Somewhere Only We Go

Chapter 16

Kabir

There is an anxious energy inside me and no matter how much I try to divert my mind it won't go. It happens every year, on my b'day eve when my mind kills me thinking about is this year my mother would finally cut the last string attaching us. Every year on my b'day she messages me in the morning, it's a simple text that just says Happy Birthday beta and that is the only hope I have that maybe one day I can go back home. But the eve before that kills me every single year. I thought that since I am here in Goa this year, I have plenty to be happy about I won't think about her, or Papa, or anything about home. Avi knows there is something wrong because ever since we came back I have barely spoken. His parents are not home so we are in the front drawing room, more like I am just sprawled on the couch and Avi is somewhere nearby I think. I keep losing count of how many drawing rooms this villa has, every entry point looks like a new house in itself. Avi told me it was designed in a way that when he and his brother grew up they could have their privacy, there are a total of three entry points in this maze-like villa, and on the first day I considered asking him to draw me a map so I accidentally don't end up in his parents' bedroom. The way they are, they might not know who I am if they don't see me around Avi. I am starting to hate them.

But even the thought of Avi's horrible parents doesn't help today. I should be happy, I am having the perfect vacation, I also had a great day working today with Avi, and when he introduced me as his boyfriend, even if for show why else would he do that, right? He keeps blurring the lines between what's fake and what's real and I am not sure my heart will survive when this is over.

The delicious smell hits my nose first before Avi sits where my legs are with a plate in his hand and I sit straight to have a plate full of cookies in my hand.

"You baked these?" I ask.

"Yes, try it. They are still a little warm so be careful." He replies.

I pick one up and take a small bite and I can't help moaning, "Oh my god". Avi laughs.

"Well good to know my dick has the same effect as a cookie."

"Aw, don't be jealous. If it's any consolation you made these so it's still your fingers."

"I can do better things with my fingers."

"Nah, I think this is the best thing."

"Is that a challenge?" He raises an eyebrow daring me to say the words.

"What if it is?"

"I'll just have to show you tonight how good I am at completing a challenge."

What is this him promising stuff about tonight? Is there something I don't know?

"Come here." He opens one of his arms.

I shift towards him and wrap myself around him with my head on his chest. I keep munching the cookie in my hand and crumbs drop on his lap but he doesn't say anything. He presses his lips on my hair and rubs his hand on my arm.

"I thought the cookies would make you feel better." He says softly.

"But you don't even know what's wrong," I whisper. Did he just bake me cookies because he knew something was bothering me?

"I don't have to if you don't want to talk about it, I just want to help you feel better. But if you want to talk about it, I am here to listen." Hearing those words I give in and the first drop of tears falls down my face.

"What if she doesn't wish me this year?" There was a pause and I thought he didn't understand what I meant but then he said, "Then she doesn't deserve you baby."