Emily's PoV:

My eyes felt heavy when I tried to open them. Gradually opening my eyes, I found myself in a hospital bed. The room was entirely silent except for the beeping of the ECG machine. A pulse monitor, blood pressure monitor and an IV was attached to my arm.

Painkillers must've been injected into my body, for I didn't feel uneasy and sore as before. I turned to the right side to get up from the bed, but paused to find Nick leaning his head on the mattress and sleeping peacefully.

I adored the serenity of his countenance and let him sleep for more time. His cuteness and charm couldn't control me from running my fingers through his soft hair. I leaned down and kissed his forehead which woke him up.

Inorder to not get caught, I came back to my original position and pretended like I hadn't gained consciousness. Nick yawned and stretched his arms. He must've been exhausted from looking after me.

How long was I actually in the hospital?

"Stop acting. I know you are awake." Nick commented, sitting next to me on the bed.

I gave up the act, "Whoa, so you were awake all this time?" Thinking what I did while he was asleep, made me embarrassed.

"Awake or asleep, you initiated a sexual act on me without without my consent. Oh my God, was I abused?" Nick crossed his arms across his chest dramatically.

"Bah...it was just a kiss on the forehead. Even brothers and sisters can kiss like that!" I exclaimed.

"Am I your brother?" He asked mockingly, folding his arms.

"No" I replied

Nick cleared his throat like he was about to declare a judgment, "You know what, I'm a person who believes in the concept of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."

"So?" I questioned doubtfully.

Without a warning, Nick leaned down and kissed my forehead. His serendipitous act made my heart thrum menacingly. My cheeks blushed red like a tomato.

"Also a kiss for a kiss" he completed the sentence after exhibiting a practical version of it.

"So, if a random drunk woman throws herself up on you, would you do the same to her?" I retaliated.

Nick sulked in annoyance, "Ah...look at you. Few minutes before you were being all kissy, now you are acting like a drill instructor. Those who think relationships are easy, must see you for a minute, they'll never get married for an eternity!"

"What? I wouldn't have been like this if you hadn't been... hadn't been such a high maintenance!" I shrieked.

Nick's lips twitched with a smile before he concealed it, "What? High maintenance? If I'm high maintenance, then you are the pinnacle, or the epitome of maintenance. I didn't leave the country at midnight when you were admitted in the hospital!"

Nick hit the nail on my head. I was dumbstruck and had no idea with what I should attack back. Instead I carried out my expertise, "Ouch...it hurts" I cried out in pretence to divert the topic.

"Em, what happened? Should I call the doctor?" Nick panicked. I thought he wouldn't fall for the act, but I was touched to see him taking my health issues seriously. "It's nothing Nick. Would be alright once I get some rest." I managed miserably.

"Move aside" he ordered. I didn't know for what he asked me to move, yet I did as he asked me to. Nick climbed into the sheets and enveloped his strong masculine arms around my body. "Stay like this for a moment, you'll be alright" he said, burying his forehead in the crook of my neck.

Nick didn't know he was actually killing me by being so close. My vitals might go haywire if he kept doing it. Yet I didn't want to let him go. He gave warmth to my body and mind that I've been lacking the whole time. Home wasn't just a place after all. It depends on the person who stays with us. And I found my home right there.

"Ahem...Nick how long I've been at the hospital?" I talked casually to make the situation not look awkward.

"Twenty four hours" replied Nick.

"Twenty four hours? Did my parents know?" I was astonished to know that I've been unconscious for an entire day.

"They visited yesterday evening. Only one person was allowed to stay, so I was given the job." Nick mumbled. He was supposed to make me rest, instead he was sleeping comfortably.

"Whoa...when did my parents become so liberal?" I wondered.

Nick laughed with a snort which tickled me neck, "Everyone seems to like me except you."

"Did I ever tell I didn't like you?" I queried, scrunching my eyebrows in inquisition.

"You like me?" Nick looked up at my face curiously.

I pressed my lips to a thin line, "You have any doubt in that?"

"You shouldn't answer a question with a question. Give me an answer. Do you like me?" He repeated.

"I do" I nodded.

"Then don't leave me alone anytime" Nick's request made my throat choke. At that moment I felt the responsibility of a mother. I need to protect him at any cost.

A random thought out of nowhere brought hesitation to my mind, "Nick, if you were to face a grave danger in life because of me, would you still hold on?"

"Yes. You are the last person in the planet who makes me warm. I'd rather die in the warmth than live cold for the rest of my time." Nick answered without any second thought.

My eyes glistened, "Stop talking nonsense. I will not let anything happen to you."

