Hello People ! Failte to the second thread of my FF.
Okaye! Seriously I din't expected my story to reach even 50 Pages and here I am welcoming you all to my second thread - and trust me Its All because of you Guys! Story Might be mine but the motivation and credit goes to you people. You all are such lovelies - And I really really Love each one of you. Its you - who made my FF successful. Hopefully, will keep entertaining you all and in return will enjoy your Love. Loads of Thanks and Hugs to each one from my side.
Coming to the Update - Some of you may not like this; but I had to add some Masala to their lives as we all know happiness looks good only when compared to hardship. And I was getting continuous suggestions to add some spice and that the constant merriment is getting boring. So I did something new to my writing - I wrote something sad; But believe your Writer - I won't separate our MaNan; Whatever will happen is just to show that hard times - strengthen relationships. Don't kill me for making you all cry - but itne khushi ke aansu diye hain toh thoda dard toh seh hi sakte ho na mere liye?
Here is the next chapter! Hope you all will like it. Do read and Definitely Comment. Will be Waiting.
For the new readers, below is the link to the previous thread :
Happy Reading!š
Chapter - 23
Location - Malhotra Mansion - 11 AM
It was an unusual abrupt - disturbed morning for Nandini - unlike the daily peaceful waking up - this time something unidentified vibe of some bad happening, was the thing to pull her out from the arms of Morpheus. She was quietly caressing his smiling face while ruffling his hair - trying hard to disregard the eerie feeling that she was experiencing - of some unfortunate eventuality that was fleet - footedly approaching them. She was sure of her inhibitions as she had seen her intuitions coming true - since her childhood. Unknown to what was coming and nervous with the turmoil of her senses - unable to draw any clear picture from the blur hints her instincts and sixth sense were giving her - she was just silently and ceaselessly praying to her Aiyappa to keep her small Family safe and sound - and let every and any problem attack her instead of her loved ones. But Probably this time her Aiyappa had some other - Plans to test his devotee's patience and the strength of her Love.
The only thing that was keeping her calm was him - by her side - environing her with his warmth that was more like oxygen to her. She bent down and lovingly pecked on the corner of his lips - and he instantly opened his eyes as if waiting for her to do so. One glance in her eyes - that were a window for him to see what was going on inside her and he instantly noticed the twitchiness that was eating her up from last 2 hours. He saw her - clinging onto him tightly - tighter than usual and this acted as a confirmation to his observation. He gently caressed her hair and asked, cupping her cheek Baby you okaye? I can see that something is troubling you. She snuggled more into him and replied Manik I am getting jitters about something I don't know. Aisa lagraha hai jaise kuch bura honey wala hai. And you know my intuitions na - I am scared. He knew how much these collywobbles intimidate her - and to soothe her, he just took her in a bear hug and then asked, breaking the hug - looking deep into her eyes Nandini Do you trust me? She bobbed her head in affirmation and he rejoined Then don't worry at all. Until I am there - I won't let anything trouble my little Baby and our Family. Okaye?Sh finally smiled and heaved a sigh - assured with his words as she knew he was right - when he was there, she din't need to worry at all. But somewhere down the line - some bits and pieces were still haunting her but she din't let them over - take her confidence in him. Though he had comforted her and she had calmed believing in him - he knew she needs to be distracted otherwise again she would start worrying so he suggested, despite hating his idea to make her work Baby! Since we all are here together, why don't we ourselves clean the mess? We can have some fun also. What say? She understood why he was saying this and replied, complying with his efforts Good Idea Manik! Lets go. Saying this she turned to start the day by getting freshened up, but he pulled her back - causing her to fall on his chest with a thud and just sealed his lips with hers for the much important Morning Kiss to which she readily responded. Breaking the kiss on running out of breath, Manik said, resting their foreheads together How can you be so careless? You know na I can't manage without your kiss. She guiltily caught her ears and replied childishly Sorry Papa! I Love You Sho Much! Manik smiled and replied, after pecking her cute pout that she made and releasing her ears from her hold Its Okay Baby! Papa Loves You More. She smiled back and then stepped out of the bed to get ready. When he heard the shower nob click, he called Cabir and asked him to get himself and everyone else also ready for the tidying work . He cribbed initially - not liking the idea to do the labor work after a tiring wedding - but when Manik told him about Nandini - he instantly agreed.
