MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

21. Joining the pieces

~ Life gets tricky, but it solves too. Just have a little faith~

Kabir turned Manik towrds him and BANG! The sound of a loud slap echoed in the room.

Manik was startled. It was very unlikely of Kabir to behave this way with him and it was highly unexpected too. Manik just rubbed his cheek and looked at Kabir with questioning eyes. It was not anger, neither hurt nor ego clashes, their friendship was above these barriers, just a simple question.

"Who do you think you are? Just how could you speak something like that? There is a limit to everything Manik, everything and it includes self pity too!", Kabir screamed on his face,his eyes spitting fire. Manik was baffled at the moment. He did not understand what had gotten into Kabir or why was he behaving that rashly.

"What did I do?", Manik asked, confused and tired.

"Exactly my point. What did you do? Nothing, except wallowing in self pity. You know what your problem is Manik? You are habituated of pain, of loneliness. This is exactly why you are shooing off the happiness that is struggling to find you!", Kabir was still angry, very angry.

Manik lowered his eyes, and sighed, before raising them again to look at Kabir with pleading eyes. He still didn't realize what he did, and didn't have it in him to fight with Kabir in the moment.

Watching his face, Kabir dragged him out to the room where Nandini was sleeping and made him stand in front of her. She was still asleep but frowns were visible on her face. Traces of dried tears could be seen on her cheeks. The pillow was wet and anyone could see how restless she was in her sleep. Manik was numb seeing her lying like that. He had not anticipated this coming. Kabir again dragged him out, back to his room and threw his hand in air.

" You saw that?It's nothing in comparison to what I saw when I met her right after you fainted. And you know what caused this? You! And your statement of leaving her, leaving me, leaving everyone!", and that was it. With this the ever strong Kabir too broke down, shattered and tears falling down. This was the first time Manik had witnesed his ever smiling and supporting friend crying so bitterly. Manik also knelt down with tears in his eyes and was about to hug his sole brother when Kabir stopped him.

"Dont pretend to care when eventually you don't", he said controlling his tears while fresh tears welled up in Manik's eyes.

"There are so many children in the world Manik who don't have parents, or their parents don't have time for them. The number of orphanages out there are many, you are not the only one. But what did you do? You made this issue the center of your life. Maybe I can't really understand your pain, but that no where means you will inflict pain on those who flinch on your pain!", he said making a very disgusting face towards him but on seeing Manik's ashen face, he softened a little and held him by his shoulders.

" That girl, I can't withstand tears in her eyes, and neither in yours. And both of your happiness lies in each other. You just spoke it and she cried like that, I dread to imagine what will happen if you guys actually separate. A phase of your life is over Manik, and this new phase has joy embedded in it, only if you give it a chance!", he finally explained him because more than that he had nothing to say.

Manik could not take it any more. He knew  Kabir was right but then sometimes your mind knows what is right but your heart can't except it. He just stood up and went to the window. Kabir  followed him only to embrace him in a bone crushing hug. This was a much needed for both of them. Manik needed that warmth and solace to fight his own demons while Kabir needed to ensure himself that his friend was there with him. After sometime Kabir left to give him some lone time to comprehend the situations. Manik went to have a look at Nandini and found her still sleeping. He just pecked her forehead and left for his room. He went to his bed and again held the photo frame close to his heart.