His Solace ✅

5. His Birthday

Happy Reading Guys!💛

***

She had a bouquet of white roses in her hand and a big smile on her face. Nandini pressed the door bell of Manik's apartment. After two minutes or so, he opened the door. However, Nandini's smile quickly faded away after looking at his injured hand which was neatly dressed.

"Hey!" He tried to smile.

And his red eyes caught her attention.

He moved aside to let her enter the apartment. Nandini walked inside silently, her happiness got lost the moment she saw his gloomy face.

After closing the main door, Manik turned around to look at her who appeared to be confused at his condition.

"You here?" He asked.

"I came to wish you a happy birthday. Happy Birthday, Mani." She smiled and forwarded the bouquet she was holding in her hands to him.

"So now we are on nickname terms. Thank you, Nandu." He smiled and took the bouquet from her.

He immediately put the flowers in an empty vase and poured an entire jug of water into it to keep the flowers fresh and alive.

Nandini just smiled at his gesture.

"Come, let's sit and chat." Saying so he held her hand and they moved to the sitting area.

Nandini sat down and Manik took a seat beside her. He was still holding her hand and caressing it ever so gently.

"Why you look so sad?" She asked him who was deep in thoughts.

Manik kept quiet, not willing to Abeer hey question.

"Mani, please tell me." She pleaded.

He bit his lip. He looked down at their entwined hands. His hold on her hand tightened and he took a heavy sigh.

"When I was born twenty eight years ago, my mother died the same day due to child birth. And when I was celebrating my fifteenth birthday, my father was assassinated." Tears escaped his eyes unwillingly as he shared his painful past with her.

Nandini kept quiet, not quite sure what to do or how to react. But then she slowly retrieved her hand from his hold and pulled him into a gentle hug. His head rested against her neck and his arms automatically went around her waist. Nandini kissed his forehead while her own eyes welled up with tears.

"I miss them, Nandini. I miss them a lot." He cried.

Nandini just let him cry in her arms while caressed his back. But she felt special that he dared to show her his vulnerable side so easily. Because no one would cry in front of a random person, especially not a man. Unless, he was in love with that person.

After twenty minutes or so, his cried died down. Manik felt relieved as all the pain and sadness had flown down with his tears. He ended the hug and wiped his tears.

"How are you feeling now?" Nandini asked calmly.

"I feel relieved." He smiled at her.

"Now we are going to celebrate your twenty eighth birthday. Show me the kitchen." She stood up from the couch and pulled him along with her.

***

"I didn't know you can cook so well." Manik complimented her while eating the white sauce pasta which she had cooked for him. It was simple but it was tasty.

"Yeah. You must be thinking me of a rich, spoilt brat who is good for nothing." She joked while taking the last bite of her pasta.

"Actually, yes. But you surprised me." He pointed at his almost empty plate.

"I'm glad." She smiled proudly.

By then both of them had finished their meal. Manik picked both the plates and put them in the sink. While Nandini opened the fridge and poured herself some cold water in a glass. She stood near the kitchen slab and began drinking when Manik came closer to her. He put his hands on either side of the slab, trapping her between himself and the slab. She put the glass down and held his injured hand wrapped in white dressing.

"How did this happen?" She asked.

"I might have voluntarily harmed myself." He answered while looking away.

"And why would you do that?" She asked again.

"Because I may be wanted to hurt myself." Her eyes widened at his confession of self-harm as if harming himself is not a big deal for him. She wondered how many times he would have harmed himself before?

"Mani, my mother had also died while giving birth to me. But I don't hate myself. Because my dad had made it clear that it wasn't my fault. And you also need to understand that it wasn't your fault that your mother died. Your mother didn't sacrifice her life for you to hate yourself. She loved you and seeing you like this must be hurting her." She cupped his face while making him understand her point.

Manik just sighed and drew her in for a hug. After a few moments of silence, he spoke, "Let's get married, Nandini. I desperately need you in my life." And he kissed her temple.

"Hmm." She just hummed as she was still in shock. Did he just propose her?

Manik moved a little away to look at her face and asked, "Now can I please kiss you?"

She nodded shyly and instantly their lips collided in a gentle kiss. Her hands went to pull on his hair and his hands went inside her t-shirt. Nandini shut her eyes close as his cold hands began roaming on her warm skin. The kiss was gentle and slow. But his cold hands were moving up and down on her body, making her breath harder with each passing second. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest when he unbuttoned her jeans. Nandini quickly pushed him away.

"Not there!" She warned him breathlessly, falling on his chest a moment later.

"Sorry." He apologized and wrapped his arms around her.

"I am tired, Mani." Nandini mumbled against his chest.

"Let me take you to my bedroom. Sleep there for a while. Okay?" He suggested.

"Okay. First button up my jeans." She told him.

He immediately buttoned up her denim jeans and carried her to his bedroom. Manik laid her down on the bed and kissed her forehead.

"Should I inform your family that you'll be late?" He asked.

"No, they'll kill you. I'll make an excuse myself." She said with her eyes closed.

"But your flustered face will tell them what happened between us." He smirked and picked her red cheeks.

"I'll tell them about my decision as soon as I reach home." Nandini opened her eyes and looked at him lovingly.

"I love you, Nandu." He bent his face down to peck her lips.

"I love you too, Mani."

Manik caressed her forehead to make her fall asleep. When Nandini fell into slumber ten minutes later, he went to the kitchen to clean the dishes.

***

Hola Peeps!💛

How's the chapter?

• What are your views on Manik's self-destructive side?

• Are Manik's feelings towards Nandini, genuine???

• Any guesses related to the 'hidden truth'?????

Precap - The MaNan wedding and The Truth unveils!

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-Love&Light✨
ModernWriter