Warrior

44

I don't think I can tolerate anymore of the ridiculousness that is my family - especially my mother and her constant need to smother Arnav. Heck, I don't think Arnav Singh Raizada can tolerate it either.

Not that he'd ever admit it.

Just like that, our week at my parents' place was over. Payal tackled me with a hug, and once again squirt tried to keep her emotions at bay. Amma on the other hand started bawling her eyes out immediately, which made my throat close up, but I kept myself together. Babuji was the only one to actually contain his emotions, however as we pulled away, I saw him wipe away a tear.

Oh man....

As Arnav drove along and the house got tinier and tinier in the mirror, my heart only swirled. Part of it felt some sort of relief, but that was just the damage reacting. Part of it pined to go back, wanting the safety of my room and closet, but again, that was just the damage reacting.

How did I personally feel?

My heart is too damaged to feel anything, so I'll let my damage feel everything.

"You okay?"

Snapping back to reality, I looked at Arnav. Concern was very much obvious in his expression as he glanced at me.

Letting out a sigh, I buried into the seat a little. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"It can't be easy leaving your family."

I only hummed in return.

Arnav came to a red light and halted. "Well, whenever you want to, we can go visit them and stay as long as you want."

We? "We?"

"Yes, we... unless you'd rather go alone, that's fine-"

"No, I didn't mean it-"

"It's okay, I know," Arnav chuckled, and drove forward when the light turned green.

I looked him up and down for a moment; he didn't look offended or anything, he seemed genuine.

Huh.

I snuggled into my seat once more and leaned my head against the window. "I'm surprised you're offering to go back even though my mother was stuffing you up like the Thanksgiving turkey."

A snort immediately escaped from Arnav. "Like the what?"

I looked over at him to see him looking at me with a confused yet amused expression, which made me grin.

"You heard me," and I rolled my eyes, despite my grin.

Arnav started laughing, shaking his head.

Have I ever heard him laugh? Like this?

Why am I suddenly becoming aware of and questioning these things? Laughs? Awkward moments? Like what even- stop it Khushi! You're overthinking without even having any- "Coffee!"

Like the toddler I am, I placed my hands and face on the window, watching the coffeehouse pass by.

"Uh, I guess coffee first," Arnav chuckled lightly, and he turned back around.

"Yes, yes, yes!!!"

With the amount of stupid-thinking going through my head? Fuck yeah I need it!

Going back around, Arnav went through the drive thru. While he got a cold brew, I got an iced caramel macchiato, adding in an extra shot of espresso. As soon as we got the order and Arnav handed me my drink, I chugged that shit like my life depended on it.