Silently Falling in Love: Race - #Wattys2017

Chapter 30 - August 1995

Anjali

I was so excited to see Karthik, it had been a couple of weeks since I last saw him and this week we had barely spoken because of his course load.

He had told me that if I didn't see him at the bus station then to take a cab to his place. He wasn't sure if he would be able to make it in time to the bus station. I scanned the crowd and I didn't see my handsome Karthik so I quickly hurried to the taxi line.

Seems there were several people looking to take a cab on this Friday afternoon. Finally, after I thought I was going to go crazy I hopped into a cab and gave the cabbie my boyfriend's address. I put on my headphones and listened to my Hindi music so I would calm down.

Twenty-five minutes later I was walking up the stairs of Karthik's apartment. I put my set of the keys into the lock and let myself in.

The apartment was quiet so I dropped my bags in the living room and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

I smiled to myself as I drank the water quickly. Karthik had said he had news to share with me. He told me I had to come up this weekend. I was so excited. I hoped this meant what I thought it meant that his parents had finally accepted me.

I walked to the living room to relax but as I walked towards my stuff I heard small noises from Karthik's room. My heart began to pound into my chest. What if there was a burglar in the house? I calmed my self down. I'd taken a self-defense class. I looked around the living room for something sharp to defend myself with.

Everything looked harmless. There was nothing – a remote control, books and a few picture frames. Nothing that I could harm an intruder with. I tiptoed back to the kitchen to get a knife, but on my way I saw a baseball bat in the corner of the dining room.

I opted for the baseball bat over the knife and I quietly tiptoed towards Karthik's room.

I put my ear to the door and I heard someone breathing and moving things around. I then heard a loud sigh and that was my sign I pushed open the door and aimed my baseball bat at the intruder.

"What are you doing Anjali?" a panicked Karthik said as he jumped off his bed.

"You scared me I thought there was a burglar in your home!"

"Why would you think that?"

"Because it was so quiet when I got here it seemed like no one was here and then I heard small noises from your room!" I said defensively.

"So you thought you'd fight the burglar instead of calling 911?" Karthik said a bit peeved.

"Sorry for wanting to defend you!" I said as I observed Karthik. He looked like hell. His hair was a mess and his face looked tired.

"I don't need defending," Karthik fired back.

"Nice to see you too," I said as I put the baseball bat down.

"You must be tired why don't we go for a walk and grab a cup of coffee?"

I took the peace offering, "A cup of coffee and some fresh air sounds great."

Karthik quietly picked up his jacket, "Alright lets go."

I followed him out of the apartment and we walked several blocks in silence towards the local coffee shop that we often frequented.

He seemed upset about something. Maybe he hadn't done well on an exam.

I took a table while Karthik went to the counter and ordered for us.