His fingers wove through mine. ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘But your event …’ I protested. ‘You can’t just leave.’
‘Yes, I can,’ he said. ‘Because if you think I’m leaving you alone in this state, you’re out of your goddamn mind.’
The car ride passed in a blur of city lights and muted sounds. Each pass of Jai’s thumb and every lingering kiss to my hand eased something deep within me.
By the time Dilip pulled the car over, the feeling of being on the verge of a breakdown had abated.
I glanced out the window. In front of me was a two-storey-high foyer with a massive chandelier and a sleek reception desk. ‘Where are we?’
‘My home,’ Jai said softly. ‘I hope you don’t mind. It’s Saturday evening, and the traffic to yours would have been brutal. I want you to be comfortable as quickly as possible.’
A smile touched my lips. ‘Thank you.’
His flat took up the entire thirtieth floor and was a testament to his great taste: a woven rug covering the marble floors, plush couches in terracotta tones and moody paintings. And most impressive of all, floor-to-ceiling windows that led to a massive balcony with a sweeping view of the city.
‘Please make yourself at home.’ Jai gestured to the sofa. ‘Let me check if Madhu aunty has started making us dinner. I’d sent her a text on the way here.’
A short woman with a round face appeared, smiling warmly. ‘I have. Just give me ten minutes; I’ll have everything served in the dining room.’
‘I’m sorry, but I’m not very hungry,’ I said weakly.
Jai gave a look to Madhu aunty, who nodded and disappeared down the hallway.
‘Come, I’ll show you to a guest bedroom,’ he said gently, leading me inside.
He paused in front of a door and slowly opened it. ‘You can rest here. I’ll bring you something comfortable to change into.’ He pressed a soft kiss on my forehead. ‘And if you don’t want to be alone … my bedroom is straight down the hall.’
I lowered my head in a nod before stepping inside the room and letting the door close behind me.
Soft light spilt from a wall sconce, casting shadows over the place. It smelled faintly of lavender and fresh linen. I took off my heels and turned towards the en suite bathroom.
Sharp white lights came on. I gripped the marble counter with both hands and stared at myself in the mirror.
Eyes too wide. Lips pressed together. Pale skin.
What have I gotten myself into?
My chest squeezed tight. A small, fractured sound escaped my lips and tears pricked the corners of my eyes.
Then, a sound too small to be a sob slipped out before I could stop it.
My shoulders caved as my head bowed down.
Hot tears spilt down my cheeks, the suppressed sobs finally bursting forth.
After forever, or maybe a minute, a knock interrupted me.
‘Ananya?’ Jai’s voice was soft. Careful.
I swallowed. ‘Just a moment.’
I turned on the tap, letting the water run as I dared to look at my reflection again.
Redness rimmed my eyes, and mascara smeared my cheeks.Shit. Grabbing the facewash off the counter, I scrubbed away all traces of make-up and the breakdown. I patted my skin dry with the towel, took a breath, then stepped out.
Jai sat on the edge of the bed, now dressed in a cotton T-shirt and navy pyjamas. A neatly folded black tee and a pair of shorts lay next to him.
