Warrior - Chapter Fifty Eight

 Some time later, Arnav came out of the shower. I was sitting in bed with my laptop, going through emails for work. I had already placed the order for the pizzas, which didn't arrive until much long later. Nigel had brought it up for us and Arnav had set them down on the table. So I moved my stuff over and sat in an armchair, making myself comfy. As soon as the scent of the pizza pies hit my nose, my mouth immediately started to salivate!

If I'm getting this hungry, I can only imagine how Arnav must be feeling since he's been starving since this morning.

Speaking of which.... "Arnav, fill up your plate first; I don't want you passing out on me."

"I doubt I'll pass out," he smirked lightly.

"Let's not even try and see," and I picked up one of the paper plates and handed it to him.

"I-"

"Hush it and eat."

"But you-"

"I said hush it and eat. I can take care of myself, your polite charm and etiquette can wait," and I thrusted the plate into his hand.

Arnav only frowned at me, making me scowl at him. So to not waste time or words, I picked up one of the garlic knots - because those are a must have when ordering pizza - and bit into it.

"Happy," I said while chewing.

Fuck politeness and being proper, what I need is for this starving man to eat!

Arnav only shook his head, though his grin was ever so evident, and he picked up a slice of the jalapeño and mushroom pizza.

"Mind if I take a slice," he asked, pointing at the chicken and onion pizza pie.

"Knock yourself out."

His grin grew and he took a slice and placed it onto his plate. Settling back into his seat, Arnav made himself comfy, crossing his legs and placing his plate on his lap, while moving his laptop onto the table, pushing the boxes aside a bit.

Looking at him now, he slightly reminded me of a kid. Actually, more of like a teenager or young adult.

I wonder if this is exactly what Arnav was like during those days?

Obviously it's been a while since his school days. After all, Arnav is 28 and... and-

Wait a minute!

I don't even know when this guy's birthday is! 

AND I'M MARRIED TO HIM?!

What the f-?!

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Huh?"

Snapping out of my thoughts, I find Arnav looking at me while holding his bitten slice of pizza in his hand.

"You look confused and... well, bewildered would seem to be the right word, actually," he continued.

"I... uh...."

Arnav only continued to look at me, frowning slightly with his head tilted.

You can kiss the man on the cheek but can't even ask a simple question! Way to go! ...dummy!

Oh hush it!

"Uh... well... I just realized I don't even know when your birthday is," I said lowly.

Why am I feeling slightly embarrassed for, though?

"Oh. It's November 11th."

"Oh! Um... okay."

Dammit! Now I sound awkward and stupid too!

What the fuck?!

"Yours is the 27th of February, right?"

Huh? "Yeah, it is.... how did you know?"

"I was told by mom," he chuckled lightly, scratching his chin slightly.

He was told? Was I told of his birthday? Then again.... Well, squirt did have me look him up on the internet, and that surely would've given me the answers. Then again, we all know how that google search went, so really is it even a surprise that I don't know anything?

And yet, look at how easily he learned when my womb evacuation day was.

On a positive note, it's not like his birthday passed, so I didn't end up looking like a total bitch for forgetting or anything.

But now I'm curious....

"You have such a huge family, which means a lot of birthdays - any of them land in this month?"

"Actually, now that you mention it, Bade Kaka's 43rd birthday is coming up on the 14th," Arnav said, looking up in thought.

"Oh... cool."

I sound like such an idiot! Then again, what do I even say?

"Yeah," he replied, and looked back at me. "Chances are he'll just take the time to go away with Kaki Ma."

"Does he do that often?"

"In recent years, yeah," he casually shrugged. "They usually go away for his birthday or for their anniversary, but do something with the family on Kaki Ma's birthday."

"That's cute; nice to see that the romance is still going at their age."

Arnav let out a scoff. "At least they're not like my parents."

"Oh stop! Your parents are adorable!"

Arnav only scowled at me and I couldn't help my laugh.

