Chapter - 34

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Jo Ruky Tou Koh-e-Giraan Thay Hum..!! Jo Chalay
Tou Jaan Say Guzar Gaye..!!
Rahy Yar Hum Nay Kadam Kadam..!! Tjhy Yaadgaar
Bana Diya..!!
"Manik..!"She whispered for the first time
after that incident.
"Bolo jaan..!!"Manik said lovingly kissing her
wounds.
"Aj mjy tum say kuch mang'na hai..!!"She
again whispered.
"Maango na..!! Mera sab tmhara hai
Nandini..!!"Manik said lovingly. Playing with
her hair strands.
"Promise karo kay tum meri baaat mano
gay..!!"Nandini wanted surety.
"Promise..!!"Manik said smilingly.
"MARRY ME..!! NOW..!"Nandini said in a
low voice looking deep in his eyes. Manik
was taken a back for a second.
"Nandini..! Love..!! What are you
saying?"Manik was shocked he was unable
to figure out how to react.
"Manik..!! My demand is simple..!! Will you
marry me now?"Nandini again asked
looking deep in his eyes. Manik was doomed
now. It wasn't like that he didn't wanted to
marry her. But this sudden demand was
something he didn't expected.
"Nandini..!!"Manik tried to say something
but Nandini shook her head.
"YES OR NO..!!"She asked in an ice cold
tone.
"Nan..!!"Manik again started but Nandini
pushed him away and got up.
"YES OR NO MANIK MALHOTRA...!!"Nandini
shouted on top of her voice. Manik was
startled by her behavior but he totally
understood her trauma. He had to act wisely
otherwise he would lost her forever. He
sighed and too got up.
"Ok..!! I will marry you..!!"Manik said
lovingly and cupped her cheeks.
"Now?"Nandini asked innocently.
"Yes now..!!"Manik said calmly. He gently
adjusted her dupatta on her head again and
held her hand. "Come with me..!!"He said
softly and dragged her with him. He came in
the small garden of the cottage and lit up a
fire. Nandini was just standing quietly too
weak to say anything. Too weak to react for
anything..!! She even didn't knew why she
asked Manik to marry her..!! Maybe
insecurity? Maybe shattered trust? Maybe a
doubt that what if Manik will leave her?
Maybe she wanted to tie him with her so he
don't leave her..!! Lots of buts,ifs and
maybes were roaming in her mind but she
was unable to figure out anything.
Meanwhile Manik was done with the fire he
brought some sindoor from the small
mandir of the cottage. Then he came
towards Nandini who was just staring at the
fire blankly. Eyes and face devoid of tears
and expressions.
"Nandini..!!"He took her name softly to get
her attention. She look at him with same
blank expressions."I don't know what all
the mantraas of marriage...!! I just know
that I love you..!! I am marrying you cause I
want to..!! I am with you cause I want to..!!
The seven vows I am going to take with you
I really mean each and every word of
it..!!"Manik explained softly caressing her
hands. Then without waiting for her reply he
swiftly picked her up in his arms and
walked towards the fire. Nandini was just
looking at Manik with love this time. His
words were very important for her. She
clutched his shoulders tightly.
Manik started walking around the fire. He
took the first vow.
"I Promise you to keep you safe and
warm..!!"Manik said and Nandini's grip on
his shoulders became more tight.
"I will always respect you..!!"Manik said as
he took the second vow and Nandini look at
him in disbelief.
"I will laugh with you..!! Not on
you..!!"Manik spoke during the third vow
and Nandini smiled weakly.
"I will stand by you No matter
what..!!"Manik completed the fourth vow
and he heard Nandini's whisper "I know..!"
"I will think less what I want and more what
you want..!!"Another promise escaped from
Manik's mouth during the fifth vow and
Nandini's throat choked with emotions.
"I will trust you..!! I will honor you..!!"Sixth
vow completed.
"I Love You Nandini..!! I will keep loving
you like this Hamesha..!!"Seventh vow came
with another promise and Manik made her
stand on her feet. Nandini was just staring
at him with all love. Manik put the sindoor
in her maang and then he pulled out the
heart necklace from his pocket. Nandini look
at it and then at Manik. Manik quietly tied
the necklace in her neck again. Then he
cupped her cheeks.
"You trust me Love?"Manik asked looking in
her eyes. She bobbed her head innocently
and Manik smiled he lovingly pecked her
forehead to which she closed her eyes.
Manik wanted her to feel relaxed. He
promised to himself that he will not try to do
anything until she herself ask him to.
"Hungry?"Manik asked softly taking her in a
side hug.
"Hmmm..!!"She just hummed and they came
inside the cottage.
Pal, do pal, ki hi kyun hai zindagi
Iss, pyar, ko hai sadiyaan kaafi nahi
"Ok..!! Tum fresh ho jaoa I will prepare
some dinner for you..!!"Manik said lovingly
and she quietly walked towards the
bedroom. Manik himself came inside the
kitchen and fell on the floor. He cried and
cried his heart out.
