Freaking Romance

40. Regrets

Chapter written by Aaku_14

M A N I K

Everything happened in a blink of eye that I couldn't even comprehend what happened. It hadn't even been an hour since Nandini had been discharged from the hospital but she fainted yet again. We had to rush her back to the hospital. In the process we got caught up in cameras and even got followed by the paparazzi but we were totally unaware. Because of that very reason our location was blown up and now the hospital was currently surrounded by media and a few of our fans too.

"We have managed to keep them at the door for now. But the hospital doesn't allow this. You have to manage this." One of the hospital staff said to Navya. She apologized for the umpteenth time and even offered to compensate the hospital for the disturbance.

"I think you guys should leave. The hospital guards wouldn't be able to hold the media for long. In fact I believe some have even sneaked in already. You have to leav-"

"I am not leaving. Nandini is here." I said looking towards her private ward.

"I know. But Manik the doctor has assured that she would gain consciousness in an hour or two. If you all keep staying here, this place is going to get even more noisier."

"Navya let's do this. Except for Manik we all can leave." Alya suggested.

"Yeah let him stay." Cabir seconded the idea. "We can divert the attention of the media, making it seem like we all are leaving while he can stay here."

"It's still too risky." Navya looked at me.

"Let me stay. I will try my best to stay low." I assured.

"Ok fine." She gave in. 

They all left after a while and I went inside the ward, only to witness Smaran standing beside Nandini.

"Why did she faint again?" He asked.

"The doctor said it's because of overstress. I think retaining back her memories from when she was a soul put pressure on her." I replied taking a seat beside her bed.

"I had guessed it. I told you it was a bad idea to make her remember. Certain things are always better forgotten." He put a hand on my shoulder.

"I know and I regret being greedy. I shouldn't have-"I regretted it. Why did I even tell her about the times when she was a ghost?

He let out a sigh before pulling me into a hug. His presence felt cold but strangely I could feel my heart warming up. "She's going to be okay. I might not know Nandini like you do but I do know she is a very hopeful and strong girl. She has been through a lot and survived. She won't let go so easily." He patted my back quite a few times.

"I know."

"And a heads up. The next time you come here, you might not find me." Smaran said as he broke the hug. I nodded with a heavy heart. "Don't make such a sad face. I'll be going to a better place. Moreover it's good for her too. 7 years and she still couldn't move on from me."

"You are just that good Smaran."

"I am not. Watching her live her life has been tormenting to me. I wanted her to move on but at the same time I was scared of her forgetting me. In this mortal world she is the only one who truly remembers me."

"Ouch." I said in a dramatic tone. "You are forgetting me now."

He let out a chuckle as he lightly squeezed my shoulder. "Thank you for everything Manik."

"I should be the one thanking you. Thank you." 

He smiled. "I got to go for now." 

I nodded and in a span of second he vanished into thin air. It was one among the cool abilities of ghosts but at the same time it was scary how they could disappear and never come back. Being able to see, feel and communicate with ghost wasn't something I wanted. It was something I dreaded and yet nothing worked in my favor. I still hated seeing ghosts just as much as I did before I met her or may be not.

I gently held her hand, looking at her sleeping figure. "I am sorry." That's all I could say. I was happy to have found her but at the same time I was scared that she would disappear. That she would not like me and I tried harder to make her stay, to make her remember and I regretted it. I was greedy.

Reclining back on the chair, I stared at her sleeping figure with the sound of the beeping machines in the background. Regret eating me up minute by minute. I felt so helpless but somehow I managed to pull myself together. Minutes turned into hours and that just added up to my anxiety. The doctor came to check up on her again and yet again declared that there was nothing serious. That she was okay but that did nothing to ease me up. More than half a day had passed by and she was still unconscious with no signs of waking up. 

"Manik." her dad's voice made me aware of the surrounding around me.

"Yes uncle." I looked towards the door. 

"You should take a break. Go home and rest."

"No uncle. It's fine." 

"It's not. You have been here for too long. You haven't even eaten anything yet. That's unhealthy." he scolded in a light tone as he reached me. "Let me have some personal time with my daughter."

"I am really-"

"Fine." he completed. "I know. But I am not. I can't see you like this and I don't want Nandini to scold me later. All I am asking you is to go home, freshen up, have something, take a good nap and then come back." 

"Okay." I nodded getting up from my seat. My neck felt stiff from all the sitting. "I'll be back later."

"You better take your time and-" he reached out for my cap placed on the table and handed it over to me. "Be careful not to get caught and ride safely." 

"I will uncle." I said with a small smile as I put on my cap and mask. After taking glance at Nandini's sleeping figure, I got out of the ward. Few paparazzi's were still lurking around the area and every time my eyes landed on a person with camera I had to take a different staircase. However that wasn't an annoying part, the real annoying part were the ghosts lurking around and there were way too many. Avoiding them took more than half of my calmness and energy. 

I let out a sigh when I finally managed to get out of the hospital doors. But right then something rather someone popped right in front of me and that made jump in terror. "I wasn't wrong. You can see us." That was the last thing I heard before a sharp bright light hit my eyes and all my senses suddenly stopped working. Darkness took over me and I felt like I was being sucked into something. It felt like a repeat telecast of something. 

"Give me your body." I heard a voice from within the darkness.

Freaking hell!! someone was trying to possess me. 

****
Life is filled with regrets. Some admit it and some don't. Some are suffocated by the guilt and trapped in an endless saga of blames and self torment while some forgive others as well as themselves and move on. It's okay to have regrets. Just don't be trapped in it. 
*****
A pretty late update I admit. And I am really sorry for making you all wait. Some of you even might know why I am late. It's solely my fault for forgetting the password. Really sorry. Hopefully you enjoy reading this. Thank you for waiting. Thank you for loving them and most of all thank you for constantly reminding me.

With love,
Aaku