" A kiss in Debt"

Nia

"Where's my mommy?"

I sniff under the cold weather and cried silent tears when nobody came looking for me.

I sat alone, frightened and cold.

Hours went by but still, there was no one so far.

Why am I still in this place? I questioned myself. I couldn't see behind the darkness that surrounded me.

Even after so many years, why am I still here?

Again, the same question revolved me like it's all there to be repeated.

The puddle in front of me reflected a young child, neglected, abandoned to be left alone to die..

By now, I was sure that they will not come and I had accepted my fate to be alone..

"Hello?"

I turned to the sound taken aback by the sudden voice of someone. I didn't know there was someone else apart from me.

"Nia?"

My heart beat faster, sweat dripped from my forehead. Yet, I can't bring my voice out to answer that call.
The voice, I can almost recognise it, like I've heard it since forever.

But who could it be?

"Nia!"

I turned around startled when it got closer. It was a desperate call, I scanned the whole area and frowned deep when I couldn't see no one.

"Nia..."

"Viraj!"

I jerked up from my bed, eyes wide open and gasping for air. My whole body drenched in sweat and ached badly. I sighed and relaxed.

It's just a nightmare!

It was like a regular dream for me because I've had it since I can barely remember. Although I haven't gotten any since my marriage, I forgot about my nightmare.

But not quite like today's, I could still feel someone's presence. There was someone else beside me.
That's weird.

On good days, I hardly see anyone beside my Grandma but aside from her I don't usually see anyone.

I plopped my face on the pillow suppressing a loud groan.

After a moment, I turned on my phone and it was five in the morning. I can't sleep anyways so a hot shower it is. I got up and walked making my hair into a bun and stood underneath the shower.

"He's not my blood."

I instantly shut my eyes tight and shake my head violently, until the voice was gone.

How should I trust this man when he's after his own son?

Viraj's father is messed up and there's no doubt in it. But I can't decide how am I supposed to take such a crucial and messy information.

Raghuveer Malhotra!

He made me conflict with my own self.

A part of me loathes him but a part at least respects that man for not abandoning Viraj.

Viraj is not my son!

My jaws dropped on the floor as I slowly took his words.

What in the hell was going on!

"It's better if I choose you over him!"

The urge to run back to Viraj and hold him intensified to the point I was holding my breath.

Viraj was right after all, I shouldn't have trusted his father in the first place.

"Viraj"

Wait! That name sounds familiar. Did I called his name in my sleep?

I don't know and I can't think of it right now or a migraine will definitely eat my head all day. I sighed and took a long relaxing hot shower.

After I was done, I had nothing to do apart from scrolling through Instagram and rolling around on the bed.

With nothing else to do and successfully wasting my two hours, I decided to just cook breakfast for us.

Even though we don't like each other's company most of the time. I will still cook food for both of us. I realised the cost of one spoonful bite when the growls of the stomach becomes a dull ache that slowly grows as days pass by-- eating from the inside.

A hungry stomach can eat even the purest soul.

I don't want anyone to run around empty stomach, ever again.

Without wasting any more time I decided to make aloo paratha for breakfast. I rolled up my hair into a messy bun and started preparing.

~•~

Viraj

I couldn't sleep all night!

My thoughts were all messed up so I decided to head for the gym, taking all of my frustrations out on the poor punching bag.

After working out for hours maybe, my throat went dry so I decided to make myself a fresh juice.
I was on the way to the kitchen when a sizzling sound and delicious aroma hit my nostrils.

I didn't even have to guess who the person was.

Ofcourse it's her. Nia...

She was busy making paratha!
That immediately made me drool over it.
What the heck!

Is it cause of working hard in the gym that I was hungry? My body went to automatic mode and I can't refrain myself from walking closer to her.

"It smells delicious."
Nia gasped and turned around startled only to collapse on my
half - naked body.

Her cheeks turned rosy and she immediately lowered her gaze. I grinned like a fool at her shy reaction.
Is it just me going crazy over her beauty?

