30k? y'all fr? 30 freakin K? 3 FREAKIN K VOTES IM BAWLING, CAN I TELL YOU GUYS HOW MUCH I LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU OMG MY BABIES.

anyway, here's another longàss chapter AND for the last time engaged zrystal 🍾

yall, on the this good day of ALMOST REACHING 30k y'all better have this chapter cross at least 130 comments and 30 votes cmon 😤✊🏻 i trust y'all.

if not, well i'll be sad 😞

on w the chapter now, before that, press the star button.

ok bye fr.

~

when we collide
37| yellow outfits & new names

“There it is, come on buckle up bride!”  Trisha laughs lightly, holding Crystal's hand as all the ladies enter a boutique, a bell announcing their entrance.

“So. . . does everyone have to wear something like this because how do you survive in these outfits they look so heavy!”  Claire confesses looking around at all the heavily embroidered skirt like outfits.

“Absolutely! Everyone has to. Also, don't call these heavy only the bride knows what's heavy!”  Doniya replies to her smiling a bit as she throws a glance on a nervous wreck named Crystal.

“These are gorgeous, Trisha.”  Cecile admits as they pass certain outfits.

“We're so thankful you don't mind a white wedding. Her grandparents always wanted a white wedding y'know how oldies can be.”  Cecile smiles slowly making Trisha smile in return.

“No worries, I was glad you didn't mind this small engagement thing we wanted to do.”

“Not at all!”  Cecile cries, placing her hand on Trisha's shoulder. “No worries. Let's go now.”

The ladies had all come to a boutique that apparently was Doniya and Trisha's favourite for pakistani outfits. Crystal felt a little nervous looking around almost feeling sad and hesitant. She knew nothing about their culture how was she ever going to fit in—

“So Crystal all these outfits, they're heavy but I'm sure you'll look so beautiful in them! I can't wait.”

Crystal passes a small smile as her eyes meet with a staff person walking their way.

“Any colour preferences?”

Crystal replies without a second thought. “Yellow?”

༻❁༺

“This is itching me.”  Zayn complains, trying to pull at the sherwani collar around his neck.

“Yeah, that's what happens when you wear it once in a blue moon.”  Yaser comments back bitterly.

“You want me to wear this when I go to work?”  Zayn asks sarcastically as both scramble through options on either side of aisles really not in a mood to converse.

“Yeah, managed you the deal with the chinese man, didn't it? Or do your Asian roots suddenly hit you when you need them?”  Zayn sighs, tilting his face to roll his eyes at his father.

“You sound like such a father right now.”

“Try this.”  Yaser demands, shoving a set in his face that Zayn takes some steps back.

“No way, it's way too. . . Blingy. Isn't their something plain here?”

“Not like you're the groom? Or you're too desperate for people to confuse you with the staff?”  Zayn passes a blank look to his father before eyeing the yellow sherwani.

“Why yellow!? You want me to look like a banana or something? How about black?”

“So you look like you're on someone's funeral?”

“Feels that way anyway.”  Zayn mumbles under his breath.

“Your mother wants you both to match.”   Yaser replies slowly falling on the sofa, a groan leaving his mouth.

“Match? Wait Crystal. . . she's wearing pakistani clothes?”

She's wearing yellow? He loves yellow on her. That couldn't be-

“Isn't that obvious? Unless you want to runaway? She can save some money.”   Zayn narrows his eyes at his father, almost turning to slits.

“You know what? I'll do the shopping, you can go meet the others.”

“Yeah, whatever.”  Yaser replies, standing up slowly, holding bags that held clothes for others.

“Go meet Crystal at this place after you're done.”  he states, passing a small card to Zayn.

Zayn eyes the card slowly, tilting his face to get a better view.

“Who are these people?”  he asks.

“Dancers, Cecile wants you both to learn a proper first dance.”

“Hold on! No one told me I've to dance to get married.”  he rushes, frantically looking at his father.

“No, no way. Cancel it.”

“It's a tradition.”

“I don't care, I'm not doing it. I should've been warned months back so I could be ready!”  he complains staring at the blank look his father was giving him.

“Sounds like your personal problem. Want a wife? Go learn that dámn dance, boy. I'm leaving.” 

“No, dad! Wait! You can't do this. You have to help me—”

“You're perfect at helping yourself, Zayn. You don't need your father anymore.”  Yaser interrupts, making Zayn eye his face noticing a flick of pain for a second before it vanishes like it didn't even exist.

“Take care.”  Yaser leaves the shop, leaving behind a mentally debating Zayn cornered by hundreds of wedding outfits and a flick of guilt in his heart.

