Until I found you

part 23 "melting heart"

-- When Papa told me he had seen the girl who saved me that day, right here in this city, I was so eager to see her! I can't express how excited I was. But if I had known that girl was none other than you, then... (Zayn)
-- Then what?? (Daisy)
He, sitting next to her, placed his hand on her head and said,
-- Then I would have treated you to your favorite ice cream a long time ago. (Zayn)
As his hand messed up Daisy's hair, she squinted her eyes and said,
-- There's no need for a treat. Are you angry with me for this? (Daisy)
-- Umm, I am a bit angry. (Zayn)
-- But I already said sorry! What more can I do?? (Daisy)
-- Not much. But... (Zayn)
-- But what?? (Daisy)
-- There's a new cafe nearby. If you take me there... (Zayn)
-- Are you indirectly asking me on a date?? (Daisy)
He laughed and said,
-- You're acting like I asked you to be in a relationship. (Zayn)
-- Relationship! (Daisy said with wide eyes)
-- Relax! I was just saying we could go there for fun. Besides, you... (Zayn)
-- Wait a minute. (Daisy)
Saying this, she ran to her study table, tore out a blank page from a notebook, and started writing something. Zayn standing up, asked,
-- What are you doing??
Handing him the paper, she said,  --Here you go. (Daisy)
-- What's this? (Zayn asked in surprise)
Daisy handed the paper to him and said,

-- Apology letter. (Daisy)
Looking at the paper, Zayn saw a note with a drawing of a girl that looked more like a cartoon, making him burst into laughter.
-- What happened?? Why are you laughing like an insane?? (Daisy)
-- It's nice you wrote an apology letter, but is this supposed to be your picture?? (Zayn)
He laughed and pointed at the cartoonish drawing. Daisy  flared her nostrils in anger and said,
-- Look, now you're overdoing it. I'm saying sorry so many times, and you still can't stop provoking me. Give it back! You don't need this apology letter. Give it back! (Daisy)
When she tried to snatch the paper back, Zayn raised his hand, making her lose balance, and they both fell on the bed. Zayn lay on the bed with her on top. Her curly hair fell across his face. Daisy always found it hard to control herself when looking into his intense brown eyes. She quickly got up and, to diffuse the situation, said,
-- I think it's time for you to go back to your room. (Daisy)
Zayn got up and said,
-- Yeah. I'm leaving. Bye. (Zayn )
As he was about to leave, Daisy stopped him,
-- The paper? (Daisy)
-- You shouldn’t ask for a gift back. Be ready at the cafe at seven in the evening. I know you don’t have college or tutoring today, so please, don’t say no. Bye. (Zayn)
And he left. She stood there for a moment. It felt as if his scent had lingered on her, entwining her in some unseen web. Such an odd charm—impossible to avoid, and equally impossible to let go.
-- I help everyone find a way out of their problems, yet why can’t I solve this problem in my own life? Why does everything feel so complicated? Does he feel the same way about me? Or is this just friendship for him? Maybe a boy and a girl can never truly just be friends! Even if it’s one-sided, there’s bound to be an attraction. But should I really let my feelings for him grow unchecked like this? What if it all turns out to be a lie? How will I handle it then?? (She murmured softly)

When Zayn got back to his room and opened the paper, he found a note that read, "I know it wasn’t right for me to hide things like I did. But I had my reasons. I may not have said it, but I consider you a friend. And as a friend, I’m asking—please don’t stay angry. None of us know how much time we have, or when our paths may diverge, so let’s make the most of what we have. It’s not right to waste time on anger, sadness, or resentment. Sorry.
Yours, Daisy."

Reading the note brought a faint smile to his face. This girl really knows how to melt the hardest of hearts with her little gestures. Suddenly, Zayn remembered his grandpa's last words. Thinking for a moment, he carefully folded the paper and placed it inside a diary in his wardrobe.
-- Some things should be preserved with care. (Zayn)

It's seven in the evening. Zayn had arrived at the cafe early and was waiting for Daisy. Though the cafe was small, it was beautifully decorated, and being a new spot, it was quite crowded. But Daisy? She hadn’t shown up yet! Was she not coming after all? Zayn kept waiting. Half an hour had passed, and he had already finished two cups of coffee. Just as he was about to leave, a smile crept across his face as he saw someone arriving.

-- Sorry, sorry. I’m really late. I was preparing some notes, which took longer than expected. (Daisy)
-- What would you like to eat? (Zayn) -- Today, the treat is on me. (Daisy)
-- Alright, then I’m going to order big! (Zayn)
Zayn then went on to order a lot of delicious items. Though everything in this wealthy city was expensive, she had brought all her saved-up pocket money with her, but seeing his orders made her a bit anxious. Seeing her quiet, he asked,
-- What happened? Why are you sitting there silently?? Don’t you eat this kind of food? (Zayn)
-- No, it’s nothing like that. Just... (Daisy)

Since they had come to the cafe, Daisy hadn’t spoken a word.
-- I feel like you don’t like this place. You go outside, I’ll be back from the washroom. (Zayn)
When Daisy asked the waiter for the bill, he responded,
-- Mam, the bill is already paid. (Waiter)
-- But by whom? (Daisy)
-- Mr. Zayn.
With that, the waiter left.
Daisy was left sitting there, surprised. -- You just said you’d take the treat from me, and then you went and paid yourself! But why?? (Daisy thought to herself)

Zayn returned from the washroom and found Daisy standing outside. When Zayn approached, she said,
-- Why did you pay the bill?? I was the one giving the treat! (Daisy)
-- So what?? Who cares who paid the bill? I just came to spend time. Next time, you pay; promise. (Zayn)
Saying this, Zayn started walking. Daisy had no choice but to follow.

Zayn and Daisy walked along the sidewalk, amidst the rush of this technology-driven city. While everything around them raced ahead, maybe they wouldn’t mind if, for just a moment, time could stand still! As they walked, their hands brushed a few times unintentionally, and Neel eventually locked his pinky finger around Daisy's to steady her. When she looked at him, Zayn acted as if nothing had happened.
-- You wrote in the note that we’re friends, that you consider me a friend. So as a friend, please stop calling me "you" in a formal way. It feels terrible to hear. You can even call me “tu”—I don’t mind, but not the formal “you” please! (Zayn frowned)
-- Okay, okay, I understand. (Daisy laughed)
-- And can I call you just Daisy? (Zayn) Daisy saw him looking directly at her. Without a second thought, she nodded, and Zayn smiled sweetly. Who knows what was going on in her heart at that moment! Perhaps her heart responded: “Dil to paagal hain Dil deewana hain...”

To be continued...
© By Porna

(Hope you all like it... Stay tune with the story and show love guys! 💞)