Nandini was spiraling out of control, her mind clouded with fear and anger as she shattered anything she could get her hands on. The room was messy-picture frames were broken, pillows torn, and glass shards scattered across the floor. Her breathing was erratic, heavy, and ragged, as she gasped for air. It felt like her chest was closing in on her like she couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't escape.

Navya watched in horror, feeling helpless as she saw her unravel before her. Nandini's usually calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a wild, almost frantic desperation that terrified Navya. She had never seen Nandini like this, not since that one time on her birthday when something similar had happened. But back then, Manik had been there to calm her down.

And that's when it hit her. Only Manik could reach Nandini in this state.

Navya fumbled for her phone, her hands shaking as she quickly scrolled through her contacts and found Manik's number. Without wasting another second, she hit the call button and prayed he would pick up quickly. The phone rang twice before she heard Manik's voice on the other end.

"Navya?" he answered, his tone hopeful, as if he expected to hear Nandini's voice instead.

"Manik, it's me," Navya replied, her voice trembling with fear. "You need to come here, now. Nandini... she's... she's losing it."

Manik's heart skipped a beat as anxiety washed over him. "What do you mean, Navya? Is she okay? What's happening?"

In the background, he could hear Nandini's anguished screams, the sounds of objects crashing to the floor, and his heart clenched in fear. "Navya, tell me what's happening!" he demanded, his voice laced with desperation.

Navya took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "Amma just told her that she's getting engaged to Ronit next month. Nandini's freaking out, Manik. She's breaking everything, she's not listening to anyone... we don't know what to do!"

Manik felt the world closing in around him, panic threatening to overtake him. He couldn't let Nandini go through this alone. He needed to calm her down before she hurt herself. Without another thought, he called out to Cabir, who was sitting nearby with the rest of their friends in the living room.

"Cabir, get my guitar from my room, now!" Manik's voice was sharp, and commanding, leaving no room for questions.

Cabir jumped to his feet, confused but obeying without hesitation. "What's going on, Manik? Is everything okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

Manik ignored his question, his focus solely on Nandini. He needed to reach her, to bring her back from the edge. "Navya put the phone on speaker, but make sure Nandini can hear me," he instructed, his voice softening.

Navya nodded, though Manik couldn't see her. "Okay, just... just do something, Manik. Please."

As Navya put the call on speaker, Vishakha tried to snatch the phone away, her face twisted with a mix of guilt and frustration. "Navya, what are you doing? Give me the phone!"

But Mahir stepped in, placing a hand on Vishakha's arm. "Vishakha, let him try. This is the only way."

Nandini continued to rage, oblivious to what was happening around her until she heard a familiar voice crackling through the phone's speaker.

"Moonshine," Manik's voice was soft, soothing, like a balm to her wounded heart. The nickname he had given her wrapped around her like a warm blanket, momentarily pausing her destructive rampage.

Nandini froze, her breath catching in her throat as she looked around, her eyes wide and frantic. She didn't understand what was happening, but the sound of Manik's voice cut through the haze of her panic. Her hands, which had been clutching a broken photo frame, slowly lowered as she turned her attention to the phone on the table.

Manik heard the sudden silence on the other end, and he took a deep breath, calming his own racing heart. "That's it, Nandini," he murmured, his voice filled with love and concern. "I'm here, okay? I'm right here with you. Just listen to me."

Nandini's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, her mind still racing, but Manik's voice was like an anchor, pulling her back to reality. She listened as he spoke, his words wrapping around her like a lifeline.

"Remember that night on your birthday? When you were upset, and you thought no one cared? But I was there, wasn't I? I was there for you then, and I'm here for you now," Manik continued, his voice never wavering.

Tears welled up in Nandini's eyes as she remembered that night. She had been so broken, so lost, but Manik had been her rock, just as he was now. The tears spilled over, and she sank to her knees, clutching the phone as if it were her only connection to him.

Cabir rushed back into the living room, guitar in hand. He handed it to Manik without a word, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Manik put the phone on speaker and placed it on the table in front of him. He took a deep breath, strumming the guitar softly, the familiar chords resonating in the quiet room. He knew exactly what song to play, the one that always brought Nandini peace.

