MaNan OS: Fire & Ice
Life is never fair and all the anger he felt for the world just multiplies when he sees the people he dearly loves in pain. Cabir was going through a difficult time in life and it was only him who knew all about it but he was unable to reach out to him on time. How was it that he failed to estimate the amount of pain Cabir was going through following his breakup. He never thought that Cabir could attempt suicide!
They were able to get him medical attention but dealing with it was very difficult for Fab 5. All of them were clueless about Cabir's problems except him. While Cabir was recovering in hospital he was emerging himself in guilt. Why was he oblivious to Cabir's state of mind? Why didn't he see this coming? Did he fail as a friend? Was he right in hiding the truth from his friends? Was he responsible somehow?
Manik stood in the shower as cold water flowed through his body. He hardly realized how long he was standing there the water made him shiver but he didn't pay any attention to what his body felt as his heart was in immense pain.
Nandini knew that Manik was blaming himself for the turn of events she wanted to comfort him but he was snubbing her continuously. He built walls around himself again and didn't let her reach out to him. She thought that catching hold of him in his home away from Fab 5 could help, but Manik was taking a shower ever since she walked into his room. She glanced at the watch it was more than a hour, concerned she called out to him but didn't get any response. She even knocked on his door; she could hear the shower but not Manik. It scared her, reluctantly she entered the bathroom.
What she saw made her feel a pang of pain in her heart. There was Manik leaning against the shower wall lost in his thoughts his eyes were bloodshot clearly the water was shielding his tears. She walked towards him and called out his name softly.
"Manik...Manik..."
The voice snapped him back to earth as he looked up he saw Nandini standing in his bathroom holding out a towel.
"What are you doing here" He quickly snapped back
"Manik you need to get out of the shower. You...you are shivering"
"Can't you mind your own business? Please leave Nandini"
"I won't till you come out of the shower" she retorted back and walked towards him
Manik was filled with a violent rage at her direct defiance. He roughly pulled Nandini into the shower, the swift move made her come crushing into his chest. Before she could come in terms with what really happened she was completely soaked in ice cold water.
"Who are you to order me around!! You are no one to me!! DO YOU GET IT!!" Manik screamed right into her face
Nandini could see the pain behind his anger she knew he was purposefully driving her away from him by putting on the facade of Monster Manik. She knew she had to be calm and composed to reason out with him. She softly touched his face and she felt him calming down instantly.
"Manik let go...it's not your fault..."
He said nothing just pulled her into a hug. Her clothes were already clinging on to her body and now it was his body which was molded to her body. She could feel him shaking was he crying? She dared not look at him when he was this vulnerable she let him calm down and make peace with the things which happened over the last few days. Manik finally found the solace he was looking for since days. She kept stroking his bare back not caring about the intimacy but it was not that she wasn't aware of it. Manik was aware of it too he could feel the water getting warmer and his heartbeat picking up its pace. Being close to her always did things unexplainable by him... Damn the hormones!
She pulled out of the hug and looked at his face. His eyes were still bloodshot. Manik's mind again snapped back to the harsh reality. Nandini can't let him again slip back to his self inflicted pain and that made her take the boldest step ever in her life. She closed the distance between them and gently touched his lips with hers. Nandini quickly pulled back from the kiss and stared at him .The gentle peck on lips sends a shiver down his spine and all coherent thoughts left him. Nandini could see desire so strong in his eyes that it made her involuntarily back up towards the wall creating more distance between them. The urge to flee was almost as strong as the anticipation of staying. It took Manik only a couple of strides to close the distance and claim her lips in a proper kiss! Nandini was shocked by it and she collided with the wall, so strong was the impact of the kiss. Manik kept her steady in his strong hold never breaking the kiss. Nandini was too shocked to respond to the kiss the passion he radiated made her senses bristle. But Manik being his stubborn self continued to probe her lips impatient for a response. Finally she was overcome with desire to the point of thoughtlessness and responded with equal passion. As he moved his hands inside her wet top to touch her bare waist her breath hitched in her throat as she stifled a moan. Manik's passion went up in its intensity as the kiss progressed and he bit her lips in the heat of the moment.
"aaahhh" Nandini let out a soft cry as she felt blood oozing out of her lower lip
Manik pulled back instantly and his face was flooded with concern as he saw the blood he softly touched her lips
"I m so sorry!!! I m so sorry Nandini...Shit!!! What was I thinking" Manik quickly apologize.
While Nandini was still trying to make peace with her pounding heart, she was still under the impact of the kiss. She felt the pain only for a second and sorry was definitely not the word she wanted to hear after what conspired between them.
"Don't apologize Manik! Please don't apologize" she smiled at him saying so.
Manik smiled back and it was then he realized in what state she was. She was completely wet they didn't bother to turn down the shower. As she shivered a rush of protectiveness overtook him and he hugged her providing warmth.
"BTW Nandu you did shine for me today"
She knew he was smiling as she did, both remembering the night under the stars.