Dare Trilogy | Book 3 Editing | ✓

2.15 | A Handful + All The Reasons

Posted on June 07th, 2017 | Edited on November 7th, 2018

| . . . C H A P T E R - 2.15.1 : A - H A N D F U L . . . |

Armaan opened the door to the apartment after two minutes of me waiting outside. After Anjali helped me come to some realizations, I decided I needed to start by repairing my relationship with Armaan. He meant everything to me, and I couldn't go another day with leaving things the way we did.

He crossed his arms over his chest, "Did you forget something? His face may be grim, but I could see in his eyes that he was happy to see me.

"Yeah." I answered, figuring to play out this scenario.

"And what would that be?"

I took a step towards him with a smile on my face. "You." I whispered and before he could blink, I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tight. He didn't respond right away – probably his pride getting in the way. I counted till three. Before I could reach four, his arms wrapped around my back and he returned the hug with a rib-cracking one.

"I'm sorry." I said, pulling away slightly.

"I missed you." He admitted like a Doofus, staring at the ground in embarrassment. We both know he had calmed down earlier in the day but held too much pride to be the first one to admit it.

"What was that? I don't think I heard you over your gigantic ego." I teased him.

And just like that, he rolled his eyes at my exaggeration. "Get in, you idiot." I chuckled and stepped inside. "Where's your stuff?"

I realized I had left in a hurry. "I forgot?" I sheepishly admitted.

He shook his head while he draped an arm around my shoulder as we walked towards the living room, "So, we should probably talk."

I nodded, sitting on the couch and taking off my shoes. "You first."

"Really?" He asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I mean I already know you won't see my way for a while longer. And that is okay with me." I expressed, giving him the chance to ask me the questions first. If I told him why, he may not understand right away. Perhaps, if he asked me and I answered, he could form his own opinion. "Just, no yelling at each other, okay? I don't like it when we fight."

He agreed instantly, "I hate it too. No yelling." After I nodded, he started, "Doll, you know what I feel about babies."

"You have a soft spot for them, yes." I confirmed.

"So you understand why finding out my own sister got an abortion didn't settle well with me?" I nodded. "Why did you hide it?"

"You were the only one who could have talked me out of it, Armaan. You know that. I couldn't risk that." I answered with the truth. "Also, if you had found out, it would have hurt you."

"I am still hurt." He pointed out. If the intention was to not hurt him, it didn't work.

"I know."

"It makes me want to kill him." Armaan admitting, his palms fisting as he must have been thinking about it. "Those bastards took everything from you, and they roam free, and I couldn't do anything to protect you. I failed as a brother."

I inched closer to him and gently held his hands in mine, uncurling his palms from the fists. "Hey, don't say that. You are the best brother in the world anyone could ask for. I am so very lucky to have you in my life. I can't think of one person who could have loved me unconditionally the way you do."