Page 148 of Glass Jawed
I don’t move fast enough, so she gives me a push—shoving me onto the bed so hard I bounce.
“Sit.The fuck.Down, Lucian.”
I blink at her. Did she just... use my real name?
That’s new.
Sounds weirdly... nice. Like she doesn’t completely loathe me. Which, let’s be honest, is a stretch.
I clear my throat. “I have Tylenol in my bag. I can—”
She cuts me off by pushing me again. “I’llfucking get it. You get in the duvet.”
Jesus. She’s aggressively concerned.
But I do as she says. Because if the fever doesn’t kill me, Kashvi might.
And I can’t afford that—I’ve got errands in the morning.
After I swallow the Tylenol, I catch her watching me from the edge of the bed—arms crossed, expression unreadable.
It’s unnerving. Like I’m being studied under a microscope.
“You don’t have to help with anything tomorrow,” she says finally, her voice flat. “I’ll tell Rohi’s family not to bother you. You need rest.”
My eyes widen. “No, it’s okay.Really. This is... pretty normal.”
She raises a brow like she doesn’t believe a word.
Then with an exaggerated sigh, she throws herself back onto my bed, bouncing a little. “Listen... I know she asked you to stay, but—”
“You want me to leave?” I cut in, more surprised than offended.
She turns her head to look at me, one brow arched. “Don’tyou? After tonight?”
I pause. Because yeah—leaving would make sense. It would save face. Save me from whatever the hell this permanent ache in my chest is. But...
“I don’t think I want to,” I admit, voice low. “I mean, Ishould. But I want to stay. The family’s been... oddly kind. I want to see this through. Even if it’s from the sidelines.”
Kashvi scoffs. “You mean do the grunt work.”
I grin faintly. “It helps. Being useful. It distracts me. Keeps me moving. Helps with the withdrawal symptoms too.”
Her face softens for half a second—until she catches herself.
“Why do youreallywant to stay?” She asks, eyeing me with suspicion.
“I justtoldyou,” I say softly but she doesn’t react. “Listen, Kashvi. I understand you don’t believe me. I get it. But I havenothingwaiting for me in Canada. Not right now. Kepler Health is doing fine in my absence. My parents... well, we rarely meet anyway. I’mbetterhere. She reminds me of... she reminds me tobe better. I just—please—I need to be around her for a little bit. See this through.”
She immediately starts staring at the ceiling—as if asking for some patience.
“Also...” I try my luck. “What would we even tell her parents? Kiki Aunty is literally calling me for help every now and then. I’m Raj Uncle’s designated driver. Mina Aunty told me yesterday that I need to pick up somechaadarthing from the shop tomorrow—whatever that is.”
“Phoolon ki chaadar,” she informs me without looking at me. “It’s like a... flower canopy. For the bridal walk.”
I nod with a frown like I understand—but I don’t. “Are they real flowers?”
Her head finally turns in my direction. “They usually are. But... I think Ishi wanted something different. Like more modern—”
