In His Custody ✎ | (MaNan)

✰ 39 - monsters in the closet

I'm screaming, crying, bawling, fighting, throwing hands because I did not expect this part to take this kind of shape and I'm thoroughly broken. I think you'll know what I mean soon enough.

Can any silent readers/readers who have things to say but don't usually share them – please make themselves known? Inline comments would also be love, your thoughts keep me going :")

⭒

Manik

The nightclub was busting out some of their bangers with a rhythmically pulsed bass that got everyone in the groove.

Everyone was in a massive party mood. I was initially not vibing with the scene at all and was reluctantly seated on a bar stool after being pestered to join them. Apparently, I was being a spoilsport, so I watched the others go nuts with their drinks.

Rose had gulped her tequila and placed her tongue on her wrist, catching some salt. "Hmm... One song done! If we keep this up, we'll have all our songs ready before we'd have to perform at SPACE Academy!"

Cabir bobbed, having gone hard at pres already and barely aware of his surroundings, "And then, nobody can stop our album deal from happening."

"Yeah! We gather some lyrics to fit into the vibe and spirit of Manik's piece he played us yesterday, and we would have a second song down!" said Alex, relaxing on another bar stool after slamming down his drink.

One of the bartenders serving the rest of us asked for my order and when I refused, he asked whether I usually drank – perhaps certain that he would be able to find the perfect drink for my needs. Though I was not the type to engage in chit-chat with strangers, I noticed his arm tattoo and countered with another question. While the others escaped onto the dance floor, the cool bartender seamlessly drifted into an uncanny yet pleasantly comfortable chat with me. It felt great to actually talk to someone I had unexpectedly met.

Soon, he was signing off for the night and offered to take one vodka shot himself if I was going to take one. That marked my first drink.

Five drinks since, I had loosened up and put down some hoot-worthy moves on the dance floor, completely surrendering to the surreal feeling of borderline tipsiness.

What a wonderful feeling it was to magically twirl like a fairy, without a permanent weight in the centre of my chest!

Cabir had been eyeing me at various points of the night. It was evident he wanted to speak to me yesterday after I had returned to the studio from my little getaway, but being tired from travelling yesterday, he fell asleep early while I had been reading Nandini's diary until the break of dawn. Today, my utterly carefree avatar in contrast to yesterday must have taken him by surprise.

My amazing dance routine was interrupted by a phone call. I blinked at the caller ID to get my vision to focus and then thumped my head to clear it. My moves became slower and as I registered the three-letter name, I contemplated on whether or not to receive the call. Heading back to the bar, I ordered two more shots and downed them one after another while letting the ringer go.

I saw a random dude who cluelessly gaped at a girl hoping to lay his chances on her. Blocking his gaze, I asked, "Any chance you've gotten a lighter?"

Twitching his lips, he looked at me and then passed me his. "Here... by the way, your phone's ringing."

"Thanks, and good luck scoring!" I thumped his back and hurried out, pulling a cigar and lighting the tube tucked in my mouth. Missing the call once more.