22 - The Story of Love [Completed]

11. Silence

'We request the passengers to fasten their seat belts and switch off their mobile phones or place them on airplane mode as the plane is preparing to take off.'

The announcement was made one last time to remind all the passengers to follow the advice. She did as asked like everyone else and then stared outside her window. In the next few minutes, the plane took off and as her eyes looked around London from above, her eyes became moist. Every memory from the time spent in this city with that someone came back to her mind and flashed before her eyes like a film. She did not want to leave like this. Without explaining, without questioning but she had no option. She could also not abandon her father who has been her support since day one.

When she saw the messages from her father earlier that morning, she couldn't believe her eyes. When and how those photos got leaked to tabloids and how they reached her parents before her didn't settle with her. She couldn't understand who could do this and why. There were times when she thought it may be Daniel's doing but then her heart and mind both challenged her own thinking. She sat back and leaned on the seat and closed her eyes as a lone tear left her eye.

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Daniel searched around the hotel, but he couldn't find Hoorain anywhere. He wasn't going to play today due to the ban, but he knew that Hoorain and her team would still be presenting. After doing several rounds of their offices and the café of the hotel, he was able to find no one. Disappointed, he walked out of the hotel and was about to walk towards the car park when he found Anya and Jamal coming towards the hotel's entrance. Both of them saw him and looked away which confused Daniel some more.

"Anya..."

She stopped after he called her name but shaking his head, Jamal left from there. Anya turned to him and raised her eyebrow.

"I can't find Hoorain. Where is she?"

"She left for Pakistan earlier this morning. Her father had called her."

"But why..."

He couldn't finish his sentence because Anya had passed him her phone where a tabloid article was open. It was all about Daniel and Hoorain.

"After getting banned from English cricket for a year, Daniel Edwards spotted on a date."

"What the-"

He stopped himself from cursing and fast scrolled the article. There were pictures from a restaurant and London Bridge. His face was turning evidently red with rage. He knew who's doing it was. But he was also angry that because of him, Hoorain had to leave like this. There was so much going wrong.

"You should have been careful. You knew you are known here. Media and tabloids must have kept an eye on you. Look what they have done now! They are using your failing career and Hoorain part of the big news."

Anya finished and grabbed her phone from his hand and walked away. Daniel was stood there like a statute unable to move or comprehend what had happened.

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Unlocking the door, he went inside and searched for the person he would only find comfort in. She knew he was back. Amy came out of her room and went downstairs to see him. Her injuries were mostly healed, she was able to move around easier than before. Seeing her, Daniel didn't move but stopped where he was.