Nandini looked up and a smile automatically appeared on her face as she finally saw him..

..one last time..

"Manik..You..You came.."she whispered slowly as she wasn't left with much life to hold on to.

He came..

...even after everything he came.

"Of course Nandini..how can I not..."Manik replied as tears started to stream out of his eyes.

"..this means.."Nandini gulped as she was running out of time and life "..you still love me.."

"I will always love you Nandini.."Manik planted a kiss on her forehead as he answered her "Always.."

He loved Nandini...

..even after her betrayal he still loved her.

"I love you too Manik..I love you so much.."Nandini smiled even when she was writhing in her pain because she didn't knew that even pain could be so peaceful.

"I know you do Nandini.."he kissed her lips this time. "I know that.."

"I will always love you Manik..even death can't change this fact..you know that too...right.."She somehow managed to say it out loud. Nandini knew she was running out of time so using all her energy she continued "I have to go now...but..."she replied while tears brimmed her eyes. "...I so wish...I could be with you..FOREVER..because I know no measure of time spent with you will ever be enough for me..ever.."

"Nothing will happen to you Nandini..I won't let anything happen to you..Nothing can take you apart from me..not even death..I won't let you go..ever.."though his voice was urgent but she could hear the determination in his voice. "We will get our FOREVER..I promise.."

"I believe you.."his words made her smiled once again. "May be in some other life of mine..in some other world we will get our FOREVER.."Manik held her hand and placed it on his cheeks because he could see that Nandini was trying to do the very same but couldn't as she was too feeble to do that.

She smiled as he fulfilled her very last wishes well which was to touch him..just once.."I just wish that this moment could last forever..but unfortunately I know this won't..because my time has come..and I have to go.."

"You aren't going anywhere.."Manik held her close. "I won't let you.."he shook his head. "I won't survive without you..because honestly I don't know how to live without you anymore.."He looked at her and pleaded. "Please don't leave me Nandini..I love you..I love you very..very much..I am begging you Nandini please don't go.."

"I would always be with you Manik.."Nandini answered. "right there.."she pointed towards his heart.

"Please..please Nandini..please don't go..please.."he begged "Promise me Nandini..Promise me.."

"I am not leaving you Manik.."finally her words caught his attention."I can never leave you..no matter where I go I will always come back to you..always.."

"You promise.."he questioned.

"Nandini promise.."she finally said the words out loud "I will return to you Manik..I will always return for you..I promise..but.."she gulped and putting all the life that was left with in her she spoke "but promise me something in return.."

"Anything.."he nodded.

"..promise me...that you will wait for me..and no matter what happens you will make me yours...and even if you have to move hell and heaven ...you won't ever let go off me..promise me.."she demanded in her feeble condition only.

"I promise..I promise I won't ever stop loving you..I will wait for you..and I will make you mine..and nothing will ever come between us..never.."his words gave her the release that she was looking for.

Smiling one last time at him Nandini uttered her final words "Manik..I love you.."and the very next moment her eyes became still as she took her final breathe that brought an end to her life.

However Nandini knew now how much Manik was broken as she remembered his last moments with her which he showed her through his memory.

"NO.."he shook her "NANDINI.."he shook her again.."NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..."he yelled as he held her even closer to him. Hugging her he let misery have him.

And now..

She remember it..

She remembers it all...

With every passing second her memories started to solidify..

...something was changing..

...something was happening with her.

...but what..

However before she could find the answer to that once again she heard his voice..

"Nandini.."

"Nandini.."

Manik...

His voice was getting clearer with every passing second..

"Nandini..Nandini..wake up Nandini.."

"..come back to me baby..please.."

Finally following the direction of Manik's voice Nandini started to run towards it..

Everything started to blur...

Everything started to speed up..

As if someone had pressed the fast-forward button..

But instead of getting mumbled sounds everything slowly started to make sense..

And finally she got the much required exit that she was looking for...

As her eyes snapped open..

Bringing her back to the real world..

Abruptly she woke, gasping for breath and covered in sweat..

The first thing that she saw was Manik's face that was etched with concern..once again..

Nandini was completely disoriented.

WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED!!!

She was in her bedroom,with Manik sitting right next to her--panic was clearly visible on his face.

How?

Why?

She sat bolt upright..shocked..

WOW!!!!

She glanced around only to find that it was morning.

"Nandini..are you okay.."Manik asked while he wiped the sweat away from her forehead.

Nandini was still too shock to say anything so instead she just nodded her head in a yes.

"Have this.."saying this Manik extended a glass of water towards her. Taking a sip from it she looked at him and asked "Did I passed out again.."

This time Manik was the one who didn't say anything and simply nodded as his face hardened which didn't go unnoticed by her. However for the moment Nandini chose to avoid it.

She put her head in her hand. "How long was I out this time.."

She expected him to answer but when he didn't she looked up at him only to find him looking at her with an unknown expression etched on his face. "What happened Manik..tell me now..how long was I out this time.."

Finally Manik's facial expression changed as he replied sternly "..long enough to put your life into danger Nandini.."

"What.."she asked confusingly. "How long..tell me na Manik.."

"Fine..you want to listen.."Manik's rage return as he got up from the bed and replied "..you were in a state of semi coma Nandini as.."

"..you were out for three weeks.."

Nandini's eyes widened in horror. "What.."

