(They never talked...but their destiny said; both of you are made for each other.)
**A Family Reunion Gone Wild** (Intriguing and humorous and unexpected romance)
Time: Midnight Setting: The Night Before Their Wedding
It was midnight, and Zayn stood on the balcony, trying to clear his mind, the cool night air doing little to ease the weight of tomorrow. The door creaked open behind him, and without turning, he knew it was Inaya.
She stepped almost near him, exhaling softly as she looked up at the sky, the stars barely visible.
Zayn turned, a grin spreading across his face. ''Can't sleep? Or just dodging the disaster that's about to unfold tomorrow?''
''Maybe both,'' she admitted, stepping closer. "It's too quiet in there. Plus, I couldn't stop thinking about how ridiculous all this is."
''Ridiculous? You mean how we're being forced to marry?'' he teased, raising an eyebrow. "Or how you're going to trip over your wedding dress tomorrow?"
''Very funny," she shot back, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her smile.
Zayn chuckled, leaning back against the balcony railing, his arms crossed casually over his chest. The moonlight highlighted the playful glint in his eyes, but there was something softer beneath it. "You know, if you do trip, I'll be right there to catch you."
She stopped just a foot away from him, the cool night air sending a shiver through her. "You say that now, but with my luck, you'll be too busy laughing."
"Hey, I'm not that cruel," he smirked, "but I might laugh after I catch you."
She shook her head, suppressing a giggle. "Good to know where your priorities lie."
Zayn sensed her mood shift because his grin faded slightly. "Hey," he said softly, taking a step closer, his teasing tone gone.
Zayn shifted slightly, his voice softer when he spoke again. "You're scared, aren't you?"
"Yeah," Inaya whispered, almost too quietly for him to hear. "I'm scared."
His gaze softened, and he uncrossed his arms, taking a step closer. "Me too."
Her eyes flickered to his, surprised by his honesty. For all his jokes, his confidence, she hadn't expected him to admit it. "Really?"
He nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. "I mean... this isn't exactly how I pictured things either. Waking up one day and being told I'm marrying someone. It's insane. But... I guess, I've been thinking that if we're both stuck in this... maybe we can figure it out together."
She swallowed hard, her throat tightening.
"I don't even know how to do this," she admitted, her voice wavering. "How do you just... marry someone you don't love?"
He inhaled deeply, forcing a light smile as he replied, "We don't have to figure it all out right now. It's... complicated, I know. But maybe we can start by just being there for each other."
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his, a flicker of doubt still clouding her gaze. "You make it sound so simple. But I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel. I don't know how to pretend."
Zayn's smile faded, and for a moment, he allowed the mask to slip, just a little. His voice was quieter when he spoke, more vulnerable than he meant it to be. "I'm not asking you to pretend."
His expression softened as he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. The simple touch made her breath catch.
"I'll be patient," he said softly, his fingers lingering just a second longer against her skin. "However long it takes. You don't need to rush... I'm not going anywhere."
He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes this time. "I just want you to know that whatever happens, you don't have to go through this alone."
"Zayn..." Her voice became shaky.
"We don't have to be perfect tomorrow," he murmured, his voice low and steady. "We just have to show up."
Inaya shook her head, her voice quiet, almost fragile. "I'm just scared. What if this whole thing falls apart?"
Zayn's eyes lingered on her face, his lips curving into a small, affectionate smile. "Then I'll be there to pick up the pieces with you. Even if it's messy. Even if it's hard."
Her heart softened at his words, a strange mixture of hope and uncertainty settling in her chest. She looked up at him, her brow furrowed in disbelief. "Why are you so calm about this?"
Zayn chuckled, the sound light and reassuring. "I'm not calm. I'm just good at pretending."
She smiled despite herself, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"Maybe," he teased, his eyes sparkling with that familiar mischief, "but I'm your impossible now.''
Her heart fluttered at his words, and she didn't bother to hide her smile this time. "Yeah," she whispered, more to herself than him, ''I guess you are."
For a moment, they stood like that-As she turned to go back inside, she paused, her hand lingering on the doorframe. She didn't look back at him when she spoke, her voice soft, almost like she didn't want him to hear the crack in it. "Thank you."
Zayn observed her as she walked back into her room, the quiet closing of the door leaving him alone in the night air.
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