~Kritika~

I stood in stunned silence as I saw him stumble back hard at my slight shove. If you could even call it a shove.

A second later I'd realized that his reaction had been a bit too dramatic. A second after that I realized that it was probably because he was drunk. Two seconds after that I'd realized that he couldn't stand on his own feet. He was stumbling uncontrollably.

Exactly how drunk is he?

Two seconds later I realized what the reason for his stumbling was. By the time I'd noticed the small deposit of snow on the street, It was too late. A scream echoed through the afternoon air.

A second later I realized that scream was mine.

Seven seconds, it'd taken me that much to process everything. But I was seven seconds too late. A strong wave of deja vu hit me as I watched him stumble into the oncoming traffic in horror.

Only this time, I hadn't been holding his hand.

~30 minutes ago~

"Enlighten me, why are you going to this.. hospital?"

"I'm interning there Ayaan."

"As..?"

"An assistant psychologist." I sighed irritatedly as I put on my earrings "You know this is the third time we're going over this. I told you, I'll be back in a while. I just have work."

"Ignoring the fact that how my baby sister sounded so grown up saying that, who in their right minds would work on Christmas Eve?"

I adjusted the muffler around my neck and sighed "Every hospital around the world." I said with thinly veiled sarcasm "I said I'll be back, Yana. Stop being such an.. older brother."

I used the nickname I had given him when we were little. I used to call him Yana whenever he irritated me. As he was of now.

"I choose to ignore that nickname and the sarcasm. And well, I am the old brother. So there." he commented and I rolled my eyes, turning to look at him

"I said I'll be back in some time." I said, grabbing my phone off of the table "and try not to burn the house down while I'm out."

"You wouldn't have to worry about that, I'll take care of this loser." Stacey said, plopping on the sofa beside him, punching his arm playfully.

After they had all gotten back home last night, they had been visibly surprised. More than surprised even. I wouldn't blame them. Seeing me laugh must've been surprising considering I had been sulking for a while day now, a new high for me. But seeing Ayaan laughing with me clearly took the cake.

Stacey's quota of surprises wasn't over though. Safe to say, I told her everything. About what Ricky said, about, you know, everythingI told her that I knew.

I had pretended to be angry in the beginning and it was fun to see her all nervous and fidgety for a while. I'd burst out laughing not even five minutes into the act when I'd lost it and had burst out laughing.

When she'd realise that I was only playing with her. She'd slapped me, hard. Hard enough to hurt, but not as much to wipe the grin off my face.
She then proceeded to hugged me immediately after in sheer relief.

She still didn't know about my.. situation though. And my, wasn't I glad. Seems like my acceptance of the idea of Ricky and her together had knocked her out of her whole Sherlock mode. She'd not pried for details anymore.

It's just a stupid crush anyway, I told myself. It'll fade. Besides, he was happy with Brianna and I had right to be angry about that.

"Yeah well, you're worse babe." I patted her head like she was a puppy

"You don't know that." she retorted

"That's why you never get promoted from being a sous chef." I grinned and she looked like she was about to say something in return but stopped herself "Touché." she pouted.

I grinned in victory "And that's why, CJ's in charge." I added shaking my head at them both.

"Yes, ma'am." I heard and turned around right in time to see my aunt carrying a tray with cups of tea on it "anyone up for some tea?"

"No thank you." Ayaan said politely

"I made some tea for Vikram, but turns out I'd made more than required. So drink up." she said eyeing him pointedly and he quickly grabbed a cup off the tray and took a sip, wide eyed.

I caught CJ's eyes and she gave me a wink. I could tell that she was very happy. And why wouldn't she be? Ayaan was back, for good. And everything was finally going to be normal.

At that moment, my phone buzzed in my coat pocket and I retrieved it "Hello?"

"How's my favourite little munchkin doing?"

I rolled my eyes "Really, Zayn? Munchkin?"

"Who's Zayn?" I heard Ayaan ask "is it a guy?"

I eyed him from the corner of my eye and nodded a yes "A very happy Christmas eve to you too!" I heard Zayn exclaim enthusiastically and I had to smile at that.

"Yeah, that too." I laughed "tell the others I say hi."

"Yeah, I will." he laughed

"Wow, I was half expecting someone else to say hi next. For that's what happens everytime I call." I half-joked

"Well, it would have, if they weren't so hungover." he said and I let out a little sound of surprise

My eyebrows shot up "Hungover?"

