Chapter 9
"No, ma chère, I don't want to chain you to myself."
A warm hand stroked Asilia's face that was nestled on Aashi's shoulder. Both were now relishing the high that had passed over them half an hour ago but, unfortunately, reality was sinking in fast again. It had been a month now that Aashi had been with Asilia: she never left her side since she had arrived that night.
Aashi hadn't even gone back to bring her own artefacts, not that that was a problem though seeing as there were already items at Asilia's apartment which accommodated her.
It was now nearing the end of the year, Christmas was days away, and Lucy had been frantic that whole month. Of course, as Aashi did not leave them with any means of contact, Lucy had actually wrote to Asilia. It was quite cute had the message not been so disheartening.
'To Miss Asilla,
Sorry I don't know how to write your name properly and daddy doesn't know how to write your name too.
I just wanted to know where my mummy went? Do you know where she is? She left without telling me or telling daddy. And daddy doesn't know how to call her which is crazy because daddy can talk to anyone on the phone.
If you see my mummy could you please tell me.
Here is my daddy's phone number so you can tell us (Arthur's phone number) if you see mummy. But if you do see mummy, and she doesn't want come back. That's ok. Tell mummy that I love her and I miss her and if she went away because of me then tell her I'm sorry because I don't want to make mummy sad.
Mummy should not be sad she should be happy (smiley face). I hope mummy can come home for Christmas because I has a present for mummy.
Bye bye,
Lucy.'
That letter had arrived two days ago and Asilia had selfishly kept it to herself but she kept reading it over, over, and over again and every time she read the word 'mummy' she felt her heart swell with pride yet with dysphoria as well. She was proud that her significant other took it upon herself to raise a girl, however, Asilia was pained at the idea that she kept a mother away from her daughter.
She didn't know the details but she knew that Aashi and Lucy had some sort of connection: one that went deeper than blood.
She caved and revealed the letter to Aashi. She had watched Aashi carefully as she had read the letter – had she been a stranger, Asilia would have thought that Aashi was impassive to Lucy's dismay but that wasn't the case. Aashi's eyes sparkled the moment she read the first sentence and if Asilia was correct, Aashi had read the letter thrice before responding to Asila.
Surprisingly, she was not angry with Asilia; actually Aashi had just stared at her, enraptured.
Aashi had taken a few steps forward and took a hold of her hips, and sighed. "I don't want to leave you…"
"But you should live your life – you shouldn't have to live for me" Asilia added, trying to convince Aashi to return to Lucy.
Asilia's heart fluttered when Aashi stepped even closer, her grip increasing, her lips hovering over Asilia's and their breath mingled. "Do you really think I would leave, just like that, *Jaan?"
The atmosphere changed instantly. The tension had been building for a few days now and they were both on edge now. Both woman had been on their nerves after the letter from Bane and Aashi's presence was a great comfort, and not just during their nightly tumbles, but also during the day when Asilia felt particularly vulnerable.
'Just like that, Jaan?'
Asilia shuddered at the thought of those long lean arms closing around her, holding her, anchoring her to a certain woman.
Asilia's hooded eyes flickered up between Aashi's own black smouldering eyes. "I… I just assumed…" Asilia trailed off, not finding an appropriate retort herself.
Aashi's eyes glittered again, "Darling, even after all these years, you still don't know me." She didn't mean it in a harsh way and Asilia understood that.
"Well, bébé, you have thick walls. What can I say?" Asilia whispered, as Aashi peppered kisses on her neck. Her kisses migrated from her neck to her jaw and when she reached her lips Asilia took her time to prolong the heated kiss. Aashi leaned back to say one last thing in a thick voice, "Don't break my walls with words then."
Neither of them remember how they got to the bed so fast or even where their clothes fell but in that moment it didn't matter. The world around them didn't matter anymore because they just depended on each other now. They were each other's raft in the vast open lonely ocean. When Asilia's back met the soft mattress she entangled her hands in Aashi's free flowing hair and as Aashi went down on her, Asilia accepted her fate; the red silky ribbon which was her life was hopelessly knotted together to Aashi, tightly.
There was no escape.
Sure, they had declared their love for each other but none could have predicted exactly how deep his relationship could have gotten. Now, after all this time, Aashi (a woman who often minded her own business to avoid trouble) chose to stay with Asilia despite her financial issues and even after the threat Bane threw at them, she did not run. In actuality, if Bane's intention had been to force them apart then the threat had done the contrary.
Asilia's hips bucked when Aashi's tongue hit a soft spot. A chorus of moans followed when Aashi's hands pressed harder down on the sensitive nerves. Asilia thought she would go crazy as Aashi would remove some pressure and slow down only to increase the speed of her fingers and her tongue became more feverish. Coupled with Aashi's own groans sending lovely vibrations across Asilia's sensitive body and she climaxed in no time.
Her chest heaved as Aashi brought her face back to Asilia's. She smirked slyly and her eyebrows bounced suggestively, "I get the rainbow strap on this time".
Hence, after an hour, the two women were trying to catch their breaths in a warm embrace and softly attempting to figure out what to do in response to Lucy's letter.
"You're not chaining me to yourself. I decided to be here, remember?" Aashi rolled her head towards Asilia's and nuzzled the top of her head.
"I've made up my mind, Ai" Asilia said as she sat on Aashi waist with her hands on her shoulders. "You're going to return to your daughter and spend the best goddamned Christmas with her while I go and visit my brother in Kenya, ok?"
Aashi swept her hand over Asilia's afro and to her neck, her thumb stroked her pulse, and finally concurred. "Very well, as long as you return to me."
Asilia bit her swollen lips, "always."
;-;-;-;-;
Lucy was furiously button mashing to the point where the PlayStation controller looked like it were about to break. Arthur sat behind her on the couch and constantly checked his phone in anxiety. Every now and then Arthur would take over for Lucy when she couldn't continue in the level and with this technique of theirs they manged to complete over half of Jak and Daxter.
Yet, despite her progression through the game, Lucy was not pleased. She was literally counting the days that Aashi had been missing from her life and frankly Arthur was slightly alarmed by the changes in Lucy's behaviour; for example, he caught her several times staring at the front door in the middle of the night or the early hours of the morning. After a week when Aashi had failed to return Lucy began to live in Aashi's apartment much to Harley's irritation as Arthur went with her as well.
Harley's behaviour was also flashing red flags in Arthur's mind. Like the note had said, she had returned soon after Arthur had returned but it had been too long in Arthur's mind.
'How dare she leave without leaving Lucy in proper care? How dare she not tell me before? She thought I would let her off for leaving Lucy alone without my knowledge! No way. Not a chance.'
He had already planned out exactly how he would deal with her however when he returned with Lucy that night to their apartment and saw the state of Harley that plan went completely out of the window.
The thing that stole Arthur's attention was Harley's head injury: she tried to cover it up a lot as if she felt… guilty.
There were so many things wrong with this whole situation. Harley had suddenly disappeared and left Lucy in the custody of their strange neighbour (who had no qualms with taking Lucy in). Lucy completely trusted Aashi suggesting that they had shared an experience which helped them bond quickly. Then his apartment looked like it had been cleaned by an expert forensics team and when Harley finally did show (which by his calculation she had been gone for a week) she did not immediately start blabbing to him about her time with her girls and she had a suspicious injury, which when asked about she would completely clam up about.
Most disturbing of all, Harley left Lucy alone. Harleen no longer showed any animosity towards Lucy; she didn't call her names, she didn't raise her voice at her, she didn't give her the evil eye, she didn't even nag her anymore. Actually, she didn't look at her or talk to her at all unless it was necessary like when she served food. Actually, she even started to feed her and occasionally asked how she was.
This would have, should have, warmed his heart as Harley was acting more motherly as she could but the voices in his head constantly told him otherwise.
It was too fishy.
Harley seemed afraid which was shocking as Arthur had been under the assumption that Harley only feared his wrath and the prospect of not pleasing him. When Harley was around Lucy he would sometimes spot her shaking. She shook like those men who Arthur held at gun point before he blasted their brains out.
Arthur had, in turn, been more loving to Harley than he had been in the last few years. When he would return from wherever he had gone off to he would attempt to spend time with Harley like they did in the early years. They shared a drink, talked about their favourite films and artists, cuddled at one point but Arthur drew a line at intimacy mainly because he literally couldn't get it up for Harley because of her treatment of Lucy. The voices brewed doubt in his mind that this was all an act, but to what end he didn't know.
