“Ari,” I admonish softly, amused. “Did you bother to ask?
Peering over her shoulder, she sheepishly explains, “I don’t understand the technical aspects of the car. It would’ve goneover my head. I just told him I needed whatever was broken fixed asap.”
“So he could change parts that are perfectly fine and charge you for it, and you wouldn’t even know.”
“I trust him not to take advantage.”
I shake my head at her nature of trusting anyone so easily. “Text me the name and the address, I’ll pay him a visit and see why it’s taking so long.”
“Really?” She perks up. “That would be so helpful.”
“Yeah, angel.”
“Thank you.”
Pihu, who was lying in my lap while I petted her fur, leaps to the floor just as Arya brings our plates to the kitchen island. The delicious aroma of Manchurian and rice spreading around the room.
Scratching Arya’s leg, Pihu loudly purrs.
“Do you mind getting Pihu’s bowl from the bedroom?” Arya requests. “I’ll give her something to munch on. Otherwise, she won’t let us eat in peace.”
“Sure.”
I meander to her bedroom, finding the bowl beside Pihu’s small bed. It’s near a small study table and chair. On it, rests her laptop, purse, stationary and two leather diaries. One of them is old and withered and left open on a random page. I don’t mean to peek, but the heading ‘Couple Goals’ in pink ink catches my eyes.
Hmm, I become highly intrigued. It wouldn’t be a breach of privacy if I read it since we’re a couple and I’m one half of it. It’s my right as her boyfriend to know and fulfil those wishes.
Picking up the diary, I memorize the list. The date on the top tells me she wrote it when she was younger and in high school.
Kissing in the rain.
Slow dancing under the moonlight and the stars.
Travelling to Norway and seeing the northern lights.
Dream proposal: Somewhere around snow and mountains.
A tiny bit of jealousy flares when I wonder if Aryan beat me to them. However, my gut says the stupid asshole, who wouldn’t even go down on her, probably never bothered to fulfil these romantic dreams of Arya,ifhe even knew about it.
I place the diary back where it was as I hear Arya’s footfalls wandering closer. Grabbing the bowl, I step outside and meet her in the hallway. “Found it!”
“Come on,” she grins. “Food’s getting cold.”
A squeal escapes her mouth when I pick her around the waist, carrying her all the way to the kitchen. Placing her on the stool, I say, “You sit. I’ll feed Pihu. Tell me where you keep her treats.”
“On the top left shelf,” she answers, beaming at me adorably. “There’s a box of biscuits that she loves.”
Strolling toward where she pointed, I pull out the half full box. Pihu sits prettily and patiently at my feet while I fill her bowl. Putting it down, she jumps in headfirst before I’ve even removed my hand.
After rinsing my hands, I join Arya. Keeping one palm on her knee because I love the intimacy, I lift the fork with my other hand.
“How do you usually spend your Sundays?” she curiously asks after we’ve had a few bites.
Not wanting to ruin the comfortable and cozy mood, I reply, “Working out in the gym.” I don’t add that it’s to cure the hangover left by the previous nights’ drinking. “Maybe watch amovie or NBA game. In the evening, I’d work again. Before Nova got married, he and I would go to the court to play basketball.”
“Oh, you play?”
“I did in high school and college.”
