You're Mine, I'm Yours II

Part 17

Khaotung pushed the door open, the familiar creak greeting him as he stepped inside. His bag was slung lazily over his shoulder, his steps unhurried. The warmth of the previous night still clung to him like a second skin, and his lips curved into a faint smile as memories of First's touch lingered in his mind. The scent of the home-a mix of sandalwood and jasmine-should have been comforting, but the moment he spotted Khanna standing in the living room, arms crossed and her brow furrowed, he knew peace would be short-lived.

"Well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence," Khanna began, her voice a sharp blend of irritation and mockery. She leaned against the back of the armchair, her eyes narrowing in faux disapproval. "I was starting to think you'd officially moved in with First and abandoned me to fend for myself."

Khaotung rolled his eyes dramatically, tossing his bag onto the sofa. "Don't start with your theatrics. I just stayed out a little longer than usual."

Khanna scoffed, crossing her arms tighter. "A little longer? Try all night. The sun set and rose again before you even thought about coming back. What's next? Sharing a toothbrush? Matching pajamas?"

Khaotung smirked, his head tilting slightly. "You're just mad no one's offering to make you breakfast in an apron."

Khanna's face twisted in mock disgust. "Eww. Spare me the domestic bliss visual. I don't need to know what goes on in your little honeymoon phase." She paused, raising an eyebrow. "Although, I do have to admit, the idea of you playing house is hilarious ".

He laughed, shaking his head. "You're jealous no one's offering to whip up pancakes for you."

"Jealous? Of your nauseatingly sweet love life?" she shot back, feigning offense. "Please. I'd rather eat instant noodles in peace than watch you play house with the enemy."

Khaotung grinned, enjoying the banter. "You're annoying."

"And you're so predictable," she retorted with a smirk. Then, her expression shifted, her arms uncrossing as she sighed softly, "But seriously, don't get too comfortable. You might have to come back to reality sooner than you think."

The change in her demeanor caught Khaotung's attention, and his teasing faded. "What is it?" he asked, his voice gentler now.

Khanna hesitated, her gaze dropping momentarily before meeting his eyes. "Father called."

The room seemed to freeze. The playful atmosphere evaporated, replaced by a heavy, suffocating tension. Khaotung's smile vanished, his heart sinking at the weight those two words carried. "Father called?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, her face serious now. "He wants us to go back."

Khaotung stiffened, the lingering warmth from his time with First extinguished in an instant. "Go back?" he echoed, his tone filled with apprehension. "Why? Everything's fine here. We're doing good. Why now?"

Khanna shrugged, but her unease was evident in the way her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. "You know how he is. He doesn't care if we're doing fine. He doesn't care about us, period. He just expects us to fall in line whenever he snaps his fingers."

Khaotung ran a hand through his hair, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "This doesn't make sense. Why now? We've been keeping a low profile. Things were finally starting to go right."

Khanna stepped closer, her voice softening. "I know. But this is him we're talking about. Timing doesn't matter. What we want doesn't matter. He has his reasons, and they're rarely in our favor."

Her words struck a chord, and Khaotung's mind immediately went to First. To the peace he'd found, the rare moments of happiness he'd started to let himself believe in. The thought of leaving it all behind made his chest tighten painfully. "I don't want to go back," he said firmly, his voice low but resolute.