Chapter 33
Nisha
“You seriously got me this?” I screech, standing on my couch and pointing at the enormous, wolf-sized ball of black fur sprawled across my living room carpet.
“Yes, baby. Isn’t he the cutest?” Sidharth says, kneeling beside the beast and giving its head a good scratch.
I look at the creature again and scrunch my nose as its tongue lolls out, drool dripping onto the floor, while its tail thumps rhythmically against the carpet.
Definitely not cute. I turn to glare down at Sidharth with my hands planted firmly on my hips.
“I seriously think you need to look up the definition of cute.”
He pouts. “Come on, sweetheart. Now you’re just being rude. And you’re hurting his feelings.”
“Hurting his feelings, my foot,” I scoff as I study the creature again.
The dog, or more accurately, the bear in disguise, is anything but cute.
He’s massive. Jet-black, with a shining coat and piercing amber eyes that seem to gleam with quiet menace.
His ears are cropped just enough to give him that intimidating look.
His limbs are built like a damn tank, and that broad chest is hazardous.
“Who gives this as a gift to their fiancée?” I frown, my heart still doing parkour in my chest.
Sidharth rises to his feet. “Someone who loves you and wants you safe.”
My heart melts at his words, but this time, I’m not letting it show. Before he can say another word that will turn my heart into a puppet in his hands, I fold my arms across my chest.
“I would’ve been fine with a cat. Maybe even a cute puppy. But not this four-legged, weaponized fur.”
“Now you’re the one being cute,” Sidharth teases with a grin as he flops onto the single couch beside mine. “And you’ll be happy to know, he’s trained and fully obedient. Ex-military K9 unit.”
I gape at him. “Ex-military?”
“Yup,” he responds smugly. “No one will mess with you while he’s around.”
I groan, slumping down on the couch. “As if I didn’t have enough protectors in my life already. Karan, CCTV cameras all over the house—”
“Not enough,” Sidharth cuts in.
I glare at him as I add, “You even taught me self-defense, remember? I think I’ve got the whole ‘protecting myself’ thing covered.”
“Still not enough.” His eyes lock on mine, the grin fading just a little. “But with him around, it’ll help me sleep better, knowing you’ve got backup.”
I shake my head. “Sidharth, I’m already well protected. You’ve made sure of that. I don’t need this beast.”
“He’s staying.”
There he goes being a jerk again, acting like his decision is final and I don’t even get a say. But if there’s one thing he should know by now, it’s that I’m equally stubborn.
I hold his gaze and rise to my feet. Then I narrow my eyes and cross my arms tighter as I stand in front of him. “Really? Well, why don’t you give me a heads-up about what you’re planning next? A personal SWAT team stationed in the guest room?”
“I can add that to the list,” Sidharth chuckles.
But before I can open my mouth to tell him that his overbearing attitude is seriously getting on my nerves, he tugs my hand and pulls me down onto his lap.
“Nisha,” his voice is quieter now, more serious. “You’re precious to me. You really think I’d take any chances with you?”
I sigh, glancing back at the dog, who’s now quietly observing us like he actually understands what we’re talking about.
“Still, it’s going to take a while to get used to him,” I murmur, rubbing my temple.
“You’ll get there,” Sidharth says with a small smile. “On that note, how about we start with you learning his name?”
“Please tell me his name isn’t as scary as he looks. Like Brutus or Killer or, God forbid, Fang.” I glance at the dog again, who blinks at me like he’s deeply offended.
Sidharth bursts out laughing before looking at me with that annoyingly proud grin.
“Well, his name is Shadow. And I know it doesn’t qualify as cute. But it suits him.”
I tilt my head, sighing. “Okay, fine. That’s… actually kind of cool.”
“Now, how about you touch him?” Sidharth says, casually.
My eyes widen. I jerk my head towards him like he’s lost his mind.
“Are you serious? What if he bites me?”
“You think I’d ask you to do something that would put you in danger?” Sidharth says, before adding. “He won’t do anything. Just have a little faith in me.”
Guilt twists in my chest for letting my fear get the better of me.
I lower my gaze for a second, then look back at him. “I trust you, Sidharth. I’m just being stupid.”
Sidharth smiles. “Then how about giving it a try?” He nods towards Shadow. “He’s waiting.”
I rise to my feet, and so does Sidharth. Just then, the sound of footsteps reaches us. I see Sunita Aunty walk into the room, her gaze lowered in peaceful focus as she carries a pooja thali.
But the moment she looks up and spots Shadow, she freezes mid-step. Her hand trembles, and the thali wobbles dangerously in her grasp.
“Hai Ram! What is this?” she gasps.
Before I can reply, Shadow perks up, then trots over to Sunita Aunty and gently licks her feet.
Aunty squeals, and the thali wobbles again, but this time, I move forward and grab it from her hands before it falls down.
“Aunty, relax,” Sidharth says, stepping to her other side. “He’s just greeting you. He won’t do anything.”
Aunty scowls at Sidharth. “He’s licking me like I’m his meat.”
I stifle a laugh while Sidharth replies calmly, “He likes you, Aunty. That’s his way of saying hello.”
“Can’t he say that in his dog language woof and not by slurping?” she exclaims dramatically, eyeing Shadow, who now plops himself at her feet with his tail swishing from side to side.
The look on Aunty’s face, part horror and part theatrical outrage, is just too much. And I burst out laughing, unable to hold it in any longer.
“It’s not funny, Nisha,” Aunty mutters, now glaring at me like I’m the one who brought him home and personally trained him to slurp her feet.
