Posted on Dec 13, 2016 | Published April 11, 2018

Dedicated to razz03 . You are much loved ;) and thank you, always!

| . . . C H A P T E R . . . 1.10.1 - T H I N G S - Y O U - F O R C E - M E - T O - D O . . . |

I inhaled sharply to silence my running thoughts as he pulled up in front of what looked to be a summer house. He produced a set of keys from his pockets. "Let me guess, you own this as well?"

He grinned returning to his carefree self and shedding the heavy moments behind us, "Told you there was a lot about me you don't know."

"How do you have that kind of money?" It's a question of genuine curiosity. I knew from Kripa that he and Anjali stayed with her family growing up and that lead me to a simple assumption, his parents had to have passed away.

Were his parents rich? Kripa had never mentioned that. Then again, I imagine that is not normal conversation to have between friends: talking about her cousin's life. Still, that seemed to be the only deductible answer to my question.

He took my question to be rhetorical.

Ron commented meeting us halfway as they'd all been sitting out on the porch given none of them had the key to get inside. "Get lost, did you?"

Arnav lied as if a professional, "Took the wrong exit and phone lost connection so for the longest, we didn't realize we were off track. They've really got to add more lights on the highway so people can see the coming exits."

We get inside and Arnav directed them to the guest rooms. I, however, rushed off towards a washroom. While everyone had left to put their bags in the rooms, Arnav waited and then directed me towards a room with a single bed inside. Fully furnished like the rest of the house.

He informed, "It's actually my sisters room but all other rooms have double beds and this is the only single bed. I figured you'd be more comfortable here and Kripa and Amanda could take one of the guest rooms."

I expressed gratefully, "Thank you." He was a lot more considerate than I used to give him credit for.

As I placed my phone on the bed along with my bag, he lingered about. I turned to him and he seemed to be hesitant, "Can I ask?"

He didn't have to elaborate. He was worried over my answer. I blinked with a relaxed expression, "I don't think anyone would want to quit after that."

Utter relief washed over his face even as his shoulders seemed to relax. With a smile, he walked backwards towards the door. "Good night, sweet pea."

"Night," I murmured though I imagine neither he nor the rest were going to sleep any time soon. They were all nocturnal beings. I was not.

And, for some reason, it no longer bothered me that he called me that. I think, it's him in particular for if someone else used endearing words towards me, I would still go off on them.

One night and he was rubbing off on me!

I told myself to be careful, but then... why?

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

Despite falling asleep around midnight, I woke up by 6:30 in the morning. I blame biological clock. Circadian rhythm. Whatever you wish to call it. After a quick shower, I walked out of the room to roam the house and learn my way around.

There were empty beer bottles on the living room floor. The table was moved aside. That must be where they were playing some game involving alcohol. If they'd drunk a lot, no one might be waking up anytime soon. I moved along and all other things in the house were spic and span. I found myself standing at the entrance of the back porch. It overlooked a lake. I unlocked it to step outside and when I did, I found Arnav leaning back on the chair with his eyes closed.

Why was he sleeping outside?

Given it was still early morning, it was a bit cold and he didn't have a blanket or his jacket on. Such carelessness. I walked back in. Not knowing where the extra blankets were, I grabbed the one I had used.

Returning to the porch, I placed it over his shoulder surprised to find myself so calm when approaching him. He stirred at the onset of warmth. For a second, he frowned and I wondered if he preferred the cold weather. As his eyes blinked open, he questioned. "Khushi?"

He sat up realizing where we were.

"Why are you sleeping outside?"

"I wasn't sleeping," he denied and I raised a brow while taking the other chair to sit. The blanket dropped to his lap. "I didn't really go to sleep. Dozed off after sunrise."

I couldn't help my demanding tone, "And why are you outside in the cold without a jacket or blanket?"

His preference is confirmed with his answer. "It's not that cold." He returned the blanket, "But thanks for the concern."

I wanted to not care but that part still won out now and again. I couldn't turn off being a human. "Please, just go atleast wear a full sleeve shirt if you won't wear a jacket."

He sighed and reached for the blanket, "Things you force me to do." He muttered and draped it over his legs. "Happy now?"

I let that topic be and asked instead, "So, why didn't you go to sleep?"

"It was five by the time we stopped fooling around. It'd have been pointless."

"Great." No one was going to wake up before noon for sure and even then, they'd most probably be hung over. I was going to get bored.

He chuckled, "Don't worry. I assure you I am good company."

I cleared my throat to escape his playful eyes. It still unnerved me that even when I don't say things, he seemed to pick up on my unsaid thoughts. "Yeah, whatever. Since this is your house, do you plan on feeding your guests?"

He got up and I followed inside. He dropped the blanket on the couch before walking to the kitchen. "What do you want to eat?"

