Warrior

13

Everyone pretty much stayed quiet today. Amma kept to her own things, Babuji went to the office, and Payal stayed focused on her studies. I spent the day in the study, working from home. The day went by just fine, nice and peaceful. With work complete, I made my way to my room and flopped back in bed.

Not having slept well last night and that run in the morning, has got me suddenly feeling so exhausted. I was about to pull back the covers and take a nap, when there was a knock at my door.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing Payal. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her, then stood there.

"What's up baby sis?"

"Nothing," she says softly. "Except that you're a bitch."

I let out a sigh. "I deserved that."

She looked up at me, annoyed. "You didn't have to say it like that you know! You could've handled it better! Calmer! Instead, everyone's upset now because of you!"

Unfortunately, Payal never handled family fights well.

"I'm sorry," I say sincerely.

"There's no point in apologizing to me," she huffed, crossing her arms and looking away.

"Don't I?"

"No! ...well, maybe. You did take away precious study time from me. I've got two in one day, every moment counts!"

And there's baby sis, back to normal. "You're right, that's true. I'm sorry my actions cut into your study time."

"You better be! ...um, where did you go this morning?"

"For a run," I say casually.

"You run," she snorted.

"Occasionally," I say, trying not to take any offense.

Besides, it's not like Payal knew the real reasons behind it.

"So what's that supposed to be? Once today, again in two weeks, and then seven months later?"

I shrugged. "Could be."

I mean it's the truth in a way.

"Isn't the key to a workout is to keep it consistent?"

"I think I do just fine. Now get back to studying squirt, I'm gonna take a nap, I'm exhausted."

"That what you get for running five years apart," she laughs, then opens the door. "Think you'll wake up for dinner?"

I get under the covers and instantly feel tired. "Not a chance."

"Okay," and she reaches behind the knob so that the door locks. "Nighty night," and she leaves, shutting the door behind.

I snuggled up beneath my comforter, slightly forming into a ball, and let sleep take over me.

*~*

There's a weird buzzing sound, and it's irritating me like fucking crazy!

I groan out in annoyance, thinking a bug has managed to get into my room, but after waving around a little and feeling nothing, I open my eyes with a scowl.

I fucking hate all these bugs that start to show up as the weather gets better.

I hear the buzzing again, but as my brain comes around, I realize that it's not a bug, but my phone vibrating. Reaching over to my bedside table, I pick it up to see four missed calls from Arnav Singh Raizada.