Chapter 20: Chapter 20

~~~Past Wind~~~

"I have prepared the soup for you; drink it before going to sleep," I said kissing his forehead and setting the bowl on the small table beside his bed.

He is running out of fever. I don't want to leave him alone knowing he is in this state but I have no option. I want to leave, not that my parents would be worried about me it just I don't want to make things worst.

I pulled the bedsheet over his body and pecked his lips one last time before turning my heels to head out of his room.

"Riya." He grabbed my arms and pulled me towards him. "Stay with me, please." He pleaded with his eyes. I badly want to stay with him and take good care of him, but what can I do. It's already getting too late in the night.

"Kayish! As long as I am happy to stay here, cuddling and clasping you all over the night, I have to leave now. I hope you will understand."

He shook his head and pouted his lips like a child who needs the attention of his mom. "At least stay here until I fell asleep then you can leave." He pleaded with his hooded eyes.

How cute!! I wanted to pinch his both cheeks. How can a man be so handsome when he has a severe fever, and yet attractive as forever?

"You know me very well Kayish! I can't say no to you especially when you are in this state." I smiled at him. He grinned widely patting the seat next to him gesturing me to come over. I went under the sheet beside him and wrapped my hand around his waist.

He pulled me closer against his body and placed his head on the crook of my neck. Inhaling my scent deeply he whispered as how my scent calmed his whole body cool.

"Good night baby!" He said huskily; his eyes were still closed.

I stayed with him for almost an hour. When I felt his heavy breath on my neck, I unwrapped his hand from me and climbed out of the bed. He stirred in his sleep but didn't wake up.

Okay, time to leave. I let out a long sigh.

I closed the door behind me and walked out of the apartment. I glanced at my wristwatch to see it has almost passed at midnight.

Heaving a heavy sigh, I took the headset from my handbag and placed it on my ears then turned the music on with that I began to walk to my so-called home hearing my favorite songs 'love me like you do, lo..lo.. love me as you do.'

Somehow I found this song brings the memories of our intimate moments that I and Kayish shared and a shy smile played on my face. I wish he would be fine in the morning. I repeatedly played the song what seemed to be five more times until I reached my home.

I know they all have slept now and that is not a matter anyway. I have a spare key with me. So, I don't wanna wake them up this night but to my surprise, the light in my house was still on. 'So odd'. I twisted my lips and opened the door using my spare key.

I was taken aback the moment I saw my parents were fully awake as well as my brother. I stood there not daring to take a step forward. They all are throwing me a murderous look which made me gulp down in anxiety.

I have a weird feeling that something is going to happen that would send my life to hell and from the look of their eyes, I can predict it's not good for me but one thing I know is they won't harm me physically.

"Where were you, young lady?” My mom asked in her full authorities voice. I flinched at her voice and averted my gaze from her.

"Riya!" My brother warned me when I didn't answer her question.

"I was just at my friend's house and ... and... I... he is not well."

"Don't tell me you are with him." My dad spoke this time taking one step forward making me take one step back.

They knew my relationship with Kayish and they are not happy with us. They want me to marry one of his business partner's sons who was very well known as a man whore.

"Yes! I am with him." I said boldly ignoring the glare they were giving me. When I finished my sentence, I felt a sharp pain in my left cheek which made my head spin around.

I can't believe this; the woman who gave birth to me slapped me. She was standing in front of me like an angry volcano that will burst anytime soon. Tears are threatening to come out but I blinked them back, they are not worth seeing my tears.

"How dare you come here after you are whoring around with him." my mom yelled and raised her hand once again to slap me. When her hand contacted my sensitive skin for the second time, I fell on the floor and groaned in pain.

On the other hand, my dad gave me a disguising look that says I have committed all kinds of unforgivable Sins.

"Get out of my home, right now!" My mom threw a suitcase on my face. "I packed all your things, just leave and don't ever come back." She snarled like a lion. The woman who carried me in her womb for nine months doesn't want to see me again.

"Please mom, don't do this." I pleaded with them and looked at my brother for help. "Please Zach." I cried but he turned his back, stabbing me on my back.

When I was young, my brother was there for me as a protecting shield whenever I get myself into trouble. He was my Guardian Angel which God has given to me.

"Zach!" I yelled out of agony to gain his attention. How he could do this like I'm nothing to him.

"Don't call my name." He snapped and pulled me up by my shoulder. He has a strong grip on my shoulder that made me flinch with pain.

"Don't ever use our name. We are ashamed of you. You lost the right to be a family member." With that, he pushed me down on the ground then threw the luggage before shutting the door with a loud bang.

Blood dripped out of my knees where I got the hard-hit when he pushed me on the ground. My pant ripped open and I could see my flesh soaked with red.

Slowly, I stood up and grabbed the luggage, advising myself to leave the place before they would change their mind and do something worst.

Giving one last glance to my home where I have spent a happy time with my family, I began to walk not knowing where to go.

I walked where my legs are carrying me until I reached the bus stop but have no idea why I came here. Maybe this place is used to be a home for homeless people. That's why my legs carried me here.

I am afraid of the darkness because it brings bad memory but not today. My own family does not want me anymore in their life. They are ashamed of me because I didn't do what they have asked me to. I'm not a good daughter.