"From the party yesterday, you do know about that, right?"

"Alexa's right?" I questioned, picking on a loose thread on my scarf absentmindedly.

"Yeah. That. God I swear that guy tells you everything." he muttered

"Who?"

"Guess? Your lover boy. Liam." he said sarcastically "You know I was pretty much convinced that he had the hots for you before he told me about the whole Brianna issue."

I rolled my eyes though my traitor stomach did the most gracious backflip "Lover boy?" I laughed "you're delusional. Besides, it's always been Brianna. So stop dreaming."

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?" he said teasingly "considering you have a, you know, crush on him and everything."

I widened my eyes "I-i.. No. Are you crazy?" I stuttered before slapping myself once before hearing a snicker from the couch "I don't have a crush on him." I hissed "whoever gave you that idea."

My heart did an unhealthy somersault. What's with my organs and impromptu gymnastics?

How does he know? More importantly, who told him this? Who else knew?

I held my breathe trying to gauge his reaction through the phone. I was thanking god over and over profusely for not having me face this situation in person. I would've died right then and there. Of embarassment.

As for now, I was hoping I would dissipate into thin air. Simultaneous combustion, go figure.

"Oh? Is that so?" he muttered and I prayed he bought it "okay, sorry about that then." he said, sounding very genuine and I finally let out the breath I had been holding "but tell me one thing."

"Hmm?"

"If you don't like him.. then, there's always other people." he dragged and I could practically hear the smile in his voice "...I don't know, like me for instance."

I had to force back a laugh before I feigned shock "is the great Zayn Jawaad Malik flirting with me?" I said with fake awe "Really, my Quiffie?"

"Using endearments now are we?" he said cheekily and I couldn't help but laugh

"Enough with the flirting, Zee." I shook my head

"Well you should feel priveledged." he said haughtily

I rolled my eyed "Oh, believe me. I'm so very priveled--"

I stopped myself when I felt someone's presence behind me. I turned around slightly to see my brother standing inches away from me with an annoyed expression. I couldn't help but shriek in surprise.

"What? What happened? Did you see a cockroach?" I heard Zayn joke.

"I.. I'll call you back later, okay? Bye." I said quickly before hanging up and pointing an accusing finger at Ayaan "you scared the bajeezus out of me. What the hell do you think you're doing, looming behind me like a ghost."

He ignored my question "Who's this Zayn? Why was he flirting with you?"

I sighed loudly through my nose "And why does it matter to you?"

"Excuse me? My baby sister got a boyfriend. Why would it not matter to me. Of course it fuc-- ah" I glared at him and he coughed "I mean, ofcourse it matters."

"He's just a friend, even CJ knows him." I said "Right C-- wait, where did she go?"

"Upstairs." Stacey said and I could tell she was fighting back laughter. Ofcourse, she was enjoying this.

"He's not my boyfriend, Ayaan. He's just a friend." I said, stressing on friend "like I said, CJ knows him." I said slowly. Of you had to know one thing about Ayaan, it was that he was as much of a Sherlock Holmes as Stacey. Even more, If I dare say "A friend, nothing more. Just like... Lucas."

He shot me a long look "Now who's Lucas?"

I slapped my forehead, turning to my cousin for help who was having a great time laughing on the couch.

"A little help here, traitor." I said loudly

"She's right A-Ayaan, Lucas is a friend." she said, between breaths. He raised his eyebrow at her, not quiet believing her

"Not helping, Stace. Not helping." I said, clenching my teeth. I then looked at Ayaan "wouldn't you believe your own sister?" I pouted

"Hmm." he mused before shaking his head at me "Nope."

My jaw dropped and I heard Stacey burst into another fit of giggles.

"Okay, actually I don't care about this Marcus guy."

"Lucas." I corrected

"Yeah, whatever. Same thing." he said "I want to know about this.. Zayn." he stressed and I resisted my urge to smack myself. I silently cursed Zayn for calling me in the first place.

"Just a friend." I repeated slowly "am I not allowed to have guys as my friends?"

"No, no. You absolutely are." he retorted and then paused "So.. This Zayn guy. Is he Indian?"

