Affection | N.H

Chapter 43

("You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." -Bob Marley)

The next morning when I realised I woke up, I hoped that I was not going to open my eyes to realise it was all a dream. I didn't want to lose Niall once more. When I did open my eyes, Niall was right on my chest, sleeping more peacefully than ever. His arm was tightly wrapped around my body while our legs were entwined. I took my time to take in his beautifulness. I took my time to count each of his heart beats against mine. I took time to kiss his hair as many times as I could.

Finally, I look up at everything else around me. I realise I am at Niall's house, at is room, on his bed. Instantly, I remember what we did earlier. I remember our confessions of love and how we kissed after one whole week. It was honestly the best feeling. His mouth holds absolutely and only sweetness. I lift my hand up from my side as I couldn't resist his hair. I slide my fingers in the mess on his head and gently stroke his hair. Niall moans in his sleep and I quickly take my hand away, not wanting him to wake him up so early. However, Niall grabs my hand and puts it back into his hair without opening his eyes. "Keep doing it." he murmurs. I oblige and happily massage his scalp gently. I think he senses the butterflies in my stomach because he lets out a giggle and rubs my tummy by sliding his hand under my shirt. I close my eyes and live the moment. But after a minute of silence, Niall lifts his head up and looks at me in the eyes. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" I ask confused, still doing the movement with my hand in his hair.

"Make me crazy." Niall softly laughs and snuggles his head in the crook of my neck making me giggle. "What is it?" He laughs with me but doesn't pull his head back.

"You hair is tickling me." I giggle again and roll my head back in laughter. I laugh and laugh and realise Niall is staring at me. I didn't even realise when he pulled his head back. He is looking into my eyes. He is smiling. That's when I grasp the fact that Niall looks fresher. His dark circles have lightened and his eyes are no longer blood shoot. His eyes only twinkle at me. "What are you staring at mate?" I say in a typical Australian accent and cup his cheeks.

Niall places his hands over mine and smiles into my hand, a real smile. "It has been a while since I saw you laugh like that. You look so beautiful when you laugh. It presents you so strong Tarisha."

My smile grows only for Niall right now. "Can we not talk about these at 1am in the morning?" I laugh again.

"What? It's that late?" Niall gasps.

"Yes." I smile again, adoring his little frown. How will a baby version of Niall look like? What am I thinking. I am so glad he can't read my mind or my heart.

You know that saying? Don't laugh too much because in the end, you will end up crying. This crap happens to me all the time. It had to happen right now, ruining Niall and I's beautiful moment. My stomach growls while Niall's hand was placed on it. He instantly looks up at me and his smile disappears. I take my hand away from his face and wipe the smile off my face too. He searches for my eyes but I try my hardest to avoid him. I thought he will take his hand away from my stomach but instead, he starts rubbing again. "How long has it been?" Niall whispers.

I sigh and close my eyes. My tears are threatning to spill out any minute. "I don't even remember."

..

We both stayed in bed for some more time. It was just silence except for the insects singing outside. Niall stayed on my chest and we both had our arms wrapped around each other. Then we got up as we couldn't go back to sleep. Thank goodness it's holidays going on right now. I don't have classes or works to worry about. But I do have to worry about a place to stay in. I cannot burden myself on Niall for too long. I haven't brought my clothes either and I am sure as hell not gong back to my mother's house again. She will kill me, I know she will.