I need u to be there....  For a little more than Always!!
Part 72:

Nandini: Mukti thats enough... Plz i can't eat anymore!!
Nandini whined as Mukti inserted another piece of apple into her mouth.

Mukti: I m so sorry Nandini, but I m literally forced to do this by Manik and Abhi...

Nandini made a face at her and chewed in silence as her mind zoned out into the things that were said just a few hours back.

It was almost 8 in the evening and all she had done was to sit in her room along with Aliya and Mukti and stare at the TV screen while the two of them enjoyed the movie.

Manik had not returned back since he had walked out of her room after his sudden outburst.

Nandini's pov:

FOREVER....
Is forever only a word used in fictions??
Is forever only a myth??
Is my belief in 'MaNan Forever' fading away??

I know he is guilty, I know he didn't mean any of it.... And I always knew it from the first day itself!! Then why can't I get past his words... Why do I hear his words still revolving in my head??

I know my feelings for him aren't just on the brink.... Its deep deep down both ours hearts but then just the thought of getting back to him scares me. And only one question arises in my head, scaring the shit out of me.... 'WHAT IF???'

What if any of this repeats in the future??
What if somewhere deep down the line, he is still confused about the two of us??
What if I m a habit to him, instead of a Need??
What if it goes wrong all over again??
What if my fate stabs my back again like it does everytime??
What if I get hurt again??

Coz all I know is that this time.... This wound is not superficial!! It scares me, it takes my breath away, it feels like all my blood is gonna flow out of my mouth, it feels like there is a void in my chest and it simply goes on increasing and increasing every time I see his face.

As if one minute I m as normal as I could be and the next minute, it's all like a round about roller coaster ride.

Pov ends!!!

Mukti: Nandini... Where are u lost??

Nandini snapped out of her thoughts at mukti's voice who was grinning broadly,
Mukti: U ate it all!!

Nandini looked at the plate and nodded at her and then said slowly,
Nandini: Mukti, I m tried!! Can I plz take some rest....

Mukti looked at her unsure whether to leave her alone or not when Nandini pressed her hand gently,
Nandini: I'll be fine!!

Mukti nodded at her slowly and got out of the room closing the door behind her back. Nandini started at the closed door for sometime after which she got off the bed.

This time careful not to strain herself, she limped towards the washroom. Soon she was comfortably settled outside in the balcony with her Appa's guitar in hands as she played some soft random tunes, while her eyes stayed fixed over the stars.

Her thoughts moved back to her past as everything came back in front of her eyes from the start. Her life with her family, the way she started her journey in Music as Nanz, her parents, that accident, the change in her after the accident, Rishab's dreadful words, her day she committed suicide for the first tym, how everything changed back as Manik came into her life, all his love and care which made her forget everything wrong that had ever occured and the day it all became worse with Manik's outburst at the hospital.

No expression crossed her face even once. Neither happiness nor her pain, it seemed as if none of it affected her anymore. She had become so used to all the ups and downs in her life.

It was about 9 when she felt a warm jacket being wrapped around her shoulders making her stop playing, whatever she was, on the guitar.
"Its getting cold..."
An equally warm voice came from behind her and she knew who it was. Without a word she slid it back down, freeing herself from it and turned to look at him.

Nandini: I m not feeling it that cold.

Manik ignored her words and said directly,
Manik: They r waiting for u over the dining table....

Nandini slid her guitar over the couch as she slowly got up.
Nandini: U could hv sent the servant!

She said without even looking at him and walked ahead slowly. Manik shook his head in dismay and followed her. They had not even got out of the room when he heard her wince slightly as she limped forward.

And the next minute her feet were off the ground as he picked him up in his arms.
Nandini: Manik... I can walk, put me down!!

Manik: I will, once we reach the table....
He replied in a stern voice but the moment his eyes met hers, and it got stuck. None of the two looked away, communicating their hearts to each other through their eyes.

Aliya: Manik... U can put her down, u hv reached...
Aliya's voice snapped them out of their trance while all the others giggled.

