OBSESSED

Chapter 5

THE SAME EVENING

"OH MY GOD YOUR PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL ." Dev screams in my ears.

"Thank you." It's prettier now that she thinks it's beautiful.

"You have a swimming pool. A swimming pool! And the paintings on the walls go with the background colours. It's all so perfect. But why isn't anyone home?" Dev asks.

"I live alone.  My parents work in another city so." I love this privilege - talking with her alone.  Alina hasn't arrived yet and Nikhil probably isn't going to show up. 

"Oh. Isn't it difficult? Aren't you bored alone?" She looks so genuine everytime she asks something. Her eyes go all big with curiosity.

"I'm used to it. I've been living alone with a caretaker since I was 10 so this works for me."
  And if you're that worried, stay here with me. I think to myself and smile.

The doorbell rings . It's Alina. I feel weirdly upset. Alina steals Dev so easily. I wish time stopped here.

"Hi Samyak. Beautiful place bro." Alina smiles and says. "And oh my god you look amazing Dev."

I agree with Alina ofcourse.

"Thank you.  I was going to compliment your cardigan but you did it first."

Another doorbell. Please tell me it's not Nikhil. He looksat me like he wants to kill me all the time. I'm not scared of him, I'm just uncomfortable.

"Hi Nikhil." Dev waves at him with a big smile. Why does she smile at him like that?

"Hello" he says and hands her something. It's a ...chips packet?

Dev stares at him blankly.

"What? You said you wanted cheetos the other day.   I was at the store so I picked up some for you." Wow. He's so casually cool.

No wonder Dev smiles at him like that.

"Damn you remembered. Thank you , son"
Dev replies looking all proud and patting him on his head like some dog owner.
And he actually looks relaxed when she pats him.

Two hours into the movie which Nikhil picked , not gonna lie , it's a surprisingly good one.

But what's better is the how we are seated.
Alina is trying to play matchmaker I assume and I"ll take that gratefully.

She forced Nikhil to sit with her i.e on my left side. My right side of the couch is currently occupied by Dev. It's hard to focus on the movie but I'm trying my best alright.

Speaking of Dev, the girl is currently fast asleep on my shoulder. She looks so stressed even right now.

Nikhil taps me on my shoulder.

He asks me to put Dev to sleep first. Alina suggests to take her upstairs or the noise will ruin her bedtime.

"Show me where to take her?" Nikhil asks questioningly. He looks awkward for the first time.

Excuse me? They might be family but no.
This isn't gonna do.

"I'll take her it's okay. You guys continue with the movie." I try my best to convince them.

Alina seems to love the idea.

"Yes you should take her.  Nikhil stay with me dumbo. Hurry Samyak she'll wake up" Alina whispers.

Okay then.  I lift Dev carefully and looking at her face I'm sure of one thing.  She's having a nightmare. She sleep talks but settles comfortably in my arms.

I carry her to my room and place her on the need gently. She sleep talks again but it's gibberish and I only pick on the words  'I tried dad' and she looks sad.

So I decide to sit on the floor beside the bed incase she wakes up because of whatever bad dream she's having.