Chapter 19

ZACK POV

I still couldn’t keep my mind off Zara even after settling down in Harvard. I still keep in touch with her through e-mails, telling her about my life in Harvard. We would discuss about everything except our feelings towards each other. My heart itches to tell her how much I missed and love her.

A year went by with such a dull and boring year for me even though I have made a lot of new friends. I didn’t go back home during break but spend time at my grandparents place instead and at the same time working in his company. I didn’t have the heart to go back and meet Zara again when I know she’s not mine anymore. My heart still ached for her and the only way to mend it is by avoiding her. Well I hope so.  My parent would come up for Christmas as we normally do every year. They never question or ask why I didn’t come home. I managed to hide my feelings from them and whenever I’m with them I would show my cheerful self and act as if I have put everything behind.

Zara finally graduated from high school and was accepted by Yale just like she’s wanted. She was so happy when she told me the news. I was happy for her as she was for me when I told her mine. We still keep communicating during her first 2 months there. She would tell me about her college, studies and the students there. She would tell me how she met new people from various countries and make friends with each and every one of them. I’m not surprise as Zara is a beautiful girl and easy to get along with. Even in school everyone love to be friends with her and guys dream of being her boyfriend. I suddenly freak out thinking about this. What if she suddenly found someone new there? Someone who better than me? Would I be able to accept it when she tells me she’s found someone new?

“You don’t look like you old self, Zack,” Grandpa said to me one day when I came to visit him during weekends. “Anything’s wrong?”

I shook my head, “No,” I lied.

“Girlfriend problem?” he asked.

I chuckled, “I don’t have any girlfriend, Grandpa,” I told him.

“A handsome and good looking guy like you don’t have a girlfriend?” he teased. “It’s hard to believe. Girls dream to be with us, the Harrison men,” he said proudly. Now you know where dad and I got that arrogant attitude from.

I laughed, “Yeah, they do. Don’t they?”

“So, are you going to tell me about her?” he asked again.

I sighed, “Her name is Zara, but we’ve broke off on the day I was coming here,” I told him and I relate the rest of the story about me and Zara and reason why we broke off.

“Hmm, the girls seem to be wiser than us men,” he chuckled. “Do you know, your mom did the same thing when your father was accepted by Harvard?” he chuckled.

Nodding my head I replied, “Yeah, I know, she told me.”

“You know what happened to your dad?” he asked.

“No, I don’t,” I shook my head.

“Well, your dad was devastated like you. Well maybe you are stronger than your dad but your dad was worst. He cried almost every day. Your grandma was so worried about him because he had turned so skinny because he won’t eat, sleep but just cried. I finally had enough with all the drama and put some senses to your dad,” he chuckled. “Good thing he listened to what I’ve said and right after he finished his college, he went back and win you mom all over again.”

I looked at Grandpa, “What did you say to him?”

“I’ve told him this and I want you to listen to me too,” he said looking directly at me, “Both of you are still young. There a lot of things in your life. You’ll meet new people along the way and making new friends. Give your heart a chance to get to know others and let her have that chance too.”

“Let her be on her own, Zack,” Grandpa continued. “Leave her alone and let her heart made its own decision. Sometimes people only realized what they’re missing when we let them be. You’ll make better decision when you are left alone and let your heart take control of everything. Always listen to your heart not your head. You won’t regret it in the future, because you know you have given both of you a chance. If you heart already knows she is the one for you, then go and get her back.”

“But, what if she tells me she met someone else?” I sighed.

“If she does, then you seduced her back to you,” he said seriously.

“Easy for you to say,” I smirked, “Do you know that I have to use all my charms to get her,” I told him and he laughed.

“Well, use your charms again,” he said laughing, “If she is meant for you, you’ll have her if not then you both are not meant to be and you have to accept that fact. Everyone in this world is made for each other. We are made in partners. There’s someone for everyone.”

Hearing Grandpa advised, I stopped communicating with her, telling her that I’m busy with my studies. I tried to give myself a chance getting to know someone else but my heart keep telling me no. Zara was the only one for me. Realizing this, I buried myself with my studies, assignment, college’s project and activities. I made myself involve with all the charities work held by the college and work during break making myself busy all the time so that I could forget about Zara, but no avail. Every time when I’m alone especially at night, my mind would wonder around her. Wondering what she’s doing and whom she with but keep on praying that she has not replace me with someone else in her heart.

Keeping myself busy has done good things for me. I felt time flies fast and before I knew it, 4 years has passed. I’ve graduated from my degrees and was selected as the best overall student. Both my parent and grandparent were proud of me. I wish Zara was around to celebrate my achievement. I know she will be proud of me too.

Even though I have not been in touch with Zara, I’ve been updated about her well being. Yeah, good thing I have my best friend back home. That’s right, Brad. He and Jenny went to the same college and they are still together, lucky for them. I really envied them both. Brad would update me with all information about Zara with Jenny’s help of course. They even forward Zara latest photo to me. Zara would go back home during breaks and Christmas. The most important thing I found out that she’s still wearing my gold charm bracelet, meaning she has not found someone to replace me in her heart just like me.

I thought of going home after my graduation so that I could see my Zara again but Jenny informed me that Zara won’t be coming home during her final year break and Christmas as she will be involved in the charities activities conducted by her college. She’ll be coming home only after her graduation. It seems that she’s too getting herself busy with all the activities and college project. Does this means, she’s too trying to make herself busy so that she could forget about me? Does this means she still in love with me?

Thinking that I won’t see Zara that year, I decided to accept Grandpa’s suggestions that I continue working with him. Gain some experience he said so that I could easily help dad in his company later.

A year passed and I found out that Zara finally graduated and she was also named the best overall student for her college. I was so happy with her achievement. I’ve has asked Jenny to check for me whether she’s still wearing my gold charm bracelet and I so thrilled when Jenny said yes. She’s been wearing it with her all the times and only takes it off when she’s taking a shower.

I’ve decided to go back home that year and Grandpa couldn’t agree more.

“I’m proud of you Zack,” he said. “You have done well with yourselves.”

“Thanks Grandpa,” I hugged him, “It’s all because of you.”

“So, what are you going to do now?” he asked smiling at me.

“Well, he’s going to bring his bride to us,” injected Grandma smiling sweetly at me. “Her name Zara, right?”

I laughed, “Yeah, you are so right.”

“Hmm, I can’t wait to meet her,” said Grandpa.

“You’ll going to love her,” I said confidently.

“I’m sure we do,” said Grandma, “I’ve actually seen her picture. She’s beautiful.”

“What?” I asked, “Where did you see it?”

She smiles teasingly at me, “In your room, in your hand phone, in your computer, and also in your wallet.”

“Oh, you are a sneaky old woman,” I joking scolded her, “You sneaked into my things.”

“Hey, I couldn’t wait to see the girl who has captured my grandson’s heart,” she laughed.

I laughed and hugged her, “Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed for me.”

“Don’t worry,” she said, “I know she’ll be yours.”

“And remember,” added Grandpa, “If she has someone else, seduce her. Use the Harrison’s charm, to get her back into your arms,” he teased.

I laughed again, “Yeah, most definitely.”