Manan : U complete me ✔️

A VISITOR

(Nandini's POV)
Every night I slept in his arms. Every morning, he has been by my side when I got up. He said that I was struggling when I slept. It was no surprise that I did. How many years had it been since I have had night terrors? Papa and Rishabh used to struggle to keep me by his side when I slept. They said that Kavita and Mom couldn't control me when I thrashed about. For months, I couldn't sleep without someone by my side, so that I wouldn't do anything stupid without realising. I saw him sleep. Black rings under his eyes made it clear that he also had not been sleeping. Did he even sleep at all since he came here? What would I have not given to see him sleep by me, not like this but as a lover and a husband? How did we miss each other? The bell rang. I threw over the coat on myself and opened the door. Peggy came in. One of the neighbors walked by and waved me. When I smiled back, she came in.

(Neighbor) "Nandini, dear! How are you? I am very sorry to hear about your child. Don't worry, my child. You are still young. Think whatever happens is for the good. I see that your husband is finally back. I am sure he will take good care of you. If he doesn't, divorce him, dear. He is not worth it, not worth you." I chuckled. The situation is exactly reverse of what she said. He didn't care before, got me pregnant; now he cares and wants to be my husband. Finally, I felt a bit better.

(Nandini) "Thank you, Mrs. Jane."

(Neighbor) "Do come by for tea when you better, child." She looked at me with care.

(Nandini) "Yes. Surely." Manik came out in a hurry with a concerned face. Seeing me at the door with Mrs. Jane, he tried to smile and go back in.

(Neighbor) "Take care of yourself." I closed the door after seeing her go back on the road. Manik stood behind me looking apologetically.

(Manik) "I am sorry. I should have gotten up earlier. You take it easy and rest. You are still not strong enough. I will go and prepare breakfast." Saying, he went back to the kitchen.

(Nandini's POV) I sat down on the sofa. He took care of me; tended to my every need. I didn't know that he had this side to him. He read me books when we had nothing to do. He didn't talk about us, not even once. He realised it would lead to a fight. How nice it would have been if all of this were before Christmas. I realised, I still love him. I could never forget him nor my feelings for him but I couldn't trust him anymore. Not after what he did. For the first time, we had breakfast together. When he finally sat down with me to have food, I noticed him wear two rings. His little finger, halfway, had a diamond ring, the engagement ring he bought for me and on his left ring finger, the ruby ring I got him. He didn't remove it.