Warrior - Chapter Forty Four

I don't think I can tolerate anymore of the ridiculousness that is my family - especially my mother and her constant need to smother Arnav. Heck, I don't think Arnav Singh Raizada can tolerate it either.

Not that he'd ever admit it.

Just like that, our week at my parents' place was over. Payal tackled me with a hug, and once again squirt tried to keep her emotions at bay. Amma on the other hand started bawling her eyes out immediately, which made my throat close up, but I kept myself together. Babuji was the only one to actually contain his emotions, however as we pulled away, I saw him wipe away a tear.

Oh man....

As Arnav drove along and the house got tinier and tinier in the mirror, my heart only swirled. Part of it felt some sort of relief, but that was just the damage reacting. Part of it pined to go back, wanting the safety of my room and closet, but again, that was just the damage reacting.

How did I personally feel?

My heart is too damaged to feel anything, so I'll let my damage feel everything.

"You okay?"

Snapping back to reality, I looked at Arnav. Concern was very much obvious in his expression as he glanced at me.

Letting out a sigh, I buried into the seat a little. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"It can't be easy leaving your family."

I only hummed in return.

Arnav came to a red light and halted. "Well, whenever you want to, we can go visit them and stay as long as you want."

We? "We?"

"Yes, we... unless you'd rather go alone, that's fine-"

"No, I didn't mean it-"

"It's okay, I know," Arnav chuckled, and drove forward when the light turned green.

I looked him up and down for a moment; he didn't look offended or anything, he seemed genuine.

Huh.

I snuggled into my seat once more and leaned my head against the window. "I'm surprised you're offering to go back even though my mother was stuffing you up like the Thanksgiving turkey."

A snort immediately escaped from Arnav. "Like the what?"

I looked over at him to see him looking at me with a confused yet amused expression, which made me grin.

"You heard me," and I rolled my eyes, despite my grin.

Arnav started laughing, shaking his head.

Have I ever heard him laugh? Like this?

Why am I suddenly becoming aware of and questioning these things? Laughs? Awkward moments? Like what even- stop it Khushi! You're overthinking without even having any- "Coffee!"

Like the toddler I am, I placed my hands and face on the window, watching the coffeehouse pass by.

"Uh, I guess coffee first," Arnav chuckled lightly, and he turned back around.

"Yes, yes, yes!!!"

With the amount of stupid-thinking going through my head? Fuck yeah I need it!

Going back around, Arnav went through the drive thru. While he got a cold brew, I got an iced caramel macchiato, adding in an extra shot of espresso. As soon as we got the order and Arnav handed me my drink, I chugged that shit like my life depended on it.

That's it, get your dose of caffeine to get your brain operating smoothly and not all janky! Caffeinate it up!

"Better," Arnav asked, and I could hear his grin.

I let out a sigh of relief, opening my eyes. "Much better."

Now calm that shit down upstairs!

"Good," Arnav chuckled, and once again drove his way back to Raizada mansion.

Wait a minute! "Shouldn't we get something for them?"

Arnav glanced over at me, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean we can't go back empty handed."

"With all the things Amma gave, I doubt we're going back empty handed," he chuckled lightly.

Although I've been hearing him say it for over a week now, it still somewhat surprises me whenever he refers to Amma and Babuji as, well, Amma and Babuji.

However I quickly overcame it. "True, but that's all from them. I feel like we should be taking something as well."

"Khushi, you do realize we're only going back home, right," he grinned.

Home... but is it really though? And for how long?

Only time will tell.

"Regardless," I shrugged, "I think we should."

"If you insist," he shrugged with a chuckle. "Anything in mind?"

"Uh... what about the cannolis everyone loves?"

Arnav glanced over at me, flashing a small smirk.

Despite what my feelings are towards this marriage, it doesn't mean I can't understand the powerful meaning to something deep and rooted to these people.

"Sure," he smiled, and he drove on over to the bakery.

On the way, he made a quick call to the bakery, asking to have 3 dozen mini cannolis ready and I looked at Arnav in shock.

How many dozens now?

"Trust me, even that won't be enough," Arnav said, rolling his eye, "but given the calories, it's definitely more than enough."

Geez-us!

When we reached the bakery, I waited in the car while Arnav headed inside. While I waited, I could't help but to check the place out. The building was built and covered with bricks, having a rustic and industrial look. There were various baked goods visible in the large display windows, and even from here the baguettes looked absolutely wonderful, among the other baked goods. Varieties of cookies were also visible and I could just feel my hormones salivate at the sight - especially seeing the large and thick chocolate chip cookies - feeling absolutely tempted. But I kept the desire for sugar at bay, and instead focused on what was above the bakery. Three windows were equally apart from each other on the top floor, however curtains prevented anyone from looking inside.

Dammit, I wanna know what it looks like in there!

Suddenly I'm snapped back to reality when Arnav returns, placing the boxes of cannolis in the backseat. 

"This'll make everyone happy," Arnav smirked lightly.

Given what he's told me in the past? I'm sure Shalini Singh Raizada will appreciate it the most!

Once Arnav got back into the car, we officially made our way back to Raizada Mansion. I realized that this is the first time since joining the Raizada clan that I was pulling though the fancy gate - not including the first time I came after marrying Arnav that is, that was marking the occasion while this was a regular thing.

Question is for how long will I be passing through these gates for?

Arnav stopped the car in front of the mansion and I noticed the driver, Dev, come forward.

"Welcome back Sir, Ma'am," Dev nods to us with a smile.

I flashed a smile at him while Arnav clapped his shoulder. Just then, the doors to the manor open, revealing an ecstatic Shalini Singh Raizada.

How the heck does this woman always have such positive energy?

"You're back," she shrieked with delight, and she made her way over to us both, pulling us both in for a hug.

Whoa mama in-law, easy on the grip!

"I missed you two so much," and she let us go. "I know it's selfish of me, but your trip felt longer than a week and I just couldn't stand it!"

Is that so?

"Anyways, come in, come in!"

Hooking her arms with ours, she led is inside, and I'm momentarily stunned of the mansion around me. Yes, it's not the first time I'm seeing it, but I mean come on, it has been a week! A girl is not so used to such levels of extravagance, excuse me for being a little stunned by it after not seeing it for a week!

Home is what Arnav called it, and rightfully so, it is his home.

For me....

"Hey, you guys are back! Everyone, they're home!"

Aryan looked down at us, completely happy, and he made his way down the stairs and over to us. The other Raizada's start to come in as well, happy to see us and asking us of our trip and so on as we move to the den. Arnav does most of the talking while I just looked at the family around me.

Home... will I ever truly have a home?