Warrior - Chapter One Hundred and Two

 Warning: themes of sexual trauma are covered in this chapter - reader's discretion is advised

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"Wake up, Nanav! Wake up, for fuck's sake! Wake up!"

My brows instantly furrowed as I was forced awake. "NK-!"

"Nanav this is serious, get up-!"

"Did you get Bhai to-? Bhai, wake up, this is an emergency!"

What the?

I felt my body get shoved, forcing me to open my eyes and see NK next to me while Akash was at the door. "What the f-!"

"Bhai, you have to come downstairs! Bhabi....."

Khushi-?

Looking to my left, I found the bed empty. Looking back at the guys, their fear was obvious.

Oh no.

Goosebumps instantly spread all over my body, but I couldn't care. Instead I quickly got up and ran out of the room, dashing down the halls, the others right behind me.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, Khushi please, no!

Reaching the stairs, I saw that the lights to the foyer was on, so I quickly ran downstairs. There were shards of glass on the floor, but I ignored it, moving around it. I immediately spotted the elders on the right, all of them standing by the entrance of the formal living room.

Bade Kaka was the first to spot me. "Chote!"

Mom immediately turned around, who was in Dad's hold, Mom's face completely covered with tears. "Chote-!"

"Where is she," I asked.

"Chote, what-?"

"Ma, I can't explain this right now," I said, nearly raising my voice. "Where is she?"

"She's in the corner, behind the curtain," Dad said quickly.

Looking into the room, I spotted the grand piano in the corner, as well as how the curtain behind it slightly shook.

Oh no. "Okay, I need all of you to stay right here, no movement, no sound."

"But Chote-"

"Ma, please."

Pops tightened his hold on Mom. "Shalini, please. I'm sure he'll know what to do."

Mom didn't say anything else, pursing her lips together and nodded. I looked at the others, who were all also looking completely devastated, but they nodded in agreement.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly stepped into the room. All of the lights were still off, which is probably for the better. Had they turned the lights on, it probably would've freaked Khushi out even more. 

When I got a little closer to the piano, I looked around it and found Khushi huddled on the floor, hiding behind the curtain, shaking. My heart instantly sank and ached at the sight, my throat starting to swell, but I can't think of that right now, nor deal with it.

"Khushi," I called out softly. "Khushi, it's me, Arnav."

Khushi only continued to shudder, still hiding behind the curtain.

I knelt down to the ground. "Look at me Khushi, it's me."

But Khushi only shuddered even more, which only meant that her fear was increasing.

Shit! What do I- wait! "Khushi, listen to my voice. Just listen to my voice, you know my voice very well, Khushi. It's me...."

Her quivering slightly decreased.

Yes! "Khushi, do you hear my voice? Do you recognize it? It's me, Khushi... it's me."

Ever so slowly, Khushi slightly peeked out from the curtain and looked at me. Even with no light in this room but from the light peeking in from the foyer, it was very easy to tell that Khushi's eyes were bloodshot red, no doubt from her crying.

"It's me, Khushi," I said softly, although my voice cracked.

I couldn't stop myself this time, not seeing her like this.

"A... Arnav?"

Oh thank goodness, she recognizes me! "Yes Khushi, it's me," and I felt my tears go down my cheeks.

Khushi moved away from the curtain as her eyes widened, and within a heartbeat, she jumped up and dashed over to me, throwing herself into my arms. "A-Arnav, he's here, I saw him, he's here, he's here to get me, he's going to get me, he's here, he's here in the house, he's here-!"

"He's not here, Khushi-"

"No Arnav, he is," she cried, grabbing my t-shirt into her fists. "He's here, I saw him, I saw him when I was coming down, he's going to get me, he's going to kill me-!"

"No, Khushi, he's not going to do anything to you. I won't ever let him! He's not here, he can't hurt you, he's locked away-"

"No Arnav! He's here! In this house! I saw him! I saw him on the stairs! I saw him!"

What-?

"That's my fault."

What the?

Turning around, I looked at NK as did the others.

"What do you mean," Kaka asked.

NK clenched his jaw as he looked down at the ground, tears swelling in his eyes. "I got home late. I was trying to sneak upstairs without a sound to avoid trouble, but when I saw Bhabi, I froze. She also got shocked when she saw me, and before I could say anything.... She screamed so loudly and... I couldn't say anything, she just ran off and went hiding, I... I...."

"Nanhe-!"

"It's not your fault," I said, cutting Choti Ma off. "You didn't mean for this to happen."

"But Chote-"

"It was an accident, Kaka," I said, cutting him off. "It's not NK's fault," and I looked back at Khushi. "See Khushi, it was just stupid NK, no one else. There's no one else in this house but family. There's no one here to hurt you."

Khushi rapidly shook her head. "No Arnav, it was him, I saw his dark figure-!"

"It was just NK's shadow as he went up the stairs, nothing else. I promise you Khushi, it's not him. Do you think I'd ever let him near you? After what that fucker tried to do to you? Never!"

Khushi only looked up at me with tears in her eyes.

