For Infinity

Part 34: Promises

I promise to love you fiercely if only you'll crave me madly.
___

The sun was highest in the sky and Nandini was sitting alone on the swing placed in the middle of their huge backyard. Physically present but, mentally absent. As the events of the last few days came rushing back to her, she felt her heart constrict tightly in it's ribcage. If only she could do something, anything to convince everyone of the purity of their love. She was getting tired of fighting for everything she ever wished for. When Manik came knocking into her life, she hoped that she wouldn't have to fight anymore. That, she finally could let her defenses down. But, even before she could let her scars fade, every now and then life would gift her with new wounds.

The strong facade that she always put up was cracking at some parts. Her body, her heart, her mind was urging her to give up but, she was her Appa's girl. A Superman's daughter is a super human herself, her Amma always said whenever Nandini used to run to her, teary eyed. Today, she didn't have her parents but she did have Manik. His kind of love was not the one you see in movies. His kind of love will take you by storm and then gently fill all your cracks. And maybe, that is what gave her all the will and strength to fight for their requited love.

Before, she could go deeper into those thoughts her phone rang beside her, bringing her back into present. A small smile worked onto her face and her heart set free when Manik's name flashed on the screen. "Hello, Manik."

"Hello, love." She could imagine him giving one of his deathly smiles on the other end of the call. And suddenly, she remembered the reason to keep on fighting. His smile, she couldn't live without it. "Did I disturb you? I bet you were thinking deeply about something." He continued further, which didn't amuse her. He knows her like the back of his hands and she knows that. "No and Yes. Anyway, why did you call?" Listening to him was a cure to her aching heart and she didn't want to ruin it by letting him onto her thoughts. "Changing the subject, aren't we? What is it, Nandini?" His playful tone turned serious and she smacked herself mentally for being so obvious. "Manik.. It was nothing to be worried about. Now, please tell me the reason you called? I can sense something important." He breathed a sigh of defeat on the reciever and so did she. "I am not letting that go, babe. Just postponing it for now. Anyway, are you free now?"

"You know I'm always free."

"Good because it's been days we haven't had a good time together. You know, with Dad and all.. So let's have some fun today." He sounded as desperate as she was. The idea of getting to embrace him excited her. "Sounds good. What is your plan?"