Somewhere Only We Go (Editing)

Chapter 9

[I was going through all the comments I have received on this story and I love reading your thoughts, especially when you find any part of Kabir or Avinash relatable. Since it's a guaranteed HEA, I hope you find yours too someday]. 

Avinash

One thing I truly hate about dealing with some of the overseas companies is the language barrier. Or I just unreasonably like blaming it when the meetings extend too long. And this one with my father sitting right in front of me feels particularly long. Not that my father has done anything to instigate that in me. Sometimes I wonder whose indifference is worse, my mother's who pretends she isn't left with kids anymore after Ishan, or my father who just took my interest in books and reading as a confirmation that I'll take over the company after him. Not even once he asked me if I wanted this or not. And sure I did, his assumption wasn't wrong, at least not entirely. When Kabir asked me about my job that day in the mall I wasn't entirely honest with him. I do love being an editor but I don't know if I want to take over this company. This is also the biggest reason why the new imprint is important to me and also why I have kept it hidden from my father.

It's not difficult considering most of the money I have invested in this comes from my trust fund and Ishan's which became mine when he died. My grandparents made sure no one could have any claim on it even in the unfortunate circumstance of one of us dying. Little did they know that clause was going to make me richer by 25Cr. For years I didn't touch a single penny from Ishan's share, it felt wrong. It still feels wrong but any other way of investing the money would have gotten back to my father and I am not ready for that conversation. I don't know if I ever will be.

After some excruciating 45 minutes, the call ends and I just want to get out of here. One of the few times I can be grateful for my father's negligence. Why is it suddenly getting hot in the room? I need to get out of here. "See you in Goa Avinash." My father leaves with a nod. Not Avi, or son but Avinash like I am someone he hired and we don't share the same DNA.

I sent a text to my PA informing her I was going home, thankfully I didn't have any more engagements for the day and anything else has to wait for 10 days now. I can feel my face getting hot, seriously what's up with the weather today in Delhi? I think about calling a cab because I don't think I can drive. For a minute I consider calling Kabir but then I remember he is in Gurgaon right now or heading back maybe if he was done and I don't want to trouble him.

I have no clear memory of how I dragged myself back to my apartment or in the bathroom where I popped in two pills and before I could fall head first on the floor, I undressed and put on sweats and somehow managed to get myself in bed.

Someone or something is shaking me, is there an earthquake? I am too tired to care right now. If I die because of a roof crashing on me right now, I couldn't care less. Dying will be better than getting up and moving. I can feel a hand around my waist and it's so comforting that I snuggle deeper.

Kabir

I knew something was wrong when I didn't hear anything from Avi by 9 pm, even after dropping so many messages and calling him at least 5 times. I wanted to confirm the flight time. Call it intuition or my overthinking brain but I just knew I had to check up on him otherwise I won't get any sleep. Thankfully the guard in his building recognized me and let me in without clearance only if I get Avi to confirm it by tomorrow morning. But then his door is unlocked and when I step inside it's dark and cold like no one is there. But I still decide to check his room. And I am so thankful for that.

Avi is lying on his bed over the blanket face down. He is only in his sweats and his hair is sticking on his forehead. At first glance, it looks like he just fell asleep while carelessly lying on the bed but the Avi I know is anything but careless especially during weekdays. I slowly climb into the bed, bending on my knees, and try waking him up, but as soon as my hand touches him I realize his body is burning up. When he doesn't respond I grab his waist and turn him over, he makes a low sound before snuggling deeper in my lap. I try waking up but I think he took some medicines so I stay like that for a few minutes. "I'll be back in a minute." I place a kiss on his forehead and grabbing a pillow slowly place it under his head.

I quickly grab a hand towel from the closet and soak it in cold water. That's when I saw the sleeping pills lying on the cabinet. This is why he is knocked out. At least I know he hasn't taken more than two because it's a fresh strip of 10 with only two missing. I'll have to ask him when he wakes up later. Right now hopefully the cloth would help with the fever.

I get on the bed and place the cloth on the side table. It takes me a while to get Avi under the sheets, considering he is heavier than me. I got two different towels so I use one of them on his body, hopefully, the coolness will help him a little. I don't know what else to do right now and I am trying really hard to not panic. I wipe clean the sweat. He isn't sweating anymore so that helps my anxiety a little. Throwing it on the floor, I get under the blanket and bring Avi closer to me, he wraps his arm around me and I place the other towel on his forehead.

Having him close to me where I can feel his breath calms me down. I put my chin on his head and wrapped him in my arms. He didn't have anyone to call. I can't help but think about all the nights he has spent alone in his bed with no one to care for when he needed it. "You could have called me baby," I whisper. That is the last thing I remember before I fall asleep with Avi in my arms.