Chapter Three.
XXX
Manik's POV
Parking my car in the driveway, I jogged across the
sidewalk, entering the garden area as I pushed aside the gates and made my way
to the front door. The place seemed vaguely familiar as though it was the one
that I once approached on this Friday night. Could it be?
Maybe I had taken a wrong turn or just drove down the same
lane while she kept drifting back into my thoughts, no matter how much ever I
tried to push her thoughts at the back of my mind. But it just bounced back
with more force. I cannot be blamed for being highly intrigued by the cute
infuriated kitten, now can I be?
Shrugging off the thoughts of otherwise, I rang the
doorbell. It does no harm to drop by and wish a good morning to someone apart
from a person who would have to wait a little longer for me, impatiently. Never
mind.
The door still stood shut across my face. Now what takes a
person that long to open a goddamn door?
Pushing my hands into my pant pockets, I waited. Within
minutes the door flung open and I saw the morning fresh face of Nandini.
Instantly, my lips twitched into a smile and I am hopeful my eyes reflected the
same.
Drawing my eyes lazily across her frame, I took a good look
of her. Her midnight sky hair was let loose and down to her waist. The playful
curls were gone as the straight shiny hair took back its place. Clad in a grey
coloured T-shirt paired with a pair of ripped sky blue denim, she looked casual
yet comfortable. She didn't seem to doll-up for school kind of a girl, and I
knew that since the first time we met. But the thing is, she doesn't need it.
She looks good without any layer of makeup as well, just
displaying her natural beauty.
My eyes finally meshed with her widened ones. Is there any
moment when she lets her pair of eyes be in their normal size? I couldn't bite
back the chuckle at the thought which earned me raised brow from her.
Before I had the chance to greet her, I was greeted most
unexpectedly. "Hey Manik!" The voice startled me as much as her.
My eyes widened to the same size of hers. It was Eric, who
appeared behind her. My eyes drifted back at Nandini, who constantly kept
eyeing me as though she had just seen a ghost. Her lips pursed into a thin line
and she kept gazing back at me as her eyes pleaded me to keep my mouth shut.
What is happening here?
Eric came around and I got a good look at him. My jaws
dropped wide open. He only had a skimpy towel around his hips, having his lean
yet fit abdomen on display and the water droplets dripping from his wet
showered hair. "I heard the door bell and I rushed back." He shrugged
his wide shoulder whilst his eyes rested on Nandini. I bit back the urge to
question his presence in Nandini's house, not to forget his appearance.
"You know him?" Nandini's soft voice rang into the
air. I could literally see her eyes wandering at Eric suspiciously.
"Of course." The guy grinned as he leaned against
the wall, his eyes dancing across her face. "Come on in, man!" He
motioned me in.
I heard the question roll out of her mouth into a whisper as
I walked past her, "Who?" The door clicked as he closed it behind me.
Playing pretentious, aren't we? I wanted to throw my
head back and laugh at her attempts.
"Okay!" Eric inhaled deeply before he started
again, "This is Manik, my best friend." He punched the side of my
stomach. I wanted to return it back with double the force, though even before I
could act upon it, he embraced me in a side hug.
His eyes trailed back at Nandini, who held confusion in her
eyes. "And this out here," he motioned towards her, walking back to
where she stood, "this is Nandini," his arms encircled around her
shoulder as he announced, "Nandini Miller, my sister." I could only
bring myself to nod.
His sister.
Oh! Finally the information sunk into my head.
"Eric, I think you need to go and," She waved her
hands across his half-naked form indicating him to get dressed but he loved to
tease around. So she added, scowling at his antiques, "and put on some
clothes." Her eyes roamed around everywhere but me, "You wouldn't
want an audience for a moment as embarrassing as having the towel slip down
your..." she let her words trailed witnessing his reaction. She just did not try
to go around and tease Eric that casually? This is something I couldn't really
digest.
