31 Days.. (a zayn malik fanfiction)

chapter 19-happy birthday(part 2)

CHAPTER 19: HAPPY BIRTHDAY (PART 2)
The smell of his cologne filled inside of my nose as I softly rested my head on his shoulder while we embraced. Every quick whiff of his scent reminded me of every perfect moment we had together and a feeling of safety as if nothing would ever go wrong so long as I had him. As we broke apart, it was like I could see straight through him with the look in his eyes. All that was within him was clear, and all that was within him, was love. 

“You look beautiful,” he whispered whilst placing his lips onto my forehead for a soft kiss,

I closed my eyes and smiled, letting the delicate touch of his lips trigger the start of a fast heart beat and the release of what felt like millions of butterflies going wild inside of me. I pursed my lips together, fluttering my eyelashes as our eyes met once again. Whatever he had planned for this night together didn’t hold much importance to me at this moment. We could sit on the couch, just staring at the wall and it would still be one of the best nights of my life. Nothing could beat this feeling. Nothing could beat what I felt for him.

I jumped in between his arms full of excitement, “Happy birthday!!!!” I squealed giving him a quick peck on the lips, “I got you a present!” 

His face sulked, “Can’t I have a proper kiss first?” his hands pulling my body closer,

My lips slowly curved at the corners as I moved my head closer to his, lips surely just centimetres away making sure I stopped exactly there, “No.” I shifted slightly backwards smirking, “No, you cannot.” I pulled his present in front of him so it was fully in his view, blocking my head. 
He heaved a sigh and peaked his head around the present so he could see my face, “You didn’t have to get me a present, a proper kiss would of been all I needed.” and with that, he giggled wickedly pushing the present away with the side of his face, grabbing the back of my head and forcefully yet passionately kissed me well enough to make me feel like I was floating on air. As our lips left one another, his hand slowly drifted away from the back of my head to my cheek, eyes slightly dazed as he bit his lip. I hated how weak he made me feel. That ass could kill a puppy and with just one look he could convince me that it was the puppy’s own fault for dying. I urged myself to break from the hold he had against me and playfully head butted his forehead, “Open. Present. Now.” I demanded,

He laughed and pouted, clearly surprised I had ruined our moment, “Okay, okay, just come in first.” he said as he raised his hands up to his defence and stepped to the side making way for me to go in first. I poked his ribs smiling as I walked into his apartment, excited to see for the first time his humble abode. He gently placed his hand on my waist as he closed the door and directed me towards the dinner table. I looked around more than astonished to how beautiful it was inside. “Zayn, your apartment.. it’s beautiful.” I shrieked, not being able to keep my eyes from pondering around,

“Thank you,” he chuckled, “Now, sit down.” he said as he swiftly pulled out the chair now in front of me,

I hadn’t realised we had already reached his dining table. I was clearly too enthralled by the charm of his apartment. I cheerfully sat down as he pushed my chair along with myself in and looked up to him, “Such a gentlemen!” I teased,

He winked at me while he sat down and nervously fixed his cutlery like he had some sort of OCD. As I sat there watching him, I finally took notice of just how gorgeous he truly was. The dimmed lights put a shade of mystery in his eyes and his white shirt unbuttoned on the first few revealing his tattoo as it slightly peaked out. I sincerely believed that there was no one on this Earth that came close to how gorgeous he was.

After staring at him for so long, I finally realised what Zayn had laid out for me for our birthday. Whilst the whole apartment was dimly lit, surrounding us was a layout of candles with the dinner table set so well. My hands instinctively covered my mouth with surprise as I looked up at Zayn; smiling and proud of his efforts. 

“Zayn.. oh my gosh, this is.. this is so cute oh my God!” I gasped, “Wait wait,” I perked one of my eyebrows up, “Did you make this or? You got a cook to do it for you?” I smirked,

“One thing you should know about me? I can cook! Spaghetti bolognese is my speciality.” he winked,

“Oh is that so?” I teased, “I dunnoooo..” 

He let out a scoffand leaned across the table grabbing my fork and twirling the strands of spaghetti around it, “Go on. Open up! I swear it’s the best spaghetti you’ll ever have.” 

My eyebrows lifted up as I glanced at the fork wrapped in spaghetti, “Really? You’re going to feed me?” 

He moved his hand forward, poking my mouth lightly.

“Okay okay!” I half laughed, opening my mouth and began to chew. His lips pressed together as he anxiously awaited my response. “Mmmm, not bad!” I grinned. It surprised me to how delicious his spaghetti actually tasted. He definitely could cook better than I ever could. The thought of Zayn cooking for me every now and then lingered in mind making me feel all giddy inside.

