Handkerchief

Chapter 9

Its been weeks after their encounter and Zayna has done a good job in avoiding Josh. He was in town until the wedding, is what Zayna has heard from eavesdropping on the bridesmaids.

Finally, the day has come. Chris and Joaquin are getting married and Zayna has the privilege to be the maid-of-honor. She walks down the aile towards the altar. She watched as her bestfriend walks to the aisle towards the love of his life. There were tears of joy in both Joaquin and Chris' eyes as they stand there face to face. Zayna couldn't help but tear up as well, happy for her bestfriend. As they exchanged vows, Zayna looked across her towards Josh to find him already looking at her. She quickly tore her gaze away as heat traveled to her cheeks. Zayna looked at the couple when she heard 'you may now kiss the groom'.

The people cheered as the couple walked down the aisle towards the car heading to the catering service.

In the venue, she is greeted by Keith, a friend of both her and Chris.

"Hey there, Z",he greets her

"K",she teases as he rolls her eyes.

"Rude. I told you to stop calling me that",he says as he puts an arm around her to lead her to a table.

"Aw, I know you love it deep inside", she continues to say as they sit down.

"Only in your dreams, Z", he smiles at her.

They chat about the wedding and their lives until Keith notices something from the behind her.

"Don't look now, Z. Major hot guy alert staring at you",he whispers to her.

She casually turns her head at sees Josh staring at her. She quickly looks back at Keith.

"Do you know him?", Keith asks as he notices her tense.

"Just a...friend from college", she mutters but Keith looks unconvinced.
As he was about to say something, she was called to say some words about the newly wedded couple.

She takes the mike and clears her throat,"uhm...first of all congratulations to both of you. I know how long you've waited for this, you lovebirds. Chris, thanks for being there for me from college until now. You've been with me in my hardest and in my success as I was in yours and now I pass than on to Joaquin. Joaquin, I know you care for Chris and love him deeply. I know you'll take care of his and be there for him for better or for worse. To both of you, may you live a happy life as a married couple and help each other. Always know that I'm here when you need me and I'll support you guys no matter what"

A hand of applause was given as Chris hugs Zayna. She heads back to her seat but someone holds her arm. She turns around to look at Josh.

"Hey",he greets

"H-Hey",she says in a shaky breath

"Uhm...nice speech",he says as he rubs the back of his neck

"Thanks",she says.

" Its been so long. How have you been?",he starts.

He was trying to start a conversation like he last time. It annoyed Zayna that he acts like nothing happened, he acts like they were still friends.

"Can you not?", she couldn't help herself. Josh was taken aback by her sudden outburst.

"What?", he asks

"Can you not act like we're still friends?",she says

"Aren't we?",he asks, rather confused.

"You gave that up a long time ago",she said in a whisper as she looked away

He was about to speak but Zayna had enough. She was about to walk away but he grabbed her arm again.

"Let go",she demanded

"No. Tell me what I did", his eyes were as serious as hers.

"You cant just do this,Josh!",she exclaimed

"Do what?"

"You cant just appear after so long then just assume we just go back to the way it was!"

"Why cant it be?! We we're friends Zayna! You pushed me away! You ignored my messages, you ignored me in campus! You made me feel invisible!"

"Don't talk to me like that when you yourself did the same! You ignored my text too! you ignored me in campus too! And for what? Because you didn't believe me! You believed your girlfriend instead who in the end cheated on you! So don't tell me all that shit,Josh!"

"I was blinded by love,Zayna! I made a mistake", he admitted

"I made a mistake in loving you too",she said before she realized her mistake. Both of them froze.

"Y-You liked me?",he asked

Zayna had to get away. She ran away from him until a pair of arms held her shoulders.

"Hey, where are you going?",Chris asked

"I-I'm just going for a walk",she lied but Chris knew her.

"What's wrong?", concern filled his eyes

Zayna felt guilt. It was suppose to be Chris' moment. She cant ruin that. Plus, she knew that if Chris asked more questions she was bound to break down in front of him.

"I just need to breath,C. I'll be fine. Enjoy the night, its yours",she smiled at him. He still looked concerned but nodded at let go of her shoulders.

Zayna walked to the park near the venue, the crisp cold air sending shivers as she was wearing a strapless dress. She didn't care. She sat in one of the benches and cried.

Suddenly, she saw a hand holding a handkerchief. She looked up to see that it was Josh. She sighed but took it anyways. He took of his jacket and placed it on her shoulders as he sat down next to her.

"What are you doing here?",she asked once her tears were dry

"Chasing the girl I lost because of my own stupidity"

She looked at him and he looked back.

"I'm sorry, Z. I'm sorry for ignoring you, I'm sorry for not believing you. I'm sorry for one year of not trying to get you back"

"Josh-"

"I know sorry wouldn't do me justice. Hell, even I wouldn't forgive someone who treated them like shit. But it could at least let me show you that i regret what I did. And I regret choosing someone over you"

"Zayna,I liked you too. Hell, i still do"

"Josh, its okay. Just because i like you doesn't mean you have to like me too",she whispered

"And thats bullshit, because I'm sure on what I feel. I was blinded by someone else to know that you were the one I truly liked"

"I...don't know what to say"

"Zayna, I know I hurt you. And I will regret that for all my life. But...could we at least start over?"

"I-I'd like that"

He faced her,"Excuse me but are you Zayna Shay?"

She smiled,"yes"

"Oh...cause I believe you're holding my handkerchief",he pointed

"Oh, sorry",she gave it back to him. She noticed the familiar stitch of his Initials. He kept it, she thought to herself

"Its okay. I'm Josh by the way", he held out his hand and Zayna held it. She was expecting a handshake but he intertwined his fingers.

"I'm sorry but I just met you",she tried not to laugh,"I cant hold your hand already"

"You know...I think I know what love at first sight looks like"

"Oh? Why's that?"

He looked at her,"Because thats what I felt the first time I saw you"

They stayed like that thorough the night. Hands intertwined. Two people in love.