Mathematicians and Scientists (Saanvi×Ben)

Chapter 19: Helping the Hurting

Ben

I open my eyes to see another person, lying in my bed, wrapped in my bed sheets. It takes me a moment to further examine the figure and realize it's Saanvi laying peacefully beside me. I feel my heart melt as I take a moment to watch the way she breathes, the rise and fall of her chest, the hint of a smile on her face...

I know she wasn't there when I fell  asleep since Olive is still staying with us, but I never heard her come in. I'm guessing she was intentional about that, considering what may likely be the results of us sleeping in the same bed.... it sure is good Olive is here because I don't need that kind of distraction right now.

I allow myself to start on a trail of thought about the next steps we need to take to save the lifeboat. At this point, I'm not convinced that we can. The passengers keep messing it up, from murdering one another to denying the existence of the callings all together. It feels so futile to do anything knowing someone will just mess it up tomorrow. But, 828 and it's dilemmas feel so distant right now, when I'm staring at Saanvi Bahl in my bed.

After what I'd estimate to be a half an hour, I see her begin to stir. I reach over and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and she opens her eyes. It takes less than 10 seconds of her being conscious for her smile to spread across her face and her hand to find mine with our fingers intertwining.

"Good Morning," She whispers as I kiss her on the cheek. 

I see the blood rush to her face and she runs a hand through my hair. Every touch feels so electric and I can't stand it. I have to remind myself of the presence of my teenage daughter in the house. I gently release Saanvi's hand and head out to make some breakfast, but not before I notice how beautiful she looks. 

"You know. That's not fair." I say with a hint of pity in my voice. 

She looks at me confused before asking, "What's not fair?"

"It's not fair that you can wake up looking so beautiful." I reply, and her confusion fades into a slight smile. 

"Says you Ben Stone." Is her only reply before she heads to the bathroom. I shake my head at her as I waltz into the kitchen. I don't deserve her affection but she gives it so willingly. I don't think I will ever get over it. 

I begin frying some eggs and put some toast in the oven. I turn on some Taylor Swift - Olive's favorite. I figure nothing will draw her out of her room quicker than Taylor Swift and breakfast. 

My hypothesis is confirmed because she appears less than a minute into Cruel Summer. 

"You know you don't have to play Taylor Swift to spend time with me, right dad?" She comments with a smile, "but I do love the gesture." 

"You know honey, I think I'm becoming a bit of a Swiftie myself." I say before I jump into the chorus of cruel summer in my best Taylor voice:

"It's cruel the shape of your body, it's cool the feeling I've got ooooo" 

It's evident she's trying to conceal her laugh as she says, "Okay dad, point proven, please never sing that again." 

I nod my head in agreement and check my phone to find I have an email from Astoria, one of the colleges I had worked at prior to 828. I recently sent them an email regarding substitute teaching and it looks like they need me already. 

"What is it dad?" Olive asks.

"Looks like I'm going to be subbing for Math 206 today at Astoria." I reply, "Hopefully this is the next step to getting my life back on track." 

"You get to teach today?" Saanvi questions as she walks into the kitchen. 

"Saanvi! When did you get here?" Olive questions