Daisy eventually lay down beneath the blankets, deliberately placing a pillow between them before turning her back to him.
"Don't try to cross the line."
She warned quietly.
"Or I'll slap you."
Halish smirked, clearly amused by her firm threatening words.
"I'll respect your boundaries."
He said softly.
"But could you at least face me?
I can't sleep."
His voice was low, teasing, restrained by the lateness of the hour.
Daisy remained silent for a moment, then slowly turned to face him.
"Do you want some milk then?"
She asked.
"It's already four in the morning. You'll be exhausted if you don't sleep yet."
Halish shook his head, a playful glint in his eyes.
"It's fine. I'd rather to talk to you.. get to know you better."
Daisy frowned slightly, studying him.
"And why do you want to know me?"
"Curiosity."
"I know you're curious."
She replied, unimpressed.
"I'm asking why you're curious."
Halish rolled his eyes at her persistence. He wasn't ready to reveal his feelings – especially when they only just met. Also he didn't want her to think he was playing with her.
"I already told you. Just curious."
Daisy felt a flicker of irritation of his stubbornness and opened her mouth to reply, but Halish spoke up first, his gaze sharpening.
"Then tell me something. Where did you get all those snacks earlier if you didn't go on a date? And those girls look pretty suspicious."
"Your uncle gave me one thousand rupees."
She replied calmly.
"I spent five hundred on snacks. The rest were bought by those girls' boyfriends."
Halish narrowed his eyes slightly.
"And you let them buy snacks for you? Why?"
She scoffed softly.
"Is that your business?"
She said.
"Stop talking about it and sleep, okay?"
Her indifferent tone stirred irritation – and jealousy in him. The thought of other men spending money on her made his chest tightened.
"Just tell me one thing."
He asked quietly.
"Do you have a boyfriend... or someone you love?"
"I don't."
She replied simply.
"I don't even look at boys or men, little bro."
Halish blinked in surprised. Relief washed over him, followed by an unexpected happiness at her words.
"Good."
He murmured to himself.
Daisy spoke again, voice firm but gentle.
"I said sleep. And don't make any sound when my family wakes up."
Halish let out a small huff in amusement and finally closed his eyes. Knowing she was innocent, untouched, and trusting enough to let him stay filled with a quiet warmth. The urge to protect her from the world, from anything that might hurt her – settled deep in his chest.
As they slept, a few minutes passed by.
Halish felt something soft brushing against his face. Slowly, he opened his eyes and saw Daisy continued to lie beside him. She was smiling gently, her fingers tenderly caressed his cheeks.
"C-Che.. Daisy...?"
His voice trembled, cheeks burning red. He couldn't believe she was touching him like that – so soft, so fondly. A wide grin spread across his face.
"You are awake..."
He whispered.
Daisy continued to trace his features, her hand sliding into his hair, stroking it gently. Halish closed his eyes, relaxing into her touch. His right arm wrapped around her waist, the other resting around her shoulder.
"I'm awake."
She said playfully.
"But you look like you need more sleep."
Halish tightened his hold, pulling her closer, his fingers brushing along her side.
"Yeah... but.."
He whispered near her face.
"I really want to kiss you right now."
Her face flushed deeply at his boldness and closeness. Still, she kept playing with his hair, her voice shy and quiet.
"Then do it..."
Halish's eyes lit up. He squeezed his eyes, heart racing. Slowly, he leaned closer, just about to press his lips to her –
– Smack –
A sharp slap landed on his shoulder.
Halish startled awake, eyes flying open. He shot upright, only to see Daisy standing beside the bed, arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed as she glared down at him.
"What the heck are you doing?"
She snapped.
"Get up."
He blinked several times, reality crashing down on him. The warmth, the touch, the kiss – gone.
Disappointed settled heavily in his chest as he realized it had all been nothing more than a dream.
He slowly sat up on the bed, looking up at her.
"Che Daisy...
He muttered, sulking.
Daisy raised an eyebrow, staring at him with her hands planted firmly on her waist.
"No che Daisy."
She said.
"Now let's talk about how you are going to escape from here. Everyone's awake."
Halish let out a small huff of disappointed, fidgeting with the blanket as he looked down.
"Fine. You decide. I don't know anything."
Daisy rolled her eyes.
"Do it the same way you did earlier."
He let out a quiet whimper, about to protest, but Daisy cut him off.
"Leave before my dad wakes up. It's 7:04 am. He'll be up any minute – and he always comes to checked my room is clean or not."
Halish felt silent. He wanted to stay longer, to spend a little more time with her, but she was right. He didn't want to cause trouble – especially for her.
