Warrior - Chapter Eighteen

It wasn't long until Shalini Singh Raizada called my mother. My mother was completely animated as she spoke away with her, evidently very happy. The vibe within the house changed immediately, no thanks to Amma of course. She worked out the details with Shalini and because neither could wait any longer, they wanted to do the engagement as soon as possible... which, after seeking permission from Arnav Singh Raizada and I, resulted in this happening on this Wednesday.

"Well, mom's hyped," Payal frowns.

"No kidding," I say, as we watch her going back and forth, talking away to the staff.

"She's happy," Babuji says, placing his arms around our shoulders.

"Happy is an understatement," Payal snorts, making Babuji laugh.

He then glances down at me and I look up at him. He gives a soft smile and places a kiss on the top of my head before leaning his head against mine.

This is actually happening.

*~*

Since there was only one day in between till the engagement, Payal dragged my ass to shops without a care, her sole focus on finding the perfect, bomb ass outfit, as she liked to put it. There really was no other choice but to comply with her - I mean despite everything, I was going to still dress my best.

After hours and hours of shopping, we were actually able to find an outfit for myself and Payal, and when we get home, we find Amma exactly the way we left her - running around like a chicken that got it's head cut off.

"I say we sneak past her," Payal whispers.

Smart girl.

We make our way to the stairs quietly, and when we get the chance, we dash upstairs and go running into my room.

"She's really lost it this time," Payal chuckles as she places down the bags in her hands.

"No kidding," and I set mine down as well, then sit down on my bed.

"At least she's happy. She's finally happy and her optimism is shining but...."

"But what," I frown, tilting my head.

She starts messing with her fingers in front of her. "It's just that... yeah Amma's happy but... are you?"

I don't say anything, waiting for her to continue.

"I mean... you were so mad last time and fought with them, and now... I guess I'm just confused. I mean, I get that I told you that you should agree but... why did you?"

Giving her a small smile, I pat on the space beside me and she sits down.

"Promise not to tell mom," I ask.

"Promise."

I tell her about how I had managed to acquire Shalini Singh Raizada's phone number - which makes Payal laugh - and how I had called her to arrange a meeting with Arnav Singh Raizada. I also tell Payal about how our evening at Lilia's went, of course, holding back a few details.

"Wait a minute! You lied to me about that night," she exclaimed.

I only shrug in return.

"Di!"

She tri5es to hit me but I dodge her and hold her back.

"That's so not cool!"

"Oh, calm down squirt! It was a secret for a reason-"

"A secret you could've shared with me!"

"You sure? Look at how loud you're screaming it now!"

"I-! Oop!"

Payal slams her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide. She simply stared at me for a moment, but then moved her hands away and looked away. "So what?"

I roll my eyes and nudge her, then get up to put my phone on charge.

"You could have told me," she calls out from behind.

Before I can even respond to her, my text notification goes off. I glance down at my phone and see a text from Arnav. Immediately, the nightmare I had comes to mind, remembering the way he had held me.

"...Di?"

I snap back to reality and look at the text.

A: Hey 🙂

K: Hey

A: What you doing?

K: Nm, you?

A: Same.... I was wondering if we could meet?

My eyebrows shoot up as I stare at the text. I'm so lost at thought that I don't even notice Payal coming to my side and seeing the text.

She gasps. "Oh my gosh, say yes!"

My eyes dart to her wide and bright ones, Payal nodding like she were a bobblehead. 

"Nosy much," I frowned.

"Ugh, forget me! Answer him! Tell him yes!"

"Why?"

"Uh, because clearly he wants to see you, duh!"

"He'll see me tomorrow."

"So? Maybe he has something he wants to say to you in person before all of that."

Baby sis does have a point.... "Fine."

"Yes!"

Turning my attention back to my phone, I text him back.

K: Sure, when?

It takes a few moments but then he responds.

A: I was thinking now? Like as soon as possible? At the southwest entrance of the park

Oh?

"That place isn't so crowded since it's farther from the lake," Payal murmured, having read the text.

I scowl at her but she only shrugs.

"Hey, it's true."

Baby sis is right. Question is, why does he want to meet me?

K: I can be there in 15-20 minutes

A: Great! I'll see you then 🙂

Payal squeals besides me but quickly stops herself. "Oh my gosh Di, what are you going to wear?"

I look down at the ribbed tank and jeans I'm wearing. "Uh, this?"

Payal immediately frowns at me. "What-? You'e not going to change?"

I don't bother answering her and head into my closet. Payal's face lights up with delight, but instantly dies down when she's me pull out a bomber jacket.

"Seriously," she scowled.

"It's getting cold," and I put it on.

Before she can even comment anymore on my outfit, I grab my phone and head downstairs, Payal following after me. Amma is still lost in her own world and it looks like she's taken Babuji prisoner in it as well. Avoiding that, I head outside and have Harry bring out the Aston Martin.

"Can I go too," Payal chirped behind me.

I scowl back at her.

"Oh come on! I wanna know too! Besides, even if you don't let me, I'll only bother you and get you to tell me everything."

Harry comes pulling up with the car.

"I'll deal with that then," and I go around and get in the car, quickly locking the doors before Payal can even try to get in.

"Oh come on Di!"

"See you later baby cakes," and I drove away.

If I'm going to be honest, I am rather curious why Arnav Singh Raizada wants to meet me. I mean what else is there to talk about? Or is he about to reveal some big secret, cause you know, that's what always happens?

