Chapter 37
Daniel
We spent two nights at my place before returning to her unit. She wants to bake and it’s a lot more hassle baking in my fancy kitchen because she misses her utensils.
I sit back and turn the TV on. My mind is still amazed by Anu. She’s the missing piece of me I didn’t know was missing, though I subconsciously have been searching for her all my life.
Earlier today, before she left to teach, I realized how easily I have adjusted to living with her and sleeping in the same bed with her each night. My space was my sanctuary, now being with her is my sanctuary. I need to figure out how to make us permanent.
My phone rings, interrupting my thoughts. Picking it up from the table, I look and see that it’s Anu. I find myself smiling just because she called.
“Missing me already?” I tease immediately after answering the call.
“Maybe.” I hear the smile in her voice. “I’m expecting a package. It should be a DHL delivery. Can you please let me know when it arrives? And, if by any chance you leave the apartment, please let me know so I can return quickly to get it.”
“Will this package, by any chance, be the usual?” Still can’t get over the fact her dad diligently sends her items she likes and wants from UK every month. She’s truly a princess and, like she said, she’s unapologetically dad’s little girl.
“Maybe.” Her voice is low.
“Okay, Princess. Order noted,” I mock as I hear her soft chuckle. She loves it when I call her princess.
“Bye, talk later.”
“Bye.”
I hang up and scroll through my phone for the pictures of her that I’d taken without her knowing. Each picture makes me smile at how much she loves to laugh and live life without wasting a second of it.
Today is a relaxing day for me. I decided to call Luke and Declan to see if either of them would agree to meet.
“Hey,” I hear Declan in a beat.
Luke also joins the call.
“I called to ask if either of you is open to meet at the corner,” I chime in.
“Fuck yes! What time?” Luke answers, like I’d just offered him an exit he didn’t know existed. His twin boys must have drained his ass.
“In an hour,” I answer.
“Perfect, I will meet you guys there. The children are with my mom and Anne is out shopping with her friend. I might as well hang out with grown men,” Declan says.
“See you guys soon, then,” I say. We all hang up. I love my brothers for that, no need for small talk.
I get up to shower and get ready for our meet up. Just as I put my shirt on, the doorbell rings. The DHL delivery guy is at our door. I sign for the large box and call Anu but she texts back.
Anu: Busy right now, did the package arrive?
Me: Yes.
Anu: I will call you in fifteen minutes.
I set my phone down and return to finish getting ready. Realizing my outfit isn’t casual. I’ve been an auto pilot to formal dressing when Anu tells me to relax or, as she likes to say it: ‘chillax’.
I change from the dress pants to black cargo pants she’d bought for me and pair it with a white three-quarter sleeve tee. I admire the finished work and accept that’s how I look and feel cool.