As he began to sing, his voice was filled with emotion, every word carrying his love and concern for her:

"Baatein ye kabhi na, tu bhoolna...
Koi tere khatir hai jee raha...
Jaye tu kahi bhi ye sochna
Koi tere khatir hai jee raha..."

Nandini's breath hitched as she listened to the melody, the gentle strumming of the guitar, and Manik's soothing voice. The chaotic storm inside her began to calm, the overwhelming panic replaced by a deep, aching sadness. She curled up on the floor, tears streaming down her face, as she listened to the song that had always been their special connection.

Manik continued to sing, pouring all his love and reassurance into each note, knowing that this was the only way to reach her. He could picture her now, sitting on the floor, her eyes closed as she let the music wash over her. He longed to be there with her, to hold her, but this was all he could do for now.

As the song ended, Manik's voice softened to a whisper. "Moonshine, I need you to breathe for me, okay? Just take a deep breath, in and out, nice and slow. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Nandini did as he asked, her breaths slowly evening out as she followed his instructions. The tears continued to fall, but the panic had subsided, replaced by a deep, aching sorrow. She clutched the phone to her chest, her heart heavy with the weight of everything that had happened.

"I'm here, Nandini," Manik repeated softly. "I'll always be here."

Vishakha watched her daughter, her heart breaking as she saw her breaking. She had only wanted what was best for Nandini, but in trying to protect her, she had caused her unimaginable pain. Somewhere in her heart wants to accept this but then she doesn't want her fear to become real.

Navya knelt beside Nandini, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He's right here, Nandini. He's with you, and he won't let anything happen to you."

Nandini nodded weakly, her body trembling from the emotional overload. She didn't know how she would face what was coming, but she knew that with Manik by her side, she could find the strength to keep going.

Manik, still on the other end of the line, closed his eyes, wishing he could reach through the phone and hold her. "I love you, Moonshine," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "We'll get through this together, I promise."

Nandini's sobs quieted as she held onto those words, knowing that no matter what happened, she wouldn't have to face it alone. She had Manik, and that was enough to give her the courage to keep going.

Nandini's body suddenly went limp, her eyes fluttering closed as she collapsed onto the floor. The sound of her fainting sent a wave of panic through the room. Navya was the first to react, rushing to her side and shaking her gently.

"Nandini! Nandini, wake up!" she cried out, her voice filled with desperation. Vishakha and Mahir quickly joined her, both looking pale and terrified as they tried to rouse Nandini.

"Nandini, please! Open your eyes!" Vishakha's voice cracked as she frantically shook her daughter, tears welling up in her eyes. The fear in the room was palpable, everyone was unsure of what to do.

Navya's mind was racing, and then she remembered Manik on the phone. She quickly grabbed the device, bringing it to her ear. "Manik, she... she fainted! We can't wake her up!" Her voice was shaking as she tried to keep her composure.

On the other end, Manik felt his heart stop. The world seemed to tilt on its axis as he heard Navya's words. "What? No... No, no, no! Call the doctor! Now!" His voice was laced with sheer panic. He felt completely powerless, every fiber of his being wanting to be there with her. "Navya, please, call me when the doctor gets there. Don't leave her side!" He could barely get the words out, his voice breaking.

As soon as the call ended, Manik felt his legs give out beneath him, and he sank into the couch, his hands trembling uncontrollably. He buried his face in his hands, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. The overwhelming sense of helplessness was suffocating.

Raj and Neyonika exchanged worried glances before rushing to his side. Raj placed a comforting hand on Manik's shoulder, while Neyonika knelt in front of him, her eyes filled with concern. "Manik, she'll be okay," Raj said softly, though his voice held a hint of uncertainty. "She's strong, and you're strong. We'll get through this."

The FAB 4, along with Abhimanyu, gathered around Manik, each trying to offer some form of comfort. Cabir, usually the joker of the group, was uncharacteristically silent, his eyes reflecting the same worry that everyone else was feeling. Mukti placed a hand on Manik's back, rubbing it gently, while Alya and Dhruv sat beside him, their presence a silent support.

