Devil on the Rooftop [Book 1]

Chapter 71 - Khaleel -

By the time I got home, Kumar was already making dinner. His voice greeted me at the door but he never turned to see my face. I took off my shoes and walked into the living area, expecting him to waltz out of the kitchen, but he didn't. Kumar remained where he was, rocking his ridiculous apron, and stirring a pot of vegetables and potatoes together.

"Are you hungry?" Kumar called.

I didn't answer. Honestly, I couldn't speak at the moment. I was too ashamed of myself, too angry by what I had just done. I took advantage of someone. I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and ended up hurting someone I cared about. And for what? One stupid kiss? She said no—she covered my mouth with her hand and yet my greed got the better of me. I was too riled up. I was fuming because I thought Loyal was being a hypocrite and I took it out on the wrong person.

Kumar finally walked over. "Why are you so quiet—" His eyes fell to look at my bottom lip, which was spotted with dry blood. He went to turn off the stove, took off his apron, and came to stand over me. "You got your hands dirty even after I gave you my men?"

I shook my head and then held it.

"Then what the fuck is that?" Kumar asked upset. "Who did that to you?"

"Arisa," I muttered.

Kumar was surprised. "Why?"

I leaned into my knees. "Because I forced her to kiss me," I replied, shamelessly. My heart sank with the weight of my own words. I couldn't face Kumar. I couldn't look up at the man who raised me and tirelessly encouraged me to treat women with respect.

"Look here," Kumar instructed.

I did as he said.

"Did you apologize?"

I shook my head. "I didn't get a chance to. She bit me and then stormed off. Uncle, I fucked up on so many levels today."

"Then take responsibility for it," Kumar replied assertively. "If you're able to recognize your mistakes then I haven't completely failed you. Why would you put Arisa in that kind of situation?"

I dropped my head again. "I was angry," I confessed. "At her and at Loyal."

"Anger is not an excuse," Kumar said, taking a seat. "You need to respect women and their wishes! If she was pissed enough to bite you then recognize that this girl isn't interested. Your pursuit ends here. You understand?"

I exhaled and leaned back on the sofa. "The weird thing is, I think there was like a split second where she was into it," I reminisced. "I think she was giving in."

Kumar abruptly struck the back of my head. I flinched away and immediately dropped my gaze. "I'm sorry!" I yelled.

"Don't say sorry to me!" Kumar shouted. "You call Arisa and say sorry to her! You beg and plead for her to forgive you, and if by some fucking miracle she does, you better do your best to never put her through that again!"

I swallowed hard.

"Do you understand?" Kumar's voice was stern and ripped right into me.

"Yes sir."

Kumar got up off the chair. "I'm afraid to ask this but I'm going to anyway because I think it's important you reflect on all the spectacular ways you fucked up today."

"W-What is it?"

"You said earlier you were mad at Arisa and Loyal. Are they together?"

I was scared to answer his question because it would put me in a worse situation. Kumar accepted my silence and walked back into the kitchen. I was used to seeing him be disappointed in me. I was used to hearing him lecture me every time I got suspended for roughhousing. We had built a pretty standard routine over the years, and Kumar was on board with most of it because he knew I was acting out to get my father's attention. This time was different. This time, I knew I had crossed a line.

"What if she never wants to talk to me again?" I asked, still looking for advice.

"Then you respect her wishes," Kumar called back, turning on the stove.

As if on cue, my phone rang.

It was Loyal.

"Hello?" I answered, unprepared to face my friend. I thought about ignoring his call but that wouldn't do any good. It was would just add more to my plate.

"How could you do that?" Loyal was direct.

I exhaled. "You're going to have to be a little more specific. I've done a lot of things tonight."

"Oh, I know you have," Loyal scoffed. "Letting me ride off with Kumar's associates was one thing, but how could you fail so miserably at protecting Arisa?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "Word travels fast," I said. "So, what? She called you right after?"

"That's what you want to focus on?" Loyal clapped back. "We can't help who we like but we should at least know the difference between a rejection and an invitation. I trusted you. I thought you would be a good rival."

"Don't do that!" I clapped back. "Don't fucking act like you saw me as real competition. You were so fucking confident about her feelings for you, you chose to get into that sedan. You chose to leave her with me because you knew she would turn me down."

"So what if I did?" Loyal asked. "Is my confidence the problem or is it your obsession with her? Be real, Khaleel. I don't think you actually like Arisa. I think you're intrigued by the challenge, you've always been like that."

I immediately got up. "You know," I drawled. "I'm getting really sick and tired of people telling me who I do or don't like."

"If you liked her," Loyal said. "The last thing you would want to do is hurt her. I don't know the details of your situation with Matilda, but if this is the kind of shit you've been pulling, then you and I are going to have a problem."