Nandini helplessly tries to prove her point. This time Venkatesh replies,
"And you have decided that this someone is you. Nandini, I have told you to listen to your heart but I never told you to shut your mind. You are again putting yourself in a situation from where it will be very difficult to come out. As hard you try to call it your duty, you know that you still love him and that is the matter of concern. I don't know if he feels the same for you or not but mark my words, this path won't be easy for you."
"I know, Appa; it won't be an easy path for me. I have to battle with my emotions and I am ready for it. After he gets well, I will leave him. Yes, I love him. I won't deny it. But I can't be with him."
Nandini utters with determination. Jaya looks at her husband and her daughter with hurtful eyes and mouths,
"And how will we face society after that? What will people say? Why are you staying with him and why have you left him again? They won't understand your so-called love or responsibility for him. Neither I will allow. Nandu, this time you have to choose between your family and him. And this is for the last time I am giving you this chance and option."
Venkatesh turns his face as this time he doesn't have the right to convince his wife. Nandini nears Jaya and utters in a painful tone,
"Amma...I know you all have suffered a lot for me and I promise I won't give you any reason in future to be ashamed because of me. But don't say that I have to choose between my heart and mind. I can't."
She turns at Venkatesh and continues,
"Forgive me Appa...for the last time. I don't know what lies in my future but I know that I will be in peace in that."
She bends and tries to touch Jaya's feet before leaving but Jaya exits the place without saying anything. Nandini looks at her father and mutters with a trembling voice,
"Appa.."
Venkatesh meets her moist eyes and mouths in a grave tone,
"Sorry, Nandu...this time I can't say that I am with you because your mother is not wrong. I can only say that if you have taken this strong decision then God gives you the strength to fulfil this."
......................................................
"My eyes are heavy like stones. The images inside my head are hazy. I try to touch the side of my head and a sharp pang is felt on my shoulder. A wail lets out my open mouth. Suddenly something soft touches my forehead. Ahhhh...it is so soothing. I try to unfurl my heavy eyes. Gradually, a worried yet beautiful face becomes clear in front of my eyes. I know those doe orbs, I have seen those pulpy lips, I have touched these rosy cheeks. My gaining consciousness yells in my mind. I forcefully bring a smile to my lips and utter in a feeble voice...Nandini...Angel.."
Nandini was gazing at Manik's eyes for a while but his call breaks her reverie. She withdraws her hand from his forehead and stands straight again.
"Good you are awake. I have to inform the doctor."
She hastily says and picks the mobile to call the doctor. Only then, Manik tries to sit but again plummets his head on the pillow with a suppressed moan,
"Ahhhh..."
Nandini immediately nears him and rests her palm on his chest so that he can't try again to rise. Simultaneously, she admonishes him,
"Why are you even trying to move? You had surgery on your shoulder, damn it. Keep straight. I have to feed you after this."
Manik fixes his spellbound eyes on her seraphic face and mutters confusedly,
"You here? What are...you doing...here?"
Nandini efficiently peels out a tablet from a strip and picks the glass of water.
"I will be here until you won't get well. And before you start your plethora of enquiries, I want to tell you that I got permission from my parents. Now, have this medicine. I have to give you soup after that."
She lies about her parents' permission as she doesn't want to make the matter more complicated. Coming closer she supports him to rise a bit to gulp the tablet. Manik swallows the pill without any further question, however, his eyes are still fixed to Nandini as he is trying to fathom her every word. His penetrating eyes give unease to Nandini. She again helps him to lie down and turns on her heels to leave the room. She has to get the soup from the kitchen. But Manik halts her by his words,
"So, I have to be sick for a long to keep you here!"
Nandini flips and smirks,
"It's won't be easy as I will make sure that you get well as soon as possible."
She retorts and departs. Manik mischievously smiles looking at her back and mumbles,
"We will see, Angel. I like to achieve hard things. It will be fun to prove you wrong."
...................................................
It's 10 o'clock at night. Nandini has already fed Manik and made him asleep. Because of painkillers and heavy antibiotics, it doesn't take too much effort to make him sleep. But the problem is, Nandini has to monitor him after every hour as the doctor instructed so. The bullet lacerated some of the tissues of his neck and it may turn to complicate if the wound won't get healed and dry very soon. For that, every one hour Nandini has to take his temperature and keep track. And because of this, she has to stay in this room only. This room is very familiar to her as it was her and Manik's bedroom. However, this place also reminds her of all the bad memories she wants to forget. A night lamp is illuminating the room. Manik is sleeping peacefully on the bed. The tranquillity on his face indicates that after a long time, he got this peaceful slumber. Nandini takes a deep sigh and nears the balcony door. Slowly she slides open the glass door and comes out to the balcony. A cool breeze touches her face makes her stiff nerves relax. She looks up to behold the starry sky. Nature is as beautiful as it was. The turmoil of humans' life doesn't affect its serenity. If mankind could be like nature. It bears and absorbs every pain and still, remains beautiful and inviting. She silently wishes. Suddenly, her eyes fall on two obscure figures moving in front of the bungalow gate. Right now, besides two of them, only the cook, servant Raghu and the guards are there in this bungalow. SP Bhosle has appointed two plan dress officers out of the house who surveillant the place for 24 hours. He is confirmed that someone can attack Manik or Nandini very soon and he doesn't want to take any chance. Nandini strains her eyes in the darkness to observe the movement clearly. Only then, Manik's sleepy voice hits her ears, 
"Don't kill her...I am here...shoot me...but...dare to touch her!"
Author's note: Did Nandini do right to stay with Manik again? What will Manik do to hold her back? Who are the people standing in front of Manik's bungalow? Will someone again try to kill Manik? To know all these, keep reading. 
Love
Suk