Under the Mistletoe - MaNan

Part 3

"That still doesn't answer my question though," I spoke softly.

He came closer to me. Oh shit. He replied to me in the same tone as well, "You didn't answer my question either."

His voice sounded so gentle and mesmerizing that I was forced to look at him, despite wanting to avoid any sort of eye contact.

It was then that I realized why people said eyes were the window to the soul. I caught a cornucopia of emotions flooding through his eyes; from wanting, to longing; from needing, to caring. I didn't know much about him before, but I felt as if I did now.

"You have beautiful eyes Manik," I spoke out more for myself, but he probably heard it too.

It was as if we were in a trance, just looking at each other. No words were needed. Everything was going well, even the embarrassment with which the conversation started was disappearing. But the universe just loves to torture me, as my stomach chose this moment to voice itself in the sound of a loud rumble.

He looked like he was suppressing his laughter, while I just stood there embarrassed, yet again.

I turned around, closing my eyes and mentally slapping myself. Why do these things only happen with me? But thankfully, the elevator showed up at that moment, temporarily changing the topic.

I saw Cabir come out, with a case of beer in his hand. Alya and Mukti followed behind him, each holding a carton of eggnog and cookies respectively. Seeing their friendship always reminded me of my friends back home; their love, fights, silly conversations, everything! I wish I could have gone back, but I had no choice. Mumbai was the place to be for Rishab's treatment, and there was no way I was going back without him.

I saw the 4 of them heading towards Dhruv's room; taking it as a cue, I was about to enter the elevator, when I felt a tug on my wrist.

"If you want, you can join us. I mean there really isn't any reason why you should be spending Christmas alone." He held a certain tone of hope in his voice, or maybe it was me over-thinking it, but regardless, it was hard for me to say no. I really didn't want to spend Christmas alone in my room, but I also didn't want to intrude.

All this while, we didn't realize the others were still standing, waiting for Manik to come. I guess they overheard our conversation, because they invited me to join them as well.

Apart from Manik, I was on good terms with the other members of Fab5. Cabir, Mukti and I were working together on a year-long project for a fusion classical music show, whereas Alya and I were co-assistants of the VP of SPACE Academy. Dhruv, I talked to often because we ate lunch and dinner together at the dining hall ever since Frosh.

We didn't get along at first; the Fab5 seemed to have had some sort of a grudge against me because they made my first year hell. But we got over it I guess; since then, I've become more of a friend. But then there was him. I was too intimidated by him to ever think about approaching him. Even now, his gaze made me more conscious of myself.

Before I could think of a decent excuse, I was dragged by Dhruv to his room. I gave in to their requests; at least I don't have to eat those granola bars from the vending machines.