Arranged HATE

[26] Soft corner

The sound of the heavy rain disappears. The only sound audible was their hearts thumping like crazy, trying hard to resist each others' presence and the intense closeness.
The warmth in between the two overpowers the cold weather.

They were..  Lost in the moment.

A sudden, strong, cool breeze hits the two, making the umbrella fly away, and also the romantic moment.
The breeze sends shivers through them.

With that they come back to their senses and the sound of the rain resumes.
Manik realises that the umbrella was gone and was of no help. Nandini retreats her hand back from his chest.

" I'm-I'm here for the assignment. " Nandini shivers.

" Whaaat? " He shouts, unable to hear her voice because of the rain.

" I'm here for the assignment! " She shouts back.

" Whatever! First let's go inside. "
He says. He picks up the umbrella and takes her to his car. The two head into the house.

Manik straight away takes her to the guest room. Water drips from their clothes all the way to the room.

He leaves Nandini and walks into the bathroom. Nandini stands outside waiting for him.

" I set a hot bath. "
He casually says making Nandini blush.

" Eh? is he a pervert? " she thinks, staring at him confused.

" I hope you don't catch a cold. Freshen up with the hot bath. " He says and looks away.

" Oh. Ok " Nandini nods shyly.

" I'll get you something to wear. Meanwhile you can... " He gestures her to continue.
He hands her a new towel and walks out of the room.

Nandini stands still, holding the towel and watches him leave.

She enters the bathroom and closes the door. She takes off her wet clothes and places it in the dryer.

Manik enters the bathroom in his room. He takes off his dripping clothes.

Nandini turns on the shower.
Manik turns on the shower.

As the warm water hits her face, her body automatically relaxes.

Close.
together.
sheltering under one umbrella.
their hearts beats abnormal.

The scene replays in their mind, making the two blush.

Manik places his hand on his bare chest, feeling his increasing heartbeat. Lost again.
The warm water falls on his face with force bringing him back from the trance.

Manik quickly takes a shower and walks out.

Nandini takes the green bottled shampoo in her hand and reads it. She inhales the aroma of the scented shampoo.
As she closes her eyes and shampoos her hair, wild thoughts run through her mind.
" Why am I taking an actual shower? I was just drenched in the rain? "
Her face turns red overthinking about the possibilities after a fresh shower.
Nandini immediately shoos the wild thoughts away and quickly finishes the shower.

She drapes the towl around her and walks out. She cleans her feet and switches off the bathroom's light.
She walks inside the room to get her clothes.

The door suddenly opens.

Manik stops, holding clothes in his hand.
Nandini stands still like a statue, motionless.

They look at each other.

Nandini screams and they immediately turn around, their backs facing each other.