But Eric burst into bubbles of laughter as he said, "We
have seen worse, little one." True. We had seen much
worse embarrassing situations to bother ourselves with something like posing
naked. My eyes fell on her tinted cheeks, noting that she was embarrassed
to have even pointed it out. But recovering soon, she rolled her eyes at him.
He affectionately ruffled her hairs, making her puff her
cheeks and pouting in disapproval. He made his way to one of the rooms, which I
guess was his room. "Make yourself comfortable, dude!" I heard Eric
scream from the room.
I turned around, letting my eyes drift from one object to
other. Stepping closer to the couch in the living area, I was about to sit but
that's when I felt fingers laced around my elbow, pulling me into the kitchen
area. "What are you doing here?" She hissed.
Shouldn't I be the one to question this? I was supposed to
make myself comfortable, as said by my best friend. "Eric asked me to give
a ride to school."
"You won't tell him anything about Friday night."
She told me rather threatened me not to. Seriously, threaten me?
Got nothing better?
Ridiculous.
Yet cute, a voice squeaked in my head.
Knitting my brows together, I narrowed my eyes at her. Dare
to repeat again. Her eyes softened, holding a plea and she mouthed a,
"Please!"
Now how do you deny that bundle of cuteness?
"I wasn't going to." I uttered with utmost
honesty. And the instant the words left rolled out of my mouth, she sighed.
Because it wasn't my story to tell him.
Suddenly I caught the sight of mouthwatering pancakes with
some whipped cream and some syrup, I guess. It looks deliciously edible to me
and without another word, I make myself comfortable on the stool near the
kitchen counter and grabbed the dish that held the delicacy. All this while she
was engrossed in her thoughts. I seriously feel the need to report her zoning
out issues to Eric, now that I know she is my best friend's sister.
Her voice broke my trance this time, "You never told
me, you knew Eric?" I didn't glance up her way yet I was pretty sure
confusion scribbled all over her face. Chopping the pancakes effortlessly, I
gobbled up a piece letting the flavors melt. Even before I could answer her,
Eric announced his presence.
Wrong timing, dude.
"Since you were too busy getting dressed up to
impress the girls at school," Knowing this would irritate him, I did it
intentionally. And as expected, was interrupted.
"Oh! I do not need to dress up to impress anyone."
He smirked. Well, we all knew Eric was one of the most popular guys
among the girls at school. So, yes, he did not really need to dress up to
impress those bunch of girls at school. Even if he walks with nothing on, they
would throw themselves on him.
"Don't you think, little one?" His attention
drifted to Nandini and she was still puzzled. He has got her a good endearment
to call with, since she is tiny when compared to him. He was tall like
me.
"Do not mention me and your fan-girls in the same line,
Eric." Her tone held a stern warning that need not be avoided. Her voice
would have made any guy shudder but Eric rather chuckled.
"Anyways," I said drawing their attention back at
me, "as I was saying, since you were too busy getting dressed up to
impress the girls at school, I had to help myself with the breakfast," I pointed
at the pancakes I was so engrossed in with my fork. Eric's eyes widened at the
view as did Nandini's.
What's wrong, now?
"You are having pancakes?" The amused voice of
Eric boomed into the room.
Yeah, genius, I am. You get the hamper for guessing it so
right, was the only thought that ran in my head.
He turned his head, tilting it such that his eyes met hers,
"and you let him?" I seriously wasn't getting a thing about this
conversation. All she responded with was a pout. Her lips formed a cute
little pout.
Did I not tell her something specific about
her lips, the last time we met? Or do I need to remind her?
"I thought it was your favorite for breakfast. One of
the reasons, why I had to work a little harder to get the breakfast
ready." He didn't sound please, not even a bit. Goodness sake, that's just
the breakfast.
"It is but now there isn't any other option." Her
expression softened and I could see her resemble to the cute little kittens
with the soft, pleading, hopeful eyes. "It's fine. I will have something
else." She walked into the kitchen area, maybe trying to grab something
edible for herself.
"We could share." I spoke, trying not to sound
desperate or over excited. But just out of helping nature. She responded with a
gentle smile and shook her head slightly, in negation.
