Chapter 25

Party was over. Christmas was here. And as everyone had wished each other and slowly moved out of the hall to their respective rooms Simi felt exhausted. She had had her dinner in bits and pieces. She liked American foods but she loved Indian food. And it had been over three days since she had had any. She was a fairly good cook but she couldn't really cook Indian cuisine in a hotel suite. Plus the wine before had filled up her stomach somewhat.

She walked back slowly with Neil by her side. Her sandals in her left hand. She also held the skirt of her dress with the same hand. She was tired. But she didn't want the night to end just yet. She knew once they went back to the suite the magic would end. And she didn't want that to happen. Not so soon. But what could she do? They entered the elevator and greeted the others. They were probably the only ones to get off on their floor. As they did, Simi felt restless. After such a wonderful evening the walls of her suite sounded claustrophobic to her. Neil opened the door and waited for her to enter first. She did. Slowly. What could she do? They could talk a little maybe. So many feelings were coursing through her she needed to hold on to them for just a little while longer. She turned around and almost bumped into Neil. But he was quick. And he steadied her.

"You okay," he asked.

"Yeah," she said and smiled, "it was such an amazing evening. Thank you Neil," she said with gratitude.

"Don't thank me, I wasn't one to organize the party," he said with a smile of his own, "and I have to agree it was an amazing evening," he told her warmly.

"But you accompanied me," Simi said as she looked at him, "you could have said no, you did say no and still you went with me," she told him sweetly, "and I never said thank you for helping me 'repackage' myself," she said with a twinkle in her eyes and Neil groaned, "a little," she added teasing him.

"You aren't going to let go of it are you," Neil said good naturedly, "I already apologized to you for it at the party when we danced right before you had dinner," he reminded her.

"I remember, you did apologize, and I had told you I am glad you said what you did this morning," she said seriously, "I was mad at you but that was before I realized there was no harm in trying something new, and well, I like my new improved self," she said sincerely.

"It suits you," Neil said a bit huskily.

And Simi forgot to look away. The moment stretched for a few more seconds as silence played its beautiful music around them and the world held still while they gazed at each other. And then as if with an effort Neil looked away. Clearing his throat he walked past her to the fireplace and lit the wood in the hearth. Simi gulped and taking in a deep breath she turned around and walked to sit on the couch.

"You aren't sleepy," Neil asked casually without turning his head to look her way, "you seemed tired," he said.

"I am," Simi replied honestly, "but I would like to stay up for just a bit longer," she told him, "but if you want to turn in I can stay here and you can take the bed," she said.

"You wanted the bedroom remember," Neil said as he turned on his haunches to look at her. There was a faint smile on his mouth.

"I know, but it seems unfair that you get to sleep on the couch every night and I take up the bed," she said feeling a bit guilty, "I know it is very comfortable but you are a bit too tall for it," she said and smiled, "maybe we can switch. You can take the bed for the next two nights and I can sleep here on the couch," she said brightly.

"There is nothing unfair about it," Neil said as he turned back to watch the flames eagerly devour the wood, "I am comfortable on the couch besides I don't sleep as much," he told her.

"How come?" Simi asked curiously.

And Neil shrugged.

"There is no real reason for it, I am not much of a sleeper," he told her and stood up as he dusted his hands. He had already loosened his tie but he took it off this time. "You can enjoy the fire, I will get out of these," he said and pointed out his clothes.

Simi just nodded her head as he went to the room. She heard him open his wardrobe and take out the change. Then head towards the bathroom. She settled back into the couch. She placed her aching feet on the coffee table. Her necklace was irritating her now. So she took it off and placed it on the side table. What would she do with all her feelings now? They left the day after tomorrow. Noon was the checkout time. And she felt confused.

