"What did you just said.."his voice was nothing more than a mere whisper.

"Exactly what you heard.."even she replied sternly."..don't expect me to say it over and over again.."she rolled her eyes and continued. "...and yes just because I told you about my true feelings that still doesn't change the fact that I hate myself for everything that's been happening in my life.."

She slumped on the edge of the bed while she continued to speak "..you took everything from me because I asked you to do so..though I don't remember everything but I know that you will never ever do anything that would be against my wish.."

"..but still people got hurt.."she looked only to meet his eyes which were staring right back at her. "..you got hurt.."she looked down once again "..and it's all because of me.."

"I don't think I will ever be able to forgive myself ever.."tears were brimming in her eyes. "..I hate myself Manik..and I always will.."

She couldn't take it any longer as finally the emotional dam burst inside her eyes and tears started to stream out of her eyes which were more than enough to make Manik restless.

The very next moment he covered the distance between them in less than fraction of a second as he took her in his embrace. "Nandini don't say like this...please.."

Instead of arguing with him or pushing him backward she held him even close much to his surprise as he was expecting her hatred but all he could feel was her helplessness.

"Nandini you have no idea how much pain you have gone through yourself.."Manik lifted her chin slightly so that he could look directly into her eyes "..I know you don't remember everything clearly.."he wiped her tears away "..but soon you will remember everything..and then you will realise that you have suffered the most. You deserve happiness Nandini..i know you won't believe me now but i also know that soon you will not only believe me but will also feel exactly the same as me.."

"But Manik that won't change the fact that I hurt everyone whoever come close to me. I mean look at you..look at Madhyam and Soha..all of you are suffering and that too because of me.."she shook her head."..it doesn't matter how much pain I have gone through it doesn't give me right to put you all through hell..that's not correct and even you know it.."

She got back on her feet."How will I live with myself Manik..how can I ever be happy after inflicting so much of pain on everyone.."

Getting back on his feet Manik held her shoulder and answered looking straight into her eyes "Nandini time will not only heal your wounds but it will answer your questions too. I won't say anything anymore because clearly my words are not helping..in fact it's making you feel worse about yourself.."

"..but saying that I can't even live with the fact that you think that I don't trust you..because I do.."

"I trust you more than anyone Nandini.."

"..in fact I trust you more than my life.."

"I trust you with my life.."

"...and I think it's high time to show this to you."

Manik's words caught Nandini's attention. "What do you mean.."

Manik smirked."I mean it's high time you get answer to all your questions.."

Nandini furrowed her eyebrows as she couldn't understood the hidden meaning of Manik's words "..and how will you do that.."

"Similarly the way I showed you OUR PAST.."Manik's answer made Nandini'seyes widened in shock as she realised what his words meant "You mean.."

"Yes..from now on everyday I will show you one of the memory that's closest to both of us. Of course I didn't knew everything that happened in your past life but I will show you everything that we both lived together--which was my most priced possession and helped me to survive these thousands years that I spent without you."

"There wasn't a single moment in these thousands years that I haven't thought about you..that I haven't craved for you. It was because of these memories only that someone how I didn't loose my mind completely.."

"Your memories kept me sane Nandini.."

"Our memories kept me going"

"Whenever it used to get too much for me and I was about to loose the battle of patience and was about to go to SUPERIORS--to finish my worthless life--these memories used to stop me at first place."

"Even your memories had the power to calm me down.."

"They were magic.."

He looked back at her and caressed her cheeks "..just like you are"

Nandini's cheeks turn red where he ran his finger casually but then too she didn't say anything rather than she continued to look at him.

When she didn't say anything Manik spoke"You will continue to get memories of your previous life as you are getting now. But those will only provide you the half of the picture and whatever memories I will share with you hopefully it will present a complete picture in front of you."

"But for how long Manik.."Nandini's questioned."..for how long will all this continue..for how long will we have to suffer like this.."

"Not for long Nandini.."Manik answered to which Nandini once again questioned him. "..and how do you know this.."

Nandini looked at him expectantly so

Manik replied "Do you know what's three weeks from now.."
She simply shook her head which made him smile. "It's 14th February Nandini.."

"Valentines Day" Nandini whispered. "Yes..and it also happened to be your.."Manik raised her eyebrows expecting her to reply.