He was also deeply suspicious of Aashi even though he acknowledged his affinity to her. Arthur was apprehensive of Aashi as she looked like she was loaded with money yet she didn't fit any of his criteria's: not a lawyer, definitely not a prostitute or stripper, not working for the mob, possibly a hitman?
'She would definitely fit that role'
Also, he didn't like the amount of interest she put in Lucy. Even if they weren't in Gotham, it was not normal by his standards for a person to care so much for a child that wasn't their own. Yet, he couldn't see how she benefitted from anything she did for Lucy. It was like she actually cared… which was completely out of character. He could tell. That didn't make him any less grateful, after all, she had protected Lucy on several occasions.
He was wrenched out of his thoughts when the front door creaked lightly. He tilted his head slowly toward the threshold which led to the hallway and tensed when silence echoed. He reached for his knife in his jean pocket warily and just as his hand grazed his trouser pocket Aashi popped in the threshold of the door with a sassy cocked brow.
He sighed loudly, relieved, which made Lucy glance back absent-mindedly. As her eyes landed on Aashi's tall frame in the room, she dropped her controller, completely forgotten, and rushed towards her. Lucy padded towards her with a tear streaked face and her arms raised above her head.
"Mummy, mummy" she kept repeating even after Aashi hoisted her to her hip and hugged her. Arthur stood and swaggered towards her trying to conceal a small smile but failed. He admitted privately to himself that he had missed the company of this woman, no matter how shady or mysterious she was. He also realised that if he did forbid Lucy from seeing Aashi it would have rather catastrophic effects.
Never keep a child from their mother.
Aashi put Lucy down but she instantly magnetised herself to Aashi's left leg. She innocently smiled up at Aashi. Aashi shook her head and tossed her leather biker jacket on the sofa before picking her back up. Lucy snuggled her neck and a content smile spread on her face, "Mummy, can you not go away again?"
Aashi patted her head, "I won't go away. Now, let's go plan our Christmas, yeah?"
Lucy gasped, "Really?! Yay! A Christmas with a daddy and a mommy."
"Have you eaten yet?" Aashi asked.
"Daddy gave me cereal"
Aashi slowly turned to Arthur with a brow raised once again, "Cereal?"
Suddenly, Arthur felt like he was on the spot, he shrugged, "Yeah, it's what all kids have for breakfast."
"Cereal is not a proper breakfast" she stepped forward and nodded at him "It's full of sugar."
Aashi stepped away leaving Arthur alone staring at her back and Lucy giggling at him.
After half an hour of arguing with himself he went to the kitchen to grab a snack but when he spotted the perfect toast on a lonely plate, he made a mad dash to nab it, but just as his hand grazed it and his tongue popped out to lick his lips a hand faster than lightning slapped his hand away.
A faux gasp was released, "Oh Artie" a mocking voice said, "You wouldn't be trying to steal Lucy's breakfast, would you?"
Arthur turned his burning gaze to Aashi's face, "No." He sharply responded "I was just checking you didn't burn it, I mean, a manly woman like yourself, you don't seem like the type to be able to make edible food." He casually leaned back against the desktop.
Aashi titled her head curiously, "Manly? What makes you think I'm manly?"
Arthur shrugged, "I don't know where to start; your body, your posture, the fact that you look like you could murder someone just by looking at them-"
"My posture?" Aashi asked, folding her arms.
"Look you're doing it now! The way you fold your muscly arms and stand with your feet apart."
"I think Mommy" Lucy interjected "is the most prettiest woman ever!" she started to blush when all eyes were on her.
"Thank you, Lulu." Aashi spoke to Arthur again, mockingly. "So, you're implying that men can't cook? That I can't cook because of the way my body is, because of the way I stand. Wow."
Arthur opened his mouth to argue but Aashi cut him off, "Lulu, do you want turkey or duck this Christmas?"
Magically, she materialised a worn, dog-eared book in her hand (War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy), and from it she pulled a scrap piece of paper on which she began to jot down a few notes: a list.
Lucy paused from spreading chocolate on her second toast like Ai had shown her, "Uh, Turkey! Because everyone has turkey!"
"Alright, that's a large turkey, along with mashed potatoes, lamb sausages, vegie gravy, roasted carrots, steamed asparagus, beetroot salad with feta and pear, baked squash, and chocolate fondant with some tiramisu." Aashi looked up from her list, "Do you want something, Arthur?"
It took a while for Arthur to respond as he was amazed by the longevity of the list, "Yeah, I, uh, want some sprouts."
"Really? Sprouts?"
"No, I absolutely hate sprouts." he abruptly stated "Could you roast baby carrots instead? I mean, who are you making all this food for, yourself?"
"It's Lucy's first Christmas lunch" Aashi said as a matter of fact, "and since you'll be there I decided to treat you too" she paused, "You are going to be there, right?"
"Oh, will you, daddy?" Lucy asked through a toast full mouth.
Even if he did have plans he instantly cancelled them when he saw the look on Lucy's hopeful face, "Of course. I'll make sure of-"
There were three steady raps on the door. Arthur licked his scar and rolled his gaze to the hallway, "I'll-"
"Arthur, there's the bread, butter and pan. Make your own toast while I get the door." Aashi sauntered away without another glance. There was some chatter between Arthur and Lucy as Aashi got the door and her mood instantly turned for the worst for when she opened the door, there stood a maggot: Harley.
Harley paled when she looked up. She gulped and shuffled her feet, "Is- is Arthur here? I need ta ta- tal- talk to him?"
Aashi replied by placing one hand on the threshold a little over here head and the other hand on her hip, "He's with his daughter, what do you want?"
Harley clutched her cardigan around herself and looked over Aashi. Her dark hair had been pulled back in a low loose ponytail but a few strands were hanging over her clean face. Her whole body was tense and she could see this as her black turtle neck top clung to her body like a second skin. Harley took one look at Aashi's spiked boots behind her and regretted coming to the devil's door, "Like I said, I need ta-"
Aashi shoved her face into Harley's "What. Do. You. Want?"
Harley timidly tucked her chin to her chest, "I need money."
Aashi folded her arms and raised her chin, "What for?"
"Some… Christmas shop-"
"Is it for Lucy or Arthur?"
Harley licked her lips nervously, "No-"
"You can't have it" she slammed the door in her face.
There were few encounters between Harley and Aashi but they were ugly. Aashi was always crass and scrupulous with Harley and Harley would either shrink in on herself or she would try to stand up to her. It never ended well. When Harley demanded to let herself in to Aashi's home once, Aashi shoved her away but when Harley tried again, Aashi grabbed her by the throat and 'escorted' her out.
Don't misunderstand. Aashi was gentle to those who she cared for, like she treated Asilia like a Queen, but those who she viewed as scum or garbage were treated as such. Man, woman or child. In general, she took no bullshit from nobody.
"Who was it?" Arthur asked, preoccupied with trying to save his toast from burning.
Aashi shrugged, "Oh, the usual – bloody garbage."
;-;-;-;-;
It was the day before Christmas and as Arthur had cleared out his schedule for the whole week, he decided to take Lucy to the ice ring in the mall in the better parts of the city. Aashi wanted to spend more time with Lucy so she tagged along and also it would give her a chance to get some of the ingredients she needed.
They decided to take the 'burrowed' car that Arthur had brought back the other day and went to the ice ring first. As they were putting their tacky skates on Aashi noticed Arthur shaking but said nothing of it.
He shouldn't have been cold. He was wearing several sweaters, a thick brown waxed cotton jacket and thick socks in his Adidas sneakers. He even wore a scarf, hat and gloves seeing as the snow was reaching above their knees now. Lucy was also wrapped up warmly – Aashi made sure of it. Lucy was layered under her shiny bubble coat, thick cotton scarf, mittens and woolly hat as well. She looked like a chubby little ball with legs that Arthur and Aashi both proudly chuckled between themselves at how cute she looked.
Aashi had subconsciously even taken care of her own clothing. She wore layers under her black sweaters, wine coloured velvet trousers and she wore thick socks under her leather covered feet. Her trench coat kept her warm so she didn't bother with a scarf although she took her plum leather gloves which Arthur had suspiciously eyed with too much interest.
Meanwhile, Arthur was unsurprised when he saw past Lucy's stumbling body that Aashi had perfect balance while he and Lucy were struggling to get on their feet. He found that Aashi could basically do anything and secretly dubbed her a 'wonder woman'. He was no longer amazed when he found out that she could do something he couldn't.
He gazed with awe as Aashi straightened both of their tumbling bodies with ease and led them in a large circle around the ring once. "See, it's not that hard, is it? *Bandar? Artie?"
"Bun-dar? What does that mean, mummy?" Lucy smiled a pearly smile up at Aashi.
