Warrior - Chapter Sixty One

 Waking up in the morning and not finding Arnav beside me... well, it's not exactly new. After all, for so many weeks we did sleep apart. Even so, I mean Arnav would always go for his morning run or whatever, but realizing the fact that it was different this morning-

Get a grip, girl! You've been fine on your own before, you'll be fine now as well! Get your shit together!

Letting out another sigh, I got up and noticed my phone on the nightstand. Picking it up, I see that not only are there email notifications, but there's something from Arnav as well. Curious, I tap on it and get onto my social media, finding that just like he had promised, Arnav had snapped me.

He kept his word....

Tapping on it, first I see a picture of an aircraft from outside. Next plays a small video of Arnav's feet as he boards the plane, captioning it is this what the celebs do?, which makes me grin. Then, another picture shows up, Arnav holding a tumbler of whiskey.

Drinking already? Well... yeah, I don't blame him.

There's nothing else after that, no doubt because he's still on his flight.

Well, I guess that's all for now. And having seen those pictures and video, well... well I feel better already.

Alright then, time to take on the day!

*~*

It may be Friday morning, but there was no going to the office today, especially since I knew I'd be up late due to Arnav leaving for his flight. I'll be working from home today, so no matter.

Heading downstairs to the dining room, I find Shalini Singh Raizada seated at the table, as well as Varsha Singh Raizada, none of the men in sight.

"Where's everyone else," I asked as I sat down.

"Aryan's at the office while Madhav is at the golf course, and the boys are at the gym," Shalini said.

Huh... well okay then.

It's no surprise that papa in-law is taking care of things while Arnav is away.

I wonder when he'll land?

"Any word from Chote yet," Varsha asked.

Oh! "Uh, no, not yet."

"Well, he did say it was a 12 hour flight," Shalini said as she placed food on my plate.

True, he had mentioned that before. Not to mention it's been only like 6ish hours so....

Just a few hours more.

As I started to eat, Nigel came into the room, holding a blue envelope.

I wonder what that is? Looks fancy.

"This just came in from the Singhania residence, Ma'am," Nigel said as he held out the envelope to Shalini.

I don't think I'll ever get over how posh and proper Nigel's voice is - the man oozes of courtesy and kindness.

Obviously a very good thing when it comes to a butler. Just take Gomez for example; although that man definitely has years on him in comparison to Nigel.

"Thank you Nigel," mama in-law smiled at him, and the man went back to his work.

"What's that for," Varsha asked as mama in-law opened it up.

"Let's see.... Hmm, it looks like Mrs. Singhania is hosting a little garden party."

Varsha let out a snort. "When have her events ever been little?"

Oh? What's this aunty in-law? Looks like you've got a little spunk in you after all!

What a rare sight!

And it really is, I've never seen her act like this before.

"True, true," Shalini chuckled. "I believe this is her annual tea party that she hosts, though I must admit, it seems to be a little earlier this year."

"True.... What do you think she'll do this year?"

A smirk spread across mama in-law's face as she arched her brow at Varsha. Varsha in return, however, had her lips pursed, trying very hard not to laugh.

Huh?

Both ladies must see the confusion on my face cause mama in-law clarified.

"You see dove, Mrs. Singhania hosts an annual garden tea party, which she holds at their residence. And every year, she tries to flaunt her daughter, Maahi, to everyone - especially to Maira."

Ah! Someone's got the hots for Akash, eh?

"Let me guess - not interested," I smirked.

"Not at all," Shalini chuckled. "Maira can't stand Mrs. Singhania."

Oh? Well, clever women then - and yes, I mean both. "Guess that would explain why you think the party is being hosted earlier this year - because Akash's mom isn't here."

"Ah! Clever girl! I really wouldn't put it past Mrs. Singhania to plot up such a scheme."

"Though it's pointless," Varsha frowned.

"No kidding."

"Should be entertaining either way," I shrugged. "What's the dress code?"

"Smart casual, and we're going shopping," mama in-law beamed.

Really? Again? I mean, not to sound like a stick in the mud but... wow, okay.

"Again," Varsha asked.

Shalini frowned at her, tilting her head. "Of course."

Varsha pinched her lips together,  looking away.

How much do you want to bet that even if she buys something - not to mention something nice - that she'll just wear something that's drab?

"We'll head out at 12, so be ready ladies," Shalini grinned.

Well, that beats waiting around. And I guess I'll call it an early day from work today - heck, it's Friday, why the fuck not?

"I guess I better head upstairs and get some work done then," I said, pushing my chair back.

"Sure; just meet us down here when you're ready."

Washing up, I headed on upstairs to my room. As I got my stuff together and sat down in an armchair, I went through my phone to see if somehow Arnav had managed to send something... only to find nothing.

Just a few more hours, just a little while longer! Until then, focus on work! Just focus on work, get that out of the way, and then its shopping time! I wonder what I should buy...? Sure, I already have a few dresses I could easily wear but... I don't know, we'll see. But until then-

Suddenly my phone started to go off, alerting me of numerous notifications.

What the fuck?!

Picking it up, I see that it's all from Arnav.

Huh?

Tapping on it, I see that Arnav has snapped me, yet again.

But how- oh, you fucking moron! Of course he has fucking wifi on a fucking private jet! What the fuck- well then why has it taken so long? How come he didn't send it before? Then again, the way my notifications popped off, sounds like he did? So why didn't it come through? Why- just fucking check what he fucking you sent, you idiot!

Tapping on his name, a video starts to play, Arnav recording as the plane went down the runway and took off into the air. Even just seeing the footage made my stomach pit as if I were actually on the plane. The video ended and a picture of his meal showed up, and I've gotta admit, his food is looking hella fancy!

A few more snaps played of his view out the window, showing the clouds that floated around. Then came a picture of him, and he captioned it going to to take a nap now. The last one came up, which was sent hours after the previous one, and he had his lips pursed, looking away, and the caption read I totally forgot I had my phone on airplane mode this entire time.

Ah! Well that makes a lot of sense!

Going to the camera, I snapped myself arching my brow while frowning and wrote you blew up my phone, and sent it.

He can get back to me whenever, but it was nice to hear from him - well, in some form, at least. It definitely gave me an essence of peace, and I was able to work perfectly fine. By the time noon came around, I had all of the important stuff out of the way, called it a day, got ready, and headed downstairs to join mama and aunty in-law. As I headed down, my phone beeped, showing a notification from Arnav. Opening it up, I see a snap of Arnav scratching the back of his head with a nervous smile, saying oops! My bad!

Tapping it away, I tapped on the text box and wrote your bad, indeed, and sent it. Moments later, Arnav replied with 😅😬😇 and a stupid grin formed on my face, which made me pause for a second.

What is going on with me? What the actual fuck is going on with me? I mean-! ...I mean I find myself asking these same questions a lot recently, and I just... I don't get it. All this time, I keep asking myself these questions and yet I have no answer, whatsoever. I just don't... I don't-

"There you are, Khushi," I hear mama in-law say, snapping my attention back to reality.

I find myself already coming down the stairs, not even sure when I reached it in the first place.

A small frown formed on her face as she came towards me. "Everything okay, dove?"

"Yeah, just work stuff."

"Well don't let it bother you - it's Friday and we're going shopping! Now come on!"

Shalini ushered me outside, Varsha following along. Dev was waiting out in front with the Black Badge, and we all got in. As he pulled away and the other two ladies chatted, I find myself still jumbled with my thoughts.

What's happening to me?