"I know" Nick smiled and drifted off to a realm of dreams.

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I was discharged from the hospital that evening. Rib fractures would heal by themselves with proper rest and medication, so there wasn't any necessity for me to stay longer at the hospital. Nick paid the bill and waited for me at the reception. The nurse helped me to change and took me to the reception in a wheelchair.

"Hey beautiful" Nick winked at me, holding my wheelchair. My cheeks heated up at his public display of affection.

"You can take the wheelchair till the parking lot and leave it over there" instructed the nurse.

"You have worked so hard to take care of my girlfriend. It would be rude of me to give you extra work." Nick scooped me from the wheelchair and carried me in his arms.

The nurse giggled, "Thank you for the consideration" she said and took the wheelchair back.

Nick carried me all the way to the Jeep. It was his subtle way of letting everyone know that I was his girlfriend. He made me sit in the shotgun and buckled the seatbelt.

Nick started the engine and drove away from the hospital, "When did you turn into a Romeo?" I enquired.

"Since you turned into my Juliet." Nick said with a face full of merriment.

"Aww...when did my little Nick learn all these cringe worthy pick up lines?" I grilled him sarcastically.

Nick grinned, "As a boyfriend, I shouldn't be lacking in anything for my girl."

I covered both of my cheeks with my hand, "Ah...stop it. You're making me blush."

Nick chortled gleefully and remained silent for the rest of the journey. I started smelling smoke when Nick drove in the opposite direction from the usual route to home, "Nick where are we going?"

"Suspense" said Nick.

We came to a halt after a few minutes of driving through the city. "Here's our destination" announced Nick. His plan suddenly dawned in my head.

The bottom of my stomach churned with anticipation and it became harder to breathe, "Nick I'm not coming. Please don't do this to me" I pleaded. I was not ready to face it yet.

Nick calmly entwined his fingers with mine, "Emily, do you trust me?"

I looked deep into his eyes and nodded my head.

"If you have trust that I'd never let you down, come with me" he said earnestly. Nick was right. He was there for me. There is no need to panic. Holding his arm tightly, I walked headstrong into the zone of accident from twelve years ago.

It was our former home. Since Nick's accident took place right before our home, his bloodstains were visible on the road for few days. I was driven insane by looking at road everyday. My parents decided to move from the locality for my sake. From then, this was the first time I visited the place.

The building was out for sale in the market so it was currently unoccupied. Nick opened the gate and made me sit on the bench in the garden, "Wait here, I will be back in a moment" said Nick.

I caught hold of his wrist, "Don't go" Because the last time he left, he never returned. Nick smiled, "Don't be afraid. Trust me, I will come back" he assured.

I started biting my nails when it was already two minutes and Nick didn't come back yet. My mind imagined all sorts of scenarios within the short span of time. Unable to wait, I rose from the bench to go and check for him.

"Wait there" Nick screamed, dashing through the gate. He ran to me like a flash of lightning. I was completely relieved.

The curse is finally revoked!

I slouched on the bench, letting out a deep breath. Nick panted with his hands on his knees, "I knew... you'd be panicked... that's why... ran so fast" he gave hints in between each pant to comprehend his sentence.

"Whew...cool down champ." I laughed heartily.

"Don't call me a champ!" Nick protested.

"You called me a kiddo the first time we met!" I fought back.

Nick rolled his eyes, "Call it even?"

"Okay" I agreed.

Unexpectedly, Nick got down on his knees, "Emily I have an apology overdue for twelve years. It's better late than never."

I covered my mouth using my palm. I was totally awestruck by his continuous revelation of surprises throughout the day. Nick took a flower that was perched on his back pocket. It wasn't any ordinary flower. It was the same kind from last time.

Nick extended the flower, "Emily Greene, I apologize for being such a big jerk to you on January 27, 2007. I hope you would forgive me for the mistake and accept the pure love for you in my heart."

I accepted the flower and placed my hands on his shoulders, "Sir Nick henceforth you are given a pardon and knighted to protect this damsel. I accept you for who you are."

"Really?" Nick's eyes welled up with tears, "You don't want me to change?"

"Never. I love you for who you are and I would love to spend the rest of my life with you." I confessed.

Nick laid his head on my lap and broke out into tears. Having faith on me, he let out all the burden in his heart. If Nick's mother was looking at him from heaven, she would be definitely happy.

I realized that sometimes even a knight in distress, would require a damsel in shining armour.

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A/N: Hola dear readers. Hope you all liked this new chapter. Please do comment your views. Also I think all of you got the meaning behind the title of the book.

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