Nandini's POV

Entering the elevator I pressed the button for the top floor and adjusted the bag over my shoulder.  A sigh left my mouth.
Say it, a sigh out of tiredness or of relief. Both are applicable for me now!

Senior Raghav was getting on my nerves today.

 First, instead of discussing the thesis on campus, he had to plan a meet at Cafe.
Fine! I won't cry on that. 

Then, he made me wait for a long 30 minutes. He himself proposed to met at 5:30, and I arrived earlier, but woh khud hil-dul ke 6 baje aaye. I didn't even have his no. to call & check if he's coming or not. I had to wait. And to cool myself down and kill time, I ordered my favourite ice cream.

Chalo jo late hona tha wo ho gaya ab jaldi jaldi thesis ke topics decide karke planning kar lete hain. 

Par Nahin! 
He was not at all participating in the discussion. It's only me who's talking on which topics we should not choose as it will be easy & be taken by many, and which topics will be difficult for even us to gather reports. 

He's doing only two things- ek toh mujhe tukur-tukur ghoorna, doosra utt-patang sawal poochhna. 

In today's full one hour discussion, we didn't even finalize our topic. Jab maine jate waqt pucha ki finally hamara topic kya hoga. 
You know what he said; 'Khud hi choose karlo'.

Like seriously!
If I was to choose, toh hum itne waqt kar kya rahe thae.
Arghhh!

He's just a pain in my ass.
I can't be more happy when this thesis will be over.

*Click*

The elevator pinged open and I walked out sighing.

 Chalo, let's forget about stupid him & stupid thesis for now and concentrate on getting home.. & Manik. 

*Ding - Dong*
I rang the bell and waited. 

I do have the keys, so do Manik. But it has been our routine to open the door and welcome the other once one of us gets back home first. 

It has been a minute. Did Manik not hear the bell?

*Ding - Dong*
I rang again and waited patiently.

Still no one opened the door. Is Manik not home yet? Ghar toh bahar se lock nahin hai. Manik should be inside.

*Ding - Dong*
I rang the bell for the third time and waited. But this time impatiently, with many questions in my head; Is Manik alright? Kuch hua toh nahi hoga na? Maybe he's in his washroom or on an important call in his room.

Letting out a deep exhale, I decided to open the door with my keys and get in.

Getting inside and changing myself to slippers, my eyes first roamed in search of the only person who has been disturbing my peaceful dreams since he crash-landed in my life. Manik!

Not finding him anywhere in the hall, I went straight up, passing by his closed door, to my room to freshen up. 

… …

After cooking chapati & mix veg for both of us for dinner, I turned the gas off. My eyes again went to the closed door of Manik's room. 

He's not come out of his room till now.

Usually he used to help me with dinner. And if he had to work, he used to work at the dining table only, while asking about my day, and telling about his. 

Par aaj woh nahi hai yaha, aur essa ek second nahi tha jab maine usse miss nahin kiya. 

I found myself walking towards his room before I knew it. 

"Manik!" I called out and knocked on the door.

"Dinner is ready. C'mon let's eat." I added and waited for his reply, which didn't come.

Why isn't he replying? Is he alright? 
I'm really starting to get worried now. 

'I think he's ignoring you purposefully.' popped my devil side (😈) on my left. 

"Par Manik aisa kyun karenge?" I quizzed.

'For revenge, duh!' 😈 said rolling her eyes as if I've asked a stupid question.

But still I don't get it. Which revenge? 

'You too are ignoring him since the past few days na. Now tit for tat!' 😈 added watching my confused face.

Ah.. Yes! It's partly true. I won't deny it. But try and stand in my shoes too. Main bhi ek insaan hun. I've feelings, and emotions. I too want to be happy.. with someone who values me and my dreams. 
Meeting Manik and this marriage- this is not what I planned, at least not the way it happened. Still, Manik is affecting me in more ways than anyone ever had. I too want to love and to be loved. But abhi main aur Manik- Manik aur main- hum dono-  mujhe nahi pata. *sighes*

'Hello Madam, Kahan kho gai?' 😈's clicking fingers brought me to reality. 

I shook my head at her. Kya Manik mujhse gussa aur naraz hai? Isliye woh na hi reply de raha hai, na hi dinner ke liye aya.

'Hosakta hai usse fever ho aur woh soh gaya ho.' My angel side (😇) woke up yawning. But it's her words that hit me hard. 

Knowing this could be a possibility, and Manik may be sick inside while I was here caught up with myself, I immediately turned the door handle to push in. 

