An Arranged Journey To Forever

Part 73

It was the dead of night when Nandini woke up for the third time, her body restless, her eyes burning as though laced with fire. Sleep evaded her completely. Frustrated, she pushed off the covers and made her way to the washroom, hoping that splashing cold water on her face might offer some relief.

The sound of running water stirred Manik from his sleep. His brows furrowed in confusion as he noticed the washroom lights gleaming through the slightly open door. His heart clenched with worry.

"Nandini never wakes up in the middle of the night," he thought, his mind racing with concern. He sat up just in time to see her emerging from the washroom, her face pale and exhausted, her movements sluggish.

He was beside her in an instant.

"I'm sorry, I disturbed your sleep," she mumbled, offering a weak smile.

Manik scoffed. "Shut up, Nandini. Are you okay?"

"It's just a light fever," she dismissed, gulping down a glass of water, though even that seemed like an effort.

Manik, not convinced in the slightest, leaned forward, placing the back of his palm against her forehead. The heat seared through his skin, making his eyes widen in shock.

"Nandini, you're burning up! This isn't just a light fever!" His voice held a sharp edge of worry as he sprang to his feet, rummaging through the first aid kit with frantic energy.

Nandini watched him, amused at how panicked he was. "Manik, calm down. I'm fine."

He shot her a glare. "I'll be the judge of that. I trust the thermometer more than your lies."

Before she could protest, he placed the thermometer in her mouth.

"It's probably less than 100," she tried to say, her words muffled by the device.

"Can you stop talking?" Manik huffed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Nope! You remember the last time I had a feve—"

Before she could finish, he plucked the thermometer from her lips, pinning her with an exasperated glare. "Just. Stay. Quiet. For. A. While."

His intense gaze had her silenced in an instant. She nodded meekly, surprised at how his voice alone had the power to render her speechless.

Manik placed the thermometer back in her mouth, and they both waited in silence. The moment it beeped, Manik instantly checked the reading.

"50.3 seconds," he muttered under his breath.

"What?" Nandini asked, confused.

"You still have it in your mouth, Nandini." He was clearly referring to the thermometer, but the way she smirked mischievously made him realize how her fever wasn't bad enough to rid her of her antics.

"I still have what, Manik?" she teased, her voice playfully suggestive despite her pale face.

His eyes widened in realization before he scowled. "Haww! Dirty girl! Shut up!"

Chuckling weakly, she let him take the thermometer out. The next second, his expression changed from playful to utterly horrified.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" he practically yelled, jolting up from the bed.

"What?" Nandini asked, slightly startled by his reaction.

"104, Nandini! 104! And you said it was less than 100?!" His voice held a mix of frustration and worry. He stood there, fists clenched, thinking quickly before darting out of the room.

"Manik, where are you going?" she called after him, but he was already gone.

Minutes later, he returned, breathless, carrying a bowl of warm water and a cloth. Seeing that she had drifted off into a restless slumber, his heart softened. Her face, despite its paleness, still held that delicate beauty that captivated him every single day.

Carefully, he sat beside her, soaking the cloth and placing it on her forehead. He repeated the process again and again, his fingers brushing against her warm skin as he whispered, "Relax, love. I've got you."

The morning sun peeked through the curtains when Manik finally stirred. His body was stiff from sleeping in a sitting position, leaning against the headboard. A small smile tugged at his lips as he realized Nandini was curled up against him, her arms wrapped around his waist, her face tucked against his stomach.

Brushing a few strands of hair away from her face, he carefully reached for the thermometer. He slid it into her mouth, making her flinch slightly in her sleep. Instantly, he started patting her forehead gently, soothing her back into slumber.

When the thermometer beeped, he checked it immediately.

"102," he sighed. "Still high, but better."

Noticing that they had run out of fever medication, Manik carefully maneuvered out of bed without waking her. He dressed quickly in his tracksuit, ensuring she was bundled up warmly before heading downstairs.

Downstairs, he found Alya, Mukti, Dhruv, and Cabir sitting around the breakfast table, engaged in conversation.

"Morning, guys," Manik greeted, hugging Dhruv before acknowledging the others.

"Where's Nandini?" Alya asked.

"She's not feeling well. I'm going out to get her medicines," Manik replied, concern evident in his voice.

"We'll stay with her," Mukti assured, and he nodded before heading out.

Upstairs, Alya and Mukti found Nandini awake, sitting up and rubbing her temple.

"Are you okay?" Alya asked, sitting beside her.

Nandini forced a smile. "Hi. Where's Manik?"

"Gone to get your medicines," Alya informed.

Nandini sighed. "Did you guys eat?"

"Yeah, we were just helping Cabir with his wedding jitters," Mukti smirked.

Alya chuckled. "Can you believe one of our own is getting married? And tomorrow is his engagement! It still feels unreal."

Mukti rolled her eyes. "Navya is in full speed! She already called for her lehenga as soon as the dates were fixed. She's practically desperate to be Mrs. Cabir."

"Maybe she just doesn't want any issues," Alya reasoned.

Nandini, lost in thought, absentmindedly grabbed a chip from the packet Mukti was holding.

"Should you be eating that right now?" a familiar deep voice rang from the doorway.

They turned to see Manik standing there, arms crossed, eyes locked onto the chip in Nandini's hand.

Nandini quickly put it back, giving him her most innocent smile. Mukti tried to hide the packet, but Manik snatched it effortlessly.

"You could share, you know," Mukti grumbled.

"Not interested. Mom's calling you both downstairs. Leave," he ordered.

Mukti pouted. "You got yourself a rude husband, Nandini."

As they left, Manik turned to his wife. "And now, Mrs. Malhotra," he smirked, handing her the medicine.

She obediently swallowed them.

"Good. Now freshen up," he instructed, heading to the balcony.

She pouted but complied. After all, there was no winning against Manik Malhotra when it came to his Nandini.