"Bandar! It means cheeky monkey"
Lucy snorted in jest, "But I'm not a monkey, mummy!"
"Yes, you are, see! Look at that cheeky smile there!" Aashi squeezed their hands. Arthur who was on the outer side of the ring felt his breathing constrict as his clammy hands clenched around Aashi's. He vaguely heard the Frank Sinatra song fade into white noise as his concentration was solely on Aashi's hand. Even the people faded from his view.
He hadn't had human contact, real contact, with another person in so long that it felt foreign. Harley didn't count simply because he had labelled her as less than human and because she was familiar to him by now. He couldn't lie to himself. He really liked this humanly contact – it reminded him that he was human too and that he also needed this contact with this world that he had been cut off from for so long.
The fact that it was Aashi made it so much better. Sure, he was suspicious of her but he was suspicious of everyone. She was 'wonder woman'. She was on a God level and she thought it appropriate to hold his hand. It made him feel better about himself. This God had bestowed this gift to him, him, such a lowly creature.
He swallowed thickly and glanced up to her face. She was speaking to Lucy so she didn't notice him watching her. He took this moment to study her face. There were very few lines on her face and admittedly he couldn't believe it when Lucy had told him that she was thirty. Her pores were quite large but she didn't care. He also noted how her eyes would change in intensity when she felt certain emotions. Her large eyes transformed into black pools of tar when angered but they would change into a light coffee colour when she was feeling pleased. Her lips were always moisturised, possibly because she always applied medicinal creams to her split lips. He also noticed a small faint scar on her nose suggesting she had once broken it.
When he looked back down to their hands he swore he saw a red silky ribbon woven between their hands which bound their hands together but within the blink of an eye it was gone.
His eyes flashed back to her face and was startled when he saw that Aashi was facing him with a questionable look. His jaw flopped for an explanation but just as he found his voice there was a scream and a dull thud of bodies falling on ice beside them.
"Lucy!" a childish voice called. "We missed you so much!" rather two childish voices called.
Both adults looked down to their feet and found Lucy covered by two small fiery redheads. Whilst Arthur relaxed, Aashi did not – she furrowed her sharp brows before she pulled Lucy back to her feet. The other two girls, twins, immediately shied away from Aashi.
Aashi scrutinised them and stored them in her brain. They were smaller than Lucy (who was four foot five) they were possibly four foot three, the both of them, and they looked slightly younger than Lucy but not by much. Their red hair curled uncontrollably around their skulls which held their blue eyes. One sister had her hair up to her shoulders much like Lucy but the other had her hair cut to her ears. Their button small noses were red due to the cold and their small pink lips were cracked. Their soft eyebrows were low with worry and they held each other for safety.
"Kate! Katherine!" a masculine voice from behind bellowed. Aashi swivelled to find a man, their father, skating in their direction. He skid to a stop in front of Aashi and held out his hand.
"Hi there, Bob Kane, father of these two and friend to Arthur Fleck." he flashed her a million dollar smile but he was not amazed when she wasn't affected at all. From what little Arthur had told him of Aashi she was a woman made of diamond and it would take more than a smile to get a reaction out of her.
Aashi studied him like he was bacterium under a microscope. His blue eyes were shining with anxiousness, which he tried to hide by running a hand over his short black hair. He flexed his strong jaw when Aashi refused his hand, and his nostrils flared when she looked him over so quickly. Her eyes didn't wander at all. His reactions made Aashi chuckle inwardly.
It was only when he dropped his hand that Aashi replied, "Aashi Jaya Patil. It is a great displeasure to meet you, friend of Arthur".
Lucy tugged Aashi hand, "Mummy, what do you mean-"
Arthur snorted, "Bob, good to see ya." He grabbed his elbow and pulled him in for a pat on the back "Ai here just doesn't socialise well-"
"Oh no, I am well educated in social etiquette, however, I choose when I want to follow such principles which is very rare." Aashi proudly declared.
Arthur nodded both abashed yet also proud, "Yeah."
Down below the little girls began to whisper to each other. Kathrine, the one with the short hair, bravely whispered from behind her father's legs, "Hey, Lucy. Who is this lady? Why did you call her your mom?"
Even though Lucy wasn't shy of anyone there she decided to whisper so as not to disturb the adults. "That's my new mommy, Ai. She's really nice. And super cool! She has this really cool bike"
Katherine pipped up, "But where's your real mom?"
Lucy cocked her head, "Ai… is my real mom."
"What about Harley?"
"She's not my mom. She never was" Lucy nodded which made the other two girls nod too "oh" they said simultaneously.
Back to the adults, Arthur was muttering to himself as Bob and Aashi were exchanging small talk.
"So, Aashi, how long have you been with Arthur and Lucy?"
Aashi appraised him which made Bob squirm. It was astounding for Arthur considering Bob was a highly experienced lawyer and barely flinched with cases that threatened his life constantly and now here he was having trouble with one woman… well, to be fair he was up against a very powerful goddess.
Aashi smiled eerily and replied, "You already know that, Bob. Why do you ask?"
Bob shifted, and put his game face on. "Come now, I just wanna know that I was right."
Aashi's gaze flickered between the two men, "Almost three months or more. I don't keep track. Now, if you'll excuse us, the girls and I are going to go for a few laps." Lucy gleefully grabbed Aashi's hand and dragged the other two.
Aashi jested without facing them, "We'll leave you two to your bromance." They girls left the two men, obnoxiously whizzing past people.
Arthur whispered to himself, confused, "Bromance?"
Obviously, it was louder than a whisper because Bob then said in a thick voice, "I don't know what that is, man, but I do wanna ask ya?"
Arthur watched him from his peripheral as he was turned to face the inner ring and leaned back on the barricades, "Wha-t?" he popped his 'T'.
Bob appraised Arthur warily before he spoke, "You hittin' that?" he nodded towards Aashi, who was at the front of the line and skated away with the girls in a line behind her clutching her coat.
Arthur inhaled sharply and felt his stomach churn and the worst part was he couldn't comprehend the reasoning behind it.
As he pondered over Bob's question his anger levels began to rise. He may have not been married to Harleen but he had promised to be faithful to her, thus he was trapped in 'monogamy' because he always kept his word. However, he was in no way intimate or tender with her – it just couldn't happen with her anymore. On the other hand, Aashi was perhaps the first woman in years to get a rise out of him despite being surrounded with opportunities to hook up with other women.
He was frustrated that he couldn't decide exactly where he and Aashi stood although to be fair she had been gentle with him because she never brought up this subject. In fact, it was like a silent agreement between the both of them that they wouldn't bring this topic up as it would be awkward for the both of them. He was also ashamed to admit to himself that he didn't know much about Aashi, like if she was even single. He just assumed most things about her.
However, as he thought about it more, his anger was directed from himself and unto Bob. Arthur couldn't believe his friend, nay, his brother had the gall to ask if he was with the woman that was raising his child. Bob knew exactly how Arthur felt about his situation with Harley and Arthur even felt hurt that the same person he voiced his opinion to about Aashi was now asking if he was with her.
"Why do you, uh, ask, Bob-ah?" Arthur reared his scornful gaze to Bob, no longer watching Aashi and Lucy, but analysing his friend.
"Well, if she's free…" Bob glanced heedfully towards Arthur, "then I could have a chance, ya know? You don't get women like that a lot these days: strong, independent and authoritative. I can't lie, it's a turn on. I mean, I do prefer redheads and brunets but I'll make an exception for that one."
Arthur felt his mouth become bitter and his lips scrunched down. He looked back towards Aashi and fixated his eyes on her swaying form. True, he was possessive of things he held dear, both inanimate objects and people, but logically, what right did he have on Aashi? That was her beauty for no one or thing had a claim on her. He could tell, even if she was not single, she would not give anyone the right to anything.
In that case, he was not worried about Bob trying to hook up with her (because he knew that he had no chance and) as he knew that Aashi was not an ordinary woman but the idea of anyone, especially those close to him, trying to go after his idol did not settle with him well. Just as Arthur had no right, Bob, too, had no right.
"Bob, why don't you ask her yourself?" Arthur smirked, condescendingly.
On the ice, Aashi dismissed the men from her mind but she had not taken her eyes of them. She watched as Arthur followed them with his eyes and she didn't miss how he had a crescent face.
She didn't mention this to Arthur, but she had picked up the art of lip reading during her travels, and she may not have been great at it but she got the gist of what Bob said.
"Mummy, can you go faster?" Lucy exclaimed.
"No, you'll hurt yourselves when we stop!" Aashi did not take her eyes off of Arthur when she replied to Lucy.
