TRUE LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

Chapter-73: Navya's Outburst

The days had stretched into a blur of endless waiting. It had been over two weeks since Nandini had fallen into her coma, and the hospital room had become a second home for everyone who loved her. Each day, the same familiar faces filed in and out, all trying to keep their spirits up, trying to keep the hope alive that Nandini would open her eyes.

Every morning, Mahir brought Vishakha to the hospital, and each time she saw her daughter lying so still, it broke her a little more. Vishakha would sit beside Nandini, holding her hand, her voice trembling as she spoke softly about Nandini’s childhood, how she used to chase after butterflies in the garden, or how she used to refuse to go to bed without hearing a story. But she couldn’t stay long. The sight of her baby lying there, unresponsive, was too much to bear. She always left with fresh tears in her eyes, her heart heavy with the ache of helplessness.

Soha, too, visited regularly. She never knew Nandini personally, but guilt gnawed at her relentlessly. She knew she was partly responsible for this, and she wanted, no, needed, to make amends. Soha would sit at Nandini’s bedside, her voice filled with remorse as she spoke to her about everything happening around her.

“Nandini,” she would whisper, “everyone’s waiting for you to wake up. I know we never met, but I promise, I’m here. I’m sorry for everything. I… I wish I could take it all back. Please, just wake up.”

Manik was always there, though he never spoke when others were in the room. He remained glued to Nandini’s side, refusing to leave. He ate when forced to, and slept in short bursts when exhaustion overtook him, but his eyes never left her for long. He didn’t speak to her in front of anyone, but at night, when the room was still and it was just the two of them, Cabir and Mukti had overheard him whispering softly to her. His voice was tender, filled with a vulnerability he never let others see.

“Please, Nandini,” he would say, his voice barely audible, “you have to wake up. I don’t know how to do this without you. I need you. I… I can’t lose you.” His hand would tighten around hers, his head bowing as he fought back the tears that seemed to be a permanent fixture in his eyes now.

Everyone knew he was suffering, but he kept his grief bottled up, allowing himself to break only when he was alone with her.

On this particular day, Soha had just finished her visit with Nandini. She had talked about random things, trying to keep the conversation light, though guilt weighed heavily in her voice. As she made her way out of the hospital room, she collided with Navya in the hallway. Navya was just arriving, carrying Nandini’s favorite flowers.

Soha stepped back awkwardly, her eyes meeting Navya’s. She forced a small smile, but Navya’s expression was cold, her lips pressed into a tight line as she moved to walk past her.

“Navya, wait,” Soha said quickly, reaching out to stop her. “I wanted to ask how you’re doing.”

Navya turned slowly, her eyes sharp and filled with suspicion. “I’m doing what I need to do,” she replied, her voice edged with bitterness. “But I don’t think you care about that, do you?”

Soha frowned, taken aback by the harshness in Navya’s tone. “What? Of course, I care. I… I’m here for Nandini, for Mom, for all of you.”

Navya let out a bitter laugh, crossing her arms. “You can drop the act, Soha. It might work on Amma or others, but not on me. I can see right through you.”

Soha blinked in confusion, her brow furrowing. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about you,” Navya spat, her words laced with venom. “I see what you’re trying to do. You think you can just waltz in here, pretend to care about Nandini, and take her place because you’re Amma’s ‘real’ daughter? Is that your plan?”