' The End.'

Nia

Days went by like a blink. I didn't set foot outside my room, besides from a quick stroll to the kitchen at three in the morning.
It's been my daily routine.

Viraj was busy with the funeral and stuff. I got a bit of shock from the news but I wasn't surprised at all. These days, my emotions are all over the place. I don't even know how or what am I supposed to feel.
Like, it's all empty.

I tossed and turned around in my bed, impatient for some reason. Frustrated, I took a deep sigh and got out of my bed.

Tiptoeing out of my room, the hallway was dark but I knew the way to the kitchen. Although Viraj stays at the main house throughout the day, he makes sure to leave something to eat for me.

And, I eat that late at night.

I swiftly moved around the obstacles in the hallway and.. there I made it to the kitchen successfully.

Just as I was about to open the fridge, the lights turned on and I shut my eyes tight, not habitat with brightness.

"What are you doing?"

"N- nothing.."

I grumbled in a low voice and walked straight past him. But he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

"Stay here.. I will make you something to eat."

"I- No.."

Viraj pulled me into him, colliding our bodies. He carefully put strands of my hair back, caressing my face.

"Can you stay?"

His voice came out like a soft-melting butter, like sugars and glitters. I can't help but nod dumbly.

I yelped out loud when he picked me up...oh-so-effortlessly like always and made me sit on the kitchen counter.

Viraj began pacing around, finding all the ingredients he needed and immediately got down to cutting and chopping.

"Aren't you tired?"

He took a quick glance before again focusing back to cutting.

"Aren't you hungry?"

"I am.. but I can eat that-"

"No... Heating the food ruins the taste."

I sighed out loud. He's tired.

"You need to take rest-"

"And you need to eat."
I groaned at his remark, surrendering.
There's no need for me to argue back, I know he'll win anyway.

But.. Why does he care so much to ruin his sleep and cook for me?

"Why are you frowning?"

"Was I?" I asked myself more. His back was still facing me, yet he knew?

"Don't think so hard. Ask me instead.."
He was still working on the food. I shrugged, he won't care anyway.

"Why are you being such a caring person?" I scratched my thumb with my index finger.

He fell silent, maybe I was right. He's too focused on his work to hear me out.

I took a quick deep breath and ranted out.
"Isn't your sleep more important than cooking for me? I mean... I can only imagine how much a burden you're carrying right now. Working for all day and when you come home to rest... You can't even rest properly. Why?"

My voice cracked at the end, I was surprised when tears rolled down my eyes. I didn't notice, I was crying.

"Isn't it obvious.." He turned to face me. "Can't you see for yourself..?"

I gulped and dropped my gaze.

"Look at me, Nia.."

I didn't.

"If you want to hear it from me, then fine. I will tell you why."
I gasped when he grabbed me by my waist and he effortlessly carried me. I gripped his torso with my legs and arms. We walked out of the kitchen and he let me down slowly on top of the dining table.

He lightly traced my face, putting his hand under my chin. He made me look up at his face.

"You're important to me...more than anything else. You want to know why?"

"Why?"

"Cause.. you're my Nia."

I frowned at him, he chuckled lightly and shook his head.

"You forgot me.. didn't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nia.." I raised my eyebrows at him.
I was already in front of him so why he's calling my name?
His eyes glistened while a smile formed on his face.

"You are special, just like your name."

He said in a whisper. I frowned more but then, my eyes went wide as realisation dawned upon me.

No.. way.. he's not.. how can it be?

__

"What's your name?"

"Nothing."

"Nice to meet you, nothing." He grinned proud at his witty self. I scanned the whole place, yet I can't figure out my way home. I got lost, I should've stand at that place rather than trying to find my way.

I cried and waited for hours at the place where my mother left me. But no one came back for me, not even my father. So.. I walked and walked all day. My legs were hurting, while my stomach growled every now and then.

I felt dizzy so I sat down for a moment when a boy slightly older than me came and sat beside me.

