A/N: I AM ABOUT TO CRYY

ON WITH THE CHAPTER

December 31, 2012

N E W Y E A R S E V E P A R T Y

"Zayn, when is Shayne bringing the gown?" Ishita called out from the bathroom. She was over at Zayn's penthouse, getting ready. They agreed on getting dressed for the party here and then watching a F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode to kill time.

"Sweetie, Shayne dropped off the gown last night. Oh and I asked Elliot to come over and do our hair and stuff." Zayn spoke from his bedroom. He was really anxious. Ishita noticed his odd behaviour and even tried asking him about it but Zayn always dismissed the topic.

Ishita poked her head out from the bathroom.

"I cannot believe that you have a meeting. That too on a New Years Eve party!" She exclaimed and then pouted. Zayn waved his hand in the air, dismissing Emmanuel, a man in charge of his outfit.

"Ishita I believe we talked about this. Look, if I crack this deal, our lives may be set. Please stop frowning." Zayn walked into the master bathroom and saw Ishita wrapped up in a towel. He took in a deep breath and shifted his gaze from her body.

"B-but--" Zayn stopped her with a gesture of his hand. Ishita's jaw dropped at how controlling he was being.

"It is only half and hour and I promise- Hey look at me-" he held her shoulders in place as she tried to get out of the bathroom.

"I will be back before you know it. Now go and look pretty for me babygirl." His hands trailed down her shoulder, arms and finally settled on her hands. He grabbed them gently and massaged her knuckles. Ishita drew in a sharp breath and gave Zayn a tight smile before nodding curtly.

Zayn grinned, pleased with himself. There was no meeting, none whatsoever. Zayn will be gone for exactly thirty minutes as by then his assistants will prepare everything for his big announcement; the marriage proposal.

Although Zayn was confident of his decision, he was afraid of Ishita's answer. If she says no, this can potentially ruin them, and the future Zayn has planned for them.

Zayn slid his hands off her body and lightly patted her bum as Ishita started walking out of the bathroom. Ishita closed the bathroom door on her way out and Zayn turned his body around, facing the mirror. He smirked and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He adjusted his tie and ran his fingers through his hair. He hated the fact that he was torturing Ishita by being extremely rude to her but if he doesn't do this, the surprise will be ruined.

"Um Zayn," a soft knock and Ishita's timid voice interrupted his thought process and he snapped back to the reality. His breathing was getting shallow with just the thought of losing Ishita ever again.

"Yeah jaan, just co-ome in." Zayn stuttered and grabbed onto the bathroom counter to support himself. The door knob twisted and Ishita walked in with a red gown adorning her body. It was showing off all her curves.

"Babe, uh how do I look- Oh my gosh Zayn!" Ishita exclaimed as she looked up. He lifted his hand up to calm her down but Ishita swatted his hand away. She quickly loosened his tie and opened a few buttons of his shirt. Zayn's chest was rising up and down violently and Ishita took it as a sign to bring his face close to her chest. He was having a panic attack.

"Focus on my heartbeat's rhythm and take deep breaths." She consulted him, and he obeyed her orders.

"Steady, my love. Steady." This carried on for about five more minutes before Zayn collapsed onto the floor. He was feeling exhausted. Ishita sat there with him, just holding him.

"Thanks babe." Zayn muttered and Ishita kissed his head muttering a few prayers, thanking the God for saving Zayn. Ishita was religious but not so much that it impacted her daily life activities. She was and has always believed in an optimal and practical approach towards life.

"Are you sure you are okay? Because we can canc--" Zayn cut her off by smashing his lips onto hers. Ishita quickly responds by kissing him back and moves her fingers in his already messy hair. Zayn pulled from her only to kiss her harder and faster. Both of them were lacking air to breathe, especially Ishita but she could care less. Who needs air when you have Zayn Malik?

They finally separate and Zayn gently bites his lip and tugs at it.

"Does that show that I am perfectly fine?" Zayn teases Ishita and she blushes. She bobs her up and down slowly. Zayn smiles and examines her body and the red gown on her. She looks beautiful but he can't wait to rip it off her body.

Ishita notices the time, and her eyes widen. She rushes to Zayn and buttons his shirt back up and ties his tie once again.

"Zayn, Elliot is waiting for us downstairs. Hurry up!" And with that, she picked up her heels and rushed downstairs. Zayn chuckled at her behavior and put on his coat. He took out the ring and inspected it.

'She will like it,' he thought and shoved it back in its case and put it in his pockets. Zayn walked down the stairs and sat down on a chair where one of Elliot's assistants began working on his hair.