Nandini loosened her grip around his neck and looked away while Manik slowly put her down, as he too settled down.
The dinner went on normally with not even a word from Nandini. They were all almost through the dinner when finally Nandini said,

Nandini: Guys....

All of them turned their attention towards her, and saw her looking down with a serious expression.
Nandini: I... I know the past 24 hours hv been scary, shocking and equally hurtful to all of u. Each and every single one of u hv showered me with nothing but love n care, and I hv been keeping all this stuff about me hidden.

She looked up at them, her face void of any expressions as she continued,
Nandini: I won't say sorry, coz it wasn't a mistake. I hid it all willingly, and I might hv liked it if u all never knew that stuff. So I just had a request for u all.... Try and forget this day, think that u don't know anything. And about me, don't worry guys...  I m absolutely fine!!!

Manik snorted at her last words and rolled his eyes.
Manik: Yeah right... U r fine!!

Nandini looked at him for a few seconds and then ignored his comment,
Nandini: Abhi.... I don't want u to tell this to anyone!!! Neither Amms nor Bhai coz-

She stopped in between her words realising what she just said and immediately corrected herself.
Nandini: I mean just Amms... Don't tell it to Amms!!

She got up from her place and turned to leave. Manik was about to get up from his place when he heard her say,
Nandini: Cabir...  U r done with ur dinner right!!  Can u plz help me??

Cabir: Yeah sure...
Cabir got up and nodded at Manik once, as if assuring to take care of her and moved up helping Nandini. He helped her settle down when they entered the room and then sat by her side.

Cabir: Can I ask u something??

Nandini looked up at him and nodded simply when he said,
Cabir: Not from Nanz, but from Nandini.... The girl whom I hv known all these years!!

Nandini broke her eyes away from his and waited for his question to complete.
Cabir: Why are u stopping urself Nandini?? U r not mad at him anymore for what he said at the hospital, and I know it even if u try to decline.... Then what is it??

Nandini looked up at him shocked when Cabir continued,
Cabir: U never were Nandini.... U never were mad at him, u were hurt and I totally understand that!

Nandini: No U don't...
Nandini whispered stopping him.

Cabir: Ohk.... But now!! Do u really think U two can live without each other??

Tears flowed down Nandini's eyes as she truthfully answered him,
Nandini: I can't cabir.... I know for sure that I can't even think of being happy without him.

Cabir: Then whats the problem??

Nandini: Yes, I m sure I can't live without him.... But I m not yet sure, if I can live with him Cabir. I m not sure!!

Nandini broke into a fit of tears finally breaking off her walls in front of someone. Cabir held her hand pressing it slightly as if wanting to console her but Nandini pulled it away. Digging her face into her palms.

Nandini: Cabir... Can u do me a favour??

Cabir: Yeah... Say na!

Nandini: Plz leave me alone for sometime.... And make sure no one else also comes here!!

Nandini requested in a cracking voice making him sigh as he nodded slowly. Cabir got out of the room with tears stinging in his eyes. He closed the door behind him and wiped his tears when Manik patted his shoulder.

Manik: Cabir... What happened??

Cabir immediately looked at him and smiled slightly,
Cabir: Nothing... Nothing at all dude...

Manik: Nandini??

Cabir: She is fine... Wanted to stay alone for sometime... Let her be!!

Manik looked at him for a few seconds trying to read something on his face but then nodded slowly. As he turned around and entered his room.

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It was around one in the night when Nandini was lying on her bed still deep into thoughts with only Manik's words revolving in her head.

"I'll Walk Away To NEVER turned Back..... I Will Leave FOREVER..... And EVER!! I Will Make Sure That U FORGET That U Ever Knew A Guy Named MANIK MALHOTRA And That, Is My PROMISE To U Ms. Nandini Moorthy!!!!"

Sleep was far far away from her eyes and like any other day she was just lying there staring into the darkness of the empty room. Just then she heard the door being opened slowly, she closed her eyes acting to be asleep, not wanting the person to see her.

