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Manik

I woke up to uneasy movements on the bed. The bed-sheets were being pulled in all directions. I fluttered my eyes open to see Nandini squirming in a strained manner. "Nandini?" She didn't respond though.

I reclined myself with the support of my elbow. I tapped her gently over our baby's tiny frame. "Nandini, wake up. Nandini... utho." She groaned and then curled herself into a ball. I slid off the bed, to the other side where she lay. I knelt beside her on the floor, touching her distressed face. "Are you okay?" Her eyes opened a little. Her arms crossed over her stomach, stressing on her tummy. "Manik, it's hurting." She let out a little cry of pain.

My heart started pounding faster in my chest. I touched the temples of my forehead in distress, before checking the alarm clock on the nightstand, 2:24. In my sanest mind, I would've instantly carried her all the way to the hospital but I was too scared. What about our baby? She couldn't be left alone. We could get everybody in the car and then go, but what if something happened before that?

It felt like my world was coming crashing down when she burst into tears. I was trying very hard to not cry with her. It is a terrifying scene to see the one you love in pain when you can't do anything to help them. I gripped her face impulsively, trying to support myself somehow. "Don't cry, please. We'll go to the doctor?" Her hands raised to her own face, to clutch my fingers and grab my hands in hers.

Her sweaty fingers ground against the gaps between my stiff hands. She was clinging onto me desperately as if I could do something about it. I really wished I had some control in that way. "No Manik, Manik please..." I was gasping loudly. Fear was taking over my existence. "...doctor ke paas nahi jaana. Please, main marr jaaungi, Manik..." (...I don't want to go to the doctor. Please, I'll die, Manik...) I pulled her head into one of my shoulders, hugging tightly.

"Shh... Nandini, you're making this very hard for me, can you stop crying please?" Her sobs quietened down but the way she was holding me was so different, so possessive.

"Manik, I'm scared. Manik..." She was in a panic attack, pressing her grip onto me, clinging to me, as if she was trying to save herself from something. The little hope left in me that Nandini would be okay, vanished. I wanted to drag her to the hospital, but her distinct behavior was making everything hard for me. I feared losing her if I stepped away for a second. The most I could do was console her, even if I was traumatized myself.

Gently touching her long tresses, I said whatever I could to make her feel better. I breathed into her ear. "Shh... Nandini, I'm here. I'm here to take care of you." As if my words had the power to fix everything, she relaxed. Her hands dragged out of my mine and wrapped securely around my neck, which she could reach with the least effort. I pulled her into my embrace, letting tears escape my eyes. Beneath her, a noticeable red spot had embedded itself onto the bed sheets.

***

I was seated in a lounge chair, behind a rosewood desk that staged a paperweight, some sheets of printed paper, a pen stand and a placard. Mrs. Meera Singh Saini. She was a Punjabi too, not to be judgmental but her face gave away that clue. I was seated, to explain the trauma I went through that morning and analyzing any signs that were ignored.

"She was behaving so strange, talking about death and all, I lost it. I cannot... I cannot let anything happen to her, Doctor." I was trying hard to hold it in me, but the sight that morning flipped my insides. The doctor informed that it was Nandini first period in postpartum and due to hormone depressions, the pain was severe. Until that was revealed, I couldn't even put in words what I felt. I was horrified.

With an understanding smile, he touched my hand in motherly concern. "She will be completely fine. Trust me on that." Her words felt assuring. "What else did she say or do?" Replaying the scene caused me immense distress.

"She was not the Nandini I knew. She was so weak... so depressed, I was so scared."

"Hmm... what else? Anything that you can recollect just after Naina's birth? Like, say, the first few days."

"Well... I remember Nandini mentioning she didn't like herself, and she often mentioned she hates her life as a mother but I thought it was normal to feel that way. It's physically exhausting, right?" I actually felt guilty for not looking at those initial signs that caused so much trouble to the two of us.

"It is, and sometimes it is okay to feel low, but that was a sure sign."

