Warrior - Chapter Fifty Five

Listen to my voice Khushi, just listen to my voice. Listen to my voice....

Although my body fought against me, I slowly opened my eyes. At first nothing was clear, but as I slowly blinked, things became clearer, and I found myself buried in Arnav's chest.

What the fu-?

Last night immediately came pouring into my head, replaying everything. I had a horrible nightmare about that monster and found my old scars back on my body, which caused me to scream out in fear and hyperventilate. After that... I don't even think my brain was functioning properly. The next part is a bit fuzzy to me, but then I remembered Arnav's words.

"Listen to my voice Khushi, just listen to my voice. Listen to my voice...."

Looking up, I find that Arnav is still deeply asleep, holding me to him in his arms.

I wonder - during the other times we slept next to each other, did we embrace each other like this?

Though I must admit... this strangely feels... nice. This feels very... good. It feels warm and secure, and... and protective.

I looked back up at Arnav and I find myself unable to look away from him. A memory of last night flashes in mind, remembering the way I had crawled towards him and how I had aligned my hands to his over the shower door. I remembered the way we both had our foreheads against the glass. I also remembered the way he took care of me, talked things through with me, asking for permission from me.

I even remembered the way he had changed my clothes for me.

I find myself to be briefly stunned, still looking at Arnav. He actually had kept his eyes shut the entire time he had helped me to change out of my wet clothes. Not once did he even try to peek! In fact, his fear of accidentally seeing something was so obvious by the way he was squeezing his eyes shut.

How is it possible for there to be... for there to be someone as pure as Arnav? There's peeping Tom's all over the place, but Arnav... Arnav didn't do that. He respected me; he took care of me...

He protected me from my own demons....

Is it possible? Is it possible to actually be this good guy? Is it actually possible that Arnav is really, truly this pure, wholesome guy who had his eyes screwed shut while trying to change me out of my wet clothes because I was too shocked by my trauma? Is it actually possible for a guy to get all flustered and embarrassed simply by seeing some skin? Is it actually possible that every time I try to hide the emotions I felt, Arnav will always somehow manage to catch them in my eyes?

Is it really possible for him to actually be... be... this person? This wholesome person?

Slowly and quietly, I reached up and placed my hand over his stubbled chin. His beard wasn't that grown out like it was a few weeks ago, no doubt Arnav having trimmed it. His hair had also grown a bit, but the fades on the sides of his head were still okay.

I'm a little surprised at myself for being aware of these certain features of his, but-

For whatever reason, my eyes landed on his lips. The dream I had so long ago, flashes across my mind, reminding me of how I had envisioned him and I passionately making out.

I wonder how his lips feel.

Sure, in the past he had placed kisses on my hand but... but that was so long ago.

Does it still feel the same?

Slowly and tentatively, I brought my hand away from his stubble and carefully placed my fingers over his lips, which like in my memory, were totally soft.

Have they always been this soft? How would they feel against me? Against mine?

Curiosity was building and bubbling within me, temptation only growing more and more. But before I could do something, Arnav let out a small grunt and I quickly brought my hand away and shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep. I hear him move around me, but I don't dare to open my eyes. Instead, I continued to listen, when suddenly he stopped moving and went silent.

Did he go back to sleep?

Another quick groan escaped from Arnav's lips and he slightly rolled away from me. He stayed away from me for a moment, when suddenly he slightly moved back towards me. His hand suddenly moved to the side of my face, moving a strand of hair aside, and I can't help but to lean into his embrace a little, a small sigh escaping from my lips. I felt him still around me, possibly in fear of waking me, and then he carefully moved away, letting me go.

I heard him move about the room a little, no doubt putting his make-shift bed away, and then I heard his footsteps fade away, which must mean he's gone to wash up.

After waiting a few moments, I opened my eyes and sat up in bed. I simply sat there quietly for a moment, waiting for Arnav to come out. Several minutes passed by, when finally, he did, changed up into some sweats and a t-shirt. But when he saw me, he instantly paused and looked at me, somewhat shocked.

"Good morning," I finally said, though it was more of a murmur.

"Good morning," Arnav replied softly.

Neither of us said anything, though I'm sure Arnav wants to ask how I'm doing. But due to what I had said to him the last time when I had an episode, I'm sure he's holding it back.

"I'm feeling much better, thanks to you," I said.

"O-oh! ...Well, I'm happy to help."

Again, it goes quiet between us, Arnav glancing down at ground.

"Thank you for changing my clothes."

Arnav's eyes instantly met mine, his cheeks slightly reddening. "You're welcome."

Hmm.... "Why do you always blush over seeing my skin?"

Arnav's cheeks reddened even more. "I-"

"You always blush. Whether I'm in a tank top or shorts, you always blush at the sight of my exposed skin. Why?"

Arnav looked away, glancing at the floor.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?"

"No! No, that's not it at all " Arnav said, shaking his head.

"Then? Is it because you're not used to being around a woman like this? Surely you've seen the models at Arani and naked girls in the porn you've watched, so you must be used to seeing women showing their flesh. Even the women who threw themselves at you must have. I mean you've even seen me show skin before, so why do you blush now?"

Arnav pursed his lips, looking down. "I... I don't know."

I can't help but to let out a sigh, looking away. But then I looked back at him, looking him up and down. "Where are you going?"

"For a run-"

"I'm going with you."

Arnav's eyes widened as he watched me get out of bed. "But-"

"Trust me, I could use it," and I walked past him to wash up and get ready.

About ten or so minutes later, I came back into the room, finding Arnav sitting at the bed, on his phone. For a moment, I just eyeballed the device, then quickly looked away.

Going over to my bedside table, I grabbed my phone as Arnav stood up, putting his phone away.

I held my hand out. "After you."

Arnav pinched his lips together and obliged, and I followed him out the room. The mansion was very quiet, no doubt everyone still asleep. I would've expected for the boys to have gotten up, but given the late night in, they probably won't be waking up till later.

We exited the mansion and found it to be a little cool this morning. It'll definitely be quite rewarding once we start running and heating ourselves up.

Besides me, Arnav started stretching, so I followed suit.

"How far do you run," I asked.

"I run towards the park and run around there for a bit."

"Hmm...."

"Ready?"

"After you."

Arnav starts jogging at a steady pace and I followed after him, going down the driveway and to the gate, which automatically opened for us. After that, we started to make our way toward the park and sometime later, we reached the southwest entrance.

Memories of the day I had met up with Arnav here started to flood my mind. I can't help but to shoot him a glance, finding him to be glancing at me.

Guess we both have the same thing in mind.

Passing through the entrance, we started running through the park, and I'm a bit surprised by this man's endurance! I mean while I would've liked to slow down, despite the fact we've only been jogging, this man is increasing his speed!

What the fuck?! Like dude slow down, walk it off a little, and then start running! Like come on!

Then again, I just might be out of shape since I haven't run in... how long has it been? Definitely before the wedding, I know that.

Arnav noticed how I was slowing down, so he slowed down as well.

"Oh please... don't slow down... on my account," I panted.

Geez-us, I'm so out of shape!

"Do you want to stop?"

"I'll stop, you go," I waved off, and I made my way over to a bench, plopping down.

This is what I get for not being consistent! Inconsistencies, the house!!

Arnav came towards me. "I-"

"Go on," I waved. "Have fun, you'll find me back here."

"Are you sure? I don't feel right leaving you alone."

An image of the way he was just holding me in bed flashed in my mind. "I'm okay. If anything, I have my phone, I'll call you."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive," I nodded.

Arnav didn't seem so convinced so I started waving him off again, which finally made him go.

What a man... what a man, indeed.