Still she heard the foot steps proceeding towards her, the bed dipped at her side as a hand caressed her hair backwards. His touch was enough for her to know who he was.

His warmth automatically making its way through her, taking away the void from her heart.

She felt him settle down beside her with his hand making its way through her hair again and again. All she wanted was to roll around and snuggle into him right that moment but she fisted her hands digging her nails hard into her palm to stop herself.

And just like that sleep took over to her before she could even understand.

----------------------
The next morning, Nandini woke up with a smile on her face and met her favorite chocolaty brown eyes. Manik smiled warmly as he saw her smiling face when reality drew over her and she sat up with a jerk.

Nandini: What the hell r u doing here?? Get out of my room!!

Manik smiled broadly at her and lifted up his hand which was tightly entwined with hers.

Manik: Sure thing Ms. Moorthy, but I guess u'll hv to leave my hand for that which u hv been holding so tightly since last entire night.

Nandini immediately left his hand and looked down being fully embarrassed but then looked up glaring at him.

Nandini: What the hell were u doing in my room last night?

Manik sighed at her and got up from the bed straightening up his cloths.
Manik: Come on Nandini.... At least give me the credit of knowing u that well!! I know u weren't sleeping when I walked in, so stop ur acting....

With that he turned around leaving Nandini there with an open mouth. He had just reached the door when he stopped and said without even turning,
Manik: By the way... Good Morning Beautiful!! And yes, close ur mouth.

Manik closed the door behind him when nandini picked up a pillow and threw at the closed door.
Nandini: Fuck!!

Later, all of them were sitting in the living room when Abhi saw Nandini walking down the stairs slowly,
Abhi: Kiddo!!

He got up and rushed towards her as he held her hand and helped her walk.
Nandini: Chill abhi, I m fine!! Its healing...

Soon Aliya and Dhruv too joined them all as they sat for breakfast.

Manik: Umn Abhi, what r the famous tourists spots out here...

Abhi: Well there r a lot.... Believe me, u all should definitely visit those. Vese bhi, None of u ever really went anywhere other than the beach since we came here...

Cabir: Yeah... Lets plan something today!

Abhi: As u all wish... Even I m free today...

Manik: Superb, ohk then let's just all get ready and then we'll leave.

Mukti: Cool...

Manik saw all of them smiling and then turned towards Nandini.
Manik: By the way Nandini, I hope u don't mind being alone at home right.... We all will be back by dinner time!

Nandini looked up at him shocked when Mukti asked Manik.
Mukti: But why will Nandini be at home??

Manik: Come on Mukti.... Look at her, she needs rest! How can she come with us??

Aliya: But we can manage right, we all r there to take care of her....

Manik: Aliya.... Understand na... If she comes then we all will also not be able to have fun properly, Let her be! Ohk now I m going to change, u all too get ready and girls, plz don't take long.... We hv to leave soon!

With this Manik got up from the table and walked away, moving upstairs to his room while Nandini kept on looking at his retrieving figure. All of them looked at each other not understanding the sudden change in Manik's behaviour when Dhruv said,

Dhruv: Nandini -

Nandini immediately interrupted him and smiled.
Nandini: Chill guys... He is right! I need rest and plus, I wish to be alone for sometime.

Abhi: But kiddo what if u need something?

Nandini: Abhi... Servants r there right! U all go I'll be fine...
Nandini too got up and slowly walked upstairs to her room.

She entered her room and sat on the bed angrily,
Nandini: U can't do that Manik Malhotra!! I won't let u be so normal about all this... U want to go out na, so be it! Go, have Fun, Enjoy Alone.... I will also make sure to ruin this day for u by the time u get back.

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The entire day past on, and as Manik had said they reached home on time for dinner. Abhi parked the car outside the house while Mukti whined,

Mukti: Seriously Manik... First u only stopped Nandini from coming and then the entire day u were lost, looking at the watch again and again to know when to return.

Aliya: U didn't even let me buy that dress.... It was so beautiful!