Honestly, with full transparency, I love catching Aryan and Shalini Singh Raizada cooped up in their romance. I mean the way they make out like teenagers and are constantly on each other is fucking adorable! My parents aren't really like that, though they have their moments, but mama and papa in-law?

Straight. Up. Teenagers!

Seriously, seeing them, you'd think they were still 15 years old!

But that's not even the best part.

Two weeks ago, I was heading downstairs to get a drink, when I saw mama in-law coming from the other direction. She was completely flustered, her cheeks all red, her eyes wide, and slightly breathless, trying to fix her dupatta and make sure everything was in place.

One look at her and it was super obvious that she had just been boning papa in-law.

And I mean mega super obvious that they had boned.

Naturally I had to be a tease and meowed at her, making mama in-law blush even more, which only made me laugh.

Mama in-law is straight up a lioness, even at her age. Even papa in-law is total lion!

I wonder how the cub is- don't! Don't you dare! Not after the truckload comment earlier- don't!

Glancing up at Arnav, I see that he's focused on his laptop while eating. Some of the grease slid down, streaming down his hand, but Arnav quickly caught it with his tongue, licking it away.

Damn! What else can that tongue do-? Oh my fucking gosh! You stupid, horny-!

Arnav's phone began to ring, giving me the distraction I very much clearly needed from my stupid mind! Grabbing a tissue, he quickly cleaned up his hands and took the call. "Yeah Aman."

The two started talking about business stuff and again, I'm quite fascinated by seeing Arnav in his element. He's clicking away on his laptop as he talks away, going through things with Aman. Arnav is totally in that element that I had seen him be in on the golf course. Heck, it's the element I see him be in whenever he's doing anything work related.

And I have to admit, it is sexy as f- you fucking moron!

What is wrong with me? Genuinely, what the hell is wrong with me? Ever since the stupid, fucking episode-!

"By the way Sir, just wanted to remind you that you have your business trip coming up in three weeks," Aman said.

Say what now?

I looked up at Arnav to see him shooting a glance at me.

"Yeah, I remember," Arnav said lightly. "Everything is still confirmed?"

"The private jet is set for schedule and your hotel suite is confirmed."

Notice how he said suite and not room - but that's not what matters here!

He's leaving?

For whatever, strange reason, my heart pitted.

Why did it do that?

"Is the other appointment confirmed," Arnav asked.

Other appointment?

"Yes Sir," Aman replied.

"Good, I think that's all for now. Thanks Aman, talk to you later."

The two hung up and Arnav looked up at me.

"Sorry, I should've told you about my trip before," he said lowly.

Uh.... "It's fine-"

"No, I should've told you. It's just that I'm not used to it, so...."

"I understand," I said softly. "So, business conference?"

"Yeah, the usual crap," he sighed.

"I bet," I chuckled lightly.

There's a reason why I have Babuji doing these things - among other reasons.

However....

"So what's the other appointment for," I asked.

Arnav was about to take another bite of his slice, when he paused and looked at me. "Caught that did you?"

Ah! Look who's using my words now. "That I did," I smirked lightly.

Arnav smiled in return and put his slice down. "Yeah, I've got another appointment planned while I'm away - had it set months ago."

"What for?"

"I've been thinking of getting another tattoo."

My eyes slightly widened on their own and shot down to his arms. Arnav is wearing a plain white t-shirt, so most of his tattoos are visible. Obviously his tattoo of Anubis is very clear on his left hand, along with the roses that have taken up his forearm. They continue on up to his bicep, but something else takes over.

"If you don't mind me asking, why do you have a tattoo of a Doberman on your arm?"

Arnav glanced down at his left arm. The sleeve of his t-shirt was slightly blocking the tattoo, so he rolled up his sleeve. The Doberman was nicely blended and sitting nicely on top of the bed of roses, the dog looking rather fierce and strong.

"That's Rocky."

Huh? "Who?"

"Rocky," he smiled softly. "My dog."

