MANAN: Living in Love [SLOW UPDATES]

Chapter: 25

Manik stood frozen, the weight of Nandini's words crashing over him like an unrelenting wave. The silence that followed was deafening, a stark contrast to the tumultuous storm raging within him. Every fiber of his being ached with the realization of what her words meant. He felt a surge of emotions: hurt, betrayal, confusion, and a desperate longing that refused to be quelled.

On the other end of the line, Nandini's breath was steady yet laced with an unmistakable tension. The quiet between them stretched, pregnant with unspoken thoughts and unacknowledged feelings. She looked down at him from her window, her heart battling between duty and desire, the pull of her present reality, and the echoes of their shared past.

Manik's thoughts churned, each heartbeat a painful reminder of the emotional chasm that had grown between them. He opened his mouth, desperate to articulate the chaos within him, but the words seemed to dissipate before they could form. What could he possibly say? How could he convey the depths of his turmoil when even he struggled to comprehend it?

Nandini's eyes, wide with a mix of emotions, searched his face from above, her gaze catching the flicker of anguish that marred his features. She bit her lip, the uncertainty gnawing at her as she clutched the phone tighter, seeking some semblance of stability amid the whirlwind of feelings enveloping them both.

"Manik," she began, her voice a fragile whisper that seemed to hang in the air, laden with emotion. She hesitated, the uncertainty palpable between them. "Go home," she pleaded softly, her words carrying an unspoken yearning for the simplicity that once defined their relationship. "Please!"

Manik's gaze remained fixed on her, the woman who unknowingly held his heart in a delicate grip. The intensity of his feelings threatened to engulf him, but he couldn't tear his eyes away. He saw the conflict mirrored in her eyes, the tension between their shared past and the seemingly insurmountable present.

"Okay," he finally responded, his voice soft but steady. His eyes, still locked onto hers, seemed to ask questions he couldn't voice. The unspoken words hung heavy between them, a testament to the depth of his emotions.

Nandini, momentarily freed from the trance he had cast over her, began to take in their surroundings. She noticed the absence of his car and the sweat glistening on his brow, evidence of his arduous journey to reach her.

"Where's your car?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as her eyes scanned the empty street, seeking any sign of the vehicle that might have brought him here.

"I didn't drive," Manik confessed, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I ran. I just... I needed to see you."

Nandini's heart tightened at his words, the raw emotion in his voice piercing through her defenses. She took a step closer to the window, her expression softening with empathy. "Manik, why would you do that? It's so late, and..."

"I couldn't stop myself," he interrupted, his voice gaining strength and urgency. "I tried to stay away, to respect your wishes, but the need to see you was too strong. I had to be here, even if it was just for a moment."

A heavy silence descended between them, laden with the weight of unspoken feelings and unresolved emotions. Nandini's mind raced, torn between the practicality of sending him away and the undeniable pull of her own heart.

"You're always doing this," she said, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. "Showing up out of nowhere, making everything so complicated."

Manik remained silent, absorbing her words. It was a novel sensation for him to be cared for by someone. With a selfish mother and an absentee father, he had never experienced the warmth of someone worrying about his whereabouts, his habits, his minor quirks, and all the mundane details of his life. As selfish as it might sound, he relished the care she lavished on him.

"Wait there, I'm coming down," Nandini said, cutting the call abruptly. She hurried to her wardrobe, pulling out a thin shawl to drape over her flimsy pajamas. Her heart pounded in her chest as she made her way downstairs, each step echoing the conflict within her.

As she opened the front door and stepped out into the cool night air, a shiver ran down her spine. She moved towards him, her eyes locked on his silhouette, stark against the pale glow of the moon.

"Do you know how to drive a scooter?" Nandini asked upon reaching him, her voice steady despite the undercurrent of uncertainty.

Manik looked up, his eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Yes," he replied softly. "Why do you ask?"

Nandini bit her lip, momentarily unsure. "I have a scooter that Chachaji bought for me to commute, but I haven't learned to drive it yet. I thought maybe you could use it to get back home."

Manik rolled his tongue in his cheek, struggling to contain his amusement. The mental image of Nandini cruising through the bustling streets of Mumbai on her little scooter was irresistible. Her black tresses would flow freely in the wind, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and her laughter—a sound he had come to cherish—would echo joyously in the air. 

She looked like a vision of carefree joy in his mind's eye, an embodiment of everything vibrant and pure. The thought of her in such a state warmed his heart profoundly. 

Suppressing his laughter, Manik managed to compose himself, but the warmth of his amusement lingered, giving way to a sincere appreciation for everything she represented in his life, "I'd be happy to use the scooter, Nandini," he said, his tone gentle but laced with a hint of playfulness. "But only if you promise to let me teach you how to drive it someday."

Nandini's eyes lit up, a mix of relief and excitement dancing in their depths. The tension of the moment seemed to ease, replaced by a shared sense of anticipation. "Deal," she responded, her voice softening into a warm smile. "Let's get you home."