༻❁༺

Crystal sits on the small heightened gravel wall/fence that barricaded the main doors with beauty that apparently led to the dancers who were helping them today. She stares at the board squinting her eyes before sighing slowly.

As if her feelings weren't enough to drive away Zayn.

Now, they had to dance.

She fetches out her phone from her pocket dialling Zayn's number for the third time now. She looks around at the place as the ringer goes off in her ear. The place was cute, appealing to newlyweds if she may say so herself. Apparently, according to her mother, the couple did some great first dance choreography. She didn't even feel like dancing.

Another decision their families took for them.

Her eyes move around when she locates Zayn staring at his phone as he enters the main gate in a frenzy making her disconnect the phone as he slowly waves at her. She passes a small smile in return.

“Hey, sorry I'm late. Couldn't figure out which lane this is. This place has changed so much.”  Zayn chuckles, making her pass a small smile.

“Yeah, everything keeps on changing. If you're not with it, it changes without you.”  she jumps down the wall, dusting any dirt on the back of her pants before she looks up at Zayn.

“Are you still angry?”

“Nope.”

“That just confirms it.”

“Come on, we're late.”  Crystal replies, making Zayn pull her back immediately.

“Crystal, I'm sorry about what happened. I never wanted to hurt you but like– you've been dodging my calls? Trying to ignore me and look I don't understand what's it going to gain for you? Can't we talk about it?”

Crystal sighs, “I'm not dodging you, Zayn.”

“Crystal, we both know that's a lie. Just-Just talk to me. What's bothering you? Do you– you don't want to marry me?”  Zayn questions slowly, his eyes flying around her face to get an answer.

“No-no! It's– it's not you, Zayn. It's me.”  she mumbles, eyes turning to look at Zayn when he sighs.

“Crystal, I'm not your highschool boyfriend. We're twenty seven getting married in barely a week- come on we have a function today and you're going to give me that? I'm your best friend too—”

“We're not.”  she sighs.

“People can't be married and be best friends too. You said it yourself, Zee.”

“Did you just call me Zee?”  Zayn asks confusedly, staring at Crystal looking to the side as she spoke the nickname Lara gave him so easily.

“Yeah.”

“I see what you're doing.”

That makes Crystal look up.

“You're trying to push me away.”  Zayn states, tilting his face a little to intimidate her.

“That's not true.”

“Uhun? Got more bullshít to feed me?”

“Zay—”

“Spit it out, Crys.” Crystal bites her lower lip before shrugging.

“Actually mum asked me if I loved you, y'know.”  she lies, looking up to take in Zayn's reaction. His brow furrow together as he stares at her.

“Well, I didn't know what. . . to answer I guess?”

“That's why you're dodging me?”

“I'm not.”  she so was.

Zayn sighs. “You shouldn't worry about them, Crys. We won't work according to their terms right? I mean we're on a great start and everything is flowing well. It's okay if we're not in love that doesn't mean it won't happen or we won't work.”

Zayn smiles lightly forcing Crystal to pass him a pseudo smile.

“I mean we're not even ready for such a heavy word, right?”

“Absolutely.”  Crystal smiles brightly, squinting her eyes a bit to maintain the smile.

“Look, it was so small.”  Zayn says, brushing her hair back before passing another small.

“So. . . when do you think it'll happen for you– I mean us.”  Crystal rambles, “You know like us in love and everything.”

Zayn chuckles at her question brushing his hair back quickly.

“It's not an event or a festival that I can give you a date, Crys. Love happens when it has to. No one can force it or fasten it.”  he replies.

“We've barely started, we've a long way to go so don't worry. It'll happen if it has to.”  Zayn smiles.

Crystal tries smiling as Zayn's 'if' circles her brain like a rodent behind it's prey.

“Don't be bothered by our parents, Crys. They already ruined our friendship and in no way will we let them nose their way in our relationship again. Okay? We won't have them force us to fall in love just because they want to.”  Crystal barely nods at Zayn, slowly passing a smile before she looks at the board.

“You know what? Let's go.”

He nods slowly as Crystal starts walking the path when Zayn interrupts again.

“Also, don't call me Zee again.”

༻❁༺

“Look at the beautiful couple!”  the woman who introduced herself as Candice had said, “We'll make it the best day of your life!”  her husband Shawn had continued.

Liars.

Zayn awkwardly stares at the couple moving around the room doing swirls that Zayn was sure would leave Crystal paralysed for months. With this much pressure on his head he'd rather not get married and stick to being engaged forever.

“What are they doing?”

“I'm not going to pick you up like that. Just-just giving a heads up.”  Zayn mumbles, glancing at Crystal who cringes as Shawn twirls his wife on the ground.

