Zia rubbed her head hard as she shut her eyes tight. She had not had a peaceful sleep the last night as she had been shedding tears for a long time. She gulped down the emotions which tried to break through her eyes once more. Not wanting to spoil the mood for her busy day, Zia hurriedly wiped down her dried cheeks and craned her neck to the sides, to remove the uncomfortable feeling she was having in her bones.

Taking a very hot shower, which tried to burn her skin, Zia came out, not wanting to look at the mirror, for she knew how red her eyes would have been. She dried her hair and pulled it into a high ponytail and pulled open all of her cupboards, looking for the pills she had taken when she was feeling too overwhelmed after the tragic and sudden death of her father. Her mother had fallen into the state of shock, and ever since then she had not wanted to talk to her daughter, because according to her, Zia had not been able to save her father, even though she was a doctor.

Checking for the expiry date of the pills, Zia unscrewed the lid of the bottle and took two pills to her hand. She stared long at it, and gulped it in one go, as she knew that she should have a straight mind if she wanted to go to the hospital.

She did not know how, but the pills had helped her. She did not feel the emotions trying to cloud her once more and she hurried down the apartment, ready for work. Zia did not know why, but that day, she found herself going towards the entrance of the apartment through the parking lot. She had not expected her to find herself there or what had been waiting for her there as well.

Breath constricted on her throat as Zia saw Vian's car still parked in the lot. She pulled up a sudden shock of breath when she saw that his face was pressed onto the steering wheel, asleep. Emotions started to cloud her eyes once more, when she remembered that it was none of her business wherever anyone chose to sleep. So, not wanting to bring attention for herself, Zia hurried away from his car and towards the bus station. She looked at her watch every minute or so, for she had a hunch that it will not be the last time that she will see his car waiting for her.

Just as she had expected, she had been right. Zia grunted and rolled her eyes as she saw the car come to a halt beside the bus station, mere minutes later after she had reached it herself. She saw Vian's eyes try to catch her eyes, and she felt his eyes staring deep into hers. But she did not move an inch even when he opened the passenger's door for her. He was still inside the car and with his hands rested peacefully on the steering wheel, Zia was able to even hear his voice pleading her to come inside. Not sparing a glance even out of pity towards him, for she knew that he would not come out considering how disheveled he looked, Zia got into the first bus that came to a halt in front of her. She sat on a corner seat and stared out of the window, pushing her big round glasses up along her nose. She heaved a sigh and turned her head to the side and chucked angrily as she saw that he was following her bus.

"This man," Zia hissed angrily, and she pulled out a book from her bag and remained reading it, even though the pages did not turn and her eyes did not move an inch to the side. Determinedly ignoring him once more, even as he followed her from the bus station for where it had stopped on her way to the hospital, and even when she stamped her feet determinedly along his car and went inside the hospital, Zia did not turn towards him even once. She just walked past Vian as he hurriedly got out of the car and came behind her, and before he could hurry into the elevator with her, Zia pressed the close button and stared determinedly at her feet, as she felt Vian hurrying towards the elevator, just five feet away from her.

*

Zia sat heavily on her seat and looked up at her office door. She had locked it in security, because she knew that even if he came up, she would not have to face him suddenly when he tries to break through the door. So, knowing that he was too much of a gentleman and will not trouble her during her work hours, Zia pulled the reports towards her and fixing herself by staring up at her mirror once more, Zia conjured up a smile up to her lips as she took a deep breath and went to meet her little patients.

It took her longer than usual to finish her morning rounds. Bill was having his nightmares once more and Clara had rejected taking her meals and medicines since that morning. It had taken Zia a longer time to calm both of them down and help Bill overcome the memory of his nightmares, and it had taken nearly an hour for Zia to make Clara have her meals and medicines, for she had been in the belief that Zia was just letting her take her medicines, for she had not still got over the pain she had on her toes, ever since her uncle had mistakenly drove the car over her little toes, not noticing his niece, who had been playing near his car, when he had visited their home.