Half - an - hour later, MaNan moved downstairs - Nandini wearing a comfy jumpsuit and Manik in simple jeans and white t - shirt - and found all of them already to get started. She smiled at Manik - knowing he had asked them to do so - a favor which he returned warmly. They wished each other a Good Afternoon as it was noon and then settled on the dining table for feeding their bodies with some fuel - that would give them energy to do the work. On not finding Aarav around, MaNan asked about his where-about and Navya informed them that he was off to school. Getting done with the food business - they distributed the tasks among themselves. Every one were outdoor - as the servants had cleaned the house last night as per the instructions; Alya and Dhruv were given the responsibility of outhouse - along with Navya - Veebha and a bunch of footmen. Mukti - Manik took one half of the garden - giving the other half to CabiNi - who were giggling and playing more than doing work; throwing garbage at each other or rather throwing each other into garbage - and if not this then dancing weird steps taking the broomsticks - and toying with it - Cabir was making ugly faces - imitating a witch who would be flying on her broomstick making Nandini laugh her lungs out and himself was guffawing seeing her rolling on the floor.
Manik and Mukti too were giggling along with the crazy Sister - Brother duo and passing comments on them; when a loud sound of bullet being fired startled them and Nandini, Cabir and Mukti froze at their place - seeing Manik to be the one hit by it. Nandini shouted his name loudly and started running to him followed by Cabir - when another bullet pierced his body making him collapse on the ground. Before he could hit his head with the ground - Nandini sat near him - and took his head in her lap. Cabir shouted for the Guards - who came and surrounded them to protect from any further firing but fortunately nothing like that happened.
Nandini felt her body numb - seeing her Life, lying unconscious on the stretcher in an ambulance - his white shirt soused in blood and two cloths - tied around his wounds to stop the bleeding. For the first time, the color red on him was killing her or to be more precise had already killed her - she wasn't weeping - she couldn't - as the fear of anything happening to him - the possibility of loosing him - and many more such threats of consequences of this ambush that her sub - conscious mind was giving her - had scared the hell out of her - taking away her sanity and ability to react. She was just staring at him - without a blink - terrified he would disappear if she does that. A tearful Cabir was with Nandini in the ambulance - more pressurized on seeing his baby sister sitting lifeless and his brother lying injured - along with a burden of guilt on his shoulders of not being able to keep the promise he has given Nandini of protecting her Love.
Nandini's interns and her seniors - stood around the stretcher on which Manik was lying - in front of the OT; watching their all time jovial and enlivened colleague spiritless and stiff - holding Manik's hand tightly - not allowing the nurses to take him away from her. A helpless Cabir - somehow controlled his tears and said nonchalantly, holding Nandini by her shoulder Baby meri baat sun baccha! Agar tu ussey nahi lejaney degi toh woh ussey treat kaise karenge. Aur tu jitna late karegi utna ussey dard hoga. He explained her like a brother does to his kid sister and like an innocent child - she just turned her blank face to look at Cabir - finally moving away her eyes from Manik - and he blinked his eyes - requesting her to let them proceed. She then looked at their entwined hands and slowly, de-tangled her fingers and moved back - permitting them to take him. She mosied towards the waiting seats and sat on one - her body corpse - like and her face ashened. Albeit, it was Manik who was shot - but it seemed - death had warmed up Nandini. No one - could even have the slightest idea of what she was going through - so many emotions; fear, pain, culpability, anger and most severe was the angst of loneliness - exactly the one she felt when her parents died. She angrily looked up to her Aiyappa - for not safeguarding her Life - for demeaning all her prayers - for giving him so much pain. Cabir, Mukti and DhruLya too were wretched - at the sudden unfortunate incident - by the rude awakening of the way their happiness was mercilessly snatched in the blink of an eye. Their tears were flowing endlessly - on seeing their angel sitting bloodless - without any expression on her face - and were equally guilt - ridden as Cabir coz they were also the part of Promise that was made by Cabir.