"Yes..you were unconscious for past three weeks..and still you will say that you want to be with me..when my existence is putting you in danger Nandini..no..no..again..not ever.."

"You are going back.."

"..away from this place.."

"..away from me.."

"..this time forever.."

"..and this is final.."

"...no arguments.."

Saying this Manik was about to storm out of the room when Nandini said something that stopped Manik in his tracks.

"But what if I say that from now on there won't be any need for me to remember anything anymore.."

"What if I say from now on taking these kind of risk won't be required at first place.."

Her words caught his attention. Turning around he looked at her only to find her standing right in front of him. "What do you mean..Nandini.."

Nandini was the one who didn't say anything this time as she continued to look at him with an unnamed emotions in his eyes which of course didn't went unnoticed by Manik.

Cupping her face he asked "Nandini..are you okay.."

"Never been better.."Nandini closed her eyes as she got lost into his touch.

Her actions only confused him more "Nandini..what's going on..is everything okay.."

Nandini opened her eyes and said "Now it definitely will be.."and the very next moment she placed her lips on his and literally mauled him like an hungry tigress.

Though Manik was shocked for a moment but soon he started to respond and ended up kissing her back.

However this time their kiss was different..

..earlier whenever Manik used to kiss Nandini..her lips used to mould itself according to his lips..

...but today..

...her lips were holding on its own as she continued to kiss him with everything that she had.

Manik was about to loose himself when Nandini did something that literally shocked Manik to the core..

...resulting in eyes flew wide open..

...and there kiss stopped abruptly..

...as Nandini started to unbutton Manik's shirt.

"What are you doing.."was all Manik could whisper as he held her hands that was still on her shirt. "..have you lost your mind Nandini.."

"No Manik..in fact it's the other way around..today I found my way back to my original mind.."Nandini replied with smug expression on her face "..and now I am claiming what had always been mine to begin with.."

"Nandini..stop it.."Manik tried to sound authoritatively but failed miserably. Nandini could feel his hands faltering so she asked
"...but why..."while she moved even more close to him.

Manik's breath was turning ragged because of Nandini's advancements. "you have no idea what you are saying..Nandini..you don't want this Nandini..you don't.."

"It seems you are making to convince yourself that Manik.."she pulled him so close that even there was no space left for air between them. "..because I know that..I want to...believe me..."

"Nandini..it's not safe for you..I can't loose you again.."Manik finally said the words out loud "..I just can't...we need to stop this.."though he said this but showed no sign to move back.

"You won't Manik...You won't loose me ever.."Nandini planted a kiss at the corner of his mouth.

Manik sighed as he closed his eyes "..and how do you know this.."

"Because today is Valentine's Day Manik.."Manik's eyes snapped open as soon as Nandini reminded him. "It's 14th February.."

"It's your..birthday.."Manik's facial expressions changed in an instance.

"Yes Manik..not only that.."Nandini smiled "..it's my 21st birthday.."

Manik's breathe turned erratic as he finally understood what Nandini was referring to.
"Manik..It's time to start a new chapter of our lives where there will be no scope for any fear.."

She kissed another corner of his lips and continued "..from today onwards there will be love and only love between us.."

Manik finally left her hands and took her into his embrace. Caressing her face he said "Are you sure about this Nandini..you have no idea how badly I have waited for this day.."

"It seems you are scared Manik.."Nandini asked as Manik continued to caress her cheeks.

"I am Nandini..for you.."he removed a stray of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ears "..I have been holding this passion for eternity for you..i am just worried that once I unleash it I might not be able to contain it anymore.."

"..I will loose control..and I might end up hurting you..and that thought is scaring me Nandini.."

"I trust you Manik..and I know..even unknowingly you can never hurt me..ever.." Nandini's words changed his facial expressions instantly. "How can you trust me so much Nandini.."

"..because i have seen the consequences of not trusting you once..and never in this life of mine i am going to repeat that mistake again.."Her words were only making it difficult for him to control his unquenched passion that has been building up inside him for thousands of years for her. "Are you sure Nandini..don't you want to wait for a while.."

Nandini could see that she was on the verge of winning so she finally put the last bucket of fuel into his burning desire by replying "We have waited enough Manik..not anymore.."saying this she simply placed her lips on his finally breaking the last wall of his patience and will power.

As the very next moment they were all about lips...tongue...and forbidden touches..

..as Nandini finally succeeded in helping Manik  to finally let go of his inhibitions.

But before he could loose himself into her completely he broke the kiss just to ask her one last time whether she was 100% sure or not.

"Nandini...you own me..you own my heart..my soul...my life...I just don't want you to feel guilty about it later...that's why I am asking you to rethink your decision...because once I start I won't be able to stop myself...because just like you even I want you...way...way more than you can ever imagine.."Manik's words sent shivers across her body.

"I love you Manik.."Nandini planted a soft kiss on his lips. "I love you so much.."she kissed him again "I know what I want Manik...I know what I need...All I want is You..All I need is you..I have never wanted anything so much...I have never been so sure about anything..I need you Manik...I want you..I want you now.."she was about to kiss him again but this time Manik beat her to it.

Slamming his lips into hers he silenced her.

Soon their clothes were lying in every corner of the room. And the room was filled with their passionate groans and sensual moans as Manik took Nandini into the ultimate zenith of passion and ecstasy where they both got so lost into each other that they forgot the existence about the outside world.

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