8 October 2010

Like a caged bird, I paced back and forth in my room with some packets of Indian outfits in my arms, replacing them from the bed to the cupboard in a cyclic manner. Choosing an outfit should not be this difficult, Aiyappa!

I heard the door latch behind me, and a thud on the door. I sprung on my feet at the sound only to see Manik resting on the door with his ankles and arms crossed, "What are your plans for the evening?" He asked with no hint of amusement or smile.

Flinging the packet on the bed, I bridged the gap, flapping my arms. "Manik, how did you – did you speak to Cabir?"

"Great! Jis cheez ke liye aaya woh toh ab milne se raha..."

I heard him mutter an incorrigible phrase under his breath while rubbing the bridge of his nose, forcing me to ask, "What?"

He leaped off the door while clearing his throat, backing me by a few steps by how swift he was. "What's there to talk about? He didn't trust us, that's it."

"You can't just leave it like that, he's your best friend!"

"If you haven't noticed already then let me tell you... I – am – angry – at him!" Manik's hands were hovering between us as if he held a boulder between them when he flicked them as a motion of explanation. It wasn't fair, Cabir was already upset from the happenings Harshad caused and the only thing he probably wanted in that weak moment was the comforting presence of his friends.

Why was Manik not grasping that amidst all his anger? Why was he nearly neglecting the boy whose whole life ripped before his eyes?

Perhaps he was not thinking along those lines at all, blinded by his frustration. What else was I for?

"That's even more of a reason why you both need to talk it out, Manik. Hear his side, talk about yours..."

He shook his head as if I could never understand. "Tch Nandini, it's... Fab 5, we're not like that. We've known each other for so so long, our bond is..." He paused and I nodded, eagerly waiting for him to voice his concerns. "I can't explain it to you..." He said exasperatedly and my face fell. As if noticing, he took a deep breath and tried to formulate it better. "We... we never had to keep secrets from each other... lie to each other..."

As his face was lit by the soft sunbeam cascading through my window, a meek purple bruise that I had not paid attention to danced on his forehead, the centre hidden by a thin tiny white tape. "Wait wait..." Closing the distance, I impulsively stroked the spot. "What's this?"

Manik nearly hissed but held it in. "It's nothing, I – I have to go now."

As he turned, I held his forearm and restrained him, blocking his path. "Manik, show me." He resisted further, and with all my might I somehow womanhandled him to my bed, plopping him to a reasonable height so I could study it.

He obediently followed, possibly liking the attention he was garnering. I felt the perimeter of the bruise again, this time wincing myself as I touched it. Manik stared at me absently, a small smile playing on his lips as two arms warmly secured themselves to my waist while I was engrossed. "How did this happen?" My tone was strict although the concern was very evident.

Manik's silence was proof that he went back and forth with himself about whether or not to divulge that information. "In the fight yesterday with Harshad..."

"He hit you too?" I asked with big wide eyes.

He almost laughed sardonically. "You thought I was a monster, didn't you, when you saw that bastard bleeding?" I winced at his choice of words but if Manik misinterpreted it for something else, that would be no surprise too. He steeled his grip, maneuvering me to face him. "I saw the look in your eyes, the look of disappointment." He snapped, and I reluctantly looked away.

"I didn't think that."

"Oh please! You can't even lie properly so don't bother trying."

With a startle, he let go of me and nearly rose to his feet.

"Manik..." Seizing the moment he nearly lost balance, I patted his shoulders and sat him back on the edge of my bed. I sighed deeply. "Okay, you want the truth? Yes, I was upset that you hurt Harshad." He rolled his eyes and tried to get up again. "Let me finish. I know Harshad is capable of causing your whole group immense pain but you... you have goodness in you, Manik." I said softly, my palm gently cupping his face and attempting to soothe the aching bone. "You care for your friends, and..."

My eyes locked on the purple tint again, wondering how painful the blow must have been to leave that sort of mark on his skin. How could he ruthlessly beat his girlfriend's brother like that?

Manik's hands came around and nudged me, pushing me onto his chest as I clutched his shoulders. "And...?"

I blushed, having come out of my endless thoughts. "And me."

"I do much more than just care for you, don't I?" He said with a loyal smirk that never left him, as fingers gently brushed the sides of my face, tucking my hair behind my ear in a suggestive movement that more often than not led to...

His face came closer, and I rolled my eyes before slapping his shoulders. "Manik... Manik!" He frowned, huffing as his hands began tickling me at my waist. I burst into controlled laughs and squirmed, careful not to sit on his lap but between his arms, there was very little space for me to escape from. "Manik, stop it!" What if someone were to come at this moment? They would definitely know I was not alone by those loud giggles.

"Say it. Tell me how much goodness I have..." He teased, happy to watch me be tortured by his tactics.