"Hey, Lucy. You're mom sure is tall. She's as tall as my dad." Katherine tried to murmur to Lucy but had to half shout it over the laughter of the surrounding children.
"Yeah, I know! It's like she's a giant. It's really fun when she gives piggyback rides." Lucy laughed.
"Do you think she'll give us piggyback rides? It sounds fun." Shyly, Kate implored.
Lucy looked over her shoulder, "I don't know. Maybe! Mummy doesn't like to pick me up a lot. She says I have to do things myself so I can be in-da-pen-dent. But maybe if you ask nicely she might do it!"
"What's indie- indadpendent mean?" Kate and Katherine simultaneously asked.
"I think it means that I can be strong when I grow up."
Kate's and Katherine's eyes met, silently they agreed, and then they both yelled to Lucy, "We wanna be strong too!"
"Okay. Mommy is helping me become strong so just copy me."
"Okay!"
"Girls, this is the last spin from me, yeah?" Aashi interrupted their fit of giggles.
"WHAT?" Lucy screamed, not hearing her.
True to her word, it was the last round from Aashi, she then made them hold hands and tried to make them balance themselves. Lucy clutched Aashi's trousers while her left hand held on to Kate who then held Katherine.
The girls managed to balance themselves but just by luck because the moment Aashi made Lucy let go of her hand they all began to wobble. So, Aashi crouched in front of them with ease and held out her hand a few inches away from them. Naturally, Lucy went for her hand first, pulling the other two with her. Slowly, Aashi pulled her hand back so that Lucy had to reach further.
The girls whined when they shook but they slowly skid forward thanks to Lucy's guidance. When Lucy almost fell face first on the ice Aashi caught her hand. The girls let out a shout of victory and Lucy hugged Aashi's neck. Aashi patted her head and stood again making the girls watch her with admiration.
"Lucy's mom, how do you do that? How do you stand so well on ice?" Kate, who had fared better out of the three, asked with sparkling eyes.
Aashi's eyes swivelled towards the twins and replied humbly, "Balance. I'm a fighter, I have to have great balance otherwise I wouldn't win often."
Katherine nearly jumped forward, "You're a fighter! Liker military? Dad has a friend, not Uncle Arthur, but another friend who is military and I wanna be that too. Can you help me?"
Aashi chuckled, "I'm not military but I can help you if you want."
Katherine cocked her head at her suspiciously, "How are you a fighter then? And how can you help me?"
"I'm a… independent fighter, so I fund myself. As for how I can help you, I can help you get ready for the military because I have friends in military too."
"Really?" all three girls asked with owl eyes.
"Really really", Aashi smiled warmly at them.
"Wow, Lucy! You were right! Your new mom is so cool!" Kate and Katherine simultaneously exclaimed.
Lucy proudly grinned, "I know!"
"Alright girls, let's go see what the boys are doing, huh?" Aashi asked patiently.
"Okay!" they said, still buzzing with excitement over the new revelation.
As Aashi led the way, Katherine whispered to Lucy, "What does fund mean?"
Lucy shook her head, "I dunno."
When the girls reached the men, they straightened themselves and Arthur gave Aashi a tight smile, "Shall we go, girls?"
Aashi gave him considered look and nodded, "lead the way."
Arthur rose his chin and exited with the girls. Bob lagged behind when Aashi stared at him. He got nervous but he kept up the arrogant façade. Aashi faked a smile and backed him against the barricade.
Bob smiled back and put his hands up, "Hey, if you want some-"
A sharp grasp left him when Aashi grabbed him from the balls aggressively. She leaned towards his ear and it wasn't hard as they were practically the same height, although, Aashi liked to believe he had shrunk in on himself at that moment. "Look, mate. I'm not interested. You're just not my type. Got it?"
Bob, who was leaned over her, strangled a small yes and nodded with vigour. Aashi smiled harshly, "Good, now let's crack on, yeah?"
Arthur noticed their lack of presence as the girls took of their skates and glanced back to find Aashi walking towards the girls while flashed him a reassuring smile and Bob, who lagged behind, had a wounded look on his face.
Bob and the twins parted ways with them shortly after and on the ride home (after their shopping) Arthur kept glancing back at Aashi through the rear-view mirror. Whenever they rode in a vehicle, if there was no space for three at the front Aashi would sit in the back with Lucy, or more dangerously on rare occasions, she sat at the front with Lucy sitting nicely in her lap.
When they arrived Lucy made a dash for the PlayStation taking Aashi with her, which was just as well, for Arthur made a quick call to Bob to find out what the hell happened between Bob and Aashi.
"What do you mean she grabbed you?"
"I mean, she literally grabbed my balls and basically told me to back off!" Bon near shouted "I couldn't tell if I was in pain or getting a really hard boner."
"Bob!" Arthur warned.
"Hey man, if you wanna go after her then make your move 'cuz a woman like that ain't gonna wait for your ass." Bob offhandedly told him.
"Don't. Talk. About. Her, like that!" Arthur advised him, darkly.
Sighing in resignation, Bob added "Look, I know you're a man of your word but… whose it gonna hurt if you try to get with her, hm? From what I've seen and heard so far, she's the woman you should've been with from the start! Lucy loves her and you seem to be trippin' over your own balls-"
"Whatever, I need to go." Arthur stuffed the phone in his pocket and exited the guest (now Lucy's and his) room.
He had also acclimatised himself to Aashi's home by taking up the last bed: when he stayed the night he would take the second singular bed in the guest room. He also added to the Lucy's artwork on their walls. Lucy had drawn a variety of things on her plain wall with paint, crayon and pen from animals to action figures. Arthur helped Lucy draw Jak and Daxter on her walls.
Lucy had drawn Daxter, her favourite character out of the whole game, almost to perfection whereas Jak looked like he had been drawn by a toddler. Much to both of their surprise, Aashi had also helped by drawing Keira, a few power-cells and a few Easter head statues. Both father and daughter had thought that Aashi would be opposed to them drawing graffiti on her walls but she had been quite relaxed about it.
When Arthur passed into the living room he spotted Lucy sitting right in front of the TV. Arthur chuckled to himself as he could already see Aashi scolding Lucy for sitting that close to the TV, speaking of Aashi, he couldn't see her. He turned to the kitchen but she wasn't there either.
He felt hands on his back, giving him a slight shove, and… he found Aashi raising a brow at him, "Why don't you move your skinny arse? It's blocking my way."
Arthur stifled a chuckle, "What? You don't like my skinny 'arse'?" he mocked her.
Aashi sighed sarcastically and then grabbed his shoulders and said, "You really don't want me to use force."
Arthur licked his lips, smiling, "What if I do?"
Without warning Aashi gave him a push and he fell on his back, dazed. He heard Lucy laugh and Aashi walked over him with a coy smile.
Aashi was putting up the last of the Christmas decorations but it wasn't much. She didn't like decorations so she put up a few lights to please Lucy. Arthur shared her dislike of decorations as well and Lucy was excited at the idea of celebrating Christmas so she didn't care too much about the decorations so everyone was happy.
Arthur shook his head with a smile and then crawled over to the music player. He turned it on and it began to burst with a very shrill sounding Slipknot song. He quickly changed it from CD to radio and changed it to his favourite channel. The Jazz Channel – he absolutely loved Jazz because his mother had loved it, or had she? He couldn't recall but it didn't matter because that time had passed and right now he was enjoying Hot Liquorice by Dick Walters.
Lucy quite loved Jazz as well and those two had listened to it so much that Aashi didn't mind it now. She had said as long as the singer had talent and the beat was good then she didn't mind it. Arthur tapped his foot and shimmied his shoulders. He made his way to Lucy and they both started to dance in their own idiotic way.
Aashi watched them with mild humour as they kicked their legs out, twisted their bodies and waved their hands in the air. Arthur smirked at Aashi deviously and muttered something to Lucy, who turned her whole body to Aashi and tried to drag her in, "Come on, Mummy."
Aashi stood like a statue and shook her head, "You two can dance like the bandars you are, but I will not."
She turned to leave but stopped in her tracks as if a thought came to her, "If you two play Jazz tomorrow, I swear I'll…" but the two monkeys didn't hear the rest as they danced the night away.
;-;-;-;-;
The next day (Christmas)
Aashi had just put the turkey in oven when her anger reached its peak causing a vein to throb in her forehead.
While daughter and father had spent the night before laughing and dancing, Aashi had prepared the Christmas dinner so that when the time came next morning she just had to stuff everything in the oven. However, even in the morning when she thought those two had had their fun, Lucy and Arthur tip-toed into her room early morning.
