Once in a lifetime

Chapter 58 Falling

Zayn didn't stay much longer. Harry tried to stop him, of course. Anne and Lou had to intervene to avoid a huge fall out between them, Harry crying and Zayn trying not to.

When he got to his parent's house, his mother had the table already set. He wasn't hungry, but he realised he hadn't eaten since they landed in the UK, the day before. His stomach was closed, as usually happened when he was anxious, and he stopped by the convenience store and bought himself a shitton of cigarette packs. He had chain smoke since he got out of the train, not caring to eat anything. Now, Trisha wanted to stuff him like a Christmas chicken. He smiled, despite it all. Mothers always know best.

Yaser was there also, waiting for him. They buried him in a protective parent's hug, and Zayn couldn't but to cry again. It was all so messed up. He blamed the fucking situation, thinking that he might've made a mistake, that there should be another way. However, every time he revised the conversation he had with Maddie, he was more and more certain he had made the right choice. She deserved to experience the family life even if for few days or months or years.

When he felt the incessant vibration of his phone, he knew Harry had found it. He wasn't picking up, but he would text him in a while, when Harry had maybe cooled down a bit. He didn't, though, and texted Zayn when it was obvious he wasn't taking the call.

H: What the actual fuck, Zayn? Was this some sick joke? Why did you do this to me?

Zayn left the engagement ring along with a note, on Harry's bed. He just couldn't keep it, not for the time being. Harry clearly didn't appreciate it, nor the note. He wrote him what he said a long time ago, "Chaudhvin Ka Chaand Ho Ya Aaftaab Ho? Jo Bhi Ho Tum Kuha Ki Kasam Lajawaab Ho. I love you. Z"

Z: I couldn't keep it, Haz. Please understand my position. Keep it safe and sound for me until we can be together again. I love you so much, babe. So, so much. Please, try to understand me.

H: I hate this. I don't want us to break up, Zayn. Please come back, baby, please.

Z: No, babe. This needs to be done. I'll be waiting for the two of you to come back to me, yeah?

Harry didn't reply and Zayn didn't expect him to. When his sisters came home too, he could almost forget the reason why he was home. Almost.

They had all gone to bed already, as it was almost two in the morning. So, when Zayn saw the number calling, his heart scrunched. Had something happened for him to be calling at this time?

"Lou? Hello? Is everything alright? Where is Harry?"

"M' in my bed and you are not here. M' watching how your engagement ring sparkles in my hand." Zayn immediately felt bile crawling up his throat. Harry.

"Haz? Babe, are you drunk?"

"M'falling, Z. M' falling again but now you're not here to catch me."

"Haz, listen to me. Where are you? Where is Lou and why are you using his phone?"

"I told you, m' in my bed and you're still not here. M' hopeless, broken. I don't wanna be alone, Zayn."

"Babe, where is Lou and why you have his phone?"

"Dunno where he is. I stole his phone, he won't give me mine. Serves him right, that fucka. What am I now without you, Z? What if m' someone I don't want around? Like, uh, I get the feeling that you'll never want me or need me again. M' a horrible person. I missed eight years of my kid's life, Z." Zayn knew Harry was wasted, but he was breaking his heart all over again.

"Babe don't say that. I'll always love you, I'll always need you. You didn't know about Maddie before, but you do now. That's why you must stay with her and get to know her. She loves you so much too."