MaNan- She is to be Loved

Chapter 35- Just like a dream!

~Had it been so much easier said than done, I would have left it to God; I mean, who better than Him can handle the inevitable ~

Manjeet Lifecare Hospital

"Mruno!" Nandini's eyes widened on seeing her parents at the door of her hospital room, alongside Mrunal.

Mrunal rushed to sit beside Nandini, who already had Manik by her other side.

"I told them!" Nandini turned to look at Mrunal, and for the first time in life, she saw her best friend's forehead creased out of worry. "And you will calm down!" Mrunal rubbed at Nandini's back.

"Mruno! What the hell!" Nandini coughed after screeching so loud that Manik had to hold onto her hand tight.

"Shona!" And the only thing that calmed her was the hug from her mother who couldn't stop weeping. "I-I'm so sor-sorry, bacha. I didn't know. I-I didn't, bete. I couldn't." Nandini reciprocated to her hug, while clinging onto her mother.

"Ma! Bass kar na!" Nandini broke the hug and Shamishti cupped her cheeks. "Ek achi Ma banneka mauka bhi nahi diya Bhagwan ne mujhe. I couldn't even realize that you..." Shamishti broke into tears and Nandini wiped at her cheeks.

"Yaha patient Kaun, Ma? Me!! Lekin look at me consoling you. Tch, very bad Shekhar ki Mishti." Nandini held onto her mother's hands and smiled weakly. "I'm fine. Bas ek surgery tho Karni hai. I mean, you had too, to get this Shona out of your womb. C-section kaunsa chotu sa surgery hai."

"Yeah. Sab Kuch tho choti si baath hain." She looked at her right to see her father looking down at her. "You lied to Appa, Shona." Nandini bit onto her lips and held onto her ears. "Sorry, Appa. I didn't want you to find out about everything in this way. Mein Kya Karthi Appa. I love you so much."

And he hugged both his ladies close to his chest, who hugged him back. One was crying and one was smiling.

"I'll protect what's mine." Shekhar thought to himself while holding onto Nandini and Shamishti.

Manik and Mrunal stared on smilingly.

***

"She needs rest. We need to keep her here until and after the surgery. Thab thak make her feel easy and fit." Aadit instructed, and Shekhar listened keenly. "Thank you, Dr. I'll make sure she's fine."

Aadit smiled lightly and stepped aside to move further. "Doctor!" He turned around to face Shekhar, who looked scared. "Teek hojaegi na Meri bachi. Bas...ek hi hai Meri."

Shekhar blinked his tears away, and Aadit patted at his shoulders.

"Jis Nandini ko mein jantha Hun, wo selfless, confident, and strong hain. And you're her father. Just have trust in her and the Almighty. She'll fight back the hurdles...Uncle."

Shekhar smiled through his tears and folded his palms in gratitude, and Aadit held onto those hands before walking away.

"Wo...teek hojaegi, Raja..." Shekhar stood still on hearing the voice and that endearment. It was only used by two people in this world, one who's dead and one who doesn't bother about him anymore.

Shekhar turned around, scared and cautious, only to meet with the same pair of eyes he once looked up to. "Papa!" He mumbled under his breath.