“I wasn't going to let you.”

“So!?  You want to try now?”

Zayn awkwardly smiles at Candice who eyes them expectantly. Standing up slowly Zayn brushes the back of his neck as he tries smiling.

“Look, that was amazing. Real good for Britain's Got Talent. I'm sure you'll get a golden buzzer but—”

“That.”  Crystal interrupts, “That's way out of our league. We want something simple y'know? Just movement and not be pressured and enjoy. I– do I make sense?”

“You do.”

“I asked them, Zayn.”

“Oh- sorry.”

Candice eyes the couple before looking at her husband, her eyes slowly moving back on the couple.

“Arranged?”

Zayn coughs a little as Crystal passes an awkward smile before replying,“Yes. Why?”

“Could tell. Anyway, you have any songs in mind?”

Zayn shrugs, staring at Crystal for her to take the main head up. Sighing she shakes her head.

“I don't know. . . we loved listening to Elvis in highschool.”

“High school?”

“We were best friends before this.”

“Still are.”  Zayn completes her sentence making Crystal nod hesitantly.

“But that's a highschool thing, this isn't. How about we find you a song? That can be your exit from all your 'highschool things' as you say.”  Shawn says, making them awkwardly nod back.

“Sure.”

“Yeah, cool.”

Candice eyes them again before sauntering off with her husband to a corner. Zayn and Crystal sit down on the floor as a sigh escapes their mouth.

“Why are we being so awkward?” Zayn asks.

Crystal stares at herself in the mirror, her eyes flying to Zayn's face who stares down at the floor, his lips moving slowly. Crystal could tell he was talking to her but she couldn't comprehend a word, in too deep in staring.

“. . . I don't even get his deal. Then he just walked away and–  do you think I'm right in thinking this?”  Zayn finally looks up, staring at Crystal but then his eyes fly to make eye contact with Crystal's that were already on him.

“You think I'm right?”

“Uh–  yeah.”

Zayn furrows his brows, sighing.

“So you think I'm the douchébag here who hurts everyone.”

Crystal turns around in a jerk.

“Huh- no! I didn't—”

“You just said yes.”

“I did? No! I said yes but you interrupted me. I was going to say 'yeah but you can't be sure' and not—”

Zayn eyes her with a blank face.
“You weren't listening were you?”

“No! I was.”

“So which colour pant did I get?”

Crystal cringes a little, trying to block out the image of Zayn she had in her brain after staring at him for years to find some sort of audio clip.

“. . . Yellow?”

Zayn sighs. “I'm not even wearing pants, Crystal. It was a Pakistani clothing shop.”

Crystal licks her bottom lip in nervousness as Zayn looks around awkwardly.

“Look, if this is about your mother asking you that question then– look Crystal, I know that it threw you off guard—”

“It didn't.”  she cuts in.

“Then why have you been acting weird?

“You think I'm weird?”

“That trick is so old, Crystal.”

Sighing, Crystal stares at Zayn before eyeing the instructors who shuffle through some Sam Smith's hits.

“I told you, Zayn. A lot has changed.”

“And what am I? A pharaoh? You have to talk to me if you want me to—”

Crystal smiles at the instructor who waves at them to join.

“I don't think it's time. We need to go learn this dance thing.”  Crystal jumps up, walking to the instructors.

Zayn eyes her head in hesitance trying to comprehend what exactly was wrong? Did she finally lose hope in him? Was done with him? He didn't like the sound of that.

“Zayn?”

“Yeah. . . coming.”

༻❁༺

“You aren't that bad you guys. That was real good.”  Candice smiles, smiling at the couple who are busy shrugging their coats on.

“Uh- thank you.”  Crystal mutters.

“You're having a bachelor party?” Shawn asks, walking outside with Zayn who laughs at something he says.

“So? Marriage?”

Crystal turns at the sound, looking at Candice warmly smiling at her.

“Yeah, I guess.”
she smiles, shrugging shyly.

“High-school sweethearts and arranged marriage? I'm confused.”  Candice chuckles, shrugging on her coat.

“No sweethearts.”  Crystal laughs. “Just friends.”

“That are arranged. You don't see a lot of arranged marriages around, now do you?”  Candice shrugs walking outside and locking the doors.

“So? You're still just best friends or sweethearts?”

Crystal smiles at that looking back to stare at Zayn by the door talking to Shawn.

“I wish I had a conclusion.”

Candice stares in the direction too before looking back at her.

“Unless you're eyeing my husband.”

Her eyes widen as Crystal shrieks, “No-no! Trust me.”

“I'm just joking, chill sweetheart.”

