It was late in the evening when I heard the faint sound of the door creaking open. I frowned, glancing at the clock. Kruti was home much later than usual. Tossing the papers I had been grading onto the table, I walked toward the door.
And there she wasâstumbling inside with a lazy grin on her face, her cheeks flushed crimson, and her movements unsteady.
"Kruti?" I said, rushing to her before she could trip over the rug. "What the hell is this?"
"Deeev!" she slurred, pointing at me like she'd just recognized me. "You're here! Look at you, Mr. Serious Professor Man!" She giggled.
The smell of alcohol hit me immediately. "You're drunk," I said flatly, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her upright. "Where were you? Who let you drink this much?"
She pouted, leaning heavily against me. "No one let me, okay? I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
"You can't even stand properly," I muttered, half-carrying her toward the couch.
"I can too!" she said, trying to push me away but failing miserably. "I don't need you to baby me all the time!"
"Kruti, stop moving," I said firmly, easing her down onto the couch.
She huffed, crossing her arms like a petulant child. "You're so grumpy, Dev. Always grumpy. I got tired of it. Tired of you."
I froze, her words stinging more than I cared to admit. "Tired of me?" I repeated, my voice quieter now.
She nodded, her head wobbling slightly. "You're always so... grumpy and cold and... I don't know! I justâ" She hiccupped, cutting herself off.
I sighed, kneeling in front of her. "Kruti, you're drunk. You don't know what you're saying."
"Yes, I do!" she insisted, leaning forward and poking my chest. "I know exactly what I'm saying. You're... you're mean sometimes. But you're also... also sweet. And it's confusing!"
"Krutiâ"
"And I don't like being confused!" she continued, ignoring me completely. "I wanted to show you I can take care of myself. I don't need you to carry me or scold me orâ" She hiccupped again, her words trailing off as her head dropped onto my shoulder.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. She was clearly out of it, her emotions spilling out in a way they never did when she was sober. As much as her words stung, I couldn't bring myself to be angry.
"Come on," I said softly, shifting her so she was sitting properly.
But before I could move away, she grabbed my arm, pulling me back toward her. "Don't go," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
"I'm not going anywhere," I assured her, settling down beside her.
She smiled faintly, her head lolling onto my shoulder. "You're not so bad, you know," she murmured.
I chuckled despite myself. "Thanks, I guess."
For a while, we sat there in silence, her breathing growing steadier as she leaned against me. I thought she'd fallen asleep until she shifted suddenly, climbing awkwardly into my lap.
"Kruti, what are youâ"
"Shh," she said, pressing a finger to my lips. "I'm comfortable here."
I sighed, wrapping an arm around her to keep her steady. "You're impossible," I muttered.
She giggled, resting her head against my chest. "And you're stuck with me."
Minutes turned into hours as she continued to ramble, her words slurred and nonsensical. She talked about everything from her favorite childhood snacks to how annoying she found my grumpy attitude. I listened quietly, letting her vent.
"You know," she said suddenly, lifting her head to look at me. "You're not as scary as you think you are."
"Is that so?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded, her expression serious now. "You're like... a teddy bear. A grumpy teddy bear."
I couldn't help but laugh at that. "I'm glad you find me so amusing."
She smiled, her eyes drooping as exhaustion began to take over. "You're not so bad, Dev. Even when you're grumpy."
"You're not like him."
My lips curled up to a soft smile. "And maybe..." I stopped. I couldn't just say it yet.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing, got to sleep."
She sat there, her head resting on my shoulder, her arms loosely draped around my neck. "You're warm," she murmured, her voice soft and drowsy.
"You're impossible," I muttered, though my tone lacked its usual bite.
She chuckled, the sound muffled against my shirt. "You love it."
I sighed, shaking my head. "You're going to regret this in the morning."
"Maybe," she said, her words slurring again. "But right now... I don't care."
For a while, she stayed quiet, her breathing evening out as she relaxed against me. I hesitated before lifting a hand to her hair, brushing the strands away from her face.
Her hair was soft beneath my fingers, and without realizing it, I began to stroke it gently.
"Dev?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, and I wasn't sure if she was awake or talking in her sleep.
"Yes?" I replied softly.
"Do you... hate me?"
Her question caught me off guard. "No," I said after a moment.
"Really?" she asked, her voice small and uncertain.
"Really," I said, my tone firm.
She sighed, her breath warm against my neck. "Good. Because I don't hate you either."
I smiled faintly, my hand stilling in her hair. "Go to sleep, Kruti."
Her words were softer now, and I realized she was on the verge of falling asleep. Carefully, I shifted her so she was lying more comfortably against me.
"Get some rest, Kruti," I said quietly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
She mumbled something incoherent, her breathing evening out as she drifted off. I sat there for a moment, watching her sleep.
Without thinking, I reached out, gently running my fingers through her hair. It was something I'd never done before, and I wasn't entirely sure why I was doing it now. But it felt... natural, comforting even.
As I sat there, holding her in my arms, I realized something I hadn't before. She might drive me crazy with her antics, but she also brought a light into my life that I hadn't known I needed.
And as much as I hated to admit it, I didn't mind being her grumpy teddy bear.