The Sweet Nothings || ✓

'BIG-OLD-XAVIER BELIEVES IN ANGELS'

Maia was lost again.

She couldn't find her way.

She just couldn't.

Her eyes stared ahead at the dark corridor but she couldn't remember which room she had come out from.

But it wasn't her fault either.

By the time she had come to memorize the paths of the old mansion, they had shifted here. To this new mansion. But strangely she didn't know where exactly this mansion which she was currently living in, was.

Because she was blindfolded when they had shifted. When she had asked Xavier why they were doing this, shifting place to place, he had simply said that it was for her safety.

"Trust me." He had said.

And she did.

She trusted him with all her heart. And that was the problem.

She felt something strange towards him, which she was sure wasn't supposed to be felt towards a sibling. But she couldn't stop herself. The nearer she was to him, more the feeling seemed to take over her, overwhelm her.

She moved carelessly through the corridor, still thinking.

She has started remembering small things. Like black is her favourite colour, she obsessed over shoes, she plays, rather played basketball and other small insignificant things like that. But nothing big. Nothing that she wanted to know.

Drowned in her thoughts, she suddenly felt a presence behind, so she turned around. Only to come face to face with Xavier. She nearly fell back but in an instant Xavier's hands came to rest on her waist, saving her from the fall. And she struggled to control a gasp.

Her body felt ignited, like sparks were flying off from the point her skin and Xavier's hand collided. Not able to take it, she stepped back.

Looking down, afraid that if she looked up, Xavier would see the feelings there, she asked, "I forgot the way to the dining hall. Where is it?"

She heard him chuckle so she looked up. "We are eating in the garden today. Come on."

Then he turned around to walk and Maia followed. They crossed several corridors and descended several staircases then moved out of the house.

And this time, Maia was left dumbfounded.

It was breathtaking.

The moonlight illuminated the white mansion and made the water in the pond shimmer. The carefully cut plants seemed to be giving off a pleasant sweet smell. But what caught her attention was the dining area.

Just near the pond, a white four-pillared structure was made which was beautifully lightened up with lamps and under it was the dining table, laid out for two.

"It's so pretty." She whispered.

"I know. This is my favourite mansion of all." Xavier said and moved ahead. If Maia wasn't wrong, Xavier's eyes had reflected pain when he had said that.

Ignoring the suspicion, Maia moved ahead too. Both of them settled down and started eating. They are slowly, careful not to make too much of noise. The silence seemed too pure. Too strong to be broken.

So none of them made an effort.

But Xavier finally spoke up.

"So, what were you doing the whole day?" He asked, finishing up his food.

"Oh. Nothing really. I was just busy exploring the mansion. Looking through rooms. And majorly getting lost." She smiled.

Xavier laughed a hearty laugh and then got up, motioning for her to follow.

Finishing up her food, Maia followed Xavier.

He laid down on the grass near the pond and Maia followed suit.

For minutes there was silence. Both of them stared at the stars in the dark night sky.

This seemed too intimate a situation for two siblings to do, but Maia ignored this nagging feeling of common sense. She wanted to feel detached from reality. And this, right here, was what she craved for.

"What do you think are they? The stars?" Xavier asked.

Maia angled her head.
"Gaseous balls which give out light. I am pretty sure." She said.

Xavier looked her way and then looked back up.
"Maybe they are angels who look down at us from heaven and laugh at how messed up all of us are here." He said.

Maia concentrated at what he said.
"The whole twinkling and laughing do make sense." She said and then thought.

"Wait. So you mean, Big-Old-Xavier believes in angels?" She asked, still looking up at the sky.

Maia could see from her peripheral vision as Xavier turned her head towards her.

And whispered, "Yes. Yes I do."

Maia looked sideways too.

She saw them.

The emotions. Intensified.

She sat up suddenly and Xavier did the same. They were both still looking up at the sky, trying to avoid each others gaze.

"Guess we should go inside." Maia suggested but Xavier ignored her.

"People say, that when you look at the stars, something so magnificent and pure, for that moment, you hold the world in your hands." He said softly.

Maia scoffed.

"That's pure bullshit. It's physically impossible." She said turning towards him.

In one swift movement, Xavier came closer to Maia and held her face.
Then whispered, "Are you sure?"

Maia's breath hitched.

Her eyes suddenly and desperately searched Xavier's and seeing them reflect back exactly what she felt, she couldn't control the gasp that left her lips.

Without waiting any further she closed the gap between them.

As soon as their lips connected Maia's body was on fire. She felt the kiss pulse through her body, from the top of her hair to her toe.

She felt it.

Xavier's touch was doing strange things to her heart and head.

It wasn't soft. It was rough.

Desperate. Needy.

She didn't realize when she had come to strand him. But she felt him all over her.

Feeling breathless, she pulled back.

"Xavier. Stop." She breathed. His eyes looked at her with need.

"This is wrong." She said and pulled back a bit.

Xavier came closer to her.

"But it feels so right." He whispered.

And their lips connected again.