I laid my head on the pillar and clutched my bag towards my chest thinking where to go. My eyelids get heavy and I fell asleep on the bus stand.

---

I opened my eyes when I felt the sun rays fall on my face then closed it again. Oh god! Who opened the curtain this morning? Can't I have some peaceful sleep? I groaned but felt a hard object underneath me.

It's not my comfy bed.

Then the realization hit me like thunder. I am not in my home sleeping peacefully in my comfy bed like I use to be, instead, I am at the bus stop abandoned by my family.

I recalled yesterday's incident and my chest felt heavy. It seems someone put a heavyweight on me.

I glanced at my wristwatch and it shows eight in the morning but yet I didn't call him. Probably he is looking for me. I took my phone to make a call but the battery was dead.

Ughhh!! Everyone turned their back to me. Even my phone is not helping.

I used a public restroom to get refreshed and stood in front of the mirror to see my image. It looks so horrible, my left cheek has been printed by ten fingers. I ran my hands through my face but flinched when I touched the throbbing skin.

I splashed the water over my face and used the hem of my t-shirt to get rid of the water drop on my face.

Time to face him. I let out a long sigh before grabbing the luggage and made my way outside of the restroom but stopped when I saw a familiar face speaking with someone showing them a photo. His hair was totally in a mess like he has raked it many times through his finger. He looked like a lost puppy.

I just stood there watching him wandering here and there showing a photo to everyone. I could assume he is showing them a photo of me. When he turned, our eyes met. Without wasting another second he ran towards me and embraced me in his arms.

He cupped my face but I flinched when his hand contacted my left cheek. He immediately let go of my face and started to inspect me. He eyed me up and down and his eyes landed on my knees where my pant was ripped open showing my red flesh.

He inhaled deeply before he spoke. "What are you doing here? Are you planning to leave me?" He asked painfully. "You should have called me when those stupid bastards were treating you like trash." His eyes turned into darkness.

I found no words, so I stayed silent. He took my silence as a cue and led me towards his car.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked once he started the car.

"To my place." He sternly answered and sped up the car.

"I can't," I whispered which made his blood boil in anger but he didn't say any words but his actions said otherwise. His knuckles turned white because of the strong grip he has on the steering.

I have no energy to argue with him so I gave up.

Finally, we reached his room and he made me sit on his bed before walking to the bathroom to bring the first aid kit. He applied the ointment to my wounded knees. I felt the piercing pain erupt through my body but bit my lips preventing me from screaming.

The whole time he didn't look at my face, I think he might be hurt by my action. Once he finished, he took the kit and set them on the nightstand.

"Take rest, I will bring something to eat." with that he left the room not giving any place for any argument.

My eyes are still puffy and red from the long time of crying I had last night, the thinking of what my parent did to me is haunting me and the pain is unbearable cause they are my only family to call, but they hurt me both physically and mentally that I can't even think in my dream.

After a while, he came and set the food tray on the bed. I didn't even glance his side because I'm not in the mind to eat though I'm hungry."Open your mouth Riya." He raised the spoon in front of my mouth, his voice held so much authority.

I opened my mouth and he started to feed me until I was full.

"I will be back in a minute." He grabbed his car key and walked out of the room. "Where are you going?" I asked.

He shook his head; his back was facing me. I could feel his body tense a bit, it seems he is controlling himself. "I will come soon." He said and walked away.

When my head hit the pillow I fell asleep. The ringing sound of my phone spoiled my peaceful sleep. I took my phone from the charger and attend the call before looking at the screen.

"Riya, are you okay? I am worried about you. Why you didn't call me when those bastards knocked you out of your house. You should come here." Claire started to give me a lecture. But her final words caught my attention.

"What?" I asked again to confirm whether I heard her.

"Yeah, Riya. He kicked that smart ass of your brother and his nose is bleeding so badly. I am the victim of this scene and I am glad he did this otherwise I would smack your brother's head."

"Huuhh!!" I heaved a heavy sigh. I have no words for that, and I don't feel pity for him.

"Okay, Claire I will call you back. He has arrived." I bid my goodbye and hung the phone when I heard the footstep approaching the room.

"Did you hit my brother?" I asked once he entered the room.

"He deserved it." That was his only reply.

I averted my eyes from him when I felt the river of tears that are ready to spill.

I was crying the whole day from my heart out and he has given his shoulder to me. He hadn't said any words to me but was stayed with me, stroking my hair gently until I became sober.

"Riya?" He called my name.

I turned my gaze from the ceiling and looked at his handsome face.

"Let's get married." He said sincerely.

I blinked one.... two.... three. Am I heard him clear or this is some sort of my hallucination?

"Say something, Riya." He asked me again.

I have no idea what to say, so I stayed silent.

"You are killing me." he took my hands with his and drew a small circle over my palm. "You are not left alone. I am here for you till my death," He whispered reading my mind.

If he thinks the marriage would take our relationship to the next stage, then I will marry him.

"I will," I said and hugged him tightly.

He pecked my lips then led the kiss passionately. 'Thank you, Riya! You made me alive." He smiled between the kiss. "You are going to be Mrs. Miller Soon."

"I am more glad." My green eyes looked at his mesmerizing baby blue orbs and once again he caught my lips for a passionate kiss.

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