TRUE LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

Chapter-36: Strength In Love

Nandini left the house early the next morning, her heart heavy with the weight of yesterday's events. She told Vishakha that she had worked at the hospital and would be late, hoping to avoid any further discussions or questions.

As she stepped out of the house, she felt a strange mix of relief and anxiety. Today, she needed to be with Manik, to find solace in his presence, away from the prying eyes of her family and the pressures weighing on her.

Meanwhile, Manik, too, made an excuse to leave home. He mentioned an old friend visiting, someone he hadn’t seen in years, and casually dismissed any offers to join him. He needed to be alone with Nandini, to hold her and reassure her that they would get through this together.

His mind was consumed with thoughts of her, imagining her distress and wishing he could take it all away. Nandini reached their secret sanctuary, Paradise Point, which held many cherished memories. It was a secluded spot, away from the chaos of their lives, where they could be themselves without any pretense.

She entered their room, her heart pounding, and walked over to the window, looking at the serene view. The calmness of the surroundings did little to soothe her restless mind as she anxiously waited for Manik.

The minutes felt like hours, but finally, she heard the soft creak of the door opening. She turned around and saw Manik standing there, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and love.

Without a word, she ran towards him, and he caught her in his arms, enveloping her in a tight hug. It was as if the world outside had ceased to exist, and it was just the two of them in their own little bubble of comfort.

As soon as she felt the warmth of his embrace, Nandini’s tears began to flow, silent and steady. She buried her face in his chest, her sobs muffled against his shirt. Manik held her close, his hand gently stroking her back, letting her cry out all the pain and frustration she had been holding in.

He didn’t say anything, knowing that sometimes words were unnecessary. His presence alone was enough to convey that he was there for her, that he would always be there for her.

They stayed like that for a while, just holding onto each other, as Nandini’s tears gradually subsided. Manik then gently guided her towards the bed, still holding her close. He lay her down, then settled beside her, leaning over her protectively.

He kissed her face tenderly, starting with her tear-streaked eyes, then her cheeks, planting soft kisses all over as if trying to kiss away every trace of her sadness.He gazed into her eyes, his voice low and husky with emotion.

“Did that guy touch you?” he asked, his tone betraying the possessiveness and worry he was trying to keep in check.

Nandini looked up at him, her eyes still glistening with tears, and shook her head slightly. “Just my hand,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Manik immediately took her hands in his, bringing them to his lips. He kissed each finger, then her palms, and finally the back of her hands, his kisses filled with a mixture of reverence and love.

“These hands,” he murmured, “belong to me.”

Nandini’s heart swelled at his words, feeling the depth of his love and the intensity of his emotions. She pulled him closer, her hands moving up to his face, tracing the familiar contours she had come to know so well. Then, in a sudden rush of emotion, she moved on top of him, pressing her lips to his in a fervent kiss.

The kiss was different from any they had shared before. It was raw, filled with all the pain, fear, and longing that had been building up inside her. Nandini kissed him with an urgency that made Manik’s heartache.