I nod my head towards Sidharth. “Aunty, blame your darling Sidharth. He’s the one who brought this mini bear home as a gift for me.”
Aunty looks at Sidharth. “Sidharth beta, please make him move! I’m too young to be dinner.”
Sidharth chuckles. “You’re not going to be his dinner, Aunty. Shadow, heel,” he commands with a snap of his fingers. Shadow immediately rises and steps back. “See, he listens.”
Aunty tiptoes around him and plops herself on the couch, hurriedly wiping her feet with the edge of her dupatta. “Why didn’t you get one of those fluffy Pomeranians?”
Sidharth snorts and settles back on the couch opposite her. “He’s not for cuddles, Aunty. He’s for protection.”
“And a dog is the only thing you could think of!” she shoots back, glaring at him.
I sit down beside Sidharth, still grinning as I look at Aunty. “It’s clearly a statement gift.”
“Well, if your statement gift is staying in this house…” she points at Shadow, who lifts his head, “… he better learn not to slobber on my feet. Or I’m making him sleep outside the door.”
“Fair deal.” Sidharth agrees.
Right on cue, Shadow lifts his head and lets out a loud bark, making Aunty and me flinch.
“Okay, okay!” I wave my hands in surrender. “We get it. You’re part of the family now. No sleeping outside.”
He flops back down, seemingly satisfied. I watch him, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Maybe he is kind of cute.
Sidharth nudges me. “You’re not mad anymore?”
“I’m less mad,” I mutter, rolling my eyes but leaning into him anyway, my head resting on his shoulder. “You’re lucky I love you.”
Sidharth smiles and presses a kiss to my forehead. “I really am.”
“I’m still not convinced about him,” Aunty mutters, though she’s already taking a peek at Shadow, like she’s warming up to the idea of him.
I grin, watching her. “Give it a day, Aunty. You’ll be sneaking him laddoos when no one’s looking.”
Aunty scoffs, folding her arms. “I don’t think so.”
Right then, Shadow tiptoes closer and nudges her ankle gently with his nose.
She lets out an exaggerated huff. “God, he is even stubborn like both of you.”
Sidharth and I exchange a smile, both trying and failing not to laugh, because we both know Shadow is already winning her over.
???
It’s past midnight, and I’m on the couch, lying sideways as I stare at Shadow in the dim light of the living room. He’s right next to me, wide awake, his chin resting on his front paws, his eyes quietly watching me.
Aunty retired an hour ago after giving me the look, the one that clearly said, make sure he doesn’t enter my room. Sidharth left around eleven, but not before checking Shadow’s water bowl, locking the back doors, and making me promise multiple times that I’d call him if anything went wrong.
The moment he left, I didn’t feel like going into my room. That’s why I flopped onto the couch, and Shadow immediately parked himself right beside me.
“You take your night duty quite seriously for a dog bodyguard, huh?”
Shadow lifts his head slowly and lets out a huff.
I laugh softly and reach out to pat his head. “Okay, okay, no disrespect, Mr. Shadow.”
He blinks at me slowly, then rests his chin back on his paws, his eyes still fixed on me.
I sit cross-legged. “I’m not sleepy, and I think you aren’t either. How about some popcorn and a movie?”
Shadow lifts his head, his ears perking up like he’s intrigued.
I smile and get up, padding barefoot across the floor to the kitchen. Shadow follows close behind, his claws clicking softly against the wooden floor, tail wagging like he’s already on board with the plan.
“You know, I love midnight popcorn,” I say as I open the pantry.
Shadow sits dutifully, watching as I pull out a bag of kernels, toss it into the microwave, and hit the start button.
The machine hums to life, and I lean back against the counter, smirking at him as I think to myself, I can’t believe I’m actually having a conversation with a dog in the middle of the night.
Soon, the sound of kernels popping makes me turn. When the last pop fades, I open the microwave door, pull out the warm bag, and pour it into a bowl. Within seconds, the kitchen is filled with the rich, buttery scent of heaven.
Shadow rises to his feet, sniffs the air, and wags his tail.
I look down at him and shake my head. “Oh, no, mister. This is my snack. You’re on a strict canine diet. No butter for you.”
He huffs, clearly not impressed.
I sigh dramatically. “Okay, maybe one. Just don’t tell Sidharth.”
Patting his head, I carry the bowl back into the living room and grab the remote from the coffee table before sinking onto the couch. Shadow circles once, twice, then settles down at my feet, his huge head resting near my ankle.
I glance down and smile. “Okay, Shadow. Movie time.”
I click play, and Anyone But You starts playing. I dig into the popcorn and toss one kernel onto the floor near Shadow. He sniffs it, nudges it with his nose, then eats it.
I grin. “You did like it?”
He looks at me, blinking, as if to say, Obviously. Now share more.
For the next thirty minutes, I watch the movie, happily munching popcorn, completely oblivious to the slow invasion of my personal space, until I suddenly realize Shadow’s massive head is now resting in my lap.
But instead of pushing him away, I reach out and gently brush my fingers over his ear.
“You’re really soft for a tough guy,” I murmur, stroking gently down the length of his neck. I never thought one night with a dog would make me a dog lover. But here we are.
“I was scared of you, you know,” I whisper. “The moment I saw you, I thought Sidharth had officially lost his mind.”
Shadow shifts slightly, his head nudging closer, brushing against my knee now.
“But I think we’re going to get along just fine,” I add softly, leaning down to hug him, my cheek resting lightly against his warm fur.
Not all surprises are bad, I realise. Some just make you feel safe. And tonight, mine came with four paws, a big heart, and a wagging tail.