Detached

CHAPTER 49

*RIYANSH'S POINT OF VIEW*

In the morning my eyes fluttered open, seeing Meera’s beautiful face just inches from mine. Smiling happily, I dipped my head and kissed her forehead gently before moving back so I could watch her sleep. About twenty minutes later, she stirred and moved closer, pressing herself to me and burying her face in my chest. This was my favourite part of everyday – the time when she was just waking up and she would always try to get closer to me, no matter how close she already was. This small little bit of attention got me through the whole day. I smiled to myself. Yep, best birthday ever! She opened her eyes, a slow smile spreading across her face.

“Morning,” I greeted, brushing the hair from her face.

“Good morning. Happy birthday,” she sang, happily.

I laughed. Those two words sounded a little weird to me. “Thanks. So, do I get a birthday kiss?” I asked hopefully.

She nodded, smiling teasingly. “Sure, who from?”

I grinned as I leant forward and kissed her softly. She responded immediately, kissing me back and tangling her fingers in my hair. I pulled away after a couple of seconds, not wanting to push my luck too far. She didn’t take her hand out of my hair as she looked at me excitedly. “Want your presents now?”

I groaned in exasperation. “Meera, you didn’t buy me anything, did you? Seriously, this was already too much,” I whined. I hated that she spent money on me, I didn’t need it, the only thing I needed was her.

She didn’t answer, just pulled out of my arms and jumped out of bed, skipping over to the suitcase that Dean had brought. She hadn’t unpacked it last night, and now I knew why – she’d hidden my gift in there. I sighed as she wheeled the case over and lifted it up onto the end of the bed.

My brow furrowed as she lifted the lid. I had known there would be a gift when she jumped out of the bed, but instead, the case was almost full. I could clearly see two large boxes, a medium sized one, and three smaller ones.

“I don’t want you to keep buying me things,” I grumbled.

She flopped down onto the bed beside me and leant in, kissing me softly on the mouth, silencing my protest. “Please don’t start. You’ll hurt my feelings. I put a lot of thought into each one, and I wanted to get you them, so please just shush,” she ordered, smirking at me. I groaned as she picked up the three smaller packages, placing them in my lap. “Open them, and smile please?” she pouted and gave me the damn face that I couldn’t resist.

I rolled my eyes and ripped open the first one. Out fell Anna Tood's new book. I grinned excitedly. We’d spoken about this a couple of weeks ago and I’d told her I wanted to read it. “This is great, thank you.” If she’d only bought me this, it would have been the best gift I’d ever had.

She smiled. “I thought you’d like that one. Open the next one,” she breathed excitedly, motioning towards my lap. I grinned and opened the next one; it was Fast and Furious on DVD. I laughed as I looked it over. “I didn’t know if you already had it, but I saw it and wanted to get it. I hope it’s the right one. You said it was your favourite movie,” she waffled, playing with her necklace like she did when she was a little nervous about something.

“It’s definitely the right one, and no, I don’t have it.” I turned it over, looking at the back. I genuinely loved this movie.

“Next one,” she prompted.

I laughed at her enthusiasm and tore the paper from the last small package, revealing a black square jewellery box. I frowned down at it curiously as I lifted the lid. A chunky silver watch was nestled inside. My eyes widened at how expensive it looked. I flicked my eyes up to her and shook my head because it was too much, I couldn’t accept it. Before I could say anything though, she held up one hand to halt my protest. “Before you say no, hear me out,” she pleaded. “You don’t have a watch. You’re always checking the time on your cell phone. I really wanted to get you something you could use, and I saw this and really wanted to get it for you. Everyone needs a watch. Please just accept it in the manner which it was given. I want you to have it.”