After a long 3 - hour surgery; the Doctor came out and Fab - 4 rushed to him for the news, while Nandini just stood at her place - with a pleading look on her face - expecting a good news; but to her dismay, the doctor - who was a good friend of her, said - not looking in Nandini's eyes We have removed the bullets and there wasn't much blood loss but the poison has spread in his body. We have given him the treatment but for it to heal him his brain needs to get conscious. He should wake up within next 12 hours otherwise it won't be good. I don't want to scare you all but in these cases - when the wounds are deep - it takes time to get back to senses. Keep praying and hope for the best. All their hearts sank a little more and for Nandini - the Doctor's words were like knives - each one was stabbing her countless times. She flumped on the seat - with her dread increased to the power of infinity. She reminisced their beautiful morning - and all their umpteen love moments began flashing in front of her eyes; his words started ringing in her ears - 'Baby!' - 'Papa Loves You More' - 'I Love You So Much Nandini' - 'I would never leave you Alone' - 'Until I am there - I won't let anything trouble my little Baby and our Family' - she closed his eyes and Cabir - who was sitting beside her, heard her say under her breath Manik Please wapas ajao. Please mujhe phirse akela mat kardo. Baby can't live without Papa. Tears again brimmed in his eyes - that he thought had dried. Just then he received a Call from Navya who was saying that Aarav was insisting to come along and thinking maybe Aarav could comfort Nandini - he asked Navya to get him with her.
Nandini was in deep thoughts - of his - her Manik's - when she saw a tiny hand holding hers and she looked beside to find Aarav sitting beside her. The little thing too was red with crying - on knowing about his Partner being in the hospital but he wiped his tears for his Maasi Ma and said, cupping her face Maasi Ma! Don't worry. I am here with you. And Nothing will happen to Partner. He is very strong. Aarav's words managed to bring a small smile on her face but not the much needed tears - and she replied, getting some courage from his words Haan Baccha! He will be completely fine. She said more to herself and then Aarav folded her hands - signalling her to pray along with him - and realizing this was an exam that her Aiyappa was taking and she could pass it only by having faith in Him. She too did the same and made a heartfelt prayer of curing him and if that was not possible - then to take even her life along with his.
It was around 9 PM at Night; Navya, Aarav, DhruLya and Mukti were sent back as the hospital allowed only two persons to stay - one being obviously Nandini and other needed to be someone who could handle Nandini i.e., Cabir. Cabir was shaken but he couldn't let the culprits roam freely and making use of his name - he had put the entire police force to search for the person who was responsible for creating this mishap. Nandini was sitting on the chair - throwing her head back - in front of the ICCU - awaiting the door to get opened and someone from inside to come and say that he was awake. Cabir came near her with a glass of water - as forget food - she hadn't even gulped down a sip of water since afternoon and as expected she just pushed away the glass without uttering a word. Cabir was more tensed seeing her turning white and whey - faced with each passing second - and anger was building up inside him on not being able to do anything other than just sit and see her breaking bit by bit.
After an eternally long wait; a nurse came out only to say that they can see him and be with him in the room. Without wasting a second - Nandini zoomed in and her steps slowed when on entering she saw him - sleeping amidst wires and bandages - and the scene thwacked on her heart like a ruthless blow - hurting her to wits but a minute relief crept on her face - on seeing him after 8 long hours. She took small steps and reached the stool kept beside his bed - her eyes glued to his face - begging him to wake up and hold her tight in his arms. She sat there, caressing his wounds ever so lightly and kept her hand on his while Cabir's eyes flooded with tears - on the torturous view in which he was seeing his two lovelies - whom he loved from the core of his being, suffering. He settled himself on the couch and unknowingly fell asleep.
