CHAPTER 27

                                    

                                          
NANDINI
The rest of the week things with Raj Uncle seemed better. He was still having some problems, but he was awake more. He didn't need to take so much of medicine that he was all drugged up and not coherent. I'd gone to visit him again on Wednesday. Manik had come to pick me up after his practice. But that time he was taking a nap, so instead, I spent some time with Aunty and then came back home.
Manik and I... well, we didn't put any labels but it was safe to say that we definitely were more than friends now. We often fell asleep listening to the other's voice at night now. We didn't always talk about Uncle or about my past; we talked about our lives also. He told me stories about him and Abhi, and I told him how I had took it on my ego when one of the mean girls in my class told me that I couldn't do cheering, and then I worked on it and started cheerleading, just to show that girl that I could be better than her at cheering. He was shocked hearing this, that I could be as competitive as that.
Manik hadn't mentioned what his plans were after Friday's game, nor had he asked about mine. I think he'd go to the field party to celebrate with the guys. Uncle is doing good today so it's not like he's tensed out and would go home as soon as possible as he did last Friday. So I asked Mami if I could go home and go to bed early today. I was tired. And tomorrow I had to study for my upcoming paper on Monday. I also was getting a slight headache. She agreed, and I left right after the game with her while Mama had stayed to talk to Abhi.
Manik has scored three goals today, and the smile on his face, it was so breath taking. I loved seeing him happy. And today he was very happy, because he had good news to share with Uncle.
I let the week's events replay in my head while I showered and got ready for bed. I did so much progress after coming to Mumbai, I'm healing, and I know majority of it's credit goes to Manik. He's helping me come out of my shell. But it's also because of Mama Mami and even Abhi. The way Mama and Mami has accepted me, it's surreal. They treat me no less than Abhi, if not more. They truly treat me as if I'm their own daughter. And Abhi, his overprotective behavior is so similar to that of Dumbo's. I didn't expect that coming here, I'll gain a small family for me so soon. 
I recalled how I had talked with Manik's parents. I know I had thought that I'll speak to Uncle, because I don't know if I'll get the next opportunity to talk to him or not, and I didn't wanna regret not talking to him later. But since then there had been no looking back. Talking to them , to Manik, has made me realize that I'm no longer scared of my own voice. And as long as people don't ask me about my father or that day, I could actually talk to everyone.
I know Mama longed to hear my voice again. He had always remembered me as the chatterbox Nandini. The one who just wouldn't shut up, but now? Now I'm just a mute spectator. If Alya had behaved that way with the old Nandini, Manik and Abhi wouldn't have to intervene. I would alone have been enough for her to show her the right place. That is who I was. But now? I'm a shell of a person than I was before. If Mom would have seen me this way, she would have been so sad. She didn't raise me to become a damsel-in-distress. No, she taught me to be a warrior princess. 
If I got this trust na, that nobody here would make me talk about things I didn't want to talk about, then I think I may start talking again. But right now, I don't think I have it in me to take that leap of faith.
I got out of shower got dressed. As I entered my room, I heard my phone giving that vibrating sound. I checked it to see that Manik was calling me. I picked it up but before I could say anything, he started off.
"Where were you? Are you okay? I've been trying to call you so many times and you weren't picking up. Are you okay Nandini? Say something na. Why aren't you say something? Oh god, Are you hurt somewhere? Nandini..." 
I cut him off. "Manik if you give me time then only na I'll answer. I'm okay. I'm perfectly fine. Breathe now."
He sighed. "Where were you? I've been calling you for so long time now."
"I was taking a shower and my phone was in the room. What happened? Uncle's okay right?"
"Yeah Dad's okay. Umm could you open your balcony door?"
"Balcony door?"
"Yeah, just open na."
I opened it and came outside only to see Manik trying to climb up my balcony. He did it so swiftly that I was surprised. He came up and then chuckled seeing my expressions.
"Don't be surprised. I'm a fit footballer. I can climb your low height balcony easily."
I just shook my head at him. We got inside the room and settled on the bed. 
"You left... right after the game. And then you didn't even come to the field party with Abhi."
"I left with Mami. You didn't mention that we'll be seeing each other afterwards."
He looked surprised, "I thought you knew that I'd want to see you afterwards. That it was obvious."
I shook my head at him. "I didn't know this."
"Well then, keep it in mind, that from now on, we'll always have plans. If I'm free and you're also free, then we're definitely meeting. Okay?"
I nodded my head smiling. "How was the party?"
"Boring. You weren't there. No one else is fun to talk to."
I rolled my eyes at him, making him chuckle.
"Your Mama Mami check on you at night?"
I shook my head. I locked my door at night. I have nightmares and, although I don't scream in them, I often cried and whimpered, saying things I didn't want them to hear. I didn't like showing my vulnerable side to anyone.
"Can I stay for a while if we whisper?"
Like I would tell him no. I never told him no. Even when I should probably tell him. This was a bad idea, if by any chance Mami or Mama does come to know about this, they might be upset about it. They don't have a problem with Manik, but I was also sure that they would not like finding him in my room after I've told them I'm having an early night. I know Mom wouldn't like it. But what did I tell him?
"Of course."
My mind was begging me to say a no, but did my heart and mouth follow it's order? Nope.

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