“Not bad?!?!” he shrieked, clearly offended, 

“I’m kidding! It tastes really good! I’m very impressed!” I grinned pinching his cheek, 

His nose scrunched up as he sat back down on his chair. His slight frustration amused me, “Open your present now grumpy pants!” I urged pushing his present closer to him,

His face lit up as he hurriedly ripped apart the wrapping paper. The look on his face was priceless. Seeing him happy made me double as happy. 

“Holly…” he said in disbelief, “This is incredible. You’re so sweet! Thank you!”

I blushed feeling the little butterflies fluttering about inside of me. He got up from his seat and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I had bought him a large frame with a collection of photos of every single day and date we spent together all blended in with one another. 

“It’s so you don’t forget me!” I chirped,

“You know I’d never forget you..” he smiled grabbing my hand across the table and caressing my fingers,

He always knew the right words to say; effortlessly being able to turn me into a mindless zombie.

“Alright then! Let’s eat!” he announced and waited for me to start first,

“Nooo don’t watch me eat! I’m the messiest eater and it’s embarrassing!” I squealed folding my arms,

He perched up his perfectly shaped eyebrows, “You’re insulting me that you’re refusing to eat my food ya know,”

I sighed. Damn, he got me there. “Okay, okay fine.” I picked up my fork swirling the spaghetti around, and in just minutes, shoved every strand into my mouth and down my stomach. He really was a good cook. 

Zayn coughed, “You never cease to amaze me whenever you eat,” I looked up slowly, “You remind me of the Cookie Monster whenever he eats cookies.”

“OM NOM NOM NOM!” he mocked throwing his hands in the air and to his mouth,

“Oh my God, nooo, shut up!” I cried covering my face with my hands, “I must be so attractive!” I whined sarcastically,

He pulled apart my hands from my face and my heart pounded loud when the first thing I saw was his gorgeous eyes, “I still love you,” with a smile so kind,

“I love you too.” I replied, meaning every single word,

He smiled that smile he knew very well that would make me melt effortlessly and softly kissed my lips, tongue begging for entry. My mouth slightly opened granting his request and we moved in sync like our mouths were the perfect fit. I pulled apart and tried to catch my breath a little and sighed, “I never want this night to end..”

“The nights not over just yet!” he smirked, “Come on!” he grabbed his bag and then my hand as he led me towards the door and out of the apartment. As we got to his car, he oh so gentlemanly opened the door for me and waited for me to sit.

“Put this on!” he said as he pulled out a blindfold from his back pocket,

I froze and tried not to laugh, “I’m starting to think you have a thing for blindfolds Zayn….” wriggling my eyebrows suggestively as he wrapped the blindfold around my eyes,

“Oh shush you. Just sit back and we’ll be there soon.” he laughed as I heard the thud of the door closing.

The car came to a halt and I figured we finally arrived to wherever Zayn was taking me. He opened my door and grabbed my arm, “Take your shoes off,” he said as he slowly helped me out of the car, 

I kind of froze for a moment, doubtful of his request, “Errrm… why?” 

He chuckled, “Just do it.”

“Well okay..” I shrugged flicking my flats off my feet, 

He led me as we walked for a short while, our fingers intertwined holding tight. The difference in the ground we were now walking on quickly made me realise where we were. The crashing of the waves filled inside of my ears while the little grains of sand tickled in between my toes, covering my foot with each step I took. I turned my face to Zayn and tugged at his shirt, “We’re at the beach!” I exclaimed letting go of his hand and jumping in front of him, “Take off the blindfold now!” I smiled,

“Okay okay, you win.” he sighed,

I stood there waiting impatiently for my vision to return and suddenly felt the touch of Zayn’s soft lips meet mine. The feel of him struck me inside as the kiss intensified with not only of passion but of love. If there was one way you could truly tell if someone loved you, it was undoubtedly through the magic of a kiss. He released the blindfold from my sight and I smiled as he gently kissed me again. After our lips parted, I hugged him tight, burying my face into his shoulder. It felt like every positive emotion inside of me was at its peak. It was crazy to think that just one person could make you feel so complete. Make you feel like you’ve finally found the reason to be. I had always dreamed and hoped and wished that some day I could know the feeling of love. The feeling that overtakes your whole existence and brings you to a place where only just two could understand. And here I was, feeling it. Just twelve days later of setting foot into London, here I was, feeling what I could have only dreamt of. I didn’t ever want this feeling to end, or us to end for that matter.

