Once in a lifetime

Chapter 53 Tiger

Zayn noticed every food tray had a little side note. Harry motioned for him to uncover any and he chose the closest to him. He opened the folded note and it said "I'd walk through fire for you." He saw the dish and it was a spicy chicken curry. Zayn ate just a bit of if, he wanted to taste all other trays and there were at least five more. He went one by one, finding different phrases on each note. "Even my phone misses your calls." Was on the beef curry. "If I was a blue bird, I would fly to you." Was on the samosas one. When Zayn got to the second to last, Zayn smiled when found Gulab Jamun with the phrase "Tastes so sweet, looks so real."

Harry was a thoughtful person. He noticed that was Zayn's favourite dessert, he always added it when they order take out. When he got to the last one, he read the note first, without lifting the lid. "You showed me a power that is strong enough to bring sun to the darkest days. I love you, baby." Zayn kissed the last card. He knew what Harry meant, what that card was referring to.

"What did you save for last? This has been amazing, babe. You made all my favourites." Harry smirked.

"Open it up and see what's inside." When Zayn did, there was no food. Instead, there was a small black heart-shaped box. Zayn looked up at Harry, who was still smiling, a little nervous now, wriggling his fingers. Harry licked his lips, feeling them suddenly dry as fuck.

"Harreh..." Zayn breathed out. "Is this..." Harry nodded, finally getting up to go sit next to Zayn. He grabbed the box and opened it for Zayn.

"It is. Since the first moment I lied eyes on you, it was like my soul recognized you. I've never felt this way before about anyone, this calm and storm, this need and desire, this deep love and sense of belonging. Since we met, we have had our ups and downs, not long ago even, but never not being with you has crossed my mind. You're all I want, you're all I need, you're all I love. You are the strongest man I've ever come across. You pulled yourself up from your lowest point, you chose to move forward even when your soul was bruised and hurt. Marry me, baby, make me the happiest new Malik on earth."

Zayn stared at the ring inside the black box. It was such a beautiful ring. He was a bit scare to even reach out to touch it, afraid it would scratch it somehow. When Harry wiped away a tear from his cheek, he learnt he was crying. He started nodding, hating that feeling you get, when your heart seems to be in your throat and if you open your mouth, it feels like it's going to jump out of your body.

"Yes, babe. Fucking yes. I'll marry you a thousand times, in this and all lifetimes I find you. Yes, I'll marry you, Styles, soon to be Malik. You really wanna be a Malik? Harold Edward Styles has a nice ring to it."

"I do wanna be a Malik. Harry Styles does sound good, but how about Harold Edward Malik? Much better, don't you think? Harry Malik, CEO of Styles Publishing, sounds fucking hot." Harry said, sliding the ring onto Zayn's finger, kissing him. Zayn climbed on Harry's lap, deepening the kiss.

When they broke, Zayn stared at the ring again. It had a beautiful wavy design, with different colours and patterns, with a single emerald in the middle.

"Where did you find a ring like this, babe? I love it. S' so different. Love the emerald, my green alien."

"See what I did there? And I designed it, angel. Like, I saw this place online with those type of patterns and I was curious. I reached out and they said you can customize your rings, so they are unique, colour and pattern wise. They like, melt multiple metals, and give the shapes you want."

"It's as unique as you, babe. I love you so much."

"I love you too, so, so much. There's something else I must confess, though."