MaNan: Strings That Bind Us

"A New Beginning: The Swiss Awakening"

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The world outside was far away, the snowflakes still falling silently, and the warmth of the water cocooned them in a bubble where time seemed to stand still.

Nandini felt her pulse quicken as Manik’s gaze dropped to her lips. He could almost taste the air between them, thick with possibility.

Without thinking, he leaned in slightly, his lips brushing against her. The contact was soft, hesitant at first, like both of them were waiting for the other to make the next move. It was gentle, testing the waters of their connection in a way words could never do.

But after that as if realising they pulled back, neither of them said anything.

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still, but then the silence between them shifted. Manik’s hand slid from her waist, and he turned, glancing over at the snow falling outside. He exhaled slowly, the cool air outside contrasting with the warmth of the water.

As he stepped out of the pool, Nandini felt a pang in her chest but she tried to control the situation.

Nandini hesitated before speaking, her voice soft but determined.

Nandini: "Manik…"

He didn’t turn to face her, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched, like he was holding something back.

Nandini: "I get it and it's fine.

Manik’s eyes flicked to hers for a brief moment before they darted back to the snow.

Manik: "It's not fine".

Nandini’s chest tightened at the frustration in his voice. She had expected this—had known this would be hard. But hearing him say it, it felt like another wall had gone up between them.

Nandini: "I do, Manik. I understand that Alia is the one you wanted to be with. She left. But that doesn't change the fact that we’re here. Together."

Manik’s voice came out low, almost as if he was talking to himself.

Manik: "I tried, Nandini. I really did. But every time I look at you, I keep thinking of her. She was the one I thought I’d marry."

Nandini’s heart ached, but there was a bitter kind of understanding in her gaze. He wasn’t doing this on purpose. It wasn’t that he didn’t care for her, it was that he couldn’t love her the way he had loved Alia.

But things were changing. He was starting to see Nandini in a different light. He was beginning to notice her in ways he hadn’t before. Her caring smile, her quiet strength. It all tugged at him in ways he didn’t expect.

Manik: "I don’t deserve you, Nandini. I’m still… tangled up in what I lost."

Nandini took a deep breath, walking towards him. She didn’t know what to say—didn’t know how to convince him that things didn’t have to be perfect for them to work. But she couldn’t just stand by and let this silence fester between them.

Nandini: "You’re wrong. You do deserve someone who cares for you."

Her voice was steady, but inside, her thoughts were racing. She didn’t know if she was ready to. But she knew one thing for sure: she wanted to try. They had to try, for both of their sakes.

Nandini: "I’m not her, Manik. I’m not Alia. But I’m here. And I care about you. You don’t have to love me right now, but I need you to at least let me in. Please."

Her words were raw, vulnerable, and they seemed to reach him more than anything else. Manik turned slowly to face her, his gaze intense and conflicted.