Chapter 13: Chapter 13

*Palak Pov*

I slowly opened my eyes only to close them immediately feeling a sense of discomfort in my head. Why is my head paining so much? Why is my stomach churning? Wait! Why is this bed so small suddenly?

I tried to turn around to sleep on my back instead of on my side, but felt something pressing into my back, not letting me move at all.

“You are finally awake?” hearing those words, I turned my head in a splash, but groaned feeling dizzy with that movement.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, frowning even though I kept my eyes closed feeling pain in them. Why is it feeling too much of an effort to even open them?

Why am I even asking these many questions without any pause in the first place? Ugh! I hugged myself hoping this discomfort just goes away along with getting answers to all my questions.

“You don’t remember?” this time his question finally paused all kinds of questions and made me think about yesterday.

Right! Yesterday I tried to drink but in the end got drunk completely. They both took me home, right? Wait! He was there when we reached and then took me inside the house.

And then… oh no! No way! No… no… what have I done? I groaned, remembering everything I uttered in this drunken state.

“How are you feeling?” I opened my eyes in shock this time when I felt him placing his arm around me.

“What are you doing?” I asked, glancing at his hand.

“I am inquiring about your health.” He replied in a calm tone.

“I am asking about this.” I mumbled tapping his hand.

“What about this? We both spend the night like this only and I just turned around to check the time at the time you woke up.” He explained which is making me wish to think this more like a dream rather than a reality.

“I don’t know why we did that, but you can let me go now.” I cleared my throat and used my best tone, hoping he will not catch on to the nervousness I am feeling right now.

However, he continued to hold me and I tried to move away from him, but if move another inch then I will fall down for sure. Can’t he understand that I was just drunk yesterday and he shouldn’t take it in a serious sense?

“I already decided to not leave you. So, just sleep comfortably.” He mumbled, pulling me back into his arms.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I stated in a straight tone and he just chuckled at that.

Seriously? Is he not getting the picture here or what? Maybe he is purposefully not letting me have an escape from this situation.

“I like you too, Palak. It is not a fun act from my side.” His words paused my actions to remove his hand from my waist.

“No need to hide what you are feeling too. I am not going to leave you, Palak.” He added when I didn’t say anything even after hearing his words.

“I am scared.” I finally whispered this time holding his hand with mine in a tight grip which made him hold me even tighter.

We stayed like that in silence for a few seconds before I realize that I actually have to leave for the hospital too. It’s a good thing that I am still wearing my watch which helped me to check the time immediately the moment I remembered about the hospital.

“I am late!” I whispered, staring at my watch in shock and shifted to get up, but his hold is stronger than I expected it to be.

“You are in condition to go and do your work. Just take the day off or at least a half day.” He mumbled and I felt phone passing to my hands after he said those words.

“I never took sudden leaves like this before you know? But because of you I already did it once and I think I am very much interested in doing it again.” I commented feeling too much attracted to that idea.

“Just do it! I will make you some soup and you can have it patiently instead of hurrying. Just think about your head too.” Why is he saying all the right words?

I immediately called my senior who sounded little surprise, but allowed me to take leave. I know I could take a half day, but I guess I have become more lazy after meeting him and ended up taking leave for the whole day.

“Good! Now, go to sleep.” Saying that he just took my phone away.

“What about my soup?” I asked him frowning.

“Take rest for some time and then I will prepare it.” He replied, getting himself comfortable still holding me.

I really want to turn around and stare at his face to see his expression. I want to know will he look any different after finally accepting my feelings for me.

But yesterday’s drinking and that crying must have definitely ruined my face. I can’t even bring myself to think about my bad breath. So, staring at his face is a big no right now.

I will just wait until he falls asleep and then will get up to freshen up. With that I closed my eyes, waiting for him to drift off into sleep, but somehow I ended up doing the same.

****

‘Damn it!’ was the first thought that entered my mind the moment I woke up again and felt no presence beside me. He may not have had a look at my face, right?

I worried for a second and immediately slapped my forehead. Why am I even worrying about how I am looking right now when I cried my eyes out in his presence. Get your priorities right, Palak!

