Once Upon A Time, A Thousand Tears Ago #Wattys2017

Chapter 8: Surprises

A/N:Feeling extremely bad about all the twitter fight that took place between Louis and Zayn. I hope and I wish that it turns out to be just a brotherly fight. i can't see them fighting. They are on the same side of the river, not on the opposites. :( :( :( Tell me what you feel about this situation. C Ya. :( :(

I am floating in a bubble of happiness. A couple of days back I was sitting idly with nothing in my hands and now I have a money earning job and the biggest opportunity to fulfill my dreams. I had dreams about bringing changes in the field of medicine and improving the quality of life of the people around me. But I never had thought that these dreams would actually be transforming into reality. I am on the seventh sky now.

I am preparing myself for the party thrown by the director at a seven star hotel as a token of thanks for all the participants and officials from different departments. My family has already celebrated my success with a lovely brownie cake that happens to be my favorite. They are all so happy. The best feeling on earth is to know that your parents are smiling and you are the reason behind that smile. I smile at this thought. But still I have to figure out the biggest problem of our species. What should I wear at the party?

Finally, I have to borrow a long embroidered shirt from Kash which is magenta in color, not too vibrant but good enough for my taste. And along with it I am trying on black jeans. This is my style. I don't go for tightly fitted stuff on my body because that is too mainstream. I elegantly place my long scarf on my shoulder and here I am ready to party.

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"Somebody is risking my life, I see."

I see Zaroon heading towards my seat. He is looking quite cool in a buttoned up purple silk shirt and black pants. The turquoise tie is hanging loosely around his neck and his hair is made into a perfect quiff. Too formal and still informal. Wait, why am I taking in his appearance so much. Stop girl.

"How are you Zaroon?" I ask to start the conversation my way.

"I am not good." He pouts like a baby.

"And should I ask what happened to you suddenly?"

"Well beautiful! You say that you don't want me as your assistant, then you leave that place to go home, then I feel I am so out of place when I don't even have your number or your email address so I can contact you and then... "

"why did you want to contact me?" I know I am asking this just to annoy him a bit more.

"Lady Diana! Why do you think I was willing to contact you? You didn't answer me if you are choosing me as your assistant or not" He is trying to be serious for once and the problem is that today I don't want to have a serious chat.

Songs are being played beautifully in the background and I get distracted to listen which track is coming up next. I hope they play some one direction songs.

"Earth to Zara. Are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah yeah I am. What were you saying" This is what songs do to me. Oh it is one direction's song.

"You didn't answer me if you are choosing me or not"

"Well you forgot. I have already answered that question of yours" I am in a playful mood today.

"Hmmmm. So I should consider this as a 'no' then". He says quite disappointingly.

"You seem to be intelligent" I am seriously a player.

"Never mind. I just want to say that...... That I wish the best for you. Doesn't matter if you choose me or somebody else, I wish you all the luck and love. I just want you to be happy. Forever and ever" He gives me the brightest smile which makes me realize that the words that came out of his mouth were not merely words; they were feelings.

I hear the one direction song change my mind playing in the background while Zaroon keeps my eyes locked with his.

Never felt like this before

Are we friends or are we more

I am trying hard to skim myself away from this man, but he has caged me into my place with some sort of force.

As I'm walking towards the door

I'm not sure

But baby if you say you want me to stay, I'll change my mind

"Dr. Zara Arman! So nice to meet you" The director breaks the stance that had entangled me with Zaroon and I am thanking him deeply for doing this.

"Hello Sir! Pleasure to meet you" I greet him in return.

"So I believe your passport is ready, young lady?"

Passports? Why passport? "Umm passport sir? I don't exactly understand why you need my passport?"

"Oh my child you do know the venue of All Pharmacists and Doctors Association Conference. Don't you?"

"I am unaware Sir." Hell I am confused when I shouldn't be.

"Ahahahaha!" His hysterical laughter makes Zaroon to look at me and he is assuring me like a good friend saying in an understandable language that you will see when he comes out of his hysteria, he will tell you the whole story, don't worry. I can actually connect with Zaroon now.

"Dr. Zara Arman. For your kind information, the venue for this event is in Hyde Park Hotel, London"

And then I realize that when the director breaks out from his hysteria, he has a habit of sending someone else in that state. This time that person was me.

My emotional level is unstable. "So did you decide Zara, who is going to assist you in this project?" The director inquires.

"umm Yes Sir. It will be Dr. Zaroon" The tradition of passing down the hysteria to the person next to you continues.

"Aahh! Good choice. He had an excellent abstract but the only fault was that he presented his work on white board. I am glad you made a good choice. All the luck to the future researchers. We can talk about your flight and hotel stay in London, later. Also, one of your family members can accompany you for the trip. Enjoy the party"

The director leaves our space and I am left staring at Zaroon again. We both share the shocked expressions.

"Why did you choose me Zara?" Zaroon breaks the momentum.

"I never break my promises Zaroon. I was just teasing you a bit." This was true though.

He is still looking at me, may be expecting me to ask some questions.

"Why did you say that it doesn't matter whom I choose and my happiness is the only thing that matters to you?" I am slapping myself because of the words that had just escaped out of my mouth.

"Well, because it is true. Your happiness is all that matters for me." Zaroon whispers these lines.

Why is that so? No, I can't ask him why? I think I can decipher that the answer will take this relationship to some other level and I can't handle that. Better to leave it here and never touch this topic again.

"So Zara is going to fly to London, yeah" He is exclaiming it with joy.

"Yeah, I have heard it's a beautiful place" I answer smilingly.

"I have heard it's a romantic place too" He says this in a raspy voice.

I give him a poker face expression and he breaks into laughter.

"Zaroon, if you try talking to me with this hell of a flirtatious behavior, I will surely end up killing you". I warn him this time, of course I am not much serious.

"Okay okay, I will try to control myself. But these emotions they just radiate out of my body. Can't help it, my friend"

And we danced all night to the best song ever,

We knew every line, now I can't remember.

I drown myself in the ongoing Best Song Ever.