One and a half years later.

Life was good. I hadn't been this happy ever before. Leaving town was the greatest decision I could have taken for myself. The people I met in the past months were angels. I couldn't have asked for more. My life was the least complicated now. Life was good.

“Fuck that shit!” I groaned under my breath as I splashed the handful of cold water on my face. I had been imitating this same phrase for over a year now but that never helped.

I regretted leaving Manhattan. I regretted leaving without a goodbye. I missed my family, my friends. But most of all, I missed him, so much that sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night perplexed, horrified remembering the night I last saw him, the terror and helpless expression on his face. I missed him so much that it would hurt me physically as well.

But there wasn't anyone to blame but me. It would break me when I couldn't muster enough courage to pick up the umpteenth call or reply to a text every day until one day, I changed my number.

I had been the biggest bitch I could possibly be to someone who actually loved me, for me. I didn't deserve that love. I didn't deserve his love. I didn't deserve him. I looked up at the cabinet mirror and wiped off the tear that blended with sprinkles of water rolling down my skin.

“Maya! Get your ass out here now! I have been waiting for you, for like, forever. Don't make me wait, or I swear I'm going to leave you here and head out!” A voice echoed behind the door as I wiped my face.

“Don't be such a drama queen, Dialer. Just give me some private moments with my bathroom.” A smirk made a way on my face as I knew exactly the kind of reaction I was about to receive.

“First, we do not have time for this, and second, stop calling me that! You know how much I hate it. I want to smash that ass who revealed you this.” He hissed grumpily. The name Dialer immediately got into his nerves every time.

“I am here.” I announced as I walked through the door and met a pair of dark amber eyes piercing its gaze right through me. The gentle morning breeze blew his blonde hair and I zoned out for a moment, gawking at him.

“Babe, I know I'm irresistible, but get a grip upon yourself. People are waiting for us in the hall. You don't want them to catch you staring at me, do you?” He rose his chest upward in pride, running his hand through his hair, setting them in a usual side hairstyle.

That arrogant and cocky asshole.

“Anyway, you look stunning, Maya.” He pulled me by my hands and locked me by his hand around my waist. I didn't retaliate as I knew it would be impossible to escape his muscular grip.

“Well, well, well. I know I'm irresistible but people are waiting for us in the hall. You don't want them to catch you being a simp, that you are now, do you?” I tried so hard to not laugh but the expression on his face made it impossible.

“Ouch! That hurts. I'm not a simp. Using my tactics now, huh?” He tightened his grip.

“Hmm… Maybe. Now let go, we need to run or we're going to be late.” I pleaded with a puppy face. 

He smirked and replied, “You have me wrapped around your little finger, don't you?”

“God! Could you get any more flirty? No wonder why the girls in the university are so into you. You're a natural flirt.” I asserted.

“Can't blame the girls for trying. Who doesn't love the attention of girls? Some of them are so desperate that they would kiss my ass if they had to, just to get my attention. Every girl would die to have me.” I swear he boasted his own ego like no other.

“Ew! I would never! And I certainly wouldn't fall for you. I am not like every other girl.” I crossed my arms around the little separation we had between our chests.

“Not every other girl matters. That's what makes you special.”

“Hey bro, what's taking you two so long? We don't have forever for whatever you guys are doing in there. Carry on your shit some other time!” A rough, husky voice yelled at us from the hall.

“Give me some time with my girl, will ya?”

I jabbed into his ribs with my elbow. He immediately let go of me and curled his arms around the ribs, shooting a powerless glare.

“Don't mess with me, Dial.” I advised.

“For Heaven's sake, my name isn't Dial or Dialer, it's Niall!”

“Thanks for the delicate information! I tend to forget the names, you know.” I witted playfully.

“Whatever. Let's just get going and get this shit over with.” He linked his hand into mine and led me out of the house, motioning the others to follow us along the way.

Everyone got into their cars and drove off. Niall, Mindy, and I were left in the garage. Niall walked towards the driver seat and set the engine on for a while. I looked around awkwardly and my sight landed upon Mindy.

She was the midget of the group, a typical 4'9 feet. Her black braided hair, gray round spectacles, and her loud, zero bullshit tolerance and extreme straightforwardness radiated serious terrifying vibes. People would have to think thrice before messing with her. She was a total badass.

