After the doctor left, the atmosphere in the room was heavy with a mix of relief and lingering worry. Nandini remained seated beside Manik, her eyes fixed on him, waiting for any sign of him waking up. Soha stood near the doorway, her gaze shifting between Nandini and Manik. Despite the jealousy within her, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy seeing Nandini so vulnerable, so wrapped in her concern for Manik.

Manik stirred, his eyelids fluttering as he slowly came to consciousness. His vision was blurred at first, but as it cleared, the first thing he saw was Nandini sitting beside him, her eyes locked onto his face. She looked drained but attentive, her expression a blend of worry and relief. The moment their eyes met, Nandini’s breath hitched, but she didn’t say a word.

Manik reached out with weak hands, finding Nandini’s fingers and holding onto them. His touch was light, almost as if he feared she might pull away. “Nandini…” he murmured, his voice raspy with exhaustion.

Cabir moved closer, helping Manik sit up slowly, making sure he didn’t strain himself. Dhruv offered Manik a glass of water, and without saying anything, Nandini took the medicine from the bedside table and handed it to him. Manik took the pills, his gaze never leaving her face, but she kept her eyes down, focused on the task at hand.

“Thanks,” Manik whispered after taking the medicine, still gripping Nandini’s hand lightly as if her touch was his anchor. He glanced around at the others who were watching him with concern. “I’m okay, guys. Just… exhausted.”

Alya sat on the edge of the bed, her voice soft and concerned. “Are you sure you’re okay? You scared us, Manik.”

“Yeah,” Navya added, her tone reflecting the collective worry of the group. “You need to take it easy. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this.”

Manik nodded, offering them a tired smile. “I’ll be fine. Just needed a wake-up call, I guess.”

But his eyes kept drifting back to Nandini, who was still silent, her focus now on collecting the medicine wrappers and putting things in order. She looked up briefly, meeting Manik’s gaze, and then turned to Neyonika. “I’ll go to the kitchen and make some soup for him,” she said quietly, not waiting for a response before she slipped out of the room.

Manik watched her leave, letting out a heavy sigh. He knew that look—the silent treatment. His heart sank, realizing she was upset with him.

Cabir glanced at Manik, noticing the tension between him and Nandini. “What’s going on, Manik? A few minutes ago, she was so worried, waiting for you to wake up, and now… she’s like this?”

Manik rubbed the back of his neck, leaning back against the pillows. “It’s… it’s always like this,” he said with a sad chuckle. “Whenever I get sick or hurt, she goes quiet on me. It’s like her way of punishing me for not taking care of myself.”

Dhruv frowned, his brows knitting together. “But why? I mean, it’s not like you do it on purpose.”

Manik shrugged, his expression softening as he thought back. “It’s just how she is. From childhood, she was always my go-to person whenever I got hurt. There wasn’t anyone else around—Mom and Dad were in London busy with work, and it was just us. I’d inform Mom if something happened, but it was Nandini who’d take care of me. She’d scold me, sure, but she never asked too many questions. She just… did what needed to be done, you know?”

Mukti nodded, a small smile forming as she listened. “She’s always been like that, hasn’t she? Quietly strong.”

Manik nodded, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah. I’d get these silent treatments every time I got hurt. If I’d hiss in pain, you could see it in her eyes; it was like she felt it too. She’d let me rest my head on her lap and ruffle my hair until I was okay again. In the early days, I used to miss you guys, Mom, and Dad… but Nandini never let me feel alone. Even though she was away from her family too, she was always there for me.”

The others listened, their expressions a mix of understanding and admiration. Abhimanyu spoke up, his voice gentle. “Manik, you both are so deeply in love. It’s obvious how much you care about each other. But it must be hard, being apart like this.”

Manik nodded, his eyes clouding with emotion. “It’s torture, Abhi. Being away from her… it’s like a piece of me is missing. And now, seeing her upset… it just makes everything worse.”

Before anyone could say more, Nandini returned, carrying a tray with a bowl of steaming soup. She approached Manik, her expression still guarded, and set the tray on the side table. She carefully ladled some soup into a bowl and brought it to him, her movements precise and methodical, like she was trying to keep her emotions in check.

