Jab We Met

28. Thodi Der

And I'm back with a new chapter! I'm really happy with the response I got for the last chapter, because I was worried that I'd get a lot of backlash for it's plot twist, as usually my chapters are more lighthearted and fun.

But that's a story right, one with both highs and lows.

Song of the Chapter: Dil Hi Toh Hai, The Sky Is Pink (Pritam is a genius.)
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It'd been a day now, since Nanu was in the hospital.

The doctors had said he was under observation, still critical, and he was put on top of the transplant list.

Randhir had also arrived, and after being filled in by his sons, rushed to Nandini to apologise, to just bring her out of the trance that his wife's words had put her under.

In the span of the day, Team Space had left, except Manik and Mukti, to give space to the Oberois, which they truthfully needed.

Malik, Raichand and Sammy had gone home to freshen up and got back food for everyone, which nobody ate, even after Anika shouted at them to.

Avantika Oberoi was still in the mansion, decidedly upset and constantly on the phone with her sister.

The Oberoi grandchildren had forgotten about time as a concept. Nandini, Rudra and Rishab were still sitting on the floor outside the room where Nanu was placed, Abhimanyu was still pacing up and around the hallway, and Shivaay was still on the phone, now just yelling at everyone and everything for something that was out of anyone's control.

"Nandu, it's been a day. You have to eat something."

Sammy said, exasperated as he saw Mukti, Raichand and Anika trying to do the same with Abhi, Rudra and Shivaay.

"Jordan, come on. It's me. You're really going to ignore me? Shut up, and eat the fucking sandwich."

Malik muttered and shoved a sandwich in Rishab's hand, who had a weird expression on his face.

"Are you serious? Nandu he just swore. In front of Rishu. HIT HIM!"

Samrat yelled, attracting everyone's attention. Some had sad smiles, while the others just had indifference on their face.

"Alright that's enough, this is clearly not working. Nandini. Eat."

Manik stated in a calm voice, crouching down on the floor to reach her level.

Nandini raised her eyes towards him and for the first time, she was looking at Manik with fury. Hatred.

Manik was confused, what was wrong with her? He'd expected her to be teary eyed and sad and just lifeless, but anger? What was that all about?

"I can't do this again. Not again."

She whispered so that nobody could hear, looking at the floor again.

"Murthy, what is it? What're you saying? What do you need?"

Raichand worriedly asked, making his way to her.

"I can't, do this again. I don't want to."

She said a bit louder, her voice shivering.

"You're not alone this time, Nandini. You're not a child who has to take care of your brother alone, you have a huge, huge family. And lots of people who love you."

Manik said slowly, but his words, no matter how right they were, were just having a negative effect on Nandini, her eyes just got redder.

"Shut up, stay out of this. I know you want to help, but you're just making it worse right now."