"She couldn't express enough milk; it kept dropping, so we chose formula." She nodded, studying Nandini's lactation reports, which noted a decline. Apparently, they'd suspected something wrong that time but Nandini conveniently ignored her health, while consistently making efforts to bond with the baby. The doctor mentioned that we did the right thing, because the baby needed to be given sufficient food to eat and that insufficient feeding would take a toll on the mother yet again, for not taking good care of the little one.

"I generally wouldn't let her take the struggles of feeding and changing, because she had been through enough already. I didn't know she didn't feel like, either." I should've been more responsible. Half of the problems were caused because of me. I was just so oblivious to how she felt. I knew the baby was a new member in the family and needed to be welcomed but I didn't know the process actually broke the family I was trying to create.

"Manik, it's not your fault. Don't be so hard on yourself." She tried to console me, but it wasn't helping. I'd just failed my promises. What her parents did to her was what I did to her too; I broke her. How different was I from them? Not to mention: she hates me just as much as she hates them.

"I killed the Nandini I loved." I muttered to myself as a lump formed in my throat. I gulped painfully, trying to digest my own deductions. I've failed as a husband.

***

Nandini was called into a room behind the divider. The room as such was big, and a divider was made to separate the patients from the people the patient was related to. She confidently sat on a chair that looked like the ones seen in barber shops. Meera was standing beside her. I sprung to my feet, behind the large blue-tinted glass window of the divided room with crossed arms, laying my eyes on her guiltily.

"So Nandini, explain to me what you felt as a child, as descriptively as you can. The details are important, okay?" She held Nandini's hand and Nandini held it tighter, similar to the way she held mine that morning, as she closed her eyes.

I knew a little about her family. She never felt comfortable talking about it whole heartedly so I never forced her to. She was never triggered then. The pregnancy had complicated it all. For a moment, I imagined how it would've been if Naina wasn't in the picture. Would Nandini and I be together then? How could I choose between them?

"I see a young man through my bedroom window, walking down the dark, lonely street well past midnight. He's wobbly and strange-he is drunk. He looks oddly familiar. He storms into the house, shatters a few plates and cups and calls out for me. It gets louder... and I hear approaching footsteps. The calls get louder... and louder... and then die away. He always hated me." She shook in her chair, her legs involuntarily retreating to shield her body while she held onto the woman. Meera withdrew her hand forcefully and Nandini got into a state of emotional imbalance. The feeling of feeling powerless.

I was horrified at the sight. I'd never witnessed what they were all talking about. With me, she was never like that. I gasped, literally. She couldn't do anything to help herself. She screamed loudly, fighting herself and just as Meera approached her again, she clung on desperately. "Save me, Ruby!" Meera held her arms and calmed her down within seconds. She was dragged into a deep slumber, as some pressure points that induced sleep were pressed on.

"Nandini... Ruby kaun hai?" (Nandini... who is Ruby?)

"She was a nun from a church nearby. She'd come home to feed me one meal a day at least, though she made vows to devote herself entirely to the church and she couldn't be with me all the time." Meera began touching parts of Nandini's head, to activate the hypnosis or something like that. "She was my sole protector, in those dark nights." Ruby. That's why it caught a special place in her heart.

"Phir Manik aaya, aur mera Manik bhi kisi Ruby se kam nahi hai." (And then Manik came, and he isn't that different from Ruby.) She smiled in her sleep. "Aise cheesy baatein karna is so weird..." (These cheesy words coming from me is so weird...) Meera looked at me and gave me an understanding smile. She asked me to come inside and I walked, suppressing my fear. I didn't fear her, but I feared facing that defenseless soul-that side of Nandini I was never exposed to.

"Even after we've broken up, he takes care of me. Pareshaan hota hai meri wajah se, aur main usse pareshaan hi karti rehti hoon. He doesn't know that I left him because of me, and not him. I'm messed up, he's not but he also thinks I don't love him. Main..." (He gets worried because of me, and I keep troubling him.) Tears rolled down my cheeks as I impulsively kissed her, our lips blending together, speaking words and feelings that I couldn't express in any other way. I never knew there was so much pain behind the strong front she put up to the world. She held onto me, in her sleep, as if she knew it was me all along. I could feel her painful smile through the kiss. Nandini, I'll heal you.