"Q? Q main apny promise ko fullfil nahi kar
paya..!! Q main usy protect ni kar paya..!!
I am responsible for Nandini's condition..!!
Kitne difficulty say Nandini ko smile kara
paya tha..!! How will I make her smile
again..!!"Manik's heart thought painfully.
"Manik..!! Tu weak par jaye ga tou Nandini
ko kon sambhala gay..!!"Manik's brain
shouted.
"Aj for the first time main tery brain say
agree krta hoon Manik..!! Be strong
Handsome..!! Wipe your tears..!!"Manik's
heart said wisely and Manik nodded. He
immediately got up and wiped his tears. He
prepared the instant soup and toasted some
bread for Nandini.
Toh khuda se maang lun
Mohalat main ik nayi
Nandini came inside the bedroom and
opened the only wardrobe for towel. She
saw Manik's clothes. A feeble smile crept her
lips. She picked up one of his shirt and
shorts. She smelled his shirt. The faint smell
of his deo was still in it. So refreshing..!! So
soothing..!! She took the towel and clothes.
After taking a hot shower she came out of
the bathroom wearing Manik's clothes.
Without looking herself for once in mirror
she walked towards the
kitchen where Manik was waiting for her.
Manik saw her in his clothes and smiled. She
was looking cute as usual.
"I can wear your clothes na?"She asked in a
low voice.
Rehna hai bas yahaan
Ab door tujhse jaana nahi
Manik smiled and pull her in his lap. She
comfortably sat in his lap and encircled her
arms around his neck.
"Of course you can..!! Tum meri kaproon
main bohat cute lagti ho..!!"Manik said
lovingly and Nandini rested her head on his
heart. "So I have made soup for you..!! I
hope tmy pasand aye..!!"Manik said softly
with that he folded the sleeves of
her,actually his shirt which were way bigger
for Nandini.
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera humdard hai
Manik fed her the soup she slowly gulped
it,playing with his and her locket, joining
both made a complete heart. After eating
half of it she turned her face indicating that
she was done. Manik didn't forced her to eat
more he quietly finished the other half
himself. After eating he got up to clean the
dishes. Manik was washing the dishes while
Nandini was standing behind him encircling
her arms around his waist from back and
head on his back. Manik let her to what she
want to. Soon he was done with it. Then
holding her hand he came to the bedroom.
Teri muskurahatein hain taaqat meri
Mujhko inhi se ummeed mili
"Acha Nandini..!!"Manik said as he made her
sit on the corner of the bed.
"Hmmm..!!"Nandini asked lost somewhere.
"I have heard kay larkiyaan raat ko sony say
pehly hair brush krti hain..!! Tum nahi
karti..??!!"Manik asked touching her messy
hair. Nandini smiled on his words.
"Nahi..!! Main nahi krti..!!"She said softly
looking at him. Manik was happy to see her
smiling after long a time.
"Hmmm..!! But from today I will brush your
hair...!!"Manik said excitedly and with that
he pick up the hair brush from the dressing.
He slowly and carefully brushed Nandini's
hair continuously humming some melody
while Nandini just closed her eyes lost
somewhere. After brushing her hair he
placed the brush aside.
Chaahe kare koi sitam ye jahaan
Inme hi hai sadaa hifaazat meri
Manik picked up a story book from the
bookshelf and Nandini look at him. He
showed her the story book excitedly and
after reading the name she smiled. It was
Princess Rapunzel's story.
"So now it's turn for a bedtime
story..!!"Manik said excitedly,switching off
the lights and turning on the bedside lamp
Manik laid down the bed. Nandini snuggled
in him,resting her head on his chest. Manik
wrapped his one arm around her
shoulders,after covering themselves with the
fury soft blanket he hold the book in his
other hand. Nandini smiled after seeing the
first page where there was Rapunzel's
picture,she was sitting in her castle
balcony,her long hair were hanging down
the balcony.
"You know love..!! Jab main chota tha na..!!
It was favorite bedtime story although ya
girls ki story hoti hai but I liked it a lot..!!
Aur jb bhi mera mood hota tha tou Mom mjy
yai story sunati the..!!"Manik told Nandini
and she smilingly traced her fingers on the
page.
"Manik..!! Read it na..!!" She said softly.
"Hmmm..!! Ok your wish is my
command..!!"Manik said naughtily and she
slapped him playfully on his bicep he
laughed.
Zindagani badi khoobsurat hui
Jannat ab aur kya hogi kahin
"So..!! Once upon a time there lived a
princess in a castle name Rapunzel..!!"Manik
started the story and Nandini was lost in the
story. As the story progressed he noticed
Nandini's expressions,she was smiling when
there was a happy moment in the story and
she became sad when there was a sad
moment. Finally Manik turned the last page
and the picture on the last page made
Nandini smile. It was the picture of prince
and princess,they were standing hand in
hand.
