Warrior - Chapter Thirty Seven

The rest of the day carried out pretty slow. After unpacking our belongings and freshening up, we chilled out upstairs for a little, focusing on work things. This is perhaps the longest I have gone not looking at anything work-related and I dread the shit that I will have to deal with. Fortunately, from what I see in my emails, Ivy has been very helpful and has taken care of the fort while I have been away. I won't be going back to the office till next week, so until then, Ivy's in charge and keeping tabs with me. I've quickly picked up that Arnav's doing the same, and I've also learned the name of his assistant, which is Aman. He spends quite some time on a phone call with him, talking about several topics; from meetings, launch plans, and other stuff. And I have to say, seeing Arnav Singh Raizada in his element is actually quite a nice and interesting sight to see.

For one thing, it's quite different from the Arnav I've mainly seen. Yes there was the fragments from when we were at the gala, but still - that was from a distance. This was from up close. 

And up close and personal was always different.

Later on, we joined the family downstairs for lunch and Amma's food was banging!!! Again, Amma doesn't cook so often given that we have a staff, but whenever she did, she never failed. And from Arnav's reactions, it was clear that he had become a quick fan as well. 

Payal and Babuji definitely took this time to get to know Arnav better, the three flowing in conversation while Amma continued to stuff everyone up with her food. Even when I excused myself to take care of an important phone call and returned from it, the three were still going! Not to mention, it was all going rather well. 

Dinner went pretty much the same way, though Shalini Singh Raizada had called in between. Apparently Arnav hadn't called her when we got here and she made those typical jokes that he forgot everyone already while at his in-laws - you know, the typical desi banter, or as some like to call it nok-jokes.

It was after dinner that I started to dread things. Given the events of last night... I don't know.

Sure, my room wasn't as big as Arnav's, but it was still big. Anyone could easily and peacefully sleep on the floor, no problem, so could ten other people or so. Truthfully, would I feel a little uncomfortable with Arnav sleeping on my bed? I don't know simply for the fact that I've never shared my bed with any man before, nor have I shared my room with any man before. But given that I made Arnav sleep with me last night....

Gosh, my mind is in a jumble!

After changing into my jammies, I sat myself down before my vanity and brushed through my hair. Moments later, Arnav came out of the bathroom all changed up for bed. He glanced at me through the mirror, giving that small, polite smile of his. I flashed one in return and watched him as he headed back into the room.

He's gonna set up his makeshift-bed now, isn't he?

Placing my brush down, I followed after Arnav and see that I was right. "Arnav-"

"It's okay, Khushi," Arnav smiled at me as he prepared his bed. "I told you I'd be sleeping on the floor in advance."

"I know, but still! You should be the one sleeping on the bed, I'll sleep on the floor, it's only fair."

"How is that fair?"

"Because you're the guest here- well, maybe guest isn't the right word, but you are the newest member of the family, so it's only right."

Arnav tilted his head with a frown. "So back home I should sleep on the bed because it's my bed and here I should be sleeping on the bed cause I'm the son in-law?"

"Pretty much," I shrugged.

"Well, I'd have to disagree. Back home, you're the daughter in-law so you should definitely be the one to sleep on the bed, and given that this is your family home, not to mention your bed, you should definitely be the one to sleep on it."

I opened my mouth to retort, but Arnav quickly interjected.

"Please, Khushi. I don't mind, really."

A sigh of frustration escapes my lips and I make my way to my bed. "Fine! I'll take the bed, you take the floor! Happy?"

"Very," he chuckled, and he sat down on his makeshift-bed.

I passed Arnav a pillow and made myself comfortable, as did he, then turned off the lights. Minutes go passing on by, and for whatever reason, I just can't fall asleep. I toss and turn here and there, but I can't get myself to fall asleep whatsoever, which is weird. After all, I'm in the security of my own home, of my own room - and yet sleep isn't taking me over.

"Khushi," Arnav softly called out.

"Yeah," I responded.

"Can't sleep?"

"No. ...you?"

"No."

Reaching over to my nightstand, I switched on the lights. I looked over at the end of the bed and see Arnav sitting up as well.

"Not tired," I asked.

"Kinda. Truth is, every time I go away anywhere, I rarely fall asleep peacefully the first night no matter what. I don't know why, but that's just the case," he chuckled lightly.

"Oh. ...Do you go away often?"

He shook his head from side to side. "Depends on work, really. Do you travel?"

"Not really," I shrugged. "Babuji usually takes care of that department while I hold the fort down here."

"Oh. Well, do you want to?"

An old memory flashes before my eyes quickly before I even realize it. "I used to," I finally responded. "But not so much anymore."

"Why is that?"

I looked down at my lap and passed a glance at him. "Why do you think," I nearly whispered.

For a moment, neither of us say anything, when Arnav breaks the silence.

"May I ask a question?"

I looked over at him, looking him up and down. "Only if you get up on the bed; my neck is gonna start hurting if I keep looking down at you."

Arnav chuckled in return. "You sure?"

"Yes, my neck is already starting to cramp!"

Not really, but it will if we keep this up.

Arnav rolls his eyes at my joke and he grabs his pillow and places it on the bed before getting up himself. He stays towards to the end of the bed, making himself comfortable as he leans on his side.

"Now may I ask a question," Arnav smiled.

"Fire away," I waved.

The smile on his face goes down as he glanced down, looking as if he were considering his words. "Was the idea of traveling something you liked before... before he came into your life?"

My eyes slightly widened as Arnav looked up at me once more.

"I don't mean to overstep-"

"No," I quickly interjected, "no, you didn't, it's... it's fine."

Arnav looked down at his hands. "It's just... I can't help but to wonder."

I glanced over at him, then looked down at my hands. "Does it really matter though?"

Arnav tilted his head with a frown.

"That was then and this is now, right?"

"True... but that also happened then. And we're in the now..."

My eyes slightly widened.

"...and it clearly does matter."

"Arnav-"

"Again, I'm not trying to overstep but... but like I said, I can't help but to wonder."

"I know," I said softly.

And I actually do know he's trying to be caring.

Arnav doesn't say anything, waiting for me. Finally, I let out a sigh and give him his answer.

"When I was younger, yes, I did want to travel. I just wanted to get away from the town and go on an adventure! It can be pretty boring here, all cooped up like a pigeon."

"I understand and I definitely know the feeling," he smiled softly. "It's really nice to get away and reset a little. ...but if that's the case, why don't you anymore? Why do you not want to travel?"

I looked him directly in his eyes. "Because I don't feel safe."

Arnav's eyes slightly widened.

"Here, I know where I am and what to expect. Here, I know that I'm safe, and that's what matters the most."

Arnav nodded with understanding.

"Anything else?"

"Actually, yes," he responded, looking at me. "Since neither of us are tired, maybe we could spend the time getting to know one another better?"

Oh?

"What do you say, roomie," and he smiled that small, polite smile of his that I've quickly learned to recognize.

Well, its not a terrible idea.... Plus it'll give me a chance to look more into his character.....

Okay then. "Fine by me."