*Unedited*
NANDINI POV
I have been up all night not able to sleep at all. And I knew that mom wasn't also sleeping, mean how could we after the horrible news we received. I saw it as a punishment for all the haram things I had done the past few weeks. According to mom, this was all a test from Allah. if she only knew what I did...
*5 hours earlier*
"What?No! It can't be!" my mom said in denial
I stood up and looked one officer directly in the eye.
"What is the name of the guy that was killed in an accident?"I asked
"Siddique" he replied
"Oh my God, so it really him," I said as tears were streaming down my cheeks
My mother kept crying and crying like her heart was ripped out of her chest. I was also heartbroken by the news but I have never heard anyone this sad in my life.
I grabbed my mother and hugged her tightly, the officer was still waiting so we could answer some questions because both drivers of both cars that were collided are dead.
After hugging my mother for a few seconds my brain was operating normally again after that shocking news. Normal is a big word, it was rather looking for a way out of this moment. And it was at that moment my brain found a way out
"Wait a sec," I said
I stopped hugging my mother and turned back to face the officer again.
"What is the first name of a person who died in an accident?"I asked
OFFICER: "We will have to call someone for that" he replied
"Then do that" I responded annoyed
Who doesn't know the first name of the person?
One officer, who I think was in control, gave another one the sign to call for the name. He went back to their car and I saw him calling the office through the radio
I was hoping that they had the wrong person, not that I would anyone else die, but my brother means much more to me in my eyes than some other guy I hardly knew
The offiser then came back and said,"Abhimanyu Siddique?"
"No! You are lying, Abhimanyu can't be dead! CALL AGAIN!" I shouted
OFFICER: "Miss, It's your brother, I'm sorry," he said as he also showed us a picture of his driving license on his phone
My mother then took me in her arms and held me while we both cried
*Now*
And that's where I am now, in my room, crying my eyes out
We have to see Abhimanyu's body this week and confirm that it was indeed him who died. I just can't believe that I lost my brother, words can not describe the feeling of losing someone you deeply care about.
After non-stop crying I finally fell asleep between 4 and 5 am.
The next few days were hard, it reminded me of the time dad passed away. We arranged everything and spend money on a lawyer.
My friend tried to reach out to me, but I didn't want anyone else to see me like this. I don't want anyone to feel for me, they don't understand what I was going through. I didn't even bother to open all the text messaged that Navya, Aryamaan, Mukti, and Manik had sent me
.....
It was the end of the week and Manik was trying to contact me in any way possible. Either through Instagram or by nonstop calling me
Until one day I had no choice but to face him.
"Hey aunty, I'm so sorry for your loss. Is Nandini home?"I heard Manik ask after mom opened the front door.
I was sitting at the end o the stairs listening to what they were saying.
Mom looked behind her and made eye contact with me. I shook my head indicating that I don't wanna talk to him any time soon.
The college started 4 days ago again but I've decided to take another week off to deal with everything. Mom agreed with me and took also another week off from work.
We tried to tell Rohan what happened the first few days but he didn't realize what actually was going on until he saw Abhimanyu's body
MOM: "I'm sorry Manik but she isn't home" she replied
MANIK: "I know she's home and she needs someone to talk about what happened or it will kill her" he responded
Mom took a 5-second break until she opened the door widely to let Manik in.
I ran as quickly as possible to my room because I wasn't wearing my headscarf. What was she doing, I don't wanna see him or any of my so-called friends.
MOM: "She's in her room" I heard my mom say as I arrived in my room
I quickly put my hijab on and heard a knock on my door.
I wasn't in the mood to talk to someone, but I couldn't ignore him forever
"Come in"I shouted
I hadn't seen him in more than 2 weeks and all I wanted to do was hug him and never let go, but I needed to stay strong
Even though he started with his chemotherapy 2 weeks ago, he didn't look all too bad. He looked tired but he still had his hair, a good thing I guess
MANIK: "Hey," he said in a quiet voice
I smiled without saying anything back
I was sitting on my bed and Manik grabbed the chair from my desk and rolled t over to where I was sitting
MANIK: "You okay?" he said stroking my arm
First of all, don't touch me, and second, what kind of dumb question is that
Of course, I'm not fine, just leave, will you. That's what I wanted to say but I didn't. It was like my mind was talking but my moth refused to move
MANIK: "Stupid questions sorry and sorry for euhm..my euhm..hand" he hesitated
It was cute in some way like he was nervous, It also was like he was responding to everything my mind was saying
"How is your chemo going?" I said when I finally found my voice
He knew I didn't want to talk about my brother, so he answered the question
MANIK: "Good, better than expected, I've missed you at the hospital though," he said
"Good" I responded
What do I say now
Manik then placed the chair and sat down beside me. He placed his hand on my cheek and turned my head so I was facing him.
I looked into his ice and started crying like a baby
"Manik I-I-I can't.."I sobbed as he hugged me tightly
MANIK: "I'm here love, I'm here
*After 1 hour*
We ate dinner and watched some tv. And by 'we' I mean mom, Rohan, Manik, and I
MOM: "C'mon honey, it's getting late," she said grabbing Rohan's hand
They went upstairs and I was alone with Manik again
Even though it was getting late, Manik refused to go home until he knew for sure I was okay. That cry session did me good, it was what I needed all along
MANIK: "You okay?" he asked once again
He looked at me with his bright blue eyes until I broke eye contact.
I know that you all think that we weres sitting close next to each other holding hands like any other couple, but no I refused to be in any relationship, a normal relationship anyway
Manik is mine and I'm Manik's, but we were trying to minimize the physical contact. Of course, it didn't always go as planned, but I made it clear that I didn't want something like that kiss to happen again
"Yeah, you being here is a big help" I responded after a short break
A smile appeared on his face as I made eye contact again
...........................................................
Okay, The journey has come to an end. Of course, the epilogue and bonus chapters are included.
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Thank you so much for sticking with this story from the beginning, as well as those who joined in the middle.
Thank you very much for all of your support.