TRUE LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

Chapter-52: Song of Solace

Nandini was spiraling out of control, her mind clouded with fear and anger as she shattered anything she could get her hands on. The room was messy-picture frames were broken, pillows torn, and glass shards scattered across the floor. Her breathing was erratic, heavy, and ragged, as she gasped for air. It felt like her chest was closing in on her like she couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't escape.

Navya watched in horror, feeling helpless as she saw her unravel before her. Nandini's usually calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a wild, almost frantic desperation that terrified Navya. She had never seen Nandini like this, not since that one time on her birthday when something similar had happened. But back then, Manik had been there to calm her down.

And that's when it hit her. Only Manik could reach Nandini in this state.

Navya fumbled for her phone, her hands shaking as she quickly scrolled through her contacts and found Manik's number. Without wasting another second, she hit the call button and prayed he would pick up quickly. The phone rang twice before she heard Manik's voice on the other end.

"Navya?" he answered, his tone hopeful, as if he expected to hear Nandini's voice instead.

"Manik, it's me," Navya replied, her voice trembling with fear. "You need to come here, now. Nandini... she's... she's losing it."

Manik's heart skipped a beat as anxiety washed over him. "What do you mean, Navya? Is she okay? What's happening?"

In the background, he could hear Nandini's anguished screams, the sounds of objects crashing to the floor, and his heart clenched in fear. "Navya, tell me what's happening!" he demanded, his voice laced with desperation.

Navya took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "Amma just told her that she's getting engaged to Ronit next month. Nandini's freaking out, Manik. She's breaking everything, she's not listening to anyone... we don't know what to do!"

Manik felt the world closing in around him, panic threatening to overtake him. He couldn't let Nandini go through this alone. He needed to calm her down before she hurt herself. Without another thought, he called out to Cabir, who was sitting nearby with the rest of their friends in the living room.

"Cabir, get my guitar from my room, now!" Manik's voice was sharp, and commanding, leaving no room for questions.

Cabir jumped to his feet, confused but obeying without hesitation. "What's going on, Manik? Is everything okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

Manik ignored his question, his focus solely on Nandini. He needed to reach her, to bring her back from the edge. "Navya put the phone on speaker, but make sure Nandini can hear me," he instructed, his voice softening.

Navya nodded, though Manik couldn't see her. "Okay, just... just do something, Manik. Please."

As Navya put the call on speaker, Vishakha tried to snatch the phone away, her face twisted with a mix of guilt and frustration. "Navya, what are you doing? Give me the phone!"

But Mahir stepped in, placing a hand on Vishakha's arm. "Vishakha, let him try. This is the only way."

Nandini continued to rage, oblivious to what was happening around her until she heard a familiar voice crackling through the phone's speaker.

"Moonshine," Manik's voice was soft, soothing, like a balm to her wounded heart. The nickname he had given her wrapped around her like a warm blanket, momentarily pausing her destructive rampage.

Nandini froze, her breath catching in her throat as she looked around, her eyes wide and frantic. She didn't understand what was happening, but the sound of Manik's voice cut through the haze of her panic. Her hands, which had been clutching a broken photo frame, slowly lowered as she turned her attention to the phone on the table.