Manik watched her closely, noting the way her hands trembled slightly as she held the bowl. He took the spoon from her, his fingers brushing against hers, but she didn’t look at him. She just quietly made sure he was comfortable, checking his pillows and adjusting the blanket around him.

The group fell silent, observing the unspoken tension between the two. Manik, attempting to lighten the mood, started talking about random things, his voice filling the silence. He talked about work, joked about Cabir’s latest antics, and even teased Alya about her fashion choices. But throughout his rambling, Nandini remained quiet, her focus solely on making sure he ate.

Eventually, the others sensed it was time to leave them alone. They exchanged knowing glances and started to get up, saying their goodbyes with promises to check in later. As the door closed behind them, the room felt heavier, the air thick with unspoken words.

Manik finally set the soup aside, his eyes fixed on Nandini. “How much longer are you going to punish me, Nandini?” he asked softly, his voice laced with guilt and longing.

Nandini didn’t respond immediately. She busied herself with tidying up, avoiding his gaze. Manik reached out, gently pulling her hand to stop her. “Nandini… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you like that. I just… I got lost in work. I wasn’t thinking.”

Nandini turned to face him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Why can’t you take care of yourself, Manik? You know what you mean to me, and yet… you keep pushing yourself like this.”

Manik tried to lighten the mood with a playful grin. “You know me, Nandini. Always trying to be the hero.”

But Nandini wasn’t having it. She shook her head, her expression serious. “This isn’t a joke, Manik. You need to take this seriously. I can’t keep watching you hurt yourself like this.”

Manik’s grin faded, replaced by a more earnest expression. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a soft, sincere tone. “I know, Nandini. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll take better care of myself. I can’t stand seeing you upset like this.”

Nandini’s resolve wavered, and she sighed, finally meeting his gaze. “You better, Manik. Because if you keep doing this, I… I don’t know what I’ll do. I can’t keep going through this.”

Manik, hearing the vulnerability in her voice, reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. “I’m sorry,” he whispered against her hair. “I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll do better. I’ll be careful.”

Nandini held onto him, her arms wrapped around his neck as she buried her face in his shoulder. “You better be,” she murmured, her voice muffled. “Because if you don’t, I swear, I’ll… I’ll go far away from you, Manik.”

Manik’s hold on her tightened, a flash of anger and fear crossing his face. He pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, his expression fierce. “Don’t you dare say that,” he growled, his hands gripping her shoulders. “Don’t you ever say that, Nandini. You can’t leave me. Not now, not ever.”

Before she could respond, Manik closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a heated, desperate kiss. It was a kiss filled with all the fear, anger, and love he had been bottling up, pouring every ounce of his emotion into that moment. Nandini gasped against his lips, but she didn’t pull away. She matched his intensity, her hands clutching his shirt as if afraid to let go.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads pressed together as they tried to calm down. Manik’s eyes were still blazing with emotion as he cupped her face. “You can’t leave me, Nandini. You’re mine, and I’m yours. We’ve been through too much. I can’t lose you.”

Nandini nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks as she brushed her lips against his in a softer, more tender kiss. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I didn’t mean it. I just… I worry about you so much.”

Manik smiled, his thumb gently wiping away her tears. “I know. And I’m sorry for making you worry. But I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. We’re in this together, okay?”

Nandini nodded again, a small smile breaking through her tears. She reached for his medicine, handing it to him. “Take these, and rest. I’ll be right here.”

Manik took the pills, his fingers lingering on hers as he did. “Feels like I haven’t kissed you in ages,” he murmured, his voice teasing but filled with genuine longing.

Nandini ruffled his hair affectionately, her touch gentle and comforting. “Well, you better get used to it. I’m not going anywhere.”

She helped him lie down, settling beside him as she let him rest his head on her lap. Nandini continued to stroke his hair, her fingers moving through the strands in soothing motions. Manik closed his eyes, letting out a content sigh as he relaxed under her touch.

Nandini leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. “Rest, Manik. I’ve got you.”

Manik smiled, his breathing evening out as he drifted off, the warmth of her presence lulling him to sleep. Nandini watched him, her own eyes growing heavy as she continued to ruffle his hair, the familiar rhythm bringing them both a sense of peace. Before long, she too fell asleep, her head resting against the headboard as they stayed entwined, finding comfort in each other’s presence.

