Notes of Love

bridging in gap

Manik lay on his bed, the silence of the night amplifying the unease in his chest. Something felt off, his heart raced, and a twisted knot of anxiety coiled in his stomach. He glanced at his phone, the bright screen illuminating the time, 3 AM. The world outside was still, yet his mind was anything but calm. He got up and poured himself a glass of water, each sip a desperate attempt to quell the growing worry gnawing at him.

Thoughts of Nandini flooded his mind, uninvited yet persistent. "Is she okay?" he mumbled to himself, the question echoing in the empty room. It had been a week since the incident, a week filled with agonizing silence between them. He had tried reaching out, but she had avoided him, leaving him feeling more isolated than ever. His gaze fell on the bead bracelet she had given him a token of their friendship now felt like a reminder of everything he had jeopardized.

Determined, Manik took his keys and sneaked out of the house. He couldn't shake the strange feeling in his chest; he needed to see her, to know she was okay, even if she didn't want to see him. The drive to the Murthy Mansion was filled with tension, each passing moment intensifying his worry.

Upon arriving, he hesitated at the door, the weight of his actions bearing down on him. Just as he was about to ring the bell, the guard stopped him. "Nandini mam fainted, they've taken her to Citi Hospital," he informed, and the words felt like a punch to the gut. Panic surged through him, and without another thought, he rushed to his car, the engine roaring to life as he sped toward the hospital.

When he arrived at Citi Hospital, the stark fluorescent lights cast an unsettling glow on the worried faces of those in the waiting area. His eyes immediately found Amms, her face streaked with tears, silently crying in a corner. Manik's heart broke at the sight. He approached her cautiously, breathing heavily as he tried to steady himself. "What happened to Nandu-ini?" he asked, his voice trembling with fear.

"She fainted," Amms replied, her voice choked with worry. "They said she was stressed and didn't eat."

"She will be fine," Manik said, trying to sound reassuring, though his own heart raced with dread. "Where's her ward?"

Amms pointed down the hallway, her eyes filled with concern. Manik nodded, moving quickly yet carefully as he made his way to her room. As he stepped inside, his breath caught in his throat at the sight of Nandini lying in the hospital bed, pale and fragile. The sight of her sleeping figure twisted a knife in his heart, but then she shifted, her eyes fluttering open weakly.

Without thinking, he rushed to her side and embraced her, relief flooding through him as he held her close. But when he pulled back, Nandini's expression was distant, her gaze avoiding his. The hurt in her eyes pierced through him, and he felt the weight of his guilt pressing heavily upon him.

"Nandu," he began, his voice breaking. "I have never faked anything with you. I really like you. I do." The sincerity in his words hung between them, but Nandini remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. "It all started off as a challenge, but now... now I can't even imagine my life without you." His voice trembled, tears pooling in his eyes as he gripped her hand, desperately seeking a connection.

"I'm so sorry for hurting you," he continued, pouring his heart out. "I wanted to keep our bond a secret, to get through the challenge and show Harshad that I failed. I was ready to apologize to him in front of everyone rather than hurt you. But you found out before I could do that." Each word felt like a confession, a plea for understanding. "I'm sorry, Nandu."

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he held her hand tightly, praying she would respond, but she remained silent, her expression unreadable. The void between them felt insurmountable, each unspoken word echoing painfully in the space that once held laughter and warmth. Manik's heart ached at her silence, a reminder of how deeply he had wounded her. All he could do was sit there, holding her hand and hoping that one day, she would find it in her heart to forgive him.