MIRANDA (complete ✔️)

11

Miranda could not hide her excitement.
"you are looking at a published author."
She told Jake as they took their morning cereal.
"I'm so happy for you."
He said.
He really was. Things were finally working out for her.

"im leaving, I can't be late again."
She left.

When she got there she found her coworkers having bought some wine to celebrate her being published.

All she had to do was wait for reviews on her book.
She was worried people would not like it as much but it was a step.

As she celebrated she could not help but remember the days she had discussed with Zayn about becoming an author.

She felt weird to tell him now, things were good between them but not clearly as comfortable.

She dialed his number anyway, "
HI, Zayn.
Guess what? I am have been published."

She said.
Zayn was quiet for sometime.
"really? This calls for a celebration. I'll meet you after work."
He said and hung up.

She really did not understand why he had to come by but she was going to enjoy her day.

At four, she called Jake who was apparently busy and could not make it. It would only be them.

She twisted her legs as she stood outside waiting for Zayn. The heels she wore made her exhausted. She had a few bruises from wearing them too much and could feel the pain through the band aid she had.

Zayn came later on, and they went.
Zayn looked much more excited than she was and this made her feel a little awkward.

"I can't believe it. Your dream is finally coming true."
He said as he drove.
She just smiled at him awkwardly.

"To be honest, I was glad you called. I thought you hated me."
He said.

She was taken aback.
"I don't hate you."
She said which amazed her because she too did not ever stop to think that.

"I'm sorry for what I did."
He continued.

She then could feel all she had felt that day, the hurt, the tears and disappointment but oddly she knew she did not hate him.

"I never hated you."
She said.

"I never could no matter how much I tried."

She continued much to her amazement.

"that's good to here"

He said.
He parked his car.

When Miranda saw the luxurious restaurant he had taken her she felt embarrassed.

She wore a black skirt that was not really new, never was and a white blouse that had been worn over and over again.

She followed him in, to a seat that had apparently been reserved.

"you can order anything."
He said.

She was not really one to be shy, so she ordered.

When a variety of dishes were brought, Zayn laughed.

"you have not changed."
He said.
"I'm still as hungry."

Zayn felt relieved to know that Miranda did not hate him. He did not realize how much that was weighing on him till he heard her say that.

And even more relieved when she talked to him as she had before. They laughed all through the dinner.
Each time he would drink in her smile, her hearty laugh and how her eyes wrinkled each time she laughed.
'man I have missed her.'
He thought.

And then everything became as clear as day then. That he still loved her, in so many ways he did, after all these years he did.

He had.

As they drove back he got so lost in the moment. Just like those years back.

"you remember when you were so afraid of thunder?"
She said.
He smiled.
"I was not. I only found that sound irritating."
He said.
"you were you would call me when it was raining pretending you missed me till you fell asleep."
She let out her hearty laugh, and before he realized it,
"I did miss you then, and I still miss you now."

He said and the hearty laugh that was in the car died down.
"I have missed you so much.
To be honest I was so happy to hear from you today, I always thought that I would miss all your good days but I didn't."

He said. He really wanted to stop. But he still continued, "I have missed you."

He looked at her brown eyes, searching for an answer.
He knew she did too, he could see it in her eyes,

"I have missed you too."
She said.
And his heart rose at every word,

"but I am with Jake now. You should never have ended it back then, we would have been so happy."
She said.

He went silent, he had forgotten about Jake.
She left.

And went right into Jake's arms.

He had been too late, he had been too late.