I rushed to get freshened up before he can enter the room, but paused, realizing the lock on the washroom door is fixed completely. Did he do it? He knows how to do it? Then why didn’t he do it all these days and what is the reason for doing it now?

I shook my head, realizing I am again, burying myself with all the questions that are not so important and finished getting ready.

However, no matter how hard I tried to not think much about what happened yesterday night along with morning’s conversation made me pause near the door.

I really wish all this to be nothing but a dream which to be honest with half heart. Ugh! When did my thoughts become this complicated? Again with these stupid questions which I don’t have answers for, but couldn’t stop asking them myself. Maybe it is time to ask others and get the answers.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door only to find him sitting on the couch while checking some files he has in his hands. However, he turned to glance at me when he heard the door hitting the wall and I immediately let go of my hold on the door, realizing I was a little hard on it right now because of my emotions.

“Good Afternoon! Do you want something the soup?” asking that he stood up and walked off towards the kitchen without hearing my answer.

I closed my mouth before walking towards the couch and sat down while glancing at the files he placed on the table before leaving.

Wait! I can understand the files he was verifying as they are titled with some of the commercials I know, but why does he have company related files which he didn’t even touched on the table.

“Why do you have this company’s files?” I asked without glancing at him.

“You know that company?” he asked from the kitchen.

“All I know is that it is one of the top company in Mumbai. Are you doing any commercial, for them too?” I asked, frowning when I realized the files doesn’t seem like relating to contracts but actually seems to be about its information.

“You are interested in knowing about businesses?” he asked back.

“No! I just know about the name and I am a lost case during business talks.” I replied shaking my head while touching those files.

“You need to all this information about that company to work for a commercial?” I asked in shock while checking the files and paused my hand realizing I am doing a stupid thing right now.

“I am sorry! I shouldn’t have touched them.” I added retreating my hand before glancing at the clock to find it is really afternoon and I didn’t even check my phone before coming out of the room.

“Isn’t it funny?” he asked, sitting beside me and placed a bowl on the table.

“What is?” I asked, moving my hands to hold it, but he took hold of mine before I can touch it.

“At present I am staying at your home without permission arrogantly while you are apologizing for touching my files which I placed on your table.” He pointed out and I immediately turned to stare at him realizing I got a first point to discuss with him.

“Right! Why are you even here? You were supposed to be in Mumbai and even if you came to this place, you can’t just come to my home like this as you wish.” I started waiting for his response but he just has a peaceful expression covering his face.

“Didn’t we cleared the fact that we both are in a relationship now?” he asked raising his eyebrow.

“What does that have to do with you staying at my place?” I asked him, frowning and he suddenly smiled hearing my words.

“At least you are not rejecting the fact that we are together.” His words threw me out of the control I put myself before walking out of the room.

“You can’t deny it right now. I still remember the words you said. Don’t leave me, David! Wow! I don’t think someone ever said such heart touching words to me before. I think if you weren’t drunk at that time I would have kissed you, but then again, you wouldn’t have uttered those freely if you weren’t drunk.” He shook his head saying that things that are seriously causing my head to spin.

“Like you said I was drunk.” That’s all I was able to utter as a fight against his words and took the bowl after removing my hands from his hold.

I finished it without uttering a single word and let the silence surround us at the same time trying to control my thoughts and not get swayed by his words.

“Is it good? Then why aren’t you complimenting me?” he asked when I nodded to his first question.

“What did you even do to make this? This was instant powder wasn’t it? Why should I compliment you?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

“But I was the one who made sure to turn it into soup and get it near to you.” He pointed back and I sighed, getting up to keep it away and also to get away from his logic.

I don’t want to compliment him right now. I want to find something to be angry at him so that I need not think about the feelings I grew because of him which I shouldn’t have in the first place.

Maybe I was still drunk in the morning because of which I let him stay and even fell asleep, but now I need to get a grip on this situation. Great! I never lied to myself before, but now I am doing even this.

“When are you going to leave?” I asked while cleaning the mess he made just to make this soup and also he must have made himself some breakfast based on the utensils he used.

“I am not going to leave. I am going to stay here with you.” I groaned hearing his reply.

“You don’t have any situation like last time, which made me let you stay. I think it is better if you leave, Mr. David.” I mumbled washing the bowl and it fell right from my hands when I felt him, placing his hands on the basin while locking me between him and the basin.

