Chapter 32: Chapter 32

●Nuri's P.O.V.●

"Why are we going to the rooftop?"

He just kept giggling, standing in a corner of the elevator.

Soon the elevator door opened with a metallic sound. And I saw the empty rooftop. Daniel jumped out of the elevator and started running here and there on the rooftop like a kid. I hit my forehead, glancing at Daniel.

"Is this the same man who acts cool and serious all the time?" I murmured, looking at the childlike Daniel.

Suddenly he ran up to me and started pulling me. He pulled me to the edge of the rooftop.

"Look there." he pointed upwards at the sky.

I saw the sky was filled with so many stars.

"Beautiful," I uttered the words without realising it. With our busy lives, we always forget to admire the beauty of the night sky.

"When I was little, Dad and I used to stare at the night sky together.

How long is it?" He kept staring at the sky.

"So long that I can't even remember his face," Daniel said, smiling.

But he couldn't keep the smile for long. Soon, tears formed in his eyes.

"When I was a little kid, I hated to study.

I always played with friends." Daniel giggled while telling his story.

"Mom used to say that they will leave me if I don't become a good boy and study hard.

But I never cared. I knew they wouldn't leave me." He broke down in tears.

"I didn't realise they would abandon me in reality."

I placed my right hand on his shoulder. Daniel glanced at me with his teary eyes. I felt a sharp pain in my heart watching him break like this. He acted so cold and strong. But inside, he was so sensitive and weak.

I touched his face, almost without meaning to, gently, and the tips of my fingers grazed his cheek, trailing the line of his jaw.

Daniel leaned on my hand, rubbing his cheek on it, with closed eyes.

He glanced up at me, and our eyes met. A teardrop escaped his left eye and touched my palm.

"After that, so many bad people tried to do bad things to me. I kept running from them.

I didn't have food somedays to eat, no places to sleep until Ajuma found me."

He closed his eyes again.

"She took me to the orphanage where I met other kids like me.

I knew I didn't study well, that's why Mom and dad left me. So I started studying hard.

I scored top every year in the orphanage." Daniel opened his eyes, staring at the distance.

"I became the good boy. Then why didn't they come back!?

Why ?" He started crying again.

"I am working in a huge company because I studied hard. Then I am a good boy. Right, Nuri?" He asked, looking directly at my eyes.

I nodded hesitatingly.

"Then why are they still not coming back? Why Nuri?" Daniel choked on his words.

Without realising, we leaned close to each other. Daniel wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his forehead on my shoulder. His tears touched my dress.

Tears formed in my eyes. I couldn't understand that he buried so much pain in his heart until now. I hugged him, patting his back lightly.

I couldn't say to Daniel that I understood his sadness, standing in a situation when I grew up in a joint family. They had taken good care of me until now.

All of a sudden, I felt grateful towards my parents. I felt grateful for every single second my family spent with me.

The little grudge I had on them because they didn't support my writing career just evaporated in a blink of an eye.

Daniel once again spoke up.

"When I found out you were the one who got robbed, you didn't know Korean, feeling helpless. I saw the little myself in you.

That's why I wanted to help you out in every possible way."

I was surprised, hearing Daniel's words. He wanted to help me from the very beginning. And I thought so bad about him, calling him a human trafficker. I felt angry at myself.

"I want you to be safe, Miss India.

Until I am here, I'll keep you safe in my arms." Daniel's grip tightened on my waist.

"But I don't know why I don't want you to leave me anymore. I don't want to see you leaving before my eyes, like Mom and dad.." He took a deep breath, "Will you abandon me like them too?"

Silence enwrapped between us.

What should I possibly have answered here? Because I didn't come here to live here forever. I couldn't promise him some lies. I chose not to answer anything. Was I being heartless?

"Daniel, let's go.." I said as I helped him to reach the elevator.

************

I opened the bedroom door as I helped Danial to lie in bed. I unzipped Daniel's green jacket, opened the shoes and socks. Then I covered him with the blanket. He was half asleep. I caressed his hair gently.

As I tried to leave, Daniel held my hand, pulling me closer to him.

"You didn't answer my question?" Daniel asked, staring at me with his glossy, sparkling eyes.

I tried avoiding his eye contact as I stumbled over my words, " I-I ….um…actually….."

But soon, soft snores reached my ears. I stared at Daniel's sleeping face and sighed, feeling relieved because I didn't have to answer. For the last time, I caressed his hair. Then I turned off the night lamp and left the bedroom without making any loud noise.

I came down to the couch with a blanket where Daniel slept these days. Letting my head fall back on the cushion, I laid on the couch, covering myself with the blanket. It was a big couch but not as comfortable as the bed.

I turned left and right, but the uneasiness still stayed. I was confused about how Daniel managed to sleep on this couch these days.

I realised Daniel was having so many problems with me living here with him. But still, he never complained.

He wanted to keep me safe in every way, even when he was not comfortable. I couldn't think of a way to return his kindness. Was there really something by which I could return his kindness? The only answer I received was "No."

*************

●Daniel's P.O.V.●

I was standing in the dark alley.

A huge, hideous monster was growing larger with every second. My eyes widened in fear and shock. I tried to run, but I couldn't run with much speed. I glanced at my legs, and then I realised I was only seven years old. The monster was coming for me.

I tried to run faster, but it was not useful.

The monster grabbed my shoulder with its big hands and then grabbed my throat. It was choking me to death.

I woke up from the nightmare, sweating all over my body. I was breathing heavily. Those monsters haunted my life till the present moment. I didn't know what to do to get rid of those nightmares.

As soon as I woke up, something landed on my lap. It was a white cloth, folded small. I looked around and realised I was in my bedroom. And also, a little female figure was sleeping while keeping her head low on the edge of the bed.

I understood the clothing was being used to cool down my temperature.

"Did I have a fever last night? Was she taking care of me?"

So many questions filled my mind. I picked up the clothing in my hand and searched for the water pot to keep the cloth back into it.

And soon I found it on the table placed right beside the bed. I placed the cloth in its place.

Then I looked down on the sleeping Nuri. I caressed her hair gently.

"Was she up all night for me? Did I annoy her after getting drunk ?"

I was feeling embarrassed thinking about all the possible incidents I could have done.

"I shouldn't have drunk so much!!" I shook my head in embarrassment.

"Daniel." A soft voice called my name.

I saw Nuri was glancing at me with worried eyes. She stood up from her seat and held my hand, checking my nerves. Then she placed her left hand on my forehead to check my temperature.

"Looks like your fever is gone." she smiled.

I held her hand.

"Did I annoy you very much last night?" I asked hesitatingly.