ʟᴏᴠᴇ- ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴜʀᴇ ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ | ✓

~ t h i r t y f o u r [b] ~

Note - This is part two of chapter thirty four, from Manik's side, starting from when he dropped Nandini home after her panic attack - Enjoy~

~~~✿⁠ ~~~

"दो आंखों में दो ही आंसू,
एक तेरे लिए, एक तेरे खातिर!"

Manik saw Nandini entering in her house and he finally exhaled a breath he was holding. He closed his eyes feeling helpless and ran his hand through his hair. Today seeing her in that state made him feel like the most powerless human in the world.

He could see her unshed tears, but couldn't wipe them. He could see her fears, but couldn't embrace them. He could feel the pain, the grief of her soul, but couldn't heal them.

Because he was helpless. And he wished that he could read her mind, her heart, and her soul, but he wasn't sure if he could handle the truth. He wasn't sure if he could handle her broken heart and tainted soul.

"I.. I can't talk about it because if I talk about it, that means it matters. If it matters, that means it's real, and if it's real that means it's going to hurt." He recalled her words and wiped the tear that fell from his eyes.

No, this is not the way. He know that he needed to know about her past, he needed to know the bits and pieces at least. If he really want to fill her life with light, he need to remove every ounce of darkness from it first. And for that, he needs to find the switch. And he know exactly, where to find it. So gathering himself, Manik fished out his phone and rang up Abhimanyu.

.
.

"Abhimanyu. Truth. That's all I ask for." Abhimanyu looked at Manik with a worried face. He was tensed when Manik called him to pick him up, but he was not his usual self. He even asked him to take him to his house and not his own. And now, when he demanded to know about Nandini, Abhi was silent. He didn't knew, what to say and how to.

"Manik, I. Please Manik, don't ask it from me. I- I can't. " Manik who was preparing himself for whatever it was, found himself doubtful now, after seeing Abhi so reluctant to tell him. He know it's bad but how much, he wondered. But he somehow gathered himself up. Today he has come with a decision to know it, and he will know it, no matter what.

"Abhi. Please tell me, please. I- I can't see her like this dammit. Whenever I- I look at her naa, it's like her eyes, they are begging me to stop it all. Aaj jab maine use, waha- waha dekha naa, she was getting a panic attack Abhi. As if she was slipping into the darkness. And the way she reacted after that like, kuch hua hi nahi. As if, it's an everyday thing. As if, for her it's as normal as her breathing. And if anything it made me feel more broken, more guilty, to see her like this and not being able to do anything. It's not time to think about me Abhi. I know, that you are thinking that I'll feel shattered with whatever her past is, and looking at you being so reluctant, I know I'll be. But, I'm ready. I'm ready for any hurt, and pain if it leads to her happy life. She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table. And you know it. Please tell me Abhi. Please."

Abhi looked at Manik with tears in his eyes. He knew that Manik's love for Nandini is pure but he saw the depth today. Seeing him crying for her, even before knowing everything about her made Abhimanyu's belief in Love strong. He saw an another stage of Love today - Ibadat- Worship! He wondered, if it could grow any more intense.