The Stranger✔

11

"You can put me down now." I mumbled not looking up at him.

"Be careful." He whispered, his lips brushing my ear. A shiver ran down my spine. I held his collar and tried not to put much weight on my injured foot. His hands snaked around my waist, steadying me.

I felt him staring at me and turned to find his face so close to mine. His soft brown eyes looked at me in awe. I kept staring into those deep brown eyes, finding myself drowning. My hands wished to caress his face. He looked so handsome.

"Nandini.." he spoke after a while.

"Yeah." The words were barely audible.

"Door." He said tracing circles on my waist.

"What?" I asked clearly distracted by his actions.

"Open the door." I blinked back into reality and looked away, clearly embarrassed. His grip remained firm on my waist making sure I didn't fall.

"Sorry. Right." I fumbled with the various keys in my keychain before choosing the correct one. I pushed it in the lock before opening the door, the sound of keys jingling piercing the quiet night.

Warmth spread over me as I stepped in my house. "I'm sorry. It's a bit messy." I looked around at blankets and pillow lying in front of television from yesterday.

"Don't sweat on it. Where is your room?" He said looking confused.

"The door on the left." He just nodded and helped me get to my room.

Once I was on my bed he looked around before speaking, "Do you have a first aid?"

"You don't have to. You have already done enough-"

"I am afraid that's not the answer to my question." He started yanking all the drawers looking for the first aid.

I sighed gently rubbing my temple from the throbbing headache. It's only going to get worst in the morning.

I closed my eyes and rested my head on the headboard before mumbling, "it's there," I pointed to the rack next to him.

"Second drawer."

"Viola!" He smiled when he found it.

"It's going to hurt for a bit." He lifted my leg before applying some spray and gently wrapped a bandage around it.

I bit my lip when it stung but didn't make any sound.

"All done!" He said after he was finished and planted my leg on a pillow. "You should rest." He looked at me and I nodded.

I suddenly remembered his coat and shrugged it off before handing it over.
"Thanks." I muttered.

I looked down at my dress and scrunched up my face. I don't want to sleep in this.

"You should change." He looked at my discomfort.

I eyed him and then my leg and sighed.

"I can help." He said slowly as if unsure and I just stared at him.

"I m-mean only if you want. You clearly won't be able to sleep in that." I nodded slightly before standing up, he gave me his hand for support.

I was exhausted. As much as I enjoy fighting with him, now is not the time.

I walked slowly, dragging my injured ankel. I picked a long night dress and turned.

"Open the zipper and then turn okay?" I said to him.

I didn't hear him agree but soon felt his hands on my back. He slipped the zipper down. "I'm gonna turn now." He said.

I quickly got rid of the dress and put on the night dress, balancing myself on one leg and holding his arm.

***

I settled down comfy and relaxed my shoulders. I pulled the covers closer and snuggled.

"Thank you so much." I whispered looking at the man standing in front of me. "You've been of great help." He nodded in response.

He did that a lot.

"Mind if I stay for sometime? I don't want to go to an empty apartment." He had helped me and I felt rude kicking him out of the house, so I agreed.

"Are you hungry?" I asked when he settled on the chair in front of me. He gave me a sheepish smile and I laughed.

"There is some leftover pizza in the fridge. You can heat it." I smiled and he left the room.

I took a deep breath and then relaxed.

What was I doing?

A few hours ago I wanted to forget about ever meeting him and now he is here in my house heatung pizza for himself?!

I was lost in my thoughts when a steaming cup of hot cocoa appeared in front of me. The aroma made me melt and I smiled.

"You didn't have to." I said taking the mug from him.

"You seriously need to stop thanking me." He laughed and I kept staring at him.

"You should laugh more often." I said in a low tone trying not to smile. He froze.

"Nandini, can we start again. I really feel bad for hurting you. It's just...I'm not ready for a relationship."

I silently sipped my hot chocolate not meeting his eyes.

He sighed before he started speaking, "Remember, I told you about a girl named A-Alya?" This time I stopped and looked over at him.

"I loved her. We were together for five years.We were engaged." The new information took me by surprise.

"I'm sorry." Was all I could say.

"She left me for my best friend. My best friend!" He didn't cry but his tone was shaky and he was somewhere between angry and sad.

He mustered a smile before speaking again, "that's when I met you. I first was there only to forget about her, drinking till I remembered nothing but then we started talking and I started enjoying your company. We were silly around each other and I loved teasing you."

"Though I was always scared of you poisoning my drink." He laughed and I smirked.

"Well you are still alive, aren't you." We looked at each other before bursting into laugher.

"I have trust issues and I am a very complicated man. I really really like you and don't want to scare you away. I'm scared of hurting you, again. I thought I could stay away from you but I guess I was wrong." He said holding my hand.

"I appreciate you telling me this and I understand." I nodded and squeezed his hand gently.

"We can start again right? For now you'll be my friend right?" He looked nervously at me and I gave him an encouraging smile.

"Friends."

We talked for hours about everything and nothing. It felt nice. I laughed when he turned all goofy and got sad when he told me about his fears.

He still teased me about his name and hinted it started with the letter M. I enjoyed his company and didn't mind his teasing. We will get there.

"You make me laugh. I like you." I mumbled in a sleepy daze, he chuckled.

He tucked the duvet around me before whispering, "My name is Manik. Happy birthday Nandini."

The last thing on my mind was the feeling of his lips lingering on my cheek before the darkness consumed me.