They awoke her and insisted that she play with them. Aashi humoured them by playing with them, watching something called Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry Christmas specials, and even pulled a few crackers with them. They didn't have a Christmas tree so instead of putting the star on the tree, Aashi pulled out a surprise: she crowned Lucy.
Aashi had pulled out a pure silver pearl drop tiara from her room and crowned Lucy the princess of Asgard. Lucy hadn't understood what Asgard was but she did understand what a Viking Princess was and she was thrilled. Aashi had noted over the months that while Lucy was more boyish than most girls, choosing a car over a doll, she did still like some girlish things like pink. It was such a relief to Aashi (she couldn't stand a girl being too girlish).
When Arthur saw the tiara, he curiously questioned where Aashi had obtained such an item and as usual Aashi shrugged it off and replied with 'I have friends'. Soon thereafter Aashi left Arthur and Lucy to their own devices so she could prepare the Christmas lunch.
They started to play Jazz at the highest volume her music player could go up to.
After Aashi cleaned up, she walked up to them with her hands on her hips. They both grinned at her sheepishly. Aashi tapped her foot impatiently, "What did I say about the Jazz?"
Arthur snorted and Lucy giggled slightly.
The song turned to the next one: it was another favourite, 'Sing, sing, sing' by Benny Goodman and his orchestra.
The drums started and Arthur took Aashi's hands. Then the trumpets started tooting and Lucy began jumping again. Then the whole orchestra joined and Aashi was suddenly moving with Arthur. He swayed her body and moved her about in a jittering movement. Lucy was hopping in circles around them meanwhile Aashi was mildly glaring at Arthur. However, as the song was progressing with its bouncy beat and rhythm Aashi couldn't help but crack a smile. Arthur was trying his best to make her 'dance' to the rhythm and Lucy was acting her age; making faces, screaming randomly in joy, laughing and giggling.
Nearing the end of the song, Arthur dipped Aashi until her head almost touched the ground. Aashi's hair, which was now open from its loose braid, curtained down and splayed on the floor like giant black paint splatters. Arthur gave her a billion dollar grin and bounced his eyebrows, but Aashi wasn't going to let him have all the fun.
She pulled herself back up and twirled them. The two adults shared a laugh but as the song came to a halt so did they. They stood, noses nearly touching, and eyes gleaming, Arthur's with adoration and Aashi's with vivacity.
Lucy watched with sparkling eyes and crossed her fingers hoping they would kiss. She had completely forgotten that Aashi was partners with Asilia. However, as Lucy released a small gasp Aashi stepped away leaving Arthur still panting and pining.
About an hour later, the oak rectangle table (which Aashi magically teleported in the kitchen, replacing the small table) was stuffed to the point where the food almost looked like it was about to fall off and Lucy couldn't get enough. In the background Aashi had let the radio run with classic Christmas songs droning on, like 'Let it snow' by Dean Martin.
'Oh, the weather outside is so frightful but the fire is so delightful'
The large turkey sat proudly in the middle, its crispy skin calling out to be eaten, and its stuffing almost spilled out. The steam that drifted from it seemed to turn into hands and enticed anyone prowling too closely and pulled them over to the table.
'And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow'
The bowl of mashed potatoes sat shining like a fluffy cloud right next to the gravy boat which was filled to the brim and awaiting its next consumer to relief it of the hot liquid, still bubbling softly.
'Man, it doesn't show signs of stopping, and I've brought me some corn from poppin''
Fresh off the pan, the sizzling lamb sausages were waiting in a militaristic line, ready to march into the bellies of their consumers, each cooked to perfection.
'The lights are turned way down low, let it snow, let it snow'
The roasted baby carrots were in a tight bunch, huddled together awaiting their new home as well, hoping to make friends with the steaming asparagus' that lay stacked next to them. The bright orange carrots stuck out like a Rudolf's nose in the middle of the night, only these carrots were planted right next to a forest of asparagus'.
'When we finally kiss goodnight, how I'll hate goin' out in the storm, but if you really hold me tight, all the way home I'll be warm'
The beetroot salad with feta and pear was tucked snuggly near the back of the feast where Aashi knew no one else but she would touch. The red pears contrasted starkly with the deep red beetroot and the cubes of feta looked like small stars in the middle of all the chaos of green and pink.
'And the fire is slowly dying and my dear we're still goodbyeing, but as long as you'd love me so, let it snow, let it snow'
The shining golden baked squash had been set near the mash which made it pop. It had been spiced and sliced and put in a brown wooden bowl, making its home on the table near Aashi's seat. Whilst many hated squash Aashi was not one of those haters though she did have to admit it was an acquired taste.
'When we finally kiss goodnight, how I'll hate goin' out in the storm but if you really hold me tight, all the way home I'll be warm'
The chocolate fondant sat chilling in the fridge jiggling and waiting to set to perfection as it definitely would be so because it was made with love by Aashi for Lucy. Lucy rarely ate real chocolate so Aashi had acquired the best Belgian chocolate she could find and made it thinking of what faces Lucy would make when she finally got a taste of a real fondant.
'Oh, the fire is slowly dying and my dear we're still goodbyeing, but as long as you'd love me so'
The chocolate fondant's neighbour, the tiramisu, had been there for hours already and was dying to see the world outside of the fridge and to finally let its smell of coffee and cream carry through the room and to make anyone near the vicinity come running so it could fatten them all up.
'Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.'
Lucy sat at the head of the table, a fork and knife in her hands, and her tongue was hanging out of her mouth. Aashi had braided her hair into twin Dutch braids but her beautiful brown hair didn't seem to want to obey Aashi, and defiantly, a few strands stuck out as if to spite her. "Mommy, are you sure you made all this?"
Aashi looked up from cutting off a leg for Lucy and smiled, almost proudly, "Of course I did. You saw me, child."
Aashi placed the leg on Lucy's plate next to the sausages, mash and baby carrots. She placed the plate in front of Lucy and brought the gravy boat over.
"What's that?" Lucy looked at it curiously.
"It'sa graby boa" Arthur said, through a mouth full of turkey.
Aashi did a double take, she didn't recall giving him any turkey, and noticed in horror that he had cut himself a leg and wing from the turkey. Aashi gave him a sharp look and Arthur sheepishly ducked his head. He knew she had wanted to serve everyone but he had still helped himself.
"A what?" Lucy asked, again.
"A gravy boat, darling, here." Aashi poured some on her own mash to show her how to do it.
"Oh!" Lucy pointed to the gravy boat, "My turn. Mummy can I please have a turn now?"
Aashi lovingly stroked Lucy's head, "Of course."
Lucy squealed when she showered her entire plate with the gravy. Aashi and Arthur shared an amused glance when Lucy poured too much gravy.
Aashi then set a can of ginger beer next to Lucy, who was in the middle of downing a spoon full of gravy covered mash, she looked to the can and back to Aashi. "What's that?" Aashi then placed a Yorkshire pudding in her plate too.
"What's that?"
"Ginger beer, its bubbly, you'll like it and that is a Yorkie pudding." Aashi nodded as she opened a can of ginger beer for herself. She then filled her plate with more mash, squash, beetroot salad, carrots, and asparagus'.
"Mummy, here!" Lucy gave Aashi her half-eaten turkey leg when she saw that she had no meat. Aashi almost protested but when she saw the look on Lucy's shining face her protests died in her mouth. Arthur then piped in by slapping a few fresh sausages into her plate as well.
Aashi sighed through her nose and tucked in. Arthur, who sat on Lucy's left and opposite Aashi, smiled despite having so much in his mouth. He had taken half of the turkey's breast, a couple more sausages, carrots, mash with gravy and asparagus'.
He kicked his feet like a child and whined, "Now, where are my sprouts?"
"I didn't make them. They're, like you said, an abomination." Aashi replied as she was stuffing her yorkie pudding with mash.
"Aw, man. Ai, you should've made sprouts." Arthur pouted though his look was ruined as mash was stuck to the edge of his mouth.
Lucy tilted her head at her father, "Daddy, you should be happy, mummy made so much food for us. She made a perfect Christmas!"
"Yes, Artie, you should take a note from Lulu's book." Aashi rose her brows. Arthur was about to make a quirky comeback but paused, as did Lucy, when Aashi took her first bite of the lamb sausage. Aashi made a sour face.
"Mummy, don't you like it?" Lucy asked, worried.
Aashi sipped her ginger beer and peeked over the brim of the can. "No, it's ok, Lulu. I just haven't eaten meat in such a long time."
"How long?" Arthur implored after a sip of his coke.
