|| ENDLESS LOVE || -- A MaNan FF

||Chapter Fourteen||

#HeadNote : A truck load of thanks to all you lovely people for voting and commenting regularly.  I really appreciate it. Reading those comments bring a wide grin on my face. #HappyReading #Cheers.

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We were sitting in the living room, in the suite reserved at the resort. Navya was telling me all about this guy she met through her parents a few days ago. She wouldn't stop about him. I was happy for her. She had gone through so many bad break-ups before and she deserved a nice guy. She was going to introduce us later tonight. Manik had taken the kids out for swimming and came back tired and exhausted; they went to catch a quick nap inside.

Navya had asked me a couple of times about Manik. I really wanted to share everything with her but I couldn't. I didn't feel like telling everything about : about Rachel or anybody else. It felt wrong to do so. I am not ready to let go of him yet.

But Navya had her doubts. She was giving me long hard stares, trying to read into me. But I kept distracting her with different topics. And out of nowhere, I heard a wild cry- a loud wild screeching cry from Manik's room. I ran inside. Manik was sitting on the bed, drenched in sweat and he was gasping for breath.

"Hey, you ok?"  I rushed to him.

"Nandini! Nandini!"  he gulped. He was in a daze.

"Is everything alright Nandu?" I heard Navya at the door.

"Yes, yes Navya, it just a bad dream.,"  I yell back.

"Ok. Let me know if you need anything."  She said closing the door.

"Manik?"  He was still in a daze.

"Nandini! they were.."  he repeated, without looking at me.

"I am right here Manik."  I turned his face to me. "Did you have a bad dream?"

He looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time ever. "Oh baby! You are fine. You are alive."  He was pale. He looked at me cupping my face. He was like a frightened little kid.

"Yes , I am fine. What did you dream about?"  I asked worried.

Without any warning, he pulled me into his arms and squeezed me so tightly that I could hardly breathe. He was shaking. His breath was still heavy.

My heart sank.

What is wrong Manik? What are you so scared about?

I hugged him back, ran my hands over his back comforting him. "Manik"  I called. He didn't reply. I tried to free myself, but he tightened his hands around me. His body was so stiff and tensed. I let him be. Only after a really long time, I felt him slowly relax in my arms. I moved away a little bit and cupped his face. His eyes were closed. "Manik, open your eyes."

He opened his eyes slowly. I took his hand in mine to stop it from trembling. "Do you want some water?"  I asked.

"Yes please."  He whispered.

I tried to get up but he stopped me. "Where are you going?"  His voice was full of fear.

"Just to get some water . It's right there on that table."  I pointed out.

"Don't leave me."  he whispered.

"I won't. I will come back in a second."  He thought about it for a bit and then let me go unwillingly.