Warm Cocoon

“What happened?”, I asked as he carried me across his chest, his heartbeat soothing me.

“Nothing that matters now”

“Tell me, please”, I begged. Somewhere in the back of my head, I knew I should give him space. Let him share when he was ready. But misery loves company. And I wanted to know that there was someone who felt as miserable as I did.

When he didn’t answer for a while, “Please”, I asked again

“Someone befriended me, used me, and then left me. Something similar who happened to you”, he answered, his voice monotone, devoid of any emotion.

“When? How?”

“I was fourteen at the time. A new girl had just taken admission to our school, and she was so pretty, I wanted to look at her all day long. She was smart and sweet too. All the boys in our school wanted her, but somehow, she ended up with me.

I guess I should’ve guessed something fishy when from the moment she stepped into the school, she was interested in me but I was young and mad in love, accounting it all to the strong chemistry between us. I would have done anything for her, and she knew it. Once, she was spending the night at my place - just as friends hanging out - when she asked if we could check out my dad’s office and play-act big, business moguls.

My dad’s office was always private and wasn’t open for strangers, or even me, but she had asked with such hope in her eyes, I couldn’t deny it. I led her to my dad’s office. We played and just chatted for a while.

I was the businessman and she was my business partner. We grabbed some files, read out things like we understood any of it, but maybe she did. After a while, she asked for water and some chocolates, so I left to get her some”, he paused, and I could feel his chest expanding as he inhaled deeply.

“It took me some ten minutes to get them because I didn’t know where our maid kept chocolates and had to look for it.

When I returned, the door to my father’s office was locked and I could hear whispers from behind it. I called out her name, banged the door, but it didn’t budge. I was so afraid something might’ve happened to her. I thought there was a burglar in our house. I ran and called my dad. He had a key to open the office and we tried. But by the time we pushed the door open, there was no one inside.

The large window to the side was left ajar and the office was a mess. Files were spread all around the floor and papers were strewn across. The burglar that I was so afraid about was no one but her. The one I had invited in.

My dad lost a lot of important files, his two big business deals took a hit and I was never allowed to bring anyone home after that.”

“I’m so sorry”, I rubbed his arm, “Did you look for her?”

“Yes, but she left school the very next day. Later we found out she wasn’t a student at all. She was 18 years old and specially trained to befriend me for no other reason than to rob my dad’s documents.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that”

“It’s alright. I learned a lesson on trusting people”, he shrugged nonchalantly, and it hurt something deep in my heart. Because I had learned far too soon, when people didn’t want to look vulnerable or weak, they feigned nonchalance. It was a defense mechanism.

I felt for him. Yes, cheaters were everywhere, but it was always hard on the person who got used.

Humans were not a game of chess, but society kept treating us as pawns in the game we didn’t want to participate.

He carried me in silence and gently laid me down on the bed. Grabbing my comforter, he covered me and shut off the light, leaving just my bedside lamp on. A relaxing golden glow flooded my room.

“Sleep well”, he said and turned around to leave my room.

Suddenly, heavy loneliness seeped into me. I couldn’t bear the sight of him walking out the door and leaving me alone.

I didn’t want to be alone.

I couldn’t be alone, not now.

My eyes heavy, I reached out with my hand and grabbed him. “Stay, please”, I pleaded as I looked up into his eyes. I hoped my desperation traveled through my eyes because I was afraid to be alone. Very. And I couldn’t bear his rejection/

His fingers wrapped around my outstretched hand, “Of course”

Relaxing, I scooted a little to the other side of the bed to make some space. Aarav took a seat next to me on my bed, one hand holding mine and the other gently caressing my hair.

I was exhausted but my eyes wouldn’t close. There was a question I needed an answer to, and I needed it now. I didn’t know if I should press more than I already had, but in the end, I decided to ask, “How did you move on?”

Surprisingly, Aarav didn’t look surprised. Maybe he got used to my inquisitiveness and gently answered, “It took me some time, but I realized she was never true, never real, and was simply acting all this time. That helped put a lot of things and memories into perspective.

I knew while I could wish for something different, it wouldn’t change the past. It was hard at first, but I started trusting again, after a thorough background check and made new friends. Being surrounded by people that sincerely enjoyed my company made me realize the stark difference between my relationship with her, and that helped a lot”

“Did you cry?

“What?”

“Did you cry?”, I asked, a little louder.

“Um…”, he paused, and an adorable red dotted his cheeks, “A lot”

For some reason that brought a smile to my face. A powerful and dominant CEO cried for his first love. It should cover the headlines. And he was blushing too.

“Aww”, I cooed.

“You look beautiful when you smile”, he smiled and my lips stopped smiling, instead a blush covered my cheeks.

“Um…thanks”, I replied, hesitant.

He laughed, a deep rumble coming from his throat, “You are cute”

My blush simply got worse.

“Stop pointing at it, you idiot!”, I smacked his arm, but that only got him cackling more.

“I’m sorry”, he said after he had settled somewhat.

The gentle glow of the lamp illuminated his face in the most sensual way. The shadows on his face highlighted his strong jaw and those soft lips. His eyes shone golden brown. I stared besotted at him, no thoughts except the beautiful face of this man.

My eyes slowly started closing and something warm and smooth touched my forehead, but I paid no mind to it. I was too exhausted to care.

I felt him move beside me and then two strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer to his chest. I inhaled, his scent lulling me to sleep and his body acted as my warm cocoon.

With my head against his chest, I murmured, “Good night” and lost myself to sleep.