Not A Simple Engineer Boy! | ✓

114 • gifts of love | one

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Scrollstck- Suganthi Lakshminarayanan

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"Such a marvelous ceramic artifact for the cocktease, huh?" Krithika giggled as Xavier nuzzled near her nape, her fingers caressing the beautiful ceramic centerpiece he'd delivered directly from the Amalfi Coast. "You'll tire me out with your habit of gifting exquisite things."

Pulling her closer into his lap, he hugged her tight from behind, his head resting on her shoulder as he enjoyed the softness of her luscious hair. "We'll see," he murmured, kissing her left ear. "As for the cocktease, we can rectify that situation."

He couldn't get enough of her. Every time she sat in his lap, he was drawn to the silky expanse of her long tresses, letting them slip through his fingers like a blessing.

Her hair brought him comfort. Her presence brought him heaven.

Life is good, he sighed.

"It's ticklish, Xav," she protested, trying to move her head away from his breath fanning her earlobe. "And it was your Machchan who ruined your chances to accomplish your kinky fantasy of having cybersex."

"Karthik visited?"

Xavier was surprised. Krithika had mentioned that her brother only visited once or twice a year, usually after festivities, bringing homemade sweets and snacks from their mother. This visit felt odd and made him slightly uncomfortable.

Just now, I thought life was good.

"He couldn't stop trumpeting about how great Mr. Joseph is and how Mr. Joseph is his hero!" she mocked, clicking her tongue. "'Akka, pweaseee try to get an appointment to meet Mr. Joseph naaa...'" she mimicked in an exaggerated tone, ending with a muttered "Nonsense."

Chuckling, he asked, "Mr. Joseph is his hero? Why does your brother idolize me?" He inhaled her familiar sandalwood essence, his mood lifting immediately. "Isn't he your father's only heir to the textile empire?"

"Ha! Guess, three days back, who got to know that her adorable Thambi was never interested in business and wants to try his future in automotive engineering because he is greatly motivated by Mr. Joseph?" She huffed angrily. "Tada! It's me, Krithika Ashok."

"Are you jealous that he likes me?" Xavier teased, carefully taking the personalized ceramic piece from her hands and placing it on the coffee table.

"Jealous?" she sneered. "I'm not jealous, Xav... I'm... How self-centered have I been? I don't know anything about anyone—Priya, Rashi, or even my little brother!"

"Kanmani..."

"What?" she barked. "I always thought I was the one dealing with all the toughest problems in the world, but every day I realize everyone has their own shitty struggles, and I never cared to ask. Never cared to understand. I feel like I've been too focused on myself. Am I selfish? Am I awful, Xav?"

"No, you're not anything close to that," Xavier said gently, moving her hair to one side to look at her lovely, albeit annoyed, face. Her lips were pouting like a small child's. "You didn't ask because you were busy fighting your own battles, trying to survive."

"Oh god, now you and Karthik are quoting the same idiotic motivational crap?" she snapped. "I'll fucking burn whatever book or website you're getting this shit from."

He maneuvered her on his lap and cupped her chin. "Everyone struggles, and everyone has battles to fight. That's life." He used his index finger and thumb to stretch her lips into a reluctant smile. "You don't have to carry the world's sorrow on your shoulders. Instead, smile for being able to feel empathy. And if you're concerned, it's never too late to ask. If people find comfort in you, they'll share."

"How do you know?" she asked, glaring at him.

Storytime for my Kanmani, isn't it?

A/N

"Kaamini" is such a soulful melody. And, it's official now, I have become a fan of the voice of Harisankar KS ;)

Do tell me what you feel about this and the upcoming chapters, always open to positive criticism.