Trixy and The Crescent Of Rana

CHAPTER 2 : NANCY MANACKER

Maahir was pushing hard an old grey scooter, his tongue hanging out as dregs of perspiration fell relentlessly on the black leather seat. A few inches behind these drops was seated the brown, furry dog, also with it's tongue out and clearly enjoying the mini tour on his bike. Beside the vehicle was Ezhil, whistling and sauntering cheerfully seemingly with no care in the world.

"Ezhil," he said, a bit sore, "Why is that dog riding my scooter while I'm pushing it?!"

"He had gotten tired after walking under mid sun for so much time," she said sympathetically, "So, I let him ride your backseat. It was free anyway. And don't call him dog. He has got a name."

"If I had known that dog was going to come with us, I wouldn't have brought my Kurama in the first place. More importantly, if he can't walk a few kilometers, you should have left him in the beach."

"No, I can't!" said she and hugged it melodramatically, troubling his balance, "Quiroshi is like my brother."

He sighed. "More like you are his sister. Now,  you either get him down or you push the scooter yourself."

She made a face and got Quiroshi down. He let out a melancholic whine like he was suffering.

"Don't act, dog! If you got a name, it's high time you learn to walk too."

Ezhil muttered something to herself walked off. After a few minutes, they arrived in front of a large blue gate of what looked like a colony, which the watchman opened after Maahir flashed his ID. He parked his scooter beside the cars in the front and pocketed the key. Ezhil patted Quiroshi, ordered him to guard the vehicle till they returned and followed Maahir.

The houses stood pretty normally on the sides. The inside of the colony was surprisingly calm and silent, in contrast to the busy main road outside. The only sound that echoed belonged to the kids playing seven stones at the far end. The entire sides were filled with herbs and trees. Maahir turned right at the second street.

"What is this place?" she asked.

"Government quarters," he replied, unlatching the bolt of a gate, "Reserved for Trixy. Even though Trixy is a semi governmental organization. We don't directly serve them but complete certain missions for them for which we get benefits. This quarters is one such benefit."

"This is your house?," asked she, climbing the stairs to the second floor.

"No, my colleague's. I live in Shenma with my parents."

He rang the bell and shouted, "Nancy! It's me! Open the door already."

The door opened just a few inches, with the chain still tethered. A pair of eyes popped up and scanned them head to toe. Then abruptly the door flew open and a girl sprang at Maahir, hugging him like a teddy bear. She was short, spanning only up to his shoulders and looked like a doll, fair toned with bronze hair and bright round blue eyes.

"Maahir!" she cried, leaving him.

"Is she your colleague?" asked Ezhil, a bit fazed.

"No, my colleague's sister, Nancy Manacker. She is studying at Dandi University."

"Who is this?" asked Nancy, focusing Ezhil, "Oh, crap! Come inside first. Let's talk later."

"She is a new acquaintance of mine. Name is Ezhil," said he as Ezhil bolted the door behind them.

"Hello," said Nancy.

"Hello."

"Let me get coffee for you both. Sit on the sofa."