Zia sighed deeply as she closed her notebook and leaned back on her chair. The day had been hectic for her, and she knew that she will have a hard time to relax herself before her night shift. She had had too many patients that morning after her rounds and her stomach burned with acid as she remembered that she had not even had breakfast yet.

Biting her lips and wondering whether she dared to look out of the window to check whether he was still there, Zia rolled her chair towards the window and pulled the drapes by an inch towards her. She had forcefully shut it close in the morning as she had seen that Vian had parked his car just out and below her office and was looking up determinedly at her window, waiting for her to come towards it and have a glance at her.

Even though she knew that she should not feel grateful, when she saw Vian still standing where she had left him in the morning, looking up at her window, Zia felt her heart melt once more. She wondered whether she had been too harsh on him as he looked down at his phone. Sighing, Zia closed the drapes once more and deciding that it will not be a good decision to go to the cafeteria for lunch, she decided to order some food to bring into her office.

Zia closed her eyes tight as she tried to clear her mind. She double tapped on her phone, and she smiled for herself as her lock screen came into her view. It was a photo of Vian, which Zia had downloaded secretly from his Instagram page. She wondered whether Vian knew that she had his photo as her wallpapers, and she smiled as she looked at his handsome face and six feet five inches built. Zia knew that she will not be able to hold her grudge against him for a long time, because unlike Zach, Zia knew that he was the one for her.

Zia sighed once more as she leaned back on her chair. She wondered whether she had just overreacted when that wretched Alexandria had come into his home last night and had acted as though she was everything for him. Zia was finally starting to believe that Vian had been right about her when he had said that he had never had any girls in his home. She found herself smiling shyly as she finally realized who Vian had been talking about being his wife the previous night in the parking lot. She had been too absorbed in her emotions and had just concluded that it was Alex he was talking about, but that afternoon as she waited for her food to arrive, she knew that Vian had meant her all along.

Zia pressed on the button to switch on her phone once more. She took her phone closer and bit her lips as she wondered how he can still look so handsome and make her feel as though he was staring deep into her soul even through the photo, when she gasped and jerked her hands. She cursed herself as she picked her phone up from the ground and placed her hand on her racing heart beat as she stared at the message Vian had sent her.

I know you are looking at me.

Zia bit her lips angrily as she found the message to be arrogant. Throwing her phone inside her bag, Zia did not turn towards her window once since that moment and she determinedly concentrated on her work, not wanting to face her reality.

*

Zia woke up in the morning and stared at her reflection on the mirror. She had had a day off, as she had spent two days in the hospital including the night shifts. She noticed that she had lost a few pounds of her weight as she saw that her eyes were looking deep into her sockets. She fell back on to her pillow and rolled herself around to take her phone. She stared at Vian and looked at all the ten messages he had sent her. He had finally decided to go back to his home on the first day of her night shift and ever since then, she had not seen him waiting for her.

Zia bit her lips. She knew that she had forgiven him already and she wondered whether it will be a good decision for her to pay him a visit. Agreeing on herself and before she changed her mind, Zia had a shower and changed hurriedly as she went out of the apartment. She sent a quick message to Lily to let her know where she was going, and she found herself hurrying to the bus station as she felt excitement bubble in her heart.

Zia wished for the bus to hurry up and when it finally did and she got out at the station near his apartment, she felt her heart beat go louder in her ears. Trying to slow down her racing heart, Zia rang the bell on his apartment as she had pleaded with the security and had not let him know that he had a visitor.

Zia waited for the few seconds what felt like an eternity to her, until he opened the door for her. Biting her lips and changing her weight from one foot to the other, Zia's heart beat reached to a great dangerous extent as she heard his footsteps come closer to the door.

Zia bit her lips tight and blinked hard as the door opened slowly and it opened to reveal Vian standing surprised on his doorstep. She smiled sheepishly, looking at his sleepy eyes. He was just having a nap and his hair was pointing all over.

*

Vian knew that he should be dreaming. He knew that he had dreamed about Zia coming back into his life, but he had never believed on it, because he knew that he had screwed up bad this time. But when he finally saw her standing on his doorstep, he did not know what to do as he stared open mouthed at her.

