TRUE LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

Chapter-78: Comforting Her

Over the next few days, the room filled with laughter, stories, and warmth as everyone rallied around Nandini, doing everything possible to keep her spirits high. Although her physical recovery was coming along remarkably well, the emotional wounds would take longer to heal. Everyone knew it, especially Manik, who stayed by her side like a shadow, ignoring her countless pleas for him to go home and rest.

One evening, as the golden sunset filtered through the window, casting a warm glow across the room, Nandini shifted slightly in her bed, glancing up at Manik, sitting beside her with his head resting on his hands. Dark circles had appeared under his eyes, and he looked utterly exhausted, but he offered her a small smile.

“Manik, seriously… just go home. Look at you,” she said, frowning. “You’re turning into a ghost. I can’t be the only one resting around here.”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “A ghost, huh? Well, then I’m your ghost. And you’re not getting rid of me that easily, Nandini.”

Nandini sighed in frustration, but the affection in her eyes was clear. “Fine. If you won’t go home for yourself, go for me. You look terrible,” she said, adding with a hint of humor, “and frankly, I need you to look your best if you’re going to be here, hovering over me like my personal bodyguard.”

Their gentle banter was interrupted as Alya, Mukti, Dhruv, and Navya entered the room, carrying an assortment of snacks and gifts they had gathered to keep Nandini entertained. Alya leaned down, smiling warmly at her friend. “We thought you’d need some non-hospital food. And besides, Manik doesn’t exactly have a chef’s hand when it comes to feeding you.”

Nandini laughed, a light, genuine sound that filled the room and lifted everyone’s spirits. She accepted a snack from Alya and shook her head, looking back at Manik with a mischievous grin. “See, Manik? Even they agree. Go home, take a shower, sleep. Or I swear I’m kicking you out myself.”

Dhruv and Abhimanyu chimed in as well, taking Nandini’s side. “Manik, she’s right,” Dhruv said, trying to sound stern but breaking into a smile. “You’re going to scare the poor nurses looking like that.”

Manik raised his hands in surrender, smiling at the group. “Fine, fine, I get it. You guys just want me gone so you can have all the fun without me.”

As everyone laughed, Nandini leaned closer to him, her voice soft but serious. “I’ll be fine, Manik. Really. You’ve done more than enough for me.” Her fingers brushed his hand lightly. “Just… please go rest. I promise, I’ll still be here when you get back.”

Finally conceding, Manik nodded, squeezing her hand before he stood. “Alright, alright, I’m going. But only because you’re ganging up on me,” he joked, feigning exasperation.

Once he left the room, a hush fell over the group as they watched Nandini gaze thoughtfully at the closed door. It was clear how deeply she cared about him, and the silence hung heavy for a moment until Navya broke it, lightening the mood with a playful tease. “Aww, look at you, all smitten! And here we thought you were annoyed with him.”

Nandini rolled her eyes, giving her friends a half-hearted glare. “I’m not smitten; I just… care about him.” Her expression softened as she trailed off, her gaze dropping.

Just then, her attention turned toward the window, where she noticed Cabir and Vishakha pacing outside the room, their shadows falling on the door’s glass pane. She stiffened slightly, her expression hardening as she turned back to her friends.

Alya noticed the shift in her mood and cleared her throat. “Hey, Navya, didn’t you have that story you wanted to tell her? About the time you got stuck in the elevator with Mukti?”