Rishab: U r fine right? I mean really completely fine?
Rishab asked Nandini for almost the 10th time making her sigh as she shook her head and ruffled his hair.

Nandini: Rishu.... Relax! I m fine.... Believe me..

Rishab nodded at her and turned back to wards the Television screen in her room watching some random movie. Both of them stayed silent for sometime before he said slowly,
Rishab: I was scared....

He admitted to it so softly, that it took Nandini a minute to know if he actually said it. Nandini turned towards him while Rishab kept his eyes fixed at the screen.
Rishab: I can't loose u Di!! I don't hv anyone but u....

Nandini: Hey hey why are u saying so? I m not going anywhere okay. And u hv ur mom-dad too na, why all this senti thing haan...

Nandini said leaning onto him slightly as she smiled at her silly brother. Rishab didn't reply to her and sat there still making Nandini frown as realisation drew over her,
Nandini: Rishu??

Rishab: Hmn...

Nandini: Rishu look at me!!
Nandini said sternly making him follow her words as she kept one of her hands on his cheek.

Nandini: Tell me the truth okay!!! When was the last time either of them actually took the trouble of talking to u?

Rishab started at her for a minute before replying softly,
Rishab: Almost 2 months now...

Nandini gasped at his words while he continued,
Rishab: The last was when she made all that issue of me staying out, a day before u left for ur honeymoon.

Nandini didn't say anything at it as she remembered the harsh words she had said to him that day when she heard Manik's voice.

Manik: So what?? 2 months right! Forget it, u know what champ, u shouldn't give a fuck about those two..

Nandini: Manik, language!
Nandini said glaring at him as Manik rolled his eyes and sat on the chair next to the bed and patted Rishab's shoulder.

Manik: Stop treating him like a kid Nandini... Rishab u shouldn't give a damn about those two okay?
Manik said again, this time changing his words slightly with a teasing tone for Nandini while Rishab smiled at his action. Manik looked at him and winked before telling him with atmost sincerity.

Manik: This is ur family Rishab! Nandini is ur Family, I m ur Family.... And no matter what happens always remember that u would have us watching ur back. Okay?

Rishab smiled at him with a nod before chuckling softly.
Manik: What?

Rishab: U seriously think that u would be able to watch out for anyone without her??
Rishab asked teasing Manik as he pointed towards Nandini.

Rishab: Do u even remember the last five days at all?? U were walking around like a Zombie Jiju! I bet u don't even remember what was it that Nyonika Aunty had literally forced u to eat for dinner last night.

Manik laughed at his words, shaking his head as he rubbed the back of his neck on being pinned on to like that. Rishab too joined his laughter while Nandini turned red before shifting here gaze back to the TV. Manik and Rishab continued their pointless banter for quite a long time until Rishab's phone disturbed them. Nandini turned the volume to low as Rishab received the call.

Rishab: Hey!!.... Yeah, I m still at the hospital.... No, she is up now! They took her off coma finally.... Yeah I know.... U free now?.... Ohh.... Wasn't that ur last one?.... Ohk cool, we are still on for later right?.... I m looking forward to it....

Just the fact that Nandini had still not reacted or responded to anything that Manik had said to her earlier, made the situation too awkward for them. And now Rishab being on the phone, made him the only person speaking in the room, and thus, automatically gaining Nandini's attention to his extra charming voice and the small smile playing on his face.

A smirk came onto her face as she turned towards her little brother, Manik too following her lead except that he had a teasing look on his face. The look by the two of them, immediately made Rishab's easy smile vanish as he gulped visibly.

Rishab: Umn... Hey, I gotta go okay.... I'll pick u up at 8.... Bye!
Rishab disconnected the call keeping his phone back into his pocket as he smiled at Nandini.

Nandini: So..

Rishab: So??

Nandini: Who was it?
Nandini asked him directly making Rishab chuckle nervously as he replied,
Rishab: That... Umn, no one! Just a friend from college.

Manik: Friend..... Or girlfri-
Manik asked him, making him immediately answer.

Rishab: Jiju!!

Manik: Ohh.... Ohk!
Manik shrugged still smiling while Nandini continued,
Nandini: So friend as in classmate friend, or a teeny tiny crush friend or more than a friend...

Both of them noticed his ears turn red as Nandini squealed,
Nandini: Rishu is blushing.... Aww so cute!

Rishab: Di!!!

Nandini: Sush... Stop whining!! Tell me more, U have a date tonight?

Nandini said smiling broadly, feeling all excited like a teenage girl gushing over her first boyfriend. Manik smiled at the shine in her eyes as Rishab simply answered her whatever she asked about his date planning. He zoned out of their conversation feeling relaxed for the first time in the entire week. Until he heard Nandini squeal again.