He looked at Zia's eyes once more and he knew that it was now or never. Before she could complete the 'hi,' she was about to greet him with, Vian stepped out of his home soon and put his arms around her in a sudden motion as her breath knocked out of her lungs and Vian pulled her close towards himself. He tightened the grip around her, as she snaked her hands around his middle, and she gulped for breath. Vian closed his eyes tight as he tightened the hold around her, promising himself that he will never ever let go of her once more. Vian closed his eyes as he felt grateful to have the most lovable feeling of having her in his arms once more, Vian lifted her up on his arms, still hugging her, and pushed open the door with his shoulder as he came inside, and the door clicked automatically behind them.

*

Zia felt her eyes moisten as she felt Vian's hot breath on her back as she knew that by the way of how his ragged heart beat was racing on his chest, which she was able to hear without even a stethoscope for her ear was pressed onto his hard chest, that even he was shedding some silent tears, obviously more than grateful for her return back into his arms safely once more.

After what felt like an eternity, Vian finally loosened the grip around her. Zia smiled as he leaned his forehead on hers and touched her nose with his. He had still not opened his eyes to look into hers.

"I am so sorry darling." He said slowly, his breath shaking. Zia felt her heart ache when she noticed the dried tears on his lashes. She smiled with him and gently thumbed away his tears. "I will never ever let you go." He said in a barely audible whisper and still not opening his eyes, he pressed his lips onto her forehead. Zia had been so looking forward to having the feel of his lips on hers, but when he had kissed her forehead instead, Zia realized that he had sealed his promise with a kiss. Zia smiled at Vian once more as he slowly opened his eyes and looked down at her.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you." He muttered slowly, as Zia nodded.

"Me too," love... she said the final word for herself and looked into his eyes once more. "I am sorry for being such an idiot." She said and pressed her cheek onto his hard chest once more as Vian chuckled and rested his face on her head.

After the longest two days of his life, Vian finally felt the pain on his heart ease. He stroked Zia's head lovingly and placed a kiss on her hair once more. He finally felt as though he was completed when he finally had her in his arms. He knew that he was never completed without her and when she was finally back, he knew that it was for good this time, for he knew that she was the love for all of his life.

*

Zia turned her head on the seat towards Vian and stared at him. He turned towards her and smiled. He took their knotted fingers up towards his lips and pressed a kiss on it as Zia rubbed his arm up and down with her free arm. It was the last day of his holiday, and with plans to make it memorable for the both of them, for he knew that he would express his love for her that day, Vian was taking her to the country side to spend the day on a beautiful view.

"Where are we?" Zia asked looking out of the window as Vian chuckled and turned towards her.

"You will see darling," he said, and he got out of the car, coming towards her to open the door for her.

Zia got out of the car mesmerized as she stared at the greenish acres with beautiful flowers grown in bushes around them.

"Come, let's go inside." Vian said and he took her arm in his as Zia looked sideways at him and smiled contently. She knew that she had done a big mistake by breaking her trust on him and breaking his heart as well. She had had the longest two days of her life as well. She loved the feel of her fingers protectively secured on his hand and Zia leaned her face on his arm as she hugged it with her free hand.

Vian looked down at her and smiled as he went towards the receptionist. He let her know of his details and looked for the prebooking he had made before they had left his apartment and thanking the young girl who was eyeing Zia with jealous, Vian pulled Zia along with him towards their cottage for the day.

"Here we are."

Vian said as he opened the door to the cottage and Zia went inside.

"Whoa!" she said mesmerized as she turned around her, admiring the wooden panels on the walls. "It's so beautiful," she said as Vian locked the door behind them and put his arms around her from behind.

"I know." He whispered, as he leaned his cheek on her shoulder and turned his face towards her.

"Thank you!" Zia said softly, as she hugged his arms and turned towards him. She saw him smile and before changing her mind, Zia pressed a quick kiss on his cheek. She bit her lips as she saw his eyebrows rise up in surprise and he look dazedly at her. Removing his surprisingly loosened arms from around her, Zia went along the house, looking for the bedrooms.

