Touch Her And... (Completed)

Chapter 8

“ How far does she live?” Dr. Hembram seemed concerned. “It might not be too far but seeing the atmosphere today, it will take time. Is there anything serious?” Manik asked. Although he was about to be inside as Triss requested him to stay but he managed to come out for a minute so that he can get to know everything from the doctor. Daivik is standing  just beside him, leaning on the metal railing with his arms crossed. It seemed as though he is not even blinking but looking at both of them and trying to figure out what should be done. “Not that serious though she has a high fever and also her blood pressure is quite low, it would be good if she could just rest here for few more hours. Although if you want you can drive her back home but in that case you should leave as urgently as possible. The rain outside will make it difficult otherwise. Here, take this prescription and buy this on your way back to her place.” Dr. Hembram gave the prescription to Manik. Manik nodded and mumbled a small thank you to him. “Now, I'll take my leave and I hope Pratima ji is doing well?” Dr. Hembram asked Daivik. “Huh? .. Yes she is. Thank you.” Daivik was still deeply engrossed in his thoughts. “Great. Good night then.” Dr. Hembram said in a way as if he still had some unfinished business left there but the immediate Good Night from Manik startled him and he turned back to take the main staircase.

“Bhai, I’ll immediately take her back then, otherwise it will be difficult for both of us.” Manik was about to leave towards the room when Daivik's words made him look back in utter surprise. “Keep her here!” Daivik commanded. “But bhai, she will never agree to this. And her aunt, she will be very much worried.” Manik said as he was totally unable to hide his surprise. “She has not even eaten her food yet. What happens if she falls sick while you are driving? It is raining outside. Which situation seems more convenient to you, convincing her aunt or throwing her in danger? Suit yourself.” Daivik was at ease with his words. He knew Manik will not be able to go for the second option, the thought of which made him furious inside but the benefit of having a calm and composed demeanor was undeniable. “You are right. I should call her aunt and let her know the situation. But what about convincing Triss? Oh god!” Manik knew that Triss is very much strict when it comes to following norms and ethics. This thought only made him feel nauseous.

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Daivik:

“What the hell am I doing?” I mumbled to myself standing outside the guest room. I was doing something that I have never known I could do. I was eavesdropping. She was sick, I could not allow her to go but was that the only reason? No! I don’t want to let her go. Whenever I think about it I find myself so pathetic that it throws me into a pool of embarrassment. I'm actually trying to claim my right over a person who is seeing me for the first time? What is wrong with me? As if immediately a subconscious part in me started screaming inside. “Then leave her.. what is she? Just a fragment of your regular nightmares. She will never do justice to your status. Let Manik have her.”  “Shut up!.. shut the fuck up! Don’t you dare to talk about her like that, you hear me? Nobody can touch her.. nobody can have her. She has been with me for ages. She is mine! She has always been mine! Utter anything nonsense about her and I’ll destroy this body of mine that contains a leach like you inside.” But my self loathing was soon interrupted by her soothing voice. “What was your full name again?” Her voice showed a fake curiosity. “I’m so sorry sweetheart but please let me explain.” Manik was pleading but the way he called her “sweetheart” my fist clenched and I closed my eyes instinctively. “What do you want to explain Mr. Manik Raj Nagpati..? How could you bring me here when you knew your brother is so intimidating? I could have never believed that you are his younger brother if I would not have seen you calling him ‘bhai', you know that? He is so very different from you! And on top of that I blacked out on my first visit, that too in front of him, so embarrassing.” I could feel her cheeks go red while saying the last line which made me smile. “Okay, I understand. But trust me he seems to be in a good mood today. I actually brought you here for a totally different purpose though. Fuck! It totally got out of my mind. You can continue your education Triss. I've spoken to bhai. He holds some partnerships in a few of the well known educational institutions here. His recommendation will work. What do you think kiddo?” My heart was pumping vigorously, even I was waiting for her answer. What if she said no? What if she wanted to stay far.. far away from me? Suddenly I was brought out of my reverie. “M..Manik..” She said, her voice trembling. I couldn’t help myself but peep in through the sides of the curtains. Manik’s  back was towards me but I could see her face clearly. Her beautiful husky eyes were filled with tears. They are rolling down to her bare collarbone. “Y..you thought about my education? Oh god!” She cupped her mouth with her right hand. “What good did I do to deserve a friend like you?” My heart, it was aching to see her cry. If only could I take her into my arms, I would’ve never let her cry, I would’ve wiped away each drop of tear from her eyes. But then something happened, something that made me go mad to the level that I might never recover.

Manik leaned down and pressed a peck on her forehead then dragged her into his arms. “Don’t cry Triss. Please don’t. You deserve so much more but I could only give you this for now.” He was holding her head lightly to his chest. “T..thank you, but don’t you think you are crossing the boundary Pikachu? Do you want Nina to kill me?” She said poking him on the shoulder after freeing herself from his embrace, she still had tears in her eyes. I couldn’t see Manik’s expression though but he immediately left her and sat down just beside her. Who is this Nina? Whoever she might be she saved me from insanity without her knowledge. Now I can see him also. “Okay, there is a bad news, actually two.” Manik looked at her with a sincerity that I don’t remember seeing in his eyes lately. He placed his hand on top of hers and took a deep breath. “I'm leaving for South Africa next week. The research I wanted to do, it will help me to complete that. I sent a letter to Mr. Gilbertson with few of my works, it got approved. It will take some six months or so.” He hung his head as if it’s his defeat. He should feel happy, shouldn’t he? It is he who sent the letter to Mr. Gilbertson, I never wanted him to do this. But due to his request I arranged everything but then again when I received Mr. Gilbertson’s mail my mind changed and I denied. But what about now? Why am I allowing him to leave now, all of a sudden? “Wow!” She shouted. “I knew you would get this, see I told you. And you actually deserve a hug baby bear!” She threw herself on him, she was over ecstatic and I was hating it. It has only been a few minutes and they have showcased enough of affection already which is intolerable. She was still hugging him when he said, “but I don’t want it now. I want to stay here for a few more days. Spend more time with you.. I mean everyone.” “I understand and trust me Nina will do the same when she hears about it. She will be very happy and proud of you. She is a lucky girl to get my baby bear after all. But Manik, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don’t want you to regret it later. You have to go.” She made a determined face, as if it is impossible to deny whatever logic she is trying to establish. “Fine .. fine.. now don’t pretend to be so serious because when you make a serious face you look like a squirrel.” Her lips formed a pout then she started smiling again.

Manik was jotting up his courage again. “Now, as you seem to be too proud of me may I ask you something?” He was looking at everything, everywhere but her. “Yes, say anything, today is your day..” She was almost jumping with excitement. I couldn’t believe my eyes. “How can someone be this happy at someone else’s success?” It seemed otherworldly to me. The way she was continuously giggling, the way her innocent eyes were waiting for Manik's question and she was swinging her legs like a child, I felt a longing. For the first time in my life I wanted to be Manik , even if it was for a minute. A craving was growing inside me. A feeling totally unknown was controlling my  mind. I couldn’t take it any longer and trespassed inside the room without even caring to knock.