Manan : U complete me ✔️

FOUND HER, BROKEN AND SHATTERED

(Nandini's POV)
It has been two months since I ran away. I couldn't face anyone. Even though I hate Manik for what he did to me, I couldn't fully hate him. I loved him and now I am having his baby. I could never hate the baby growing inside. Luckily, I was able to get a temporary position as junior under the doctor of the village. I employed a maid. No hurried life, sometimes house calls, gossiping villagers but kind, I could get used to this. Once the child is born and able to travel, I decided I will go out of this country. Though I like it here, I still couldn't get used to the fact that I was source of the villagers' amusement and that I can be found easily. I adopted a common surname of Smith, of my imaginary husband, who is travelling away leaving his pregnant wife alone. No one knows who I am or who I was. All they could see was a lonely wife enjoying her work.

I got up as usual in the morning and let the maid in; had my coffee and decided to take house calls, if any. My stomach was paining a bit and I thought I would go to the doctor afternoon, when I heard my doorbell ring. Strange! No one usually comes around this time. In case of emergency, they call, they don't come in person. Peggy opened the door and I was shocked beyond words to see Manik stand there. Unaware, Peggy let him in.

(Manik) "Nandini!" He called me as if he was in a dream. If he was in a dream, this is my nightmare! I held myself so that I would stop shivering.

(Nandini) "Peggy, you can have the day off." I tried to tell her as calmly as possible.

(Maid) "Mam, the dinner isn't done."

(Nandini) "I will do the rest. You can leave." I smiled meekly at her. She left looking at Manik. This is going to increase the rumours going around, but that is least of my worries now. My stomach pain started increasing slowly. Seeing her leave, Manik closed the door. I sat down, so that I had some support from falling down.

(Nandini) "What are you doing here?" I tried to ask as steadily as I could. I saw my fingers shake. I held them tight. He looked dazed.

(Manik) "I finally found you."

(Nandini) He murmured like it was unbelievable. Even I feel it is unbelievable. I expected dad and not him to find me. No, I didn't expect anyone to find me at all. But never even thought for one moment that he would come. "Found Me For What? To See Me Being Wretched? I hope it makes you happy!" He looked devastated. I don't care what he is. I have cried too much.

(Manik) "Nandini, listen to me. I couldn't let go of you, I didn't know how else to bind you to me."

(Nandini) "Bind me to you? You insulted me ever since we met, humiliated me at every chance you got, made me feel inferior, and finally, you shattered me by getting me pregnant! What More Do You Want? You Want To See Me Destroyed? Watch Me Drown In Depression And Die?" I shouted. How much do you really hate me? Tears fell on their own.

(Manik) "Please listen to me, Nandini."

(Nandini) "Listen to you? You got me drunk to have your way with me. You acted as if nothing happened the next day. Did You Think I Would Come Running Crying To You? Did I Disappoint You When I Didn't?" My pain in the stomach is increasing. I clutched my stomach. Argh! Please let me not be bleeding.

(Manik pleadingly) "Nandini, please!"

(Nandini) "No! I Am Not Going To Listen To You! Leave Me Alone! I Don't Want Anyone! Let me be with my baby! Please................ (pant)! I............. am bleedin..........." Tears blurred my vision, my breathing became constrained, my stomach started paining badly. Please let this not happen. Please, the only source of my happiness. I crouched down.

(Manik) "Nandini!" He ran towards me.

(Nandini) "Stay......... (pant) away............ (pant)!" I moved away from him. I need to call my doctor. I need to save my child. "Argh!! (pant) It hurts. (pant) Call......... (pant)........ speed..... dial...... 3" Please don't take it away from me. I fainted because of the pain.