Once Upon a Time in London

Chapter 34

Zain holds my hair back as I throw up in the toilet.

I hate everything about this.

"You should go, I might just bury my face in this toilet because of how humiliating this is" I mumble.

"Exactly why I won't leave" he replies, helping me back up as he walks me over to the sink.

I wash my face, and then wash it again, hoping it would sober me up.

He sighs next to me, "It's my fault, I shouldn't have suggested that drinking game."

I rub my temple, my head throbbing, "I shouldn't have played knowing I can't handle my alcohol."

He grimaces, "Come on, let's get you to bed."

I sigh but comply with Zain as he squeezes toothpaste on my toothbrush before passing it to me, I take it and try to focus on it, accidentally brushing my cheek instead of putting it in my mouth.

He looks at me amused, "Wow you really are drunk."

I groan but try again, poking my upper lip this time.

Zain laughs but helps guide my hand towards my mouth.

The minty aftertaste of the toothpaste is a relief from the taste of bile but it's strong enough that I almost feel like I may puke again.

I shake my toothbrush twice to make sure there's no water left on it but stop when I almost drop it, placing it back in the black spherical holder. I slightly sway to the right and accidentally knock it over on the vanity and the marble cracks.

"Oh no" I cry, staring at the shards sprawled across the countertop. I try to pick up a few pieces.

"Oh no you don't" Zain grabs my hands before I can even pick up the first piece.

He smiles, "I'll handle that, let's put you to bed yeah?"

I nod, "Okay" I point towards the door as I begin walking towards it.

The walk from the bathroom to my bedroom isn't something I remember, I only remember the smell of the covers, lavenders, as Zain tucked me into the blankets.

There isn't much I should've remembered from that night given my drunken state but I do remember feeling at home. Like a gypsy who had travelled the whole world before finally finding happiness in a small corner he overlooked before.

— — — — — — — —

The kettle whistles in the background and I turn around in the bed, basking in the sunlight streaming in from the slightly parted curtains. I smile as I feel a flutter of fingers gently stroking away the hair that was falling in my eyes.

"Goodmorning jaan"

I giggle and turn towards the voice, Zain.

I look up at him through half-lidded eyes and smile, "You and your silly words."

"Silly?" he shakes his head, chuckling as he tugs the blanket off me.

"No" I wriggle around, trying to grip the blanket tightly.

He laughs but rips it away easily, sitting back on the chair next to my bed and leaning back.

I sit up on the bed, trying to take the blanket back but he only leans farther back.

I'm almost at the edge of the bed when he wraps his arms around my waist all of a sudden.

"You've been sleeping so long, don't you want to have breakfast with me?" he asks.

"No" I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Wah, you'd think that you don't even love me?" he brushed another strand behind my ear, his arm still wrapped around my waist securely.

"That's because I don't" I grin as I wiggle out of his grip and run over to the bathroom.

He stands up, smiling, "Eh Anjali?"

"Hmm" I reply, turning back to look at him as I put toothpaste on my toothbrush.

"Marry me?" he grins.

"Zain!" I yell, closing the door as I press my head against it, my face felt too warm all of a sudden.

I could hear him laughing even with the closed door and a smile plays on my lips. Zain was home. My home.