It seems like ages Nandini is in deep sleep.Manik unknowingly slept in the same position on the floor,clutching Nandini's hand in his death grip and other hand was on Nandini's head.

He got up with a jerk & took her name like a prayer when he felt Nandini's fingers were moving "Nandinii.." but when he opened his eyes there is nothing changed;that oxygen mask was in it's place on Nandini,,Those wires were still around her petite frame;Her eyes were closed,Her face has became more dull but the only thing changed is Nandini's breathing has became normal.

Tears fell from his eyes,he again caressed her face "Please wapas ajaao bachha,apni aankhein kholo" saying this he kept his head on her palm when he again sensed Nandini's moving fingers.

He gently lift his head to look at her fingers and this time it's moving and he look at her face;her lips were moving too as if she is trying to say something.

Manik immediately sat next to her on bed;He very slowly and carefully removed the mask and her murmurs got a bit clear  for Manik to hear "Ma..mani..Mani"

His happiness knew no boundaries,his heart jumped in joy.After like ages he heard the voice that has the power to stop the most powerful storms which were inside him,the voice that gives solace to his heart,the voice which has the power to take away all his pain.

"I am here,I am here..Open your eyes love" Manik kissed her eyes one by one asking her to open it & hurriedly pushed the oxygen mask away from her eye sight.

She opened her eyes to find a pale,worried,messy Manik Malhotra.Dried tear drops are still there & fresh drops are ready to shed,,his hairs are all messy,he is looking ten times older than his age.Though it was Nandini who was suffering but it was Manik Malhotra's soul who was going through the pain.

Nandini raised her shivering hands to touch him,Manik moved a little closer to her hand cause he knew as much as Nandini wanted to touch him,he also wanted to get assured by her touch that she is with him and fine.

Nandini touched his cheeks softly and both prayed their name together closing their eyes "Maniiik" "Nandinii" trying to make eachother believe about their presence.
Manik rested his head on hers. Tears escaped from her eyes seeing her magician in this state,,she never in her wildest dream can imagine this Manik.She never wants to let him go into that dark again.But this time she is the reason.

"Never,ever do that to me Nandini,never ever...If you want,take away my life but....." Manik said but Nandini didn't let him finish.She pressed her lips on his trying to absorb him in her,trying to take away all the pain he has gone through seeing her like this,trying to make him believe that she kept her promise "I told you Mani,jab tak Manik hai Nandini ko Kuch nai Ho sakta"

Manik again took her lips in his for a soul sheering kiss but unwantedly broke the kiss keeping Nandini's health in mind.

"What have you done to yourself Mani!!! Yeh old looking Mani baby ko nai pasand" She said trying to lighten the moment and Manik chuckled at her talks but her last words made him frown again,he closed his eyes tightly  "Par Mani Kya huya tha..last I remember I broke the vase as I couldn't say anything aur..."

"Ssshh.. Shhh.. Kuch nai huya tha bachha,,I am here naa!!! Nothing can happen to you when I am here" Manik said kissing her temple & caressing her cheeks ever so gently with his thumb.

"Mujhe Pata hai yeh,,, paar you should remember that samjhe stupid Malhotra!!!"
She said trying to get up & sit, in which Manik helped her.

"Aab mujhe fresh hona hai Aur tumhe bhi..Chalooooo jaldi" She said trying to stand.

Both know that they are suffering,,Suffering  from a pain which can only be healed by each other.Nothing or no one can heal an ounce except themselves.But they both kept numb and decided to talk about it later as this isn't the right time. Isn't it what true love means !? Forgetting our own pain and giving importance to our loved ones!!?? (Well I again think so !! 😊)

"And what do you think you are doing ??" Manik said eyeing her.

"FYI !!! I want to take shower and for that I need to go to bathroom" She said in a matter of fact tone.

"You can't go alone like this Nandini,,let me call Navya.she will help you" Manik said and Nandini frowned.

"Ahaann !!! Mr.Malhotra like this haan!!?? So you want me to invite you with me!!??" Nandini smirked naughtily.

"Not now honey,,you have to take medicines after having your food,So take a quick shower,I am sending Navya"Manik said pecking her forehead as he didn't want her to feel low.

"Ok as you say Sir!" Nandini said saluting him trying to ease the situation as she is very well aware of Manik's state of mind.

Manik helped her to stand up but Nandini turned back to take her hair band but she was shocked to see the oxygen mask ,oxygen cylinder and other hospital equipments there..Manik was other side arranging her clothes which she is gonna wear after shower.

"Maniiikkk" she took his name;afraid,shock were dripping from her voice.

And He understood the reason of her shock & he mentally slapped himself for being careless but he didn't have the courage to look back at Nandini & answer her questions.Nandini came to him with slow steps and kept her hand on his back.

"Manik that oxygen..Wooh kis liye ,,Yeh saab !!!" She was horrified .

He then decided to finally look at her and tell her the truth "Nothing bachha,, kuch nai hai!! Saab kuch thik hai,,aap pehle shower ley lain hum baad mein baat karenge meri jaan" He couldn't say the truth.

She nodded her head like a kid with moistened eyes;somewhere she sensed something.

He took her in his arms and walked towards bathroom and make her stand on her feet and turns to go but she didn't let him leave "Navya nai chaiye,main khud kar lungi" she said determined.

"Nandini,bachha !! Aap nahi kar paaogi Navya hai Na!! I am sending her" Manik was getting what's coming next.

"Kyun nahi kaar paaungi!! Kuch nai huya,,main khud karungi" She said stubbornly in a high pitch than normal.She was trembling and Manik was going to hold her but she didn't let him touch her.

"Please baby !! Atleast let ME help" Manik pleaded.

"No,main bachhi nei hoon!!kar Sakti hoon khud" She said showing her palm to him.
She said all these in a daze.She was lost somewhere,her tears were dangling from her eyes.

Manik helplessly looked at her & cursed himself for not being able to protect her.Her this behaviour was making him worried,hell worried.His mind was working overtime & why not !!! his love is suffering mentally & physically that too in front of his eyes & he isn't able to do anything. He knew this Nandini won't stay for a long,she'll be ok soon but for that too she needs to do the thing which Manik hates that is her tears !!!

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That's it for now,am gonna update again within 1day but only if I get 1k like on My Story cz I got 5k views still not 1k stars. This is unfair. It doesn't take even a nano second to touch the stars or press it.

And thank you to all the people who comments regularly and for your precious stars dear. Updates are only for you love.❤️

Sorry for the mistakes 🙏🏻