Nothing brings a group of oldies together faster than something that's none of their business. Like marriage. Period. You're reminder to voteee and comment for your sis❤️ it really motivates me so pls do if you like the chapter 🌻

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when we collide
04| "would you dance?"

"Oh kiddos, I saw you both when you both were what . . . teens? small kids in high school, sometimes I'm so shocked seeing two friends have a friendship for such a long time, it feels good. A person hardly gets a friend like you both in each case. I thought you both might have that tiny gist of awkwardness owing to the fact that you both met after a long time but," Sebastian moves his hands up in surrender as the lot laugh at this reaction "You beat me, you're still the same, the two beautiful idiotic faces." Sebatian concludes, drinking a glass of water and passing Crystal and Zayn a genuine smile. It had been a day or two since the Maliks shifted back. Some furniture was still to be settled otherwise they were comfortably set. Trisha was a ball of joy after she met her neighbourhood friends.

"The food is so flavoursome." Zayn compliments Cecile whilst she collects the dishes to put them to wash.

"If only it was so delicious everyday..." Jack mutters in an inaudible voice. Inaudible only to him. Cecile slams the bowl of leftover salad on the table, Zayn almost choking on his food due to the sudden outburst whilst Cecile glares at her son,
"Well how about you cook everyday for everyone? I put so much hardwork in this and-"

"Mum you literally read cookery books like they're science fiction." Jack comments, taking the last bite of his dish and putting down the spoon and sighing.
"What do you mean honey?" Trisha ponders loud, almost excited for whatever witty joke Jack was about to crack as she sat comfortably on her seat, her table cleared off of all the dishes.
"It's literally like her reading it till the end and then being like 'oh there's no way that's happening' you get it?" The table erupts in laughter as Cecile glares harder at Jack, throwing daggers at her son.

"Jesus." Jack taking a notice walks towards his mum, hugging her from behind. "When I eat food made by you, I feel like a treasure has struck my taste buds. Today, the flesh was slightly soft, but firm enough that it didn't squish when I bit into it. My teeth traveled to the core, but I didn't want to stop. I felt like shouting 'Rawr' because I wanted more."

Cecile lightly chuckles taking the dishes inside as Jack helps her, the table having a good laugh out of it.

"Need any help with these?" Crystal asks pointing towards the used plates and glasses to which Cecile shakes her head in refusal before she places both her hands on her shoulders and smiles. "Are you happy now?"

"Obviously mum, it's after years that the air is so comfortable. I think we're that family that doesn't leave their house at all and people think we're upto some scientific shít, like making the antidote of some far off disease." Cecile smiles, brushing Crystal's hair back and whispering "That's the most dumb thing I've ever heard."

"Let me help you dry the dishes, Cel." Trisha states, entering the kitchen and passing a smile to Crystal who sighs happily and moves out to join Zayn and Jack in the living room.

"I still can't believe you guys are back." Cecile confesses shaking her head as a ghost of a smile stood intact on her face.

"I'm so happy, London was beautiful I swear but the comfort and closure Bradford has is unbeatable." Trisha confesses, drying the dishes that Cecile pass her after washing.

"How old is Zayn now?" Cecile ponders loudly passing a glance over at Trisha. "He's twenty six."

"Jesus how time flies. The last I saw him was in highschool."
"I know," lightly laughing, Trisha keeps the dried plate down and takes the next dish, sighing.

"I don't know Cecile, back in London I couldn't share it with my woman friends. I think I'm comfortable sharing it with you." Cecile turns over to Trisha, brows furrowing in concern. She keeps a hand on Trisha shoulder to provide closure.

"What's wrong honey?"
"Zayn."
"What's wrong with him?"
Trisha sighs, glancing at Cecile and then looking down. "I only have one son, Cecile. I want him to be settled and have a family. Doniya she really has it together but. . . Zayn. I mean obviously he's still young and all but. . . he's really going the wrong way. I want someone to have a hold on him, who could possibly make him happy," Cecile nods, as him giving her a green signal to continue.

"Lately he's been so chaotic, he doesn't even talk much and everything is so haphazardly organised. I just want him be settled." Cecile sighs in return, as both the ladies turn towards the sink, continuing the work the were supposedly doing.

"He's at a good place, working at a good position, has a house, car everything but, someone."

"Crystal is in a bad place too. I don't understand boys. She's been heartbroken too many times and now she's so far away that she's said a big no to marriage. I don't understand. I just want my daughter to be happy after all that she's gone through. She deserves love."

