Stranded

Chapter 10: Reality Decaffeinated (Part 1)

Harry’s POV

Wondering where Zayn is, I went to get my phone and dialed his number, saving myself from worrying more. Usually, when he gets confused, he tends to walk his way out of his problems, although he clearly cannot get away from them. At times, he forgets about being a high-profile person and goes around London without wearing a disguise or even a pair of tinted sunglasses, making the press people think negatively. There were already lots of times when his name is on the front page of tabloids, in magazine articles or blogs. Oftentimes, they say that Zayn Malik just quit One Direction or that Zayn Malik got bankrupted and is staying by the streets somewhere.

I got a bit alarmed when he didn’t pick up his phone. Usually, he picks up, tells us where he is and says ‘Don’t come’ after. I dialed Paul Higgins’ number, but sadly, like Zayn, he didn’t answer the call. I called Zayn’s phone again and left him a message.

“Um, Zayn, uh, we all don’t know what is really happening right now and, um, I know it’s hard on your part. You see, we’re confused, too.” I said, unsure of what I am saying myself. “Just tell us where you are, please. We’ll figure things out when you’re ready.”

“What are we going to do now?” I asked. I looked at Liam who was also looking as depressed as I was.

“Honestly, I don’t think I want to sleep, like, ever.” He said. “I guess we should go to a coffee shop and buy barrels of black coffee.”

Black coffee?Eew.“Isn’t that the bitter kind?”

Liam glared at me as if I knew nothing about coffee. “The bitterer, the better.” He said.

We immediately went outside and went to the nearby coffee shop, where we usually buy lattes and iced coffees. I ordered, as Liam went to sit on the booth farthest from the door, probably to make sure that no one recognizes us. The cashier knew me, of course, for I always buy my daily ration of coffee here when we’re at home.

“Do you think this will go on forever?” Liam asked me as I went to sit next to him as soon as I finished ordering.

“I don’t think so.” I said. After all, there are only rare cases wherein dreams are repeated or continued. I know that from experience. And I guess everyone knows that, too. I mean, usually, we dream another dream, right? And sometimes, we even forget what we dreamt of.

“I really wish you’re right, Harry.” He told me with a sad tone in his voice. I wish I’m right, too, Liam.

“Eight large cups of coffee for Leroy and Marcel.” A man at the counter yelled. I instantly stood up and went to take our orders, wishing that no one recognized the names I told the cashier to write on each cup of coffee. Four were labeled Leroy and four were labeled Marcel, just as I had requested the cashier girl do.

“You’re Harry Styles, right? And that seems to be Liam Payne.” The cashier girl told me silently, as she handed me the things I ordered. “Wow. I mean, I just saw Zayn Malik a while back. This must be my lucky day.”

“You did?” I asked. “Where’d he go?”

“He crossed the street and headed eastwards.” She said.

“Thanks.”

I headed back to our booth and put the cups of coffee down. “I think I know where Zayn is.” I told Liam.

“Good. I think we need to go somewhere else.” Liam told me, his eyes on the crowd of people making their way inside. True enough, we needed to find another place to stay. “We need to go back home afterwards, though. Perhaps Louis is already up by now.”

“Okay. Let’s go.” I said, putting on the hood of my jacket as Liam did the same.

Zayn’s POV

“Um, Zayn, uh, we all don’t know what is really happening right now and, um, I know it’s hard on your part. You see, we’re confused, too. Just tell us where you are, please. We’ll figure things out when you’re ready.”

I’m sorry, Harry. I’m afraid I can’t tell you where I am.

Staring at my own reflection on my phone’s screen, tears ran down my face. It was a good thing nobody is around, or else I could’ve embarrassed myself and maybe even One Direction. This is a complete mess.I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and called the only person who can understand me, Perrie.

“Babe?” I said as soon as she picked up.

“Yes, babe?” Her sweet soft voice soothed me.

“How are you?” I asked. It was the first thing that came up into my mind.

“I’m fine, babe. I’m actually here at the flower shop. Did you call just to ask me if I’m okay?”

“I miss you.”

“I miss you, too, Zaynie.” She said. “Is it okay if I buy red roses? I know they might look too cliché or something like that but they’re so pretty. Perhaps I should buy the pink ones. They’re so cute, too. Oh, I know. Maybe I’ll have both. And white ones, too. Is…”

She went on and on. Suddenly, for the first time since we’ve been engaged, I felt empty. Everything she was saying sounded like babbles to me. It was as if I do not care anymore. Oh, shut up, Zayn. You love her. That’s why you proposed to her, right?

“What do you think?” Perrie asked.

Uncertain of what she was talking about, I answered with the best and the safest response I could think of. “I trust your decisions, babe. I know you have good taste on flowers. No flower could be as beautiful as you, though.”

“Aww.How sweet.” She said. I said ‘goodbye’ and turned off my phone. This way, no one could bother me.

“You think you could run away from your best man?” I heard from behind me. I recognized that it was Liam’s voice.

“How did you two find me?” I asked without looking at them. Even if I didn’t look behind me, I was sure that he is with Harry.

“We thought we know you, Zayn, we really did.” Liam said.

“You can always count on us, Zayn. You know that. We feel you, too. We’re experiencing the same thing, remember?” Harry added.

“No. You aren’t. My situation is different from yours.” I uttered, coldly.

“You’re a coward, Malik. Man up!” Liam yelled at me.

Many things were running inside my mind and were bothering me. Instead of helping, Liam infuriated me more. The next thing I knew was I punched him right on the nose, making it bleed. He pushed me away the punched me back as soon as he was back on his feet. Harry tried to stop us from fighting but he wasn’t strong enough for me. I pushed him away and ran towards Liam. I punched him at the jaw and did an uppercut.

“Stop it, Zayn!” Harry screamed. He sprang behind me and pinned me on the wall, making me unable to move. I tried to jerk his hand away from me but I simply couldn’t.

After I finally calmed down, Harry slowly moved away. Liam was still glaring at me when I lookedat him. I sat on the chair on a corner as Harry called Paul and told him to send someone to pick us up.

“We are at the old recording studio. It’s just the three of us. I’m with Liam and Zayn.” He told Paul over the phone. “Okay.”

“I told Paul to have his driver pick us up and take us home.” Harry said, looking more serious than ever.