Wajah Tum Ho

16.Twisted Emotions

Meri aur uski khwaaish mei fark sirf itna tha, mujhe sirf woh aur use poori duniya chahiye thi.

Translation: The only difference between his desire and mine was that I only wanted him & he wanted the whole world.

PART~1

"ALYA......"

"NANDINI...."

I felt my legs growing jello and my mind going numb, thinking about all the worst possibilities hearing these cries. I somehow convinced myself that my Nandini was fine and turned back, only to find my worst fears alive in front of me. There she was, semi conscious, with her head and elbow bleeding while Alya stood opposite her palming her mouth, seriously surprised with the turn of events at the end moment. She was seriously scared but at that moment, nothing ever mattered more than Nandini. I ran towards her followed by the others and as I was about to pick her up, a pair of arms already beat me to it. I looked up to see Manik Malhotra, having a semi conscious Nandini in his arms, with his face contorted with various emotions, tension topping them all. I stepped forward to take her from him but he inclined his body away from me.

Advik: Mai uska khyaal khud rakh sakta hoon.

[I can take care of her, myself.]

Manik: Dekha maine abhi.

[I just saw how.]

There wasn't any taunt in his expressions, no mischief in his voice and no competition in his eyes. It was sheen worry. Worry for her. Worry for Nandini. I've never noticed this Manik before. Like ever.

Ram: Manik, let's take her to her room so that the doctor checks on her.

I heard my dad voicing out his opinion and that Manik nodding in agreement, immediately rushing out of the hall followed by Abhimanyu who might've had two reasons, one, he was stressed about his daughter like sister and two, because he can't trust her ex with her.

Moments later, we were all surrounding Nandini as our family doctor Ashok Dhanjani, who was also invited to our Diwali bash as well, was examining her wounds and dressing them. She looked so serene yet in pain and I found myself drowning in guilt every increasing second. What was I even thinking? How could I even let her stay alone even for a moment knowing there were so many people out there and anyone could easily target her, specially that Rohit Singhania? How can I be so foolish? My tongue was way too heavy with guilt to speak anything, however dad made that that work easier.

Ram: Ashok, is she ok? Anything serious?

Ashok: Yes yes, she's absolutely fine. No need to worry at all. She's a fighter after all.

Indeed she is.

Gautami(caressing Nandini's hair): But then why is she bleeding so much?

In all this, mom and Abhimanyu were the ones who were affected the most with Nandini's condition right now. I can handle myself because I've seen her in worst of conditions before, so I had to stay strong for her, for myself, for us but somehow these two couldn't.

Ashok: Bhabhi I won't lie because I'm a doctor after all. She got struck by glass which caused her some injuries and her head banged with the wooden table so obviously there has to be internal bleeding but apart from that, she is absolutely fine.

Even though mom was assured with uncle's words but still it was only a partial assurance. Until the time she doesn't see Nandini hale and hearty in front of her, she won't be fully satisfied.

Ashok: I've given her some injections and medicines, she should be up anytime now. Don't worry. She's going to be fine. She'll be a little weak so take care of her meals. I'll take a leave now.