"There's only one room in here," Zia said surprised as she turned towards Vian, who was still standing where she had left him to be. He was still amazed and was touching his cheek where she had kissed him.

"What?" he asked dazedly, turning towards her.

"There's only one room Vian." She repeated looking at him. Her eyebrows narrowed as she saw him come out of his reverie and nod in a way that meant it was trouble for her.

"Oh yeah, I specially booked a cottage with a single room for the two of us." He said, and Zia glared at him, even though she bit her lips to stop her laughter.

"You can take the couch then." She said cunningly, pointing at the comfortable looking sofa on the living room.

"What?" he asked shocked, as though she was just talking about killing him. "Can't we share a room?" he asked and hurried behind her, as Zia closed the door to the room behind herself. She bit her lips and chuckled for herself as she heard him bang on the door, even though his smile was also audible.

*

Zia knew that she was having the best day of her life, even before the day had ended. They had seen other couples from their neighboring cottages and even some single people, who had found solitariness away from their hectic lives.

Zia and Vian had had a beautiful lunch on the lake side, and Zia had even looked forward to having dinner in the same place that night. It was in the evening and Zia pulled her scarf around her neck as the cool evening's breeze kissed her neck. She draped her fingers around her warm mug of coffee and took a deep breath as a smile crept on her lips, as her eyes fell on Vian, who was just coming out of the cottage. Zia took a sip of her coffee and stared at Vian as she fell in love with him once more.

Noticing a pair of eyes on him, Vian lifted his head out of his phone and caught Zia's eyes. He winked at her as she blushed and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Vian chuckled as he took slow steps towards her and stood in front of her.

Zia pulled her lips inside as she looked up at him. She leaned her head to the side and her lips pulled up on its sides as Vian tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She saw the way of his eyes following his actions and his hand rested on her cheek. Zia bit her lips, as she felt shy of what he was doing. It was not the first time that he was touching her cheek, but that day, Zia felt as though it was the first time for them all over.

"Did you enjoy the day?" Vian asked softly, taking a step closer towards Zia. She smiled and nodded.

"It's the best day of my life." She whispered as Vian nodded and took another step closer. She gulped as she felt her heart beat start to race. She looked down at the mug on her hands and saw that she had already emptied the coffee.

Noticing where her eyes were going, Vian saw the empty mug and he removed it from her hands. He leaned back and placed it on the empty table behind them on the veranda and turned towards Zia, taking another step closer.

"Close your eyes," he whispered, and Zia obliged as he closed in on her, just an inch between their noses. She waited for what felt like an eternity, as she felt his comforting arms snake around her neck and secure a latch behind her neck.

"You can open your eyes now." Vian said ever more softly, and Zia slowly did. She looked down at her neck and gasped as she saw a beautiful silver chain on her neck with a small heart shaped pendant with the letters V and Z entwined. Zia felt as though her heart was about to burst from her chest and looked up at Vian, who was leaning closer towards her.

"Zia," he said in a silent whisper. He took another step forward and placed both of his hands on either side of her, capturing her between his secure arms, protecting her. Zia looked up into his blue eyes.

"Just like this chain, will you be entwined with me? Will you join your life with mine, and make me the happiest man alive, my darling Zia?" he asked, taking her hand in his and bringing it closer towards his lips as he placed a soft kiss on her fingers, still not breaking their eye contact.

Zia's breath hitched on her throat and her eyes started to cloud with happiness as her fingers automatically tightened around his.

"I love you, Zia," Vian finally said, as his eyes started to moisten. "Ever since the first time my eyes met yours, I've been in love with you. I don't know why, but I have taken so long to express myself to you, and now that I finally have, I don't know what your answer will be, even though your eyes have already sold yourself out to me." He chuckled through his tears and Zia too chuckled.

"I love you too, my love, Vian." Zia whispered softly, as Vian's eyes burst in tears and his laughter escaped through his lips. "I've been in love with you for a long time now, and it's a constant worry in my heart to not being able to look at you all the time." she said as she chuckled at her stupidity, thinking why they had taken so long to open their hearts out to each other.