"Louis as soon as everyone starts entering, you will play. I have some pieces picked out for you. Now remember! This is not some frat party for New Years Eve. This is being hosted by Mr Zayn Malik. I am sure you have heard of him before-" Estelle paused and looked at Louis for his confirmation, who just nodded.

"Well he is to propose to his girlfriend today and this is a surprise of-course. I want grace. I want passion. I want style. I just want your goddamn best today. If you give me this, I will make you a career. You better give me all this. You understand me Tomlinson?" Estelle looked him in the eye which seemed to scare Louis. His ass was technically on the line. He nodded and looked at the ground trying to calm his nerves. In about an hour, all the guests will start arriving and he will have to play about seven musical pieces about love, an emotion so unfamiliar to him.

"I will not let you down Estelle, I promise you." Estelle smiled and walked off to make last minute checkups.

"Miss Ishita would you like your hair up or down?" Elliot's assistant Maggie asked Ishita. Ishita cringed her face at the thought of her hair up. She hates it when her her hair is in an up-do. It makes her forehead look even bigger and her head hurts.

"Down please." She whispered and smiled at her. Maggie returned the kind gesture and proceeded with the hair. She called Elliot, and he started doing Ishita's make up, keeping it as minimal as possible.

Louis rehearsed his postured and a few music pieces while Ishita thought about how she will face everyone in that hall tonight.

"Everyone!" Estelle called down from the lobby. Everyone stared at her as she clapped her hands and yelled, "It's show time."

Zayn led Ishita to their limo and opened the door for her. The driver was about to run out and hold the door for the lady and man but Zayn dismissed him. He walked to the other side and sat beside Ishita. He saw the impressed look on Ishita's face and he calmed down. So far, so good.

"Some champagne my love?" Zayn offered Ishita a glass, and she gladly accepted after muttering a quiet 'thank you'.

Louis sat on his spot, and a waiter served him some white wine. Louis took in a deep breath and looked at himself in the mirror. He was looking so different. This is not how he usually dresses. Somehow, he had this weird gut feeling that shit is about to go down tonight.

"Mr. Malik, we are here." The driver calls out and runs out to open the door for him and Ishita. As expected, there are no paparazzi, and Ishita lets out a breath. Zayn's body guard walks behind the couple and makes sure that they reach the hall safe and sound.

"Love, I will see you in about thirty minutes." Zayn reached over and planted a sweet kiss on her cheek before leaving her alone in the midst of people.

Ishita sighed and grabbed a glass of champagne being offered from one of the waiters. She swallows the sweet liquid, and her eyes roam around the crowd. The alcoholic beverage started to kick in, and she licked her lips.

"Ishita? Oh my" Harry Styles, Zayn's best mate approached Ishita and captured her in a hug. Ishita giggled and then gasped. Her eyes widen when she saw his hair.

"Noo! Harry! I loved your hair. Oh my god. What did you do to it?" Ishita frowned, but she could not help but admire at how he looks so mature and dashing.

Harry gave her a lopsided smile and scratched the back of his head, "you don't like it?"

"No! I mean I do like it! A lot but this is such a drastic change!" She exclaimed, and Harry led her to the table.

Harry laughed at Ishita's sorta drunk self. He pulled out a chair for her and she stared at him. He stared back at her until she blinked and Harry waved his arms in the air in victory.
One would expect Harry to have a very dark and mysterious demeanour but Harry is actually the opposite. He is a total softy! And this is why he and Ishita tend to get along just fine.

"Ha I win!" Harry smirked and tapped Ishita's nose. Her eyes crossed as they followed his long finger tips reach her nose. She pouted but soon smiled. She missed this lifestyle. The good champagne, lavish parties, sophisticated people with class and most of all, her best friend Harry.

"So Harry." She began and took a sip of her bubbly.
"So Ishita." He mimicked her and she mimicked how he looks when he says 'so Ishita,' except she exaggerated. A lot. Harry burst out laughing and soon everyone was staring at them. Ishita grew self-conscious and her confidence wore off.

She concentrated on some noise coming from the background. It was piano. Ishita always wanted to learn how to play the piano, but her mother never lets her join any classes.
If she were still living with her mother, Ishita would be studying to become a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher instead of pursuing a career in arts.

"Hey, Harry, who is playing the piano?" She asked him, and he motioned her to get up.
"It's some bloke who Estelle hired. She said that he is very talented. I heard her on the phone with Zayn. Did you know that they have been planning this party for weeks? I mean that's insane!..." Ishita blocked Harry's voice out of her head for a while as she zoned into the sound of the music. It was like a magnet of some sorts just pulling her towards the music. It was confusing as to if she was more interested in the music or the "bloke" playing it.

