MaNan FF - HEAVEN (On hold)

- 27 -

Manik's features were soft. Longing. He looked into her eyes with concern for at least a trace of happiness. Something that would assure him that she was okay. That she wasn't hurting still. That her anger and disappointment wasn't real.

But her eyes had just one question in them. How can you? Contrary to his expectations, it spoke volumes of how let down she felt. How betrayed. How hurt and lonely. How she had to force herself to find that strength during and after his voluntary absence. It also told how better off she was without him. She didn't need anyone. No. Not even him.

I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. And I don't want you to be. I won't let you be, said his eyes.

In response, hers narrowed a bit. No. It wasn't acceptable to her. None of his explanations. Not even his apologies.

His heart sunk into his guts as she shouldered past him and settled down in the back seat. With a ball in his throat, he watched her take out her fury on the door by slamming it shut.

He realized that they were being watched. By Aryaman. So he quickly plopped in beside Mr. Yeti and stretched his legs. "God. This feels much better. You know, the rear seat was kind of stuffy. I couldn't stretch my legs." Manik pretended as though nothing had happened between him and Nandini outside the car.

"I understand. Extra tall people might not get the leg space that they really need."

"On the other hand, extra short people can manage pretty well." Manik turned to glance at Nandini with a soft smile. However, Nandini's face was cold and rigid as she returned a disgruntled stare. It seemed that she would never smile again.

"You need to put on your seat belt," Aryaman pointed out.

"Oh yes," Manik almost put it on effortlessly. But then, a naughty thought clicked in his mind.

Aryaman watched curiously as Manik fumbled with the belt. "Having trouble?" he craned his neck to get a good look at Manik's so called efforts.

"What the hell. How do you---? This is such a ridiculous contraption. God. This is harder than I thought," he was breathless and failed to latch it on for the tenth time.

Nandini glowered at the back of his head. She knew what Manik was up to. It was clear to her that he was pretending to have trouble in putting on the belt.

"I think I need help." He turned to Aryaman.

"Bro. It's not too hard. Just pull it over yourself and---"

"No. You. Show me..."

"There's nothing to show. See. Just look at me." Aryaman began to demonstrate with his own seat belt. "You take it like this and---"

"No. I--- I tried. It isn't working. I just don't get it. This is really confusing. Just help me out. It'd be great if you could put it on for me." Manik's fake cluelessness was rather commendable.

"Bro. It's just a seat belt. Honestly, have you never ever used a seat belt before?" Aryaman rolled his eyes, let out a deep breath, leaned in and reached out for the buckle on the other end of Manik.

"I wish I did, but I'm used to getting around on a scooter," he replied and glanced over at Nandini. His unexpected attention seemed to tax on her because her mouth dropped open a bit and her eyes fluttered nervously. And before he knew it, she quickly looked away.

"Well, it doesn't hurt to try out a car once in a while," Aryaman huffed as he tried to put on the belt without getting too close to Manik. He had missed out the short action which just happened between Manik and Nandini.