After some time, a soft knock echoed through the quiet room, followed by the gentle creak of the door opening. Mukti and Neyonika entered, their footsteps light as they stepped inside. They paused at the sight before them: Manik lying peacefully on the bed, his head cradled in Nandini’s lap, and Nandini, even in sleep, gently ruffling his hair as if it was second nature.

Neyonika’s eyes welled up with unshed tears as she took in the scene. It wasn’t just the sight of her son so vulnerable and at peace—it was seeing him with Nandini, the girl who had brought him a kind of love and care she hadn’t been able to provide. Neyonika’s heart clenched with a mix of guilt and gratitude. Manik had grown up too fast, missing out on the simple comforts of having a family always there for him, and now, watching Nandini fill that void so effortlessly, she felt both proud and emotional.

Mukti, standing beside Neyonika, glanced at her and then back at the sleeping pair. A soft sigh escaped her lips. She couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for both Manik and Nandini—two people so deeply connected, yet always facing some challenge or the other. She hesitated, not wanting to disrupt the peaceful moment, but knowing they needed to get Nandini up for dinner.

Halfheartedly, Mukti reached out and gently nudged Nandini’s shoulder. “Nandini… hey, it’s time for dinner,” she whispered softly, not wanting to wake Manik.

Nandini stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She glanced down at Manik, who was still asleep, his breathing slow and steady. Carefully, she moved his head from her lap, placing it gently onto the pillow. She brushed his hair back one last time, a tender look passing over her face before she stood up. Without a word, she followed Mukti and Neyonika out of the room, casting one last glance back at Manik before the door closed behind them.

As they entered the dining room, the atmosphere was warm and lively. Cabir and Navya were engaged in a playful banter, their laughter echoing off the walls. Mukti and Alya were egging Navya on, encouraging her to tease Cabir more, while Dhruv and Abhimanyu watched with amused smiles.

“Come on, Cabir! You can’t let Navya win so easily,” Alya laughed, playfully nudging Cabir’s shoulder.

Cabir pretended to be affronted, but his eyes sparkled with mischief. “You know what, Navya? I’m just letting you win because you’ve had a rough day,” he said, throwing a wink her way.

Navya rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Oh, please. We both know you’d lose even if you tried.”

The light-hearted exchange brought a soft smile to Nandini’s lips, but it faltered when her gaze shifted to Vikrant and Soha, seated at the far end of the table. Soha looked content, her eyes bright as she engaged in conversation with Vikrant. Nandini’s chest tightened at the sight.

She remembered her mother’s pain, the stories she had overheard late at night—how much Vikrant had hurt Vishakha, how he had abandoned them without a second thought. And now, seeing him so happy with Soha, Nandini couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of dismay.

Why had he left them? Why was he with Soha now, acting as if he hadn’t torn apart another family before?

Navya noticed the shift in Nandini’s expression and reached over, squeezing her hand under the table. She leaned in, her voice low and comforting. “Don’t think about it too much, Nandini. We’re here, okay? Just focus on Manik and yourself.”

Nandini nodded, grateful for Navya’s presence. She forced herself to join in the dinner conversation, though her mind kept drifting back to her mother’s pain. As they all began to eat, Cabir turned to Nandini, gesturing with his fork. “Hey, Nandini, help me out here—Alya’s trying to steal my dessert!”

Nandini chuckled softly, grateful for the distraction. “Alya, leave him alone. He’s already suffered enough today,” she teased, earning a mock-offended look from Alya.

“Oh, so you’re on his side now?” Alya quipped, pretending to sulk.

“Always,” Nandini replied with a wink, making the group laugh. But her eyes kept darting back to Vikrant, her smile never quite reaching her eyes.

Once dinner was over, Nandini stood up, picking up a tray with food. “I’ll take this to Manik. He needs to eat something.”

Neyonika nodded approvingly. “Thank you, Nandini. He needs someone to keep an eye on him.”

With the tray in hand, Nandini made her way back to Manik’s room. She pushed the door open quietly, and her heart softened at the sight of him awake, sitting up against the headboard. He looked tired but alert, his eyes immediately finding her as she entered.

