"You're kidding me right khushi?" Jiji's sceptical voice resonated inside my head.

"Jiji... Why do you even think I would be kidding? Vigorous lightings & thunders are scaring the hell out of me." I mumbled clutching her arms.

"But Khushi, arnavji will be there na. Why are you asking me then?"

"Er... Jiji, he said he'll not be here anytime soon." I just hope jiji stops her questioning session and let me sleep with her in her room.

"But... Khushi... Ok, let we sit here until they come."

She pulled me and made me sit beside her on sofa. The lightning penetrated through the curtains illuminating the living area time to time. The flicker it made brought a strange fear inside my heart.

"Jiji.. I am sleepy." I confessed running my eyes throughout the vicinity, clutching her arm. Since power was off, most of the lights in the house was in off mode to save power.

"Sleep..." Jiji gently patted my arms and shifted my head onto her lap. Why can't she simply share a room with me for tonight? Argh...

"Jiji... Come na, we can sleep in my room. I want my comfy bed & warm comforter."

"Khushi don't be kiddish. Where will arnavji sleep if I come to your room?" Asked she as if it was a big deal which can't be cracked anytime soon.

"Come on jiji. He'll adjust with Aakashji or he'll use guest room. Now come with me. I am sleepy and I can't sleep alone in that big room knowing the heavy rain pouring just a step away from my bed." I complained pulling her arms to make her stand.

"Er... Khushi... Understand na..." Jiji's hesitation instilled a doubt on my mind. Why is she hell bent on denying to share a room with me?

"Khushi... You didn't sleep yet?" I sighed hearing the known husky voice. But wait, why I hear a prolonged sigh beside me. Is it jiji? Am I troubling her so much? Before my head could come up with conclusions, I saw jiji's cheeks covered with red hue. Following her vision, I caught what I hadn't earlier. Mentally I smacked myself for my stupidity. Chilly climate, minimum lights, a cosy night is was missing. Perhaps, the reason for her denial was this.

"Good night Aakash." I heard him wishing them & his gaze landed on me at last.

"Come..." I heard him again.

Taking his laptop bag, I watched him loosening his tie "Did you had your dinner?"

"Hmm.. You?"

I nodded and watched him walking forward after gesturing me to walk beside him. When he was near the stairs, he glanced back & raised his brows in question. With a pout, I raised my arms. In no time, a smirk adorned his face & found his muscles relaxed. He lurched forward and scooped me effortlessly in his arms. My fingers automatically grabbed his collar.

"I thought you will be late."

"I had to come earlier as my wife is scared of thunders & lightening." His genuine reply made my heart swell in love. Voluntarily, my hold around his neck got strengthened. Sometimes it's hard to believe he's the same ASR whose breath & life was only his work.

A warm feeling settled on my frame. Realisation dawned upon me. We reached our room & I am on bed still clutching his shirt collar & he's leaning down to my level.

"Leave my collar. I need to change into casual pairs." I left my hold immediately. Embarrassed to look into his eyes, I kept the laptop bag aside & snuggled myself into the comforter waiting for him to cuddle.

I gave him a bright smile as he settled on his side. Shifting close to him, I waited for him to lie down so that I can comfortably place myself against him, his warmth is what missing in this night.

"Do you mind if I keep the night lamp on?"

I frowned at his question but nonetheless bobbed my head in denial.

My frown deepens when he pulled my arm and kept it circling around his waist.

"I am here khushi. You can sleep without fear ok..."

Next moment everything become crystal clear seeing him taking his laptop & kept it on his lap. Do I need to say why he did that? Rage occupied my frame out of nowhere. I harshly pulled away my arms.

"Khushi. What happened?" His bewildered expression fuelled my anger.

"What Khushi? You'll never change. You are, will remain as a Xerophyte. It's my stupidity to dream a romantic night with you." I lashed out ignoring his baffled state.

"What? Xerophyte?"

"Haan Xerophyte... I am sure you know what it is. Like xerophyte plants survive in little liquid water, you survive only with your files. Nothing matters to you, not the ghosty rains, nor your scared wife. All you need is your work. Marry your work & files if you love it so much."

Pulling the comforter over my head, I breathed heavily. How dare he? He and his work, hmpfff...

____

Forgive me if the above shot was not relevant. It's really hard to find suitable words for last few alphabets.

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