Seeking Serenity

14. Say Cheese. SNAP!

-X- 14. Say Cheese. SNAP!-X-

A cool breeze landed on my face, breaking my sleep. I didn't open my eyes just yet and relished the warm bed.  A hand was wrapped around my waist, which caused tingles to shoot through my body as they came in contact with my bare skin. It felt good, just like a dream.

My brain apprehended the fact. My eyes shot open and I pushed the hand off me. Paul stared at me with intent eyes. He still had his trousers on. Aaron was squished comfortably, between us.

"Hey," I said, awkwardly sitting up. I felt angry at myself for relishing his touch. 

I got off and went to the bathroom. After splashing cold water over my face and brushing my teeth, I made an attempt to tame the beast of my hair. Moving my fingers through the knotted mane and settled the hair on my head. Then I pulled the long frizz hanging at the back into a messy bun. I came out after a good five minutes.  "Good Morning Aar." I said, noticing my boy's eyes open. Rubbed his small hands over his crust filled eyes, he said "Morning mum. Morning dad."

"Hey champ, sleep well?" Paul asked. Aaron nodded. They started talking about something to each other in hushed voices, something that I didn't want to hear.

I could see a bond forming between Paul and Aaron. A bond that should've formed years ago. A bond I never wanted to be made. A bond I was jealous of, now. Eventhough, how much I hated Paul I had to let it form. It was necessary. A father is supposedly a very integral part of anybody's life.

Not being able to stand the sight I made my way down to the kitchen.Deciding to make some bacon for breakfast, I turned on the stove.

Twenty minutes later, a delicious aroma prevailed in the kitchen air. The boys had also come downstairs and joint me in the kitchen. "What are you cooking?" Paul came to the counter, popping a piece of bacon in his mouth.

How can people be so silly? Why do they keep asking the obvious? Good Morning Paul ... welcome to the club for stating the obvious. "What do you see?" I snapped at him.

A hot breath fanned the back of my neck, I stiffened. "Paul get back from me." I said sternly. Two hands came at my sides onto the counter. "Paul stop doing, whatever you are trying?" I said trying to keep a blank face, which was pretty difficult with his hot breath on my ears. "I am trying nothing beautiful, just wanted to see my wife cook."

"I am not your wife," I hissed turning the gas off and placing the pan filled with bacon on the counter. "The only relation that I'll ever have with you will be as my son's father." "And ex-lover." He added. I turned around to face him. He was quite far from me, like a quarter of an inch or so, if you call that far. "Only the people who have loved me are worthy of that title." I said putting a hand on his chest to push him away. Just then...

"Mom. Dad. Say Cheese!" SNAP! We heard the sound of the shutter of the camera. The sudden disturbance caused me to jump with shock and I lost my balance, and fell on my back, on top of the counter and over the hot gas stove.

"Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh....", I screamed as I felt the scorching temperature. I got up quickly, courtesy of reflex. "...Ow ow ow ow ow..." I continued taking sharp intakes of air. "... it burns !" I screeched swallowing air.

"Lou, are you okay?" Paul asked with concern. CONCERN, my foot. I pushed him aside and made my way to the refrigerator hissing into thin air. Rummaging through the contents, I pulled out a few pieces of ice and put on my back. Ice on my burnt back felt like heaven, but I bet my fingers were turning blue.

"Mommy, someone cut cwookies off your shwirt." Aaron exclaimed. 

"Aaron do you know where the first aid box is?" Paul asked. Aaron nodded, snickering at his previous comment. "Can you get it to that room?" The latter asked pointing to the guestroom, which was visible through the kitchen door. Aaron dashed out of the kitchen.

He took my now-turned blue palms in his, and with the other hand he took the ice and started rubbing it from the holes on my t-shirt. With every once in a while his fingers brushing by unburnt skin. He pushed me gently towards the door of the kitchen. "What are you waiting for? Move over." He said.

"Stop it will you. I can take care of myself." I pulled away from him. The cold sensation of ice was now gone and squealed with the pain, "Owwwwww.."

"Yeah I can totally see that," he said putting the ice on me again. "Oh come on!" He said again. I moved ahead without resistance. 

Inside, "Come here..." he said patting on a spot besides him. "...remove your shirt." My eyes widened, I staggered a step back, and said "What?" "Remove your shirt." He repeated. I mentally face palmed, "I got that. I meant why?" 

"Well, your shirt is burnt out, and pieces of fabric are sticking to your back and I can't remove them without getting some fabrics stuck on my hand. So remove your shirt." He said. "No!" I proclaimed loudly, "I am not removing my shirt." "I don't have any problem, anyways it will be you who will have to live with it." He said getting up. "Then I'll leave you at your own expert hands." 

I thought over. His reason was valid. I should not bias my reasoning for my hate of him. And anyways, I won't able to remove the fabrics from my back without the help of a doctor, and doctors are so ....ergh. So, I called "Paul wait... I am removing." 

"Dad, here." Aaron came in holding the first-aid box. He turned to me and said, "Mom uncle Rajat and a man in bwack and white dress is here.

"Could you tell them to wait, momma is coming."He nodded and went out." Paul locked the door. I quickly removed my shirt and landed on the bed, belly flopping. He came and sat by my side and opened the first aid box. He removed the burn ointment and applied over my back. I shrieked as he rubbed the spot. "This might hurt," he said taking out a pair of forceps from the box. He bent down and pulled a piece of fabric. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww..." I screamed and arched up. He held my shoulders down to keep me still and removed another piece. It felt just like waxing, but without that sticking substance. He removed a few more pieces. The pain was antagonizing, but his hand on my shoulder felt somewhat sensuous.

"Done." He said at last after dressing the wound.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I asked from my position.

"Why are you being so nice to me? Are you falling for me?" after a long pause he asked.

How can I fall again Paul, when I didn't get up from the last fall ... 

"I am doing this only for Aaron,"  I hissed, "And never get the wrong notion that I am falling."

"Why are you like this Lou?"

"Are you seriously asking me that?" I said giving him a quizzical look.

"Oh my gawd! Why don't you forget about it. That happened years ago." He said almost pulling his ears.

"I have well forgotten that event. But it is the hate that was generated back then, which still burns in me like a flame." I retorted getting up to put my shirt. "Now if you'd excuse me, I have to meet someone. "You won't go out with a shirt like that." He ordered and removed his shirt, "Here, wear mine." I realised about the two cut-out cookies on the back of my shirt. I checked the shirt, it was  in a real bad condition. "My offer is still open." He said holding out his shirt, exposing his well toned six-packed stomach. I took the shirt from him and put it on, "Don't think this of a way of me accepting you. I took it because I needed too." He chuckled, and opened the door.

"After you milady." he said in his obnoxious voice, smirking. I moved out with a frown on my face.

-X- 

I can't believe, I turned the so called filler of a chapter into a burn... you get that? Nevermind, even I didn't get it. The spacebar in my keyboard had been experiencing issues and is not pressing every time I want it to. Anybody got a clue on how to fix it up.

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