Warrior - Chapter Fifty Seven

 With our breaths regained, Arnav and I made our way back to the mansion. As soon as we stepped inside, both of us spotted Shalini Singh Raizada in the dining room.

"Hey," mama in-law beamed. "You two hungry and wanna eat now or...?"

"I know I need to shower now but screw it, I'm starving," Arnav said, and he headed towards the dining room.

Eh, I could eat now as well.

Following after Arnav, we both made our way to the table and sat down.

"No one else is awake yet," Arnav questioned.

"After coming in so late? As if," she chuckled as she filled up our plates. "But I do believe the boys are-"

Just at that moment, the front door opened and the voices of Akash and NK filled the room.

"Well, would you look at that! Just as I was going to take their names, they arrived," she smiled.

Akash and NK came into the room and each placed a kiss on her cheek.

"May my boys live a long and healthy life."

Looking into Shalini's eyes, her love was so obvious and genuine.

"And may you as well," Arnav smiled softly.

She flashed a smile at him as she put our food down, then looked at me. "And may my daughter as well."

Everyone has their eyes on me, so I also flashed a small smile, Shalini returning one as well. The boys took their seats, as did Shalini.

"So everyone, what's the plan for today," she asked.

"Emails and phone calls," Arnav shrugged.

Even though we aren't going into work, we still have to do at least the bare minimum. "Same."

"Always the businessman and businesswoman," she smiled at us, then turned to the boys, placing their food down. "What about you two?"

"I'm chillin'," NK grinned, flashing his teeth as he put his hands behind his head.

"Ever the relaxed one," Shalini chuckled. "What about you Akash?"

"Well, I have a shoot tomorrow, so just getting my camera and things together."

"Oh really? Where?"

"In the city; it's for the Youth Dance Academy."

I tried to stop my eyes from widening.

What?

"Oddly enough, when I was going through some of their old stuff, I saw a very familiar face," and he turned his attention on me.

The others looked at me as well but I just continued to focus on the food on my plate.

Shit.

"Anything interesting to tell us, Bhabi," Akash smiled, batting his lashes.

Why this boy, I swear....

"Well I don't mind saying it. Did you know Pari Ma that Bhabi is a really good dancer?"

Shalini looks at me, surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah! There were these videos where Bhabi was doing classical dance, but there were also videos and pictures of her doing hip hop as well! They were so cool!"

"Wow! I had no idea! Chote, did you know?"

Yeah right, no one knows! Ever since what happened, that's a chapter of my life that's been shut and sealed. So there's no way-

"Yeah."

Excuse the fuck me?

My head whipped around to him. "How the fuck-?"

"Don't get mad, Amma had made me promise-"

"She did what-!"

"It wasn't her intention, she just wanted to show me some baby photos while you were busy with phone calls."

"And that's supposed to make it better how?"

"I don't know," he said lowly. "She just thought it would be cute-"

"Cute? More like embarrassing-!"

"They weren't bad nor embarrassing, just baby pictures. Like you during tummy time or you having your mom's lipstick all over your face-"

I immediately scowled at him, and him and the others pursed their lips together, forcing back their smiles.

"It honestly wasn't that bad," Arnav said, holding his hands up.

"That bad?"

"Yeah! And then the pictures of your dance performances came up, so she just showed me those."

Note to self - yell at Amma later!

"She did mention that she loved seeing you do the classical stuff, but that you hated it, and then eventually you started the hip-hop classes, which she really wasn't a fan of."

Of course not, she's such a typical desi mother!

Regardless, she's going to get a piece of my mind!

"Well, at least we learned that Khushi has another talent," Shalini smiled.

"No kidding," NK grinned. "Taking Bhabi to parties and clubs will be even better now."

I can't help but to arch my brow at him.

"Maybe you can even start dance battles at the club," and he went into thought, thinking of who knows what.

Life isn't exactly a movie, but sure kid, keep up the imagination.

"How come you stopped Bhabi," Akash asked.

A memory quickly flashed before my eyes, making a small tingle crawl up my spine. 

Fuck-!

"Cause she didn't want to anymore," Arnav said.

Something in his tone was off, but based on the looks of his family's faces, it was clear that they were meant to drop it.

"Oh, would you look at the time," Shalini said. "I better go wake Aryan up or who knows how much longer he'll be sleeping in. You all eat up properly, okay?"

"Well, I'm full," Arnav said, getting up.

What-? He barely even ate and he just said that he was starving.

Huh?

"Uh, me too," I added, getting up.

The both of us walked away, washing our hands, then headed upstairs. When we were a little closer to our room, I spoke up.

"Why did you do that?"

"What do you mean," Arnav frowned.

"You were hungry, and yet you ate so little and said you were full. Why?"

Arnav didn't say anything and turned at the corner. I followed after him, following him into our room, shutting the door behind me.

"Arnav, tell me the truth."

Arnav paused and looked back at me.

"Did you do it  because Akash was asking questions?"

Arnav looked away and then sighed. "Yeah," he shrugged lightly. "I saw the way you reacted and I didn't want his questions bothering you... especially not after what happened last night."

Unable to help myself, I can't help but to glance back at the bed, remembering the way Arnav had held me only hours ago.

Dammit, why am I repeatedly thinking of this kind of stuff? What the fuck?!

I brought my attention back to him. "I appreciate that, but you didn't have to sacrifice your hunger for me."

Arnav shrugged in return. "It's nothing."

"Yeah right, you looked like you had run a marathon earlier!"

Or like he had orgasmed a truck load of- you motherfucking bitch! Don't you fucking dare think of it!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

"You okay," Arnav frowned.

"Fine," I said quickly, but Arnav continued to frown at me.