As he opened the fridge, I observed. "Your fridge is awfully stocked."

"I rent out the top section and all I ask of the couple is to keep the fridge stocked for random times I may decide to come to get away."

He doesn't say get away from what exactly. Neither do I ask.

"Are they here now?"

"No, not this weekend. Now stop asking too many questions and tell me what you want to eat."

I walked to stand behind him, at some distance. He waited and I ordered fighting the urge to roll my eyes, "Atleast move, idiot."

He scowled, "You did not just call me an idiot."

"Ugh, just move!" I retorted while deciding it was best I let Riddhima call Armaan an idiot and findsomething else for Arnav. It only sounded right for Riddhima to say that to Armaan.It seemed to be their thing.

Muttering colorful words of how I get on his nerves, he stepped aside. I get on his nerves? As if! It's the complete opposite.

I resorted to taking out frozen waffles, butter, bread, jelly and peanut butter. He raised his brows to question my various choices. I defended, "What? There's eggs in there but I can't cook so this will have to do." And today, I seem to be starving so these choices are necessary.

Shaking his head, he waved for me to move. He opened the fridge again and retrieved the half carton of eggs. "How do you like them?"

"You're going to cook?" There was definitely surprise in my tone. I don't even bother hiding that nor do I mean to sound condescending. I am simply not used to the notion of males knowing how to cook.

He defended his skills, "I don't promise a seven-course meal, sweet pea, but yes. Eggs, I can manage."

I mumbled, "Okay geez, calm down. No need to get defensive. Scrambled will do."

Giving a nod, he made himself busy in cutting onions and tomatoes. I get comfortable by jumping up on the counter. "There's a chair, you know? And a dining table."

"I'm good here."

It's been my habit to sit on the counter whenever my mom would cook and I'd linger about starving. I've often tried to steal things off the stove to eat them raw such as potatoes, noodles, peas, etc. She would always swat my hand on noticing and scold me to wait for it to cook properly least it upset my stomach.

I could tell it was bothering him that someone was sitting on his counter top but I am in no mood to move. Sometimes, it's fun messing with him. It's not hard to irritate him, after all.

"Fine then, while you are there, reach in the cabinet behind you and take out the box of hot chocolate powder."

I grinned at once with the mention of my favorite drink. After he moved the diced onions in the heated pan, he gets the carton of milk and cup for me. I tried to sneak a piece of onion out of the pan but I accidentally touched the surface and pulled back with an instant wince.

He turned at the sound to find me with my finger in my mouth to soothe the small burn. His eyes narrowed as if scolding authoritatively, "What did you do?"

"Nothing." I mumbled hiding a grin and fisting my palm so he wouldn't see the burn.

He walked up to stand in front of me, folding his arms over his chest. "Show your hand."

I forwarded the other and tried to trick him, "See, I didn't do anything."

His jaw clenched and fists tightened as if he was stopping himself from reaching out and pulling my other hand. Disapproval all over his face, he turned to the fridge and pulled out an ice cube.

"Thanks," I mumbled with lowered head. Once again, he had figured it out. Did he have a sixth sense I needed to know about?

"Get down from the counter," he instructed and I didn't dare defy him for his tone was clipped as he if meant it and wouldn't take no for an answer. I just had a glimpse of him trying to control his actions and not touch me. I figure it was best to not rile him further.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

| . . . C H A P T E R . . . 1.10.2 - T A K I N G - B A C K - C O N T R O L . . . |

My phone vibrated and I answered it right away before awkwardness settled. "Morning, Amy. How was your day? And hold on, I'm going to put you on speaker." I put the phone on the counter and turned on speaker so I could ice my finger and make my hot chocolate too.

Armaan pointed out, "Someone's happy this early in the morning. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm about to have my favorite hot chocolate. You know that's enough to make me all happy." He laughed at my response and I glanced up at Arnav, remembering our conversation from earlier in the week. "Oh, by the way, I need you to go all Tae-Kwan-do on someone."

"Who?"

Arnav eyed my playful smirk and rolled his eyes in a huff. I was only trying to get rid of his anger.

"Arnav."

"What did he do now?"

"He said he could fight you and I told him there's no way you'd lose. I need you to prove me right."

Arnav threatened, "Do you want your breakfast or not?"

I squinted at him for threatening to take my food away but decided to stop testing for the time being when Armaan answered, "Doll?"

"Yeah?"

"Where are you right now?"

"Oh, uh at his summer house. We all come here as sort of a weekend road trip." I replied on catching his concern. It was barely 7 in the morning and he had heard Arnav on the speaker.

"What happened since last week that you're talking to him like he's your best friend?"

I picked up the cup of hot chocolate and put the phone off speaker as I began to walk away from the kitchen. "Nothing, Armaan. We just... reached an understanding."