That was when I realized I could never stop loving her.

***

Nandini

Our little one lay in my arms, drinking her milk quietly and with utmost enthusiasm. She was like Mommy in that way, always ready to eat. Our daughter was healthy, overall, all thanks to overprotective Manik and his obsessions with baby formula's 'nutritional facts'.

I sat in the passenger seat with Naina, which was a big distraction to Manik because every few seconds, he'd casually glance at our angel and lose his mind around her. It was going to be fatal if he focused less on the road and more on our baby girl.

She was also quite distracted by the presence of both her parents at a visible distance from her. It made her happy and she didn't want to waste that time drinking milk. She nudged the formula bottle away, spilling a little over her red Tellytubby-like onesie pajamas. She resembled Po from the show, and it was because of earlier afternoon lunchtimes with Naina that I began watching that show very sincerely.

I always wanted to own a doll who I could dress up and play with and take to make-believe tea parties when I was younger. Naina wasn't any different from a doll for me so I decided to enjoy the phase of dressing-up-a-doll. "Manik, let's shop for Naina." I gleamed, trying to entice him into giving in.

He rolled his eyes at the mention of shopping. He never liked how I took so long to shortlist. According to him, even models could be crowned titles before I finished with my poll votes on which of the shortlisted dresses I was to buy. It was a tedious process. Manik wasn't that patient. Yet, I tried my luck. "Like clothes shopping."

"No, we're going home and you're taking rest. I have work to do and it's better if Naina sleeps." There was no correlation between anything he said. What rest? That was the stupidest thing I'd heard.

"Manik, don't you think you're going a little overboard here? I'm not bedridden, it's just a period, it happens every month." He grumbled at the information I was feeding him with. He obviously knew lesser than me in that field and he couldn't seem to justify why he didn't want to go shopping, that too for our baby.

"Nandini... it's a working day. I need to be there." For the first time, Manik was being a little patient. He was calm and composed, eyeing the side mirror before indicating and taking a diversion. For some reason, the idea of Manik driving made him sexier than ever. The focus, the power... it all highlights his confidence. Generally, women love men who are self-sufficient and responsible, and Manik was a pro at both. Enough of getting carried away with compliments for him.

"Mr. Mehta can cut you some slack." I scowled, in a condescending manner. His desperation to get Manik romantically linked with his daughter was evidently unprofessional but again, what could you expect of such people?

"You know, surprising..." He chuckled sarcastically, shooting a smile at me and then concentrating on the road. "...but Doctor Meera told me specifically, jab bhi Nandini pareshaan karegi na, send her to me; I'll put TWELVE INJECTIONS." (...but Doctor Meera told me specifically, if Nandini troubles you, send her to me;) He used the right pauses and stretches, and somehow, the way he said it wasn't satirical. I was a little shocked and worried.

"TWELVE?"

"Yeah... why? Twelve is not a believable number?" His breaths and the last sentence gave him away though. Good going, Mr. Malhotra! Well played. I acted serious too.

"Okay! I'm ready."

He didn't expect that. "What?"

"Look Manik, I have decided. I want to buy things for Naina. Why aren't you letting me spend on my daughter? Who am I earning for then?" "Manik, come on. Okay fine, you don't want to come? Don't come. I'm going." I just meddled with the lock on the door, while it was still moving, and even that little switching of the lock made Manik go insane.

"Are you crazy?! FINE! We'll GO!" I smirked, while our baby cooed. Yes baby, we're going shopping for you. Her Daddy was steaming though, and that's how the game's played!

***

We were shopping in all the baby shops that existed in Infiniti Mall, Andheri. Naina was in the baby stroller, wiggling around as I leaned over while pushing it, to entertain her. "So what does my baby want to wear?" Manik was a little jealous at how happy the baby was with me. He growled loudly to express his irritation.

"What is your problem?"

"You-what?" His pursed lips revealed a hollow mouth when his focus shifted behind me. I tapped my foot impatiently for him to complete his statement.

"What?"

