Ever since Zayan messaged me yesterday saying that he has something to tell me, I've been imagining all possible scenarios. The truth is, I hate suspenses, surprises or secrets — call it whatever you want, but anything that requires me to wait and make guesses, annoys me! I'm too impatient for things like that.

Why couldn't he have just told me whatever it is via text? I mean, I understand if it's a sensitive issue like firing me or him dying, it requires a face-to-face conversation. But if it's anything else, I will seriously get mad.

Anyway, here I am now at Second Chance waiting for Mr. Perfect Jawline to make his confession but he hasn't come yet. Apparently, he will be here in five minutes. It's been three minutes since he said that. I hope he makes it on time.

"Hey Ilhaam! How are you?" says Zayan as I scroll through my Instagram. I look up to find his jawline perfect as ever, his smile as infectious as ever and his eyes so full of life as always. Man, I did miss seeing his face. Too much of perfection in one person!

"Hey..umm..I'm good. How are you?" I ask. It's been four months and I still stutter at times when I talk to him. Ugh! When will I stop doing it? Perhaps after he fires me today. I've been thinking a lot about how I would react if he says he doesn't to work with me anymore. One, I would be hit financially because he is my highest-paying client at the moment and the other, I would be affected mentally too because I won't get to see the sharp jawline anymore. Sad!

"I'm great. Here you go. This is for you and the kids" says Zayan, handing over a bag to me, as he takes a seat. Okay, now what? I did not ask for anything. Plus, what's this reference about 'kids'? Is he talking about my niblings?

I open the bag to find chocolates. But this time, it's not just normal adult chocolates, but a lot of Kinder Joy too! Damn! No wonder the kids love it. Even I'm excited to see it. But still, why would Zayan give me this now? Is he trying to send me away with good vibes because he is about the end the deal with me?

"But I didn't even ask for it" I say looking confused. Zayan smiles and says, "It's mainly for the kids. They asked for it last time. So you can't deny it. Give it to them." Did he actually remember what my niblings told him four months back? That's crazy and sweet. Extremely sweet. Man, I love his kindness! "Thanks. They will love it. Means a lot" I say with a smile. "My genuine pleasure" says Zayan.

And he asks, "So you ready for the discussion?" I say, "Uh yeah I think so." Obviously dude. That's why I'm here. "Any guesses as to what it might be about?" asks Zayan giving me a straight face without a smile. Damn! This really looks like a serious discussion now. I'm about to lose my first client. It's okay. Things happen. I will be fine.

"Uh..I think I have a few guesses" I say. "Like what? Tell me your biggest guess" says Zayan with a slight smile. Ugh! Why can't he just tell it himself? What's with this guessing game? I gather my courage and say, "I think you are going to cancel our deal. I'm not sure. I don't know. Is it that?"

"Why would I do that?" asks Zayan raising his eyebrows. Now, does this mean 'yes' or 'no'? He is just confusing me more. "I don't know. Maybe you found someone better to handle Second Chance's marketing" I say. Zayan shakes his head and says, "Seriously, Ilhaam? That's your biggest guess? I'm sorry to tell this but you are wrong and you just disappointed me for the first time."

Okay, now I do not know whether to feel happy or sad about this. On one hand, it's good news that the deal is not off. But on the other hand, he just said that I disappointed him. And mind you, I hate disappointing people, especially guys with jawlines like that!

"But you said that you wanted to meet me and talk. So, that's why I assumed that" I say awkwardly. "I mean how? If I wanted to cancel the deal, I would've simply written an email, right? Didn't it occur to you even once that it might be something more than that?" asks Zayan.

Oh, wait. I get it now. What's more important than the deal discussion is something about his life. So, I was right with my second guess. He is indeed unwell. This is sad. How am I even going to have this conversation now? What if I end up crying?

"Zayan, I'm so sorry. I guessed it could be this but then didn't want to ask you" I say sadly. Zayan just gives me a look and doesn't say anything, as if he expects me to talk more. So, I continue to speak, "Life isn't always fair and I know having this conversation must be hard for you. But you have to face it. And I'm glad that you chose to openly discuss about it with me. I'm here to listen. Just go ahead."

Zayan looks confused and he doesn't utter a single word. Awww, my poor boy. He is unable to speak because he is too sad. This was never him before. He always used to be an annoying extrovert who could just speak endlessly at anytime he feels like. This behavior of his is understandable. Nobody likes to die, right? Wonder what his disease is.