Nandini: Wow... You planned that? Nice... But now, I wanna meet her!

Rishab: What? NO!
Rishab said directly making Nandini frown.

Nandini: Why?

Rishab: Not yet Di... Gosh, what's this with all the girls wanting to meet each other. She has also been bugging me to come and see how u r doing, and u weren't even up then!

Rishab said rolling his eyes while Nandini smiled,
Nandini: Now toh u definitely have to get me meet her. I m not well, I need all the best wishes in the world.

Rishab: Not happening Di...
Rishab said shaking his head while Nandini turned to look at him, pouting her lips pulling off a puppy dog look.

Rishab groaned at it before sighing,
Rishab: Fine, stop with the look! I'll make u meet.

Nandini squealed at his words, throwing her hands up to hug him only to cry out in pain as she forgot about her sensitive shoulder and injured ribs.

Manik: Nandini...
Manik exclaimed rushing to her other side as he wrapped his arms around her in a comforting way while Nandini took deep breaths trying to ease out the pain.

Rishab: Should I get the doctor?
Rishab asked concerned but Nandini shook her head in a No, sighing softly. Manik continued rubbing her back, trying to warm her up to ease the pain, while she gave into his chest, resting herself over him.

Manik: U okay?
Manik murmured into her hair making her nod as she took in a deep breath before looking up at Rishab, seeing his concerned face.

Nandini: Hey chill... I just need a day to realise that I m a bit buckled up.
She said, managing to come up with a small smile, but her hands clutching the bed sheets in a dead grip were enough an indication for Manik that she was pretending. She wasn't even able to pull herself up in a sitting position, giving up all of herself leaning over Manik.

Rishab: Chalo now u take rest... I'll come later.

Nandini: Sure... All the best for the date!
Nandini replied to him with a wink making him chuckle as he pressed her hand slightly.

Rishab: Take care Di... Love u! Bye...

Nandini smiled at him nodding in an answer before he walked straight out if the room.

Manik: Cut with the fucking fake smile, I know u r in pain, tell me why the hell are u not being able to sit up!

Nandini's barrier broke as she winced,
Nandini: My ribs... Try and help me lie down, I can't move.

Manik immediately got alerted at her words as he carefully helped her down watching as she closed her eyes writhing in pain and taking deep breaths. He fisted his hands, feeling helpless as he couldn't do anything to ease her.

He called the nurse and asked them for some pain relief at which the nurse prepared an injection quickly. 5 minutes later, Nandini finally opened up her eyes, letting out a few tears which Manik immediately wiped off.

Manik: Better?

Nandini: Bearable enough...
Nandini replied with a nod making Manik sigh as he held her hand and sat next to her. Nandini turned towards him looking at him intently and the only thing going on and on in her mind was,

"Mrs. Nandini Manik Malhotra..... I Love You! I love you so much that just the thought of loosing You, makes it difficult for me to Breath....."

The only thing she could think was his words and how honestly and genuinely his eyes shined as he told that to her. Before she knew, she lifted up her free hand as she inserted her fingers in his hair, moving his dark caresses backwards just the way she loved on him.

Nandini: U look good with ur hair back... I like it!

Manik lifted up his eyebrows at her words as a smile came onto his face,
Manik: U do?

Nandini: Yeah... I just realised it, but I guess I liked it that way always!!

Manik: So just out of curiosity, what else do u like on me?
Manik asked tilting his face to a side.

Nandini: This... The way u tilt ur head a bit on the right, u look at me this way a number of times. And it kinda makes me feel like u r listening to whatever crap that I m saying, and not just listening u r actually understanding what I say with those words and even the one's that just don't manage to come to my mouth.

Manik smiled a bit broader at it, looking away from her face before he heard her say again,
Nandini: And I guess I also like u supporting this light stubble, it better than ur clean shave. It gives u an intense serious look.

Manik chuckled at her words, moving his hand over his stubble.
Manik: Ohk so I already knew that u had a thing about wearing my clothes and now u apparently and self admittedly like my hair pull back and u would love it if I keep my stubble on a regular basis.... Wow! I m really growing onto u, isn't it?

Nandini chuckled softly at his words, keeping in mind her broken ribs, while her eyes stayed fixed at him. She lifted up her hand again, this time bringing it up to cup his face, caressing over his talked upon stubble.

Nandini: I don't like u looking so exhausted. I don't like this dark circles growing under ur eyes. And I hate it that I m the reason for that. Go home Manik.... Get some rest, u really need it!

Manik shook his head in a No almost immediately,
Manik: I m not going anywhere.... And I m absolutely fine! Yes I might need some sleep, but its nothing that can't be taken up by a nap on this chair.

