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

7. Bharosa (Trust)

7 days later...

It was almost 3 in the morning when she entered the kitchen to grab a glass of water to quench her thirst. While she was returning to the room, like the other day, even today she saw him sleeping in this uncomfortable position again. Manik was sleeping on his stomach with his left hand touching the ground, his right leg over the top of the couch, the covers resting on his lower half revealing his bare back which was not much visible in the darkness and was snoring softly. Nandini understood that probably he was one of those men who love to sleep by spreading themselves all over the bed and somewhere felt guilty of robbing him off his bed. Since majority of her bruises were dried and healed, she no more needed to sleep pulling up her nighty. She mentally made a note of it and decided to convince him to sleep in the bedroom while she would take the couch.

It was 5 in the morning... he woke up to hit the gym and entered the bedroom to use the washroom. As he exited the bathroom, like the other day, even today she had fallen off the bed while sleeping (she was used to sleeping on the floor always...that's the reason she keeps falling off the bed). Picking her up, he placed her in the middle of the bed and tucked her in the blanket. He thought to advise her to sleep in the middle and not on the edge of the bed otherwise she would keep falling every day without even realising. Also, there were chances that she would hit her head on the nightstand or the hard floor or sprain her leg.

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Next Day...

Since the time, Nandini came to know that he was to report on his duty by 9, she would wake up by 7, prepare the breakfast and pack his lunch. Manik had even chided her for taking so much pains for him but she didn't give any ears to his scoldings and would lovingly prepare the food for him. It was not only her way of expressing her thankfulness but somewhere a feeling that even he should carry lunch box to his workplace just like his other colleagues would do. In all these 7 days, they hardly talked or got to know each other but he would always keep a tab on her medicines while she would call him to bring the daily supplies and groceries.

As he exited the bedroom wearing his uniform, she couldn't help but drool as he looked really handsome and macho in that classy uniform. And the way he ran his hand through his thick beard in pride looking in the mirror after getting ready, just added to his masculinity. Nandini saw him frowning in pain as he flexed his back muscles and understood that it was because of his wrong sleeping posture. After nibbling on the sumptuous breakfast, she handed him the tiffin box and came till the doorstep to see him off.

Nandini - Dhyaan rakhiyega (Take Care)

He stood there for good few seconds arguing whether he should do it but finally gave into his heart. Manik leaned in and gave a light peck on her forehead.

Manik (a bit softly) - Tu bhi (You too)

As he went, Nandini shut the door loudly and tried to calm her racing heart while the redness on her cheeks refused to budge.

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At night...

It was bedtime and she quickly made a prayer to her Shivji to grant her strength in case his mood turns foul listening to her words. Taking baby steps, she reached near him while he was busy watching TV.

Nandini (softly) - Suniye (Listen)

Manik - Haa bol (Yes, say)

Nandini (saying in one go) - Dekhiye, gussa mat hoiye. Par mai chahti hu ke aap andar apne kamre mei palang par soye. Dekha hai maine raat ko aap aadhe zameen par hote ho aur aadhe iss chhote sofe par. Itne dino se barabar tareeke se naa sone ke kaaran aapke kandho mei dard bhi shuru ho gaya hai. Isliye aapse winti hai ki aap andar soye (See, don't be angry. But I want you to sleep in the bedroom. During nights, your half body lies on the floor while the other half rests on the small sofa. Since you have not been sleeping in a correct posture during past few days, you have countered pain in your back muscles. That is why I request you to sleep on the bed)

Manik smirked as he realised how closely she had observed him.

Manik (folding his hands) - Ek shart pe thaari baat maanunga (I will listen to you on one condition)

Nandini - Ji? (Huh...?)

Manik - Bol maanegi mhaari shart (Are you ready to accept my condition?)

Nandini (without thinking) - Ji
manzoor hai (Yes, I am ready)

Manik - Soch le (Think again)

Nandini - Soch liya (Already decided)

Manik - Thaare ko bhi mhaare saath palang par sona padega. Aur isse pehle ke tu kuch galat soche meri poori baat sun le. Thaare ko shaayad pata na chalta par tu sote waqt palang par se gir jaati hai. Agar mai andar soya toh thaare ko yaha sofe par sona padega jiska matlab yeh hai ki tu yaha se toh pakka giregi. Isliye mhaara thaare saath sona zaroori hai. Nahi toh pata nahi kitni chote lagawaayegi apne aap ko (You too have to sleep with me on the bed. And before you think anything bad about me. Let me tell you something. Probably you don't realise it but the fact is you have a problem of falling off the bed while sleeping. If I sleep inside then you have to take this sofa which means there are high chances of you falling from here as well. That is why it is necessary for me to sleep with you. Otherwise don't know how many times will you injure yourself)

Nandini was shocked at the piece of revelation about herself. She turned a deep shade of red as she became aware of her clumsiness. But what left her heart thudding was the idea of sharing the bed with him. Instead of fear, she was feeling excited at the thought of being so close to him. She had no doubts on his intentions as she trusted him a lot but was rather surprised and worried at her own behaviour. Only the talk of sharing the bed with him was giving her butterflies what would happen when they would actually sleep together.

Manik was himself surprised at his own thoughts as he never intended to be so blunt with his words. What amazed him more was when she gave her consent without even questioning him. And at that instance, he knew that she trusted him a lot and it was his duty to keep it intact.

As they reached their respective sides of the bed, both stood not knowing whether to take the first step or not. Breaking the awkwardness, Manik lied on the right side facing his back to her while Nandini slept on the far end of the left side. Manik could feel the movements on the mattress and shut his eyes tight to waive off the wild thoughts. When he turned on his left, he saw her sleeping at the edge again. In one swift pull, he brought her in his arms. She yelped and her body stiffened at the contact with the male body.

Manik (in a gruff voice) - Phirse girna hai kya? (You wish to fall again?)

His right hand automatically wrapped tightly around her petite waist while she remained stiff.

Manik (in a husky voice) - Apni hadd jaanta hu mai (I know my limits)

She suddenly relaxed in his arms and put her right hand on his hand which held her by her waist and entwined her fingers in his

Nandini - Bharosa hai aap pe (I trust you)

With that, he kissed her hair and they fell asleep to experience the most beautiful and peaceful slumber of their life in each other's arms...

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Thank you all for showering so much love on this SS... The next update will be on 9th evening as I will be busy with my exams... Till then keep guessing what will be in the next update..