But it's locked from inside.

"Manik." I shouted. "Manik, are you there? Kya tum mujhe sunn pa rahe ho?" 

Still No reply!

Thinking that he might not be able to hear me, but calling him would wake him up, I ran downstairs to grab my phone from dining.

Dialing his number, I waited impatiently for him to answer. 

One full ring- no answer. 
Two full rings- no answer. 
Three full rings- still no answer.

He's making me worried now. 
Should I break into his room? 

Considering it as my only option to check on him since he's not picking up and might be burning in fever on his bed, I dialled him one last time. 

The ringtone goes on like before. But when the ringtone stopped in the middle, I didn't wait for him to say hello before I interjected, "Manik tum thik ho na? Why don't you come downstairs for dinner? Tumhara room bhi andar se lock hai. Do you have a fever? Open the lock, main andar aati hun... Hello, tum kuch bol kyun nahi rahe ho?" 

I looked at the screen when I didn't hear his reply.
The call was cut.

 I re-dialed, but it's switched off. 

My heart shrank. 

Is he really ignoring me?

.

Manik's POV

I switched off my phone on the fourth ring. 

I don't wanna talk to her right now and end up saying something that I'll regret the next moment. 

I need time. Time to process everything! 

Suru se hi, I was not thinking of getting married any sooner, at least not with the situation I am in.
Then Nandini- uska mujhpe first impression was not at all superb. She irritated me. 

Par phir, we eventually got married and now living together. 

At first, I thought, since I've to marry her because of Dad's promising her father to take care of her, then I will just give her divorce and let us go separate ways when she's graduated and can take care of her own. Till then, I'll take care of her.
 Nothing more, nothing less. 

But then, l found my cure in her. I don't know what's in her that makes my junior react, but it does!

My last appointment with the doctor wasn't successful since he was out of the country and I didn't wanna discuss this issue with his junior doctor. 

Nandini came into my life, as my cure, when I had lost the hopes. And I don't want to let my new ray of hope slip away. I'm selfish!
But I can't just ignore her & her choices in my selfishness. I'm not of that kind. 

If she has or will have someone in her life, someone who really cares for her, loves her, then I'll let her free. 
That's what I had always thought. 

Phir jab aaj mujhe pata chala ki she's got that certain someone in her life, why does it hurt?! 

Why am I feeling this burning hole in me- in my heart? 

You know what's the first thing crossed my mind, after I spotted her & that boy in the cafe together.-
'Mujhe laga ki Nandini icecream sirf mere sath khati hai.  That's our moment! How can she share it with just anyone?' 

I didn't have this feeling with my ex. She's the university goddess and things turned to us dating. We're better friends and quite understanding with each other. But this jealousy and physical attraction are something I didn't feel for her. At least not the way I am feeling for Nandini.

With Nandu, it's different. Totally different. Unique! 

We have known each other for not even half a year, yet I'm quite comfortable being around her.
I like talking to her; to get to know her better.
I have this strange feeling of protecting her in any situation, to safeguard her from the cruel world.
I feel this strong urge to do anything, literally ANYTHING, chahe woh kitna bhi stupid thing hi kyon na ho, the smile on her lips is worth it. 

Kya feelings hai yeh?

Am I-?

Nahin! 
I'm not worthy of her. She deserves a man who can take care of her like she deserves, like a real man. 

And unfortunately, I am- 

I know I should let her go, but damn it hurts. 
Hurts like bitch! 

I lay back on my bed, looking at my white ceiling. My stomach is growling but mujhe khane ka bilkul bhi mann nahi hai.
 A part of my mind wants me to sleep and escape this pain, but sleep is far away from my eyes. 

... ...

How much time has passed, I don't know.

I didn't, until the bright dancing ray peeping through the curtains, brought me back from my paining thoughts and showed me the reality.
Reality; that the long night was gone, and a new day has started.

They say, new day brings new found courage in you to face the challenges in your life.

Sahi kahte hai!

I glanced at the clock to find it's 7:15 now. Almost time for morning excercise. Pulling myself off the bed, I got ready and changed into my vest and track-pants.

Taking a deep breath in, I opened the door and walked out only to find Nandini, in her yellow tops and yoga pants, walking out of her room too.

She stopped her movement when she sensed my presence and turned, only to lock our eyes with each other.

In that moment,
I know what I should be doing.

******

What do you think Manik is gonna do next?

Kuch kahana chahte ho, Nandini aur Manik se?

Stay tuned...
❤️❤️❤️