"That's it. I'm out. I don't have time for this discussion right now." I said in finality, grabbing the car keys off of the counter and practically running out the door.

"What did I do?" I heard Ayaan whine, probably to Stacey, before I shut the door behind me.

Brothers.

*********

I sat in the car, tapping my fingers against the steering wheel impatiently. The traffic didn't seem to be moving any further, it was like every vehicle owner in London had decided to take their cars on an afternoon drive. I even spotted a few trucks out front and.. is that a crane?

I decided to park right there on the curb, considering the traffic hadn't cleared for so long now. Besides, the hospital was only a little farther down the road.

Making sure to lock my car, I got out and suppressed the urge to cover my ears at the harsh cacophony of horns sounding on the road. There was a traffic policeman desperately trying to calm everyone down. I shook my head at the ruckus and made my way down the street.

After I walked a few more steps I realized what was causing the ruckus. An accident had seemingly taken place for there was a bus with its front bumper and a window busted. I gasped when I saw that it was a school bus.

A school bus? On Christmas eve?

There was an ambulance standing nearby and I saw the logo of our hospital on it.

I quickened my pace, hoping that no one was hurt majorly. After walking a bit more, the hospital finally came into view. As I was right outside the entrance, I saw a figure heading towards me from right across the street. I squinted through the slight fog and immediately realized who it was.

I opened my mouth to greet him but to my utter surprise he turned backwards, and seemingly retraced his steps back across the road. He then looked determined as he made his way towards me, again but then appeared to change his mind as he walked back.

I witnessed his little game with wide eyes. What on earth is he doing?

"Uhh.. hi?" I said slowly the next time he walked towards me.

"Hi." he said absentmindedly and turned to walk back as if he didn't even recognise me.

Okay, what the hell?

The next time here walked back, I stood purposefully in front of him "What do you think you are you doing, Liam?"

"I need a band aid." he said, still not looking at me

I squinted at him in surprise "You need a band aid?"

He nodded and showed me his hand where I could see the minutest cut on his index finger "I can't find the hospital." he sighed loudly "It's visible from across the street, but once I come near it, it isn't h-- hey I know you." he said, his eyes narrowing in recognition.

His eyes looked bloodshot as he smiled at me like he had'nt seen me for years.

"Are you on drugs?" I asked him loudly "oh my god, you are aren't you?"

He didn't reply, instead he did something completely unexpected. He blew out a huge breath towards me and I immediately knew what was wrong with him. The smell was unmistakable.

"You had a stray hairstrand in your face." he smiled "..have you always worn glasses?"

I gaped at him as he continued smiling like all this was completely normal "Liam, you idiot! You're drunk?"

"No." he lied, grinning.

I rolled my eyes "Don't lie to me." I said dryly "So just because she said yes, you decided to, I don't know, celebrate? But getting drunk?"

"Who?" he asked confused

I slapped my forehead "Oh god, I can't believe this." I muttered "you're so drunk. And I don't think anybody else knows about this, Zayn didn't tell me anything. Does Zayn know about this, he didn't tell me anything though. And--"

He laughed "You're cute when you ramble."

I immediately shut my mouth as I felt a thousand butterflies erupt in my stomach. Oh damn this stupid crush!

"Shut up." I scolded "just shut up. I never expected this from you. And how irresponsible of you, you one kidney-d idiot."

He shot me a confused look "I have only one kidney?"

"No, you have only one stomach." I said sarcastically

"Where did the other one go?" he asked, looking genuinely confused and I let out a little frustrated yell. I then let out a huge breath out my nose.

"Shut up. Just shut the hell up." I said calmly "and come with me."

"Okay." he said, taking a huge step towards me so he was practically inches away from me. Another bout of butterflies would've erupted in my stomach if it hadn't been for his stinking breath "I have to tell you something very important. I--"

I couldn't take it any longer "Eww. Get back, you reek of the dead." I said wrinkling my nose and pushing him back slightly.

He stumbled back like I'd struck him with the harshest blow ever.

And that's where everything went downhill.

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XXXXXXXXX
I'm the meanest, horriblest, evilest (okay that's a lot of superlatives) writer ever for leaving you hanging like that

Two words

Studies happened

That's all, no excuses.

I'll try and update soon okay?
What were your thoughts on this chapter?
I tried to make it extra long :')

Stay beautiful❤

Kay❤