With a soft sighed, he mumbled.
"Okay.. but give me your number."
Daisy nodded.
"Yeah."
Halish's eyes lit up at her easy agreement. He quickly pulled out his phone, waiting eagerly.
After Daisy told him her number, he saved it under the name 'Love'.
A faint grin curved his lips as he looked back up at her.
"I'll go now, che Daisy."
He said softly.
"Please pick up my calls... and reply to my messages."
Daisy simply nodded.
"Just go- quickly. Or face the consequences."
Halish let out a small sulky huff before turning away. He slipped out of her room, quietly escaping the house without anyone noticing.
Moments later, he was driving back to his uncle's house, a lingering smile still on his face.
An hour later, Halish pulled into the garage. He stepped out of the car and walked quietly into the house.
As he tried to go inside the house by unnoticed, Mangal's voice stopped him.
"Wait, young man."
Halish froze, then turned around, curiously flickering in his eyes.
Mangal and Leisilembi were sitting on chairs at the courtyard, having tea and breakfast. Mangal gestured him to come closer. Halish walked toward them, stopping just a few steps away.
Worry was clear on Leisilembi's face.
"Where were you, young man?"
She asked anxiously.
"We were worried sick when you weren't in your room. It's already 8:20 in the morning."
Halish's heart skipped. He didn't know how to excuse. But he couldn't tell the truth – if they know he'd spent the night at Daisy's room, they might misunderstand everything.
After a brief pause, he replied calmly.
"I was bored, so I went to watch the farewell fireworks."
Their concern deepened instead of easing. Mangal spoke gently but firmly.
"Then why didn't you tell us? We could have gone together. What if something bad happened to you?"
Guilt washed over Halish. He lowered his head slightly.
"I'm sorry, Uncle.. Aunt. I'll let you know next time."
Their expression softened at his apology. Mangal smiled faintly.
"Good. Go brush up and take a bath. Breakfast is already ready."
Halish nodded and headed toward his room instead.
They watched him leave, exchanging worried glances.
"Darling.."
Leisilembi said softly.
"I can't help but worry about him when he does things like this."
Mangal nodded.
"I'm worried too. If he keeps acting this way, he might lose his direction – like many boys these days. He's also a foreigner after all. A new place makes anyone curious. But we should keep an eye close to him."
Leisilembi nodded in agreement. They continued talking quietly.
Meanwhile, in his room, Halish lay sprawled across the bed, starting at his phone screen –at Daisy's number. A foolish grin tugged at his lips.
He hesitated, then tapped her name and dialed.
– Disconnected.
His heart dropped.
He stared at the screen, panic creeping in.
After a moment, he decided to text instead.
"Che Daisy, why did you block my number?
Please unblock my number."
The message showed delivered. He tossed the phone onto the bed, then quickly wrapped himself in the blanket.
Moments later, he peeked out, eyes glued to the screen.
He waited, hoping for the familiar *ding* that would tell him she replied.
The minutes passed with no reply. Halish grew restless. He hadn't even brushed his teeth or taken a bath, all because he'd been waiting for her message – and still nothing.
Frustration bubbled inside him.
He grabbed his phone and typed again.
"Please, che Daisy. Please text back and unlock my number."
After sending them, he tossed the phone onto the bed again and forced himself to leave.
Inside the bathroom, he brushed his teeth hurriedly, unable to calm his racing thoughts.
'Had she replied?
Was she ignoring me?'
The anxiety made him finish his shower in barely two minutes.
He rushed back to his room, heart pounding, and snatched up his phone.
No reply.
Devastation hit him. He sank onto the bed and typed again, fingers trembling.
"Please, che Daisy.
Please unblock.
Please, please, please.
I just want to talk.
Che Daisy!
Che Daisy!"
He knew he was acting ridiculous– too desperate, too needy – but he couldn't stop himself.
With a defeated sigh, he set the phone aside, got dressed, and slowly headed out for breakfast.
Meanwhile, Daisy lay comfortably on her bed beneath the three thick fluffy blankets. She was watching anime on her phone, looking entirely unbothered.
When Halish's messages kept popping up, she groaned in irritation.
'This brat... so annoying. He's disturbing my peace. He should've stopped disturbing someone if they show disinterest in him.
How annoying this brat.'
Out of pity, she unlocked his number and typed a reply.
"My phone blocks unknown numbers. I also was washing bedsheets and blankets so I didn't hear your text coming."
With that excuse sent, Daisy turned her attention back to her anime, as if nothing else mattered.