4 Caught in traffic

Chapter 4

I don't usually go home, after each semester, but since I'll be living there soon, I might as well pretend like I usually do it. Usually, we would have a few assignments to hand in and then the big exam at the end of the year.

I spent more time with Zafar then I imagined, and found so much comfort in him. He was oddly the biggest inspiration I've received in my lifetime, and a lot of purposes was given to my art after meeting him. He would often guide me through my mistakes and always kept my health in check.

" sooo, are you headed home after your practical this semester?"

"that's a funny question, I always go home missy," he said stealing my ice-cream

" well I don't," I said pushing him to the road, "by the way you owe me ice-cream now…"

" I'll try to remember, for now, the one I stole is mine"

" ha-ha, whatever, enjoy it while you can, either way, you'll be meeting your soon to be bride, right?" I ask him a little envious… "I mean when you go home for the short vacation?"

" yes, yes…"

"fun.."

I was not lucky enough to have Zafar by my side in my early varsity years and I wish I met him earlier, but I'm glad that we met eventually.

Besides school, I had to prepare for my immediate departure to Japan after I finally got my art degree. I had special training, given on specific days, as well as normal classes and fitness. Most of the time I was beat and couldn't feel my body... But it was worth it… the satisfaction kept me thriving!

Soon I'd have my first competition after 3 years, and trust me for the first time in my life I was dead afraid of what was in store for me. While I was lounging around and playing with my toys, my opponents were training effortlessly day and night and I bet just to get their revenge. I'll be transferred after the semester, for training with my original sensei.

I wasn't looking forward to it, he always made stupid remarks about me in class and would often punish me alone.

Karate was its own art, yes many weapons are usable in its practice, but your biggest weapon was your body, and remember your body only performs well when your mind allows it to. As an artist, I might see things differently, read people differently, and overall just be odd.

I get inspired by almost every single thing, I feel the emotion in whatever I sketch, most probably the only way you'll tell what I'm feeling.

My mind lives inside of this world where expression only occurs through a pencil or paintbrush.

My sketchbook was recently filled with sketches of Zafar doing basic stuff, like reading or eating…my unique diary that I used to document a species that suddenly made me feel something new.

" Why don't we just go for a ride instead?" he said grabbing my arm

" for the last time, my bike is at the repair shop"

" who says we need you to have your bike?" he said grinning " come on I won't see you for a week or so, you have to ride with me as we watch the sunset"

"fine," I say reluctantly

I was always in control of the speed and where I was headed, but he choose to put me in a spot I've never been in. I hopped onto his motorcycle afraid of getting too close, and comfy.

He asked me to wrap my arms around him a few times, but I was reluctant… I'm sure he had millions of girls wrap their arms around him, I did not want him to see me as one of his admirers So I held onto the sides of the bike. He drove on the closed road that was recently being repaired so it was quiet. I did not want to fall in love with someone I could not have, someone who had their mind and heart set somewhere else…I was afraid of the way this man made me feel.

I was suddenly afraid of his smile, his warmth, and the way he carried himself. I hate cliché feelings, makes me feel like everyone else.

He stopped near a building if I remembered clearly it was the one where we had met before the race… he took off his helmet and told me to quickly follow him.

We ran out to the back and sat on top of crates watching the sunset… I jotted down the image of the perfect portrait at that time.

The next day I took a train home with Elham, Zafar left by flight. I arrived home and was immediately dragged to the dojo (karate school).

I was too good to spar with women, so sensei Hamza would often allow me to go against the boys. It was difficult and at times I would leave seriously injured.

" good match," he said reaching his hand towards me trying to pick me up after a sweep.

" thank you, it means a lot coming from you senpai (almost black belt).”

" I'm Mutaq by the way, hope we can spar again once you master all the basics" he pulled me up as I took a closer look

" wait, you mean Mutaq… the e-pon king!"

" in the flesh," he said laughing

" I know why people fear you, you aren't a force to be reconded with."

" don't say that lol… you gave me a tough time back then remember"

"of course I remember, every single boy in this dojo use to shake at the mere thought of me," I say standing up, wiping the nose bleed he had given me

He laughed " I can't wait for that to happen again, I got to go now see you!"

" see you as well."

The first week my parents merely allowed me to practice at the dojo, without question or reason. I was not one who would question such a blessing but they were being too lenient.

One evening my mother walked in with her butler and asked her to take my measurements, the other day my father asked what jewelry I preferred...

" out with it," I demanded an explanation "what's with all the secrecy?"

Everyone was silent for a moment " like we told your sensei to tell you, sweetheart, if you accept the scholarship to go to Japan… you have to leave with a ring on your finger," my mother said.

" what! He did not mention anything of that sort."

" well, doesn't matter, everything's already in place… don't mess it up."

" do I at least get to meet the guy?"

" of course."

I wasn't happy with what was going on around me, but I didn't want to pass off the opportunity to study this art that brought me everlasting happiness.

Training went on as usual, and the day finally came for me to meet my so-called groom. He was to arrive that afternoon, I was stuck in class, and had finished later than usual and on my way, home I had heaps of traffic to get through.

My mother had phoned several times urging me to hurry, and an hour later I was still stuck in traffic, she phoned to tell me that I'm still a disappointment and that it doesn't matter cause the groom agreed to either way, who left after a while…

A frustrating moment…