Hope to Love

Chapter 33 - Friends for life!

Avni

Abhi wraps his arms around my body, his fingertips drawing lazy patterns across my back, lulling me into a deep sleep. We stay in each other's embrace, savouring the post-orgasmic bliss.

"You're beautiful when you come for me." He whispers, spreading a smile over my face.

Abhi shifts swiftly, turning us until I am on my back, and he gently pulls out of me. I wince at the sensation; my body is too sensitive to handle anything else.

"You okay?" Abhi asks with concern, and I nod with a soft smile, staring at his ruffled hair, flushed face, and sated eyes. This might be my favourite look on Abhi.

"You're cute." I smile, reaching for his face.

He tries to glare, but chuckles instead. "You're impossible." He rolls off the bed to the bathroom and returns with a warm washcloth to clean me.

I would've objected if I had any strength in me. Also, I love it when he takes care of me.

Abhi climbs the bed, joining me again, and wraps his arms around me. I snuggle into his chest and sigh in satisfaction.

After spending almost two months contemplating our future or his abandonment, this moment is like finally coming home.

I breathe him in, his scent calming me on a different level, yet a nagging question keeps me awake. Suddenly, like a light bulb, my eyes snap open, and I pinch his nipple.

He winces, his voice hoarse. "What was that for?"

"How could you lie to me?" I prop my chin on his chest, wanting to sound angry, yet my voice comes out as a whisper.

Abhi sighs and grasps my wrist, taking it away from his nipple and around his waist. I almost laugh at his caution. "I was planning a surprise for your birthday."

His answer replaces the amusement with anger, and energy surges through me. But he knows me well. Within a second, he has both my arms behind my back.

I groan in frustration. "You could have come to the college at least a few days before you planned on fake-leaving me."

"I got a job, baby." He whispers, tucking my hair behind my ear, dowsing my anger in an instant.

"When? And where?" I frown, staring up at him.

He releases my arms, running his fingers lightly up and down my back. "In a mall, as a store executive. It's a temporary job for the vacation."

Store executive, as in standing all day. I can't imagine what his schedule must've been with a job and the gym. "Is that why you were always tired?" All the efforts just to make a single day special for me.

His grin melts my heart. "Yes, that and the gym."

"No wonder you are heavier now." I smile, teasing him.

He chuckles. "Am I now?"

I frown, remembering Rudra's words from the café. "What did Rudra mean by you trading your leaves?"

Abhi's nostrils flare in annoyance, and he looks away, muttering under his breath. "That jackass had to open his mouth."

I pinch his nipple again, and he glares at me. "Truth."

He holds my gaze in an attempt to intimidate me, but I refuse to back down, and a sigh of defeat escapes him. "Your birthday is on Sunday, and in mall, we can't take a leave on Sundays. It's a rule, but I needed this. So, I made a deal with my manager and traded all my week offs of the month for one leave."