Chapter 8

Part 8 - the ride
     Manthan didn't know to be his usual mean self or to laugh at the funny situation. One look at Nisha determined it and he broke into laughter as well. He saw that she wasn't mocking him or making fun of him. She was laughing at the situation. She put her hands on his head and brushed all the chalk off. She didn't know why but she felt a strange chill go through her when she did that.
"I guess today's class is done." She said looking at the clock.
"Yea, maybe next time we could actually study." Manthan said.
Nisha laughed and nodded. They both went to their lockers and said bye to each other. Manthan smiled to himself at the thought of finding a real tutor. He got his leather jacket and his jingled his bike keys in his hands. When he got out he found himself soaked head-to-toe from the horrible rainy weather outside.

"Please, humko ghar pochna hai. I have to get home!" Nisha yelled at the 5th rickshaw driver. "Madam, I'm sorry" He said and went like the other four Nisha had asked. Nisha stood there drenched by the horrible rain. She couldn't believe that of all days she could have chosen to not watch the forecast, it had to be today. She sneezed and shivered in the thin salwar kameez. Suddenly, a bike appeared, its headlights flashing her in the eyes. She closed her eyes to block out the exploding light.
"Need a ride?" a voice called. Nisha recognized that voice immediately. "Manthan!" She yelled over the howling wind, opening her eyes abruptly. "Hop on!" He said. She smiled ecstatically from the thought of being rescued from the rain by Manthan but saw what he was riding and quickly the smile vanished. "Kya hua?" He asked her questioning look. "Yeh toh bike hai..." she said uneasily. Nisha had never been on a bike before, and truthfully she really didn't want to go near one; so riding on it was something she wouldn't have considered in her wildest dreams. Manthan extended his hand towards her. She reluctantly put her hand in his. He pulled her up on his bike. She got on wondering of the best excuse to try to escape the horrfying bike ride.
"Hold my waist." Manthan said. "Kya?!" Nisha exclaimed. She had never held a boy's hand before; holding on to Manthan's waist was out of the question. Manthan took her hand gently in his and wrapped them around his waist. "Hold on" He said smiling to himself, knowing she probably hadn't been on a bike before. He accelerated his bike and sped against the wind. Nisha felt a huge pressure pulling her away from Manthan. She quickly realized why she was supposed to hold his waist. She pulled herself closer to him from the fear of falling off the bike.
Even with the cold rain splattering them, his body felt warm against hers. She could feel his strong muscles even through his jacket. She quickly shifted a little away so she wouldn't be skin-to-skin touching him. They stopped at a street light and Manthan asked Nisha her address. "Clementine Road" she said. Manthan looked at her in a questioning way. "The road's closed, it's all flooded." Nisha looked at him blinking the rain drops out of her eyes. How was she going to get home? Her sister must be home all alone, she thought. And Isha couldn't cook anything or even make a cup of tea! Suddenly, Manthan started the bike again. Caught off guard, Nisha hugged him tightly. "You're coming with me" he simply said. Nisha thought of arguing but couldn't bring herself to refuse him. "Teek hai" She whispered in his ear.

                Hope you guys liked this part, sorry if you didn't...


                    Pooja