In the middle of the night; Cabir woke up suddenly and saw Nandini still sitting there in the same position - her eyes dull with dark circles; deathly pale - so fragile that any onlooker would feel she would faint. He went near her and said, keeping her hands on her shoulder Nandini! Don't do this to yourself. Take re .. He was cut off by Nandini's voice - which was unheard from the last 11 hours, saying happily Cabir see he is waking up. His gaze immediately shifted to Manik who was struggling to open his eyes and a big smile adhered on his face. In his half - conscious state; Manik managed to say one thing and that was her name - Nandini! She felt her heart start functioning again - on hearing him take her name and she replied, happiness evident in her tone Manik! He smiled and opened his eyes with great difficulty as he himself was dying to see her and what he saw - agonized his heart; his Nandini whom he had kept wrapped in a cotton wool - was white as a sheet - no traces of tears on her face yet her eyes were swollen - with a smile of solace plastered on her face - that he was sure had borne recently on seeing him awake. Cabir went like a bat of the hell and fetched the Doctor, who was glad his assumption that he wouldn't be up was proven wrong. He checked Manik - who was engrossed in Nandini - already tensed to see her pasty - face; and she was twiddling with her thumbs - sitting tight - hoping to hear something positive and granting her unsaid wish; Doctor said So you are up eh? Well that is a really good thing - there is nothing to worry at all now - Just a little more rest with some medicine and love - and You will be normal. Wanting to be fully convinced - she questioned the Doctor What about the poison and how deep are the wounds Angad? He smiled seeing his friend interact and replied, reassuringly Now that he is awake - we don't have to be scared with the poison - it will be vanished in a day and about the wound - yeah they are deep; You know they will take time to heal. She gave him a thankful smile and he continued, giving her a blink and then looking at Manik Take Care Rockstar! I will come back again to check you tomorrow morning. Nandini can you come out for a while - so that I can explain you how to take care of his wounds. Nandini assented and got up to accompany him, but Manik held her hand and asked, clutching it tightly Tum theek ho na? She gave him a faint smile in reply and left with Angad, saying she would be back soon. Her smile this time - couldn't put his mind at rest - instead her hesitation and resistance from locking eyes with him was fretting him more - seeing her so much distressed was the last thing he wanted. He was an expert in reading her - but this time, probably even he couldn't gauge the degree of pain she was enduring - although he was fine but the misadventure had traumatized her.
After talking to Angad - she sat in front of the room - still distraught by the ghastly sight when he got shot twice right before her eyes. Every second of the past 12 hours - that she was recalling - was gashing her heart and escalating the stress and pain that she had build up inside her. Manik saw her sitting out - instead of being with him and not able to see her state patiently and wait till she expresses herself, Manik asked Cabir Cabir is Nandini fine? Cabir gave a sarcastic smile and said Tujhe kya lagta hai Manik? Manik frowned and replied, still looking at her She might be very tensed .. Before he could complete, Cabir said in a choked voice Nandini theek nahi hai Manik. Tensed bohot bohot chota word hai uski condition batane ke liye. This incident had murdered her - she is hurt par our imagination. Seeing you in that state has devastated her. Na ro rahi hai na kuch bol rahi hai. I have seen her falling apart - cell by cell. She hadn't eaten - khana toh door ki baat hai - she din't even took a sip of water. Bas wahin baithi thi - ek lash ke jaise - iss room ke door to ghoortey huay. Ek baar bhi apni palkein nahi jhapkayi usne. Goli tujhe lagi hai Manik per she had died million deaths in these 12 hours. Tujhe kharoch bhi aajati hai toh uski saans atak jaati hai aur aaj toh she have seen your blood shed. She needs to get out of this Manik - she needs to cry her heart out. This happening had made her jump out of her skin and unnerved her. She needs you - bol ussey ke tu theek hai. Rula ussey. He was drenched in tears by now and Manik - he was left speechless. Where he couldn't let her bear even the bite of an insect and how she was damaged - so much; and he felt powerless; weak on hearing about her situation and seeing her innocent face bowed with a feeble expression on her face - she looked timid and visibly petrified.
