Playing With Fire

Chapter 44 - Battling demons

"Come in."

"Hey, sweets. How's it going?" Preity gave her a quick hug.

"Good, you?"

"I'm okay. So ready to hear the juicy details about your weekend away with Shahru that I could burst. I can't believe you made me wait a whole week before you would tell me anything."

Kajol let out a sigh. She worried she wouldn't be able to get through this without spilling to her friend that she was a big old baby who wanted to throw a temper tantrum, because Shahru hadn't yet told her he loved her. "I don't do juicy details, and you know that, Pri."

They each sat on one end of her couch. "You are so boring. You never let me have any fun. You know juicy details are my favourite kind."

That was Pri. She wasn't the type of woman who slept around, but she also didn't shy away from anything having to do with sex, either.

"Fire feels good. Who started it?" Preity asked.

"I did, thank you very much."

"Check you out. You're like independent woman now."

"Thanks. I think. Now hush if you want me to tell you anything."

Preity pretended to lock her mouth and threw a fake key behind her shoulder. "My lips are sealed."

"Shahru surprised me with a weekend getaway at a cabin up in the hills. It was perfect, Pri. So romantic and secluded. We talked so much. He finally let me in on some of the many things I've wanted to know about him and his past. We made love so many times I thought I might combust." Kajol looked at her friend to see her smile. "And I told him I loved him."

"Did he say it back?" She had Preity's full attention.

"No."

Preity waved at her. "He does, though. He's just one of those big silent types. It's the ones who actually promise to love you and swear they'll always love you that you have to worry about."

"Pri?" She wanted to ask her about her father so badly. She'd tried that once, and Preity had refused to talk about it. Kajol always figured she would talk to her when she was ready, but that had been years ago and still nothing. Preity hurt inside more than she wanted to admit. It pained Kajol to know her friend carried that around with her.

"We're talking about you, not me. So are you freaked out or okay? You guys are pretty much joined at the hip lately, so I really don't think you have much to worry about."

That was easy for her to say. She wasn't the one in love with a guy, not knowing if he felt the same. "I'm between freaked out and okay I think. I mean, I'm fine I just wish I had a little confirmation. Does that make me totally weak?"

"No, it makes you human, Kaj. Ask him. You've shared your body and heart with this man, you can ask him how he feels about you. You deserve to know."

"Deserve to know what?" Shahru stood in the opened doorway. He had continued to knock until she told him not to. What was the point when he practically lived with her, anyway? "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"Good." Shahru walked over to her and kissed her.

"On that note, I think I'll head home." Preity stood.

"I didn't mean to chase you off, Pri. I can go find something to keep myself busy and let you ladies get back to whatever you were doing," Shahru told her.

"Don't worry about it. I just remembered I have somewhere to be." Preity looked at
her. "Just so you know, I don't think you have a damn thing to worry about, Kaj." Then she turned to Shahru, winked and walked out.