Mani peeked through her slightly ajar door. She couldn't make out any sound nor could she see anyone occupying the living room. The silence had become somewhat foreign to her. Her sister's friends were always over at evening. There was never a moment of silence. 

She had been intimidated by the two tall boys and would always hide out in her room. 

Sana's sister tip-toed her way to the water station. Twisting open her bottle cap, she began pouring water into her bottle. Tapping her toes, she waited for the water to reach the level she was eyeing. 

"You're Mani, aren't you?" She nearly jumped. She turned back slowly, with startled eyes. There he was, right behind her. He was seated on the floor, hidden from her room's door by the sofa. 

Mani turned back around. Her plan was to pretend she hadn't heard anything. She looked down at her bottle that was still collecting water. It had only reached the halfway mark. She switched off the tap. Steeling herself, she began walking side-ways to her room. 

"Where are you trying to escape, young lady?" 

Mani pressed her eyes shut, feeling the embarrassment in waves. She recognized the 6th grader as her sister's best friend, Vihan. He was the louder kid between the trio but not louder than the annoying kid in her class. 

"Come here. It's rude to walk away without introducing herself."

Mani fidgeted with the hem of her dress, trying to plan out other escape routes. Her back was still turned to him. It really wasn't her fault she felt super intimidated in front of older people, other than sister.

"At least, show me your face, Sana's sister."

Mani turned her head around, slightly. Her shyness had never had this much of a field day.

"There we are. You're pretty cute." He grinned. "Do you know me?" 

Mani averted her eyes, nodding.

"What's my name?"

"Vihan." She mumbled.

Vihan's grin grew wider. "Good. Now tell me all the good things your sister has told about me."

Mani looked at the ceiling, instead.

"What is that supposed to mean? She hasn't said anything good about me?"

Before Mani could think to formulate a response, her sister's voice emerged from the foyer of the apartment, along with the rustle of footsteps. "No, I didn't. I told her you were an idiot and she should stay away from you in order to not get infected with your stupidity."

"You've fed your sister with complete nonsense about me, have you? No wonder she was avoiding me and trying to escape to her room. Look here, kiddo." He turned his beautiful, bright eyes to hers. "I'm a super nice guy, okay? Don't believe your sister."

Mani watched his eyes, as if in a trance. Her older sister stood by her side, with crossed arms. "My opinion of you is pretty accurate, actually."

"Why do you keep picking on me like this?"

"I'm just  being honest with you. Isn't that what you wanted? Remember when you came crying to me when some girl rejected you and asked me to be honest with you about your so-called charms?"

Vihan's brown orbs gleamed with outrage. "I never came crying to you. How can you completely twist facts like that? And what's with that 'so-called'? I do have charm."

The argument made no impression in Mani's mind. She had just caught sight of the most beautiful eyes in the world. It seemed to her that within them, there was a whole world of galaxies waiting to be explored by her. 

She blinked, when she felt the trio's eyes on her. "What?"

"I asked if I'm handsome, kiddo? These traitors think I look average."

Mani's olive cheeks felt super warm. She thought he was the most handsome boy she had met. But how could she reveal her embarrassing thoughts?

"Er..."

"Alright, that's enough. Mani, go back in and complete your homework. I'll check on you in a few. Let's work on the project, guys."

Mani blinked a few more times, snapping to her senses. She, then, ran to her room and shut the door tightly. She probably also needed to slam the door on her open, revealing heart.