He gesticulated Cabir to get her to him and he - being more than ready to do so - walked out of the room after helping Manik to sit comfortably - to send her in. Manik saw Nandini giving a forced smile when Cabir planted a kiss on her forehead - and carrying the same smile she entered - and came near him taking tiny steps - avoiding eye - contact with him. She was going to sit on the stool but Manik stopped her and made her sit on the bed beside him. She intertwined her hands with his and asked meekly, skimming her fingers softly on the bandage Dard horaha hai na? Bas thodey time tak hoga - then the pain will vanish. He din't reply and just pulled her for a bone - crushing hug - not caring about his freshly stitched wounds and whispered Main theek hoon Nandini! Please khudko itna dard mat do. Don't do this to me please. I Love You Baby! And that was it - his words and hug were enough to break the wall of patience and she burst into tears - finally let out all her pain. She sobbed hard - like a baby does when he feels he had lost his mother in a crowd - hugging him tight and said, between her sobs - her words coming out in fragments Woh .. Usne .. Tumhe .. Goli .. Do baar! Me.. Mere sa.. mne and I.. I was js.. just wa.. watching. Itna kh.. khoon be.. behra.. ha tha. I.. I m so.. sor.. ry! I c..couldn't pr.. prote.. ct you. Tum.. he ku..kuch hoja..ta toh? Ma .. Appa .. ke jaise.. t..tum bhi mu.. mujhe ak.. ela chodke cha..le.. jatey toh? She broke the hug and added, joining her hands in front of him, entreating earnestly Please mu..mujhe chod.. ker kabhi mat jana. Ki.. kill me if you wa.. want per ne.. never do th.. this to me ag.. again. Please! Baby will di.. die wi..with..out Papa. Manik too was crying hard seeing her state and again pulled her in a hug - she was shivering and had turned cold and was continually whimpering. Manik lightly patted her back and replied Mera baccha! Please stop crying Jaan. Main baby ko chodker kahin nahi jaunga. Promise! I Love You Shona! On not getting any answer and feeling her weeping stop - he pulled apart to find her fainted. He was horror - struck and instantaneously shouted Cabir's name - listening to which he charged in and on understanding the scene - again ran out to get a doctor. Despite his ill health and forgetting his pain, he was shedding tears and subtly slapping on her cheeks to wake her up saying Baby please utho! I am sorry - I won't do this again; Please Jaan - Mera Baby! See I am here with you. Papa too can't live without Baby na - please wake up. Angad rushed in with a stretcher and Nurse to shift her into another room but neither of them were ready to leave the other - and giving up in front of their love - Angad ordered to lay a bed in the same room along with Manik. Separating her with great difficulty from Manik, Angad examined her and said, inserting a glucose drip in her hand Her blood pressure has fallen fatally low. And we all know the reason for this. Don't worry - she will wake up soon. ManBir let out a sigh and Angad left the room - after injecting some medicine into the glucose bottle.
Manik asked Cabir to go home, take some sleep and then return with others but his advice fell in deaf ears - Cabir plainly refused and when Manik started insisting - he agreed to take a nap in the hospital rest room. After he retired, Manik too lay down on his bed - fixing his gaze on Nandini. In spite of being shot so badly - he had come out of the torpor much too soon for her and he very well knew what effect this mishappening had left on her - he could see the extent to which she was frightened and he also knew that even after crying so much - she wouldn't be okay; it wasn't something she could forget so easily and the only way he could bring her out of this was by getting well soon and he vowed to do that - because for him nothing mattered more than her smile which was now lost. His musing came to a halt when he saw her eyebrows cringe in sleep and the next moment he saw her jerking up from slumber shouting his name. She was breathing heavily and was sweating badly; he understood she had seen that view again and softly took her name to get her attention and on seeing him - she jumped out of the bed and pitilessly rooted out the drip from her that caused blood to spurt but giving a damn to it, she sat near him and said, cupping his face Tum theek ho na? Sorry! I am Sorry - pata nahi how I slept. Don't know how much I slept. The old nurse - who was quite friendly with Nandini and was attending the two - replied, keeping her hand on Nandini's shoulder Its been hardly half - an - hour since you fainted. Why did you remove the drip? Its bleeding - and you need this glucose. Your blood pressure is low. Very opposite to her nature, Nandini shoved her hand when the nurse tried to clean the blood and said coldly I Don't need anything. I am fine. Kuch nahi hua hai mujhe. Yeh bed hatao yahanse. The Nurse knew what Nandini was going through and feeling its better not to argue - she left the room to do what was told. Manik himself took a cotton ball from the tray kept nearby and cleaned her wounds and was about to say something to console her - when the door opened and Fab 3 entered along with Navya but not Aarav as he was still in school and moreover the hospital din't permit children in the ICCU. All of them gave warm hugs to Manik - heedful of not putting pressure on his wounds and asked Nandini about his health and she gave them detailed information. Navya had brought clothes for Cabir and Nandini as it was a naked fact that none of the two would go home leaving Manik and giving one bag to Nandini, she excused herself for the rest room to see Cabir. Nandini too moved into the washroom to get a shower and change herself into fresh clothes.