"Aashika! Shit!" He covered me up, by facing his back towards her and clasping me in his arms. What was he trying to do? "Yeh yahan kya kar rahi hai?" (What is she doing here?)

"Mujhe kya pata tha office ki saari ladkiyaan tumpe hi marrti hai!" (How would I know all the women from work die for you only?)

He turned his neck briefly to check if she was gone. To his bad luck, that was when she turned to him and spotted him. Manik nudged me aggressively. "Nandini, hide." Oh... now he needed my help.

"No. First, say sorry." I smirked, crossing my arms confidently.

"For what?"

"For ruining my moment with Naina. Main usse baat kar..." (I was talking...) Manik slammed his palm over my mouth to seal it. "Shh..." He turned back yet again, and then shoved me to the side where some indoor potted plants sat, decorating a seating area.

"Manik?"

He spun around very casually. "Hey Aashika!" His eyes brightened as if he never really saw her. What an actor!

"What are you doing here? I heard you were unwell."

"Haan... like allergies... achoo! See..." He rubbed his nose, and raised his shoulders once in discomfort.

I was getting bored sitting on the floor. I found a little space between Manik's foot and the shoe edges. I ripped a little leaf off a plant, tucking it in the empty space playfully, making Manik jerk in shock. Naina giggled with her Mommy, lifting one of her legs in the air. Aashika curiously looked at Manik and then Naina. "I... uh... I came to get my baby some stuff. You know... diapers, bottles... yeah!" While he was creating excuses, he was constantly moving his feet, to get that leaf out.

Anyone watching that conversation would've thought Manik was mentally retarded or something. He randomly started doing jogging actions and all creepy things. I was finding it very difficult to conceal my chuckles. Aashika was taken aback. "Tum?" (You?)

"My fiancé is coming to see me."

"Oh, good luck!" She nodded and then took that silent moment as a cue to avoid him and keep away from embarrassment.

"Yeah... I'll see you." She hurried away, while Manik rolled his sleeves, preparing for war. He slid down to where I was sitting and pulled me like the old Manik.

For a moment, both of us were surprised at his gesture. It had just been too long since I'd been that close to him. I could feel my blood rushing through my body, settling at my cheeks that had flushed to a light tint of red.

Our breaths met, and gazes intensified. Never in my life did I see Manik in that light. There wasn't a lot of difference in the way he looked. It was just the long-lost proximity was showing its effects. He was equally affected, and that brought me some peace. He was still mine.

Realizing his feelings, he cleared his throat. "Haan... toh kya bol rahi thi? Saari ladkiyaan, huh?" (Yeah, so what were you saying? All women, huh?) He quoted my line from earlier, before Aashika came into the picture. His taunt was embarrassing to face. I wasn't ready to surrender that soon. I also tried to lift my ego.

"Oh... except me, okay?" I stood up hastily, checking on our little one who remained at peace so that her Mommy and Daddy could have some uninterrupted time together. Her hands were in her mouth. Manik smirked at me, which I caught through the corner of my eyes.

"Something's burning..."

"What? Wh-what do you mean? Look... Agar tum zyaada drama karoge, main chilla dungi and she'll see you with me." (Look... If you overact, I'll scream and she'll see you with me.) He shook his head in fear, as if he was enchanted in my spell. Good work, Nandini... Malhotra. "Sorry bolo."

"Sorry."

"Aise nahi... Nandini and Naina, mujhe maaf karna. Mujhe aisa interrupt nahi karna chahiye tha. I'll not show attitude. I will be a good man. Tell." (Not like this... Nandini and Naina, please forgive me. I shouldn't have interrupted.) He huffed at me and my stupid instructions, pulling me closer in a millisecond. Breathing heavily over my gaping face, he muttered, "Sorry."

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Ho gaya update! Phew! :P How was it? What was your favorite part?

Question of the chapter: What is one thing on your bucket list, to do with your special someone?

What's gonna happen now? Any plot twists?

Another thing... :D The previous chapter got the most votes for this story I guess which is so amazing! I hope I keep pleasing you all with my work. All the commenters, I promise to get back to you. You guys deserve it! <3 Tons of love.