MaNan : Love is Just a Word

10. Heather

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"-nd that's why I couldn't finish my e-"

"You should do it!"

"-ssay. Uhhhhhh? I still have five minutes of office time left. That guy has to wait, right?"

"Yes, Kyle, you still have time. Sorry, Nandini, could you..."

Another pause where the aforementioned Kyle squints at Nandini, disgruntled at being interrupted during his bullshit excuse. Kyle is a student of Manik's and Nandini knows Kyle who is famous for not doing his work, then later begging professors for credits.

There's a longer one where Manik stares at Nandini, concern a half-ripe peach on the harshness of his face.

Nandini knows that she's supposed to apologize and back out into the hall and run all the way out of campus in mortification, but she says, "Yes, but you should do it. You should move in with us."

Manik goes bug-eyed, mouth open. Shock and surprise mixed.

Nandini stands her ground as tempting as the hallway, as running is. She's already here. She's already said the words. The shredder makes a clunking sound.

Jamie tugs on the paper jam and gives up after 0.02 seconds. She picks up a folder from her desk and gestures at Kyle with a finger. "Come on, freshy. Let's go get a coffee." 

Kyle interrupts her, "But I need to get an extension for my essay!"

"That was never going to happen. Malhotra is a hardass. Out", Jamie declares as Kyle is up faster than the paper jam was declared a lost cause. 

He throws Nandini a glare that would be menacing but screw Kyle because the time for 'my dog ate my homework' excuses ended the minute he graduated middle school.

"You know," Jamie says as she clasps a hand on Nandini's shoulder, eerily reminiscent of Manik, all sharp and older and attractive, just female and tiny. "When they told me I'd be sharing an office with Mr.Malhotra, I thought I'd have to deal with herds of very pretty and very dumb underclass women taking over our office. But his worst repeat offender is you! And you're not even his student anymore! So thanks for restoring my faith in the next generation of women." After a last condescending pat, she's gone.

Once Jamie and Kyle leave, Nandini lets out a pleased sigh. Arms crossed, she looks at Manik and asks, "Okay what's her problem?"

He shrugs, "The earth is being murdered. The patriarchy is still in charge. Bad break-up. Take your pick."

"That sentence wasn't very feminist of you", she comments with a stare.

Manik smiles, "On the contrary. I was being genuine in acknowledging her pain at the end of her relationship. Besides, love is the most feminist thing there is. And before you ask, no, that's not a quote."

Thoroughly chastised, Nandini hunches her shoulders. "I wasn't going to."

Manik watches her through the silence. He's seated at his desk, hands flat on the wood. Impossibly, there are even more books than last time, a bright green plant on his desk a notable addition. 

He clears his throat, the sun pouring in through the window catching on his cheek. "Nandini-"

"I know bursting in here was rude. I feel horrible and embarrassed and I will apologize to Kyle if I ever see him again though he really should've just done his homework like the rest of us-"

Manik's eyes remain impassive but the right corner of his mouth ticks.

Nandini doesn't waste time preening though the satisfaction of making Manik almost laugh makes her feel stupid, smug and good. "But unless your situation has changed, you still live in that craphole apartment and have to deal with your shithead lazy landlord. Meanwhile, my sister is going through her 'I'm thirty years old now' crisis and reinventing her life. Which I'm happy about for her, I am, but I rather she not bring some frat-bro-douche-type or trombone player to live in our house with my baby."