Crystal smiles in relief before her eyes move back, this time staring right in Zayn's eyes. His brows were furrowed as he stares at her while Shawn went on about something.

He didn't look happy.

Crystal turns back to look at Candice who does the same.

“He looks bitter.”

“Yeah, we're not at a proper stage. I don't know?”

“You're getting married?”

“I-I know, just.”  she sighs.

“You love him, don't you?”

Crystal's head jerks up as her eyes widen flying back to check Zayn immediately to see him enter his car and Shawn strutting back.

“Don't be so loud I- I don't know yet.”

“I think you do.”

Shawn stands beside Candice, his arm encircling her waist as he stares at them.

“Great man you have, artistic and stuff. Told me if I need any painting stuff then contact him. Business-minded too. Cracks fine humour too.”  Shawn laughs.

“That's a good amount of reasons to fall in love.”  Candice smiles, making Crystal blush embarrassingly red.

“Oh, you're in love? That's sweet.”

“Just me. Uh– not him.”  Crystal manages to squeak.

“How do you know that? You talked to him?”  Shawn asks, making her nod.

“Not directly. Plus, I know him well. I can tell. He doesn't. I doubt he ever will.”  she sighs.

“Then why is he with you?”

“He-he does like me and we're a good team.”

“Men aren't stupid, sweetheart.”  Shawn says, making her look up.

“You don't make all these complicated rules like 'I need to tell him this', 'oh I can't tell him that' to keep a man with you. A man stays with you if a man loves you.”  He smiles.

“You see if commitment is north pole we're north pole too.”  he laughs.

“True, if a man loves you he'd do anything to keep you around even if he says or he doesn't.”  Candice smiles.

Zayn puts his playlist on shuffle, trying to understand what little meeting she was having with her instructors. He was píssed, no doubt.

Zayn didn't like when people shut him out. Especially people that mean something to him and well, not a lot do.  He notices his phone ding, realising it's from his friend Jake saying he's landed.

Smiling he replies with a 'drinks on me tonight' before shutting off his phone. They'd rented some rooms in the hotel where they were getting married. It made everything easier. Only a few people including him, Crystal and three spare for their friends.

It still felt surreal. Everything.

He glances at the passenger seat when Crystal enters, slamming the door behind her and fastening her belt. Zayn breathes out slowly before starting the car.

“What took you so long?”

“We were talking about things.”

“Wish you'd talk to me about things as much as you do with strangers.”

Crystal sighs, side glancing at Zayn whose eyes stay trained at the road. Crystal stares at buildings moving pass her window, moving her coat closer to herself to feel warm when she shivers a little.

Maybe get some closure.

She feels the heater in the car increase making her turn. Zayn adjusts the heater, passing her a glance before his eyes move back on the road. Crystal looks outside the window again, waiting for Zayn to start a conversation.

But he doesn't.

“So? How's Lara now?”

Zayn turns, eyeing her face as she stares back at his face.

“I'll text her and let her know you're worried about her wellbeing.”

“I-I was genuinely asking. I realised I was being selfish—”

“Sure, you were.”

“Zayn, why are you being so bitter?”

Zayn replies with silence as he moves the car to the parking lot.

“Zayn? I'm talking to you?”

“Doesn't feel good when people shut you out, does it?”

She stares at Zayn, a sigh escaping her mouth as her eyes fly everywhere almost as if looking for an answer.

“I didn't—”

“Crystal, let me be honest with you. The one thing our relationship always lacked was we didn't talk to each other about things, how we felt. I tried changing that aspect in myself but you're still so far away from it I'm sorry but it's kinda late now.”

“What do you mean? You mean I don't talk to you about stuff? That's so—”

“Rude? Call me whatever it takes for you accept the truth.”

“Zayn that's so wrong. I'm not obliged to talk about everything. I might need space sometimes, sometimes a person has to deal with stuff and answer their conscience no matter however it hurts someone they're close to. I can't change—”

“Ironic coming from you.”

Crystal silences, staring at Zayn who stares at her face trying to comprehend her move.

“I didn't ask you to change, Zayn. I love you just the way you are or were.”  Crystal abruptly stops, staring at Zayn with wide eyes.

“Are you sure about that? because I don't think so.”  she eyes him slowly, almost blown away that he didn't even notice. Maybe he was so used to the word he didn't realise the usage. The difference. The change.

Something that's wasn't their thing.

“You're putting it all on me because you're scared of losing me because of your mistakes and—”

“You know what Crystal? Yes. Yes I'm scared of losing you. It's so scary that it keeps me up at nights whenever I mess up or hurt you. It gnaws at my stomach and makes me sweat and nervous and I feel like banging my head on something.” 