“Come on, let’s walk,” he said as he slowly let go and took my hand, 

I smiled to myself as we walked hand in hand on the shore, leaving our footprints on the sand behind us.

“Have you ever been in love?” he asked looking into my eyes intently,

My heart kind of jerked at his question, my mind immediately thinking of him, “You mean before you?” I said as my eyes twinkled at him,

He let go of my hand and pulled me in closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, “Yeah,” he laughed, “Before you met my amazing self!”

I rolled my eyes and shoved him with my shoulder, “Loser.” 

He kissed my forehead and grinned, “You’re in looove with a looooser” he sang in the tune of T-Pain’s ‘I’m In Love With A Stripper’, 

“Don’t give me that weird look!” he chuckled, 

I raised my eyebrow at him, “Oh gosh..”, shaking my head,

“Shhh!” he rested his head on my shoulder, “Go on, answer my question.”

I looked down at him smiling, not believing how adorable he could get. 

“I thought I was in love once,” I bit my lip, “But now that I think back, I don’t think it was real.” 

“What do you mean?”

“Well, as much as I thought I was in love with him.. I still had my doubts about him every now and then. I think love is when you just know. Like, you feel you haven’t ever been so sure about something before.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because ever since I met you, I haven’t been so sure of something in my whole life.”

He stopped walking and turned to me, gazing into my eyes as his fingers gently played with my hair. The moon light perfectly hit his face, accentuating every single gorgeous feature he was blessed with. He held my hands and leaned against a large rock that was behind him, “Remember when we first met and in the cafe I asked you to tell me something about yourself?”

“You really like reminiscing, don’t you?” I teased, “But yes, yes I do.”

He laughed, “Do you remember what you said?” I tilted my head tracing back trying to remember, 

“You said you liked candle lit dinners, long walks on the beach and-“ I laughed remembering my stupid description I gave when we first met, “Oh my God yes,” still laughing, “and being serenaded by guitar.” I shook my head asking myself how was it possible that I was an excuse for a human being,

He smiled as I mocked myself, letting go of my hands and jumped up onto the rock and sat there. I frowned and stepped closer deciding to follow but he immediately stopped me, “Just stay there okay?”

“Oh? Um, okay..” I said more than confused,

He smiled again and turned his back grabbing something from behind. As he returned to face me, he pulled out a guitar and sat it on his lap. A smile immediately appeared on my face as my heart beat picked up rapidly.

He began to slowly strum his fingers against the guitar’s strings and the melody of a familiar tune satiated my emotions, eager to hear his sweet voice,

“Oh…

I’m into you,

And girl,

No one else would do,”

My heart jumped and quite literally skipped a beat as I was quick to realise the song his voice so perfectly suited,

“‘cause with every kiss and every hug,

you make me fall in love,

And now I know I can’t be the only one..”

I stared up at him in complete awe. The sound of his voice together with the strumming of the guitar made everything inside of me melt; loosing my state of mind.

“I bet there’s hearts all over the world tonight,

With the love of their life who feels…

What I feel when I’m with you, with you, with you, with you, with you..”

His sweet voice dragged out the last words as the chords of his guitar slowly began to change to a different melody. I clung onto the side of my cardigan trying to stable myself, thrilled my serenade was far from over. 

“You should let me love you,

let me be the one to,

give you everything you want and need…”

I didn’t think it was possible to fall harder for him than I already had, but his voice and the look in his eyes, pulled every single heart string inside of me, making me fall deeper into this pit of emotion,

“Baby good love and protection

Make me your selection

Show you the way love’s supposed to be,

Baby you should let me love you, love you, love you…”

He smiled as he stared deep into my eyes as he sung,

“You should let me love you because I…”

The melody of the guitar changed once again as his voice got louder,

“I.. will never try to deny,

that you’re my whole life,

‘cause if you ever let me go,

I would die….”

The facial expression on his face turned serious as his strong eyebrows furrowed and his eyes reflected a spoken truth as he continued to sing. I knew then, that he meant every word.

“So I won’t front,

I don’t need another woman,

I just need your all or nothing,

‘cause if I got that,

Then I’ll be straight..”

His strumming began to slow down as he reached his final line. My heart, my mind, my everything had lost absolute control at this point and I no longer fought myself on holding back the tears,

“Baby… you’re the best part of my day..”

His last note took my absolute breath away and the first tear of utter joy streamed down my cheek, a few more beginning to follow. He jumped off the rock and made his way closer to me with a slight smile and eyes with such intensity. He placed the guitar down on the sand and reached for something inside of his pocket and pulled out a ring.