"Understanding?"

"Yes, Armaan. Maybe I was quick to judge him harshly."

"And what did he do to change your mind?"

"I don't know, Amy. I'm just trying, I guess. I let myself go over the last two years and I used to think not caring about anything and everything was better. That it wouldn't take up so much energy but I'm realizing how wrong I was. I thought I was fighting it but the truth is, I had stopped fighting. I'm not the only one in this world this has happened to so I need to stop walking around as if the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I need to stop playing the victim. I don't know if I can go back to being who I was but I do know I turned into this person I don't want to be anymore."

When he doesn't respond, I asked in nervousness, "Say something?"

I heard him exhale first. "Doll, I couldn't be prouder. You know I've hated seeing you hurting so."

I answered in a quiet voice, "I know."

He was quick to support, "But it doesn't matter. What matters is that you're trying now."

"Yeah. Only took me two years to realize..."

He chided, "Hey, don't think like that. It doesn't make a difference how long it took - just that you realized. What happened to you isn't supposed to be easy so don't downplay it. Healing takes however long it takes. As long as you don't stop trying, there is always hope. Else, you know, there are those who aren't strong enough and let it overtake them or spend their life in misery. And, I know you're strong. You can beat this. You can take back control of your life. Months or years, I'm always here for your support. Me. Riddhima. Angad. All of us."

I smiled through happy tears for it was unreal how much they love and support me. It was because of their love that I lived my last two years. Be it in depression and suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. I still lived when I won't lie... once I did consider just ending all the suffering in one go during one of my breakdowns.

But that terrified fear I had spotted in Armaan's eyes when I had glanced up from the blade... that had been enough to want to scold myself a million times. How could the thought have even crossed my mind?

I blinked away from those past memories and asked, "Speaking of, have you talked to Riddhima or is she still not talking to you?"

"Don't worry about that. We'll work out it. More important is what Angad did. Or rather, said to her."

"Uh-oh. What did he do?" I questioned anticipating the bad news. He could say things without a filter sometimes.

"He was drunk and with some random girl - you know him - when Riddhima had called and you know Riddhima. She hates it when he does that and you can imagine the lecture that followed. Then ofcourse, because he was drunk, he went off on her. Some colorful words were said as he basically told her to stop acting like his mom."

I groaned. Angad's parents. A touchy subject. I can only imagine what could have followed after.

"Now he's here in Mumbai with me, sulking."

I returned to the kitchen with the empty cup. "Did he call Riddhima back when he sobered up?"

"Nope, doesn't have the guts to face her."

Putting it in the sink and adding water so it wouldn't dry up, I ordered. "Well, tell Angad to shove it and stop messing around. Ridzzi is already pissed at you, for God knows what reason because both of you are being stupid kids and won't tell me. I don't need the two of them falling apart too."

He argued, "I did try, doll. He's being an ass and won't listen to me."

I sighed controlling my anger for I was letting it out on the wrong person. "Fine, give him the phone. I'll knock some sense into him." I waited for the phone to be passed about and then the second Angad say 'hey', I started scolding him. "Angad Khanna, what in the fuck's world is the matter with you? Don't you know how Ridzzi is? When you were drunk off your ass and with some chick, why would you even answer her call? And even if you did, why would you say that to her?"

He grumbled in his defense, "I was drunk, Khushi. Obviously, I didn't know what I was doing."

Arnav placed the plate of scrambled eggs in front of me and my eyes widened as I realized I had walked back in the kitchen and he was witnessing the later part of the conversation with my very colorful language.

Arnav walked back to the stove and I replied to Angad, "I don't care, Angad. Being drunk isn't an excuse. Call her back and apologize, whether you mean it or not. Or so God help you, the next time I see you, you are going to be digging your own grave."

I ended the phone call with the last threat for I had no interest in listening to his lame excuses. He should know better!

Arnav dared to ask, "Uh... everything okay?"

I faked a smile, "Just peachy."

Despite my mood, that seemed to earn a chuckle out of him as he washed his hands, "Alright, well dig in. I'm going to go shower."

This was what I like about him. He knew when to not pursue a line of questioning. Or better yet, he almost never asked any questions that didn't have a simple answer.

It was one of his things I appreciated. He gave people their space. Maybe because he knew when he wanted his own space.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

| . . . A U T H O R - N O T E . . . |

So, part 2 was earlier from Arnav's POV. I changed it to Khushi's so I could add her discussing the choice with Armaan and we could see just how much visiting the shelter made her change her thoughts and self-reflect. How do you feel about it?

And our ever so clumsy Khushi in the kitchen :P I decided to give that aspect of hers a head start so we have more incidents ;) Hope you enjoyed the chapter!