His dog? But I haven't- "Oh...."

Given the look on his face, I assume he's understood what went through my head. "Yeah.... He was my best pal for a while... and then he passed away about 4 years ago."

"Aww...."

Arnav gave a sad smile. "We had a great 8 years together."

Wait, he passed away 4 years ago, but Arnav had him for 8 years, which means.... "I'm surprised the old demon was okay with you having a dog."

Arnav immediately let out a scoff. "Like hell he did."

Oh?

"Dadaji hated him," he scowled, rolling his eyes.

"Ah! Now that sounds more like the old demon. How'd you get him to be okay with Rocky?"

"He wasn't exactly okay with it, per se, but Dadi definitely helped to keep him calm."

"Well that makes sense. I can't believe the demon was that in love - or that he could even be so in love with someone like that."

"I saw it with my own eyes and I still don't believe it," he pointed out.

Touché. "Well, that makes sense of the Doberman tattoo. He definitely looks very realistic."

"Yeah, there's this guy that I usually go to and he's really good."

Really being an understatement.

"Okay, so that's figured out. But what's with the clock among the roses," I asked, pointing at it.

Arnav glanced down at it. "It's a pocket watch... reminding me that there's only so much time in the world."

"Hmm... that's deep."

"Indeed," he chuckled lightly, then let out a sigh.

For a moment, I just looked at him, then turned my attention to his right arm. Unlike his left arm, his right arm was indeed very defined and intricate, and I must admit, I have no clue what it is.

Arnav catches me looking at his right arm, and small smile took over his lips as he rolled his right sleeve up. "This tribal one means freedom."

My eyes instantly met his. "Oh?"

"Yeah...."

I looked it up and down for a moment before looking back at him. "Why freedom?"

Arnav looked away from his arm and looked at me. "Why do you think?"

Hmm.... "Touché. So what kind of tattoo do you have in mind getting this time?"

"I have an idea, but not positive. But I know that I'm going to get it on my chest."

"Oh.... Where exactly?"

Arnav's eyes slightly widened. "Oh, uh...."

His face slightly reddened, which at first gets me curious, but then I understood why.

Hmm.... "If you're comfortable, of course."

His eyes quickly shot up to mine. "Uh... I mean... are you?"

Am I...? "I am."

Arnav pursed his lips and nodded. "Um... okay... yeah, I guess... yeah."

Reaching down to the hem of his shirt, Arnav quickly looked at me, then removed his t-shirt. As he set his shirt aside, my eyes are all over his tattooed chest. The tattoos from his arms slightly continue onto his chest, the roses and the tribal tattoos blending in together beautifully. 

Hot damn-! What is wrong with me?

"Uh... so I was thinking here," he said, pointing at his left pectoral.

I looked at where his finger is pointed at. "Oh.... Cool...."

What am I even supposed to say?

"Yeah.... But again, I'm still not positive what to get."

"Will that be a problem?"

"No, not really. The tattoo artist I'm gonna see is a friend, so he'll help me figure it out."

"Oh, that's cool."

"Yeah. Have you ever thought of getting tattoos?"

"Uh... not really. I mean they're amazing to look at and David Beckham just looks so fucking hot with his, not to mention Adam Levine and The Rock, but... I don't know."

"Yeah, their tattoos are cool."

"More like sexy as fuck!"

Arnav let out a chuckle. "Sure," he grinned.

"Damn straight," and I can't help but to fantasize of the three gorgeous-as-hell men.

Damn, those men have some sick tattoos! Not to mention fucking hot!

Of course, Arnav is as well-

Whoa! Did I just... uh... I-

Arnav's phone suddenly beeped, snapping me out of my thoughts. He picked it up and went through it, and while he does, I can't help but look him over.

In the span of earlier this morning and early into the afternoon, I've been canoodled in his arms, I've kissed him on the cheek twice, and have checked out all of his tattoos, not to mention his half naked body.

Can someone please explain to me what the fuck is going on?