MaNan: Trust?

16

It was midnight... Manik felt Nandini trying to get out of his grip.

"Nandini? What happened?", He called out. She just pushed him aside & stumbled towards the washroom with her wobbly legs. He was immediately beside her holding her shoulder. She reached near the basin & emptied the entire content of her stomach. He held her hair with his one hand & supported her with the other.

She slid down towards the floor as her knees gave up. He held her midway & helped her stand up. She rested her head over his chest till the time he opened the tap & cleaned her face. His shirt got dirty in the process. She was too weak to even move from her place. He was supporting her entire frame. He helped her till the bed & made her lie down.

He removed his blazer from her body which had turned dirty.

He saw that her t-shirt was messy too.

He went towards the cupboard & got a fresh t-shirt for her. He came towards her & lightly shook her.

"Nandini... Please change your t-shirt. You won't be comfortable sleeping in this.", She tried getting up but fell back on the bed as her head started spinning.

"Manik.. I.. I can't get up. Everything is spinning.", She whispered inaudibly.

He looked at her helplessly. Switching off the light... He hesitantly came towards her. He held the hem of her top & slowly pulled it over her head making sure he didn't touch her. He lifted her head a little & made her wear the fresh t-shirt that he had got.

He removed his shirt & kept all the three items in the washroom.

He came back towards her & found her searching something beside her.

"Nandini? What do you want?", He asked.

"You...", Came her immediate answer making him shocked.

"I mean... I was searching for you... I need water.", She told him slowly with her half opened eyes.

"He went towards her & helped her get up. Pouring water in the glass, he placed it near her lips. She had little bit of water & leaned over his shoulder. He placed the glass on the side table & made her lie down properly. He lied beside her making her shift closer to him.

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It was 9:00 in the morning when Nandini opened her eyes only to find shirtless Manik sitting beside her on the bed staring at her. She got startled at first but then remembered about whatever happened last night.

He helped her in sitting up & placed the pillows behind her back to make her comfortable.

"You still have slight fever. I have made some light breakfast for you. Have it & then sleep again.", He said not meeting her eyes.

He helped her to the washroom & left to get the breakfast.

She came back towards the bed to find the breakfast tray kept at the side table. Her face fell thinking he left.

She came & sat over the bed when he entered inside with a jug full of water.

"I thought you left...", She whispered to herself.

"I'm not leaving till the time someone doesn't come to be with you here. When are your parents coming back?", He asked.

"I don't know. And I'm not calling them.", She told him stubbornly.

"Okay... Open your mouth.", He said as he sat beside her with the breakfast tray.

He forwarded a piece of egg towards her. She started eating without a word.