She had fallen in love with a stranger. Had someone told her a few days ago that she would fall in love with someone in a span of two days she would have laughed. Unfortunately, it stood true in her case. Even Preet had taken at least a month before falling for Robbie. That good for nothing idiot who had brought nothing but heartache to Preet. She didn't know Robbie as well, but she did know he was really irresponsible. There had been several conversations where Preet had been worried over his constant changes of jobs. But it had seemed to change over the last year. Not that it had brought any good to her cousin. And here was a man, who was Robbie's friend but very different from him. Responsible. Caring. Smart. Warm. And very grounded. He didn't have lofty ideas on life or how it should be lived. And she had fallen for him. Without even knowing how he felt for her. She sighed.

For a second when he had returned and she had been on the floor with another man and he had come immediately to claim her, she had thought he had been jealous. And it had excited her. But soon that excitement had left her when she had realized that maybe that wasn't the case. She was so confused. He should probably change her nickname to Miss Confused. She was tired of thinking. Tired of sifting through her feelings. Tired of being confused. Tired of constantly going through doubts and worries. Her biggest being his stout resolution to stay non-committal to a relationship. She took in a deep breath. Maybe a coffee will clear up her head a little. And with that she rose to go make some in the small kitchen. She took out the pins from her hair and opened the bun to let them fall gracefully over her shoulder. She had just made an extra cup when Neil walked out in a t shirt and running pants. His bare feet padded over the wooden floor.

"Coffee?" he asked as he sniffed the air questioningly, "At this hour?" he said and smiled, "Seems like you are not in the mood to sleep tonight," he told her as he came to stand beside the counter.

"You want some," she asked with a smile of her own.

"I wouldn't mind," Neil said as he took the mug from her, "careful with that skirt of your dress," he warned, "it is a bit too long," he told her.

"I will get it altered when I get back," she said then carried the mug in her right hand and lifted the skirt with the left one.

"Here, let me help," Neil offered and reached out for her mug, "I don't want you tripping over with a hot coffee in your hand," he said.

And Simi gave her mug to him then picked up her skirt with both hands and walked back to the couch and sitting down placed her feet on the coffee table.

"Hope you don't mind," she said with a smile.

"Not at all," Neil said as he settled down next to her and propped his feet on the table too.

Simi laughed lightly as she took her mug from him.

"Would you mind if I asked you something?" she started and waited for him to reply.

"Shoot," he said.

"Why did you say your parents were difficult people to get along with?" she asked curiously. She had wondered about his reason for having commitment issues and had come back to the topic of his parents. Maybe they had something to do with it. He had also said that their relationship was a bit complicated.

"When did I say that?" Neil asked keeping his tone casual.

But Simi had felt his slight stiffening. He sat next to her. Even if he hadn't she was more attuned to him than he knew.

"Yesterday night," she reminded him.

"For being a drunk girl you are pretty clear about the conversation we had," he said with an amused smile.

"Well, it is a misnomer that one cannot recall what one did or said while drunk," she pointed out, "it is always hazy at first but it comes to you later besides I wasn't as drunk," she informed him.

"You could have fooled me," he said teasing her and Simi made a face at him.

"Are you trying to change the topic," she asked as she narrowed her gaze at him.

"You know this suits you," Neil said brightly, "this new avatar suits you a lot but I guess I liked the old one better," he told her frankly.

"The old me?" she asked surprised.

"Yup, the old you in the new clothes," he said and smiled mischievously.

"You are trying to divert me," she said and laughed lightly, "you don't need to you can just say you don't want to tell that's all," she said sweetly.

When she didn't hear an answer from him she looked at him. He was looking at her and she felt a bit conscious. What was he looking at? More so why? She hadn't said anything out of line had she?

"What?" she asked consciously.

Neil shook his head and looked away from her face. She sat way too close for comfort. He looked at the yellow and orange flames that burned in the hearth. He didn't usually talked about his parents. There was nothing to hide. They weren't criminals but he had never understood their equation with each other. And so it was difficult to explain. Where does he begin? Why was she interested? What was it to her? Did it matter? Not really. She had told him everything about her and if she wanted to know a bit about him she was entitled to he guessed. Maybe she would be able to make sense of his parents. Maybe.

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