"She does, she's lovely and she'll be an amazing daughter in law for whoever is lucky enough to have her don't worry." Trisha starts drying the last plate as Cecile wipes her hands and then, as if the light of wisdom and realisation blinded them they look at each other with wide eyes. How did they not think this?

༻❁༺

The livingroom was having a good laugh as Zayn shares some of his work stories with everyone. Crystal, Zayn, Doniya and Jack then take a corner and discuss the most random shít on their minds.

"So this girl texts me, she's with me at highschool and she's annoying. Like really annoying." Jack comments, passing his phone to Zayn whilst Crystal and Doniya glance at the screen over Zayn's shoulder. Zayn swipes down the phone, feeling slightly creeped out by the weird messages.

"Jesus how do I get rid of her."
"You tell her, what else?" Doniya says with the 'duh' tone. Jack stands up, hopping on the couch and clapping loudly, catching the attention of their fathers who sat on the other side discussing sports, they shake their heads and continue their session of who's a better player.

"Jesus, I never thought of that. Can I lick the ground you walk on?" Doniya rolls her eyes as Zayn pulls down Jack back on the couch and looks at the screen and the last message.

From Amanda
sent 4:37 p.m.
Do you like me?

Zayn open the keyboard and quickly types a response.

To Amanda
✔✔read 11:04 p.m.
No.

To Amanda
sent 11:07p.m.
You never asked me if I loved you.

Jack's face drops as he jumps on Zayn who uses his hand to keep Jacks face away.
"Jesus, Zayn don't do this wait!" Zayn laughs in responce.
"Give me a second."

From Amanda
sent 11:10 AM
Oh😍 wow im- So do you love me?

To Amanda
✔✔read 11:11 AM
No honey, so you better leave me alone pls.

Crystal and Doniya burst out laughing as Jack panicks, stealing the phone out of Zayn's hand not before passing a glare and shoving it inside his pocket.

"Are you crazy!?" he pulls a pillow and keeps hitting Zayn who just laughs in response. "Why did you do that? You didn't have to be so rude." but Zayn's too busy laughing to even reply. He coughs a bit, possessing an amused look and standing up, proud that he played with a highschool boy's life.

"That was what you wanted, I just helped you. What're you even so scared of?"
"Whatever, I can already imagine her pack of wolves storming towards me and banging my head on the locker."
Zayn laughs giving a glance at Crystal who just shakes her head.

"Honestly Jack, it's your mistake, out of the seven billion people on earth you only found this dork to help you say no to a girl?"

"Excuse me, squeeze me a little second out of your life to remind you that that was extremely offending. Thank you."

"Show me where I asked for your opinion, diva." Crystal shoots back, sitting down more comfortably and switching channels to find something to watch.

"What do I do when they come to me with their caked faces which make me cringe so hard." Jack complains now holding his hair in his hand and pulling in frustration.

"Well then my boy, you tell them to cake up their insides too so they look pretty there too." Zayn smiles, standing up quietly to pass out of the door without anyone noticing, to have a cigarette. No one really knew about the habit which he had caught for about a year now but his plan miserably fails when loud screams of two women come from the kitchen.

Everyone rushes to towards the kitchen to see Cecile and Trisha holding hands almost at the brink of tears smiling and fangirling about something no one had an idea about.
"Jesus, I hope you all are okay?" Sebastian asks, as all of the others peep from behind his shoulders. The women squeal and look at them, smiling so wide that it somehow makes Zayn uncomfortable.

"Oh, we're amazing." Cecile confesses, looking at Trisha.
"Yes, Brilliant." Trisha supports her.

Jack looks at the lot of women uncomfortably, almost sure they have some sort of weird aśs bullshít going in their mind.
"Well, something tells me he didn't mean physically."

༻❁༺

Zayn flies past the road pressing his fingers deeper into the steering wheel, finding comfort in the familiarity of the grooves.
Wind seeping through the open windows making Crystal's hair fly in all directions. The radio was on, the windows were down and she didn't have a care in the world.

"Don't you think Mum and Cecile have been acting weird. . . since last night?" Zayn questions Crystal, focusing on the road but passing her glances all the while.

"I-I know, I've no idea why." Crystal sighs. From the morning, she's felt nothing but embarrassed. Lora Hilton, their neighbour passed the news that her son is getting married inviting both the families who had zero intentions of going, but when all of a sudden the women make a plan of going, force Zayn to stay the night and 'catch up' with Crystal and now forcing them to drive alone when there was no need for Zayn to bring his car (they could've easily fit with them) she wasn't so sure about their mothers.

