Warrior

57

With our breaths regained, Arnav and I made our way back to the mansion. As soon as we stepped inside, both of us spotted Shalini Singh Raizada in the dining room.

"Hey," mama in-law beamed. "You two hungry and wanna eat now or...?"

"I know I need to shower now but screw it, I'm starving," Arnav said, and he headed towards the dining room.

Eh, I could eat now as well.

Following after Arnav, we both made our way to the table and sat down.

"No one else is awake yet," Arnav questioned.

"After coming in so late? As if," she chuckled as she filled up our plates. "But I do believe the boys are-"

Just at that moment, the front door opened and the voices of Akash and NK filled the room.

"Well, would you look at that! Just as I was going to take their names, they arrived," she smiled.

Akash and NK came into the room and each placed a kiss on her cheek.

"May my boys live a long and healthy life."

Looking into Shalini's eyes, her love was so obvious and genuine.

"And may you as well," Arnav smiled softly.

She flashed a smile at him as she put our food down, then looked at me. "And may my daughter as well."

Everyone has their eyes on me, so I also flashed a small smile, Shalini returning one as well. The boys took their seats, as did Shalini.

"So everyone, what's the plan for today," she asked.

"Emails and phone calls," Arnav shrugged.

Even though we aren't going into work, we still have to do at least the bare minimum. "Same."

"Always the businessman and businesswoman," she smiled at us, then turned to the boys, placing their food down. "What about you two?"

"I'm chillin'," NK grinned, flashing his teeth as he put his hands behind his head.

"Ever the relaxed one," Shalini chuckled. "What about you Akash?"

"Well, I have a shoot tomorrow, so just getting my camera and things together."

"Oh really? Where?"

"In the city; it's for the Youth Dance Academy."

I tried to stop my eyes from widening.

What?

"Oddly enough, when I was going through some of their old stuff, I saw a very familiar face," and he turned his attention on me.

The others looked at me as well but I just continued to focus on the food on my plate.

Shit.

"Anything interesting to tell us, Bhabi," Akash smiled, batting his lashes.

Why this boy, I swear....

"Well I don't mind saying it. Did you know Pari Ma that Bhabi is a really good dancer?"

Shalini looks at me, surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah! There were these videos where Bhabi was doing classical dance, but there were also videos and pictures of her doing hip hop as well! They were so cool!"

"Wow! I had no idea! Chote, did you know?"

Yeah right, no one knows! Ever since what happened, that's a chapter of my life that's been shut and sealed. So there's no way-