While everyone were talking randomly about things - trying to make Manik feel better; his mind was focused on the sound of shower - under which - he knew - she would be sitting weeping - curling up her legs to her chest. After what seemed like forever; she walked in and according to what he had envisaged; her eyes were red - rimmed, demonstrating her tear - shed and her skin was red and wrinkled that conveyed the impression that she had taken a hot water shower. She went and sat on the couch as everyone had already taken seats around Manik - and just kept mum - because she was too stressed to converse and also her body was void of the energy. Seeing her so frail and strayed; indulged in her own world which was completely dark - was aching Manik thousand times more than the physical bruises. She din't say anything and gave the same reply to Mukti that she was giving everyone when asked how she was feeling - a smile but every one knew she wasn't - not even a bit fine.
The Nurse brought the lunch for Manik along with medicines - after everyone left and also took Cabir along against his wish as they couldn't afford another member to get sick and it was clear that if he doesn't sleep peacefully, he too would be laid on the hospital bed.
Nandini took the soup from the nurse and started feeding him - sitting beside him on the bed and he was just vacantly looking at her - hearing what her silence was speaking. Supping two spoons duteously, he held her hand which was forwarded to feed him the third one and said, taking the spoon from her Nandini you want me to get well soon? She gave him an Of course! look and he rejoined Then please eat something. This soup is yuck, if you will taste and give me company then I am sure it will become yummy. She submitted to his wish without any debate - and ate the soup quietly that he fed her.
She made him eat the medicines and stood up to go - but Manik held her back and gently took her in his arms; making her lie next to him and said, spooning his palm around her cheek Mera baby itna dargaya hmm? She din't gave any reaction but just fluttered her lashes and then he continued Nandini your condition is hurting me more than these wounds. Please meri nazuk si jaan ko itna dard mat do. You are seeing na - I am out of any danger. I am here with you - with my Baby. Papa ko pata hai baby kitna chota hai - toh woh ussey chodker kaise jaatey? Bhul jao sab Nandini. What matters is I am fine. All she said in reply was Tumhe kuch hojata toh? He understood that the fear in her mind was too much to be tackled with mere words and to make her believe that he was there, he lifted her chin and softly placed his lips on her - cupping her cheek and sucked them slowly pouring all the love and care he had but she din't respond and just stayed surrendered; closing her eyes and feeling his presence. He felt her cheeks wet and smoothly wiped the tears, breaking the kiss and said, after planting a kiss on her forehead Jab tak tum ho - mujhe kuch nahi hosakta Nandini. She let out an ironic chuckle - as if ridiculing herself - blame of not fulfilling her duty as his star clear on her face - and that was cutting his heart to ribbons; to see her so defeated and odious to herself - and then she cuddled close to him and shut her eyes, keeping her head lightly on his heart to listen its rhythmic beating and provide her heart with assurance. He vigorously wiped the lone tear that threatened to escape his eye and tightened his hold - hoping at least this would calm the storm raging inside her.
To Be Continued ..
Chapter 23 - Above
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