Manan : Love for Eternity

Chapter 96

Nandini's room

They enterd her room and nandini suggested looking at the stars. The sky was clear tonight and the stars were shining bright. The atmosphere was serene.

Manik and nandini were sitting in her room and talking now about everything except what they should and manik decided to approach the subject. She was on the swing and Manik sat on the balcony floor across to her, looking directly at her .

Nandini was silent when Manik spoke

M : you know we have to talk about it sometime

Nandini right away knew what he was asking. He was saying to talk about his absence, the break up and its aftermath. Still she acted like she didn't. Having a innocent expressions she replied

N : about you and Alia, and how you have shut her out. Yes we do

M : that's not it

N : we should talk but. You can't just let your friendship with her go over something as premial as this.

Manik sighed and even chuckled a little. He knew nandini always tried to deviate when she was afraid to talk about anything . And maybe after this she might not want to talk to him again, but this was important. And what they have been doing wasn't fair on nandini.

M : why are you worried about this. Do you think we can't work it out. Or that if I say it out loud you won't be able to act like it never happened . Or maybe that you know , you might not be able to forgive me

Nandini looked away. His eyes were serious and she couldn't lie looking at him

N : If I hadn't forgiven you we wouldn't be sitting here. there's nothing to talk about Manik

M : funny how you are ready to talk about Alia and not about us. Am I not a greater culprit than her. Alia and her mistakes is easy for you to speak about because it doesn't hurt your heart, while I do.

N : Manik.

Manik never backed down, he stared at her challenging her to say it. Well nandini never learned to back down either

N : fine. Let's start from the beginning. Want to talk about how you left me after we made love. You said we are over.

M : I had to leave. we had a mishap that night and adi couldn't go. one of us was needed. moreover I... I did not have it me to include you in this. I have lost you once already nandini. and the first time it was you trying to save me. I would rather die than let it repeat

nandini was angry, her voice was accusing. and manik was calm he knew what he did and he also knew he was her culprit.

N : so you left me. I felt broken Manik. It would have been easier if you would have ripped my heart out than doing this. I loved you and you left. So I started hating you

They continued sitting at their respective places because if they embraced right now, one of them would certainly break down and the talk would be left in half. They needed this, their relationship needed this. So they stayed put

M : when I returned things haven't gotten much better, so I could not tell you. Without you wanting to be a part of it. So I tried staying away. You were doing fine. Atleast you were trying to move on and I wanted to give you a chance to do that. I thought for a while maybe you were better off without me. Maybe I am not good enough for you. So I tried that.

Manik found difficult to speak, words got stuck in his throat but he had to do this. He owed it to nandini

M : but then I couldn't do that either, you were hurting because of me princess, you hated me and I felt it was better than ignoring. Because at least that way I knew you still thought of me. At the club that night all that you said was true, I deserved it yet I was unable to hear it. I was unable to see you breaking. So I kissed you. I know I shouldn't have but I don't regret it. And you kissed me back, that gave me hope. And I really needed that because I was losing my mind.