"I had eggs and toast made for you." I heard
Eric's voice, seemingly accusing. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Nandini
grab eggs and toast for herself. Fair enough! I get to eat her breakfast and
she gets to eat mine.
"How was I supposed to know?" He barked back at
him in response. "Now care to answer a few questions of mine?" I was
really impatient. He had a lot of questions to answer, to be frank.
"We can do that later." He said with finality.
Okay! "You don't really have to push it right now." He scoffed,
giving me some secret message through his eyes.
Oh boy! I am bad at reading eyes, didn't anyone tell you
about it? You have been my best friend for years now; didn't you find that
thing about me, ever?
"You leave me with no option." I shrugged dropping
off the topic, "You didn't even notify me that you were going to be back
in town." Now I was the one accusing.
"I wanted to buy some time to spend with this, little
one," he pointed accusingly at her, while she chose to witness the two of
us having the war-of-words as she ate in silence, "we had some catching-up
to do." His tone became rough edged and serious.
"Eric." She warned. Did she think he was slipping
too much of information to a stranger like me? I wanted to pout at the thought.
I was his best friend for the sake of heavens.
"I do remember Eric mentioning about you," I
ignored her amused look, "it is just that I didn't expect you to be
already here." Her eyes suddenly seemed to have taken interest in the
floor.
"No offence, but this friend of mine," my eyes
narrowed at Eric, "forgets to pass the useful information." And
that's how the breakfast went on with the accusing game.
Once we had our breakfast, I decided it was time to head to
school. "I think we should get going."
Eric gave his signature curt nod in response, while Nandini
still came up with the same line again, "I seriously think I should walk
to school." Like this was the fifth time she had repeated the damn line.
Can I rip my hair apart? When will she ever understand to zip that mouth of
hers and act without being so stubborn, for once in her life? Will she do that?
"I am not going to take no for an answer." I heard
my best friend state in a stern manner reflecting he wasn't up for an argument.
"You didn't even ask me, to even start with." She
whined, stomping her feet against the marble tiled floor as she collected her
bag from the nearby table.
"Because it's waste of time." He reasoned. I let
my head roll back as the soft laughter escaped my lips. This was hilarious.
"Don't be unreasonable, we have to reach school if not before, then at
least on time."
"I can walk." I heard her complain. Seriously, she
couldn't come up with anything better?
"I never said that you can't." He was defensive
now. But seriously, what was so wrong with cars that she had to turn down the
offer whenever she was offered for a drive. This is the second time she is
rejecting to get into my car and this time, I am not the only person to be
there with her, she has freaking brother by her side, so that means she does
not need to be concerned.
"Okay!" Eric let out a heavy breath. Don't
tell me, you are giving up, man? Just don't! "Get inside the car,
now. End of discussion." Thankfully. His eyes narrowed at her, challenging
her to speak another word and I would witness World War 3.
I thought she might now stop behaving like the tantrum queen
but rather, "This isn't the end of discussion, Eric Miller." Her
voice was equally firm and with that she stormed out to driveway. We both made
our way to the car as well. I saw her eyes widened as she took the view of my
car, she was baffled but didn't utter another word, thankfully.
The drive was silent until the car came to an abrupt halt
when she screamed to stop. "I need to get down here." I looked around;
we weren't at school yet, but close.
Eric snapped his head to look into her eyes and she
answered, "I still need time." His eyes settled with
certain emotion and he seemed fine with whatever explanation she handed him.
She hoped out of the car and Eric blew the unexpected,
"My cell number is on the speed dial on your cell phone and so is
Manik's."
Wait, when did that happen? And why? Not that I am complaining but can I ever be informed before having such information popped on surprisingly at me?
And to my dislike he added further to his oh-so-loving
speech, "In case, you need it. He will be around. You can walk upto him
anytime when needed and I am not around. He will be like your brother."
WHAT? I
need to punch him to bring him back to his senses. But even before that could
happen, she clears out the air.
