xxii | alone

key:

ishita / jai

you can't just do that

what did I do?

you know what you did, asshole

i did a lot of things today. what exactly are you talking about?

you pinching my hip when you think no one's looking

you rather I kiss you?

no!

you can't expect me to see you there looking like mine and not touch you

what? no response?

i'm coming to your cabin in a few, draw the blinds close

can't wait

hey

where are you?

*missed call from ishita*

where tf are you? pick up my call

*2 missed calls from ishita*

i'm coming to your house

no

i'm on my way

slept through my alarm

okay

why do you look sick?

are you not feeling well?

it's nothing

you have a meeting with the marketing team in a few minutes. you don't look like you could sit through it

you promised you'd be honest right? tell me

i think i have a fever. but it's not crippling. i can manage a meeting

wtf

i'm canceling everything scheduled today

go home and get some rest

i'll manage here

no I can't let you do that

i've done this before. i can do it, astronaut. trust me

not now that you have me. I wont allow it. better go back home. I'll call siva anna. he'll have the car ready.

siva anna is on leave today

you drove here?? you idiot

okay, i'll drive you. come on

no

don't be a stubborn asshole

i'll drag you through the lobby like a child if you refuse to come

ugh fine. i still don't like it

do you think I care?

Jai felt like shit. He got sick quite often and he couldn't afford to take offs each time so he got used to working when he was unwell. This time, his body was aching. His eyes were burning. He couldn't sit in his chair for too long. He was uncomfortable. Only because of that, he agreed to rest.

He had never seen Ishita drive a car before and man, was it hot. The way she effortlessly reversed the car out of the parking lot, controlled the wheel with one hand while the other held his hand — he would have worshipped her then and there if he wasn't so sick. She took his hand and kissed his palm during traffic, concern streaked in her eyes. No one except his mother had looked at him like that. For some reason, he was tearing up.

As soon as they reached home, she sent him to change into something comfortable. Jai didn't feel like doing anything except sleep but he forced himself to pull on his sweatpants and a t-shirt. By the time he was out, Ishita had prepared herbal tea. "Ew no," he said as she brought it next to him.

"Don't be a baby. I'll force it down your throat if you refuse to drink it yourself. There's no way you are not having this," she said, holding the mug in front of his face.

"You didn't have to do all this," he grumbled, taking the mug and sipping it. Jai grimaced. It tasted horrible.

"I wanted to. Like it or not, you are my boyfriend. I will want to take care of you. Deal with it," she said, stepping into the V between his legs and playing with his hair. "Is it always like this? You alone in here?"

"Ma visits from time to time. Otherwise, it's just me and Ki," he said, closing his eyes. He was feeling drowsy because of Ishita's fingers softly weaving through his hair. Jai didn't mind the bitterness of the tea if Ishita was this close to him.

"Where is Ki? That cat is harder to meet than the President of India. I've only seen pictures of her."

"She must be asleep in her basket. She takes a nap after I leave for office so that when I come back, she'll have all the energy to keep me company."

"That's sweet," she said.

"Yeah, she's my baby." Jai placed the mug on the countertop and wrapped an arm around Ishita's waist, resting his head against her chest. "She will love you. Both of you are similar."

Ishita rubbed his back affectionately, resting her cheek on his head. "In what way?"

"Both of you like to pick fights with me to get my attention. Both of you are drama queens. Attention-seekers. Show-offs. I love it," he whispered.

"Guess you have a type."

His chuckle rumbled across her skin. "Guess I do."

"Come on, let's get you to bed."

Jai didn't want to let go of Ishita. She dragged him to his bed and made sure he was tucked in like a baby. "I really don't want to leave you alone but I have to work. Take rest. If you wake up sometime, text me and check in with me. I don't want to call you and wake you up. If you want anything, let me know. I'll bring it when I come home tonight."

"You're coming back?"

"Of course. I am not leaving you alone in here while you are sick."

"I love that you didn't ask my permission. I love that you call my house your home."

"Home is you, Jai. Not your house," Ishita said, leaning in and kissing his forehead. "Get some sleep."