Mathematicians and Scientists (Saanvi×Ben)

Chapter 6: Here's to Friendship

Before I start this chapter, I'd ask any Manifest fans to sign and share this petition! We need a season 4! #savemanifest http://chng.it/5Jv4LRPHQ8

Saanvi

Work has become much more exciting with Ben there. He always stops by my office to talk to me, and I find myself looking forward to his visits.

Yesterday he came by and told me about his new apartment. He seems so worried about looking like he's back on his feet before the court date. He has 2 more days to do what he can.

I'm in my lab working on more 828 research. I know I cannot be thorough enough and there has to be a solution out there somewhere. I'm looking for my research notebook to see if there's something in there I have missed when I get a calling.

DON'T WASTE IT.

Now what's that supposed to mean. I rack my brain for something I could possibly be wasting, but there's nothing. I determine it must be meant for a later time and that's why I have no idea what it means.

I go on with my work for a few hours when I hear it again.

DON'T WASTE IT.

I'm just coming out of it when the door opens. I expect it to be Ben, but it's Michaela.

"Are you okay?" She asks. "I keep hearing a calling in your voice. 'Don't waste it.'"

"Yeah. I've been hearing it too. I have no idea what it's about. "

"Huh. It's strange that I'm hearing your calling too. Where's Ben? Maybe he'll know what it's about. "

"He's probably in the modeling center."

"Since when is Ben a model?" She says with a laugh. I can't help but smile at the idea.

"Since never. He creates data models for research. I'll show you where it is."

We walk down the hall to the modeling center. It's one of my favorite rooms. It has insane technology and the room is covered in screens that do different things.

"Major Nerd Alert," Michaela says as she walks in.

Ben laughs and shakes his head.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"We've both been having the same calling. Have you had it?"

"No, I haven't. What is it?"

"I keep hearing, 'Don't waste it'".

"Hmm...I'm not sure what that could mean. When did you first hear it?"

"I was looking for my research notebook...do you think it's related?"

"Maybe, "he replies, "let me know if you guys figure anything out."

"We will, but I need to get back to work." Michaela replies.

She walks out leaving me alone with Ben.

"So how's your research been going? Have you figured anything out about that blood marker?" Ben asks me.

"Not much. It's hard without having someone to test on. I've been trying it on some rats, but I haven't had any conclusive results. "

"That's too bad. I have been working on designing model for the blood marker so we can see it more clearly. "

"Okay, let me know if you discover anything. "

"Hey, do you want to get lunch? I'm starving, and I hear there's an amazing café down the street."

I stare at him and think for a moment. Is this a date? There's no way this is a date. It's just friendly. There's no need to act weird.

"Sure! That sounds nice." I manage to reply. Hopefully not too weirdly.

He walks out and I follow behind him. He holds the door like a perfect gentleman. That's just how Ben is. Always considering others.

When we get to the restaurant, he pulls out my chair and sits down across from me.

He puts on his glasses to read the menu and points out some items on the menu. I try not to notice how attractive he looks with his glasses on. In the end, he decides on a turkey club sandwich. I decide on the Chef Salad. I feel a slight pinch of sadness when he takes off his glasses.

"I feel like I haven't heard much about you besides about your work. You've heard all about me and my current tragedy of a life. I mean, I know you're committed to work, but what else is there to know about Saanvi Bahl?"

"Well, I live with my parents, and don't have any friends. Work is basically my life. "

"Well you can't say you don't have any friends. You have me. You're a very likable person so I'd imagine that you don't have many friends because you're so involved with work. "

"Well that may have something to do with it....or the whole disappearing from the face of the earth for 5 and a half years thing".

"Oh yes, that may be a part of it." He replies. We both laugh and the waiter brings our food.

We talk some more about his divorce. He's sad, but he knows it's the right thing. Danny has basically moved back in now that the divorce is almost finalized.

I do my best to comfort him. I end up telling him about Alex - my last relationship. The whole reason I ended up in that darned Jamaica.

"Well, I'm glad you were there," he replies, " I'm glad to have met you. You have been an amazing friend through this divorce and really everything I have had going on, and it means a lot. My mom had a mantra 'All things work together for good'. I think that flight 828 is a big part of that - even if it feels terrible right now."

We finish our food and the waiter returns with the check.

"I'm paying," he says as I open my mouth to protest, " Before you try to argue, it was my idea to come here, and I want to thank you for all the work you are doing to save the passengers."

" Well you have done more work to save us than I have, so I think I should pay for you."

"Well I wouldn't be able to do any work to save the passengers if I was still in the depths of despair. Thanks to you, I am not, so I am paying. That's final."

The waiter returns and he pays. I roll my eyes with sarcasm and he smiles like he won the lottery.

We get up and walk out the door, and I hear the calling again.

DON'T WASTE IT.

Ben is walking in front of me and doesn't notice. I decide not to mention anything and to just talk to Michaela later. For now, I am just going to appreciate the friendship I have with Ben, and try not to let my feelings or imagination get carried away.

Author's note: Any suggestions on the story? Feel free to leave comments!