"For your kind information, I am still coping up with a
brother, who is loving and caring yet extremely annoying at times." She
passed him one of her genuine smiles. "So thanks but no thanks, I don't
need another jerk of a brother." Phew! That was close. She
denied. But she even called me a jerk. Yet, she denied.
"Fine, as a friend. But at least keep in touch with him
when I am not around or whenever you need." Her gaze was calculative as
she thoughtfully looked at him. "Please!" He pleaded.
"Okay!" She scoffed. "Now, I really need to
rush and so do the two of you. Bye." She waved moving along the sidewalk
and I pulled the car, tailing along her. In response, she rolled her eyes at me
and waved her hand with her eyes travelling past Eric and meeting mine, which
Eric didn't seem to have noticed for he thought the wave was for him.
"Bye, little one." Eric bid her smilingly, whilst
I mouthed a 'bye' along with a wink in her direction. And then I raced the car
onto the road, knowing that all she could have reacted would have been her eyes
going all wide, or popping out and maybe stomping as well.
Parking the car into the empty slot of the parking area of
the school, I turned my attention towards my friend. He had some real questions
to answer.
"When were you going to tell me that you would be
leaving that apartment of yours?" I asked furrowing my brows.
"Well," he started but could come up with nothing.
He wasn't really planning on telling me anything soon.
"Speak up, for the love of good lord." I yelled at
him, his eyes rounded wide reflecting his shock. Just like Nandini.
"Well," he stretched the word as if it was his
girlfriend's name that he was so dearly holding onto.
"We don't have all the time in the world." His
eyes now scrutinized me.
"So you have to let me speak." He stated pointedly
as a matter of fact.
"I had to leave the apartment." Running his
fingers through his hair in frustration, he growled. "I couldn't let
Nandini live there," he paused to look carefully at me, definitely
examining the confusion across my face and then added, "with those boys.
They would have scared the shit out of her, or even worse made her
uncomfortable and she would have gradually run off." He scowled.
"That's the last thing I would ever wish to
happen." Strangely, I do understand. "So I decided it's high time I
moved back to my house, the one where I and Mum stayed. I haven't been there in
a long time but now with Nandini, I now its right." He is touchy with the
family issue.
"So why did you call me to give you a ride to school
when you could have easily walked?" I was just attempting to change the
subject but I did ask a valid question. "Also, since your sister has so
much of a problem with cars." I scrunched my nose at the thought of the
numerous times she had rejected my car.
"She is still hiding." Mind me asking from what?
But rather he continued, "She is still coping up with the half-brother out
here," he pointed at himself with a goofy smile plastered along, "and
as she says, and I quote, 'going around the school having the most popular boy
as your brother, doesn't really help, brother'." He air quotes
her, mockingly. "I mean can you imagine she said that." He gave out a
fake hurt look though he was betrayed by his eyes holding the glint.
"I pity that poor soul." I murmured, fully
intending to make those words clearly heard by Eric.
"Whatever." Rolling his eyes, he continued.
"Plus, I wanted her to meet my best friend." Oh! Such a softie.
"Anyways," his tone turned emotionless, "Drop her home after
school." I glared at him, did he not learn a term like 'please' while
requesting a favor, but wait he wasn't really requesting rather ordering
around. The nerve!
I roll my eyes at him. Not that I wouldn't enjoy dropping
her home, I could see the flashes of last Friday night when something similar
happened, play in front of my eyes. I dropped her home, safely!
"Why, what are you doing, to have me pick your
sister and drop her home?" I need not be
reminded of the time when she had rejected my car ride time and again, and
again all over.
"I have to get my things from the apartment and also
collect my car from the garage, which is after I finish my shift at work."
He huffs and I made a face of understanding, 'okay'.
"So you don't have to resume this 'pick up and drop
service' from tomorrow on." He added with a look of fake sympathy.
Before we get late for our classes, we head out of my car
and move out of the parking lot, when suddenly he mentions something that stuns
me.
"Take care of her." And just
like that I am handed the responsibility of babysitting his baby sister, his 'little
one'.
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