From Smile Mates To Soulmates

Chapter Four

The next morning, Arnav found himself in the guestroom of his apartment. He woke up groggily, frowning at the initial unfamiliarity of the room. "What.." He mumbled blinking rapidly, to shoo away any remnants of sleep from his eyes. He sat up, disoriented, thinking. A few seconds later, he remembered the events of the last night that had led him to this room. A smile formed on his lips, his eyes lighting up at once. He remembered how he had carried his cute little sleeping beauty home. He recollected, how she had snuggled closer to him, into a comfortable position in his arms, he remembered how she had later held his hand in her sleep, like a child would hold her mother's, seeking peace and safety. His cheeks heated up pink and his smile broadened ever so slightly. 

He had made her sleep in his room, he didn't know why, but the guest room didn't quite look like the right place for her. After all, she was no guest. 

She was his.. 

She was his smile mate. 
His best friend 
His pretty little angel. 
His Khushi.

He pulled the brakes, before his brain could go overboard and cook up another few dreams and got out of bed in all his bare chested glory. He grabbed the black T-shirt lying carelessly on the armchair near the bed and pulled it over his head before leaving the guest room. 

He quietly went about his morning routine, taking care to not disturb the sleep of the girl in the master bedroom. 

He was an early riser, that didn't mean that she had to be one too.

Two hour later, Arnav had finished his jogging, freshened up and prepared himself a strong mug of black coffee. It was 8:06. 

After putting his coffee to boil, he made his way to his room as quietly as he could. Khushi was sleeping like a child, wrapped in a big fluffy blanket. Arnav tiptoed over to the window of the room and opened the curtains, letting the sunlight wash over the whole room, illuminating it. Khushi groaned softly, burying her face in the pillow. Arnav chuckled at her antics and sat next to her on the huge king sized bed. He ran his fingers through her silky tresses, affectionate and gentle. "Rise and Shine." He exclaimed softly, as she buried herself further into the bedclothes. 

"Five minutes please." She mumbled, half asleep. Arnav smiled and dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead. "It's kind of late." 

Khushi moaned in displeasure, peeling her eyes open with difficulty. "Arnav?" She uttered confused, squinting at him. "Good Morning." 

"Morning sweetheart." Arnav said affectionately. "Did you sleep well last night?" 

Khushi stretched herself, sitting up in the bed. She looked like a little kitten all wrapped up in a blanket almost double her size, surrounded by soft pillows. Her eyes were half closed, her lips forming a small pout. Arnav smiled at the adorable sight "I did fall asleep in the car, didn't I?" She asked, rhetorically. 

"Yeah. You looked like you needed all the sleep that you could get, so I didn't wake you up." Arnav said "Like I said, I really didn't have a problem carrying you home." 

Khushi sighed, "Thank you, and to answer your question, yes I did sleep very well last night." 

Arnav smiled, "Great. Can I get you a cup of coffee? Or tea maybe?" He asked.

"Coffee sounds like a good idea, right about now." Khushi said quietly. Arnav nodded, "One cup Arnav special, coming right up." He exclaimed, making Khushi chuckle and shake her head fondly at him.

"Do you want to grab breakfast here? I won't mind the company." Arnav asked hesitantly. 

Khushi laughed softly. "I'd love to."