Dawning

Chapter 8

Next few days went by in a blur. Jassi had gotten along well with the other guys after the initial friction. She had taken up to occasionally cooking for them, how ever she could with an injured arm. Hardy would sometimes disappear for long hours during the day. But he had warned Jassi to not leave the house or go too far, as on an off chance, her husband might be looking for her.

The nights were all the same.

She and Hardy would share a meal, Chat a little about themselves and what they'll do once they're home. She would insist on him sleeping on the bed and tell him that she'll take the floor. But he would refuse every single time and spend the nights siting on the floor by her foot. She had felt guilty when she had caught him stretching in the morning and wincing at the soreness.

Tonight, she had decided she would not take "No" for an answer.

"Are you punishing me for you being stuck here because of me?" She went straight to the point when they were done with dinner.

Hardy was surprised by the odd question.

"No. I would never. Why do you ask?"

"Then why would you let me feel guilty for making you sit all night rather than sleeping peacefully?" She asked again.

"Oh." Hardy actually didn't have an answer for that. He believed he was being chivalrous and doing the right thing. He still tried to explain it,

"Hey I can't do that. You are already injured. And my mother taught me to treat all women with respect. I can't have you sleep on the floor while I sleep on the bed."

"Why don't we share?" Jassi spoke even before she thought, and Hardy's eyes popped out with surprise.

"I mean- yes it's a small bed but there is definitely enough space." Jassi tried justifying her answer.

Reluctantly, Hardy agreed to the idea. Every bone in his body was screaming that this was a bad idea. Unbeknownst to him, his feelings towards Jassi ran deeper than what they seemed. She wasn't just someone he was trying to help because he felt guilty. As he got to know her over the days, he felt more and more drawn towards her.

He knew sharing a bed with her would not help his case either. Yet he found himself scooting over to the far side of the bed, as far as he could go, before falling off from the other side. He kept his hands folded under his head. On the other hand, Jassi slept with her back towards him. They had managed to keep some distance between them at night. But that is not how the daylight found them.

Hardy was the first one to wake up. He was definitely not feeling like getting up as it was one of the best sleeps he had had in a while. He could feel the sunligh streaming through the broken window on his face. To avoid it, he buried his face further into the soft hair that was partially covering his face.

Hair. Not his own.

Hardy opened his eyes with a jolt as the realisation dawned upon him. True to her words, Jassi had stayed on her side of the bed. But he was not. He was on her side, spooning her, with arm drapped over her waist pulling her close and his face buried in neck. Hardy was mortified. This was awkward,

1. This was a public space.
2. You were not supposed to be in this position with a stranger you were rescuing.

Hardy tried relaxing himself and checked if Jassi was awake. He could feel her steady breathing against his chest. He took the opportunity and slowly untangled himself from her and rushed off to the bathroom.

Jassi woke up a few minutes later, clearly oblivious to the things.

Sometime  later, Hardy went out as usual, he had a very determined look on his face. Jassi busied herself with absolutely nothing. She was scared obviously, she had put her trust in a complete stranger once again. But there was something about Hardy that made her feel that it's going to be okay. For now, she was getting bored. Bored of staying couped up in those four walls.

But maybe it was one of her lucky days today, because soon Hardy returned with a spring in his walk. He flashed a brilliant smile at her,

"Want to go out today? Explore the city?" he asked her.

Jassi was about to agree when she remembered, "Is it safe?"

"Eh, it's okay. We can have an evening." Hardy brushed off her concern.

"C'mon, let's go." He grabbed her right hand in his left and dragged her along.

Jassi looked at their connected hands, something was missing.