MaNan: Trust?

4

It was nearly 4 in the morning. She was still cocooned into his arms feeling his warmth. She tried shifting a little but felt herself being held down strongly. With great difficulty she opened her eyes. Her head was pounding badly. She still had mild fever. Lifting her head she found the most unexpected scene. Manik had wrapped himself completely around her, as if hiding her from the world. She was wearing his jacket.

Manik had fallen asleep some time back after attending her for the entire night. After a lot of time he had felt her fever subsiding. That's when he had felt a little relieved. But he had still continued holding her, letting her take as much warmth as she wanted.

Her eyes widened seeing him so close. She tried wriggling out of his arms making him wake up with a jolt.

"Nandini... Are you fine now? Are you feeling dizzy? Is it hurting anywhere? Say something Nandini...", He bombarded her with continuous questions.

She tried speaking but ended up coughing badly due to her dried up throat.

"Hey it's fine it's fine... Here have this water.", He said making her have the little water that was left in his bottle. He rubbed her back trying to ease her up.

"I'm f.. fine Manik..", she said with great difficulty. Her throat was hurting badly.

"Okay fine... Rest here for a while. You might be hungry, I'll go search for something for you to eat."

"No... D... Don't leave. I.. I'm coming along with you. We should go back.", She didn't wanted to be left alone.

He thought for a moment & nodded at her.

"Okay.. but will you be able to walk? You are still weak.", He asked concerned.

"Yes.. And I will tell you if I'm not okay. We can rest for a while in the middle. But we can't stay here for long.", She said knowing her friends would be going crazy searching for her.

"Hmm.. you are right. Let's go then."

She tried getting up but felt her head spinning. He extended his hand to help her get up.

"Thanks..", she said getting up. He held her hand leading the way. He was walking slowly  not to exert her much.

Walking for a while he felt her pace getting even more slower. Hanging the guitar over his shoulder, he swiftly lifted her in his arms. She squealed with his sudden move.

"Shh... Nandini I know you are not fine. We can fight later. Now just keep quiet.", He said making her shut her mouth.

It was not difficult for him to find the way as he had already marked a series of trees while coming.

He kept walking & walking with her in his arms. It was time for sunrise.

Sunrays started illuminating the entire area. Nandini had fallen asleep in his arms. His gaze went towards her face. She was looking like a small baby fitted perfectly into his arms. A small unnoticeable smile stretched on his lips looking at her.

He heard familiar voices coming from a distance.

"Nanz!!! Nanz!!!! Nanz!!", He heard her friends calling out for her somewhere nearby. He walked in the direction of the voice.

"Shit Nanz! What the hell did you do with her?", Dhruv charged at Manik as soon as his eyes fell on them. He didn't like the sight of her being in his arms even one bit.

"Shut Up. She had fever since last night. She is sleeping.", Manik growled at him in a low voice.

Nandini woke up with all the commotion. Her eyes lit up seeing Cabir & Dhruv.