"I made a vow to you that I would always protect you, right? He'll never come near you again, I won't allow it! I made a promise to you and I'll always keep it, Khushi. Always and forever. There's no one else here but us. There's not one else here but family."

For a moment she just looked at me, then looked over my shoulder to see the others. She looked at everyone carefully, perhaps trying to make sure that every face was familiar and indeed family, and when she looked back at me, her lips quivered and she burst into tears, crying.

Fuck, I can't-! I hate seeing you like this, Khushi, I can't tolerate it! 

My heart can't stand this!

Pulling her into my arms, Khushi cried into the crook of my shoulder while I placed one hand at her head and ran my other hand over her back, hoping to comfort her. Looking back at the others, everyone else was in tears, especially Ma. Even Pops looked like he was in lot of pain, but he was trying to be strong for Mom, holding onto her tightly. Even Bade Kaka was holding onto Kaki Ma as she cried, holding her hands to her face, as did Kaka, holding onto Choti Ma as she held onto him and cried. NK still looked down at the ground, his guilt obvious with the way his jaw was tightened, and Akash tried to console him silently, giving NK's shoulder a squeeze.

It's really not NK's fault - it's all that fucking monsters fault!

If I ever cross paths with him, I'll fucking castrate him!!!

When Khushi slightly calmed down, I slowed down the movement of my hand and wrapped my arm around her waist.

I can't let her stay here like this. 

"Khushi," I called out softly, "is it okay if I pick you up and take you back upstairs? You must be tired."

Khushi sniffled before somewhat pulling back, and nodded. She placed her arms around my neck and I picked her up into my arms. I watched Khushi briefly glance at the others before burying her face into my shoulder. Without another word I walked out of the room, the others following behind.

"Chote-"

I quickly stopped at the sound of Ma's voice and looked at her, right before the shards of glass at the bottom of the steps.

Khushi glanced down, noticing the shards as well. "I'm sorry for breaking the jar."

"Don't be; the jar isn't important," I said. "Are you thirsty? Is it okay if I take you to the kitchen?"

She nodded against me, so I headed to the kitchen. When we got there, I managed to turn on the lights, illuminating the room. Going over to the island, I placed Khushi down, but she kept her hold on me.

"I'll make you some cocoa-"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "Just water."

"Okay," I said softly. "I'll grab a water bottle from the fridge."

Khushi nodded and let go of her hold on me, but as I turned around to the refrigerator, Khushi took hold of my left hand in both of hers.

Well... she did act the same way last time, so I understand.

With my free hand, I opened the refrigerator door and grabbed a bottle for her, then closed the door and held the bottle out to Khushi. "Here you are."

But Khushi refused to let go.

"It's okay Khushi, I'm right here."

She remained silent and still refused to let go.

"Should I help you?"

She silently nodded.

It won't exactly be easy, but who cares.

With one hand, I managed to open the bottle and held it up to Khushi's lips. She drank the water, and at one point, she freed one hand of hers and placed it on the bottle, however she used her thighs to hold onto me.

Um... this is... new.

When she was done, I placed the bottle aside.

"Is it okay if I pick you up again and take you upstairs to our room," I asked.

She nodded once more and I took her into my arms. When we got back to the foyer, I found everyone else still there.

"Go back to bed, everyone," I said softly.

"How is she, Chote," Mom asked.

"Better, for now. There's no point in doing too much now, it just might trigger her again."

Khushi tightened her hold on me, burying her face into me even more.

"We can talk about this in the morning."

Mom went to step forward but Dad quickly stopped her. When she tried to open her mouth, Dad simply shook his head.

I know it's hard for her, I know she wants to console Khushi, but now is just not the time. Her good intentions just might lead to something bad, but I'm glad Dad has understood that. 

Tears formed in Ma's eyes once more and she placed her hands over her mouth before a sob escaped.

I looked over at Akash. "Have the mess cleaned up before someone gets hurt."

Akash nodded in return, and then I headed upstairs, taking Khushi back to our room.

I placed her down on her side of the bed and pulled the covers over her. But when I turned to leave, a small yelp escaped from Khushi and she quickly caught my hand, shaking her head.

"Hey, it's okay," I said softly, consoling her. "I'm right here Khushi."

"Please don't leave me," she nearly whispered.

"Never."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Her eyes made it clear that she believed my words, but still she refused to let go.

"Here, why don't you move over a little and I'll lay down beside you."

Khushi nodded and slowly moved over, making space for me. As I sat down beside her, Khushi reached over and grabbed my pillow while still holding onto me with one hand. She placed my pillow left of hers, and I laid down beside her. It was only then that she let go of my hand and wrapped her arm around me, while placing the other over my chest. Even I wrapped my arms around her, placing one at her waist while using the other to cup her head and hold her to me.

"Don't ever let go of me," she murmured against me.

"Never."

"Promise?"

"With all my heart. I love you, Khushi."

She yawned against me, fading into sleep. "I love you too, Arnav."

My heart instantly began to thump in my chest as I looked at her in shock.

She... she actually....

A sigh of relief escaped my lips, and I closed my eyes, fading into sleep.