Amour à Paris- a rekindled Romance

Chapter 14

6:30am next morning.

Something was vibrating near Shirin's pillow. It was her mobile. Without opening her eyes she received the call,

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? I AM IN PARIS AND COMING TO YOUR HOTEL. YOU MORON! WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT, ZAIN? WE CALLED YOU SO MANY................"

Suddenly Shirin was wide awake. She checked the phone screen and it showed Nina! Shit! This is not her phone. Suddenly a journalist was at a loss of words. Confused Shirin just disconnected the call and the memories of last night came back to her like a Tsunami! "Shit! Shit! Shit!" Looking at all her belongings scattered in the room, she hurriedly got out of the bed and somehow managed to wear everything in less than 2 minutes. She looked at Zain one last time, he was sleeping peacefully, unaware of anything that was happening around him. "What have you done, Shirin Roy!!! Shit!" Shirin rushed out of the suit, without waking him up.

After coming back to her room, she realized she was still wearing Zain's blazer. She wore everything in such a hurry that she didn't notice this back then. "Okay, there's nothing to worry about. I'll talk to him. What if he doesn't want to talk to me! But what should I tell him! I knew about his girlfriend! Shit". She had a trip to Versailles planned and she wanted to feel excited about it. Versailles is about history and culture, and nothing should disturb that experience for her. She knew she couldn't convince herself of whatever she was blabbering. She could still smell his cologne in her dress, the comfort she felt in his embrace...STOP THINKING ABOUT IT! She scolded herself again! Before leaving for Versailles she sent Alex the edited interview manuscript.

 

Her brain kept going back to the previous night...

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Zain woke up with a jolt when the phone in the room rang. It was from the reception, to inform him that a Lady was waiting for him. He asked them to send her to his room. He looked around, But Shirin was nowhere to be seen. What the hell? It is still early, why did she leave? His brain was still not working properly. He wore a jogger, and a Hoodie before Nina came to the room.

:- You know you are a Moron!!!!! Nina was almost shouting.

:- Please don't shout. My head hurts!

:- It's gonna hurt more. You need to go back to Munich ASAP.

:- I, what?

:- Some issues are going on and YOU need to handle it.

:- Wait. Breathe. Now tell me slowly.

:- There's a meeting today, one second! Why is that shirt of yours on the floor! There's an earring and... and you didn't take our call last night because you were with her? SHIRIN? Again? Are you out of your mind?

:- I am not. First thing first. Tell me about the issues. I'll attend the meeting from here. You need to be on the call as my legal advisor. And about Shirin, a lot is going on, I cannot tell you yet. I am sorry. But because of that I really want you to talk to Nikhil and arrange that meeting ASAP. I need to find Shirin. Also, please get me a large strong coffee, please. My head hurts.

:- Nina was clearly annoyed but she knew the priority.

He attended the call, which went on for more than an hour. Nina was just watching him, hungover and visibly tired but when it comes to Dreamscape Innovation, Zain's passion reaches a new high. However, as soon as the meeting ended, he got up and frantically started calling someone. Looking at his face, she knew Shirin wasn't answering. Suddenly Zain asked, looking at his phone, "Nina, did you call me this morning?"

:- Yes. I told you I was here and coming to the hotel.

:- But... I don't remember... SHIT! What did you say in that call?

:- Nothing. I was just annoyed at you and said I was coming here and then it got disconnected. I wasn't sure if you received the call or if there were some issues with the network.

:- Nina, I cannot fly back to Munich today. I have never asked you for any favours. Hopefully, Nikhil can resolve this without my presence there. But in case my presence is required there in the next couple of days, can you guys manage without me? I really need to find Shirin.

:- You didn't tell her that I am not your girlfriend?

:- I should have and I wanted to but then the moment was something, I just didn't get the chance!

: - Are you kidding me? Zain, Shirin is a whirlpool you always lose yourself in. You should also not ignore Dreamscape...

: - I put my everything into Dreamscape Innovation and Shirin is...well just know that both are important and Nina, I really need to find Shirin or otherwise I will go crazy. You stay here or whatever, I'm leaving now.

Looking at Zain, Nina sighed and decided to make a few calls. She wanted to talk to Nikhil about work but right now, Zain was the priority. So, she made a quick call to Alex and talked about a few things. "What would men do without women?" Nina was frustrated and finally called Nikhil. She wanted his bear hug right now.

Nina: - I am so angry and annoyed. I want to hug you!

Nikhil: - Just a matter of a few hours, babe! Then you will be with me.

: - would you hate me if I kill our friend? Right now, I am so annoyed! He is behaving like a teenager. I don't understand how he becomes this around that woman.

: - He needs closure, Nina. Zain can let go of anything but not Love, not Shirin. And I think he would never find peace of mind until he either gets closure or Shirin.

:- I don't know. They are not behaving like adults.

:- For that you are there. Right? You are the best.

:- hmm... I want you so much right now.

:- and you will get more than just that when you are back.

.

.

Visiting Versailles didn't improve Shirin's mood much. She was also hungover and tired. She couldn't enjoy the famous world of mirrors amid the human flood. The gardens seem to be a little less crowded and she took a few photos there. She packed some sandwiches to save time. While eating she checked her phone and saw a message from Alex. There were 9 missed calls from Zain, 2 from Rehaan and a few other messages from her friends. She only checked what Alex had written to her. He said the manuscript is almost perfect, except for a few things. Shirin called Alex to know the details,

"Hi Alex, I just saw your message. I am in Versailles today and will be back in the evening. Can you please email me the feedback? I'll check and get back ASAP."

"I don't want to impose but it'd be great if you could meet me sometime. I can squeeze in 10 minutes and then explain the issues."

"Okay. Let me know where. I will be back by 6 pm and then I can meet you".

"Cool. I'll send you the details. Bye."

Her journalist instinct said, there's not much to do with the interview manuscript anymore. However,she had to keep it formal to avoid problems. She wanted to talk to Zain, but she needed some time before that. She didn't know yet, how to face him or what to say. She didn't know if she wanted him back. She just knew he felt like Home. Something she didn't realize she had lost till she found it back. She didn't want to be a relationship wrecker either. So, she needed time and her brain betrayed her by going back to the memories of the previous night again and again.