Crystal stares at his face, his brows slightly furrowed in apprehension and his hair flicked down in a messy manner unlike the times it's tamed, his hand resting on the steering as fingers tap on it as if creating a tune.

He did that when he was nervous.

From so far Crystal couldn't make out the freckle in his eye but she knew it was their somewhere-

“. . . my best friend. You don't even know how much you mean to me. You make me smile, make me feel complete and I'm scared of losing that part, Crystal. I don't know how I'll deal with the repercussions. I've tried understanding you, tried my hardest to stick whenever you push me away and shut me out but Crystal, how long?” 

Crystal stares at his lips that were drawn in a thin line.

“How long can I lose parts of me because I'm scared of losing you? How much can I change when you refuse to let me in? Because Crystal, then all that's left is a guy you created, not a man you knew.”  unfastening his belt, Zayn exits the car leaving Crystal behind as he enters the hotel.

She stares at the steering where his fingers were dancing moments ago. Her eyes fly down to the ring on her on finger before she looks up taking in a deep breath.

Nothing makes sense except you.

༻❁༺

“Not going to lie that stuff was real good.”  Jake says, smiling.

Zayn smiles back, taking the cigarette that Jake passes before taking a puff. He tries to loosen the collar of his sherwani, the itchiness irritating him.

“What do you even put in it?”

“I don't know? Spices.”

“It was fun, watching your aunts slither you in wet kisses.”

“Shut up, Jake.”  Zayn cringes, passing the cigarette back.

They sit on the rooftop of the hotel, pretty sure which wasn't open to stayers in any way. Jake folds the arms of his kurta before smiling at Zayn.

“She looked pretty.”

“Yes, she does.”  Zayn replies, remembering Crystal sauntering down laughing with Doniya who tried to balance her dupatta and sometimes her. She didn't look bothered though.

Yellow suits her anyway.

“Zayn?”

“Huh? Yeah?”

“I asked are you happy?”  Jake smiles, eyeing his best mate who shrugs.

“I guess.”

“You look lost. The last time I saw you lost was when you were rejected at Artsy.”

“Maybe because I am.”  he replies, pressing the cigarette on the roof wall as their feet dangled in open air. He looks down to notice people walking around the swimming pool. Almost looking like ants.

“You're wearing this dope wedding outfit, slipped a ring through your pretty fiancé's finger half an hour back in the middle of I don't even know how many relatives and the day after tomorrow you marry the girl you love. You're the last person who should be lost.”

“L-love?”

Jake eyes Zayn.

“Mhm, denial? I like that for you mate. Not the best though.”

“Fúck off, J. You're just messing with my brain.”

“Am I? It's gotta hold some truth to it if it scares you.”

Zayn sighs, before shaking his head.
“It scares me because it doesn't.”

Jake furrows his brow before he lights up another cigarette and passes it to Zayn who sucks in the velvet smoke anxiously and releases a cloud of tension.

“Care to elaborate?”

Zayn sighs, taking a puff.

“It's hard, loving her. She's not the easiest one to fall for. Being her best friend looks like the easier way out.”

Jake's eyes fly up at the sky, taking in the darkness that was clouded. Stars that were barely visible before his eyes move back on his mate whose shoulders lay low, defeated.

“She has this very-very bad habit of overthinking.”  Jake laughs at that.

“Women for you.”

“And she overreacts, a lot. Doesn't think but just acts and then thinks afterwards. And she gets insecure every now and then. I try my best to not give her reasons but somehow she still manages to feel like that and—”

“It's annoying?”

“No! God no. It's just challenging.”

Jake tilts his head, passing a smile at his friend. “Go on.”

“And she needs a lot of reassurance, almost half our relationship went with me reassuring her. It's almost as if she's not capable of completely trusting me and I get it I've not been the easiest man to be with but because of her incomplete trust she pushes me away when she feels I'll hurt her but I only want to talk to her why would I hurt her? Never intentionally.” Zayn rambles, eyeing the cigarette in his hand.

“And god, she doesn't know when to stop fighting, she'll fuel the fight instead in hopes of defending herself because she doesn't like getting hurt and even trying to love her tests me, angers me, pushes me away. It's like the thought challenges me so much that I feel like walking away, almost did once.”  he sighs.

“Then why are you here in this wedding stuff? Should've ran when you had the chance.”

“Funny.”  Zayn replies bitterly making Jake chuckle.

“No, genuinely though man. What's holding you up?”

Zayn looks up at him before his eyes fly up, staring at the moon in all its glory as the wind whipped his hair in all directions.

“I can't. I can't just let her go. It's scary. . . life without her.”  he replies slowly.

