In the car,
Nandini was sniffing and had tears in her eyes, she was actually feeling very scared because the incident had remined her something which happened sometimes back and she had a haunting memory of it. She stroked the reddened area of her arm and hid it with her white scarf.

“Ek ghante ka raasta hai, jitna rona hai ro lo” said Manik in a plain voice.

Nandini became angry “I am not crying and just because you helped me does not mean that you will give me orders” she said as she wiped out the tears.

Her phone rang and it was Cabir, Nandini kept on rebuking him for being late she also told him that she was fine and told him to head home quickly.

Manik smiled and thought “thank God she is back to normal”.

“Manik can I ask you something, gussa toh nahi karoge, now that we are on talking terms” said Nandini nervously.

He smiled “okay, what do you want to ask?” he said.

“Tum aj itna sad kyo the? Your music was expressing the grief in your heart” said Nandini.

Manik clenched his fists in anger “Don’t you think you are being to personal? Just mind your own business and stay silent I don’t want to hear a word from you” said Manik in an angry tone.

Nandini became a little sad and annoyed by his rude behavior. She looked at the window and stayed silent. For a while there was no talking just silence.

“Manik!” Nandini cried out.

“I said you not to speak” said Manik.

“But there is someone on the road, I guess that person met with an accident, just stop being arrogant and help the person he may die” yelled Nandini.

Manik gave her an angry look “you really don’t know me Nandini, I can get worse when I am angry” said Manik as he stopped the car.

“Oh come on! I am not a kid who will get scared from your dhamkis” said Nandini as she stepped out of the car.

Manik called her name many times to stop her, but she ran to the injured person.

At the scene,
a car’s windshield was broken and there was a man inside it. Nandini went closer and screamed as she made out that it was Mr. Malhotra, Manik’s father. Mr.Malhotra’s head was attached to the steering wheel and blood was leaking from it. Nandini opened the car door and held him, he was a bit conscious “Nandini” he uttered in a weak voice.

“Don’t worry uncle you will be fine” said Nandini.

“What happened, why were you screaming?” said Manik as he came near the broken car. He got frozen on seeing his dad in that condition, tears welled up in his eyes. “Dad!” he uttered. “Manik, don’t panic we have to take him to the hospital, he has lost a lot of blood” said Nandini.

Manik shook his head then with much difficulty they placed Mr. Malhotra in Manik’s car. Nandini took the handkerchief from her purse and started to wipe his head. Manik was driving like crazy.

“Manik, hospital bohat door hai yaha se it will take almost 2 hrs to reach there” said Nandini. “Toh kya karu, apne dad ko aise hi marne ke liye chor du” yelled Manik.

“Just shut up ok! My house is only 30 mins away and my uncle is a doctor so he can take care of him” said Nandini.

Manik realized that she was right “I can’t think of  anything” said Manik.

Nandini noticed that his hands were shaking. “Don’t think anything just do as I say, trust me” said Nandini softly.

Manik said “ok” and drove to Nandini’s house.

On the other hand, Nandini called her uncle and told him to keep the First aid ready.

At Nandini’s house,
Nandini’s dad, uncle and Manik took Mr. Malhotra to the guest room. Nandini’s uncle did dressing of his wounds and Nandini helped him. After about half an hour they were assured that Mr. Malhotra was fine. Manik was sitting in the hall, biting his nails like a small kid. He panicked seeing blood and that’s why he did n’t dared to get in.

Nandini’s father and uncle came to Manik. Nandini’s uncle patted on Manik’s shoulder “don’t worry he is fine, got a cut in the head but it has been taken care of thankfully no other injuries, you did a good thing by bringing him here soon” said he and went away. Nandini’s father told “It’s really nice to see your concern for your father, you are a great son” .

Manik smiled a bit and went to the room where his dad was. Nandini was sitting beside Manik’s dad when he slowly opened his eyes “wow, you are pretty tough, I thought you will take ages to come into senses” said Nandini.

Mr. Malhotra smiled “It’s because of you that I am alive” he said in a weak voice and held her hand.

“Uncle, don’t talk, it was just sarcasm you are still pretty weak so take rest” she said. He smiled and closed his eyes.

Manik saw all that from the door, Nandini spotted him and gestured him to come inside but he nodded his head saying no and went out. Nandini followed him.

At the lawn,
“Manik, what’s wrong? You were so worried for him and now that he is fine you are not coming close to him” she said.

“You know Nandini, my dad is really nice but I could not be a good son to him. The way you were talking to him, he was smiling and all relaxed I could never make him feel like that. I disobeyed and disrespected him all the time” he said and then realized that he should not have said all that.

“Manik, he is your father and no matter what happens the love and warmth between both of you will never change” said Nandini.

Manik remained silent. Suddenly Cabir appeared there “hey guys, mom just told me what happened, I am so glad uncle is fine. Manik its 1am and you are staying here for the night, Neyonika has gone out of town and she does n’t need to know about this accident otherwise she will create a drama” said Cabir.

Manik stood there like a statue. “Come with me and Nandu you also go and rest it has been a long night ” said Cabir as he took Manik to his room.

Nandini’s chachi came, “Nandu, beta you look so tired, your mom has told me to take care of you while she is at her mother’s house, now come on have something” said she and took her to the dining table. “Thanks chachi you are the sweetest, khana dekhke mujhe yad aya that I am actually starving but I need to take a shower” said Nandini.

“Ok beta tu fresh hoja, and don’t worry your chacha and dad are with Mr. Malhotra, accha woh Manik vi toh vukha hoga nah” she said.

“Ha chachi why don’t you tell Cabir to take some food for him” said Nandini.

“Arreh woh nikamma toh Manik ko guestroom dikhake hi so gaya” said Chachi. “Nandu beta, tu hi leke ja uske liye khana, mere samne who sharmayega”said chachi.

“Sharam or woh ? anyways thik hai arrange a plate for him mai deke ati hu, Aiyappa vi khush ho jayenge mujhse” said Nandini.

“Arreh tu puri jhalli lag rahi hai, pehle take a bath then go to him” said chachi.

“Uff chachi ap vi nah, mai kya usse shadi karne ja rahi hu jo saj dhaj ke jaunge, okay vaise vi I am feeling dirty so I will take a shower and then will go thiik hai” said Nandini as she went upstairs.

Chachi was smiling “ hayye dono ki Jodi kitni acchi lage gi saath mei, kash in dono ki shaadi ho jaye” said she.

Nandini took the food tray and went to Manik’s room, “Aiyappa monster ke paas ja rahi hu, save me” she prayed.

She knocked the door but there was no answer, she found that the door was open “chup chap tray rakhke chali aungi” the thought and went inside. She kept the tray on the bedside table, Manik was in the washroom and he came out wearing nothing but a towel.

Manik was thinking about the incident how he felt weak and how Nandini took charge of the whole situation. He turned around and saw Nandini.

“Nandini, tum yaha?” Manik asked.Nandini turned around and eyes went bigger by seeing him almost nude; she was about to scream but he came close and putted his hand on her mouth.

Both were breathing heavily as they looked into each other’s eyes with intensity. Something undefined happened to him and he could not just step away from her. He forgot everything else. Manik removed his hand from her mouth slowly and caressed her cheeks, the warmth of his touch made her eyes close. His hand travelled down to her neck, then to her bare arms and waist. He pulled her closer to his body and she sighed. Her hand was on his back as her face crashed on his chest. She inhaled his scent and lost control over herself. He cupped her face and leaned down, his closeness was giving her goose bumps. Their noses touched Manik went closer and kissed on her cheeks; she shivered and dig her fingers on the flesh of his back.

To be continued 😉