Rakshasa Boyfriend: Naveen (special preview)

One day, as I helped Naveen clean up after the kids had left, he had a strange expression on his face, almost troubled. He kept looking to me as if he wanted to ask something, then he would stop himself and look away. It was driving me crazy! I kept thinking worst possible scenarios in my head. Was he going to tell me I stacked papers wrong? Did I smell bad? Did he hate me and he wanted to stop coming to the library?

“Can I ask you something?” He asks gently. One of the key phrases that is sure to set my nerves to stun. “Nothing bad at all, and I know it can be a bit personal.” Another key phrase! “I have a kid in my class who is dealing with some bad anxiety. I was wondering if you could help me figure out how to help him.”

I was caught off guard, unprepared for such a sentimental turn.

“If you don’t want to talk about it, I understand,” Naveen quickly added on. “But, I don’t really know where to begin. And I thought, someone who deals with it too could provide some insight that websites just won’t.”

“I don’t hide it well, do I?” I chuckled nervously. “Well, uhm, I’d like to help if I could. If he’s that young then surely his parents are already aware.”

“They’re doing their best,” he nodded. “But I want to know what I can do as a teacher to help. He’s a sweet boy and I don’t want him to feel like he’s a burden or a nuisance while he’s in my class. What are things that helped you? Things people did, or even do, that make you feel safe?”

“Well,” I swallow my nerves as best I can. “I don’t want to keep you too long, and I’m about to leave for the day. Would you like to talk over coffee?”

His smile was bright and enthusiastic. “Is that ok with you?”

I nodded shyly. “There’s a cafe around the corner where my sister works. We can go there and I can try to help you with your student.”

He had been really nervous about asking me. He didn’t want to offend me with anything, so he had been trying to get to know me better before asking. We started going to lunch together each Saturday at the cafe, I felt comfortable being there and having my sister nearby, so I felt more relaxed around Naveen. Bit by bit, I was able to open up to him more and feel less anxious around him. He told me he became a teacher because of watching Mr. Rogers as a kid. He handmade his puppets, but they were getting old and starting to fall apart. So, I invited him over for dinner with my sister and I one evening, and I would help him fix the puppets.

It was small steps like that, having him come around to places I felt comfortable, making sure someone was closeby I knew. I was lucky my sister was eager to help. It made me wonder if she liked Naveen, so I decided to ask her and if she wanted to get set up, I could.

“What do you mean?” She looked at me strangely and Milo chuffed beside me.

“Do you like Naveen?” I asked her again. “You’re always so eager to help when he’s involved so-”

“Nadia,” Izzy said with a disbelieving tone. “Don’t you like him?”

“I-” I stopped right then and there. “That isn’t what I asked.”

Izzy cocked her brow up and sighed. “I was helping you because I thought you liked him. I know dating is hard for you, so I wanted to see my baby sister be happy.”

“You thought-” It hadn’t occurred to me, I mean, I did like Naveen, how could I not? He was handsome, sweet, and charming, completely the opposite of what I was! I never thought about Naveen and I dating at all, it seemed impossble.

“I mean, it’s obvious he likes you,” Izzy scoffed.

“No!” I nearly shouted and Milo stood to attention beside me. “I mean, uh-” I shook my head as I tried to fit those very strange pieces together. “You know me, who would ever be interested in me?”

“This again?” Izzy’s smile then was soft and gentle. “Nadia, you’re very cute, anxious, of course, but you’re sweet, you’re thoughtful, and Naveen is all touchy feely like that.” She smirks at me. “He’s been trying to take care of his student who is like you. I mean, the guy must have an entire bloodstream made of gold.”

“No,” I laughed. “Really?”