"I am sorry for –"

She was not even able to finish her sentence because Vian had come ever closer and was leaning down towards her. Their heart beats were racing too fast to be controlled and Zia knew that she was dying just as Vian's lips came so close to hers that they were just a thread apart. Vian raised his eyes and looked at Zia's for one last time, before he closed his eyes and his lips lightly brushed hers.

*

"Zia!"

Both of them sprang away from each other as though it was a shock of electricity which had burnt them. Zia's heart started to race fast as she recognized that voice, which she had been dying to hear, a long time ago.

Confused, wondering what had happened, Vian turned towards the form of interruption and took one step forward but stopped as he heard Zia's shaking voice from behind him.

"Zack!"

Zack? Zack?

Cursing himself, Vian moved to a side and placed his hands angrily on the banister of the veranda and leaned down closing his eyes. He was able to feel Zia's racing mind and he quickly turned towards her, wondering what she might be doing.

Vian's heart started to burn with rage towards the wretched man, who was standing behind him, as he saw that Zia's lips were trembling and she was looking for this way and that, between the two of her lovers. Vian hissed angrily and looked down at his knotted fingers, wordlessly letting Zia finish off the unfinished conversation that had been due for a long time.

"Zia, can I talk to you please?" he heard Zack ask and Vian wanted to turn and say no. She was his girl. No person can talk to her whenever he needed. He wanted to kick the man and punch him until all the anger he felt at himself died down, for he wondered why he had taken so long to initiate the love between them, and for what godforsaken reason, had he taken so long to kiss her even today.

"Vian," he heard Zia say and felt her soft hand touch his shoulder. "I'll, I'll, I'll come back." She replied slowly. Vian did not reply. He remained as though he was deaf and when he finally heard her hand leave his shoulder and two pairs of feet step away from him, he turned his head and looked at her.

Even though he felt his anger aimed at him, Vian knew that none of it was aimed towards her. He was madder at himself than anyone else and mainly at him. He felt pride in his heart as he saw that Zia was maintaining a good ten feet of distance between them, but he did not show it in his face and turned towards his front, closing his eyes tight and hoping that his girl should not fall into that man once more.

*

Zia tied her hands tightly around her and stared down at her feet. She felt Zack's eyes on her she waited as she hated him for showing up at the most important moment of her life.

"Zia," he said. Zia looked up at him.

"What Zack?" she barked angrily. Zack looked taken aback and he retreated a step behind. Zia felt sorry looking at him. She had known him for a long time and never had she seen him so sad and disheveled. His neat hair was not neat anymore. His clothes were all crumpled and for the first time ever since she had left the hotel after his sudden departure, Zia realized that it had been a hard time for him to come over his guilt.

"I am sorry Zia." He spoke. Zia looked down at her shoes. She did not meet his eyes, for she knew that she was starting to doubt herself, as her promise to Vian lingered on her mind. "I didn't do any of that in purpose." He continued. "I had never been the same after what I've done to you." She looked up at him, and she searched through his innocent but handsome face.

"I never expected to meet you here, and also not with your new boyfriend, Zia." He spoke. "I did not come to say that I do not regret what I've done, I just wanted to say sorry to you, personally, face to face. I would have met you later, but considering that I met you today, if I apologized from you now, I know that my heart will feel at ease somehow." He finished and looked down at her staring at him.

"I will never disturb you again Zia. I wanted to be with you once more, but I know how much you love him, when I see your eyes." He smiled, as a tear of sadness misted his eyes. "Goodbye Zia and take care." He finished and before she could do anything, Zack took a step forward towards her and gave her a one armed hug. Zia did not react as she froze and he turned, leaving her behind.

*

Vian burned in fury as he saw how the man had put his arm around his girl. He knew that his death will be on his arms, and he balled up his fists in anger as he looked at the way of how Zia kept on staring at his back, even after he had left a long time ago.

Zia took a deep breath as a tear slipped through her lashes and she wiped it away. She turned her head and saw that Vian had been staring at her, and she knew that he was feeling angry. Sighing, knowing that she was in very deep trouble as her mind was wavering between the two boys she had ever loved, even though her heart shouted Vian's name. Zia slowly walked towards Vian.

