Lost

Chapter 89: Rationality Who?

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Zayn, who had been unaware of Salma presence, looked up from his phone to give his order to the man behind the counter. He saw a movement in his periphery and involuntarily threw a hasty glance to his right. His eyes did a double take upon seeing her. The golden brown eyes that had haunted her dreams, widened. Salma saw his lips part in surprise.

"Bee?!" He exclaimed.

An intense pain shot through Salma's heart at the sound of his voice. She felt the pressure build behind her eyes and her chest constricted. Hot, boiling rage, like that of a surging volcano erupted inside her, blinding her, making her see red everywhere.

The monster!

This was the man who had deliberately made her shame herself, ridicule her own beliefs and violate the sanctity of her emotions, forever tainting them impure by forcing a declaration out of her that should never have happened. This was the man who tried to bring her down by striking at her most treasured gifts; her modesty and emotional purity. This was the man who tried to snatch away the respect she had for herself, to watch her snap, to see break but she would never give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. He would not see her crack. That much was quite clear in Salma's head.

Taking in a deep breath, she swallowed her anger and forced a smile that she made sure would show in her eyes.

"Wait – it's Zayn, isn't it?!" Salma faked a cheerful surprise, "Zayn Harris, right?"

Zayn stared at her, bewildered. He was clearly caught off guard. Of all the things that could have happened, he had not expected her to acknowledge him. She did not seem angry, or upset, or in any way bothered that he was there. While his guilt filled heart clenched painfully, Zayn found her nonchalance more painful than if she were to yell at him.

"How've you been?" Salma continued, "I just presented my research. It went perfectly well. Your visuals were appreciated. I'm really grateful -"

"I – Bee, I'm –"

There was so much he wanted to tell this girl. There was so much to say, but when he opened his mouth, he found himself lost for words. His lips moved wordlessly, not sure what to say or how to say it.

"Ma'am, your order," the man behind the counter spoke up.

Salma turned away to receive her ice cream.

"Thank you!" She smiled at the man, before turning back to Zayn. "Well, I got to go now."

Shrugging slightly, she slipped away. Zayn watched her walking away without sparing him another glance. He clenched his fists as the ache in his chest magnified manifold and spread to the rest of his body in waves. Closing his eyes, Zayn pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

He just had his chance! Why couldn't he just -

"Sir?" He heard the man. Zayn looked up to see the cashier eyeing him with concern, "Are you alright, sir?"

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Zayn nodded. He turned around to scan the room but the girl he was searching for was gone.

"Your order, sir?" the man asked again.

Zayn took in deep breath. He wasn't hungry anymore.

"Nevermind," he muttered, walking away from a confused cashier, with a heavier heart than when he entered the joint.

***

Salma returned her tray to the air hostess and settled back in her seat. Her brother was sitting next to her, scrolling through his phone. The two siblings were flying back home without their father. He made a last minutes plan fly to LA with his client. By the looks of it, Salma suspected LA was not the only city he was planning on visiting. She heard him say something about his project in Atlanta that was getting largely ignored.