Her eyes rejected to look up through her phone. She caught me gawking at her and arranged her spectacles from the bridge of her nose and began to speak.

“Is there something smeared on my face?” She asked bluntly.

“Uh-What? Umm… No, there isn't.”

“Then what the fuck are you looking at?” She raised her eyebrow, maintaining a straight face.

“No, actually I-”

“Don't bother to speak. Are you the one who needs to go to the View Complex?”

“Ye-”

“Are you sick or something?” She had an infuriating habit of cutting people off.

“No, just an appointment. Thanks for the concern though.” I courteously expressed, hiding my wave of sarcasm.

”I am not concerned by any means. I have to reach Green Stadium to cheer for my boyfriend. But thanks to your stupid ass, I am going to be late.” She shook her head from side to side, averting her eyes back to her phone screen.

I clenched my teeth in exasperation. I never encountered a human as rude and impudent as her and it bothered me to the core. I freed my jaws to retort back, but Niall honked suddenly signaling us to get in.

I cursed internally and when I was done, I got into the passenger seat, and Mindy entered the backseat.

“Ready to go?” Niall asked, beaming a sweet smile.

“Yeah, let's go.”

Minutes passed and the ride was filled with deafening silence. Mindy, as usual, was glued to her phone, and I averted my eyes on Niall. His eyes were deeply focussed on the road, his hands voluntarily striding the gear. My mind meandered around the corner of the balcony of memories. 

He was the faint ray of light in the darkest road that I dreaded to walk alone. Had I not met him at the airport that day, I didn't know where I would have ended up at. 

*Flashback*

One and a half years ago.

I stood mindlessly in the queue as I waited for my turn to arrive. I contemplated the endless possibilities I could end up in the streets of Boston. That's where I intended to reach. But having zero contact and so little knowledge about an unknown city wasn't what was going to proceed me forward. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

The mere cluelessness led to reflexively unclutch my fingers, dropping my purse as an outcome. I bent down to pick it, but a porcelain skin-toned veiny arm grabbed it before my hands could reach.

His chiseled jawlines sharpened as he twitched his perfectly defined lips into a beaming smile. His dark amber eyes beamed a sense of familiarity and warmth but I struggled to recollect the origin.

“Thank you.” I thanked him as he stretched his arms, revealing more of his veiny arms while returning my purse. He nodded with a smile in response.

 “I am sorry, but have we met before?” I sheepishly asked as I scratched my head hesitantly.

“I thought so. Umm… You must be… Lara, perhaps?”

I chuckled as I shook my head. “Maya.”

“Yes, right! We met outside a gift shop if I am not wrong this time.”

”That's right.”

The queue moved and I realized that it was now my turn.

“Guess I’ll see you soon.” I waved him goodbye while he smiled and got back to his phone.
                                     ~

I drove the luggage carts forward and paused on my step. I stood mindlessly in front of the exit door as I stared at the fleet of taxis, taking the wanderers to their destinies.

I had no clue about the whereabouts I wished to reach. My body winced in anticipation and I hunted my phone in my purse and tried to explore any nearby hotel. My shoulder felt a sudden light tap and I jumped reflexively.

I turned around and to my utter surprise, I discovered Niall gawking at me with the same astonishment.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” He asked, excitement evident in his voice.

“I-uh… I-”

“I didn't know you were flying to New York too. Where are you heading to? I can drop you. My driver is right out there.” He pointed to a seemingly middle-aged man who smiled when Niall pointed towards him and waved at him.

“Boston, actually.”

“Hey, that's where I am heading too. Want a lift? I can drop you if you want. Where do you wish to go?” He asked with a courteous smile.

“I… I-I don't know where I am heading at.” I reluctantly mumbled.

“Hmm.” After a long pause, he buzzed and silently walked towards me. He leaned forward and stretched his hand, brushing his arm with mine and clutched the trolley handle, and pulled it with him towards the exit.

“Where are you… we going?” I asked as I jogged to catch up with him.

“You are going to stay with me until you figure out where you want to actually proceed. Until then, I am not going to let you trudge around in an unknown city.”

“That is very thoughtful of you, but-” He cut me off before I could complete my damn sentence.

“No buts. It’s decided. Friends help each other, right?”