Aashi looked to the ceiling, "Hm, seven, perhaps ten years. I can't recall-"
"TEN YEARS?!" Lucy and Arthur yelled. So stunned Aashi was, she didn't respond, letting George Michael's 'Last Christmas' fill the silence for a few moments. For the first time, it was Aashi and not Arthur who was surprised, "Yeah, why?" she said almost defensively.
Arthur leaned towards her, "How can you live without meat for so long?"
"What did you eat?" Lucy asked astounded, also leaning in.
Aashi shrugged, "A variety of vegetarian dishes and there is more to food other than meat."
Arthur whipped his head towards his daughter and found Lucy mirroring the same amazed look on her face. They whipped their heads back to Aashi.
"But-" the both tried to argue but Aashi wouldn't have it, "No. There are some places in this world that do not have a meat based diet. Like when I went to China-"
"You've been to the land of the china?" Lucy jumped in her seat.
"Well, yes. I told you I travelled." Aashi said as a matter of fact.
"Where?" Arthur and Lucy said simultaneously.
Aashi leaned back, "China, Singapore, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, Nepal, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Britain, Romania, Russia, Kenya, Tibet, France, Germany, Canada, Congo, Madagascar, Libya, Iraq, Venezuela-"
Arthur interjected, "Anywhere in the states?"
Aashi looked to the ceiling again, "The US, yes, I have actually. Washington, New York, California, Ohio, Iowa, Texas, Florida-"
Lucy interrupted this time, "Florida?! Have you been to Disneyland then?"
Aashi stared at Lucy, her eyes flickering towards Arthur, who was also taken back by the question. She looked back to her, "No, but I have passed it."
"Oh, how was it?" Lucy leaned forward, almost forgetting her food.
Aashi sipped her ginger beer, "It was… big… and bright."
Lucy sighed longingly but Arthur switched the topic again. "So, Ai, how comes ya travelled so much?"
Aashi beamed, "Underground boxing is very popular."
Arthur's eyes nearly popped in their sockets but luckily the girls didn't see as they returned to their food. He swallowed but coughed regardless, "You're a… boxer?" He had figured she hadn't been in a legal career but it shocked him to see her being so open about her work.
"I was once, full time. Now, I'm not serious about it. I'm a computer 'programmer' first and a boxer second."
Lucy inserted herself back in the conversation, "But you're still good, Mummy. You took down that really big mean looking guy easily."
Aashi chuckled, "I've taken on bigger fighters than him. He was just a young man who got too cocky. He barely was a good fight although he fared better than most."
"Wait" Arthur narrowed his eyes on Lucy, "Little monkey, where did you see this fight?"
"Oh, didn't I tell you, daddy?" Lucy nervously shifted in her seat. She may have been a child but she knew she couldn't tell her father about Harley trying to kill her – Aashi had warned her about this. "It was ages ago." She looked towards her mother for support and Aashi jumped in when he could.
"Arthur, you wanker, you're about to drop the gravy!" Aashi scowled at him.
When he fixed the gravy boat in a more secure location, Aashi began to tell a tale of her many travels. Thankfully, the topic of conversation had been directed elsewhere but Arthur did not forget, he merely stored it someplace in his mind to bring it up later.
After they wolfed down their lunch, they wrapped up warm and went out to play in the snow. There was still daylight out and a lot of snow. Thankfully, it was like all of Gotham felt festive that year as even the criminals and scum just spent their day with their loved ones so there was a lot less dodgy people out on the streets.
Many people also opted to stay inside so Aashi, Lucy and Arthur had a whole patch of snow to themselves in the park with a few odd couples passing by. When their privacy was interrupted they often got stared at: Arthur because of his scars and Aashi because of her imposing aura and dark choice of fashion. Even with snow up to their knees, Aashi still wore black and other dark colours which contrasted in the white winter wonderland.
Finally, after the third couple who stared at them, Arthur felt a frown tug on his face. He stood back, hunched, and his hands in his pockets as a young woman openly stared. Aashi's sharp eyes caught Arthur's foul mood and left Lucy, who was making a snow angel, to join Arthur a few inches away.
"Arthur" Aashi's clear voice broke him from his violent voices and turned his eyes to her from the couple.
He noticed curiously that she was holding two snow balls in her plum gloved hands. "Hey, you look like someone stole our candy, don't tell me you're bothered by them?"
Arthur, shifted his feet, "They're lookin' at me like I'm an animal in a zoo".
"Yes, they are. But, are you really going to let those ignorant fools ruin your time with your daughter? She's not going to be a child forever"
Arthur looked at Aashi's face and found that her eyes were stern. That made him pause.
"Look, Arthur, do you know those people?"
Arthur was going to give a sarcastic retort but she beat him to it.
"No. Are they physically getting in your way and preventing you from having fun with Lucy? No. Are they going to create an issue in your line of work? No. They're just a bunch of bloody idiots who are staring at you like entitled little knob heads. So, by you taking notice of them and allowing them to ruin your precious time, you're being a bloody idiot. If you don't give a damn what people think of you then I guarantee you, your life will be so much more easier. Trust me, I've lived for much longer than you have and I'm more experience in life."
Arthur shifted his head to look his snowy shoes as Aashi continued, "You shouldn't care what people think of you. There will always be someone who will disapprove of you. There will always be two-faces trying to take an advantage of you, regardless of how you look, where you come from or what you believe in, so why should you care? It's in human nature to be cruel. So, instead of giving in and conforming to what they say about you or think about you, defy them, make them see that you couldn't give a damn."
"About what?" Arthur raised his head, hopefully.
Aashi smiled at him, knowingly. "About all of it."
She placed the second snowball in his hands and then turned her whole body to look at the couple directly, "If you don't have the balls to approach them, then I'll just tell them to piss off so you can be at ease."
She then threw the snowball with great accuracy at the woman's face. She yelled and stumbled back. Arthur laughed and threw his snowball at the man, who was helping the woman stand back up, they both fell in the snow.
Aashi turned back to him, "You worry too much, Arthur. You should try living for once. Move away with Lucy where there's greenery. It'll be good for her." She nodded at her small form.
Arthur gazed at Aashi for a moment too long, and a warm feeling engulfed his heart. "Will you…" the words lodged themselves in his throat. Will you come with me?
Aashi glanced from Lucy to him and back to Lucy, "I will help you if you need it. Look" Aashi gestured to the couple.
Arthur laughed heartily when they ran away with their tails tucked between their legs but that warm feeling he just felt lingered in his heart. Lucy waddled over to them through the snow as it reached her shoulders almost. "What happened?"
"I showed your father how to get rid of his Dennis. Anyway, let's go, it's getting dark". Aashi stripped her hands of her gloves and gave them to Arthur, who refused them but Aashi took out a pair of black leather gloves, and led the way back home while Lucy took Arthurs hand.
Lucy tugged his hand and smiled reassuringly, "Daddy, if you need anything, Mummy will fix it. Mummy can always fix things, she's like a super lady."
The amount of trust Lucy had in Aashi made Arthur believe that Aashi could, indeed, do anything. He smiled back down to his daughter, "Yeah, she is, ain't she?"
When they got back, they snuggled onto Aashi's three seater sofa with their chocolate fondants and hot milks and watched The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It had come out the year prior but Lucy never got to saw it.
'You're a mean one, Mr Grinch'
Aashi's crinkled eyes looked to Arthur when Grinch made a face in the mirror.
'You really are a heel. You're as cuddly as a cactus, and as charming as an eel.'
Arthur gasped and held a hand to his chest when Aashi nodded and looked directly at Arthur.
'You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel'
Arthur pointed at Aashi warningly.
'Just face the music, you're a monster, Mr Grinch! Yes, you are.'
Aashi held her fingers to her own head to symbolise horns on her head.
'Your heart's an empty hole'
Aashi held a hand to her chest and both parents nodded, agreeing in jest, that Aashi was heartless.
'Your brain is full of spiders, you got garlic in your soul, Mr Grinch. I wouldn't touch you with a 39 and half foot pole.'
Aashi nodded at Arthur, holding her nose, like Arthur was emitting a disgusting smell.
'I asked for three-quarters not five-eighths, stay focused!' Grinch said to the dog.
Lucy laughed out loud while Arthur nodded at Aashi now, who looked the other way.
'You know if you asked the Who of whoville…. No one wold deny it!'
Aashi continued to nod so Arthur stretched his arm over to Aashi and squeezed her shoulder in a mock warning. She slapped his hand but he didn't remove it, he kept it there, savouring the touch.
'Air bags are a little slow' the Grinch moaned, the bags deflating too late, 'but that's what these tests are for!"
