Love will Find The way

Chapter 33- Not Alone

Manik's POV: 

I don't know what Nandini is thinking now but usse ye realize karna jaruri hai ki wo ab Sid ke baare mein soch na band kare. Because we should let go off the past to invite the future. "Nandini" I took her name as she was silent. She responded with a hmm. She looked so lost. ''Are you okay?'' I asked her. ''Navya needs me now, I will make a move now'' she said. She left from there. I hope usse bura na lag jaye. I retired to my room after she left. It's a very special day with Nandini. I feel like a teenager who first kissed his girlfriend. Idhar tho Nandini meri girlfriend bhi nahi hai. I wish Siya is also like Nandini, fierce yet calm. independent yet dependable. Siya aur main tho humesha ek dusre ke har baat maanthe hai, hum dono ka jagde bhi nahi hote. I heard someone knocking on the door, so opened it.

''Nandini, tum yaha?'' I asked as she was at my doorstep. ''Kya main andar aake baat karu'' she asked. I let her in and she asked me to warm the place by lighting fire in fireplace. It became quite warm in some time. ''Navya tho already so gayi, maine bahut baar try kiya door knock karne ki, she didn't wake up and I even left my phone in her room only. Later I thought of waking up Aryaman but wo bhi so raha hoga'' she said. ''Acha hua tum mere room mein aa gayi, warna Aryaman ko jagaana is next to impossible'' I said. ''I didn't wanted to but baahar tandh bahut hai, I couldn't stay out'' she said apologetically. ''No problem, anyway I wouldn't sleep, please never hesiatate to ask me anything if it is night and everyone will be sleeping except me'' now this sounded like self pity. 

''Manik, why can't you sleep? Kya tumne kabhi koshish kiya?'' she asked me. ''Please don't go there now, do you think I like to be wide awake at mid night having no one to talk or share my feelings'' I said. ''Don't feel bad for my choice for words but Manik, sleep requires peace. You need to make peace with your emotions. Why are you letting your past ruin your present?'' she said. ''Maine bahut koshish kiya hai Nandini, maine mediatation try kiya, ayurvedic, homeopathy, nature cure sab kuch try kiya. Yaha tak ki narcotics bhi try kiya, sleeping pills. Alcohol would be the last thing which will put me to sleep. After all this, I'm barely able to sleep for 4-5 hours that's it.'' I never had someone to vent out my anger being an insomniac. ''Kya tumne kabhi apno se baat kiya iss baare mein?'' she asked.

''To be honest, I never spoke about it with anyone except my doctor. My dad had an idea about it, but he passed away there was no one I could share this with'' I said. ''Manik, try to speak about it, be vocal. Talk to your mom, Siya or Mukti. Making peace means making your inner child happy. Let go off your guilt and tensions for once. Iss hope ke saath so jaana ki that you will be a better person tomorrow'' she said. I know it's easy said than done. ''Tum apni aankhein band karo, so jao'' she said getting on my bed and sat like she is going to put a child to sleep. ''You're not my mom and I'm not a naughty kid who you are trying to rock to sleep'' I said seeing her sitting posture. ''Now I cannot rock you to sleep, but I can definitely try to put you to sleep'' she said. ''Tum doctor ko ek chance diya na, to get your insomnia treated, mujhe bhi ek chance de dena, maybe I can put you to sleep'' she said. She pulled me near her and I was shocked at this action.

"Listen, what are you trying to do?" I asked her. "Don't talk, just look into my eyes" she said. I closed my eyes as I sat beside her. ''Now, tell me about that one person who is so close to your heart and a fond memory about them'' she asked. ''It's my dad!'' my lips automatically curved into a smile. ''My dad and I were always a team, I was his favorite kid. Mukti is mom's favorite. Dad never said no to me. We used to play badminton every weekend'' I said. ''Ok, only think about the happy memories you have with him'' she said. ''Now, which is that one memory which is so fresh in your mind? Who do you have the memory with?'' she asked. Beautiful mountains wrapped in white snow, cool breeze and then came Nandini in her red saree. I suddenly opened my eyes. ''What happened? Is it a bad memory?'' she asked. ''Not a memory, it's a sweet moment'' I said. ''So, I understand'' she said. ''Now, close your eyes again'' I did as she said. ''Take a deep breathe, do not think of anything other than that moment you have remembered now'' she said. Her lips still felt fresh on mine, her scent is still lingering around me. I felt butterflies in my stomach. 

Why do I feel so good around Nandini! She strongly thought that her treatment would make me sleep and I must say she is actually right. I didn't know when did I doze off but I faintly know what is happening around me. I heard a knock on the door. I opened my eyes to go and see who it is. What I saw beside me is absolutely unbelievable. Nandini is sleeping on my left arm and my right hand is holding her right hand. Her face is very close to mine but I can't see her face yet. Her hair covered her face. I tucked her hair beside her ear. She opened her eyes. ''Good morning'' I said as she saw me. ''Good morning Manik'' she said smiling. We realized our awkward position and sat in upright position. ''Manik, open the door'' Aryaman's voice is heard from outside. ''Shit, Aryaman is here, he shouldn't be seeing us like this'' Nandini said worried. ''Ok, you hide here. I will go and talk to him'' I quickly opened the cupboard and sneaked her in and opened the door. 

''Tum ab tak so rahe ho?'' he asked me. ''Aise kyu keh rahe ho?'' I asked casually. ''Hume 10 minute mein airport jaana hai, it's time for our flight'' he said. I can't believe I slept for so long mujhe laga ki main sirf 1 or 2 hours ke liye soya hu. ''Upar se ye Nandini bhi mil nahi rahi'' he said. ''I will go and search her and you get ready'' he said and left. Oh no, I should send her out as soon as possible. I opened the cupboard. ''Aryaman is already searching for you, come you need to go now'' I said and sent her out making sure no one watched her going out. I got ready in no time and came out. We are all ready and set to leave. I saw Nandini came last and sat with Navya. I can't believe that I could sleep all the night. I slept for 6 hours at a stretch, I should thank Nandini first. 

My eyes were searching for her but my heart will always be thankful to you Nandini