Monsoon

11. Arrival

Shardul checked his wrist watch again and sighed. It wasn't late but he was already nervous with excitement. He pressed his lips and tried to master his expression in the mirror.

"Is the room ready?" he asked Brijal in the reflection.

"Yes," Brijal said patting pillows into shape. "I have changed the sheets and kept fresh towels in that room."

"Thank you."

"Can I get you anything?" she asked critically.

"Huh?" he said turning to her. Brijal had been taking care of this flat for years now but never had she asked him if he needed anything.

"Water or coffee?" Brijal said standing straight.

Shardul frowned.

"For your anxiety."

"Is it evident?" he frowned.

Brijal shrugged and straightened the rug. "I have never seen you like this."

"I have never felt like this," he muttered settled on the couch, powering up his laptop. "Coffee would be good, thanks."

"Of course," she said leaving him to his thoughts.

She had said yes, he smiled. He was genuinely excited to stay with her. Naina's presence always brought peace to his heart. She was a fiery one, hard and sharp. Yet, there was a soft, sensitive hidden part of her that he had discovered during their time together. He knew no one else for who she had lowered her guards the way she had for him and that filled him with a sense of rejoice.

He grinned remembering the time he had first told Luv about her.

"Are you describing a human or an oyster?" his brother had asked.

"Her heart is nothing less that mother of pearl," he had retorted.

The bell rang through the house, and Shardul shot to his feet. He grabbed the door and cursed loudly as his phone rang in other corner of the room. For a moment he debated over ignoring the call. Defeated, he pulled the phone off the charger and accepted the call.

As usual, Bahar blabbered about a client, to which he listened half-heartedly. He went on to the landing but all he could hear was a low murmur.

"Bahar, I will call you back-" he said stopping her midsentence and pocketed his phone. With a sigh, he descended the staircase.

Arms crossed across his chest, Luv was leaned against the sofa scrutinizing Naina's every move. Naina herself was standing ramrod by the dinning table holding his gaze.

"Glad to have you here," Shardul said, cutting through the tension in the room.

If Naina tried to smile at him, she was failing miserably, he thought and wrapped her in his arms.

"Apologies for being late," she muttered. Up close, she looked pale and sleep deprived.

"As long as you are here," he said pressing his lips to her temple. "Is there a problem?" he asked looking around.

"I want to talk to you," Luv and Naina said in chorus and frowned at each other.

"Me first," Luv said motioning towards the study.

"Mine can't wait," Naina rested a hand on Shardul's chest. Shardul grimaced at the two most important individuals in his life.

"Bhai," Luv insisted giving him a meaningful look.

Shardul took Naina's cold hand in his and pressed gently. "Why don't you go and get fresh?" he suggested. "I will be in your room by the time you are done."