm fine. Nothing happened to... Me.." He completed with a great difficulty as he started coughing. 

Cabir helped him to sit properly and passed him water. He relaxed and settled properly. 

"Have you all been here only? You all look so tired." Manik asked observing all of them. 

"What do you think we would be taking rest after seeing you lying here in that state? What do you think of us, Manik?" Alya glared at him. 

"Don't get angry, guys. I'm fine now. You all go and take rest." 

"But, Manik...." Dhruv tried to speak but Cabir stopped him. 

He had noticed the eagerness and anxiety in his eyes. He knew Manik was waiting for Nandini who was not anywhere around. Cabir too looked around and found her standing behind the door. So, he stopped Dhruv and managed to send all of them back home saying he would be staying back in case he need something. 

As Manik realized she was not there, his eyes searched for his mere glance desperately. He has to come back for her from every possible death. When everyone moved out of his cabin, Manik looked at Cabir. "Where is Nandini? Is she fine?" There was some kind of fear in his eyes so as in his voice. 

Cabir noticed it and he smiled inwardly. He was pleased for his friend who has got the love he deserved in his life. "I will get her. She is not okay and you know it. She has been blaming herself for everything. I know you're already aware of what you should do." 

Cabir patted Manik's back and walked out of the cabin to find Nandini. 

As he walked out, Manik was waiting impatiently for him to come back. His eyes were being impatient to see her. He couldn't wait to see her or hold her in his arms. He needed to see her badly. 

Outside the cabin, Cabir saw Nandini standing in a corner quietly. He stood in front of her. "Nandini, what're you doing here? Manik is okay. He has gained consciousness and he is waiting for you."

Nandini was still standing at the same place quietly. 

"What happened, Nandini? Come." 

Cabir held Nandini's hand and pulled her with him. She was holding Manik's locket which was practically her mangalsutra now tightly in her grip. She looked down not meeting his gaze. Cabir stopped just in front of Manik's bed. He left after that. 

Manik stared at Nandini's face which was still she was motionless, emotionless. He couldn't see her in that state and watching her in this state, Manik died almost. As Cabir left the room closing the door behind, Manik gently held her hand in between his and puller her closer. 

Nandini moved her eyes up and looked into Manik's eyes. He pulled her so that she could sit beside him.

"Nandini...."

He called out out her name but she didn't reply anything. Her grip was still tightened on her locket and she was looking at Manik. He cupped her cheek with his one palm. The stab didn't hurt him as much as the sight in front of him was hurting him. 

His love, the massive part of his heart, his own soul in this dreadful state. She kept her hand on his but it was like she had forgotten to blink. They didn't shed a single tear. Without thinking of anything or caring about his wound, he pulled Nandini in his embrace. 

"I'm fine, wifey. Just relax. Calm down." Manik whispered in her ear lovingly caressing her hair lightly.  

He couldn't still feel any movement from her. Manik broke the hug and cupped her face. "Look at me, Nandini. I'm here. I'm perfectly alright. Your Manik is with you."

"Manik...." He heard her faint whisper which could hardly be heard. 

He was urging to hear her name but he was well aware that she was not at all fine. He knew what he exactly needed to do. He pulled her closer and placed his lips on hers. He was sucking her lips slowly. It was not some harsh kiss, it was a steady one filled with love. As they broke the kiss feeling the need of oxygen, Nandini fell on his arms. 

She clutched the fabric of his cloth tightly. Her another hand hit the place where his bandage was. It surely hurt him but he didn't say anything. He knew what he was going through. Nandini cried like a kid being in that same position. Manik let her cry as much as she wanted. 

"I love you. I love you. I love you." Manik muttered over her head pecking over there rubbing her back to calm her down.

"Man.. Manik...." She uttered her name hiccupping badly.

"I'm here only. Right here with you."  

She got up and cupped his face. "I was scared."

"I'm here. Relax."

It was around midnight, Cabir was sleeping on the bench outside the cabin and MaNan were lying in each others embrace. Nandini was sleeping due to all the stress and Manik was only holding her close to him. Suddenly he felt her movement which means she was waking up. He caressed her cheeks and kissed her forehead. Feeling his warm touch, Nandini slowly opened her eyes and saw him smiling at her. she touched his face.

