Essence Of Love - A MaNan FF [Completed]

Chapter 4 - New feelings

Nandini's POV

I opened my eyes - only to see my saviour, Manik punching the daylights out of the attacker. He looked super mad and kept beating the man up, even as I lay in the corner trying to recover from the sudden shock and pain. After some time, I noticed the man bleeding extremely badly, and he seemed like he would pass out any moment. As much as I hated this disgusting man, I didn't want Manik to get in trouble because of me. After all, who was I to him?

I slowly whimpered ''Manik...S-stop p-lease'' . He stopped abruptly and turned his head towards me, seeming reluctant to let go. I tried to move towards him so that I could convince him, but a fresh wave of pain crossed my head because of the movement,and I gave a little cry of agony. Manik suddenly left hold of the man and came up to me, his face an expression of concern and .. pain?!

Taking advantage of this, the attacker slipped away. Manik wiped off the tears from my face, and gently lifted me up whispering ''Don't worry Nandini, I'm here..You're safe now. I'll take you home''. I just buried my face into his chest, feeling safe in his arms, and let him take me away from that horrible place.

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Manik's POV

As I drove her back home, I couldn't help feeling guilty . The image of her fragile frame lying on the ground - helpless, hurt and whimpering in pain kept replaying in my mind and I wished I could take away her pain. Somehow, I felt strongly for Nandini, and each time I looked at her my feelings of wanting to protect her increased.

We reached home. Before I could get down, she grasped my forearm with her tiny hand ''Umm..Manik?'' Her hand moved away when I turned to look at her- ''Haan, bolo''.

''Mujhe apne ghar abhi nahi jaana'' .

''What?!! Apni halat dekho...Ab Kahan jaana hai tumhe ?'' I asked, a little annoyed.

''Can we go into your house for a bit?Please?'' she innocently questioned.

I sighed and nodded , wondering 'Pata nahi kya chal raha hai ab iske dimaag mein'.

We got down at my house,and she insisted on walking herself. So, she just took my hand for support and I helped her into my house and on to the couch. She settled onto it and closed her eyes taking deep breaths. A fresh stream of tears had started flowing down her face. I quickly sat beside her,and wiping her tears off, poured her a glass of water. I didn't like to see her hurting so much.

''Agar tum wahan time pe nahi aate, toh..'' She began but I cut her off - ''Shh..Par main aagaya na. I wouldn't leave you alone.'' She gave a grateful look and squeezed my hand, beginning to speak again - ''I stay with my Chacha-Chachi - Mr and Mrs Murthy. Actually, main nahi chahti ki Chachi mujhe is halat me dekhe, isliye I wanted to take a breather.. You know, to calm down and then enter the house''.

I nodded, but didn't ask her about her parents. I could guess it was a sensitive matter. She closed her eyes, and sat back again. That's when her hair shifted from the sides of her neck, and I saw something heart-wrenching. It was a deep cut on which there was dried blood.

I immediately got up to fetch the first aid box, withdrawing my hand from her grasp. She panicked instantly and her eyes flew open - ''Manik, kahan jaa rahe ho? Mujhe chod kar kahin mat jao please..''

''Main bas ek minute mein aaya'' I assuringly patted her arm and she nodded hesitantly.

I returned with the first aid box, and cleaned & dressed her wound cringing each time she hissed in pain.

After a few more minutes, she sat up and turned her face towards me. For a few seconds, our eyes locked on each other. Even in this dishevelled state, she looked angelic and her doe-like eyes deep and gorgeous. Suddenly, anxiety clouded her face - ''Manik, I need to leave. Chachi must be worried''.

I got up to help her but she shook her head ''I'm much better, I can walk myself. Ghar jaake thodi der rest karungi, toh i'll be alright by tomorrow''.

Seeing me hesitate, she placed her hand on my shoulder , adding sweetly ''I'll see you at the window, so don't worry'' before leaving.

I immediately ran up to my window, and after what seemed like eternity, she appeared at the window cleaned up, wearing a fresh set of clothes, and flashed a smile. I knew it wasn't her genuine smile, she was just trying to convince me she that was okay.  But I had seen her real smile, that morning when I had seen her play the Veena - that content, beautiful smile that seemed to light up everything. I wanted to see that smile again. She broke my flood of thoughts,by flashing a note that said - Thank you for all that you did today.

I spontaneously responded with - I'll never let you get hurt . This seemed to pleasantly surprise her and her face brightened up considerably. Friends? Said her next note. I chuckled and nodded. She shot me a last grateful look and drew the curtains, while I slumped onto my bed trying to figure out these new emotions arising within me. I've never felt this way before.

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