Manan - Unlikely Hearts

3: A Growing Connection

City General Hospital 

The weeks that followed Manik's visit to the hospital were a whirlwind of new experiences for both him and Nandini. Manik began visiting the hospital regularly, sometimes under the guise of discussing business, but more often than not, just to see her. He wasn't sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, his professional interest had turned into something much more personal.

Nandini, on her part, found herself looking forward to his visits. At first, she had been skeptical about his sudden interest in the hospital, suspecting that it might be a passing fancy for the wealthy businessman. But as she got to know him better, she realized that there was more to Manik Malhotra than met the eye.

One day, as she was finishing her rounds, she found him waiting for her outside the children's ward. He was holding two cups of coffee, a now familiar sight that never failed to make her smile.

"Doctor's orders," he said with a grin as he handed her a cup. "You need to take a break."

Nandini chuckled, accepting the coffee gratefully. "You're starting to sound like one of us, Manik. Are you sure you're not secretly a doctor?"

He smirked, a rare, playful glint in his eyes. "I've been picking up a few things here and there. Who knows? Maybe I'll switch careers."

Nandini laughed, shaking her head. "I can't quite picture you in a lab coat."

"Why not? I think I'd look rather distinguished," Manik retorted, pretending to be offended.

They both laughed, and for a moment, it felt as though they were the only two people in the busy hospital. It was a feeling Nandini had grown accustomed to—whenever Manik was around, everything else seemed to fade into the background.

They walked together towards the hospital garden, a small, quiet space where staff and patients could find a moment of peace. It had become their usual spot for these impromptu coffee breaks, away from the chaos of the wards.

As they sat down on a bench, Nandini took a sip of her coffee and looked at him thoughtfully. "You know, Manik, I've been meaning to ask—why did you really start coming to the hospital? I know you said it was for business, but..." She trailed off, searching his eyes for answers.

Manik met her gaze, his expression serious. He knew this question would come eventually, and he had thought about how to answer it. But now, sitting here with her, he realized that the truth was simpler than he had imagined.

"At first, it was just curiosity," he admitted. "You intrigued me, Nandini. I couldn't understand how someone could be so passionate about something so...thankless. But the more time I spent here, the more I realized that it's not about the recognition or the rewards. It's about the people."

Nandini listened quietly, her heart swelling at his words. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, and it touched her in a way she hadn't expected.

"And now?" she asked softly. "Why do you keep coming back?"

Manik hesitated for a moment, then decided to be completely honest. "Because I want to be a part of it. I want to understand what drives you, what makes you so dedicated to this work. And, if I'm being completely honest...I want to spend more time with you."

The confession hung in the air between them, and Nandini felt her breath catch. She had suspected that Manik's feelings for her were more than just friendly, but hearing him say it out loud was different. It made everything feel more real, more intense.

"I...I don't know what to say," she whispered, her emotions swirling. She had been so focused on her work, so caught up in her life at the hospital, that she hadn't fully acknowledged her growing feelings for him.