Realisation draws and Nandini's facial expressions immediately change as she comprehended what he wanted to say. "..it's my birthday.."

"Not just birthday Nandini.."Manik corrected. "Your 21st Birthday."

"What about that Manik."Nandini asked immediately as she couldn't hide her apprehension anymore."What's the relevance of that day Manik."

"Honestly Nandini..even I don't know the answer to that.."in that moment Nandini realise even Manik had no idea about that day. "But I know only one thing that it's going to change our lives FOREVER"

"Hopefully this time it will be for our best.."Nandini held his hand. "I hate living like this Manik..I just hate it.."

Manik cupped her face and said."I promise you Nandini...it will be over soon..it had too..because we have too many wars awaiting us Nandini which we could win only if we fight it together"

"And for that..I need you Nandini..because I can't fight alone any more.."

For the first time ever Nandini could feel Manik's helplessness in his words. "Manik why are you saying all these things.." this time she placed her hands beneath his chin and asked "..what are you referring to Manik."

Manik's eyes immediately closed as Nandini cupped his face "..tell me Manik..what is it that you are hiding from me.."

Manik sighed but without closing his eyes he whispered "There are so many things that I want to say to you Nandini..there are so many things that I want to share with you Nandini..but unfortunately right now it won't be of any use because you don't remember everything."

"I don't want to exhaust you by putting too much pressure on your brain..I don't want to do anything that might hurt you in any way possible.."

"Because I can't loose you Nandini.."

"Not again.."

Manik placed his hand over hers and opened his eyes only to find her looking at him with such intensity that could put the world on fire.

"I am wrecked Nandini.."

"I am too broken.."

"You are the only one who could heal me Nandini.."

"I am in too much pain Nandini.."

"..and you are the only one who could heal me.."

"I need you like one needs air to breathe.."

"I can never afford to loose you again.."

"You are my solace Nandini.."

"You are my everything.."

He was about to say something more but he couldn't as Nandini silenced him by placing her lips over his.

Nandini didn't held herself back as she kissed with everything that she felt for him because of which Manik was taken aback for a second as he didn't anticipated her move.

But the very next moment his hand slipped down her waste as he pulled her even more close while he kissed her right back with every ounce of passion that was building up inside him for thousands of years.

They have kissed each other before..

...but this kiss was different.

This kiss was passionate and was becoming more and more deep and sensually intense with every passing second.

Their tongues were fighting for dominance while it also continue to explore the not so unknown territory.

Nandini's hand shifted and it reached his hair where she grasped it tightly so that she could direct her lips over his the way she wanted.

Manik placed his one hand right beneath Nandini's face so that he could held her firmly as he continued to kiss her while his other hand hand remained on her waist pressing her body against his.

They continued to kiss each other until Nandini ran out of air. She pulled apart only to grasp air but her hands were still in his hair.

Manik sighed and rested her forehead against her."Nandini..."his words were mere whisper but it was enough to sent shivers down her spine. But his next words took her by surprise."I am sorry.."

Her eyes snapped open."Sorry...for what.."

"For being indecent..that was out of line.."Manik looked down.

"Are you feeling sorry for kissing me.."though she tried not to show but it was quite evident from her voice that she was hurt which made Manik panic.

"Of course not Nandini....I wasn't referring to that..I can never regret kissing you.."Manik pecked her lips gently making her go week on her knees. "Then what are you sorry for.."

"I lost control..I could have hurt you..I could have.."he stopped abruptly but Nandini knew what he was referring to. "..killed me.."

Manik looked down. "I am sorry Nandini...I..really.."before he could say anything this time Nandini silenced her by placing her fingers on his lips. "Shhh..."

"Manik you can never hurt me.."he looked up only to find her already looking at him.

"Nandini I can never loose control with you...but.."he stopped abruptly again which really annoyed Nandini so she asked him sternly."..but what.."

"..I can't control myself when you are so close to me..I just loose it Nandini..I just want to make you mine...in every way possible..."Manik's words made Nandini's heart skip a beat. "So do it.."

Her words stopped Manik in his track."What.."he questioned in a low tone but it was more than enough for her to hear it clearly.

So she answered him which literally once again shook Manik to the core..

"Mark me once again Manik.."

"Mark me by your love..."

"But this time mark not only my body but mark my soul too.."

"Make me your's Manik.."

"..in every way possible.."

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