Chapter 24

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Zia's POV:

I felt like I was abandoning everything, unsure if I'd ever return to claim this place as my own. I was content with living an independent life when I first moved to Germany because I embraced the freedom and new opportunities, without feeling depressed. The intensity of emotions overwhelmed me, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Tears streamed down my face as I gazed at my loved ones, overcome with emotion. There was a dam that broke and I sobbed uncontrollably. My mother's tears mingled with mine as we embraced each other tightly. My father joked that it felt more like vidai(a traditional Indian wedding farewell) than a journey to Germany. After leaving them, I went to the washroom to freshen up because I was sure I looked as if someone forced me to travel.

I was a complete mess, and my eyes were swollen when I looked in the mirror. I cleaned my face, got some ice water to put on my stinging eyes, and boarded the plane. After I settled in and waited for the plane to take off, someone approached with an offer and asked to switch places with the person sitting next to me. It felt surreal as I looked up upon hearing the voice as if I were in a dream. He quickly glanced at me, grinned, and then made the request for the passenger to switch seats. Initially hesitant, the woman's demeanor shifted upon learning it was business class, and she eagerly walked away. I gave him the "Are you an idiot" expression. He flashed a grin before settling into the seat next to me.

Azlan's POV:

Her astonishment at seeing me was evident, and I could sense her amusement at my request to swap seats. Honestly, I tried to get another seat in business class, but since it wasn't available, I moved here. I'm prepared to be an idiot if I get to sit with her, and knowing she cried when she left, I had to accompany her. She inquired as to how I got here, given that I planned to take a plane to Luxembourg. She nodded when I told her about my work trip. I requested some ice from the hostess because her eyes were puffy and red. I wanted to help her myself, but she said it would be fine.

The journey was pleasant, and we engaged in a delightful conversation covering various topics. When we arrived, I called a cab and proceeded to her apartment. She inquired about my plans for the trip, including where I intended to stay. I had no plans, but I had to pretend, so I claimed I had a conference tomorrow and would be renting a room in a nearby hotel to stay. She requested that I take a nap here and then depart after eating. I assisted her as she began to tidy the space. It was nearly eight when we finished cleaning up her apartment. We were both exhausted, so I asked her what she would want to get for dinner. I got ready to depart after eating.

"Did you book the room?" she asked upon seeing me.

"I haven't yet, but I'll check now," I replied.

I began looking for a nearby place to stay, but unfortunately, none of them were suitable. The remaining excellent hotels were rather far away, and while Airbnb was a decent option, it wasn't my thing. It was getting late, so after 30 minutes of searching without finding suitable options nearby, I decided to stay at the Airbnb. Since she only has one bed, and she would likely offer it to me while using the sofa herself, I decided it wouldn't be appropriate for me to stay and I didn't want her to feel uneasy.

Zia's POV:

I refrained from asking him to stay as it would have created an awkward situation for us. He mentioned securing a reservation before leaving. After I followed him, he requested me to stay inside since I didn't have to. Being with Azlan made me forget the pain of leaving home; his presence was comforting and reassuring. He talked happily about my favorite topics and told me funny jokes. I slept contentedly. We had planned to go out for supper tomorrow after he finished the meeting. I am delighted to be going on my second date. I have one week until the start of my office and course. Few people know this, but besides my work, I am taking a course to further develop my skills in a related field. My goal was to become a game designer, but since I couldn't pursue that in India, I chose computer science instead. I enrolled in a game design course after finishing my master's degree.

Since I had nothing to do the following day, I chose to sleep in and got up at twelve. After showering, I got ready to head out to the supermarket. A letter and a rose were left at the door. It was by Azlan, and the note said, "Be ready by 3. I'll be waiting, and I've got a surprise." He didn't seem like a romantic, so I was shocked, but he continually proved me wrong. I eagerly anticipated the surprise he had in store for me.

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