"I mean it," I forced out, trying to be as normal as possible. "It's still not right that you didn't eat properly because of me."

"First of all, it wasn't because of you but because of Akash," he smiled lightly. "Second, if it bothers you that much, I'll order something in. Okay?"

Hmmm.... "Order pizza, then fine."

Yes, I'm asking for pizza for breakfast - bite me.

"Choice of toppings?"

"Onions and chicken. You?"

"Jalapeños and mushrooms."

"Jalapeños for breakfast?" 

"Well I did already eat something," he shrugged.

"True, but still - jalapeños? You sure you won't get diarrhea?"

"Positive," Arnav chuckled. "You're talking to someone who used to have french fries with ketchup and hot sauce for breakfast."

I couldn't help but to gasp. "Oh my gosh, same! Well if that's the case, then fine, order the pizza now."

"Well, I was going to shower first-"

"Order. It. Now."

Arnav frowned at me once more. "Khushi-"

"Now."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't you think-?"

"You're not starving on my behalf, especially when you looked like you had a truckload of-!"

FUCK! Was I really just about to-? Shit! Shit!! Shit!!! FUCK!!!!

Arnav only looked at me in confusion. "Truckload?"

Fuck! How do I-? Right! "Yeah! You looked like you had a truckload of water dumped on you!"

Yeah, that works... that works, that totally... yeah that totally works... yeah.

Arnav tilted his head as he looked up in wonder. "Well, I did push myself a bit today cause-"

But he quickly stopped himself, looking away.

Huh?

Squinting my eyes, I glared at him. "Cause what?"

"Uh... cause... uh...."

I crossed my arms, mirroring him. "Arnav...."

He didn't look at me.

"What are you hiding?"

"Nothing-"

I squinted even harder, growling.

The corner of his lips tugged up. "Did you seriously just growl-?"

"Don't try to change the topic Mr. CEO - cause what? I won't drop it at all, so spill it."

His smile dropped as he sighed, glancing down at the floor. "Fine; I pushed myself today cause I... I felt guilty for triggering you."

My eyes instantly widened. "What?"

Arnav didn't say anything, looking away.

He actually... oh fuck. "I'm sorry I didn't-"

"Whoa, what, sorry? For what?"

"Well if I had told you before that it was my fault, then you wouldn't have felt any guilt! Heck, if I just hadn't looked at your phone, all of this could've been avoided."

"Khushi-"

"Arnav, please don't be too nice to me."

A frown formed on his face. "Didn't we just talk about this stuff back at the park?"

"Why are you so kind to me?"

"Because you're kind to me."

"You deserve kindness."

"So do you."

Oh... right.... "Well... well," and I let out a groan of frustration. 

Why the hell does any of this have to be so fucking complicated for?

Arnav remained quiet, pursing his lips.

Smart move.

Letting out another sigh, I let my shoulders relax. "Don't ever punish yourself again for thinking you may have done something to trigger me."

"Khushi-"

"Don't; because it will never likely be your fault."

"And how can you be so sure," he scowled.

"Because like you said, we already spoke about this - you're too kind to me."

"But-"

"But nothing. Yes, I admit that it was an accident, you didn't mean to graze your fingers on my neck like that. And I know that in the future if anything ever happens, I know that you'll never do it intentionally."

And trust me, I really do know that it won't be intentional.

I know that perfectly well now.

Arnav let out a scoff, a little frustrated. "And how do you know that?"

Is he really doubting himself? Is this badass, tattooed CEO seriously doubting himself? Because he actually felt that guilty?

Stepping over to him, I stood only a few centimeters away from him. As he's looking down at me, I'm looking up at him, and I can't quite put my finger on when the last time we were close like this in a standing position without reason - cause obviously last night in bed and us dancing doesn't count.

Maybe the wedding...?

"I know you'll never do anything purposely to hurt me because you don't have a bad bone in your body."

Arnav's eyes slightly widened.

"You promised to protect me - forever. And what you did for me last night was more than enough proof of that."

Arnav only continued to look at me, still shocked. 

"Most guys would've taken advantage of a naked situation - but not you. No, you had your eyes squeezed shut, looking absolutely terrified of accidentally getting a peek."

Blush spread across his cheeks. "Uh-"

"And given that way you blush, it only makes me believe it more that there isn't a hint of evil in you. ...especially after the way you blushed when I kissed you on the cheek earlier."

His cheeks reddened even more, Arnav looking away. "Uh... um...."

I tilted my head with a small smile. "It's cute."

Arnav's eyes widened once more as he looked back at me, completely stunned. 

"The badass, tattooed CEO is a sweet blushing boy - I find that very cute," I slyly smirked.

And because I'm such a prick that's enjoying teasing him - while also being genuine, of course - I winked at him, making his cheeks flare up even more.

Should I- why not!

Reaching up on my toes, I placed a kiss on his cheek. Shock instantly spread through Arnav as he looked at me wide-eyed. It clicks in my head that in span of only a few hours, I have already kissed Arnav twice on his cheek.

Twice.

All within in a few hours of the same day.

Wait, what am I doing? Why am I actually being okay with this? Has this episode made me actually lose my mind? What the fuck, I didn't even hesitate nor think it through! 

What the fuck?!

Quickly I stepped away from him. "See - you're blushing furiously like a little boy. No way you'd ever do anything to harm me. So what I suggest you do is never punish yourself again for thinking you potentially harmed me because you never could. Now go shower, I'll order the pizzas."

Arnav remained stunned, blinking at me. "Uh... um... okay."

Still very much in shock, Arnav walked away - almost robotic - and headed to the closet. When he finally disappeared, I let out a heavy sigh.

Is my period coming? Is that what's going on?

What the fuck?