As they reached the man, who's back was turned to them, Harry and Ishita waited patiently for him to finish his piece.
"Ah mate! It's a beautiful tune." Harry exclaimed as the man turned around. Ishita gasped as she saw Louis and his eyes widened. Before Harry could suspect anything, Ishita pulled him by his arm.
"Wh- Woa-hhh slow down champ!" Harry said and tried to compose himself.
"Harry I just remembered something!" Ishita semi yelled, and semi-whispered. She pretended to look scared, and Harry got suspicious.

He raised his eyebrow as to what was wrong.
"What did you forget?"

"This girl at 10 o'clock was totally checking you out." She whispered and motioned towards a random blonde woman who was indeed checking Harry out. He smirked and then looked at Ishita.

"I would so ruffle your hair right now," he said, and Ishita grabbed his hands.

He rolled his eyes and continued his sentence. "But since you are being nice and that is 12 o'clock..! I will not ruffle your hair. Now you run along and chat with that bloke about God knows what. I'm off to the ladies." He shook his hips before strutting off to the blonde.

"What a guy," Ishita muttered before marching to Louis in anger.

"Do you have any decency?" She shouted after making sure no one was around. He whipped his head around.

"Do I have any decency? Ishita huh? How about you tell me? Do I? At least I'm not in a relationship while I am smooching someone else." He barks back and her eyes widen.

"Oh my god! You think that I was in a relationship when we met? Well, guess what? No, I wasn't in a relationship when we were "smooching"-" she put air quotes around the word 'smooching.'

"I was in a relationship after when you decided to abandon me in a random place. Oh and randomly!" She yelled.

"Well, I was scared okay! I was feeling things I wasn't supposed to." He screamed even louder, and Ishita covered her eyes. She was hoping that no one could hear them.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him outside of the hall. They both marched outside angrily and prepared to be at each other's throats.

"YOU ALWAYS ASSUME WHAT KIND OF A PERSON I AM, AND THAT IS SO HYPOCRITICAL OF YOU!" Ishita screamed.

"MAYBE I WOULD NOT BE THIS PREJUDICED IF YOU DON'T GIVE ME A REASON TO! GODDAMMIT ISHITA I WAS POURING OUT MY HEART TO YOU. I HELD YOUR HAND, I KISSED YOU WHEN YOU WERE DOWN, I HUGGED YOU WHEN YOU COULD NOT HANDLE THIS ANYMORE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY I WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU!"
Louis screamed out, and Ishita stood still.

"YOU FUCKING REPAY ME BY DOING WHAT? NOT EVEN WAITING FOR ME TO COME AROUND AND JUST RANDOMLY GET IN A RELATIONSHIP?!" He pulled on his hair in anger.

"YOU GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER AND THEN TELL ME YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR ME. BUT GUESS WHAT LOUIS?! WE LIVE IN A FUCKING REAL WORLD WHERE YOU CAN NEVER EVER EVER GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER." Ishita yelled out. Hot tears begin streaming down her face and she is thanking Elliot for using waterproof makeup on her.

She stared at him blankly before running back inside.
"Ishita! Ishita doesn't you dare run away from me!"
Louis chased her down, and she looked behind her shoulder.

She quickened her pace, but Louis caught her by the arm.
"Louis let go of me!" She exclaimed but kept a smile slammed to her face. She doesn't want to make a scene.

She kept pulling her arm, but Louis just stared at her. He lost her. His lips were apart, and his grip loosened. He stared at where he was holding Ishita, and he looked up at her. She had stopped squirming too.

Louis slowly let go of her and backed away.

"I am going back there. I have one piece left to play for the night." And with that, he went away.

Zayn paced around the hall trying to look for Ishita. It's been an hour and a half! He let out a breath of relief as she walked in and everyone stopped.
She had a mysterious look on her face.

Zayn held her hand and led her to the middle of the hall.
"Ishita, I can't begin to describe how beautiful you look tonight," he began, and few whistles came from the behind. Louis stopped playing and listened. He was done with his job.

Zayn Malik. Special someone. Romantic music. Sensual theme.

Everything made sense now, it all fit together like a puzzle piece. Zayn was going to propose to Ishita and Louis felt his world falling apart.

Zayn continued, "We have been through so many ups and downs. And let me tell you my love, it has been one hell of a ride. And I don't mind taking it all over again if I could fix any of my mistakes. How about this time we ride this rollercoaster with commitment? I think we both know where I am headed with this.-" The crowd gasped as Zayn got on one knee. Louis could not bear staying here anymore. He ran out of the hall from the back door and got into a cab.

"The pier please." He told the cabbie and dug in his wallet to find a few bucks.