“I knew our relationship wouldn't be easy, it'll be anything but easy. It'll be awkward, absurd, triggering, challenging because everything about it was unfamiliar to us but-but she's so nice and she's just. . . always there. She has so much passion and dedication for me it almost makes me forget how life was before her. It was bland, monotonous, sad. . . lonely.”

Jake smiles at him before he shrugs.
“Maybe she's good at loving and not great at being loved.”

Zayn eyes him briefly.
“What the héck does that mean?”

“Chantelle was like that too sometimes. Pushy and needy at the same time. Y'know she wasn't always the most confident person at uni.”  Jake laughs.

“But I can't let her go, man. I really love her. It's not easy to let someone go when you love them.”  he smiles.

“She's amazing y'know? She dropped her whole life in France for me, so that I can come here handle my dad's work and also be with her. Y'know she's forgiven me so many times, she's always been there for me, she gets me, protects me, listens to me and Zayn, my man, when a person does something for your sake even if it causes them inconvenience you don't let them go. Never. You love them and make the best out of your life.”

Zayn stares at Jake, the twinkle in his eye that even the darkness of the night couldn't hide and his wide smile that it makes Zayn's stomach churn.

Was this how love felt like? Definitely.

Is it even humanly possible to fall in love again?

“Zee?”  Zayn breaks out of his trance, noticing Jake smiling at him.

“Everything good up there?” Jake asks, pointing at his head with a chuckle.

“Sure, yeah.”  Zayn replies with a breathy laugh.

“And. . . There?”  Jake chuckles, pointing at Zayn's chest making him roll his eyes before he smacks his head.

“Give it to you to be an obnoxious jérk.”  Zayn mumbles.

“You're still not ready to let me go like you can't let her go, maybe you do love me. . . or her?”

“Jake.”  he whines, earning a fit of laughter from Jake before both of them turn towards the sky, taking in the beauty.

“By the way, I'm still waiting on that brunch she never showed up to.”

“And yes, that! She—”

“Smoke and shut up, Zayn.”

༻❁༺

“Alright! Shoes here!”

“Can you not scream, Doniya?”

“SHOES?”

Zayn sighs, rolling his eyes before he passes one of his shoe to his sister taking Crystal's heel and sitting on one of the chair. Crystal takes his shoe before sitting on the other chair facing away.

Their backs touch as their chairs face in different directions. Zayn eyes all the relatives circling them with a glass of god knows anything but alcohol. His dad would never allow alcohol here.

It was funny eyeing everyone in Pakistani outfits, amusing to stare at Margaret pulling the skirt of her outfit every two seconds as she clutched to Jacob for dear life.

Claire? A giggle almost leaves his mouth when he recalls her tripping on the chair. If he knew it'd be such a delicacy to watch white people struggle in Pakistani clothes he'd ask his father to negotiate for a Pakistani wedding instead.

Right. His father.

His eyes fly towards his father who's standing next to his mother smiling at Crystal. The father that hadn't congratulated him yet. He was píssed, he gets it but-

Why and what was he expecting anyway?

His eyes fly to Crystal next as he turns around to notice her drape the long dupatta around Jack's waist and swiggle it, making Jack shake his waist in weird directions. It almost makes him crack a smile.

He hadn't been in such an euphoric environment for so long. Staring at everyone who was laughing, smiling, having a good time. Here he was, in a commotion. Crystal seemed to have fun, she looked happy unlike him.

He was in a dilemma instead, the fact that they weren't on the best of terms, had a fight and hadn't talked since hours. Maybe she really didn't want to be bothered by the thought.

She was doing good, it was her wedding after all. Their wedding.
So Zayn turns back with a smile. Enough of cribbing and overthinking for a day.

“So! Rules are simple, I'll ask questions that are given to me by people right here and whoever you both think fits the answer the best you pick their shoe! Understood!?”

Heck, even Doniya was enjoying more than him.

Zayn almost tries to touch the unconscious side of his brain. Why was he overthinking anyway? Is it even about the fight they had and the fact that they hadn't talked for hours or was it the fact that Jake had officially been able to fúck with his brain?

Did he actually—

God, why did he even have friends like Jake and Margaret? They might as well be tumblr bloggers.

“First one!”  Doniya screams on the mic enthusiastically making Zayn cringe.

If only someone could let her know she was given the mic for the sole purpose of not having to scream.

“Who is the funny one?”

Zayn immediately puts his shoe in air, not even sparing a second receiving a good amount of laughter from the surrounding. He turns around to look at Crystal's answer noticing her raising her heel.

“Excuse me? Who are you even lying to? Your own self?”  Zayn mocks, making Crystal turn.

