Cristiano listened to her address the class and frowned, this is a class? He had been a good learner in his school days but he had always disliked school and studies. The teachers were usually horrible and he had to do a lot of self-study in his junior years because there was no one at home who could really help him. This is why he had always felt college would be hella tough but Zarine here was talking about something called post-structuralism and it was actually making sense to him.

She was a natural at this, he could see that. The students listened to her and she engaged well with the class, giving examples, cracking jokes. And I thought I was protecting her from working too hard. I was so wrong, she clearly enjoys this. It's like she is a footballer of academics and to take her away from this would have been cruel, just like I would feel if someone tried to pull me out of the World Cup or something. Hell, people did try and they did because they thought it was the best for me and I didn't listen, I played because even though it's fucking hard work, I love my job. And she loves her. And I get it.

The bell rang shrilly nearly blasting his eardrums, making him wince and jump. This was it. And he was scared but he let out a breath as he often did before critical penalties, telling himself what he always told himself in those situations-I can do this, I have to do this.

The students were taking forever to move out, slowly packing their books, cracking jokes and sleepily leaving the class. With astonishment, he saw Zarine getting ready to leave her desk and walk out too. A few students were lingering still but Cristiano could wait no longer. He walked inside and a boy who was walking out gave him a weird look.

A student had stopped Zarine and was probably clearing some doubts. She left saying, "Thank you, ma'am."

"No problem, Juliya," Zarine said, and he could hear her characteristic smile in her voice. She pulled the clasp on her slingbag and turned around.

"Hey," Cris greeted her sheepishly, looking at the floor quickly, avoiding her gaze.

She stepped back with surprise, "Cristiano!?"

He looked up at her hesitantly and he could have sworn she raised her hand a few inches as if to touch his cheek, like she liked to do when they were together but catching herself in time, she dropped it.

"I-Zarine-I-"

"How are you?" she asked, in a small voice. Looks like they were both finding it awkward and difficult to talk. "I didn't know you were in town."

He let out small laugh, "Yeah, only your family knows I'm in town right now."

"Oh," she really didn't know what was happening. All she knew was that her heart was thumping, threatening to break out of her ribs. Every vein in her body was burning with longing, with nostalgia. He was here. Why was he here? After everything, why was he here? He came, she could have laughed with the sudden shock and the euphoria that was spreading over her on the sight of him.

Of course, the bitter taste of their last fight, their one and only fight returned to her and she stood there confused, half parts hurt, half parts longing. Yes, she loved him. Yes, she wanted to be the strong, independent woman she was developing towards today. Yes, she had loved him enough to imagine a forever with him. And yes, she had applied for a job in Madrid once or twice in a moment of weakness. No, the applications didn't work out. No, her nights weren't easy yet. She missed him, what they had and what they could have had.

Cristiano disappeared from her universe, seemingly happy winning matches, newspapers filled with reports of their flings. She knew they were just rumours but sometimes she had given in to her apprehensions about whether he had ever valued her, what they had and what they could have had. He could have stopped her. Rationally. He didn't.

But she didn't regret her decision, ever. At least in that, she was satisfied.

"I am sorry," he finally said, softly and every word enunciated as if he had poured all of his soul into those three words.

She stared. He was sorry. He was sorry. He just said sorry to her! She breathed in and out, trying to process this. She'd had a long day with back-to-back classes and suddenly the possibility that he was a hallucination occurred to her. That happens in some movies right? Girl is heartbroken and then she starts seeing the hero everywhere because hallucinations.

Or maybe I am dreaming. Or maybe this is a dream-induced hallucination? Is that a thing? Does it happen to lovesick people? Where is Linda Goodman when you need her?

"Say something," he said, shifting uncomfortably.

She pinched herself. Ouch, definitely awake.

He ran a hand through his hair, worriedly, "I was out of line. I shouldn't have asked you to choose between me and your job, between Madrid and Delhi. I had no right to. Hell, this shouldn't even be something debatable. You have your own life and just because-" he gulped, "-just because I love you, I had no right to ask you to stay the way I did. A-and I'm sorry for even saying you tried to cheat on me with Felix. You know, I never even thought of it until then and even then I didn't really mean it. It just-I was stupid and selfish and I couldn't imagine living without you or with you so damn far away and in that moment, I just wanted to make you feel what I was feeling, betrayal, hurt, and I just said whatever came to mind and I'm so sorry."

