Warrior

42

It wasn't long later when Arnav and Babuji came back. However, when they came back, their hands were completely full.

What on earth...?

Gomez and a maid helped them out, placing everything on the dining table.

Payal came walking into the room, confused. "Uh, weren't you guys out for a walk?"

"Yes we were," Babuji smiled.

"Uh... huh," she muttered, watching as Gomez and the maid took food out of the bags. 

I crossed my arms over my chest. "So did you decide that you wanted to eat back the calories you just walked off?"

"No," Babuji chuckled. "Actually, Arnav wanted to treat everyone."

I looked over at Arnav Singh Raizada, who was smiling.

What happened last night- stop it!

Amma came walking in and immediately her eyes widened. "Wait is that-? Pani puri? Really?"

Looking away from Arnav, I see that Amma is right. It is pani puri.

Amma and Payal immediately got excited and quickly sat down at the table. While they all got animated, I couldn't help but to stare. Old memories flashed before my eyes, feeling as if I were actually living in that moment in time.

"Khushi?"

"Huh?"

Snapping out of my memories, I looked up to see everyone staring at me.

"Well don't just stand there," Babuji grinned. "I know how much you love eating pani puri, so no need to pretend and act all proper in front of Arnav," he teased.

Arnav smiled his small, polite smile and then looked at me.

Uh.... "Uh, actually, I have a really important phone call to make. I'll just, uh... I'll be right back," and I quickly left the room, rushing to the study.

~

I don't know how much time has passed, but I'm done going through some important emails, not to mention my phone call with Ivy. 

Looks like next week I'll be back at the golf course solidifying another deal - great!

And no, I'm not being sarcastic, I actually am looking forward to next Friday. Three day weekend, here I come!

A knock at the door brings my attention away to the door to see Arnav.

"Hey," he smiled his soft, polite smile.

"Hey, come in."

"You've been gone a while," he said as he walked into the room, looking around.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize-"

"That's okay," he smiled, and he sat down in an empty chair before my desk. "This is nice."

"Thanks. This used to be Babuji's study back in the day, but as he stepped back and saw me getting more and more serious, it became mine. I'm sure he'll be using this now and then until squirt takes over."

"Hmm," he nodded, still glancing around.

I looked Arnav up and down for a moment. "You okay?"

Arnav's eyes met mine. "Are you," he asked softly.

And I don't know why, but I immediately looked down.

"Hey," he said softly, bringing my attention to him. "You know you can talk to me, right?"