Aashi leaned over Lucy, "You're sleigh needs more work, Arthur" she pointed to the screen.
Arthur retorted, "Only because I had your help. Look, there you are!" he pointed to the barking dog.
'You're a vile one.'
Lucy giggled and cuddled more to her parents who held her closer.
'Mr Grinch, you have termites in your smile'
"EWWW!" Lucy cuddled more to Aashi, making her wrap her arms more around her face.
'You have all tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile, Mr Grinch! Given the choice between you I'd take the… seasick crocodile!'
"I'd choose you" both adults said to each other.
Before, Lucy was watching quite aptly but near the end she had fallen asleep.
Aashi had just cleaned the kitchen and put the left overs away when she returned with a blanket and cocooned both Lucy and Arthur in it. Lucy had snuggled up with her father and fell asleep on his lap. He moved her so that Aashi could sit down. Even though the adults had expressed how boring the film was they watched it despite Lucy having fallen asleep.
The Grinch was clutching his heart, as his heart grew three times its size, and Aashi jested, "Look, Arthur. You're actually feeling."
Arthur chuckled softly, "Yeah, at least I'm not-"as he lulled his head to look at her, his breath was caught in his throat. The lights were off and the only source available light source was the TV which cast a shadow over Aashi's face. It highlighted her sharp features and brought certain features to detail.
Her large eyes seemed larger now as they reflected the light and her cheekbones were more prominent though not in a sickly manner. For some reason, one he did not know, it made her look like a warrior goddess to him: one that was wise, experienced, strong and unrelenting.
'You don't get women like that a lot these days'.
At that moment he knew exactly what Bob had meant earlier. He shuddered despite the warm feeling returning as he watched Aashi.
"Not what?" Aashi asked with a smile, but it turned stoic. "Are you cold? I have more blankets".
Arthur licked his lips, "No, I'm just tired."
Aashi shook her head, "Then why do you not go to bed? Here, I'll help you."
He observed with soft eyes as Aashi helped Arthur stand with Lucy cradled in his arms. When they reached her room, she refused to let go of Arthur. Aashi sighed, "She didn't even brush her teeth. Here, you can sleep in my bed, its large enough for the both of you."
Arthur settled down in the bed, and he felt like it was about to swallow him. He laid Lucy's body beside him and relaxed himself. Aashi tucked them both in but when Arthur saw Aashi move to leave he grabbed her by the wrist. "Where are you going, woman?"
Aashi raised a brow, "To sleep on the sofa."
"Why?"
Aashi appraised him, "You want your privacy, do you not?"
Arthur swallowed thickly, "You… you're family." He admitted.
Aashi slowly retracted her hand and appraised him once again, which made him nervous. The light outside cast a shadow over her so that her whole front was missing from his view. It unnerved him that he couldn't see her face entirely but from what he could only assume she was scrutinising him.
After a moment, she said "Very well."
She closed the door which shrouded the whole room in darkness. He heard clothes rustling and could only assume she was changing. The bed dipped which alerted him to the fact that she was in the bed now too.
Arthur felt at ease for the first time in a long time, but that did not completely create silence in his head. He settled with stroking Lucy's face lovingly as he pondered over what happened in the past few months. The voices were not so loud now that he thought about it but they were hiding in the corners of his mind, whispering, telling him, and warning him that he was a fool to think he was safe. They always made him feel like he was in danger, that there was some massive conspiracy against him.
However, when he heard a soft sigh, the fact finally settled that he and Aashi were in the same bed and that Lucy was the only thing between them.
"That and my idiotic fiancé, Harley!" he bitterly reminded himself.
But the very thought of being on the same bed with Aashi made the voices calm down. He was with his daughter and with Aashi right now, two girls he held dear to him whether he admitted it out loud or not, and it was perhaps the best moment of his roughly two decade existence.
Everything Aashi had did for him was more than he expected and she struck chord with him because she… she understood. She didn't sugar coat things – she said it how it was. She was not like the others, she wasn't like normal people, and he liked that very much. In return, he had to tell her the truth.
"Don't do it!"
"She'll run away!"
"She'll tell! She'll tell!"
He opened his mouth but, again, the words would not come out. He closed his mouth and turned his head to the wall but much to his surprise Aashi's clear voice rang out, "What is it, Arthur?"
"I need to tell you… something" he swallowed still looking at the wall.
"Look at me then." She replied curtly.
Again, she continued with surprises.
He obeyed and rolled his head towards her, "I… I-"
He was grateful that Aashi was patient. She was the complete opposite of Harley. While Harley would have suffocated him by hanging on his every word, Aashi was calm and gave him and space to get out what he needed.
He bit his scar from the inside of his mouth, and he physically shook when he revealed, "I'm- I'm a paranoid schizophrenic and- and when I'm… stressed I… see things." The cold sweat on his brow irritated him but he daren't move a muscle.
There was a tense pause of impregnated silence. Arthur cradled Lucy to himself for comfort when Aashi coolly replied, "Thank you, although you did not have to force yourself to tell me. It is not my business, after all, but thank you regardless, it is… reassuring to know that I have your trust."
Arthur ground his teeth in anxiousness, "Is that it?" He said, expecting a worse reaction.
He heard her shift and he assumed she was looking at him, "What? Did you expect me to go running to the hills?"
"Yes" he frowned.
"Clearly, you do not know me well enough, Arthur. Ordinarily, people would shun you, but I am not normal either. People fear what they cannot comprehend or what they refuse to understand. When people do not think logically then their emotions, such as fear, blinds them. For example, your schizophrenia, normal people have never experienced anything like it, so society will automatically fear you. Then they create a stereotype of people with schizophrenia which will reinforce their fears of them."
She continued, "Naturally, due to a lack of understanding, sympathy, and clemency schizophrenics inevitably fall into those stereotypes which makes society shun them even more; creating outcasts. Instead of helping those people they look out for themselves, which I do not blame them for, it is natural for humans to be selfish but that lack of effort in not even trying to show some understanding is what is wrong."
"What those people fail to realise, however, is that despite their ailments and flaws they are still human, a creature which is deeply flawed by nature no matter how normal they may be, and that lack of humane treatment only worsens their health as it would anyone else."
Here she paused, "The idea of normalcy is relative to each individual. Tell me, Arthur, do you think I like the standards of this society?"
Arthur brooded over it, "No."
"No, thus I reject all standards of normalcy. Moreover, I am a logical being. I know that the manner in which you have behaved with me in the time I have known you is how you behave with other people too, and this means, that your actions have been, inevitably, influenced by your mental state even before you had revealed it to me. Will you treat me any differently from the way you did before?"
Arthur did not even think before answering, "No"
"Hence, you revealing your schizophrenia to me will not change your behaviour in any way and I do not see an immediate fault with you behaviour which would cause me concern. However, don't misunderstand. I am aware of the dangers that people pose but you are not a danger to me, even those with health problems. If you were a danger to me, I wouldn't have associated myself with you."
"So… what does that mean?" he hesitated. He often didn't like to talk about his mental health directly or even acknowledge it, so it was amazing he hand ran out that door yet.
"It means I will not cast you out, Arthur."
Silence, once again, there was complete silence between them. Just as Aashi was drifting off she heard a soft murmur from Arthur.
"Thank you"
;-;-;-;-;
Lucy was devastated when she awoke. She kept wailing, "We forgot them!"
Aashi, who was fish braiding her own hair, looked at Lucy who was on the sofa beside in front of her having already braised her hair.
"Forgot what?"
"The presents – you gave me my present but I didn't give you or daddy your presents."
Aashi tied her braid off and sat beside her, "its ok, besides Arthur isn't awake yet, maybe you could surprise him then."
"Yeah, but it won't be a surprise for you, mummy." Lucy looked at her with puppy eyes.
"You can surprise me next time"
Lucy still sulked away to her room to ready her presents. Aashi shook her head and went to her own room. It was still pitch black due to the curtains but she didn't mind. She could navigate this room without much trouble even in the dark. She went over to her bedside and checked her phone. She had a few messages from her business partners, something about New Orleans and Orlando.
She set her phone down and traced her way to the curtains, she then flung them open. Groaning, Arthur woke up, and squinted at Aashi's figure. He rolled on his stomach and held the pillow to his head.
She sauntered over to him and ripped the pillow from his grasp but he used his hands instead to cover his face. Aashi raised a brow and then tackled him, trying to force his hands away, and she did succeed.
"You're lacking upper body strength, core strength and leg strength."
Arthur raised his head so that his nose was touching hers, "That's basically my whole body, babe"
Aashi jerked back, "What did just you call me?"