Ishita covered her mouth as Zayn pulled out the ring. She couldn't do this. This was too much.

"Ishita Johnson, will you please marry me and make my life complete? Will you do me the honor of being my wife? My best friend-" Zayn spoke, but Harry interrupted him.

"Aye mate back off she's my best friend." The crowd laughed, and Zayn looked at him. He shook his head at him and continued.

"As I was saying, I promise to keep you safe, I promise to be with you and never betray you again. I swear on my life that I will be with you through sickness and health. I won't fail you my love, I won't fail us. So what do you say?" He chewed on his bottom lip and she stared at him. She really wanted to say yes but her mouth had other plans.

"What?" Zayn got up in shock.

"I'm sorry. Zayn this is too soon. I don't even know if I love you.- " she paused and pulled him somewhere private.

"I don't understand." Zayn spoke flabbergasted and then Ishita spilled everything. With each description of the moments she had spent with Louis, Zayn felt his heart breaking. He looked at her in the eyes. He saw love but it wasn't for him. It was for Louis and that's what pained him the most.

"Oh, Zayn! I am so so sorry! I don't know how you will ever forgive me." Ishita rambled on.

"Ishita you forgave me for cheating on you! I'm sure that I can survive seeing the fact that you are happy with this Louis guy." Zayn forced a smile.

"That's the thing...." Ishita but her lip and Zayn raised an eyebrow at her.

"Well Louis was playing the piano here, and we met and got into that huge fight remember? I haven't seen him since." Ishita told him.

"Well, I think he left," Zayn muttered.
Ishita's eyes widen as Zayn shows her the video footage of him leaving.

"He got into a cab. I think I know where he is going. Oh my gosh what should I do?!" Ishita asked Zayn. Zayn took off his coat and wrapped it around Ishita.

"He did a destitute job in chasing after you, and now you show him how it's done." Ishita's eyes widen and hug Zayn.

"Okay, where could he have gone?" Zayn asks as he texts Harry to be in charge of the party if anything goes wrong. He also tells Estelle not to create a fuss about the rejection.

"Uh well, it's almost midnight, so the tattoo shop isn't open. He doesn't live with Steve. I know that somehow. I don't have his current address, so the only place we can check first is the pier."

"Where you two met?"

"Where we met," Ishita muttered and buckled herself up in Zayn's car.

"What happened to the limo?" She questioned. Zayn looked at her as if she had seven heads.

"Do you want to get there in time or no?" He asked her jokingly, and she scoffed.
Maybe it wasn't meant to be. Zayn learned it the hard way, but for some reason, he wasn't in pain or anything. He was happy. Glad for her. Glad for himself.

Zayn sped around and took the quickest way to the pier. Ishita was tapping her fingers furiously on the door as she tried to remember exactly where they met. 

"Zayn just drop me off over here! I got it! Thanks so much! I love you so so much, and I hope you stay here unless he doesn't want me anymore. I need a ride home." She spoke quickly, and Zayn chuckled at her.

"Go go!" He told her go and she did. She ran out and was glad that she was in flats. It was damn cold outside. Ishita was shivering as she ran to the other side of the pier and found him sitting over there, throwing some snow balls on the frozen river. She took in a deep breath before speaking up.

"Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk past you again?"

Louis turned around and raised an eyebrow at her.

"You will freeze to death." He muttered.

"I believe we already tried that." She shivered and took a seat beside him.

"You know technically you didn't walk past me."

"But you fell in love right." She asked him and leaned closer to his body. Its heat was warming her up.

"Right?" She whispered and moved her face closer to his.

His breath hitched, and Louis wrapped his arm around her small body.

"I did."

"I love you too." She whispered.

"What?" Louis asked her in disbelief.

"Didn't that Zayn-"

"Is out of the picture. It's just you and me now." She cut him off and connected their lips. Louis hooked his arm around his body and pulled her closer.

Out of nowhere, some guards appeared.

"Hey, you two! Didn't we tell you like two weeks ago, that you can't come here and try to commit suicide?!" One of the men spoke angrily, and Louis laughed.

"We aren't committing suicide..." he looked at Ishita and bit his lip.

"We just realized our love for each other." He spoke, and some guy said 'aww.' Louis chuckled and hugged Ishita. He helped her stand up and took off Zayn's coat of her body.

"Louis I will haunt you if I die! Officers you are witnesses to this event." She spoke teasingly as he shrugged off his coat and put it on her.

"Oh baby you can haunt me all you want, and I won't mind."
~~

And folks this is the end of '16 days.'

It has been a pleasure for me to write this story.

I will give my special thanks to some people after the Epilogue. Please don't delete this story from your libraries yet because I have to announce some things.

Love,
Ishita.

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