He ran his tongue over his lips and his eyes were red as he blinked back tears, "I know, I know you hate me and I'm the last person you want to see on a long day at work but I couldn't live without letting you know that I was crazy that day and I'm not like that usually. I'm never like that but then I've never felt the same way I feel about you with anyone else nor will I ever and I want you to know this. That you're the best out there and it's my punishment for my behaviour that I had someone as precious in my life as you and I let you go. I regret it every single day. Every. Fucking. Day. I deserve it, I know. But you need to know I mean it when I say I'm sorry. I mean it, Zarine, I mean it."

"I can tell you mean it," she said her voice thick with emotion. She looked as if she was about to cry too. She gave a teary giggle, "Fangirl, remember? Got lie detectors in my head."

He was stumped. Shouting, screaming, insulting, crying...he had expected but this, this understanding, this-dare he say-forgiveness? He hadn't expected that. It made him feel very very small suddenly. Humbled. Even more aware of the lovely woman he had lost.

"That's good then," he rubbed his neck. "So, I'll just go now, I guess. I-um-"

"Cristiano Ronaldo!"

"What!? He's here?"

"Guys, Cristiano Ronaldo is here."

"Where is he?"

"I love you, Ronaldoooo."

"Messi is better than you, bitch."

"Hala Madrid!"

"Die, idiot!"

Cristiano and Zarine suddenly became aware of the shouts, the sound of cameras and running feet towards themselves. They turned towards the class and looking at the fast-gathering crowd which looked equally crazed and murderous and echoed, "Oh shit."

Out of nowhere a shoe whizzed towards Cristiano, accompanied with the shout of "Autograph my shoe, homie!" and if he hadn't ducked in time, it would have hit him squarely on the nose. A couple of girls lunged at his t-shirt for literally, a piece of him. He looked terrified at having been caught unawares. Also, he wasn't supposed to be anywhere but in Madrid at the moment. A small voice whispered, "You're going to get fired." And the another whisper, "That's great, now you can finally get over the long distance problem and ask Zarine to be your girlfriend. Problem solved. She could work and I would cook food and look after the house. I'll miss football but I suppose I can play it in the backyard with our little kids. Happily ever after." He nearly laughed aloud, despite the situation, at his imagination. There it was taking him from apology to children real quick. Well, he loved her.

"Cristiano," Zarine hissed. "Don't just stand there while they maul you. Run, idiot."

"Huh?"

She shook her head and grabbed him by his wrist and dragged him away from the crowd, the fans and haters all hot on their tails.

A large number of reporters also had appeared no doubt catching the headlines from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. "Mr. Ronaldo, can you tell us what you're doing in India when your team is practising for the upcoming match?" "Cristiano, does this mean you and Zarine Hasan have patched up after your large-scale break-up a couple of months ago?" "Mr. Ronaldo, does this mean that the rumours about your hot night with Ashley Gucci are just rumours?" "Mr. Ronaldo!" "Mr. Ronaldo!"

Zarine guided him through corridors and across floors trying to get rid of some really persistent fans and reporters while Cristiano's phone began to get flooded by calls and messages from Jorge Mendes, Perez, Gareth, James, Isco (who was very concerned for his ship), Arbeloa (love guru has duties, right?) and many others asking for an official statement at the current turn of events.

They went up the stairs to the third floor and right where the corridor divided in two opposing directions, Zarine pulled Cristiano into a small supply closet set in the wall. She clamped a hand over his mouth and listened attentively for the sound of running feet and shouts that went past them. Only when the sound diminished as people ran downstairs from the other end of the corridor did she relax and breathe, only to realise that her fingers were against his lips, his beautiful lips that her lips craved so much. She cleared her throat and jerked back only to get knocked against the brooms and buckets.

Cristiano lunged forward to catch her and instinctively pulled her close. They blushed in the dark and dingy cupboard where the lightbulb overhead looked as if it was in its last moments, the glare of the light at its dimmest.

She disentangled herself from his arms and made to move to open the cupboard but Cristiano caught her hand softly, "Please wait...if it's okay."

