The Nerd and The Brat ✔️

12. The Dinner

Hello Fam :)

I am really sorry I am unable to reply to the comments because of my schedule but I really read them and love you all. 

Last update of 2019. Who's excited for the next year? :)

Happy Reading...

Cabir and Nandini were surprised. They looked at Manik and then at each other in turns.

"It was you in the car?", asked Nandini to Manik.

"Yes and I am the one who impressed you with my mind-blowing racing skills", said Cabir, jumping in. "I still can't believe it's you."

Manik frowned. Cabir was staring at Nandini as if she were his favorite show on the National Geographic Channel. He sat beside his brother after Cabir inelegantly flopped down at Nandini's side.

Nandini raised an eyebrow. "You are flirting with me ever since we met in college. I would rather recommend you to keep a check on your words."

"That's fine", said Cabir, brushing her question away. "But I am not taking back my opinion about the race. Are you a racer?"

Nandini shrugged. "No. You aren't either. I don't need to be a racer to beat you", she said.

"The smart head girl of college is an extraordinary racer by night. Impressive. But I didn't get it why you screamed a 'thank you' at the end", asked Cabir.

"Because it's me who usually roam on the roads whenever I need to breathe. Today the speed helped me smile and the reason is you. So, thank you", explained Nandini.

Manik noticed something was off about her. "Are you okay?", he muttered. The words escaped even before he could control and it gained attention from both Cabir and Nandini.

"Manik?", called Nandini.

The softness in her tone startled him. He felt as if a stranger was trapped inside Nandini's body. He shook his head. It wasn't a fantasy novel going on and he realized she was waiting for him to speak so does Cabir. "You were on the roads at night trying to breathe and smile. Are you really okay?"

There was a moment's silence in which Manik panicked. The last thing he wanted was a misunderstanding between him and Nandini which would lead to another argument between them. He had one before and he felt the trauma would last for a lifetime. "No. I am not judging you or trying to make any conclusion. I was just-". He trailed off failing to find the proper words. Nandini was a stranger to him and he wanted to escape to the comfort of his room but the girl was looking so helpless that he wanted nothing but to comfort her. It was a strange feeling. The only person who came close to that feeling in his heart was his baby brother and it was just easy with him. He didn't dare to make any eye contact with the two persons present beside him, being scared of revealing his strange thoughts to them.

Nandini chuckled. "Relax hero. I am fine."

"So you are fine and racing on roads with random people and screaming thank you's and trying to get oxygen", said Cabir.

Nandini sighed. "I have two crazy human beings dancing on my head and trying very hard to control my life. Hence, escaping with speed. What about you two? What are you doing?"

Manik didn't answer. Crazy human beings? Controlling the stubborn head girl's life? Questions followed and he didn't know what to derive from her words.

"Similar to yours." He heard Cabir explaining to her. "But it's one crazy human rather than two. And we outnumbered that person hence we have an advantage", said Cabir and Manik wanted to roll his eyes at him. What did he even understand about the situation? But when Nandini burst out laughing, he felt his brother was right somehow.