"Doesn't it feel nice?"

"What?" She asked innocently and at last she looked up at me with her doe eyes.

Adorable.

Smirking at her, I looked down at her hands that were on my chest. She followed suit, she gasped out loud and immediately yanked her hands away.

Nia was biting those plumpy lips like they did something wrong to her. I suppressed a groan and without even realising I was already caressing her jawline, moving slightly upwards to her lips and helped them escape the torture.

It's soft and warm.
I can only assume what it tastes like!

"Can I taste it?"

"Oh! Yeah sure. Go ahead and take a seat. I will bring it for you."
Nia immediately changed back into a stranger and focused back on the paratha again, showing her back to me. I rolled my eyes and mumbled in a low voice.

"Wasn't talking about food!"

"Huh?"

"Never mind--it looks delicious."

"Thanks! You can taste first if you want. " Nia said still unsure and gave me one look before working on rolling the dough again.

"Still not talking about it!"

"Viraj stop mumbling and get out of the kitchen. I am trying to cook here."

"Why? Does my presence distract you that much?"

She stopped moving for a second before sighing out loud. She huffed loudly and gave me a side eye before whining like a child.

"Viraj please don't."

"Don't what?" I asked innocently but she fell silent. I slipped my hands into her waist causing her to gasp out loud but as I expected she didn't push me away. With a small part of force applied to her waist I swiftly turned her around.

Nia immediately lowered her gaze, maybe because I was standing half naked.
But either way she looks soft and fragile.
And it's just for me.

She doesn't lower her guard in front of other people, she appears tough and savage but as soon as she's with me her guard immediately falls down and her shield breaks.

She too might not know that, but I've noticed.

I noticed how her shoulder slumps down and her frowns disappears as soon as I am with her.

The sparks that I had caught between us, perhaps it goes both ways too?

A ray of sun fell on her face, her brown eyes turned into a golden honey colour that shine so bright just like sunshine.
My soul got lost into her eyes and without any barrier I blurt out my thoughts.

"Can I kiss you?"

"Yes." I raised my eyebrows at her bold attitude.
Wow! She didn't even hesitate.

"You can.." She started slow and added arrogantly "..kiss my ass."

"Gladly!"

The smug look disappeared as soon as it came, I suppressed the laugh that was itching to burst out. The way her face paled and lost all the colours, with disgust as well as confused stare- I was an inch close to losing myself.

"So when?"
I asked, trying to get on her nerves.

Did she always used to look cute when angry?

"You love teasing me isn't it?" Nia asked, taking a step closer to me with narrowed eyes and lips pursued into thin lines.

"Okay.. okay.. I surrender!"
I immediately threw my hands up in the air slowly taking back steps.

"Just say when and my lips would be available" I winked at her bewildered face and hurriedly walked out of the kitchen signing my death.

Suddenly the doorbell rang, so I hurried to open it. I didn't get a chance to throw any clothes on me but nevermind it doesn't matter. It's probably some guard or something.

I opened the door wide but as soon as I did so, with a loud thump a woman fainted dramatically limping all the way to the ground. I tilted my head and frowned at her laying on the ground.

"Are you alright, Miss?"

I bend down to her level.
She didn't utter a word but moaned? Ew!

"Can you stand up?"

"Ye-- No... I don't find that much energy in me."
Without further delay I scooped her into my arms and took her inside.

"Who's she?"

I halted midway when Nia popped out of the kitchen, with a deep frown and puffed cheeks.

And, I take the words back when I said she looks cute when angry.
Her death glares were literally making my knees weak.

I fucked up. Didn't I?

Without any hesitation I loosened my hands from that woman and she was on the ground just like before. A loud shriek echoed around the walls but that didn't even make me flinch.

"That's how I found her outside. I swear."
I gulped down nervously.
She looked hella scary.

Save me!

*****___*****

**Not edited**

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