Forever And A Day || Completed

24. Surreal

~ What gives light must endure the burning too~

Some moments are surreal, they suck away the soul out of your body, and the hope out of your heart, without your will. It's like burning inside, but there isn't a single flame visible outside, for anyone to see and help. It was a parallel situation for Manik, as he stood near the dining table, trying to drink a sip of water to help his vocal cords get some power back, but nothing was helping him. The helplessness he felt was sure corroding him, minute by minute, second by second, and he struggled to wipe the corner of his eyes, to not let those traitor tears escape out until he heard a gasp and turned to face the door.

There she stood, her expressions perplexed and a little lost, like she was trying to understand what was happening. He always thought that romantic movies exaggerated the feeling, but in that moment, he honestly felt like he got his breaths back, like finally breathing was not a task that was sucking out of his energy.

In his peripheral vision, he saw Abhik and his parents stand up at their places, so did Nandini's Appa, and the inspector they had called home to ask help since a legal FIR could not be done before twenty four hours. Nothing mattered though, not their surprised faces, not Maa's teary eyes, not Nandini's astonishment either as Manik walked up to the door and held her wrists in his.

" You are fine, right?", Nandini had never expected that to be the first question, but who was she kidding. It was Manik, the man she had learnt about so much in the past twelve hours, and he was supposed to ask her exactly that.

She nodded, and she saw him sigh in relief, it was evident in his body language, as he smiled at her shaking her head at the nuisance she had created, but before he could leave her hand and call her in, she tightened the hold, dismissing all the pair of eyes focused at them.

"I am sorry", it was a mumble, meant for only him to hear, and he did, and dismissed it with his gentle eyes at her, a gesture that said it was okay.

Manik brought her inside, and she was rewarded with a ton of questions from everyone; questions that didn't have logical answers to. She lowered her eyes and told them all how she went for a stroll at the beach and lost the track of time, and that her phone was in her hand bag, on silent. She apologized to her Appa who was surprised to see her act so irresponsible.

" Appa, it's okay. Sometimes we all mess up, no?", It was Manik who offered him a glass of water and then helped him calm down. Nandini didn't meet her father's eyes all the while.

It was when Mrs. Chatterjee kept a hand over her head and asked her to look up, she did with tearful eyes.

" I am sorry Maa, I troubled all of you so much", she sniffed, and watching her adorable red face, everybody began laughing. She looked so much like a small child, scared of her parents'reaction.

Everybody forgave her, but it was when her Appa ruffled her hairs like he always did and she heard Manik laugh at that was when her heart started beating at it's normal pace again. It was already quite late, so every body left for their houses, despite the couple asking them to stay the night.

When Manik closed the front door and turned back, he found Nandini standing near the dining table, timidly, looking at him. He sighed, before walking upto her, and wrapping his arms around her, hiding her in his arms.

If feeling peace had an expression, it would be that for Nandini.

" You scared me big time today", he mumbled, and she tightened her hold on him.

" I am sorry. I really didn't mean to", she apologized again, beginning to cry.

" Hey hey", Manik broke the hug and wiped the tears off her face, "it's okay".