"Babe" Arthur sat up, his pointing in all directions.
Aashi grimaced, "Don't call me that" she coolly stated.
Arthur cocked his head, "Why?"
Aashi retreated out of the room, and without looking back she informed him, "It makes you sound sleazy".
Arthur made no comment, in fact, he was still musing over the decision he made about Aashi. He had made up his mind: he was going to pursue and attempt to woo Aashi, but first he had to cut off the pest that was Harley. Aashi inspired him to be a better father to Lucy and that meant getting rid of the extra baggage.
He started towards bathroom and briskly got ready for the morning. As he put the bidet back in the holder and wiped himself clean, he wondered how it was that he hadn't come across people like her or how he hadn't heard of her before. She knew an awful lot of people, far more than he did, and he made a note to put himself in her circles.
Then after having brushed his teeth, he was shaving carefully around his scars with the straight razor when a thought came to him, one that put a wrench in his plan. He also didn't know how he would split with Harley. Not to mention, he didn't know if Aashi was single or not and he doubted she was either – people like her were very attractive. That meant one thing: reconnaissance.
He glanced at his straight blade and said to himself in a bored manner, "I need to get a new one".
When he left the bathroom, Lucy bombarded him and dragged him to the living room. There Aashi sat on the sofa with a book, Crime and Punishment, in hand and a shoe box in the middle of the room. Aashi looked up from her book when Lucy seated Arthur next to her even though she sat right at the end.
"Daddy, Mummy, I have your presents! Sorry I couldn't give them to you yesterday." She drooped her head but a chuckle from the adults made her feel hopeful.
Lucy opened the shoe box, embarrassed, she whispered, "I couldn't really wrap them."
"It's ok, child. If you want I'll hand my presents out first, ok?" Aashi put her book aside and speed walked to her room. She came back with her hands behind her back.
"For Lucy" she handed her a large rectangular wrapped parcel, "and for Arthur" she handed him a large cubed box.
Arthur took it with raised brows and Lucy was puzzled, "But, mummy, you already gave me my present."
Aashi sat back with her book, "That was just the first one." Aashi may have just returned from Asilia's place but she had stored these gifts away for a while now.
Lucy went first and unwrapped the parcel. A small box that was the size of her palm fell out from the parcel. Lucy opened it to find an amethyst necklace. Her eyes bulged at it. She wrapped the golden chain around her hand and cradled the purple stone in her hand. She rubbed the smooth surface of the circle stone, "Wow" she whispered. She jerked her head towards Aashi, who was watching her carefully over the top of her book, and Lucy ran up to her and hugged her, "I love it, Mummy!"
Aashi's book fell to the ground but she didn't mind. She wrapped her arms around Lucy and queried in interest, "Do you know what that stone is?"
Lucy looked at the necklace, "Uh… no" she giggled, sheepishly.
"It amnesty" Arthur informed her, leaning forward to get a better look, "And it looks real".
"Of course it is, Arthur." She grinned at him sideways, "Do you think I wouldn't get my daughter the best of the best?" she looked to Lucy, and patted her cheeks "Amnesty is supposed to develop your intuition and awareness. It also helps facilitate meditation, calmness and tranquillity. Now, open the rest of your presents."
"There's more?" Lucy asked in a quiet but excited tone.
After a confirming nod, Lucy shredded the rest of her wrappings to find a large and packed skilled painting set with colours that Lucy didn't even know existed, underneath the set was something book like. It turned out to be a copy of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carol. Lucy wouldn't stop crying for the gifts Aashi got her for at least half an hour.
Impatient, Arthur tore into his present and was pleasantly surprised with what he found. A new pair of brown brogues, a pair of leather purple gloves (not dissimilar to Aashi's own pair), a new straight razor with expensive looking shaving cream and his two personal favourites: a 1918 US Knuckle Duster Trench Knife and a raw aquamarine stone dagger necklace.
Just like Lucy, he immediately linked the silver chain around his neck and brushed the edge of the dagger with is forefinger.
Lucy ceased playing with her necklace and crawled over to Arthur's knees, "Oh, daddy, it's beautiful."
"It is, indeed." His face split in a grin, "So, what does this stone do?"
Aashi regarded him like she knew some joke he didn't, "That is aquamarine. Now, bear in mind, I acquired this months before you told me about your… health, this stone is supposed to encourage the expression of one's truth and reduces fears and mental tension."
Arthur burst into a fit of joyous laughter, "And, what made you think I needed something like that?"
Aashi shrugged, "You looked like you were stressed, besides… don't you like the colour green?"
He did actually. He was even more set on pursuing Aashi now because her choice of gifts only proved his point more – Aashi was perceptive. The little things that needed to be replaced or things he had complained about on the odd occasion when he thought no one was listening…. Well, Aashi had been listening and she picked up thing without any help. Her gifts were thoughtful and practical and thankfully none of them were 'cute' gifts like Harley had gotten him in the previous years.
Arthur weighed the black knife in his hands and genuinely smiled at Aashi, "How'd you know?"
Aashi picked up her book that had fallen, "You're experimenting with clothes right now and you lack proper shoes. You can't go wrong with brogues. You also kept nicking my gloves so I would get you a better pair (mine are old). Your straight blade was also old and though it could be in worse condition, I thought it was time you got a new one. As for the knuckle duster blade, I noticed you favour knifes over guns, and I was getting a stone necklace for Lucy so I got you one to match."
Arthur and Lucy shared a cheeky glance and they both rushed her. Aashi went into a defensive pose but froze as the two hugged her. Lucy had jumped on the sofa's hand rest and hugged her neck with both arms while Arthur side hugged her with his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to his side and laughed into her hair.
Lucy joined in with her father but Aashi stayed sandwiched between the two and waited for them to finish.
"Ai, there is something you must know" Arthur said looking dead serious.
Aashi coolly replied, readying herself, "What is it?" on the inside she prepared for him to reveal something life changing but he merely choked back a chortle and said "I didn't get you anything."
Aashi's shoulders slightly slumped in relief though they didn't notice. "I know, I didn't expect anything, you should use you money wisely and you most probably would've gotten the gift wrong anyhow."
Arthur nodded at how spot on she was but his smile faltered when he saw Lucy sniffle, "Hey, Lou. Whasmatter?"
"Mummy, I don't have a good gift for her"
Aashi kneeled to Lucy's level and petted her head, "You won't know that until I see it."
Lucy shook her head but with a little encouragement from her parents she eventually gave in. From out of her the shoe box she pulled out a HipZip and a few disks. She held it out to her father, "Uncle Bob helped me get this. Now, you can listen to your favourite songs wherever you go."
Arthur gushed over his daughter for a full half an hour, telling her how cute it was that she thought of him, and Aashi swore she saw his eyes literally sparkle when he looked at Lucy. Then Lucy held her breath and held a piece of paper out to Aashi.
Truth be told, Aashi didn't want anything, she didn't expect anything from anyone. Yet, here her daughter was giving her something. She took the folded paper and opened it.
Aashi's eyes scanned the paper and her eyes widened with overwhelming emotions. Lucy couldn't see Aashi's face from her angle but when she saw no positive response she began to quickly tug in Aashi's wrist.
Even Arthur's interest was piqued, Aashi was not a woman who was taken by surprise easily. Lucy pulled Aashi's hand so that the paper was levelled to Lucy's face. She frantically pointed to the three figures. "Here, mummy! That's you" she pointed to the tall tree like figure with lengthy black hair that seemed to be coming to life. It was not perfect, the eyes were too circular and Aashi's eyes were the largest of them all, but it was quite good for a six year old. She pointed to the small figure who was at the feet of Aashi's figure "that's me and that's daddy!" she pointed to the tall brunet at the end.
The figures were holding hands and were standing together in what looked to be a field of flowers. Above them were the words in bold, "Family!"
Lucy gulped as Aashi slowly set the paper on her knees and observed her.
"Do you not like it?"
Aashi reached over for Lucy and pulled her in for a hug. There was something different in Aashi's expression and demeanour. She looked calm on the outside, pleasantly pleased with the gift but Arthur felt he saw hints of sorrow in her eyes.
"I love it".
To be continued…
Jaan – literally meaning life, but is used as an endearment in parts of Asia as a way to say love of my life.
Bandar – means monkey, is used as an endearment in Punjabi for children, especially the mischievous ones.
Comic book fans, you may or may not have noticed the little Easter eggs I dropped in this one. Also, I don't know if you've noticed this but those of you who are old enough may. I have tried to dress Arthur and even Lucy to the fashion standard of the early 2000's.