“Please, Being sarcastic and being funny is different.”

“I support Crystal!”  Claire announces, making everyone chuckle and Zayn to automatically roll his eyes.

“Please welcome the queen of 'no one asked my opinion but I'll give it anyway' you good?”  Claire glares at Zayn as Adam clutches her shoulder, chuckling lightly.

“Alright! Second one!”  Doniya laughs, staring at the paper.

“Who is the patient one?”

Zayn, again, instantly raises his shoe turning around with a challenging eye to see Crystal contemplating before she slowly raises Zayn's shoe and turns.

“Oh no, I don't believe that.”  Yaser comments, making everyone laugh.
Crystal passes a smile to everyone before glancing in Zayn's eyes.

“Well, at least one truth.”

“I refuse to believe this.”  Doniya comments on the mic making Zayn roll his eyes and turn to look at her.

“Can you continue?”

He was kinda enjoying this.

“Whatever, third! Who is the better cook?”

Zayn falters, eyeing both the shoes in his hand as he feels Crystal turn in his peripheral making him sigh.

“Yeah, whatever, I'm not a liar.”  he says, before raising Crystal's heel making everyone chuckle yet again.

“That's definitely true.”  Trisha laughs, making Zayn look at her and make a complaining face.

“And that's on putting salt in a cake.”  Crystal comments.

“Hey! That was our secret.”  he complains turning around to notice Crystal already staring. She shrugs in amusement making him smile as he turns back.

“Fourth! Who initiated the first kiss?”
Zayn bites his lip as his eyes fly towards Jake who curiously stares at their hands and then at everyone who's suddenly staring at their hands more closely. He tries to notice in his peripheral to see if Crystal answered but she shows no movement.

Why were they even asking this? Wasn't Crystal's grandmother sitting somewhere. Would be a nice surprise for her to know her granddaughter was getting action. . . kind of action.

After contemplating, Zayn sighs with a smile before he raises his shoe noticing Crystal raises it almost at the same time. He hears hooting and cheering almost making his cheeks warm so he starts coughing to hide that.

God, who gave these questions. He just wanted to talk.

“Yeah, Zayn! Get it.”  he looks up wide eyed at Jacob who instantly hides behind Margaret as everyone starts laughing. He then notices Crystal's father awkwardly smile at Yaser.

This is kinda amusing.

“Fifth! Who apologises first after a fig—”  Zayn raises his shoe instantly getting a couple of people laughing.

He hears Crystal laughter behind him too as she raises the shoe.

“The king of apologising.”

“More like the king of committing mistakes.”  Crystal replies.

“You don't know, Crystal? Our surname was foreshadowing for him being a king of mistakes.”  Doniya comments making Zayn chug the half eaten kebabs in his hand.

“Zayn!”

“Ah! Another mistake. I'm sorry, don.” He hears everyone laugh again, even Crystal as she stares at Doniya chug a kebab that got stuck on her outfit back at Zayn.

“Alright! Last question! This one comes from Grandma Hogward!”

Crystal instantly looks at her grandmother, passing a smile at the old lady sitting on the wheelchair with white shades matching her white shining outfit. She looked adorable.

“Who said 'I love you' first!?”

She feels her throat dry as she looks down at the pair of shoes in her hands noticing how the room was drop dead silent. She could almost hear her heart beating as she stares at the shoe and heel in either of her hands.

God.

She notices Zayn contemplating, probably losing his shít too. That's when she decides to do it without overthinking. Without a second thought she raises her heel in air for everyone to stare.

Almost feels like her secret is out.

Zayn stares at his shoe, thinking if he should raise his or Crystal's? This had to be her mother's idea and not her grandmother. Zayn is thrown off his train of thought when the room fills with hooting and cheers making him look up and turn to notice Crystal's heel in air.

Instantly, he raises her shoe with a smile and a shrug trying to play off.
He turns again to look at Crystal and mumble a thank you but she's already staring at him with sombre eyes.

Zayn mouths a thank you with an awkward smile making her pass a smile but this time Zayn notices.

It wasn't a real smile.

He notices everyone raise their glasses with whatever they had in it to raise a toast and before he can think twice or smile he hears Jake shout a 'to Crystal and Zayn's love' with everyone following suit making him eye Jake who winks at him.

Zayn almost questions if he's dumb or too slow or just over thinking.

༻❁༺

Around eleven in the night, Crystal stands up passing their group of friends laying around the pool with a glass of wine in everyone's hand as she notices Zayn sneak in the hotel.

“Where?”  Jake asks, as he passes the left over snacks to Adam who's in a conversation with Jacob and Margaret.

