Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Secrets Behind the Screen
~ Nantam’s POV~
Dean had dropped by to see me, and Nicki was already lounging around my living room when the conversation shifted, inevitably, to Zayn.
"Dean," I said, leaning back in my chair, frustration twisting in my chest, "don’t you notice Zayn’s been acting strange lately? Always claiming he’s busy doing nothing. He barely spends time with us anymore, and when he does, he bolts home like he can’t wait to leave."
Dean shrugged, like it was nothing. "That’s normal. If he wants to head back early, let him. No big deal."
I clenched my jaw. He wasn’t getting it. "You don’t understand. Twice now, he told us he was going home. I checked, and he wasn’t there. When I called, he said he wouldn’t be coming back that night."
Nicki chuckled, rolling his eyes. "You guys are blind. It’s obvious Zayn’s in a relationship."
Dean paused, then nodded slowly, as if Nicki had just solved a puzzle for him. "You might be right."
Nicki leaned forward, his voice carrying that annoying certainty of his. "But he’s hiding who it is. That can only mean two things."
My heart thumped faster. "What two things?" I asked, sharper than I meant.
Nicki leaned forward, smirking. "Either he’s dating a man... or a celebrity who doesn’t want to go public."
Dean laughed under his breath. "The celebrity angle makes sense. With a popular restaurant like his, it’s easy to imagine someone in the spotlight falling for him."
I tilted my head, thoughts racing. "Still, the part about him dating a man, it’s not impossible," Nantam said.
Then again, "think about it. If it were a woman, she’d mostly come over to his place. But Zayn keeps spending nights at this person’s house. That’s different."
Dean rubbed his chin, considering. "Or maybe she’s famous and wants it private for now. That would explain it too."
Nicki smirked again, aiming at me. "So, Nantam, which do you think is less likely?"
I leaned back, forcing a grin I didn’t quite feel. "Well, if Zayn ever decided to date a man, it should’ve been me, right?"
Nicki burst into laughter, like I’d just told a joke. "Enough, man. Zayn doesn’t like you that way. Accept it. He can date anyone, it doesn’t have to be you."
His words stung, but before I could snap back, Dean cut in. "Anyway, whoever it is, man or woman, we’ll find out soon. The day after tomorrow is his birthday. It’ll all be clear then."
I gave a small, bitter smile. "Don’t count on it. What if his partner doesn’t show up, and he celebrates separately with her? Then what?"
Nicki shook his head, still amused. "He won’t be able to hide forever. One day, we’ll know, whether it’s a he or a she."
Dean’s gaze shifted to me, sharp and direct. "Tell me the truth, Nantam. Do you still have feelings for Zayn?"
The room fell quiet. I swallowed hard, exhaling slowly. "I still love him," I admitted, my voice low. "If he gave me even the smallest chance, I’d take it. Zayn is someone I love without reason. If he let me, I’d prove just how much he means to me."
Nicki sighed, his tone softening but still blunt. "There’s no chance, Nantam. If he wanted you, it would’ve happened already. Stop torturing yourself. Move on."
I turned my eyes away from him, jaw narrowed, the words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit.
Nicki cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "So, what’s the plan? Since his birthday is in two days, shouldn’t we head to the resort tomorrow?"
Dean nodded. "Yeah, tomorrow evening works."
I forced myself to sound calm. "Alright. I’ll be the one to tell him."
Dean leaned back with a sly grin. "Nicki, I hope you’ve finally given up on your ex."
Nicki let out a small sigh, shaking his head. "He’s not giving me the chance to get close, so what’s the point of me still chasing him?"
I leaned forward, fixing my gaze on him. "Then focus on the guy you’re with now, Nicki. I don’t know what’s so special about this ex of yours, but the man with you now is trying. If not, who else would want to keep someone like you?"
Nicki frowned at me. "Nantam, you can’t just say that...’who would want to keep someone like me?’"
I shrugged. "But it’s true. Isn’t this the same reason you lost your ex in the first place? And now you’re running back to him?"
"That’s enough, bro," Nicki cut me off sharply.
I only smiled, shaking my head. "I’ll keep saying what I have to say. Value people when you still have the chance. Don’t lose them, then later find excuses to crawl back."
Nicki stood up, his jaw tight, and moved to sit somewhere else. As he walked away, I called after him calmly, "I’ll keep telling you the truth, Nicki. Hopefully, one day you’ll make use of it."
Once he was gone, Dean turned toward me, his tone softer. "That’s enough, Nantam. Nicki respects you like a big brother. If it were someone else, he would’ve fought back."
A small smile tugged at my lips. "It’s just the two of us. He won’t dare want to disrespect me."
After Dean and I talked for a while about Zayn’s party, the arrangements, the resort, and the gifts we planned to give him, I mentioned casually, "His gift arrived yesterday."
Dean nodded. "Mine’s coming in today. They should deliver it any time."
I smirked. "Perfect. Let me call him, then."
I pulled out my phone and dialed Zayn’s number. The line rang twice before his familiar voice came through, sounding easy and warm.
"What’s up, man?" Zayn said.
"I’m fine," I told him, then added, "Dean’s here with me."
Zayn chuckled. "Are you guys talking about me?"
"Yes," Dean cut in with a grin, "most especially about your birthday."
"Zayn," I said, leaning closer to the phone, "we’re going to the resort tomorrow evening."
"Okay," he replied easily.
Dean smiled. "Happy birthday in advance, man."
I switched the call to video, wanting him to see us both. That’s when I noticed something off, he wasn’t at his house.
"You didn’t go to the restaurant today?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied, but something about his tone didn’t sit right.
I propped the phone so both Dean and I were in view. My eyes narrowed a little as I studied the background behind him. "Zayn... where are you?"
He smiled faintly, almost as if to brush it off. "Somewhere I feel at home," he said. "Don’t worry about it, Nantam."
I frowned, exchanging a quick glance with Dean. His answer was casual, but the way he avoided specifics only deepened the question burning inside me.