ETHEREAL

.28.

I felt my back protesting for sleeping on one side for so long. So with a little effort I shifted on my other side. My bed still soft and warm.

Wait.

Bed?

Soft and warm?

With that I open my eyes with a jolt. I found myself in my room,  under my sheets. It seem fishy regarding the last memory I had of the evening.

"May be it was all a nightmare.

All of it.'

The chair beside my bed creaked and I look around in mg dark room. I arched up a little, bringing my pillow in front of me as if it will magically turn into a sheild. Inching back until my back touched the bad post, I gather all my sheet in a bunch around my knees.

I almost striked when a shadow appear beside my bed. The bed dip and I hear the lamp click.

The instant brightness blinded my sleepy eyes but when I found my vision back I lost it again in those dark orbs I was hesitant to look at.

I liked my lips nervously as I remember what happened in his office but next moment my eyes waters when I really remember what happened after that.

I looked away to the other dark corner of my room.

Firstly, I wasn't expecting him here after whatever happened in that office.

Maybe he is here to tell me to leave his house and his grandparents.

Or maybe he is here to tell me that whatever happened in his office was a mistake.

Or maybe he is here to call me names and make me realize how pathetic person I'm.

"Are you running over your petty mind again'". His voice was sleepy and tired.

Did he sat here all night, staring at me?

I bite my lip to hold back my interrogation. I had so many questions to ask and I'm expecting loads of questions from him too.

I waited and waited.

But he didn't ask.

I'm supposed to start explaining my side of story right away? Why do I care what he thinks about me? Why do I want him to think that I am just a victim of the things I couldn't control.

Why do I want him to know me? Real me? Me heart? My deep dark heart?

I turn to him and found him glancing at me softly.

What changed between us?

Should I start talking now? But I'm sure I'm not thinking straight now?

Maybe I should let him decide what will happen now.

I should let him set the pace because if I tried to set our pace then either I will pull him to bed with me or I would be running away again in the darkness of night. Nothing in between.

"I will prepare a bath for you." He mumbled lightly before getting up and walking to the washroom. But for once he halt in between, turn to look at me, stare at me as if want to do something, sighed and continue walking.

What the hell was that?

That look.

The look he gave right now was so similar to the way he looked at me in the office.

The thought made me shudder. I didn't know if I was nervous or delighted.

I heard water running and steam coming out of the door.

Is he really doing this for me?

The question was eating my all power to think clearly. So I stood up slowly and took the clothes I will need. Glancing at the clock I realise it's two of the night.

I met him at the threshold of the washroom. He lift his hand up a little and I thought he was about to touch me, so I took a deep inhale but it turn out he was just running a hand through his messy hair.

He noticed my quick inhale but didn't say anything. I waited for him to leave the room but he waited.

For what?

There is no way I'm undressing in front of him. I hold my fresh clothes closer to me, pressing it hard to my chest.

I heard him breath deeply before he lean in a little.

I swear my knees began to buckle, he hasn't even touch me yet.

But he stop instantly, I noticed him clutching the door tightly. For once it scared me. But when I looked up I found him in more distress than me.

He looked angry, caged but soft.

And so ravishing.

Stop.

Why am I still stuck on that kiss, shouldn't I be more concerned about the truth he know about me?

The thought made me depress instantly.

"I can explain." I finally said what I was declining.

"Get that bath." He motion toward the bath tub. "We can decide later." He left my way.

Decide?

Decide what?

Is he really going to tell Zara and Zayn?

Is he going to throw me out of the house?

Is there something worse he can do?

What if it's my last peaceful bath?

Closing the door behind me I decided that if it's my last peaceful bath then I'm definitely going to enjoy it.

***

My peaceful bath lasted for hours or it seem like hours but I tried to stall it as long as I can. I even sat idly there for long time..

Maybe he is gone now. Maybe I will leave before the morning.

I mean, I have to leave. I can not afford Zara and Zayn hating me. And by the way I'm thinking about Randhir is dangerous. I want to talk to him, share with him, cry with him. I know how it's going to end.

There is no way I could afford falling for him..

I won't be able to survive.

So maybe anything turn out more worse than now, it's better if I leave before anything happen.

I had done it once, I can do it again.

With that decision clearly made in my  head, I left bathroom.

Empty room was what I was hoping for.

Pulling out a suitcase I unzip it. I started from the clothes. Then I pack my shoes, combs, brush, towel, my blanket. The last thing I needed was my phone but that was nowhere to be seen.

I won't be able to run away without a phone. From booking a cab at night, finding a place to stay, searching a job, handling my account, I will need my phone in everything. So I decided to search for it in every direction. I started from the bed.

After a huge search I came back to bed with my charger only but not the phone.

I hold my head and sigh hard.

"Are you searching for something?" I jumped at the voice. He stand there relaxed but Intimidating, at the door with coffee mug in a hand and my phone in another.