“You were injured. I must add, you had a bad injury. So, obviously I wasn't going to sit around and watch while you were in pain. It isn't some unique quality of mine, anyone would've cared for you."
Manik shook his head and opened his eyes. "No. I've seen it in you elsewhere too. That caring quality and you have an oddly calming presence too. You have the aura to calm things down around you, Nandini. I should've had you around me when my dad died."
Nandini's hands ceased in their tracks.
He never talks about his father with anyone.
But he did with her.
Why?
Manik seemed to realize that he had slipped up more than usual too, for he looked surprised with himself for saying that.
"Manik, what do you mean by that?"
"Well I just… You know how my anger became unmanageable after he passed away, right?"
Nandini didn't push him to elaborate. She waited patiently for him to continue on his own.
“I was not ready to take over his place. Actually I never wanted to take that place. I want
