I was very tempted to post a new MaNan FF I've been writing but couldn't leave you guys hanging so here you go :] My network is terrible so PMs will be sent but they'll be slow. Apologies in advance!
c h a p t e r e i g h t e e n
"I used to visit the beach from time to time with my papa when I was young," she said dreamily and he paid attention. She had her legs held by her arms as she sat on the shore, watching the waves come closer and closer, the water slowly reaching her feet. Manik was sitting beside her and his eyes didn't leave her even once. He liked it when she talked to him like this. He liked it very much. "Eventually the visits slowed down because we couldn't find the time in our busy lives, but I still come here sometimes after college. It's very calm and relaxing, like some sort of escape from the crazy world."
"I get that," he said, turning back to observe the waves. "I used to do that with our family beach house. When I felt lonely or stressed, I would go there and sometimes stay for days. It helped me relax. Also, it's so much more private and calmer than the public beach."
"But this place is nice too," Nandini smiled. "I find pleasure in watching the many people who come here and enjoy their time. Especially children; it's very heart-warming to see them playing around and building sandcastles and whatnot."
"I guess," he shrugged. "It's not too bad."
"Not at all." Nandini bit her lip for a while. She felt very comfortable and at ease with Manik when they were talking so casually. It made her feel nice, but she also felt like she was betraying her own self. She was supposed to be angry at him, wasn't she? She knew she should be but she just couldn't. She had realized that her anger was slowly fading and she didn't want that, at all. She just felt so obliged to keep up with the anger and hatred that she didn't notice that slowly, she didn't want to anymore.
"Were your parents nice with you when you were a child?" she had asked him out of a sudden, causing him to turn at her, all surprised.
"No," she softly spoke and Nandini felt a pang of sympathy. "It's really complicated, you know."
"I have the time to listen," she suggested, and Manik sighed. He knew he had been holding this in for too long. The only person he could share his sorrows with was Cabir, but these days his friend didn't have the time for him, not to mention that the incident was slowly making them grow distant.
"My mother," he started softly and Nandini turned to look at him while he spoke, "had an affair with my father out of greed. She came from a small town and aspired to be really powerful. She was and still is a manipulative woman. When she got pregnant with me, she blackmailed my father to marry her as he... inherited a lot of money from our family business. But that was it, though. They never felt any sort of love or attachment towards me. I was just a business deal that changed their lives, I guess. That's why ever since the day I was born, they never treated me like I was their son."
"That's tough," Nandini slowly said after some time, "I'm sorry."
"You shouldn't be," he said, and he truly meant it. He knew that after she found out that the parental negligence was the reason he married her, she would surely hate him more than she already does. That was, given that she hated him, and he was absolutely sure she did. For now, at least.
"You know," Nandini started to say, trying to make the situation lighter, "my mama always said that we shouldn't dwell on the past too much. What happened just... happened. Perhaps it was for the better or the worse, but it's still the past and not the present. You're not in control of your past but your present and future? You can change those to the way you like. That's why you shouldn't dwell on the past. Instead, learn from it, and make your present more beautiful."
To her words, Manik couldn't help but let out a small smile. "Sounds like she was a wise woman."
"The best," Nandini said with a huge grin. "She always liked to help others and look for good in them. She believed that everyone was capable of goodness and she taught me that. She taught me a lot, actually, and I loved her teachings. I really... miss her," her voice was low as she said the last part, and Manik noticed that.
"I'm sure you do, but you shouldn't too upset," he said, trying to comfort her. "She's watching over you right now, you know? She won't be too pleased if you always keep missing her and stop living your life. I'm sure she would want you to stay happy. Remember her from time to time, but also enjoy the life that you have now. Otherwise you're just disappointing her, aren't you?"
The smile naturally found its way to her lips. She knew that he was trying to comfort her and his words actually made her feel better. More than that, she liked the fact that he was trying to cheer her up, and his care. It made her feel happy and wanted.
"Thank you," she said softly, almost too soft, but he heard it anyway because his lips then curved into a smile.
The door of Cabir's room barged open and as she looked up to see Alya, all stressed and worried, he was shocked and confused.
"Hi," he slowly said as the girl panted, trying to catch her breath. "What's... wrong?"
"I need to see Manik," she quickly told him. "Do you know where he is? I'm sure you do. Cabir, tell me."
"Look, calm down," Cabir said, now standing up and patting her shoulders. "Just tell me everything slowly and calmly."
"I don't have the time for that," she said as she jerked his hand away. "I need to see Manik now. It's urgent, Cabir."
"I don-"
"What's this crap about him having a wife?" Alya cut him off and he narrowed his eyes at that.
"What did you say?" he questioned, scared, worried, and confused.
"I went over to his house and I found his mom there," she started to explain. "She told me that Manik ran away and got married with your sister. Then, apparently, he left the house. What the hell is she saying Cabir? And from when do you even have a sister?"
Cabir closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He certainly wasn't prepared for this and right now, he just hated Nyonika. He couldn't risk losing this secret, even if it was Alya and he trusted her. "Look, I can explain everything."
"No, you cannot," she told him, "Manik can. Tell me where he is, Cabir, because we really, really need to talk."
"I know you're confused and you want answers, but Manik is too stressed right now. If you really want, then I can enlighten you," he suggested, and that caught Alya's attention. After some careful consideration, she gave him a brisk nod and went over to sit on the edge of his bed, ready to hear his side of the story.
Cabir took in a deep breath before he confided in her. He didn't know whether this would help him or not, but he knew Alya wouldn't give up easily and that it was probably wise to give her what she wanted; answers. If she went over to Manik, which she would have had Cabir not told her things, then the situation might've gotten worse.
After all, Manik had to take care of Nandini, and who knows what kind of impact Alya's arrival would've made? It certainly didn't help that Manik and Alya had history together.
Nandini yawned as she entered through the main door while Manik closed it. She was very, very tired and she felt like she could collapse at any moment.
"I'm going to crash," she informed Manik before heading upstairs. "I've got college tomorrow anyway."
"Goodnight," he told her absentmindedly, "and I'm here if you need me."
She stopped in her tracks hearing those words of his. They held such significance and he'd said it so casually that it frightened her and surprised her at the same time. But she couldn't exactly deny it because she, herself, believed those words of his.
She was convinced that he was a ruthless monster who didn't care about others, but lately she'd just seen another side of him. A side that was scared and lonely, and also a side that cared for her. She liked that side of his. It didn't make his mistake any better, but it helped her see him in a new light. At least she knew that he wasn't completely evil.
He didn't seem to notice her stop and after some time, she went up the stairs, on her way to her room, but she had a smile on her face. She knew what this feeling was; she had started to trust him. Because she knew now that she could count on him for listening to her own fears, and she knew that she could believe him when he said that he'd be there for her if she needed him.
The only thought that was on her mind for the rest of the night was, maybe Navya was right.
CID
Financial markets and global economy
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