Nandini: Manik u hv been sleeping on that uncomfortable seat for almost an entire week now, just go home and sleep for some time na!
Nandini said once more, her voice not even more than a whisper.

Manik: No... I m not leaving ur side, deal with it.
Manik said again making Nandini sigh as she held his hand.

Nandini: Ohk them come here....

Manik looked at him and then at her small hospital bed before shaking his head again.
Manik: No nandini... I m fine on the chair! U already have all these injuries.

Nandini: Shh... Either u r getting up here with me or u r going home, u don't have any other choice so think fast!

Manik: I m not going anywhere Nandini.
Manik repeated all over again as she smiled.

Nandini: Ohk then walk to the other side and get up here, I don't want this freaking shoulder to hurt more!

Manik smiled as he saw her shifting a little making space for him. Manik lied down next to her, being careful not to harm her when Nandini shook her head at him and held up his arm, resting her head over his chest before getting comfortable.

Nandini: U hate me right now for not talking to u right?
Nandini asked softly not even daring to look up at him.

Manik: U r talking to me!
Manik said simply making her scoff,
Nandini: U know what I mean

Manik sighed at it before moving his hand to her face and making her look up at him,
Manik: Yes... I want u to talk! But not about us, that can wait..... I want u to talk about this!! 
His fingers grazed over the bandage on her head.

Manik: I want to know how u r actually feeling! I want to know how u were feeling then! I want to know what had u panic so bad! And above all I want to know, why u left? If u wanna talk right now, I m up for it. But I would understand if u chose to delay it to tmrw to the max, and we could catch a nap right now.

Nandini smiled at him, looking back down and snuggling into him, and whispered,
Nandini: Tmrw mrng! I promise...

Manik nodded at her, holding her closer as he whispered,
Manik: Good night!

Nandini: Good night Manik...
Nandini replied back closing her eyes as he continued,

Manik: I love you!

He got no reply this time and neither did he expect it at the first place.
--------------------------

The next morning, Nandini woke up to find herself alone on the bed with a nurse on the her side, checking onto her reports.

Nurse: Good morning Mrs. Malhotra!

Nandini: Good morning.... And plz, just Nandini!

The nurse nodded at her before she noticed Nandini looking all around the room.
Nurse: U want something dear??

Nandini: Just some water and if u could give me something for this head ache it would be the best!

The nurse smiled at her and nodded.
Nurse: I hv ur medicines here, but u need to have some breakfast before it so for now, this water!

Nandini took the glass from her and drank it all before looking up at her again,
Nandini: Do u have any idea where my husband could be?

Nurse: Oh yeah... He is right outside by the end of the lobby, looking over some security stuff.

Nandini: Security??

Nurse: Yeah... The media has been going crazy watching Fab5 moving in and out all these past days. Mr. Malhotra has appointed special security to not let anyone in this part of the lobby.

Nandini nodded at her before asking,
Nandini: What does the media know by now?

Nurse: Umn nothing actually.... But since ur husband has gone all MIA, so they are suspecting something has happened to him, provided the rest of the Fab5 and ur in-laws have being coming along so frequently.

Nandini: They haven't catched a glimpse of him till now?

Nurse: They would hv if he ever left ur side..
The nurse said chuckling making Nandini turn red.

Nurse: Anyways, I'll go and check what are the breakfast arrangements for u, or is it coming on from ur home. Here u can check onto some news about ur hubby till then.
The nurse handed her over the remote for the TV with a wink and left the room.

Nandini: That was interesting!
Nandini murmured to herself before taking her advice and turning on the TV. She opened up the B-town news and as expected she got the news she was looking for.

"A little relief came on for all the Fab5 fans today as our camera's spotted Manik Malhotra, the lead singer of the band walking outside the city hospital today. With the recent high activity of the band members and Family of the singer near the hospital, it was predicted that he was not doing well, but all rumors were turned away this morning as Manik Malhotra cane outside and faced the crowd. Have a look at what the singer had to say at our questions,
Q: Mr. Malhotra, the rumors say that u were admitted in the hospital, is that true?
A: No its not!!

Q: Sir, If u weren't admitted where were u? And why do u look so unwell.
A: (chuckling) Try spending a week in the hospital with someone and u'll look the same. I was right in there the entire week.

Q: Why?
A: My wife, Nandini met with an accident and she was in coma. I was by her side. She woke up just yesterday and is now out of danger!

So that was Manik Malhotra putting an end to all the rumors going around in the country the entire week. Though its a bad news for the numerous MaNan fans that the lady of their favorite couple is hospitalized, but we'll focus on the positive side of it as Manik said she was out of Danger now. Stay tuned for more information on the lovely couple."