“I knew you’d be back,” Manik said, his voice tinged with affection and a bit of smugness.

Nandini raised an eyebrow, setting the tray down on the side table. “Oh, really? And how did you know that? Maybe I could’ve left.”

Manik gave her a knowing look, his lips curling into a faint smile. “I know you better than you think, Nandini. You can’t leave without making sure I’m okay. It’s just who you are.”

Nandini couldn’t help but smile at his words. She pulled up a chair beside him and started spooning some food into a bowl. “You should eat,” she said softly, holding a spoonful of soup to his lips. Manik obediently took the bite, his eyes never leaving her face. There was a searching look in his gaze, as if he was trying to read her thoughts.

After a few more spoonfuls, she handed him his medicine, watching as he swallowed it down. Manik’s eyes were still on her, his brow furrowed slightly as he sensed something was off. “Nandini,” he said quietly, breaking the silence. “You want to say something, don’t you? What’s on your mind?”

Nandini paused, setting the empty bowl aside. She shifted closer to Manik, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothed her, but the turmoil inside her didn’t fade. “Manik… am I bad?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Am I irritating? Am I not good enough? Am I… intolerable?”

Manik’s arms immediately tightened around her, his face contorting with confusion and concern. “What the hell are you talking about, Nandini? Who put these thoughts in your head?”

Nandini clung to him more tightly, her voice trembling. “Just… please answer me, Baby. I need to know. Am I all those things?”

Manik stilled, the weight of her words sinking in. He knew she rarely called him “baby,” a term she reserved for moments when she was vulnerable, seeking comfort and assurance. His heart ached to see her like this—so strong yet so fragile in his arms. He gently lifted her face, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“Nandini, look at me,” he said firmly but softly, his thumbs brushing away the tears at the corners of her eyes. “You’re none of those things. Not a single one. You’re not bad, or irritating, or intolerable. You’re… you’re everything good. You’re strong, you’re kind, you’re fierce, and you’re mine. You make me better, Nandini.”

Nandini sniffled, her eyes searching his, finding only sincerity in his words. Manik continued, his voice filled with conviction. “You’re not just good—you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You challenge me, you keep me grounded, and you love me in a way no one else ever has. Don’t let anyone, not even yourself, make you think otherwise.”

He kissed her forehead, lingering there for a moment before pulling back slightly to look at her. “I love you, Nandini. And I’m not saying that just to make you feel better. I mean it with everything I have.”

Nandini’s tears flowed freely now, but they were no longer from sadness. She nodded, her heart feeling lighter. “Thank you, Manik,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I’m sorry… I just needed to hear it.”

Manik smiled, his eyes softening as he wiped away her tears. “You never have to apologize for needing reassurance. I’m always here to remind you how amazing you are.”

Nandini leaned in, capturing his lips in a soft kiss, a silent thank-you for his unwavering support. As she pulled away, she gave him a small smile. “I should go now. Your fever’s down, and you need to rest. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? And no work until you’re fully better.”

Manik nodded, but his expression was tinged with reluctance. “I know, I know. But I hate it when you leave,” he admitted, his voice carrying a hint of boyish vulnerability.

Nandini cupped his face, her thumb tracing gentle circles on his cheek. “No matter what, Manik, I’m here with you. Whether it’s against my mother or anyone else—I’ll fight for you, for us. I won’t let anything come between us.”

Manik’s eyes darkened with intensity, and he pulled her in for another kiss, this one deeper, more possessive, as if trying to convey everything he felt but couldn’t put into words. When they finally broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads pressed together.

“Promise me, Nandini,” Manik murmured, his voice hoarse. “Promise me you won’t let go. That no matter what happens, we’ll get through it together.”

Nandini nodded, her eyes shining with determination. “I promise, Manik. Always.”

With one last kiss on his forehead, she stood up, smoothing the blanket over him. Manik watched her, a soft smile playing on his lips as he settled back against the pillows. “Goodnight, Nandini.”

“Goodnight, Manik,” she whispered, pausing at the door to glance back at him one last time before stepping out. As the door closed softly behind her, Manik let out a content sigh, the warmth of her presence still lingering in the room. He knew, that no matter the challenges ahead, they would face them together.
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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 ❤️❤️