Do opposites really attract?

Chapter 33 - "Give me a chance too"

"Kitna easy hai naa?" Manik asked softly as he came and stood next to me.

"Matlab?" I questioned.

"It's so easy for you to ask me to choose between my insecurities and you. It's so easy for you to ask me to leave you. It's so easy for you to tell me to forget everything, but tell me one thing Nandini. Was it easy for you? Was it easy for you to forget about your troubled childhood? Was it easy for you to forget the way your parents fought every single day? Was it easy for you to forget that you and your sister missed out on your parents love as kids?" He started to bring my past up and I had to stop him. I was trying to move on from my past and by reminding me, he was only making matters worse.

"Manik we are not talking about me here! How does any of that matter?" I said irritatedly.

"Of course it matters Nandini! You were insecure to get into a relationship because you were afraid your relation would turn out to be like your parents! You were scared you would continuously fight with your partner. You were scared of love. You were scared of opening up. You were scared of turning into a career focused woman like your mother who neglected her family responsibilities." He carried on listing all my insecurities when it was him and his insecurities we were dealing with.

"I admit I was insecure and scared because of my past experiences but I'm getting over them Manik." I said in an attempt to justify myself.

"When you shared your insecurities and fears with me that day at the beach, I didn't ask you to choose between me and your insecurities, but rather I told you it was okay. It was okay to feel that way. I didn't blame you for holding onto the past but I showed you how to live with those memories. I told you not all the relations are the same. I showed you how to live freely, how to let people in, how to enjoy life to the fullest. Nandini, I didn't force you to ever choose me over your insecurities and I never will. I waited patiently for you to realise my love for you, I gave you the time and space you needed and it worked! You got over your insecurities and you decided to give us a chance. Nandini, I waited because I really liked you and cared about you, I didn't want to ruin anything by forcing you to choose. So how can you ask me to choose Nandini without giving me any time. Why can't you explain to me that it'll all be okay? Why can't you tell me how to get over my insecurities? Why can't you help me like I helped you Nandini? Isn't that a bit selfish, don't you think?" He said softly and it made me realise just how wrong my way of handling the situation was. I shouldn't have asked him to just get over his insecurities but rather help him do so just like he helped me.

"Manik I understand but it's not the same. You're insecure about your ex girlfriend and I was insecure about my parents." I said.

"This isn't about my ex girlfriend! This is about you! I am feeling insecure because I don't want to lose you! Yes, Naina has messed me up but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to change. It was wrong of me to ask you to leave the job, I admit that. But I need you to understand that I need time to get over my insecurities. I gave you a chance, so give me a chance too." His voice was broken, his eyes were filled with tears, and fear was visible on his face. The fear of losing the beautiful relationship we shared.

"Manik I am giving you the time." I said as I took his hands in mine.

"You're asking me to choose Nandini. That's not called giving time." He explained.

"I'm sorry Manik. I guess I got carried away. I was so angry when you asked me to leave my job that I forgot about your worries. Manik I promise you that I won't let this job affect our relationship. Besides, this job is temporary. I'm only covering for Tim. Please don't ask me to leave this job, you know how possessive I am about my career." I tried to convince him, I wanted this job but I needed Manik.