Chapter 190 - I have the keys...

Adam's lips could not be narrowed even if he tried. He drove tapping away on the steering wheel happily sporting a grin.

Preethi looked at him sideways and asked in disdain and sarcasm, "Is me being embarrassed by a pathetic excuse of an Ex is such an exciting thing for you that you can stop smiling?" Even though she meant it as a joke, there was also this vulnerable part of her that felt ashamed.

All she can do was blame herself for being an ignorant and naïve little girl… but that did not really excuse her of her responsibilities for Akil growing up the way he is. It was a mistake… a regret… a painful experience. She had come to accept it. But the same being put on a show with your lover having the front row seat to it is not really a pleasant feeling no matter how you think about it.

She knew Adam is not someone to mock at her shortcomings. But the smile on his face really ticked her off right about now. Maybe it had got more to do with her own insecurities than to do with Adam.

Adam, on the other hand, came out of his own bubble and asked alarmed, "What? Of course not… why would you even think that! And the only person who should be embarrassed is him,"

Adam swore in a voice that said he would cross his own heart if it were ever to become a lie.

"Then, why were you smiling so much?" Preethi asked in a small voice suspiciously.

"I was so pissed when you stopped me from punching his lose mouth… But then you went ahead and slapped him for me… Of course, I am happy…" Adam replied going back to his happy mood with a grin as if what he said was the most obvious thing.

Preethi just gapped at him without knowing how to reply. Is it such a happy thing? She was not sure. Sure, she felt elated and extremely secure when Adam punched Sridhar for swearing at her. But the way Adam was reacting… he was practically glowing with brightness. He was reacting as if she had waged a bloody war to win his heart or something.

But little did she know… Even though Adam was always mature and stable with very few words… he had always felt an unconscious pinch whenever he thought about Preethi's ex. After all, he had been her first love and the kinda admiration she had towards him did not seem shallow. After all, it led to them getting married and actually having a kid.

So, he had always been worried about the time when Sridhar would come back. He was afraid that Preethi would accept him back for the sake of Akil. And he knew what Akil meant to her.

But before she could muster a reply, Adam stopped the car in the middle of the road and looked out with a complicated gaze.

Preethi peeked out but could not see anything peculiar warranting his gaze. SO she asked confused, "What is it?"

"Do you really have to go home now? It is so late and I haven't seen you in weeks… your parents should be asleep by now… Do you really have the heart to wake them up now in their old age?" Adam asked pretending to be pitiful and righteous.

He just did not want to let her go yet… not today at least. He did not even know what it was. Normally, even when they did not have enough time for each other, he had endured it well. Because he knew she was doing her best and that Akil needed her more than he did. But today, for some reason… he wanted to voice that suppressed emotions and hold her back… at least he wanted to try. But when he heard her reply, he couldn't really do anything about the disappointment that spread through him.

"I have the key…" Preethi replied not bothering with him. But she was just teasing him. She was curious to see what he would do to make her agree. She wanted to see as to what extent he would go.

But to her surprise, Adam did not argue anymore. He simply put the car back on gear and drove towards her home. His lips were still pouting with aggrieved eyes.

Preethi couldn't help but let out a giggle and she pinched on his cheeks and said lightly shrugging her shoulders, "We can go to your place. Nobody is waiting up on me at home anyways. I told them I had an emergency and that I was not sure as to when I will be home."

But Adam looked at her solemnly and said, "It's okay. I will send you home today. We can meet again tomorrow. I know you are dying to see Akil… and after the kind of day you had, I can't really complain…"

His emotions apart, he still had some rational side that reasoned. So, though reluctant still decided to take her home. There is always tomorrow after all. And if worse comes worse, he could just shamelessly barge into her home for breakfast tomorrow morning. It was not the first time he did it and surely not going to be the last. Thankfully so, his parent did not seem to mind it that much. And, at least on the surface, they seem to actually like having him around.

Preethi, on the other hand, just blinked for a second. If Adam hadn't said it out loud, maybe Preethi would have never realized that she was in fact kinda desperate to be with Akil.

Happiness or sadness… she always shares it with Akil first. Just being in his company gives her the peace no one else could. And she could use that right about now.

Preethi was distracted at the moment… but when she would be lying down on the bed and closing her eyes, she knew she was going to have shit pouring out of her mind. Past and present… it is going to haunt her dreams and the only cure is her son.

Akil had been her anchor in one of the toughest times of her life. And he still was without doubt.