With a tussle, I fell on him and he lost balance, tumbling the two of us back onto my bed. Just as I was to use that moment and make my way out, Manik slyly grabbed my dangling arms and rolled us over, cuffing them to the bed with his grip as his evil laughter rang in my ears from our proximity.

Laughter that slowly subdued and turned into soothing quietness, as our eyes magically locked. Manik's gaze alternated between my eyes and lips, lingering on my lips as he slowly came in.

Caged under him, there was little to no way I could escape so I helplessly murmured, "Manik, please!" I hoped the plea would be enough to protect my sanity, but part of me – the side that hopelessly liked him to a gravely dangerous degree – longed for the kiss just as much as he did.

"No no, you're right, talking things out is definitely not a bad idea." He mused with a cheeky grin, just as our engulfed hands rustled something bumpy. "What's that?" He left his hand to examine it and the momentary lapse in closeness had been enough for me to sneak out, leaving Manik annoyed and narrowing his eyes as he looked at me.

"It's the first day of Navrathri and Chikkamma's having some pujas at our house," I said with a huge sigh of relief, appreciating my narrow escape while fanning myself with my hands to keep them busy. Just when an idea clicked. "Hey, now that you're here, you can help me decide which outfit to wear." I gleamed.

Manik looked anything but excited at the proposal.

"I'm not your spot boy. Find someone else to dump your chores on."

"Manik, but it's Navrathri puja!" I sulked.

"I swear every day you have a puja at your house!"

"Tell na, yellow... pink, blue... or red." I spread the first three packets around him, giving him plenty of choices to pick from.

He glanced at each one and then clicked his lips. "Show me the red." I went to my cupboard, picked up the red salwar, and held it in front of me. He eyed the outfit, and then my face, and lazed back on the bed using an elbow for support. Sneakily trailing down my body, he focused on the outfit before I could thoroughly catch what he was up to. In a sideways bobble, he pouted and said, "Hmm, this."

I turned it around to examine it myself. The intricate stonework along the neckline had too many silver embellishments on it. "Isn't it a bit grand?"

"No, it's hot."

The outfit was hugged in my chest. "What?"

He chuckled, slapping his thigh as he leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs and hands locked in the gap. "Do you realise these days apart from 'what', you don't say anything else? You were a lot less boring before you became my girlfriend."

Aiyappa, how dare he?

"Oh please, you never even asked me to be your girlfriend! And why are you even here with me if I'm boring your brains out?"

"No? I didn't ask?" I shook my head irritably, not noticing the growing smirk. "Hmm... I thought I already did by some gestures, but it's okay..." He sprung off the bed, strolling at a leisurely pace in my direction. "I have no qualms in repeating them..."

"Manik..." I nagged, running around him onto the other end of my bed.

"Arrey what, you don't want it or what?"

"Wh – what if someone comes in?"

"Einstein! That's why there's something called a lock, which I have fastened if you didn't notice."

My mouth formed an O, realising I had blown off the most probable excuse.

"Okay but what if someone knocks?"

A few footsteps approached the door and wide-eyed, I hopped to Manik, palming his mouth firmly. "Nandu, I made you some chickpea sundal, come down and have it with your tea," Chikkamma said after knocking twice on my door.

"Yeah Chikkamma, I'm coming in two minutes."

As her steps receded, I realised my palm was being bombarded with gentle pecks. Gaping, I pulled back, amazed by how quick he was to find another way to pour his affection. Maybe physical touch was his love language.

"Tch yaar Nandini... you have some serious powers. Everything you say comes true!"

Reeling from the soft corner I was developing for him as I slowly learned more about him, I mumbled while pushing him toward the door, "Manik, you have to go! Abhi must be looking for you too!"

Though he was being fiercely pushed, it wasn't until Manik actively tried to move himself that his figure made progress toward the door.

"Come to the ground tomorrow at least?" He asked, wrenching his head to where I was.

"What am I going to do watching you play?"

"We can play together, what sport do you like?"

"Badminton!"

He flashed all his teeth excitedly, holding a thumbs up. "Done!" And he stopped moving again.

"Now what?" I asked grimly, crossing my arms.

"One kiss, I promise I won't ask for more." He appeased, lowering his head to reach me easily. Fighting my smile, I desperately eyed the ceiling, pleading for some courage as I closed my eyes and kissed him on the lips, retreating before he could take it any further. "What?! That's it?"

"Hmm..."

He blinked in boredom, "That was barely a peck!"

I shyly pushed him again. "Manik, a promise is a promise, now go!"

"This is cheating."

"Go, bye!" I slammed the door shut, leaning behind it and sticking a finger thoughtfully between my teeth, mildly aware of a slump on the other side that gazed at the ceiling just as dazed.  

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This part is literally giving me life <3

Why are they so so cute?

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