Handkerchief

Chapter 8

Zayna curled her hands inside the pockets of her sweater.

It was another rainy day in town and here she was, waiting to try on the dress she was going to wear to the wedding. She sat there next to the bridesmaids and they chatted to pass the time.

Lindsey, one of Chris and Zayna's friends and one of the bridesmaids, was asking Zayna about her fashion line when someone called Zayna from the other side of the room.

"Your turn, 'lil sis",Zara said as she and Zayna both entered the fitting room. Zara was Chris' wedding planner and made sure everything was in order in time for the wedding.

Zayna wore a royal blue strapless dress that reached the floor.

"Its perfect",Zara said as Zayna looked in the mirror.

"Chris will be happy to know that his maid of honor looks beautiful in her dress",Zara says as she sends a picture of Zayna to Chris. Zayna was too deep in thought to hear what she was saying.

"Zayna",her sister calls out as she snaps back to reality

"Sorry. What?"

Zara rolls her eyes at her sister before she realizes something,"Speaking of the wedding, do you happen to know who the bestman is?"

Zayna sighs,"I know its Josh, Zara. Chris told me yesterday"

"You haven't seen him since you guys graduated",she says as she places a hand on her sister's shoulder

"I'm going to see him someday, whether I like it or not",she points out

"Are you going to be okay?", her sister had a worried look

"I'll be fine. Its just Josh",she said. But it looked like she was telling this to herself rather than her sister.

After the fitting, Zayna walked to the nearest coffee shop to get some caffeine into her system and find someplace to relax while she sketches.
She grabbed her coffee and sat by the table near the window.

She watched the people walk through the rain, walking to where they need to go. She started to sketch.
After a few minutes, the bell on the door of the coffee shop ringed signaling another customer came in.
Zayna looked up and as if the world was in slow motion, she saw him.

The same blond hair and ocean blue eyes. He was taller and more handsome, Zayna had to admit.

He smiled at the cashier and said his order. He still had that flashing smile that could light up anyone's day and the cute little dimples.

Zayna shook her head to snap out of what she was thinking. She put her sketchbook in her bag and grabbed her coffee. She had to leave before Josh could see her. She wasn't ready to talk to him yet.

She stealthily made her way to the exit but just when she thought she escaped she heard a familiar voice.

"Zayna?", he still sounded the same.

Zayna did something stupid. She ran. She ran out of the coffee shop. She didnt care if the rain was soaking her.

She stopped outside a flower shop. She took cover under the roof of it and searched her bag for a handkerchief to wipe the water from her face.

"Zayna!", like a metal to a magnet.

Zayna dreaded the rain as she saw Josh running towards her. His hair was covering his forehead as he braced through the rain.

He stopped in front of her.

He caught his breath before speaking,"damn, you run like an athlete"

Zayna couldn't say a word.

"Hey, long time no see",he smiled at her. The same smile he always used to give.

Zayna felt her heart ache.

He tried wiping the droplets of water on his face unsuccessfully.

Zayna snapped out of her trance. She opened her bag and pulled out another handkerchief and without thinking held it out to Josh.

He stared at it before smiling as he took it and dried the raindrops on his face.

"Thanks. I see you still bring an extra handkerchief",he pointed out as he tried to fix his hair.

Zayna realized that even now, she still always brought an extra handkerchief.

She shrugged and spoke up for the first time in this entire conversation.

"Old habits die hard", she said in full bitterness.