"Manik." Her voice was sounding weak.

He put his finger on her lips stopping her from saying anything further and her eyes again teared up.

"No more tears, Mrs. Malhotra. I'm right here with you."

"Are you really okay?"

It was the first time when Nandini spoke properly and he felt a little relieved. 

"When you're here with me, how can I not be okay?"

Hearing Manik, a sweet smile appeared on her face. 

"What I would have done if something had happened to you?"

"You were there with me. My lucky charm, my shining star. Don't you trust your power?"

Nandini let out a sigh hearing him. "Manik... I know." She inhaled a deep breath before beginning again. "I know all this happened because of me. That attack was supposed to be for me but you came in between."

Finally she got the topic which he wanted to avoid. He knew she would catch him if he wanted to lie. 

"You had an idea that something like this can happen. That's why all the while you were around me, keeping me in front of you. Right?" She got up looking at him.

He didn't know what to answer, 

"Why didn't you tell me, Manik? I should be the one to be here not you."

"Nandini, stop. Please. Don't say like this. It would have hurt more, if you were here on my place." 

Nandini simply let out a breath and Manik smiled pecking her lips. 

NEXT   MORNING 

Nandini was still there in the hospital with Manik. Cabir was there as well. They were already up when others too came there. They got food for them. 

Navya served them.

"Manik, how are you feeling now?" Shreekant placed his palm on his shoulder.

"Much better, dad." He told and stole a glance of Nandini who stood beside his bed looking down.

"Nandini, Cabir, we've got changes for you. Go and freshen up." Mukti told handing them their respective cloths. 

After they came back after freshening up, they settled around the cabin when Nandini spoke up. "Do you guys get to know about the person who was behind all this? He tried to attack in between such big event. So, you must have...."

Boys shared a look among themselves which Navya didn't understand. "Yes, Nandini. Didn't Cabir tell you that...."

Mukti cut her in between before she could spill anything. They wanted to keep Nandini away from this for a while. "Nothing much, Nandini. We have informed police and they're looking after this." 

Cabir signaled Alya and Mukti to take Nandini out for a while so that they can talk to Manik who was getting all confused with their behavior. Getting that somehow Alya managed to take her out. Mukti and Navya too went behind them.

"What's the matter, guys? Is there anything wrong?" Manik asked as they left.

"Manik, calm down. You need to know something and it's not the right time for Nandini to know." Shreekant muttered.

Then they explained the whole matter to Manik. Manik was not expecting something like this. 

"How can she be here?" Manik was surprised. 

"We're wondering that only." Dhruv sighed.

"Manik, don't worry. She is under our hold now. We will look into this matter once you're out of here. Just don't stress yourself." Cabir patted his shoulder even though Manik was hell angry.

They were discussing all this when girls came back. They stopped. Thankfully doctor came to check Manik. 

"How's he now, doctor? Can we take him home?" Shreekant asked. 

"Mr. Malhotra, your son is improving very fast that's a good thing. But the wound is still fresh. So, he needed bed rest for two weeks."

"Don't worry, doctor. We'll make that sure."

"Uncle is right. For two weeks, he is gonna be at home and no jamming. Nothing." Dhruv added. 

"What! Buddy? Dad?" Manik wanted to protest but no one heard him.

"Sorry, Manik. We can't do anything about it. You have to follow what doctor is saying." Shreekant laughed. 

"Yes, Manik. You need complete bed rest else it would pain more or it  can't occur infection. I have written everything here along with the medicine." 

"That's great. Doctor, I'm coming with you for the formalities." Cabir told and went with him.

As they walked out, Dhruv and Shreekant helped Manik to get up and make him ready. Till then the girls gathered their stuffs. As Cabir returned with the discharge paper, they left from there. 

~~•°•~~
That's all for today. I hope you all like the chapter. Don't forget to vote and share your feedback.
Do share your favorite scene?

Did you enjoy the Manan moment?

Don't you all love Cabir and Nandini's bond?

What about Fab5?

Any idea of the culprit?

24.10.2024