Running from Him by YH Yohi

Chapter 13: Engagement Underway

The curtains flared letting strips of rays dances on their entangled legs. Watching the breeze play with fur sheet knotted with their legs, Pari let out a deep sigh, a sigh of blissful peace. Slowly she brought up her hands and playfully began tracing a small circle beside her head, on his chest. A muffled grumble erupted shaking her head slightly, leaving her insides churning. She froze and slowly glanced up to watch him. He slept with an arm supporting his head as the other rested on her shoulder, his faces seemed relaxed as his lips tilted up every so slightly. Slowly he shifted, arousing from his slumber. He caught her staring at him through his half-lidded eyes, his hand traced the outline of her shoulder before resting on her cheek. Instinctively Pari leaned into his touch earning a chuckle in baritone. 

"Slept well?" the raw gruffly voice travelled down her spine tickling the pit of her stomach. 

"Yes, you?" Pari looked up meeting his eyes. Arin grabbed Pari's waist and gently dragged her higher as she rested on the pillow beside him. His other arm encircled her bringing her closer to his hard chest their noses nearly touching. 

"How can I sleep at 4 in the evening?"

"You seemed to be sleeping well a second ago" Pari rebuttals in an instant

"I was waiting for you to get up" Arin let out a small laugh "Didn't know I was about to marry a sloth"

Pari balled her fist and jokingly crashed it into his chest, playing along  he clutched his chest and rolled over. Someone's a drama king.

Pari got up and stretched her arms letting out a dragged yawn. Jetlag was a nightmare. Travelling 2 days straight drowned her in fatigue as it loomed about her like her shadow. Though it has been a day since she came back, she couldn't help her body slouching and rolling over as if it lacks bones. Saturdays were their date nights, following their tradition ;) But the instant she came over to Arin's house she dodged his hug and ran straight into his bed, crumbling under the insurmountable exhaustion. Arin understand as he took off his shirt and slipped into his comfortable shorts before slipping under the sheets and into her arms. 

The spent the whole evening drowsing in each other's arms. But they didn't mind. Engulfed in comfortable silence, they fit into each other like puzzle pieces, perfectly. Pari was often in denial about their relationship. Everything seemed to good to be true. Growing up she came to terms with the reality that held her by the shoulders and shook out all her fairytale fantasies out of her head. Relationships are never perfect and she was fine with that. 

As hard as it felt the first time, she was ready to see Arin's flaws and accept them, she was ready to put in the extra effort to get accustomed to each other and to learn to stay together. But ever since the day the started over 7 months ago, she has not found a single flaw in Arin, not even now. He was perfect. Though she felt grateful and blessed, an uncomfortable thought It's too good to be true, itched the back of her head.

But she already had enough on her plate with her job, family and her engagement in two days. Too much to handle, so she was glad she didn't have to worry about at least one thing in her life, her perfect boyfriend. 

She washed her face and came down to see Arin cook skillfully. He always made her really really good food. 

"Honey where did you even learn to cook like this" 

Without turning back "I lived alone till last year, no choice"

"Oh yea, I forgot. But do you find such variety in UK?"

"Of course, I lived in the dorm with people from all around the world"

"That's so cool! Even Malon was telling me about it. I wish I could too"

"No kidding, you seem so stressed these days" Arin remarked as he placed food in front of Pari, she didn't even bother trying to figure out its name, often Arin would spout out some gibberish Pari could never make sense out off. But it looked professional with a promise of excellent taste. 

"Can't help" Pari shrugged her shoulders as she picked up her fork. After a minute of silence, while wiping the counter in front of Pari, Arin broke the silence

"You spoke to Malon?"

"Umm" Pari muffled nodding her head

"Is he coming to the engagement?" Pari nodded again without looking up

"Oh"

"Why, are you jealous of my best friend Mr. Arin" Pari asked with mocking sternness placing her fists on her hips

"Yeah"

"Sheesh too honest"

"I mean its so obvious he likes you"

"Of course he does, work harder to keep this wonderful girlfriend of yours Arin" Pari wagged her finger in front of him. Arin let out a small laugh, correcting her.

"Fiancé"

"Not yet"

"Will be"

"Umm..maybe" 

"What did you say?" Arin was beside Pari, it was his turn. He turned her stool towards her before picking her up over his shoulder.

"Arin!"

"Babe let's get engaged now!"

"What?"

"Can't risk it with such a frivolous sexy girlfriend" He playfully spanked her before spinning her around. Pari burst out laughing at his silliness. She started pounding on his back before he gently threw her on the sofa, strangling her waist with his. He leaned closer as Pari froze at the proximity. Barely an inch from her face, it came out barely as a raspy whisper 'Mine'.

Pari stared into his eyes, enraptured by his intense gaze, as he leaned in closer and closer angling his head...

Tring! Tring! 

Cursing the damned phone, Pari apologetically looked at Arin, he stared back. With a smirk he leaned in and gently kissed her, holding in place just a second longer before getting off her. Blushing Pari hastily grabbed her phone as Arin walked over the open kitchen to clear the used dishes. 

"Honey, I need to go" Pari hugged Arin from the back and leaned to catch a glimpse of his face. He turned around with his gloved hands to either side.

"I'll let you go today, but in two days you are all mine" With a wink and another peck on her cheek he let her go. Shyly Pari looked down as she smiled to her self. Suddenly, she leaned forward and left a small kiss on his nape before grabbing her bag and dashing out of his house. She didn't stop to look back, look back at see the effect she had on Arin who stood their frozen dishwater dripping from his gloves on his bocote floor, as a blush gradually crept up his face.