Warrior - Chapter Seventy Nine

 Even though I was constantly questioning my sanity, it had become evident that... that something had changed.

In the dynamic with me and Arnav's family, that is.

As the days went on by, I noticed that I no longer called Shalini nor Varsha by their full names. In fact, I found myself quite often referring to them as just mama in-law and aunty in-law. While the senior men remained the same, the boys, however, were back to just their names - and it wasn't because I thought that they were irrelevant. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

July was here, and so were Firouz Singh Raizada and Maira Singh Raizada.

As you can tell, there's been no change with them.

Speaking of changes, Maira Singh Raizada nearly lost her shit when she saw Varsha looking all cute in her purple dress. She was totally shocked, not to mention surprised, but it somehow quickly died out, the woman getting squealy and emotional before she hugged Varsha. And then she immediately pulled back, talking about her wardrobe change and how they would all go shopping, and honestly it was just really cute to see.

On the topic of returns, Arnav finally had a date for when he would be returning and that was still a whole ass week later! Plus half! A week and a half!

What the fuck?!

Through text exchanges, I learned that Arnav had gone through an 8 hour process for his new tattoo, which really had me curious. I mean 8 hours? Man, that's a huge ass fucking tattoo! So it means that this baby must be intricate as fuck! Arnav gave no detail whatsoever on what his fucking tattoo was, and given how the last time went when I called Arnav, I didn't even dare to think of even doing it. I mean Arnav has been acting pretty weird ever since then, too. Sure, he still sends his daily good morning texts to me and wishes me a good day, but when we actually text back and forth, there's a weird vibe. Again, sure, they're just words on a screen so you can't necessarily interpret the tone of it, but still, he was being weird. At first I couldn't understand why, but then 0.5 seconds later I remembered how I had finger-fucked myself over Arnav's pillow and came all over it, and the confusion quickly went away. Obviously Arnav has no idea of that - could you even imagine?! 

I would've probably fucking bibbidi-bobbodi-fucking-boo'd his ass into a fucking tomato!

Good thing he's clueless of it, and the worst is just that I nearly flashed my titties to him... well, there was the selfie in his shirt but I don't think I... I did want to tease but did I flash...?

Oh fucking well!

But all of that aside, sure I'm all like fuck! Because it's taking too damn long for the days to pass, but even when the day does arrive....

I mean how am I even going to act? When he returns, things aren't exactly the same as the way when he left. And I don't mean just mean with his family because obviously once he sees Varsha and her change that'll be a major hint to what's been going on around here. But with me... I mean given the stuff that I did and totally remember doing, even though I'm pretending like I don't....

Fucking hell, what am I supposed to do? What will I even do? Beause there's no denying that things have changed.

Things have totally changed!

Yes they have!

Ugh! ...yes they have, indeed.

*~*

Although I hate to admit it, the days have been dragging away, and I really mean dragging. At the office, all I could think of was why weren't the hours passing. Even though my focus should've been on Rupam and how all of that is finally coming together, the website almost ready for launch and all that galore - I just couldn't. My mind could only focus on getting the day to pass. And slowly - very slowly - the days went on by. Even I was starting to get sluggish, which is just ridiculous!

But somehow, some way, here we are one and a half weeks later, on a super hot Wednesday in July - the day Arnav was finally returning. When I realized that the moment I woke up, I had to catch myself because I mean what the fuck? I wake up and my first thought is of Arnav returning?

What the fuck am I? A Bollywood heroine? No-the-fuck, thank you.

Arnav had sent his flight information three days prior, and of course, when Shalini found out, she prepped up a whole menu like there was going to be a party. While Shalini got herself and the others preoccupied with that stuff, the only thing preoccupying my mind was the fact that Arnav would be getting home around six, and since I have a meeting scheduled towards the end of the day, I'm hoping that it'll end in time for me to get back in time.

I don't think you can even imagine my impatience as the meeting went on. It's a good thing Ivy is here and paying full attention to all of this stuff about Rupam because for the life of me, I just fucking cannot!!!

Calm down girl, calm down... keep it chill, don't lose your head.

I kept consoling myself with words like these, but as 5 o'clock arrived and I still had my butt glued to the chair, it wasn't helping! Heck, even the stupid voice in my head was losing her shit!

How much fucking longer is this going to take! I have plans you know!

Down girl, down. We both know it's not exactly plans so chill the fuck out!

Chill out? Why the fuck should I?! Arnav should be landing and getting back any time soon and this is taking up my time!

Schiesse!

Finally, at around 5:15, the meeting was over, and before Ivy could even open her mouth and speak a word to me, I got up and walked out.

I've had enough of this shit!

Well geez, okay then!

Grabbing my stuff, I caught the elevator and headed down. As always, when I got outside, Dev was waiting with the Black Badge, and once I got in, he pulled away.

"Any news," I asked as I went through my phone.

"I believe Sir landed just moments ago and is on his way."

I hummed in return, still keeping my attention on my phone.

Wait a minute, wasn't he supposed to land a little before 5? Why's he running late-?

Well, look who's caring now!

What-? Shut up! I have every right to!

Oh?

Urgh! This voice thing is really starting to piss me off! If you're supposed to be my conscience, well you can fuck off because you're shit!

I'm just pointing out how you're caring, don't quite see what the problem is.

Well-! ...well... I mean... I don't think it's wrong to care?

Oh? No?

I mean it's obvious that he cares for me- I mean I've figured that much out and... I mean Akash and NK pointed out how they think that I care for Arnav and... and I mean... I guess I do?

Do you?

I... yeah, I think I do- I mean just like as a friend. That whole stunt with the shirt and his pillow- let me not even remind myself! That was a drunken mistake, things got a little mixed up due to the alcohol and that's that! He's a friend; he's just a friend... who I now care for.

Mm hmm....

Mm hmm? What mm hmm? What's that even supposed to mean.

Just that; don't make a mountain out of a molehill.

Why you-! Urgh, I hate this! If this shit keeps up, I'm checking myself into a fucking asylum!

Driving out of the city and back into town, we arrived back to Raizada mansion, and as soon as I stepped in, my eyes landed on the ginormous bouquet of flowers, nestled in a huge vase on the table in the middle of the foyer, filled with loads and loads of red roses.

Geez mama in-law, don't you think it's a tad overboard?

"Dove! You're home!"

Looking away from the globe of roses, I see mama in-law coming over to me.

"Ah! Perfect timing! Chote should be here in about half an hour," she beamed.

Mama in-law is looking quite radiant, and I mean who can blame her? After all, her beloved son is coming home.

"Why don't you head on upstairs and freshen up, hmm?"

I nodded in return and headed up the stairs, going to my room. Heading straight to the closet, I placed my purse down and let out a sigh.

Well, the day is finally here - Arnav Singh Raizada will officially be back.

For whatever reason, it felt like my stomach had gone into a knot, making me feel all queasy. Not in a bad way, but... like it was nerves. Why? I have no fucking clue. Sure, I've been living on my own in this room for these two and a half weeks that he's been gone, so it had become a little bit of a habit. Now that Arnav's going to be back, we're back to being roommates.

And bed mates!

Will you-! Ugh!

Although... she's right. I mean after the last episode, I was okay with Arnav sleeping beside me. It went that way for about three weeks until he had to leave for his trip. Now, after sleeping alone for two and a half weeks... I don't know, have I made a habit out of it? Will I feel like it's an issue and kick Arnav off? Or will he offer to sleep on the floor again before I could even kick him off?

Hmm....

Look like I'm going to have to take it just one step at a time.