"Did you have any idea that this was happening?" I ask. I don't expect him to answer immediately. But I must somehow persuade him to say something, right? "Sort of. But I had to be sure and the time I spent in Australia helped me figure it out" says Zayan finally with a smile. Damn! Even at this time he makes it a point to smile. And he brought me chocolates too. How sweet!

I sigh and ask, "Okay. So any last wishes?" I know I sound dramatic as if I'm in a movie like 'The Fault In Our Stars' or 'A Walk To Remember' but hey, this guy has been so sweet to me and it's only fair that I do something nice to him. Zayan gives me a confused look and asks, "Last? Why last? And why do you sound so sad?"

Awww, he is so used to being a happy soul that he doesn't want to be sad even about this situation. He is desperately trying to be positive. "Zayan, I know you are this happy-go-lucky guy but you don't have to pretend like it's not making you sad. Just speak out your feelings" I say. Zayan raises his eyebrows and says, "I think you're mistaken. As far as I know, what I wanted to tell you is a happy thing and not something sad."

Okay, what? Is he happy about dying? That's so strange! "Dude, I know you have some deadly disease and you are dying and it's not easy. But you don't have to act like you are feeling normal. Just tell me the truth" I say. Honestly, did I call my client 'dude'? What's wrong with me? Perhaps it's okay. After all, he thinks of me as a close friend and wants to discuss such important details of his life with me.

Zayan laughs and says, "I have what? How did you even come up with that drama queen? God! Ilhaam, I'm not dying. At least I'm not aware of anything like such." And he continues to laugh. Wow. So he's not dying. And my guess was wrong again. Now, I feel so stupid for even thinking of that. Actually I'm embarrassed. And I'm confused as hell now. If both my guesses are ruled out, what could his confession be about then? Probably something work-related.

"Okay fine. Stop laughing. Why don't you just tell it yourself?" I ask. Zayan continues to laugh and finally says, "I told you that I was leaving to Australia for personal reasons, right?" I nod. Then he continues to speak, "So my sisters and dad want me to get married and they asked me to check a few proposals they had found—" and before he could finish his sentence, his phone rings and he excuses himself to answer it.

Damn! Is he getting married? Is that what he wanted to discuss about? But why tell me that? What am I even going to do knowing it? I mean, no offense but the cool development in his love life does not excite me a bit. So, there's no point in him trying to show off his new fiancée to me.

Zayan hangs up and says, "Sorry, I had to take this call. Anyway, what I wanted to tell you is that—" when I stop him with, "I know. You are getting married. Congratulations! I'm totally not feeling upset at all. It's cool. Happy for you!"

He gives me a weird look and I realize what I've done. Gosh! Did I just reveal my true feelings by talking too much? It's not like I'm jealous or anything. But maybe a little sad because I will have to stop crushing on him once he gets married. That's all. Nothing else.

"No, that's not it. The truth is I wasn't interested in any of them" says Zayan. Okay, now what? How can I help him in this situation? Does he expect me to speak to his family and find someone else for him? What am I? A matchmaker? Can't a 34-year old man stand up for himself? I just say "Oh" because this is lame and I truly don't know how else to respond.

"Ilhaam, I like you" says Zayan. Without giving much thought to his words, I smile and reply, "I like you too because you are a good client who always pays me on time." After an awkward silence, Zayan sighs and asks, "Are you seriously not getting what I say?" I shake my head in denial.

"I love you Ilhaam" says Zayan. As soon as I hear those words, my heart starts beating faster. And the butterflies in my stomach must be doing a Zumba dance because I totally feel breathless. I try to speak but no words come out of my mouth.

Is this happening for real? Did he just say that to me? Of course he did. He said my name and not anyone else's. But is it a prank or something? Because a guy like Zayan can never 'love' a girl like me. He's just too perfect and I'm too flawed. Perhaps he said 'I love you' as a client. Do clients do that? I don't know.

I keep staring at his face in total silence when he says, "For real, I love you Ilhaam, and that's why I wasn't interested in any of those proposals." Okay, this is very much real. Not a dream. But I feel super nervous. It's like I don't even want this to happen. I wish I could just escape from this place right now. I feel so uncomfortable.

I take a deep breath and finally start speaking but with a million pauses, "Umm..uh..I..uh..I..just..umm..I..don't know...uh...I might need some time." Phew that was so hard! Did I even make sense? Or did I keep swallowing all the important words?

Zayan smiles and says, "Yes, please. Take your time. I don't expect a response now itself. I just look forward to a positive one."

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So what do you think will be the drama queen's response? 🤔

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