She didn't say anything but waited, thinking, HOLY SHIT I NEARLY KISSED HIM THERE. His arms ugh his arms around me. Too much to control. Besides he's said sorry, he looks like shit. Well, he's a handsome shit but nevertheless he does look sorry. I've forgiven him, he deserves a second chance. I'm not angry anymore. I stopped being angry long ago. I guess I just wanted to know he cared and respected me enough to apologise, to show me I mean something to him because I HAVE SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE TELLING EVERYONE HOW MUCH THIS IDIOT MEANS TO ME. So, what's he gonna say now? If he says something stupid, I'm gonna flip, I swear.

"When you left, I wondered if you ever really loved me. Stupid, I know. It's just that it's really difficult for me to believe that someone like you can like me in the way you do. I just realised it right now that I was wrong to even think otherwise. It could have taken ages for me to realise it and I don't want you to have any doubts on my part so I'm telling your right away even though I know you're not taking me back ever. Or are you? I don't know. No, let me say it, first. Reject me, later, please."

"I'm not-"

"I love you, Zarine. I love your smile. I love your laugh. I love your words, your ideas, your thoughts, your jokes, your everything and most importantly, you. I will love you always. It's difficult not to when all I think about all day is you. I missed you like I've never missed anyone else. So, know this, that I know how important your job is to you, how important your family and friends are to you and if I could take back time I would never ever going ask you to choose. I'd tell you that I believe in the strength of our love and that I would work, do my best to make this long distance thing work because I'd rather have some of you than none at all."

She smiling from ear to ear now, "Boy, you've changed."

"Hopefully for the better?"

"The great Cristiano Ronaldo always changes for the better," she quoted one of his ads.

He laughed, "Quit making me laugh. This is serious."

"Okay, okay, I was just going to say, I'm not going to reject you but you had to be all melodramatic and give the whole speech."

He couldn't believe his ears, "What do you mean not going to reject you?"

"This," she smiled and stood on her tip toes, put her arms around his neck and guided his lips to her own, kissing him. He stood there for a whole second, shocked and then mumbled against her lips, "Oh my God!"

She laughed, "Is that what you say to Gareth when you guys do it?"

He groaned and putting one arm around her waist and the other messing her hair, pulled her deeper into the kiss, "Of course you'd bring up your #Cristale into this."

"Of course, it's my ship," she mumbled as she felt his solid muscles against her body.

He laughed softly and kissed her jaw and then planting kisses across her neck, he held her tightly yet comfortably in his embrace.

Suddenly Zarine pushed him away slightly, "Look, if we're getting into a relationship again, you should know it isn't that easy. I'm gonna bring up our fight and your behaviour every time we have a disagreement."

"Done," he whispered.

"In public too," she threatened, jokingly. "I'm going to have tantrums and-"

"Next time I do something stupid to hurt you (which I won't I swear I've learnt my lesson), take a gun and shoot me, babe," he told her.

"Gosh, I can see the headlines: Cris goes all kinky," she laughed.

They laughed together and when they sobered, they ventured out, Cristaino's arm around her shoulders.

"It was awful without you, Cris," Zarine whispered as they slinked away from the college building, on the lookout for any fans or reporters.

"You missed me?" he smirked.

She rolled her eyes, "Ugh no, you arrogant ass, I was too busy being angry with you."

"Thank you," he said seriously.

She understood and smirked, "Yeah, I love you too, babe."

[ OHMYGOD GUYS GUIS GYUS GSUY GUIZZZZZZZZ OMEGLE JUST GOT OVER AND THE ZARIANO SHIP HAS SAILED! Like seriously that was some hot kissing right there and THEY FIXED THEMSELVES OH LORD FINALLY IT WAS GETTING TOO FUCKING HEARTBREAKING.

important question, how many times did you die in this chapter? at least 3-4, otherwise you're not human okay?

so what's next?
-a splendid epilogue [like dayum we need to know what happens next with our babies right? james and gareth also need some scenes who's excited?]
-extras [extra material including hot chapters because we're fangirls and we always need feels+facts about characters and the book]
-omegle hunt [well announce a date and time and then we'll all get on omegle and try to find each other like #zariano did]
-question/answer sessions with the characters and the authors that is us [zaara and zai]
-cast, trailer and glossary coming soon.
-check out our story snapchat because it's going to become the next big cute af thing

A HIGE HUGE THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING OMEGLE since its baby days when it had just a hundred reads. It's come along way and it would have been impossible without your support, encouragement and feels. Love you all lots.

Ps hope the rozas are going well!]