Mannat and Griffin had to be shaken apart from the spell that was cast around them as soon as she had muttered the word 'Mate'. Embarrassed Mannat had since then avoided Griffin like a flue. She walked miles ahead of them with Dylan walking a few steps behind her grumpily as Hope and Griffin walked further back. Dylan thankfully, did not say a word about what happened. Mannat on the other hand was shaken back to reality; all of this was so absurd. She wasn't the type to make friends so easily. She would always be cautious about talking to strangers, how could she just change overnight? Especially around people whom her mother clearly disapproved. She should maintain a distance. "Excuse me? Miss, Clumsy! We have to turn right.." Dylan called out.
Mannat turned around narrowed her eyes angrily at him, but kept quiet on seeing Griffin and Hope waiting there along with Dylan. She huffed and walked this time the boys moved ahead like before and the girls followed, the path was narrow and the slope was steep. Mannat was terrified of slipping and falling on her ass.
Lake! There was a lake in the middle of the forest! Was this a Panchatantra Story?
In the heart of the dense and enchanting forest, there lies a tranquil lake, a hidden gem embraced by nature's embrace. As they walked through the towering trees, their leafy canopies create a natural curtain. She was hypnotized by the sound of birds chirping drummed in her ears, removing all the previous thoughts of caution she passed her companions a bright smile.
The lake's surface glistens like a mirror, reflecting the azure sky above and the lush greenery that surrounds it. Its waters, crystal clear and inviting, seem to hold a secret within their depths. She was spellbound. The serenity was soon broken by the howls of the boisterous boys as they cannoned into the lake happily. Their shirts abandoned near a rock where Hope sat, and Mannat followed her lead.
Mannat was stunned as she looked wide-eyed towards the boys who now swam around the lake in the middle of the forest. What the hell was going around her? She had no clue! How could someone do this? Go for a morning walk and swim around in a lake in the middle of a forest?
"Do they do that all the time?"She asked her companion; Hope Green. Who smiled refreshingly at them, this behavior doesn't seem to concern her. The girl who was upset at them for not coming in time to the cafe parlor for their breakfast, was okay with the boys swimming in this lake. Is it safe?
She was worried as she saw Griffin do a backflip and yelp loudly as Dylan jumped on him. Why was she so worried about them?
"Umm, Swimming during our walks? No! They wouldn't do that, I hate swimming, also the walk is for bonding time" Hope answered as she thought about it for a second. Her smile at the end of the sentence made Mannat feel like an outsider. They are friends, she is new here! She should have declined. They were trying to be nice, but she is hogging their bonding time.
"Then why now? Is the lake safe? I don't think we should have allowed them to do that! " She muttered and decided to discuss the other point later.
"Allowed? Babe, those boys are free souls, you don't allow them anything! Just like they won't be having that power over you! We are friends, not each other's babysitters. Of course, We talk when we feel it's not safe..." Hope tried to make her understand.
"Okay." Mannat cut her in short. She was feeling restless, she had hogged their bonding time and was now trying to control others' actions. She was her mom in the making and the realization dawned on her as a cold wave of water in a parched land.
"You okay?" Hope asked, a little worried; ever since Griffin's stupid stunt Mannat had been in a daze. Swimming in the lake was Griffin's idea to get her attention back on him. He hoped his 'muscles' would capture her attention. The only problem with it? According to Hope; Griffin didn't have any muscles.
"I am just a little overwhelmed with my thoughts." Mannat shook her head as she tightened her ponytail even further.
"Care to share?" Hope asked; Mannat chuckled at the rhyme.
"I am sorry, Hope. This was supposed to be your bonding time with the boys! And I butted in! I am so sorry! You guys are friends and, I feel like such an outsider right now! I shouldn't have come! This was your thing, and my presence here is not needed. I.." She paused to look at Hope's surprised expression and continued.
" If I had known my way back and wasn't so paranoid about walking in this forest... I would have made my way back home. I am so sorry!"