It Happened In Florida

|Day Five|

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart"

*Tejasswi*

Last year Tejasswi was shooting for Khatron ke Khiladi in Bulgaria. Every day when she would come back to the hotel after a day full of stunts she was exhausted, sore and cranky. She gave it more than a hundred per cent. Every day was a fight with herself to prove to the world that this tiny, petite girl can and will outperform those tall, well-built muscular boys. And she did. She channelled all her anger and bitterness of the breakup towards her performing well in the show. And she was doing fantastic before that unfortunate accident occurred. The universe was not done playing her yet.

But every month there were these four agonising days that she would trade them for a week full of stunts in a heartbeat. Today was one such day. She'd woken up to a visit from Aunty Flo. Her back ached, she felt bloated and nauseated and she could feel one ugly pimple popping up on her face. The first two days were always hard for her.

Thankfully she always had emergency pads in her travel bag. She gathered all her energy to make one trip to the bathroom and then stumbled back to the bed. Her entire body felt like one giant bruise.

Karan was still asleep beside her and even though there was a good three feet of distance between them, his body was radiating warmth like a space heater and all she wanted was to wrap herself around his body to get some relief from these cramps. She was not sure she'll survive without a heating pad.

And as if on cue he felt her intrusive gaze boaring into him, he stirred in his sleep, rubbing his eyes open cutely looking directly at her.

"Hey," he said fighting a yawn, a soft smile curving the edges of his mouth.

"You are hot!" She blurted out before thinking. Her tone almost accusatory.

"I am sorry?" He said sounding confused and alarmed at her tone.

"Nothing. Forget I said anything." She grumbled and turned to call for some aspirin.

"I've heard from quite credible sources that Ginger Ale helps"

"Well too bad I usually need Aaloo parathas. Can you cook them here? And where did you hear it? From all your girlfriends?"

"No, I have three sisters. And yeah lot of umm.. female friends. And as for aloo parathas, we can order them from the nearby Indian restaurant."

"You mean those overspiced undercooked chewy excuse of a paratha they cook in Coconut oil? No thank you!"

"Jeez, aren't you a ball of sunshine today"

One glare from her shut him up.

"Ok sorry, sorry." He said amusedly, his hand raised in surrender. "What would you like for breakfast? You need to eat before taking the medicine."

"Just anything and everything greasy. Order me two burgers with a side of fries, and a chocolate milkshake"

"Have you seen their burgers? They are huge. Are you sure you want two?"

"I know right, they are great. Make that three, I'll have one later sometime today. Also, ask them if they have a heating pad please"