Hey guys, this scene has been going through my mind since yesterday so I thought to write it down. I don't have a lot of experience with writing, but I've tried my best so hope you guys enjoy it 😊.
* Note: This is a slightlely moderated version of the goodbye scene from yesterday's episode. It happens after their conversation with the veena in the library, but Nandini has not yet overheard Soha's delusional conversation with Manik, so she's yet to know just how psycho that Soha is. So this is them saying goodbye, genuinely thinking they won't be seeing each other for three days.
"I thought ke tum chale gaye the" Nandini said, looking up at Manik.
" Ja toh raha tha, but before that I just wanted to say bye." said Manik, taking his time to fix up her dress. Which wasn't completely on purpose, because with Nandini in his arms and looking up at him with her beautiful, innocent eyes it was pretty hard to concentrate on anything else.
"So we won't be seeing each other for three days." Nandini voiced her thought not sure if it was a statement or a question, because at that moment, in that corner, away from everyone's eyes, surrounded by Manik's arms, suddenly three small days started to seem like an eternity.
Hearing the question in her voice made Manik smile in relief, thinking that atleast she's not as unaffected by the thought of his absence as she makes it seem like.
"So... Done" Manik said stepping back from her with a sigh, "Bye, friend."
"Bye." Nandini managed, followed quickly by "Take care," because while he might wave off all her worries as nothing, she was genuinely having a bad feeling about this trip other than the fact that they wouldn't see each other for three days. The only consolation she kept giving herself was that Fab5 would be together and they always protect each other.
Amused at her worry, Manik said half jokingly and half meaningfully, " I don't need to worry about myself, infact you need to. Apne kapde mat pharwate rehna college me when I'm not around."
He then stuck his hand out and said, "Bye... Friend" pointedly, not being able to resist that small dig at their whole "friend" situation, because if it were up to him this goodbye would've been much different and with a whole lot more than talking and just handshaking.
They shook hands, and as soon as their hands parted a strange restlessness filled both their body and mind, like the feeling you get when you're going somewhere and you know you have everything you need, but keep feeling like you've left something important behind.
Not being able to shake the feeling of leaving something incomplete Manik turned to leave, but quickly turned around when he heard Nandini call his name. Already knowing she won't say it aloud he watched her struggle with her feelings and settle with a small, "Kuch nahi."
Telling himself there's no point feeling disappointed, after all she does consider them "just friends", he started to walk away only to be stopped in his tracks with three words spoken so softly he was almost sure he imagined it.
When Nandini saw Manik walking away that restlessness just took over her and she blurted out what was going through her mind, "I'll miss you."
Hearing those words, Manik was almost surprised by how big of a relief he felt. Turning around with the biggest smile on his face, he once again wondered at Nandini's uncanny ability to give him exactly what he needs, because untill the moment he heard her say it he hadn't realized himself how much he had wanted to hear that from her. He was relieved beyond belief that he wasn't alone, on this crazy roller coaster of emotions, this overpowering urge to be around her constantly, the helplessness of not being able to be around her constantly. With that small affirmation Nandini gave him the balance and peace of mind that he needed. He took a step towards her and was glad to see her not take a step back but look up at him hopefully, not backing down from what she had just said.
Nandini was always aware of Manik's habit of constantly being in her personal space, but this time she was actually glad for it when he stopped infront of her with not even a space of a breath between them, then ever so gently took her face in both his hands. She didn't know what was in store for them in the future, but she promised herself she would always treasure this moment, where no words were spoken aloud but Manik's eyes told her a thousand things that she wanted to know.
Manik slowly bent down and watched her eyes flutter close. He knew at this moment if he kissed her she wouldn't protest but Nandini, for whatever reason had put that unspoken barrier between them, and he didn't want to breach that untill she was ready. So instead he kissed her eyelid very softly, and then the other one , then kissed her cheek, all the while memorizing every detail about her face. Then softly whispered in her ear what he himself was eager to say out loud, "I'll miss you too."
When Nandini opened her eyes she could see a contentment on Manik's face that wasn't there before, and she was glad that she had found the courage to speak the words that they both were thinking but were hesitant to say aloud. With a smile this time they said bye again, but that didn't necessarily make it easier to watch him walk away.
* P.S: I even thought of the perfect song that could be playing in the background. Tu Har Lamha from the movie Khamoshiyan. The words of that song really go well with this situation.
So it could be after this, Nandini overhears the whole Soha thing and then decides go to the farmhouse. This is just something that came to my mind. Let me know what you guys think 😳.
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