A few pictures of the two of them from their social sites and from the various public appearances were displayed after playing onto Manik's clip again after which Nandini turned off the television.

Just then the door opened as Manik walked in along with Nyonika carrying her food.
Nyonika: Good morning!

Nandini: Good morning Mom...

The rest of the morning and afternoon passed on with the doctor hovering over Nandini as they scanned her injuries, working on the progress. The doctors told her that she could be discharged in 2 days. All their friends came to meet her, they all had a mini party in her room on the occasion of her being all fine.

Half way through the celebration, she fell asleep due to the heavy sedatives. Manik asked them all to leave and also that they'll have a proper party once she is out.

Later that day, Nandini woke up to find Manik sitting in front of her working on various files spread all around the small table.

Nandini: Why is this place a mess?

Manik smiled up at her, closing all the files and keeping them aside in a neat stack.
Manik: Here... All neat and clean!

Moving closer towards her, he helped her sit up straight and gave her a glass of water.
Nandini: What were u working on?

Manik: Just the stuff that I m lagging in!! I didn't realise it till now, but work is a mess! I need to get back as soon as u r out of here....

Nandini: U could join back now! I don't mind. Plus, Dad must be having difficulty without u. Already I m missing!

Manik: Me at Office while u r here.... No thanks, I'm most likely gonna mess it up further. And don't worry about Dad, he understands! He's DAD...

Manik said making her chuckle before her smile died.
Nandini: Do u think he knows that I atleast am sorry for what happened? Do u think he has it in him to forgive me?

Manik's face immediately hardened as he understood that she was back on her guilt road but he didn't say anything.

Nandini: We were on our way back to home. I had forced him to take me out to get icecream. He was driving, while I sat by his side licking my icecream. He was Happy that day.... So so happy!! There was that shine in his eyes when he bought that ice cream for me and made me sit up on his shoulder as he walked out of the store towards the car. I was messing around with the stuff in his glove box, he kept on telling me to leave it aside but I didn't listen to him. That's when I found a torch in there and I started flashing it towards him, loving the effect that light created in the darkness of the car. He laughed out loud at it, attempting to take it back from me and that was when we heard honks. The car lightened up by the headlights in front of us. He tried to stir the car away but the steering jammed or something. And before I knew he snapped open my seatbelt and pushed me out of the car. I heard his cry, his voice shouting out my name and the too damn loud crash. He paid for it that day..... He paid for my little wish of being stubborn..... He paid for my irresponsibility of not listening to him..... And he paid for it with his own Life.

Sobs escaped Nandini's mouth as she cried, a loud wail coming out from her as she cried louder,
Nandini: I m guilty of my fathers death and no one but me knows it.... 

Manik got up and stood next to her pulling her closer as he hugged her closer to him, letting her cry into his chest. It was a few minutes later that she calmed down when Manik finally broke the hug and sat next to her cupping her face,
Manik: Would u listen to what I tell u now?

Nandini simply nodded her head at him as he made her look into his eyes.
Manik: Nandini ur father loved u.... He loved u just too much and he still does! And even if u say sorry a 1000 times, he doesn't have to forgive u, coz u were never at fault that night. U r focusing on that last one time that he called out ur name, when it was actually just bcoz even then he was worried about you. Just close ur eyes once and remember that glint, that shine in his eyes that u were talking about. Remember that free laughter of his on ur happiness.... U have been living in guilt for something that u never did, something that was just a misfornate moment! And it is time to let it Go!!!

Nandini was speechless as he finished,  she wanted to believe him, tell her heart that it wasn't her fault, tell the world that her father loved her too much...... And maybe even tell them that this guy sitting in front of her, holding her face in his palms is the one who loves her just as much.

Manik saw her eyes fixed at him, and all he wanted at that one moment was to pull her closer and kiss her hard showing her the amount of love that he felt her but somehow he knew that he had to give her time for that.

Both of them were so lost in their moment, that neither heard Rishab knocking on the door. Rishab waited for any voice from inside before he frowned and pushed open the door only to stop and smile at them. He turned his gaze away from them, still smiling as did the girl standing beside him who looked down at her feet.

Rishab: Uhm Uhm....U hv got company lovebirds!! 

----------------------------------------------------

And there I did it! 
I stuck to the time limit that I had mentioned for this part! Yieppeee....

Anyways.... Before I forget to thank all these amazing people reading this! Let me just get to it as I tell u about the happiness that I felt reading all those numerous comments that u guys left in the previous part.

I love u guys for it!!

Hope u all liked this part.

Love,😘
Navya!!