After the Breakup

10. (Can it be fixed?)

Manik and Nandini reached her place and walked to her room while he was holding her hand..

"You be here, I'll just come", he said placing her on the bed..

Before she could deny he gestured her to quiet and went outside, he entered the kitchen and started finding something for her..

At last he found some bread, he toasted it and poured juice for her, he knew this was not enough but something is always better than nothing..

He entered the room and a small smile crept his face when he saw her sleeping, he sat beside her and slowly carresed her hair..

"Nandini, eat a little and then sleep", he said waking her up while she opened her eyes slowly.

He made her sit and started feeding her..

"Manik you didn't tell me, how you're here, how did you come to know about all this", she asked..

"You were not picking up my calls, so I got worried and I went to chachi's place and got to know this. Where's your phone btw", he asked..

"Umm I left it at home in hurry, sorry", she said..

"It's ok, relax", he said keeping his hand on her head..

He was about to say something when his phone ranged but he ignored..

"Manik, it can be important", she said..

He took out his phone and turned on the silent mode keeping it back while she shaked her head in disbelief..

"I'll call back once you finish", he said feeding her another morsel..

She looked at him fighting her tears seeing his gesture and affection...

After finishing, he wiped her face and made her lay down..

"You sleep now, I'll be back", he said caressing her face...

He walked out of the room and dialled back the person..

"Hello", Manik said..

"Sir, you have a recording today what should say to them", his pa said..

"Postpone that, and yes, postpone all my meetings, recordings for 4-5 days..", he said

"But sir, if they don't agree", his assistant said..

"Then cancel it", he said sternly..

"Sir, we have given our words, if we cancel they may never work with us again", his said..

"Then be it, just do what I'm saying, remember you're my assistant", he said sternly and hanged up..

While Nandini heard all this behind the door..

He his denying his work for me, do I even deserve this, he loves me so much but I just keep on hurting him..

He entered the room and saw her standing there...

"What! aren't you feeling sleepy now", he chuckled.

"Manik don't do this", she said..

"What", he replied to her whisper..

"You should go back Manik, your work is important", she said...

"Nothing is more important than you..", he said and they both remembered when he said the same in past..

"Yes, you were, you are and you will be always the most important person to me, you're above everything", he said with a smile..

"Manik please, I can't give you anything", she said making him frown..

"What, you think I'm doing this so that you accept me again, is it?", He asked and she stayed quiet making him sigh..

"Nandini, listen to me carefully, I'm not doing this for anything, I..I just wanna be there for you Nandini, whenever you need me and I don't expect anything in return. I love you and when you love someone, that's selfless, you don't expect anything in return, tumhi ne kaha tha na", he said and she nodded..

She hugged him and soon he felt her tears soaking his clothes..

"Nandini", he called out tried to pull her out of the hug but she snuggled more into him..

"Mujhe nahi ho raha Manik, I can't handle this pain anymore", she said cried in his arms..

He sat on the bed with her in his arms..

"I did what I was fearing of Manik, I came close to you again, got attached to you, and..and this time if you leave me I'll die for sure..

"Nandini", he stopped her and hugged her tightly..

"I'm never leaving you again ok, no matter what happens, I promise..", he said softly..

"You're the only one Nandini, who ever made me smile, who saw the goodness in me, who cared for me, who kept me above anything...

It took me so much time to realise that I lost my everything by loosing you. Just if I would've thought a little sensibly and didn't rusticate you, we wouldn't have suffered for 2 long years, I'm sorry Nandini", he said consoling her..

He said a few more things to console her and stopped seeing her calmed..

He picked her up, placing her on the bed and lied beside her taking her in his embrace...

"Please don't go anywhere Manik, I need you", she said snuggling into him hiding herself..

"I'm not going anywhere Nandini, and you need to tell me anything, I understand even if you don't express it in words", he said carresing her hair..

"Sleep now", he said and they both drowned onto each other...

——☆——

Nandini's pov:-

A woke finding myself in someone's grip and it's Manik, feels like a dream, and every dream comes to an end..

For a moment I got weak and surrendered myself but I still don't think it's right, he deserves better, we are not made for each other, this love is toxic, more than happiness we give each other pain..

I tried to get out of his grip but he held me closer..

"You woke up", he said nuzzling him face in my hair..

"Manik, whatever I said back then don't take it seriously ok, I mean..", she said and he woke up straight..

"What", he asked...

"Manik whatever..", he interrupted me and spoke..

"Not again Nandini please, why...why are you running away from your feelings, from what you want, why don't you just accept it", he said sternly and kept quiet looking down having no answer..

He held my chin and made me look at him when he knows I can't face him..

"Listen Nandini, most of the time, people don't get a second chance but we are getting it, why not just give a try Nandini, we can make it work out again", he said holding my hand..

"I know Nandini, you're suffering too and agar dur rehna hum dono ke liye acha hai to why aren't you happy, why aren't we happy, think wisely Nandini, this is our last chance", he said and tears brimmed his eyes..

"Manik...I...", I stammered and my voice cracked unknowingly..

"I know Nandini you're scared, I'm assuring you this time, and you don't give up without trying, isn't it..

I can't see you like this Nandini, I want to take away all your pain and sufferings and fill your life with happiness, make you the cheerful girl you were, only if you give me one chance", he said looking in my eyes and I had no words to say...

To be continued...