I smiled. I wanted to decline the offer. However, I knew on the back of my head that a familiar face was all I needed to move forward in this foreign city, however unfamiliar the familiar face might be.

**

He had been taking care of me, ever since. I narrated to him the whole incident in my life and the impulsive decision I made by coming here, and he listened with enthralled attention. He helped me to find the sole reason I came here, Sophia Baeder, one of the most renowned therapists and psychologists in the world. Thinking back, I realized she wasn't kidding when she said I would leave everything, cross seven seas to find her.

My dashing thoughts were interrupted by a sudden break. I turned around and realized I've reached my destination and I turned back to hug Niall goodbye. But he got out of his seat and walked forward, making a 180° turn and approaching the door to open it for me.

I opened it before he could reach for it and he shot me a threatening glare. I let out a giggle while he took out his phone and checked something on it.

“When are you going to get done with this? Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?” 

“Yeah, don't worry about it. I'll be fine. Do you need to be somewhere else?”

“Unfortunately, yes. My parents are out for some work and they want me to babysit my sister and she wants to watch some animated series. I thought you would like to spend time with her too and watch that stupid series with her.” He sighed.

The sole qualities I established about him were his remarkable dedication towards his work, family, friends, and most importantly, his sister. Men who treated their family and ethics rightly automatically made them hundred times attractive. He would always make time for his younger sister, irrespective of his load of work and responsibilities and that held a special, irreplaceable spot in front of my eyes.

“I wish I could. But don't worry, you'll be an excellent companion for her to watch that cute series, whatever that is. Anyway, which series?” I asked as I unzipped my purse to take out my phone.

“A small girl with wings, something of that sort. Ah yes, Tinkerbell.” He informed me.

I paused my motion and stood stationary for a while. It's been a while since I last heard of that name.

Memories flashed in front of my eyes and I struggled to keep my tears intact. I didn't think about him as much as I would have liked, but trips down the memory lane would return an enormous amount of pain that I didn't wish to abide. I swallowed heavily as lumps formed on my throat, choking me.

“Are you okay, Maya?” Niall's concerned voice pulled my attention.

“Huh? Uh-Yeah. I am. Why'd you ask?”

“You spaced out for a minute. Are you sure you are okay?”

“Yeah, I am. Please don't worry about me. You go and drop Mindy and head towards your house to your sister. I'll take a cab and go home.” I assured him.

“Fine. Just give me a text when you head out and reach, okay? Don't forget.”

“I will go now.”

“Hey, you two corny lovebirds, are you done? I have places to grace with my presence. Now, move your asses to your respective places they should rather be right now.” Mindy yelled, her body half popping out of the window.

“Is she always this hot-headed?” I asked curtly.

“Apparently.” He winked and jogged back toward the driver seat. He got in and waved at me as he ignited the engine and drove off.

I let in a deep breath and let my limbs take me to the memorized corner of the huge building that I referred to as ‘Oasis of secrets’, the therapy room where people claim it to be their healing and overcoming corner. I shot the sweet receptionist a cheerful smile and she reciprocated with a smile and a nod. I walked towards the lift and tapped my fingers on my crossed arms. An old lady stood behind me and I smiled at her as well. The lift clicked open and we entered it. I pressed the button to the 12th floor and waited. 

The most annoying thing about lifts would be when it stopped at every damn floor when you intended to reach the top floor, especially when the 5th-floor visitor aimed to reach the 6th floor. 

It took me 7 minutes and 36 seconds to reach the 12th floor and I whined internally. I shudder my head and gulped sharply as I began to walk towards the last corner room of the floor. The silver nameplate on the door read Sophia Baeder. 

I let in a deep breath and twisted the doorknob, asking if I could get in, and I did.

I hoped I could pull it out today.

Hey guys! Here I am with another update. Some of you, or should I say, a lot of you wanted a comeback of Niall and so here I am, presenting you, as you can already figure, another love interest in the story. *wink wink*

It's so obvious that Niall is into her and Maya... She might have got attracted to this hot guy after living in his house for one and a half years.

Will he actually get between Shamaya and sweep Maya away from Shawn or will the cards turn around. I guess we'll have to find out.

Dropdown your views on this chapter.

Don't forget to tap on the star icon right at the bottom.

Feel free to vote and comment.

I'll see you guys soon.
Stay tuned♡.

~Loveya~( ˘ ³˘)♥