“Why are you so afraid? Is it because of everything you said yesterday? I know I was kind of cold when leaving the hospital, but I was in shock myself with the effect you had on me, Palak. I never thought your words will cause me to reflect so much about myself and make me go crazy with so many thoughts. And I just ran away. The second time I didn’t want to leave, but I know it is a great trouble for you to let me stay here. But those two days were too much for me to stay away in that way, making me realize I have already lost to you. So, I returned with the hope to make you understand about my feelings and also take time to make you feel comfortable, but yesterday’s conversation made me fix on the fact that I shouldn’t leave your side no matter what. And you are uncomfortable because of the walls you are building yourself, but not because of me personally.” I don’t know when I closed my eyes after he started talking but I know I am completely lost the way he is explaining everything with such honesty that caused me to lean back a little and my back got engulfed into his hug.

“But still no normal couple stays together like this in the beginning of the relationship.” I whispered finally losing the battle and he immediately shifted his hands to hold me completely.

“Me being a celebrity already crossed of the status of us being a normal couple. And why are you even thinking about what other couples are doing. Tell me honestly that you don’t think you will be able to stay with me here feeling nothing but discomfort because of my stay and I will leave immediately to stay at somewhere else.” I know he will do it if I say those things.

“Stay! I don’t like to lie at the beginning of our relationship.” I mumbled and he turned me around before staring at my face.

I sighed, staring back at him before turning back to finish cleaning, but he didn’t let me with a frown appearing on his face.

“What’s with that sigh?” he asked with a confused expression.

“I am not believing the conversation we are having right now. I never thought I will ever… I don’t know how I even started liking you… I mean because of what… there should be a reason, right?” I asked, completely stuttering not able to express my actual confusion as it is still not clear in my own head.

“Trust me! In the context of feeling confused, you can’t beat me. But then I always get hold on to the moment if I am sure about it without rejecting the thought. That’s why I am at present standing before you.” He replied shaking his head.

“Let me give some rest to my brain.” I mumbled, turning around and this time he let me.

“By the way, what are you planning to tell your friends tomorrow?” he suddenly asked after a few seconds silence and I groaned realizing another problem. My poor brain!

****

“I am fine if you tell them my name and everything.” He said shrugging while I sat in silence thinking about what to tell them.

It is already evening and I am still thinking about that matter while he is so cool about it. Just tell them? Doesn’t he know what uproar it will cause when they find out how I am hiding about him all this time?

I remember my fan comment too, and they are not dumb to not know the fan talks we had all this time. But I don’t want to lie to them.

Fine! I will just tell them the truth, hoping no one else will know except for these two. I shook my head and turned to see him still engrossed into the files.

“Why are you personally checking those files? What happened to your manager? Don’t tell me that you broke up with him again.” I commented, raising my eyebrow and he gave a surprised look at my comment.

“Break up with my manager?” he asked frowning.

“It’s my personal joke. So, what happened to him?” I asked waiting for his reply.

“He is no longer my manager. I am in the process of cancelling my contract with my agency. I need to finish these commercials soon and if possible cancel some of them with not much loss to my bank balance.” He just casually replied.

“But why? Are you joining some other agency?” I asked frowning.

“No! I am not going to be a celebrity anymore. I will be joining this company as a normal employee.” He replied, gesturing the files he still didn’t touch.

“But why?” this time I didn’t cover the surprise, I am feeling after hearing his words and raised my voice too.

“I have my reasons which I want to tell you right now, but I don’t think it is the right time.” He mumbled glancing at those files instead of staring at me.

“Fine! I will wait for your answer, but I really hope this is what you actually want.” I mumbled, shaking my head and stood up to prepare some dinner for us still feeling the shock after hearing those words.

What on earth made him give up his successful career and join as a normal employee in a company? My poor brain is at stress again after solving one situation. Well, he is not a kid for me to worry this much without knowing the reason. So, let me cool my brain at least until he is ready with his answer.

“You can’t!” I stated with complete determination.

“But why? We already shared it yesterday.” He pointed out.

“I was drunk!” I repeated for the last time.

“You are again hiding behind your drunken state.” He shook his head in disappointment.