Trisha asking Zayn how Crystal looks, Cecile dictating the whole biodata of Zayn's achievements and how amazing he is.

Something was way fishy.

"Why are we even going to this weird asś guy's wedding? I remember how he catfished the cheerleader in our school. . . what was her name?"

"Zayn, I don't give a dámn about any cheerleader right now," Crystal scoffs, rubbing her face with her hands trying to make the situation better. "Probably they're just too overwhelmed to see their extremely introvert and socially awkward kids talk so much?"

Zayn nods in approval as he presses the break and the car comes to halt. Both of them exit the car to see their parents exiting their cars too.

"Shall we?" He asks, brushing his hand on his suit to remove the non existing folds.
"Yep." Crystal pops the 'p' as they walk together towards their families.

"You guys come in together." Trisha says, to which Cecile nods so fast that Zayn almost feels that her head may fall off and roll on the road.

Their parents take their cue and walk off.
"There's something extremely weird with them, I mean it." Doniya confesses, her eyes wide in fright. "I swear, Jesus you should've looked at them in the car. I almost shat my pants. They were smiling and squealing." Jack continues, as the lot of four children stare towards the entry.
"Well we'll find out soon." Zayn mutters. "Y'all go in, I'll join in a minute." Doniya and Jack nod walking away while Crystal stands and stares at him.

"Why aren't you coming?" she mumbles. "I've to make a call." Crystal nods as she starts walking, holding her dress slightly up to walk easily.

Zayn sighs. "Jesus why do I do this?" he walks to a corner and takes out a stick of cigarette, lighting it up and taking a long drag. Finishing it up in minutes he stomps on it and moves inside before anyone notices his absense.

It was a late morning ceremony where the sun beamed behind the trees. Inside, the relatives took part in the organization as the bride and groom got ready. The Johnson Wedding Chapel had forty two seats, the room overfilled with guests. At twelve o'clock, the flower girl threw red petals left and right towards the audience. The flowers represented 'the future couple's everlasting peace and romance' or some shít like that Zayn couldn't recall. The bride and groom arrived no later than ten minutes and then the pastor married them.

Zayn was so done. All the while his mother standing behind him and whispering 'it'll be you soon baby' He could kill someone.

Soon the stage was set and Crystal and Zayn knew exactly where they should be. The DJ played loud songs as everyone started going crazy, half drunk. Zayn and Crystal started dancing like maniacs, completely off beat doing the weirdest steps possible.

They laugh together as Zayn does some sort of a robotic move and Crystal tries to copy. They were finally having some fun but completely unknown to the fact that their mothers were dreamely staring at them.

"Jack!" Cecile calls her son, who turns around leaving the group of lads he had found and walking to his mother. "Yes lady?"

"Go ask the DJ to play something soft and romantic."
"Mum no, this shitaśs wedding finally has some booze, I'm going with those lads to dance."

Cecile glares at Jack, whilst Trisha stares at their children almost scared they might leave the dance floor before the music.
Jack notices Trisha's line of view and then as if two and two clicks his eyes go wide.

"Mum, if you're thinking what I'm thinking then. . .No." he objects, glancing back at the duo who shake to the beat, laughing wildly. "Honey, I didn't ask for your opinion, just asked you to get the song changed."

"Mum this is a big no, you'll ruin their lives. They'll never be more than friends it's visible in their eyes." He continues objectting till Trisha keeps a hand on his shoulder. "Honey, we know what's good for them. Now would you please?" Jack stares awkwardly at them for a second and then sighs, running to the DJ.

Minutes later the music changes to 'Lets see what the night can do' by Jason Mraz. Everyone shifts to partners except Zayn and Crystal, who look in the eye, slightly awkward and connecting within eyes sharing the message that there's no way this is going to happen. But then when Crystal is almost about to put a hand on Zayn's shoulder a girl interrupts them.

"Excuse me?" They transfer their attention to the voice to see a brunette standing behind Zayn, she was about as tall as Crystal so Zayn was towering over her too. Lips coated red and green eyes shimmering in the dim light.

"Do you mind sharing a dance?" she asks Zayn, who shakes his head while smiling. "Sure, it'll be my pleasure." Crystal smiles lightly, taking some steps back and walking away from the dance floor and sitting on an empty chair. She glances at everyone dancing and a sigh leaves her mouth as she stares at her hands.