"Vian, I am –" she started coming closer towards him and she raised her arm up, as though she was trying to touch him, when he took a step back.

"Let's go now." He said, gritting his teeth and giving her a tight lipped smile.

"Vian," she tried once more, but Vian had already walked past her, worried as though he would regret the words he would say and hurt her if he remained with her anymore.

Zia felt her heart shatter. She knew that she had hurt him a lot and she knew that it would take a long time for her to make it up with him. As darkness started to fall deeper around her, Zia sighed and stepped behind Vian. She wondered how fate can be so cruel to her because she had been having the time of her life at one moment and now, she was regretting the day for it had made her a living hell. She bit her lips as they started to tremble, and she walked past the memories she had made with Vian that day.

She did not find Vian in the cottage and she knew that he might be in the parking lot. She put her coat around herself and looking around the cottage for one last time, looking for anything they might have missed, she stepped out, and walked towards the car.

As she had expected, Vian was waiting inside the car for her, and she opened the door for herself, and sat on the passenger's seat. She knew that Vian was too mad at her because it was the first time that he had never opened a door for her. Clicking her seat belt around her, Zia turned towards Vian, as he determinedly stared ahead of him and drove away from their memories.

Zia stared out of the window and wiped her eyes in secret as the long and silent journey continued. She stole glances at Vian, but he did not so much as spare a glance at her. It felt as though she had travelled between two worlds until he finally pulled into the parking lot of her apartment.

Zia turned to look at Vian once more as he shut off the ignition and hurried out of the car. The dark parking lot was empty except for their car and Zia's eyes followed him as he came towards the passenger's door from the front of the car. She looked at him, trying to look into his eyes as he pulled open the door for her and putting her arm in front of her, Vian released the seat belt and he took hold of Zia's arm, pulling her out of the car.

Vian banged the door close behind her and pushed her roughly to the back and placed his hands on either side of her head. Zia did not utter a single word and looked up into his eyes as her heart panged on her chest as she saw how red they were.

"Zia," he started, and Zia's eyebrows raised up. "I don't know what he told you, and I don't even want to know that." He said hurriedly, as Zia looked as though she was trying to repeat what had happened. "I don't want to know that" Vian said, placing his hand over her mouth. He looked into her eyes.

"I love you, Zia. That's all I know." He said. "Today is the last day of my holiday and I have an early morning flight to France tomorrow. I will come back in the evening and my flight will touch down in the Heathrow Airport at seven o' clock in the evening." He said, his eyes searching through her eyes for comfort. "If you really, really, love me, I hope that we can talk things through later." He finished and took a step closer towards her.

Zia's eyes wavered between his and her eyes finally found comfort in meeting his, as he brought his face closer towards her, barely an inch away from hers. As his smell went all over Zia's, Vian did not hesitate any longer and taking a deep breath, staring intently at her rosy lips, Vian leaned in closer and pressed his lips tightly onto hers.

Zia's breath constricted on her throat as the moment she had been looking forward to for a long time finally became true for her. Her hands automatically went around his neck as his arms hugged her closer towards him and the air left away between them. As Vian's lips dominated over hers, Zia gave in more, and finally after what felt like an eternity for the both of them, Vian released her lips and he panted hard, leaning his forehead on hers. Zia panted hard as she tried to slow down her racing heart and looked slowly up into his eyes.

"Goodbye Zia," Vian said meeting her eyes and he pressed his lips tightly onto her forehead, closing his eyes. When she yearned to have the feel of his lips on hers once more, Vian released her, and he went around the car and got in the driver's seat. She turned hurriedly towards him, trying to catch him before he left her and ready to beg him to stay if he wanted to, but she was too late, for he had already turned on the ignition and was driving away from her.

Zia held her head on her hands, and she sank heavily onto the floor, as her heart raced behind him and she yearned to be in his arms forever, because for the first time in her life, Zia felt how empty she was, because the love of her life had left her alone.