“Tired, I think I'll rest.”

“You want help?” Claire asks, smiling.

“No, I'm good. You guys have fun!”

Jake smiles slowly, passing her a thumbs up. She pulls up her gigantic skirt, trying to hold the drape as she runs behind him. She's just a second late as the lift closes making her cuss.

Biting her lip she takes a deep breath before collecting the heavy skirt and sprinting up the stairs somehow managing to reach the floor right as Zayn opens his door.

“ZAYN!”

Zayn walks back three steps, peeping out. He lets out a deep sigh before he leaves the door knob and stands in the corridor.

“Need anything?”

“No, I-I just- I don't know why I came.”  she mumbles, slowly walking towards his room.

“. . . Okay?”

“Well, I- uh- I though– woah!” she screams as she trips on the long drape/dupatta/her death wish whatever synonym Doniya had called it.

“Crystal!”

Zayn jogs, holding her arm as she lies on the ground on her knees trying to push herself up. She grabs his arm picking herself up before she tries collecting her drape/annoying piece of cloth/death wish.

Zayn wraps the cloth in his hand before he drapes it over her head and throws one end of the cloth on her other shoulder tying it like a head scarf. He eyes Crystal who stares at his face shyly before his hands push her arms away, wrapping around her waist as his finger slowly tuck at the end of her skirt before pulling it up a little and opening the knot. Crystal eyes Zayn's face as her breathes hit his chin barely an inch away.

She slowly rests her hands on his arms.

Zayn looks down at that slowly as his eyes stare in Crystal's. He tightens the thick thread before tying it in a knot and slowly brushing the the thread inside the skirt, his fingers barely brushing her back.

“Uh—”

“You look beautiful, I forgot to tell you before.”  Zayn says, pulling his arms back before he nods to his room. Crystal barely gives thrashed breathes in response as she nods slowly. He notices Crystal being a shy mess as his eyes fly across her face.

God, she looks beautiful.

“Uh– thank you, Zayn.”  she whispers back.

They walk to his room, standing at the door as Zayn waits for her to say something.

“Thank you for uh–”  she points at her outfit, making Zayn nod. He almost wants to be that close again but restrains.

Silence engulfs them again.

“Also, you look good too. Really good. Decent. Yeah.”  she rambles, looking up at Zayn finally.

Sometimes when he looks at her and she's somehow looking back at him he sees something. Something she's feeling but can't say. Be it on sleepless nights in London, during the game of raising shoes, when they cycled, when they sat on the roof, on his birthday in a smelly alley.

It's like an instant connection and no one catches it except them. It's their thing. Another 'their' thing. They had a lot of them according to Zayn.

Zayn kinda enjoys it, their secret. A place they go to whenever they're not able to understand each other or the situation circling them or the people around them or. . . each other. Mostly that.

God knew how graceful and beautiful Zayn thought Crystal was. Just biting her lip to oblivion with her cheeks tinting rosy and her eyes shyly looking down and then back at him.

Zayn counts all the times he's wanted nothing but to look in them. He loses his count at twenty seven. It's almost always whenever they're staring at each other's eyes is when she's saying the most.

“Crystal?”

“Yes?”  she replies immediately, as if she's waiting for him to say something.

“I'm here, you talk to me or don't, I'll still be here.”  he whispers, leaning with the door as he passes her a smile.

Crystal stares at his jagged hair and unbuttoned sherwani, the dimly lit corridor making her course with feelings almost ready to burst at the tip of her tongue. He looks serious as his eyes fly across the corridor but they soften when they rest back on her face. Like it was almost different when they rest on her than when they rest on anything else.

“Yeah.”  she smiles. “I know.”

“I just came to apologise for being distant and well- being bitter I guess.”  she confesses.

“And. . . I want you.”   she smiles.

“You do?”  Crystal almost giggles at his bewildered expression.

“Well obviously, I'm in this outfit that's basically wearing me, not the other way round.”  she laughs.

Zayn smiles. “We'd be a good us.”

“An amazing us.”  Crystal smiles. A sigh of relief leaves her mouth.

“So you're no more angry?”

“I was never angry, Crystal.”

“Crys. Call me Crys.”

“No.”  Zayn smiles, slowly looking at her lips before looking up. Crystal looks down before mustering a little strength and leaning in to slowly press her lips on his. Zayn tugs at the crossed drape around her neck pulling her close before he breaks the kiss with a smile.

“You see, I left behind Crys the day I kissed you for the first time, Crystal. I don't want to go back anytime soon.” 

_____

pls i love my babies sm 😭❤️
can't believe they'll be saying i do's and going to...

going to? 👀