Manik looked up at them, his eyes red and filled with unshed tears. "I feel so helpless right now," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's going through this, and I'm not there... I should be there. I should be with her."

Neyonika took his hands in hers, squeezing them reassuringly. "You're doing everything you can, Manik. She knows you're with her in spirit, and that's what matters. We'll get through this together."

Manik nodded, though the helplessness still gnawed at him. He closed his eyes, trying to find some semblance of calm, but all he could think about was Nandini, lying unconscious, far away from him.

Back at Nandini's home, the doctor had finally arrived. Navya wasted no time in calling Manik back, her hands still trembling as she dialed his number. When Manik answered, his voice was strained, desperate for news. "Navya, what's happening? Is she okay? What did the doctor say?"

"Manik, the doctor's here now," Navya replied, her voice soft. "He's checking her."

Vishakha, who had been standing silently by Nandini's bedside, asked Navya to put the call on speaker. Though hesitant, Navya did as she was told, sighing deeply as she held the phone out so everyone could hear.

Manik's heart pounded in his chest as he heard the muffled sounds of the doctor's examination. He could barely breathe, his mind racing with all the worst-case scenarios. When he finally heard the doctor's voice, he hung on to every word.

"She's stressing herself too much," the doctor said gravely. "Her body is exhausted, and she's not taking care of herself. This level of stress is dangerous."

Manik let out a heavy sigh, a mix of relief and frustration. He didn't know whether to be thankful that it wasn't something more serious or angry that Nandini had been pushed to this point. "Will she be okay?" he asked, his voice tight with emotion.

The doctor paused before responding. "She will be, but she needs rest and care. Has she had panic attacks before?"

Before anyone else could answer, Vishakha quickly spoke up. "Yes, she had one a few days ago."

But Manik, knowing the full extent of the situation, interrupted her, his voice calm yet firm. "She's had four panic attacks before this."

There was a collective gasp in the room as everyone turned to look at Manik's voice on the phone. Vishakha's eyes widened, tears brimming as she stared at her daughter. "Four? When... when did this happen?" she asked, her voice trembling.

The doctor's expression grew more serious, sensing the gravity of the situation. "If she's had multiple panic attacks, that's something to be very concerned about. You need to focus on her mental health as much as her physical health."

Vishakha's heart sank as she realized just how much Nandini had been suffering, most of which she had been unaware of. She looked at her daughter with tears streaming down her face, guilt weighing heavily on her.

Manik could feel the tension through the phone. "Navya," he said softly, "make sure Nandini talks to me when she wakes up."

Navya nodded, even though Manik couldn't see her. "I will, Manik. I promise."

Just as Manik was about to end the call, Vishakha's voice cut through. "Manik, when did she have those panic attacks?"

Manik sighed deeply, knowing this was a conversation he didn't want to have but needed to. "The first one was minor, but it happened when she met me in London after I left India. The second one was when you made her promise not to have a love marriage. The third was when you informed her about a marriage proposal. The fourth... was on her birthday, and now this."

There was a heavy silence on the other end as everyone absorbed the information. Vishakha's face crumpled as she realized the extent of Nandini's turmoil. She felt an overwhelming guilt, knowing she had unintentionally pushed her daughter to such a breaking point.

Manik, feeling the weight of everything, ended the call, not wanting to say anything further. He dropped the phone onto the couch beside him, burying his face in his hands. The tears he had been holding back finally spilled over, and he let out a heart-wrenching sob.

Neyonika immediately wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as he cried. Raj, Cabir, Alya, Dhruv, Mukti, and Abhimanyu all gathered around him, their hearts breaking for their friend. They didn't know how to ease his pain, but they were determined to stand by him through it all.

Manik's sobs eventually subsided, leaving him feeling drained and hollow. He leaned into his mother's embrace, his mind still racing with thoughts of Nandini. He didn't know how they were going to get through this, but he knew one thing for sure-he wasn't going to give up on her. Not now, not ever.
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Hope u all like the chapter.....

Few words for Manik....

Few words for Nandini....

What were your favourite moments???

Thank u 🙂🙂

Love,
Kiara ❤️❤️