"They get married and they lived happily
ever after..!!"Manik ended the story and
closed the book. "So my love liked the
story?"Manik asked kissing her hair.
"It was a beautiful story indeed..!!"Nandini
whispered smilingly.
"It was..!!"Manik said excitedly.
"Manik..!! Tum mjy choor
kar tou ni jaoa gay na? Tum bhi
hamesha mery sath aisy he raho gay na jaisy
Rapunzel kay sth prince..!!"Nandini asked
lost somewhere her words were more than a
whisper. Manik knew there was a storm
inside her which she didn't let out. He knew
her insecurities.
"Aray ya Rapunzel ka prince kya hai mery
samny haan..!! Main tmhra us say bhi zidad
khyl rakhoon ga..!! Hmesha tmhry sath
rahoon ga..!!"Manik said assuringly and she
simply nodded. "Chalo now its very late...!!
Sleep..!!"Manik said lovingly and with that
he turned off the lamp. Nandini snuggled
more and more in him while Manik adjusted
the blanket over them. He kept running his
finger in her hair to make her sleep. She was
fast asleep soon.
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
It was midnight when Manik's sleep
disturbed  maybe due to Nandini's absence.
He got up with a jerk and saw the balcony
door open. He almost run towards there and
sighed in relief when he saw Nandini
standing there. She was continuously
sniffing.
"Nandini..!!"He called her and she look at
him. Her eyes were totally red and eyelids
were puffy. "Baby why are you crying? Kya
ho hua?"Manik said softly and walked
towards her. He was about to cup her face
when she held his hand.
"Why? Why do you love me?"Nandini
shouted holding his collar. Manik remained
calm because he knew if he will react the
situation will go worse.
"I have already told you..!!"Manik said
calmly.
"No..!! Tum jhoty ho..!!"Nandini again
shouted shaking Manik badly he didn't
reacted he wanted her to let it all out.
"Yahi sach hai Nandini..!!"Manik said
politely.
"Tmhy mj say ghin nahi aati?"Nandini again
yelled but this time there was so much pain.
"Nahi..!!"Again he said softly but only he
knew how he was controlling himself not to
cry.
"Why? I am nothing Manik..!! I am
nothing..!! My body..!! It's each and every
cell is drenched in dirt..!!"This time her
words shook Manik to the core but he kept
quiet. "Tm jab mjy touch karty ho tou ya q
nahi sochty kay I was RAPED..!! Tmhy mj
say nafrat karni chahye..!! Jaise sari duniya
karti hai..!!"Nandini shouted slapping
Manik's chest but again he didn't said
anything. "Mj say mat karo pyaar
Manik..!!"Nandini again shouted as loud as
she could. "I was claimed by someone else..!!
I am not pure..!!"She shouted constantly
slapping Manik on his chest this time Manik
held her hands. She tried to free herself but
Manik didn't left her hands. Tears were
wetting her cheeks at last she got tired of
struggling and Manik pull her for a hug.
Now she crying loudly clutching back of
Manik's shirt.
"I hate you Manik..!! I hate you for loving
me so much..!! I hate you..!!"Nandini said
between her sobs and Manik smiled.
"But I love you so much..!! Nandini you are
pure..!! You are pure for me..!! Nahi
aati mjhy tum say ghin..!! Main kabhi bhi ya
nahi sochta kay you were raped..!! Mani tum
say kabhi bhi nafrat nahi kar skta..!! I am
here with you not because someone has
forced but because I want too..!! Why are
you thinking like this..??!!"Manik explained
lovingly while Nandini just nuzzled her face
in his chest. Manik picked her up in his
arms and laid down on the bed.
"Manik..!! You know when Rahul again
kidnapped me today..!! I thought kay aj phr
say sab waisa he ho ga..!! Jaisy aik saal pehly
hua tha..!! Manik kya main bohat buri
hoon?"Nandini said with so much pain and
Manik closed his eyes to control himself.
"Meri Nandini sab say achi..!!"Manik said
lovingly kissing her hair.
"Nahi..!! Agar main achi hoon tou mery sth
itna bura q hua?"Manik had no answer for
this innocent question.
"Nandini agar ya sab mery control hota tou
main wo raat tmhry life say
hamesha kay liye nikaal diata..!!"Manik said
painfully.
"Manik...!!"Nandini just called his name
softly.
"I am here..!! With you..!! YOUR
HUSBAND..!!"Manik too said politely.
Nandini lifted her head to look in his eyes.
There was a negligible distance between
their lips which Manik easily covered the
little distance and kissed her softly. He
kissed her lovingly pouring his all love in
that one kiss. They kept kissing until they
were breathless. Manik pecked Nandini's
forehead.
"Manik..!! Tum kahen mat jana..!!"Nandini
whispered as she closed her eyes.
"I am here..! Kahen nahi ja raha..!!"Manik
too whispered and soon they drifted to
sleep.
__________________

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