Love, as I know it

Chapter 11

I wake up the next day at 10 AM, which is usually pretty late for me. I guess jetlag's got me pretty bad.
The conversation I had a few hours ago with Niall plays in my mind. Maybe Niall's right. Maybe I should confide in him. Something about Niall makes me feel safe. I feel safe around him.
I clear my thoughts, and make my way to to bathroom to brush my teeth, and have a shower.
Once I'm done, I come out and check my phone. I had a dozen missed calls from my parents. And three from Kabir. Kabir had left me a message that he'll be here in an hour.

I call my parents, tell them I'm okay, and then have my breakfast. Once I'm done, I hear the doorbell ringing. I rush to open the door, and see Kabir standing there, with a bag of baked goods, a huge load of groceries, and ofcourse a bouquet of my favorite flowers. Lillies.
Kabir lets himself in, sets the groceries and stuff on the kitchen counter, and hands me the flowers.
"That's very typical of you. But you're never the one to bring so much stuff unless you want something in return. So spill up." I glare at him.
He gives a nervous chuckle. "Well... firstly, I need the keys to your study. I'm not taking any chances of you going in there yet.
And the second thing, we're going out tomorrow. I took a day off. So let's go sightseeing or something. "
"Hey! That's unfair. Why do you get to take the keys. I won't open it the study I promise!"

"Nice try Anika. I know you. And I see the voicemails you leave him every day. You were gonna go see him today? Are you freaking insane? It's not even been a proper day since you came here , and you wanna go see him?"

" Those voice mails are supposed to be private." I say, tears welling up my eyes.

His eyes soften, he sits me down on one of the beanbags in front, and kneels down in front of me.
"Hey. Look at me. I know how it feels. He was a big part of your life. You guys have been inseparable ever since I introduced you two. I gotta admit I was kinda jealous that my brother stole my best friend. But I was glad coz he'd found the most perfect person to love him. I couldn't have asked anyone better than you for him Ani, and you know that. But he's gone. And I promised I'd take care of you. So I can't let you go see him alone. And I always listen to the voice notes. It's the only way I know of things that you don't share with any of us. I'm sorry ani. I'm just looking out for you."

I looked at him, I knew I was crying. But i noticed that Kabir had tears welling up too. But he wouldn't let it out. He was being strong for me.

I nodded my head "okay.. but I just wanna see him. Once. Please."

Kabir gave me a half smile, "Okay, how about this. I'll take you there tomorrow. At the end of our day. Okay?"

I nodded my head.

Kabir stood up, me following him, he took the key to the study. "But I'm still taking these" he said.
"I gotta leave now Ani, but take care of yourself okay? And get those flowers into a vase before they die." He said chuckling.

I hugged him, catching him off guard,
"Thank you, Kabir. You being strong has helped me a lot. But you know I'm there for you too. Please don't hold it all in."

He pulled off our hug, smiled at me, and wiped off a tear that was running down my cheek.
"See you tomorrow yeah?"

I nodded, giving him a smile.

He turned to leave, and I noticed Zayn standing there near the stairway. He stared at me and Kabir uncomfortably.

Kabir smiled at him, gave me one last hug goodbye, and left. I went back in, and was setting up all the groceries that Kabir brought in, Kabir had brought a loaf of bread, some croissants, a pie, and some fresh biscuits. I set them up in different containers, and was about to set the flowers in a vase, when I heard someone knock on my door.