The moment Mano spotted him, he let out a breath and tried to walk past.
Ody stepped in front of him. “Wait.”
“What now?” Mano narrowed his eyes.
Ody grabbed his left hand and rotated the wrist gently. Left. Right. Circular motion.
“What are you doing?” Mano pulled back.
Ody caught his right hand instead.
“Ah!” He jerked away.
Ody kept his eyes on him. “This is the hand that doesn’t hurt, right?” He took it again, more carefully this time. “It’s bruised. If you ignore it, it’ll swell.”
Mano rolled his eyes. “Okay, doctor.”
“Come with me.” He reached for his arm, but Mano pulled away.
“What do you actually want from me?”
“I want you to get better so you don’t hurt someone driving like that.” He hesitated. “And so you don’t hurt yourself.”
Mano studied him. “Why do you care what happens to me?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I just don’t want you getting hurt. That’s all.”
Mano searched his face.
“Ready?” Ody asked.
After a second, Mano nodded and they walked to the car.
“Didn’t you have class at twelve thirty?” Mano asked.
“Yeah,” Ody said as he started the engine.
“You only had one hour?”
“Don’t worry about it.” He pulled out of the parking lot.
Mano glanced at him.Did he skip class to take me home?A moment later, he frowned. “My place isn’t this way.”
“We’re going through Pangrati first.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.” Soon, they pulled over in front of a pharmacy. “I live here. They know me.” Ody unbuckled his seat belt. “Don’t leave.” He looked at him.
“And if I do?” Mano smirked.
“Don’t.” Ody held his gaze, then stepped out of the car.
Mano watched him go.
A few minutes later, Ody returned with a small bag. “Since you refuse to see a doctor,” he said, “I got the basics. Bruise gel. Apply it twice a day.” He held it up. “And a bandage to keep it stable.” He opened the tube.
“Now what?” Mano asked.