"Come on, tell me. I will give you this." He put the wrapped sandwich in front of me. I gulped, staring at the delicious, mouth watering sandwich.

"It's Nilima- but I hate my name."

I snatched it from him and hungrily swallowed every bit of it.

"Are you lost?"

"Uh- Nuh." I tried to gulp it down but it stuck in my throat. Again, I saw him holding a water bottle in front of me. I grabbed it and drank all of it in one go.

"My father's coming for me... He just forgot to pick me up."

"I see. What's your address?"
I blinked at him several times, eating the leftover sandwich. He beamed at me and his eyes shone brightly.

"Come with me.. I know a place where you can stay." He gestured and sat up dusting his pants that looked expensive. Not only his pants but he's dressed up like a rich kid. I swallowed hurriedly and got up too, following his steps.

He led the way, while I followed him like a lost puppy. He would hold my hand whenever we had to cross the road, and when the crowd would be too huge for us.

After walking for quite a long, he finally stopped in front of a small house. He knocked like a gentleman and stayed back. I followed his steps on cue.

A middle-aged woman opened the door, he smiled at her. They mumbled for quite some time and finally looked at me. I shrink myself, fear gripped my heart.

The middle-aged woman knelt to my level and caressed me, dusting off the dirt from my face.

"What's your name, young lady?"

"N-"

"Nia.. her name's Nia." The boy yelled from behind. I frowned but he grinned at me.

"You are as special as your name."

__

No way!

Viraj smiled and gave me a plate of hot spaghetti in my hand. But.. my stare wasn't leaving him anytime soon.

He grabbed the fork and picked a bite size piece.

"You knew all along?"

"No.." he shook his head, while I took a bite, uncontrollably.

"I found out when I asked John for your grandma's picture." He kept feeding me. " The night after the horrible party... I asked John."

I nodded, unable to form any words.
He sighed out loud.

"Do you want to know why I care?"

"You already told me-"

"No.. it's something else. Even after you hate me from now on, I want to say it, tonight."

He took a few deep breaths before finally staring at me intently with his warm gaze.

"I love you..."
I blinked a few times.

"Isn't it the funniest thing you've ever heard?"

"No.. no one ever said that word to me. It's new to me.. does it always feel so.. empty?"

He chuckled, and shook his head.

"It swells our heart when you hear it from your favourite person-"

"Like when you kissed my forehead?"

Viraj stared at me with new found emotion. I can't put my finger on it, but maybe it's because I've never been loved or wanted by the person I desperately seek love from.

I know everything else, hate, disappointment, anger, loathe, pity, sadness.. every other emotion apart from love. It never occurred to me how it's supposed to look when someone expresses love.

"Yes, it'll feel that way." He put the empty plates down.

When my Grandma used to bake me her special pumpkin pie, just for me. Or when she taught me how to mash potatoes... The warm and cosy feeling surrounding us, was that love in the air?
Then was I always loved?

"So...Can you stay.. with me?"

I fell silent.

Viraj dropped his gaze as his shoulder slumped down when I didn't utter a word. I glanced at him but all I saw was the boy who smiled so bright and shining.

If it's meant to be, it'll eventually find you.

When I was lost, he found me...again and again!
And I was glad he found me, everytime.

"Only if you can make me feel that way, everyday."

"I promise."

His voice broke down, although his eyes were watery but he didn't stop smiling.

He sniffled and leaned forward to plant a kiss, but this time on my nose.
I giggled softly at the tingling sensation that spread warmth throughout my heart.

Does love.. always feels like this?

**The end**

*****__******

*Not edited*

My first book is completed.

I feel sad that it's ending but once a story starts there's always an end waiting for it.

They got their ending too.

It feels too soon to say goodbye to Nia and Viraj..

But, Arick and Evara are waiting for me, so.... You guys can join them (at your own risk)

Please give love to my second book too.

And see ya all there.

~Bye~