Forever Yours (Stay With Me Sequel)

Chapter 23

I woke up in the morning with a very bad hangover. My head was bursting with pain when I opened my eyes, and rolled over in search of Niall. I was battling badly to keep my eyes opened and somehow managed to check the timing from the table clock to be 11.30 Am. I sprung up from bed thinking I got late for office. It was right then that Niall entered the bedroom with a tray holding a glass and I realized it’s a Sunday.

“Good morning,” I smiled, stretching my arms out to get a hug from him.

“Good morning,” he replied, laying the tray on the night stand and leaning in to embrace me.

“Mmmm….you smell nice, did you take a shower?” I asked as soon as he pulled away and sat beside me on the bed.

“Yeah, I was cooking,” he answered, not meeting eyes with me.

“Wow….lucky me,” I smiled shyly. Niall simply nodded.

“My head aches like shit,” I said, bending my head down and rubbing my shoulder with my left hand.

“You drank way too much last night.”

“I can guess from this shit hangover.”

“Anyway, drink this. It’ll help with the headache,” he said, holding the glass before me that looked like lemon water.

“Lemon water?” I arched by brows.

“Yeah, now drink it and freshen up,” Niall didn't lock eyes with me yet.

I nodded my head, and simply drank the lemon water. Getting down the bed, I almost limped my way to the wash room to brush and then take a shower. When I came out, I didn't find Niall in the room. It wasn't unusual because he always gave me space of my own. He always showed his gentleman behavior by leaving the room for me when I changed and dressed up even though he saw me without robes a million number of times. I loved the gesture and loved him even more for that.

After getting dressed when I walked to the sitting area, I found Niall sitting quietly on the couch with folded legs and his chin resting on one of his palms. The television was on, but I could see clearly that his eyes weren't fixated on the screen.

“Hey?” I patted on his back, breaking his glance from the ground.

“Hmm,” he hummed.

“What are you thinking so deeply?” I asked, taking a seat beside him on the couch.

He paused for awhile before taking a long breath, and turning to finally lock eyes with me. The blue pigment of his irises looked so pale and cold that I was shocked.

“What’s wrong?” I asked again, placing a hand on his arm.

“Do you remember anything that you said or did last night?” Niall’s deep voice sounded even deeper.

“Ahhmm….no, I remember bits and parts,” I answered honestly.

“Like what?”

“Going to the wash room with Naina, squeezing your cheeks, and did we fight?” I pointed my index finger at him.

“We might now,” he retorted, and left the couch to walk towards the window.

“What is happening, Niall? Tell me?” I urged.

“Lily,” He said, and turned around to face me. “I can’t believe you hid such a big truth from me. I thought we promised to not keep anything away from each other. How could you not possibly tell me about such a huge thing?”

“What?” I raised my hands in the air.

“That Aarav tried to rape you?”

My lips parted, and breathing ceased instantaneously as soon as Niall said those words. My eyes widened and I couldn't figure out how and when I let the secret slip. My headache multiplied by infinite times so much so that I thought I would faint any time. My body turned numb and head felt dizzy.