Amour à Paris- a rekindled Romance

Chapter 10

"SHIRIN ROY IS YOUR EX! The girl who was the reason for our break up is Journalist SHIRIN ROY! AND YOU TOLD HER THAT I AM YOUR GIRLFRIEND! You should have told her how you couldn't be with me because of her or rather because you couldn't forget her. YOU DUMB ASS! YOU MORON! YOU IDIOT! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

Nina could have jumped out of the screen and slap Zain if she could. Nikhil on the other screen was in agreement with her. Nina was Zain's friend and ex-girlfriend. Quite the three musketeers they used to be before Nina went to UK for higher studies and later came back to join Dreamscape Innovation as a Legal Advisor. They dated for a brief period before parting ways amicably. Some people are just meant to be friends, they both realized that. That is not the case with Nikhil though. They are dating and no one but Zain knows about it. However, no matter how much Nina cared about Zain, her tone ensured she was still pretty annoyed at everything Zain went through after his break-up with Shirin.

Nikhil:- Seriously man, why would you say that?

Zain:- I was annoyed.

Nina:- Annoyed? Seriously? Are you kidding me? You drowned yourself in alcohol, you just stopped going to Therapy last year, we both have heard the name Shirin at least a million times and then you meet her, tell her that you have a girlfriend, which is basically your ex-girlfriend and the Legal Advisor in your company and someone whom you have dumped because of Shirin Roy! EXPLAIN!

Zain:- Sorry. I didn't think it through. And to be honest we both dumped each other Nina. We are close friends.

Nina:- Seriously? How old are you? 16? You know what your problem is? You just stop thinking every time you see the name Shirin. And this time she was in front of you. I expect nothing better from you, you dumb man. How long will you be there in Paris?

Zain:- 3 days more. She is here for 10 days. 6 more days.

Nina: Did I ask? Nikhil, message Alex and tell him to call me ASAP.

I don't understand how people in 30s can behave like teenagers. You men! You stupid men!

Nina went offline.

Nikhil:- Dude!!! Why do you make her angry? Now I will have to face it. Think before you say things, dude!

Zain:- Listen I sent you the details of the new investment plan. I have some doubts and I think things might get really dirty before we can finally bag this deal. I will discuss this in detail after I go back. You just take a look at it and do the needful. Also, I am meeting Shirin for Moulin Rouge today. Any suggestion?

Nikhil:- Pick her up from the Hotel. Sort out or at least try to sort out the problems. Before that, please think about what you really want. You want revenge on Shirin? Or do you want her back in your life?

Zain:- I don't know.

Nikhil:- Figure out. Okay I have a call now. I'll update you afterwards. And Best of Luck.

Zain didn't have any flights booked and his work in Paris was almost finished. He could book a flight for the next day, but he was in a dilemma. Something invisible was tugging him back. He couldn't concentrate on whatever he was working on at that moment. Finally putting his laptop aside, he checked his mobile to see if there were any messages. A few messages came from his associates but the one he was looking for wasn't there.

He didn't know what he was expecting, after dropping the "Girlfriend" bomb on Shirin last night. He was bothered about her. Seeing her squatting on the footpath, trying to deal with what seemed like a panic attack, was uncomfortable. He wanted to reach out to her at that moment, hold her hands and comfort her. Unfortunately, he couldn't do any of those things. He didn't even know if she started having those problems because of him. That doesn't matter, he was ashamed of the thought. He wanted answers to so many questions and the only person who had those answers were silent. Suddenly he received an email from Alex, about the manuscript.

Usually, it is Alex's job, but the fact is Zain had never given such interviews before, so it is better if he checks it. However, Zain knew even if Alex could check it, he probably still would have sent it to him. Zain thought of harassing Shirin a bit over the interview manuscript, but it felt too childish. He wanted to torment her, but he also wanted something else, and that something else was bothering him the most. After toying with a couple of sentences in his head, he finally took his mobile and started typing...