Engaged [z.m.]

Chapter 24: Promise

C H A P T E R   T W E N T Y - F O U R

"And promise me this:
You’ll wait for me only,
Scared of the lonely arms"

-Ben Howard

Perrie

"We need to talk" Zayn finally said. I inhaled deeply knowing that the conversation that I had been trying to block out for the past two to three days was now inevitable and could not be ignored instead must be carried on.

"Fine" I mumbled. Zayn stared at me for a couple of moments, his eyes eyeing all features on my face until he realized he needed to speak.

"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you the other day, I know that's not how I should've handled this situation" he ran a hand through his hair "So I really am sorry about that..."

I waited for him to carry on as I did not have anything to add at the moment. Judging by his expression he really did seem to regret the way he had spoken indicating that his apology was nothing but genuine.

"But I am not sorry for the point that I fought with you over" he looked up from his lap "I should've put this out in a simpler manner, I understand but the way I spoke will not make my point non justifiable".

He remained intact on his point. Frankly, I wasn't even expecting him to let go. He always intended to talk things out instead of sweeping them under the rug. He was not one to ignore issues and shut himself out or run away and that's particularly why I was shocked at the way he stopped talking to me.

"Ever since we got engaged, I feel like you always have your guard up which hurts me Perrie, you always pretend that you don't have any problems when you clearly do. You hide your issues from the one that should help you through this, me" His jaw was tense as he spoke, trying to calm his nerves while I did the same although I was yet to mutter a word.

"You've stopped sharing things with me Perrie and that's not only hurting me Perrie but it's consequently hurting you because bottling up your feelings is never a way to solve them, what do you gain out of this" he pleaded. He leaned forward; leaning into his legs as he watched me and waited for an answer. I wanted to answer him, I knew I had an entire fight build up in my head. I knew this moment was inevitable. We both knew that one of us was going to end up running to the other; tracing for answers and that's why I kept myself prepared for what I was going to say to him but now, there was just a blank space in my head.

I did not know how to respond as Zayn watched me patiently but still eager for an answer.

"Perrie, say something" he mumbled. He frowned as he narrowed his eyes. He kept his tone soft as ever giving me a chance to no feel under his authority or feel manipulated by him.

"I try Zayn...I really do" I muttered, my voice not much above a whisper "I don't want to worry you, you have enough on your plate"

His frown grew as his expression softened further. He sighed as his body tensed slightly. I knew he was hurting. We both were and I wish I could do something to diminish this entire thing and return back to normal without having to put up a fight but I knew that was impossible.