Lost

Chapter 58 : Uneasy Intrusions

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Salma's P.O.V.

"I will not accept your papers if you're late!" the English professor warned his students. "Submit them on time."

As the class came to an end, Salma hastily started collecting her things. She had to discuss the project with Professor R.K. and she could not afford to get late. Salma glanced at her phone to check the time for Dhur prayers. Just then, it beeped with a text.

*Asim: Let me know when you're done with the meeting.

Fleeing the 'devils' at home, Asim had now joined Salma at Anne's and they drove to the campus together. Will steered clear of her path during her stay at Anne's, so it was a good adjustment.

"In a rush?" Zayn commented, sounding amused by her haste to leave.

"Yeah," Salma replied, shoving her phone in her pocket and collecting her books.

It was strange to have Zayn act normal around her. Earlier, when he entered the class with Niall, Salma was really anxious of him. However, he just smiled and greeted her, sliding into a seat with an empty chair between them. His easy manner relaxed her nerves, but it was still a bit awkward.

"Bee?"

Zayn's voice stopped her just as she turned to leave.

"Yes?" Salma turned her attention back to him, impatiently running her fingers up and down the spine of her books. Zayn shouldered his bag and stood up, combing a hand through his hair.

"There is this bee centered carnival arranged by an organization," Zayn smile, a mischievous glint in his eyes when he said bee-centered, "It's about the conservation of the bees and stuff. Have you heard of it?"

"Save the Bees carnival?" Salma asked.

"Yep!" Zayn replied, popping the 'p'

"Yeah, I have heard of it." Salma smiled.

"Of course you have," Niall chuckled behind Zayn, shaking his head in amusement.

"Shut up, Brownie," Zayn groaned at his best friend.

Niall imitated him, making Zayn smack him on the head. Salma waited, shifting from one foot to the other impatiently. She was in a hurry.

"Right." Zayn frowned slightly for going off track. "So I was thinking, do you want to go to the carnival . . .?"

Salma frowned. She had clearly told him she had somewhere to be, didn't she?

"With me?"

What?

Salma's stomach suddenly turned into vacuum, and her lungs paused. She stared at Zayn, thunderstruck. With him?

"You know." Zayn shrugged, seemly unaffected by her stunned silence. "Claire was going with some friends and she dragged me and Niall with her. I know you liked bees so I thought, I'd extend an invitation."

Salma's insides relaxed and she silently sighed a huge breath of relief. The stress of the past weeks had really played number on her mind. Steadying her heartbeat, Salma turned her attention back to Zayn who was eagerly waiting for a reply.

"I would love to attend the carnival," Salma began, "but I'm sorry, I can't tag along."

A look of hurt and disappointment flashed across Zayn's features.

"I have somewhere to be," she explained. "A meeting to attend to."

Zayn masked his disappointment with a playful pout.