Tortuous Love

Chapter 15

I could feel something warm, blow on my face intermittently, and a heavy object laying across my body. Even though I had the best sleep in the longest of time, it took me a minute to realize that the object laying across me was none other than Rohit. The memories of yesterday night flooding into my mind. We had pizza with a nice glass of wine. Settling onto the sofa cum bed, Rohit old me about his school and why he valued his grandfather the most. And, surprisingly, he gave me a chaste kiss on the forehead. He looked like a little otter who had just won his prize. And as we watched Friends on repeat, we dozed off.

"Can you stop staring at me? It's kind of creepy", he said opening his eyes and giving me his cheeky grin.

Rolling my eyes at his antics, I moved to get out of bed. We had a long day ahead, and I was already dreading going to the gala in the evening.

"Where do you think you are going Nanya?", he said grabbing my arm and pulling me towards himself.

"Jackson will be here soon. You ought to get ready. I need to take a shower. It's a long day ahead Rohit", I said.

He just looked at me with mischief in his eyes and before I could react his lip crashed onto mine. My worry regarding morning breath went down the drain, as all I could think was how could a man look so beautiful in the morning.

"Are you sacred Jackson will rat us out?", he asked.

"No. Common on, it's just I stressing over today. I don't want to go to the gala dinner", I whined.

"Scared to face your ex-lover, Nanya?", he asked me, the mischief long gone.

"You know that Abhimanyu dated my sister. And stop with that stupid pet name, would you?", I said, getting out of bed and going towards the bathroom.

"Why? I like the name. It's cute and endearing." Before I could reply, his phone began ringing. It was Jackson and he was definitely waiting at Rohit's door outside.

"Ah....why don't you wait down, in the foyer? I will be down in 10." Rohit said.

I gave him the told you so look and walked towards my suitcase to grab clothes for the day.

"It's supposed to be chilly today, Ananya", Rohit said glancing up at me.

"Yeah... well I like the cold. Dresses go pretty well with it", I replied just to spite him.

" Whatever floats your boat" he mumbled and started walking towards the door. He stopped midway, suddenly, turned and came to me.

"Would you please wear pants for my sanity?" he said, sincerely.

Laughing at his expression, I said, " Don't worry Roro, I know it's going to be cold, so I will be wearing pants." Quickly pecking him on his cheek I walked inside the bathroom.

"I'm ordering breakfast to go, see you down in 10," he yelled through the bathroom door.

"Yes, boss", I yelled back.

I got ready at the speed of lightening, and was down the waiting with Jackson. He had ordered coffee just the way I liked, and a plate of fruits.

"He's happier since you have started working as his assistant. He used to bark at me all day, before you came along", Jackson said sipping onto his own coffee.

"That's not true. I might just be a better assistant than you were", I said teasing him and trying to digress the conversation.

"You know that's not true. I think you just get him better. Tuned better to his tantrums and moods", he said shrugging his shoulder.

Just as I was trying to come up with a retort, Rohit walked out of the elevator. His hair was on point, and he looked dapper in his suit. I didn't know why I was noticing what he wore today. He wore the same attire every day, but today he seemed different. Less reserved and more carefree. Or as Jackson had rightly pointed out, I had become used to the nuances of his personality.

"Let's get going folks", Rohit said grabbing his cup of coffee off the table. I didn't fail to notice how he quickly looked me over and giving me a sly smile.

As we sat in the car I began briefing him about the days schedule and his appointments. We quickly reached the office and as we entered the front desk had a huge bouquet of orchids.

The attendant at the desk, quickly approached me, " Miss Ananya , these came for you in the morning."

Perplexed at who would be sending me flowers, I grabbed the card pinned to them.

'Have a nice day- A' was neatly written on the card. Before I could react, Rohit grabbed the card and read it.

"Don't overthink it. It's just Abhimanyu trying to be cheeky."

"Are you sure he liked your sister?", Rohit asked grabbing the flowers.

I quickly told the attendant, "Why don't we keep it in a vase by the front desk? They would look beautiful there."

"Yes, I can arrange that", she nodded enthusiastically.

Giving her the flowers, I typed a quick message to my sister about what was happening.

'Do you want me to come down there and give that man an earful. It's long overdue anyway.'

'No, it's fine. Let's not react brashly', I replied back.

'I don't want you to worry but I haven't been able to get in touch with Jai for two days. He said he was on a pro-bono case so it's natural for him to go awol. But he usually checks-in with me.' Jai was known to go MIA occasionally.

'Don't worry. He will. Let me know once you do. I love you. I will call you tonight.'

We were in the elevator, going up to the office and I hadn't noticed that Jackson wasn't with us.

"I would buy you more beautiful flowers." Rohit whispered in my ear like a petulant child.

"I bet you would", I mumbled back.

"Head in the game, Nanya." Rohit was an enigma. Hot and cold. A I would definitely get a whiplash by the end of this day.