For Infinity

Part 36: Forgiveness

Until you have forgiven someone's darkness, you don't really know what love is.
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"Come on Nandini. Wake up baby. You are killing me. I promise I will always listen to you. Wake up, please, love!" Manik's cracked voice kept lingering in the background as Nandini laid still on his bed. Five, painfully slow hours had passed since the horrific incident. Manik had wasted no time in calling up their family doctor, who rushed to the mansion on his demand. The impact of the punch wasn't that bad but the shock was enough to put her down for few hours. He hadn't left her side for a second and kept pleading her to wake up. There were moments where she would open her eyes for few seconds and then go back into the darkness. No one could fathom the extent of Manik's pain. The fact that his beloved father was the reason behind it, made everything worse. Raj was nowhere to be seen after the Doctor came to visit and Manik couldn't care any less. He was furious with his Dad, would be an understatement. Only one person could save their sinking relationship and she was fast asleep. Sleeping beauty, would have been such a fitting name for her, if the situation had been otherwise.

Nandini felt like she was in a never ending tunnel. She could see the light on the other side but, no matter how fast she ran, she couldn't reach to it. And when she was about to give up, she heard Manik's drifting voice. He sounded so defeated and hurt. The thought of him all broken and alone, made her fight with all the power. She felt tired and weak but, giving up wasn't an option. And moments later, she finally made it to the end. Her eyes fluttered open and slowly adjusted to the white lights. Looking around the room, her gaze fell upon a figure slumped beside her. Nandini's heart broke into thousand fragments when she saw him so vulnerable. His red rimmed eyes stared into her soul like he was watching a dream. The brown in his orbs had faded away and they looked so empty.

Slowly, she raised her hand and placed it on his tear stained cheek. The warmth of her palms startled him and his eyes widened in realization. "Nandini? Nandini! This isn't a dream right? You have woken up!" A wave of relief washed over him seeing Nandini in her senses. He caressed her hand and wept, for the pain that had enclosed within him. This time, she let him cry knowing how much he needed it. "Manik.. I'm okay. I'm okay." After what felt like an internity, his tears dried up and he looked much more in peace. He gathered Nandini in his arms and kept kissing her hair. Her fragrant scent filled his scenes and it was like he had learned to live again.