Manik: Come on Aliya... U hv a million dresses and if u really want the same dress, u can design it urself.
Manik said shutting them both up as the guys laughed.

Cabir: Come lets see how angry ur juliet is....
Cabir chuckled as they all moved towards the door.

All of them entered the house laughing at Cabir's comment when the servant rushed towards them to take Aliya and Mukti's bags.

Abhi: Where is Nandini??

Servant: She is in the TV room sir!!
He said slowly then walked away to get water for them.

Abhi: TV room?? Why TV Room....
Abhi thought as he walked at the other end of the living room towards her. Manik willed his best not to follow him but his face was enough to make Cabir laugh his guts out.

Mukti followed Abhi shaking her head while Aliya too giggled at Manik, as Dhruv gave his usual shy smile.

Manik glared at Cabir for a second but his eyes where stuck at Abhi's direction.

Abhi opened the room's door only to cringe at the abnormally loud music being played inside.

Manik and the others too walked towards the noise. They entered the room to see Abhi pausing the Music.
Nandini: Abhi yr... What r u doing??

Abhi: Exactly what r u doing Nandini.... And what is he doing here??
Abhi said pointing at the guy in front of Nandini making her smile as she said sweetly.

Nandini: I invited Kartik.... I couldn't go out, so I called him in.

Abhi gave her a look of disbelief. Nandini looked at Kartik as she replied to abhi in a sugary voice willing to agitate Manik.
Nandini: We were watching a movie but then he asked me for a dance and-

Abhi: And u agreed?? Have u even seen ur leg??

Kartik: Chill dude... I m there na, nothing will happen to Nanz...
Kartik said shoving the topic away making Abhi glare at him.

Abhi: U stay out of it Kartik...

Nandini: Abhi u r not talking to him like that....
Nandini says to Abhi when Manik spoke up.

Manik: Abhi let it be.... Infact its good that he is here today!!
Manik smiled as he walked closer to Kartik and patted his shoulder.

Nandini: Huh??

Manik: Off course Nandini... Won't u introduce him to us! After all he is such an amazing friend of urs...

Nandini covered her look of disbelief and looked away from him.
Nandini: I would hv but for now Kartik needs to leave... He was already getting late!!!

Manik: No dude... Atleast hv dinner with all of us...
Manik said to Kartik at which nandini turned back towards him.

Nandini: We both already ate.... And he is getting late!! Now if u will plz excuse us.

Manik shrugged at her words and took a step back making her look at Kartik.

Nandini: Kartik.... Can u plz help me to my room??

Kartik: Sure!!
Kartik said amused by all the drama going on and picked Nandini up in his arms as he walked out of the room.

They reached the stairs when Nandini snapped at him,
Nandini: Stop with that annoying smile.

Kartik chuckled at her and winked,
Kartik: Come on nanz... Why r u getting Mad at me?? Its not my fault that ur Romeo isn't the jealous types...

Nandini: He isn't my Romeo...
Nandini said looking away.

Kartik: Yeah right... And I hv two horns on my head...
Kartik rolled his eyes walking upstairs to her room.

There on the other side, the moment Kartik walked out of the TV room along with Nandini, Manik grabbed Abhi's collar.

Manik: I don't care if its ur fault or not.... But I m gonna kill u bcoz of ur sister!!!

Cabir, dhruv, Mukti and Aliya pulled him apart from Abhi shouting,
Cabir: Have u lost it??

Manik: Arey... Has she lost it?? And what the hell does this Kartik guy think of himself... How dare he touch her??

Abhi: Yeah and u were inviting him for dinner!!
Abhi crossed his arms in front of him.

Manik: That was just to show Nandini that I Don't Care...

All of them looked at him dumbfounded making him realise what he said.
Manik: Umn... I... I m hungry!!! Did that fool leave or not...

Manik said and moved out of the room leaving all of them confused at him.

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A new attempt to win her back!!

What do u guys think, will this reverse psychology of Manik work on Nandini??

How was the update guys??
Do share ur views and don't forget to comment.

Love
-Navya😘