~MaNan FF~Benaam Rishta...The Ill-Fated Souls💔

4. Muskurahate (Smiles)

Nandini (kneeling in front of Manik) - Goli kaha mehsoos ho rahi hai
(Where do you feel the bullet?)

He pointed at the middle of his right shoulder blade. She heated up the knife and once it was hot enough, she told him to hold her tightly.

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Manik knew his tight hold would pain her more...hence he bunched some hay in his fists and closed it.

Manik (in between ragged breaths and closing his eyes) - Taiyaar hu (I am ready)

Nandini knew that the more time she takes, it would be more painful. Therefore, she quickly placed the hot knife on his wound while he squirmed in pain. She kept the edge of the knife around the skin where the bullet was present and Manik writhed in agony. After 2-3 attempts, Nandini successfully removed the bullet and Manik opened his fists gasping for air. The blood trickled down his body and Nandini frantically searched for something to stop the blood. Having no other option, she unwrapped her cotton dupatta and tore it in several pieces - some small...some long. Manik looked at the girl who was not even caring for her dignity in the wake to treat him. When she discarded her dupatta, he was flabbergasted to see purplish marks on the skin visible on her neck and ripped kurta. He looked away at once so that uneasiness doesn't creep in. Nandini dipped one of the pieces in the warm water to clean his wounds and stop the bleeding. Before she could touch his wound, Manik gestured her to wear his jacket. She looked at him stunned with tears glistening her eyes and in that moment her respect for this man increased manifolds. She took it without any hesitation and covered herself.

Resuming her chore, she firstly cleansed the cuts and gashes on his chest and stomach. Then wiped the blood off his face while he continued to look away. For once, she even slightly smiled at this injured man and ceased for a second to check out his handsome face. There were some bruises on his forehead as well; for that she folded a piece of her dupatta and tied it around his head like a headband. Eventually, she came to the bullet injury on his right shoulder which was a quite a big patch. Probably, he would even require few stitches but till then it was important to tightly cover it. Taking a long piece of her fabric, she sealed all his injuries in such a way that it sprawled over the expanse of his back and front across his right shoulder enveloping all of them. Once done, she made him drink some water and asked to sleep. His phone rang and it was Siddharth's call. He urged her to pick up the call and explain the address to him.

Siddharth - Hello, Manik Sir..kaha hai aap? Thik toh hai na? (Manik, where are you? Are you fine?)

Nandini (softly) - Aapke dost ko goli lagi hai. Par fikra ki koi baat nhi hai, maine goli nikaal di hai (Your friend has been hit by a bullet. But don't worry I have removed it)

Siddharth - Aap kaun...matlab...
(You..how..)

Nandini - Yaha ka pata likh lijiye
(Note down the address)

She dictated him the address and requested him to reach as fast as possible. When she was about to return his phone, something crossed her mind...

Nandini - Mujhe bhi ek call karna hai. Aapki ijaazat ho toh, kya mai aapka phone istemaal kar sakti hu (I want to make a call too. Please let me use your phone)

He nodded and she moved few feet away dialing some number. After few minutes, she came back and handed his phone muttering a thanks. Manik saw her lips turning blue..she was continuously rubbing her palms and shivering slightly.

Manik - Ya..yahaa pe koi aisa kona hai jahaa thodi garmaahat hogi? (Is there any corner where it would be a bit warmer?)

Thinking for a while, she informed him that it would be warmer at the far end of the barn. He got up with much difficulty and signaled her to lead. Reaching there, he again slumped against the wall.