He Could Be The One

Chapter 8

Zayn's POV

She has a boyfriend. What?! How can she do this to me? I kissed her and she kissed back. There was a  spark. Okay, Zayn just cool it. Say something.

"But we kissed, and I'm pretty sure you liked it."

"Oh, trust me, I did. But I feel so guilty. The only right thing for me to do, is for me to break up with him."

"Take as much time as you need, we leave next week."

Thank god. I knew she felt the same way I do about her. I've been in love with her ever since her first email. 

-- Flashback -- 

Pooja to El/Danielle

 Hey girls, 

I had a fabulous time in London. It was great meeting you. My friends still can't believe that I met you guys! Anyways, back to school for me. It was just lovely going back to teachers who decided to throw bunch of assignments at our faces. [sarcasm intended] Forty days till my AP test. Ahh I'm freaking out. European history is not my favorite subject, even though I'll probably end up going to college in Europe. I'd rather take an AP Calculus test. I need to get a 5 or else Manchester U and London U will drop my scholarship offers. Too stressful. The only sad thing about coming back home was that I found out that my best friend's boy friend cheated on her. They were together for 3 years, and he broke her heart. As soon as I landed I drove to her house just to find her in her room, in a ball in the corner crying. I joined her and it broke my heart seeing one of my best friends crying, so I cried with her. She is still hurting, and I have no idea what to do. Any advice? Got to go now...talk to you soon...

xxx

Pooja

-- End of Flashback --

Pooja's POV

Next Morning....

Okay Pooja, you can do this. Just call him, tell him to meet you at Panera. And that's when your going to do it. Break up with him.

I took my phone out, and typed in his number.

"Hello.."

"Hey babe.."

"Hey Pooja, it's early...why are you calling me, is everthing fine? Why didn't you answer my phone last night, I was getting worried."

"Oh, I saw a movie with the girls."

"Oh I see, so what's up?"

"Do you want to get some breakfast this morning at Panera?"

"I would love to, I've missed you."

"Me too. See you at 9:30."

"Mhmm, Pooja?"

"Yes?"

"See you soon sweetheart."

"Yeah, see ya." I responded.

After that we hung up. He's my best friend. Our parents are so close. Ugh, why did Zayn have to come and ruin things But I just don't feel the same with Eshan. With Zayn, I feel secure, safe, and I can act like myself. But with Eshan, I have an insecurity, I need to act like a perfect Indian daughter.

I took a shower, and I got dressed for my "date." I dressed simple, in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I pulled my hair into a messy bun. I applied a light amount of make up, including a waterproof mascara, knowning that doing what I was about to do was going to bring me to tears.  

I left home and I pulled into the parking lot of Panera just to see Eshan there leaning against his car. A series of flashbacks swarmed in my head and all the times he was there for me....

The time we met for the first time at the park when we were 8. I fell, and for some reason he had a band-aid handy.

The time in 4th grade when the mean girls made fun of your Indian braids, Eshan was there to defend you.

The time in 8th grade, when you were the only one without a date to semi-formal, Eshan dumped his date for you.

This year, before you started dating him, you didn't have a date to prom. Eshan was there.

My conscience was telling me one thing, but my heart was feeling another.

All the memories in that car brought back so many flashbacks. From the first time he asked me to be his girlfriend to our first kiss. I got out my car and he ran towards me, and picked me up and spun me around in a circle, giving me a passionate kiss on the lips. It was going to be so hard to break up with him.

We were sitting on the sofa across from the fireplace drinking coffee. It was time.

"So, Eshan, what do you think about us?"

"What do you mean? I think we are doing fine. How about you?"

"I, uh, um..." I started, and he looked at me with his big brown orbs that had melting since the first time I met hi,. He was so sweet to me, he's been there forever, and I just can't do this to him. Not without a valid reason first.

And about to date Zayn Malik isn't a good enough reason?

No, not to him it won't be.

"Yes...? Pooja, is there something wrong?" Eshan broke into my train of thought.

I gave him a half-hearted smile, "I just don't know how to say this, but...I, uh, I..."

"It's okay Pooja, I feel the same way."

I looked at him. He what? A moment ago he said we were doing just fine. Did something happened in the last five seconds that I was not aware of?

"I love you too."

The nerve of the guy, I mean, what's up with-wait, what? Did he just say "I love you too"? Oh dear God, I'm definitely going to be sick now. And breaking up with him now? It would just be cruel. I need to look for an exit for this relationship. A clean cut exit. Crap, I never answered him, did I?

"It's okay sweetheart. I know how you feel, I've been feeling the same way for a while, and when you tried to tell me, you just looked so adorable, I couldn't take it anymore, I just had to say it." He said as he leaned across the table and cupped my cheek. I was beyond speechless.

He leaned in to kiss me just as my phone rang. I smiled apologetically, and checked my phone. A text from Zayn Malik appeared right in front of me.

Vas happening? The guys want to meet you, want to come over tonight? I'll drop you home afterwards. Dani and El want you to come to, they've missed you like crazy. xx :)

I looked up at Eshan, he was looking at me expectantly. 

"I, um, I have to go."

"Pooja, wait, what's wrong?"

I couldn't even answer him because just as I sat in my car, I sobbed. I saw Eshan begin to approach my car and I booked it out of there. I pulled over on the side of a small road, and just sobbed. 

Why must life be so hard? I have two great guys, and I can't bear to break anyone's heart. It's not up to me.

My phone kept ringing, I looked at it and sighed. I already had five missed calls from Eshan, wait, make that six. Four text messages from him, and one from a very famous boy-band member that still waited my response. I made my decision.

I could be friends with Zayn, and still go out with Eshan while I find an excuse for the break-up. Zayn will understand, right? 

I texed Zayn.

Where are we meeting?