Warrior - Chapter Seventy Eight

 After giving the senior Raizada's a quick recap of what had happened in the garden, we were all more than ready to leave this shitty party. But while the elders headed back home, Akash, NK, and I made our way to a taco truck in the town square, and got ourselves some birria tacos. They were honestly just so fucking good, I can't believe I never had these before!

"I'm telling you Bhabi, this is the only place I will get tacos from, especially birria tacos," NK said.

"I don't blame you, they're fucking amazing! The consommé? Just oof! How did you find this place?"

"I honestly didn't want to have to go to the city every time for good food, so I started trying out all the spots in town and found my favorites for whatever dish I craved."

I couldn't help but to widen my eyes. "Really?"

"Our NK here is a bit of a food connoisseur," Akash grinned, to which NK give curt nod.

"Double really," I asked, totally impressed. "You just might become my foodie partner."

"I'd be more than happy to," NK beamed. "And I think we should get some beer to celebrate!"

Sunday night instantly came to mind. "No."

NK immediately frowned at me. "What do you mean?"

An image of myself wearing only Arnav's shirt and watch with half my titty out, came to mind. "Was Sunday not enough?"

"Oh come on, Bhabi! That was so long ago!"

"If by long ago you mean like three days ago, then yes," I frowned.

Akash couldn't help his chuckle. "I think NK's right, I'll go get them," and he got up and made his way to the taco truck.

"Akash," I called out after him, but he didn't hear me. "Well, fuck," I frowned.

"Don't be so down, Bhabi," NK smiled. "It's 5 o'clock somewhere and we have matters to celebrate."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, getting Maahi and her annoying family off of our backs for one. Then there's your's and Nanav's second month anniversary tomorrow."

Looks like I'm not the only one who's realized this.

"But most importantly- to me at least, is what you did for Ma today," he smiled softly.

Right! "NK, I-"

"Before you continue, I just wanted to say, thank you."

I tilted my head with a frown. "I hate being interrupted."

"I had a feeling," and he gave a cheeky smile.

This man, I swear.... "I'll let it slide this time only because you were being nice. And also, I'm surprised you're not disagreeing with my methods like a few others have mentioned."

NK let out a chuckle. "In other circumstances, maybe I would say that. But given that I've seen my mom being the way she was my whole life and nothing ever having worked before, I'm fine with your method of tough love."

Tough love? "Tough love?"

"Yeah. Why, what would you call it?"

"Being a boss ass bitch." 

But not tough love.

"Mm, sure, you can call it that, too," NK chuckled. "But whatever you want to prefer it as, I'm thankful and grateful that you did it. Otherwise, I'd probably continue to see my mother personify her depression."

Hmm.... "She could've always gone to therapy."

"She tried years ago, based on what Dad told me.... Didn't work out for her."

Ah! Same boat as me then.

"Actually, now that I think about it, therapy hasn't worked for anyone in this family."

Wait, what? "What do you mean for anyone?"

"Nanav never told you," he frowned.

I only continued to look at him confusion.

Three beers suddenly appeared on the table, snapping my attention away to Akash. "I'm sure it's cause Bhai didn't want to depress her," he said as he sat back down in his seat.

What-? "I'm sorry, I'm so confused, like what...?"

Akash picked up his beer, pointing it towards NK. "You started it, so go on," and he took a sip.

NK picked up his beer as well. "Nanav's really never told you how the old demon basically left us all mentally and emotionally damaged?"

"I mean I pretty much figured that out once he told me all the stories about you guys," and I took a sip from my beer as well.

Looks like having a beer isn't such a bad idea after all!

"Yeah, and once the old man croaked, we all thought we'd be fine. Instead, turns out the man damaged us really bad."

"Mm, don't call him a man," I said as I placed my beer down. "That's being too nice; call him a demon cause that's what he fucking was."

Both Akash and NK started to chuckle.

Well it's not like I'm wrong. But anyways.... "So wait, which of you went- actually, which of you didn't go to therapy?"

Both boys looked up in thought.

"Well Bhai for sure didn't," Akash murmured.

Why am I not surprised?

"I don't think Ma did either," Akash continued.

"My dad didn't for sure," NK said. "Also, I don't think Bade Pa did either."

"Mm, no, I don't think he did.

That doesn't surprise me either, however.... "Did Arnav's mom?"

"She was the first one in the family to go."

Again, I'm not surprised. Given the hell that demon gave her? To her husband? To Arnav, especially? Totally not surprised.

"Actually, I think her therapist was at the party."

What?

"Yeah, Dr. Prescott was there," NK nodded.

Interesting... very interesting, indeed. "I'm surprised Arnav hasn't made any mention of this - or even mama in-law for that matter. Then again...."

Akash and NK frowned with confusion and while at first I was going to wave it off, something in me began to bubble - almost like the way it did when Arnav left for his trip.

"I once tried therapy as well," I admitted, surprising myself as well.

What the fuck am I-!

"It didn't work out for me either," I continued, softly.

"That's probably why Bhai decided to not tell you," Akash said, his tone matching mine. "He probably was just trying to not affect you."

"Hmm.... Why am I not surprised?"

"Because that's so Nanav of him to do," NK smiled softly.

So I'm realizing... so I'm realizing, indeed. "Well, I think that's enough of the sappy for now. Let's drink our beers and enjoy our wonderful, tasty tacos," and I held my beer up. "Cheers to my handsome devars for amazing tacos, wardrobe changes, and getting obsessed bitches off our backs!"

Both boys smiled at me, and from the look in their eyes, I could see a sense of adoration towards me. They clinked their bottles to mine. "Cheers!"

*~*

When we got home, I headed straight upstairs to my room, stepped out of my heels, threw my hat across the room, and collapsed on the bed.

I. Am. So. Fucking. Full!!!

Man those tacos were fucking delicious!

Taking my phone out of my purse, I went through my phone, going through my many emails. I definitely had my share of meetings and appointments lined up for me, so I went to my calendar to go through it. As I'm looking at it, the first thing that clicks in my head is that it hasn't even been a full week since Arnav left for his trip, and yet, so much has happened already.

So much!

According to him, he said that there was a possibility of him staying even more than two weeks, depending on if his tattoo heals correctly or not, so.... Dammit! How is a whole other week supposed to pass, when the first one hasn't even-!

Whoa, whoa, wait a minute! Hold up a second, mademoiselle! What are these thoughts? What is it with these questions? Am I back to behaving like a five year old, is that what's going on again? Well, enough-!

It's not wrong to be mad that it's taking fucking forever for Arnav to get back!

What- excuse me?

I felt my heart thump in my chest, which made me clutch onto my dress.

What-!

I mean it's ridiculous that time refuses to pass! Like how am I supposed to be patient-!

Um, hello! I could care less!

Oh, shut up!

What-?

You're so full of lies!

Lies-! Me?

Yes, you!

I-! I've gone mad! I've gone insane! I'm literally having an internal argument with myself.

What the fuck?!

Yeah, yeah, keep on cussing it up! If only time would fly as quick as the cusses that comes out of your mouth!

What-!

I have brain damage! I. Have. Brain damage! Those shots still have me fucked up and it's been days! Days! So like what-! I should be grateful though that I haven't done any other stupid things like fucking his pillow and shit- don't! Don't think about it! Don't!

Yeah, don't think about that. Think about his scent, or what the size of his mystery p- no!

No!!!

Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!

Ugh! Why is this happening to me?