The northeast side of the park is closer to me, so I drive around the whole park and soon reach the southwest entrance. As I get closer, I notice a shiny, jet black Lamborghini Urus. There's no mistaking who's car it is so I slow down. I slowly drive past it, Arnav noticing me, and park my car in front of him. As I step out, so does Arnav, and we meet up on the curb.

"Hey," he says softly, his small, polite smile on display.

"Hi."

He gestures to go ahead and we start walking towards the park. Not many people are around, but again, most people like coming in from the other entrances because access to the lake is closer. Also, it is almost six, so that could be a reason why there's not many people around on a cold spring day.

I glance over at Arnav, noting the beige hoodie he had on, the hood covering his head partially; as well as the black jeans he was wearing. He looked so simple, and yet not so simple. His hands were sitting in his hoodie pocket, so I couldn't see his tattoos.

We continue to walk down the pathway in silence when Arnav spots a picnic table. We head on over there and he gestures for me to sit first, so I get on up and sit on the table, placing my feet on the bench. Arnav chuckles lightly and does the same, sitting to my right.

"Thanks for coming out here to meet me," he said softly.

"Not a problem."

For a moment, he doesn't say anything, looking around at the park. Tall trees mostly surround us, and you can hear the birds chirping from above. A few squirrels run by and climb up some trees, when finally, Arnav speaks.

"I have to ask Khushi... what made you agree?"

I look over at him to see him looking at me. "What do you mean?"

"I mean... that night at dinner, we spoke about several things so.... I don't know, I'm just curious to know what it is that actually made you agree. You had mentioned your parents somewhat pushing for it, you proposed the business deal... I'm just curious."

Well.. I guess he had a point.

Except none of those reasons is the reason why I actually agreed, despite our words from dinner that night.

Arnav keeps his eyes on me, waiting for my answer.

Better to be honest I guess, right? I mean I'm marrying the man, I shouldn't start things off with a lie, even though who knows how long this will even last.

I let out a sigh. "The reason why I said yes... is because I know I'll get protection."

His eyebrows furrow in the middle. "Protection?"

"Yeah, protection," I nod.

"Um... what do you mean?

I don't say anything, looking up to see some birds flying by. But it turns out that I don't have to because Arnav Singh Raizada figures it out for himself.

"You mean because of your ex," he said softly.

I don't respond, but I guess that was enough to confirm. He doesn't say anything for a moment, but I notice he takes his hands out of his pocket. He starts to toy with his fingers a little, and I can't help myself but to check out the Anubis tattoo on his left hand. It looked very realistic, the arms of Anubis crossed, holding a crook and an ankh. Still, Anubis being the god of death makes me wonder why Arnav ever choose such a tattoo in the first place.

"He's still in jail," Arnav finally questioned.

"For about another two years."

"Has he ever tried contacting you? Or has his family?"

"No."

"Guess, they don't have to cause society does it," he scoffed with disgust.

I bring my eyes away from the tattoo and see that Arnav is looking at me.

"If that's what you want, I'll protect you... forever."

My eyes slightly widen and I can't help my tongue. "Forever's a long time."

"I know."

"I was promised forever once before."

"I'm not him."

I take in a sharp breath, slightly stunned by Arnav's words. He holds his left hand out and I manage to overcome my shock, and place my right hand in his.

"I promise you Khushi, that I'll always protect you, no matter what. If anyone ever dares to say anything to you, I won't tolerate it. I know you're strong and brave enough on your own, and can handle anyone who tries to throw shit your way - but I'll still be there to support you. And if you have an episode, I'll be there for you, no matter what. You're not alone, I'll always be there for you no matter what. I will protect you."

All I can do is gaze at Arnav. Images from the nightmare I had, flash in my mind once more. I remember how he had held me, how he had protected me. And from what he said just now....

I give his hand a light squeeze to show my appreciation since I couldn't muster up any words. He gives me a small smile, then keeping his eyes on me, he brings my hand up to his lips and places a tender kiss. My eyes dart from his, to his tattoo, and back to his eyes, and I can't help myself.

"Why did you choose to get a tattoo of Anubis?"

I know it can be rude to ask people the meaning behind their tattoos. Usually they have such deep meanings, so it's understandable why people can find it offensive. However, I just couldn't help myself. Besides, Arnav asked me a deep question, so why can't I?

Arnav smiled his small, polite smile and he flipped our hands over so that his was on top. "I got this for my Dadaji."

I don't say anything, waiting for him to continue.

He scoffs lightly, smiling a little. "He completely lost his shit when he saw my first tattoo. It had been a good month since I got it on my arm, but he had no clue. Then he finally noticed it and raged over it. He yelled at me, he yelled at my father... definitely not the most peaceful day at the house. But it didn't matter to me, nor were my parents bothered. They didn't care and I sure as hell didn't care what he thought. More and more tattoos joined my skin and his anger only increased. Then to tease the old man, I got this."

Interesting....

Absentmindedly, I start caressing his hand with my thumb, which doesn't go unnoticed by Arnav.

"What was his reaction," I asked, my eyes remaining on the tattoo.

"The old man wasn't smart enough to understand what it was so I cleared things out for him. When he finally understood what it meant, he started screaming again," Arnav chuckled. "After that, I kept taunting him with it, showing it to him any chance I got."

I had seen pictures of his grandfather in the papers years ago, so I know what the old man looked like. Given that, I can easily picture Arnav sitting across the table from the senior, running his left hand over his chin, flashing the tattoo.

"Kind of dark," I finally said.

"After the hell he put my family through? Old man deserved it."

I look up at Arnav as he looked down at me. I can understand his hatred; after all I feel it too, just to someone else. He will always remain a monster in my eyes, and for Arnav, his grandfather will always be a monster.

Maybe we will get along well.