What is it like to dance with someone? In her whole life she hadn't shared a dance with anyone except her father. Prom was pathetic, because her date was pathetic. She closed her eyes to remove the ugly memories and breaths deeply. She adjusts the strap of her dress and glances up to see that Zayn's no more on the stage, but talking to Trisha at the corner. Shrugging she takes a sip of the juice she had in her hand.

Trisha stares at his son, sighing.
"Mum I know, Crystal looks amazing. I've told you that. How many times-"
"God yes, you've told me! Have you told her? You left her alone on the dance floor. That was so not like a gentleman. Look at her honey, she also wants to dance with someone? I'm not sympathising with her," Trisha keeps a hand on Zayn's shoulder lightly pressing it as she stares in her son's eyes.

"Honey, she needs to come out of these walls she's created and you're probably the only guy she might let in slightly. Don't you want to help?" Trisha pats Zayn's shoulder and walks away leaving a stunned Zayn. He glances at Crystal who sits slightly awkward on the seat, fiddling with the hem of her dress and glancing to the dance floor once in a while. She did look gorgeous, the red gown really brought out her eyes. Zayn starts walking towards her unknowingly.

"Crystal?" she instantly glances up and smiles. "Weren't you dancing with that pretty girl?"
"Would you like to dance with me?" Crystal gives Zayn a weird look as she opens her mouth to say something but it closes.

"We've never done this." She mumbles, looking up at him, laughing awkwardly. Dancing with Zayn? Hahahahah no.
"I know, let's do it today then," He whispers back.

"Come here." Zayn moves his hand forward for her to hold. She stares at it as if it's some exotic specie and after forty six million calculations in her head she moves her hand in his.

Zayn walks her to the dance floor as they stand in the middle. He chuckles as Crystal stands a good feet away from him. "Crystal, my arms won't fly to you, you dont stand that far."

"Then w-where?" Crystal stutters as Zayn moves closer to her. He grabs her hand and yanks her towards him making Crystal gasp. His other hand circles her waist.

Their bodies were so close, she could feel his hot breath on her cheek. They move as one across the floor, dancing in circles and never taking their eyes off one another, Zayn twirls her again and pulls her back gracefully as her back collides with his chest. He crosses his arms across her stomach holding her hands all the while as their bodies gently sway together fitting his chin in her shoulder. Goosebumps arise on her skin as his breaths hit her skin.

She could feel his hands touching her waist, as the rhythm of the song continued playing. Her mind in tune with his hot breath, against her neck.

"Also did I tell you?" Zayn whispers, turning her around so now they faced each other as Crystal slides her arms around his neck "What?"

"You look absolutely gorgeous today." Crystal's cheeks tint pink as she looks down, smiling. Mumbling a small thank you she looks back up. She couldn't take her hands off his neck as he whisks her around the dance floor. He steps a leg forward and back and she follows his movement and then like every time a perfect moment has to come to an end the music stops but that doesn't stop Zayn as he still holds her close to him.

"Zayn?" she whispers, staring in his eyes as he stares back. "Yeah?" Zayn whispers.
"The music stopped." Zayn looks around to see everyone separating and half the people already off the floor.

"Oh," he chuckles awkwardly, removing his hands. "Didn't notice." The dance was so expressive, almost as if her emotions were being drawn into each move. She sighs and steps away from him in an attempt to minimize their body heat and they smile at each other, slightly awkward. She tucks a lock of hair that fell on her face behind her ear as Zayn looks around.

"Lets go eat something?"
"I was seriously thinking when you'll ask that."
"We're never doing this again."
"I swear."

Their family stare at them walking away as the mothers smile proudly as if they solved a hidden mystery.
"That was a dance." Doniya whispers, jaw dropped down.
"Never knew they had it in them." Jack whipers, shaking his head and walking to the food counter.

"Sebastian?" Yaser says, as he stares at their children eating together, laughing as Zayn cracks a joke. "Yeah?" he whispers, copying Yaser's action.

"I think I found a perfect wife for my son, man." Yaser says, as Trisha and Cecile squeal, hugging each other. "I think we're on the same page my man."

________
HEY BABIES, SO THAT'S PROBABLY THE FIRST LIGHTLY ROMANTIC THING IN THE STORY ROFL. ANYWAYY I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THEORIES AND IDEAS OR WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE?

INLINE IDEASSSS!

ALSO QUICK QUESTION, MESSI OR RONALDO? (im so hyped for this)

Anywayyy, I'll see you in the next chapter, LOVE YOU ALL X