“This is not hiding, but stating a fact. I will sleep on the couch if you have a problem, but we are not going to sleep on this bed together.” I didn’t even budge with his words and took my pillow but he held my wrist as usual stopping me.

“That time you stated that the bed is big enough for both of us, remember? Anyway, I will not cause you any discomfort and sleep this end without touching you.” He promised smiling.

“Do you really think we will be able to sleep comfortably together on this?” I asked scoffing.

“Why? You don’t think you can control yourself near me?” he asked raising his eyebrow.

“You know that strategy will not work on me.” I pointed out and tried to get him to release his hold but he is as stubborn as me.

“Fine! But I don’t fall asleep, then I will just leave.” Saying that I finally got him to release me and got on the bed but stayed at the end of the bed.

To my surprise, he actually stayed at his end and even slept earlier than me. I sighed drifting off into sleep myself not understanding what I actually expected and whether I am actually fine that we both managed to sleep and he was right about it.

*After a few weeks*

“Dr. Palak! Do you want to watch a movie with us?” Tina asked from her chair with Veer sitting beside her but is looking away from us.

I rolled my eyes at his action before shaking my head at Tina. She gave a disappointed look, but immediately walked towards me after he left.

“Until when will you both behave like this?” she asked frowning.

The next day I ended up telling them that I am dating David and Tina was completely shocked, but then was excited after the shock passed. However, Veer ended up from sad to being distant to me after realizing I am dating some celebrity instead of a normal person.

He expressed that he can’t believe I am swayed away by a celebrity’s flirtation. They both are thinking that I fell for him when he was here at the hospital itself and I can’t tell them what actually happened after by jeopardizing David’s status even though he is going to leave all this very soon.

“You should ask him, Tina. How can he decide whom I should date? He knows that it will not be him no matter what, right? And he behaved as if he understood before knowing that I am dating someone.” I pointed out.

“Actually, he is not mad because of that completely. He just doesn’t trust David and he doesn’t want you to get hurt. You know how he was flirting with you even though he had a girlfriend.” She pointed out and I sighed nodding.

Recently, David even told me how a few articles were released him having a girlfriend because of what happened here but as there was no truth in it, they got calmed down on themselves.

“Anyway, I said no, not because of him, but he is coming home today. So…” I trailed off and she immediately gave a knowing stare.

“So, you are ditching your friends for your boyfriend.” She nodded and I shook my head at her constant teasing.

“This time he had to leave for one week because of that shook and it is better if I am present when he returns, right?” I mumbled while rubbing my cheeks still feeling shy to talk about him near her but she is the only one with whom I can share my confusions regarding this new dating life.

“I hope you have a plan to surprise him more than just your presence. If you want I can give you some ideas.” She offered, but I shook my head.

“I think I got this.” I assured her and she smiled nodding.

I was really scared even after the day we decided to start this relationship, but it turned out not at all scary and everything is just going naturally.

I don’t because of his actions or something, but there is a special friendship forming between us rather than just any relationship and that is comforting me more than I can think of.

Like he said he is also busy with finishing his shoots, but he is coming directly to my home after finishing them and we are staying together.

I didn’t even bring up the conversation about him moving to another house or something and there was no need to with space being given to each other even though we are living together.

We are not sleeping at the end of the bed, but holding each other and I didn’t feel the discomfort I thought I will with these sudden changes.

Now, I can’t believe I am this excited that he is finally coming home and I know I missed him and that fact is not something I will be ignoring.

I smiled, finishing his favorite dishes before changing my attire when it is time he said he will be here. I couldn’t help myself and walked out of the door and glanced down at the gate while keep on checking the road waiting for the taxi in which he must be travelling to reach soon.

However, an import car came into view and it stopped right in front of this building. I frowned, thinking when did the owners got the relatives travelling in such cars and paused, realizing it is David who is getting out of the car from the back seat.

The other side of the back seat door opened and I coughed watching a lady get out who is looking completely gracious, even though she is not completely clear in my vision.

When the car is being reversed, these both continued to talk and I can just see them laughing in between. And finally he gave a hug to her which just made me turn away from that scene and calmly enter the house without making a sound while deciding what to do with all the preparations I made for his return.