"Akira!!!"

"Akira, where are you lost?"

"Akira, can you hear me?"

Raymond said and snapped his fingers in front of her. She seemed to be in some sort of trance with her mouth all open and her eyes closed.

Akira snapped out of a daze and saw Raymond standing just a foot away from her.

"Why... why are you standing so far away right there? You were standing near me, right here right?", she asked all astonished.

"What do you mean?", Raymond asked as he couldn't understand what she was trying to convey.

She instantly touched her lips and realized that the whole thing was in her head. That kiss that drained all the blood out of her, that kiss that reverberated through her bones, that kiss that made her heart go limp was only just a dream. How could he creep into her thoughts and kiss her like her lips belonged to him, to begin with? She couldn't understand the plethora of emotions which were twining along her heart and her mind.

Seeing him standing so far away at a distance somehow made her so sad that she could feel the weight of the tears getting ready to break the barriers and rush out. Her heart longed for that kiss to happen. All that she could do was to ponder how softly his lips could have touched hers, how did he taste, she wished so badly for him to take a voyage inside her mouth. She wanted their tongues to twine and engage in a dance but alas it was only just a passing thought in her head.

"Sorry I was just lost in some thoughts", she said

"What thoughts and why do you look so flushed", he asked.

"What?", she said and touched her cheeks. Indeed she was hot.

"Ah, nothing maybe I am just famished", she said and resigned from her seat on the kitchen slab.

"Come, we will share whatever food we have", Raymond said and picked up the casserole and went towards the dining table.

Her sultry eyes started him as he walked. She started admiring his towering figure and sighed. How bad she wished the dream of hers to last just a few seconds more. Dejected, she closed the chapters of longing and desire and then followed him to the dining area.

They ate in harmony together talking about all random stuff. He watched her eating every single morsel and was beyond pleased to have her company. He thanked his stars for making today happen.

They were like a perfect couple who shopped together, cooked together, ate together and did the dishes together. They didn't realize when time passed by so soon and it was already late for her to go back home.

He didn't realize when they reached her place. Time had raced so fast and they didn't realize that it was time to say goodnight to each other and part their ways. He stopped his car and came outside to open the door for her, but she had already opened it and had gotten out of the car.

"You are too chivalrous Mr.Raymond, but you don't need to open the door for me?", she said and giggled.

He turned towards her. He wasn't able to see or hear anything apart from her. Nothing in the surrounding bothered him. Neither the passing by cars nor the ruffling sound made by the leaves. His heart was just not ready to go back home alone. He didn't want to spend one second of his life without her. He didn't want to breathe the air that was not kissed by her lips. He didn't want to listen to any sound which was not hers. His heart just wanted her, all of her.

He had resisted the demons lurking within him the whole day. He didn't want to cave in but seeing her on the verge of departing he just couldn't stay still.

"I am not chivalrous, to begin with. Don't take me granted as the nice guy", Raymond said, with his tone all devious and sultry but with a serious undertone.

"Well isn't that up to me to decide", Akira said and smiled gently. Her dimple spread beautifully on her face and made her look so alluring.

He clenched his fist and his jaws were tightened and walked slowly towards her. He didn't even blink once and his vision didn't even stary an inch.

"Why are you walking this slow? Is it some kind of a joke that I am unable to get? ", she asked curiously with her heart starting to spin faster and faster with his approaching steps.

"So that you don't scared and run away", he said and placed his left hand on her belly and he pushed her gently on the car. With his right hand, he tucked the stray strands of hair behind her ears and then held up her face ever so gently like it was a hidden treasure. Her eyes were wide open in shock and she stared at him. He looked into her eyes and the gentleness in them soothed her heart and pacified all the doubts and questions sprouting inside her mind. He bent down and kissed on her forehead gently. His lips stayed there for a while before detaching themselves.

He saw her wither with his touch. Her eyes closed and her lips quivered. When she opened her eyes, he could see them slightly moist. She was like a maze to him, the more he wanted to trace his path back, the more he was lost. He didn't know what magic those eyes of her did, but he leaned in again. His nose rested near the left side of her nape, his lips grazing here and there and then he inched a bit closer and kissed her cheeks. He didn't linger for long this time as he knew it was not safe for him. He was scared to succumb to his desires, he was scared of how she would reciprocate. His hands which were earlier cupping her face slid down and lifted her chin.

He was happier than all the happiness that could ever be amassed. His heart fluttered to see the color spreading in her cheeks. He smiled slightly and said,

"Good Night !!! and thanks for today !!!".

She stood there not knowing whether it was day or night. Her head still reeling with his touch. Her lips parted and she gasped for air. She touched her cheek where he had kissed her so gently and blushed all red.

But it looked like Raymond wasn't done playing with her. He snapped his fingers in front of her and said,

"Give me back something in return!!!".

Her tongue got tied and she turned all scarlet upon hearing him speak. He too knew it was too much for her to handle. He left her there and turned towards the driver's seat and said,

"I am feeling very magnanimous today. So I give you three days to pay me back".

She stood there all glued to the ground and saw him turn his car and come around. He pulled the window down and said,

"Three days!!! I am counting".