5 I don't want to want you?

Chapter 5

~ Zafar’s departure~

I left the train station and quickly rushed to the airport, I was a minute late… so I panicked.

Luckily I made it on the plane, first class. Father told me that I had to keep his name at fame by choosing first-class every time I intended to go home. if only he knew that I lived off simple things. I was a different man at home. Quite and abiding, I smiled less and spoke when spoken to.

My childhood friend Amaal was with me since I had arrived… my father told me that he did keep his promise by making my bride to be the one who I yearned for.

the only reason I was stuck with Amaal because her parents had her working as my father's new accountant.

She was a huge gossip and always spoke about money and status. The only woman I couldn't stand.

Unfortunately, she was my only company. I had received my acceptance letter to study in Cuba… father offered me the opportunity to study in one of the best facilities.

The day of the meet and greet did not go too well… she ditched me! She changed, the woman I grew up with was never late and was always keen on being on time…but I agreed reluctantly as my father said that was what I had to do.

***

" come now, kick, punch then sweep," he said banging the pads together. " not that difficult, I want to see you sweat. "

I was worn out, he had me doing exercises since 7 am, and my body was about to give in…. Not to mention that my body was already beat with bruises and torn muscles.

I sighed in exhaustion… I couldn't push myself anymore. So I collapsed to the ground gasping for air.

"let's call it a day then?" he said leaving the room.

My gear was drenched in sweat and the skin on my knuckles was shredded off by the punching exercise I did earlier. I cried for a while before I headed home.

" you look like you need to let off so steam," said Mutaq as he slowly opened his car, " let's go get some food?"

" no need, I'm to beat for that.."

" then to a spa, I mean a spa doesn't require much of your energy now does it?"

" as much as I would love to join you, I have to get home..."

"I understand, be safe."

" jazakallah(may Allah reward you).”

At this point, I just want to head back to campus. I woke up the next day feeling guilty about how I treated my teammate so I invited him for coffee at the local cafe near the high school we use to go to.

" I apologize, I wasn't thinking straight last night."

" it's okay, I saw the state you were in…so I can't blame you."

" well black belt isn't a joke, especially if I'm getting it in Japan."

" agreed, but know when to stop,"

We spoke for hours and I managed to reconcile with him, a bond I wasn't willing to lose easily. He handed me a few Band-Aids and a tube for my hands before leaving, this time promising to keep in touch.

The vacation finally ended and I could finally head back to my normal life, with no rich people drama or tough headed expectations…

I avoided Zafar, it felt better that way since I would be hitched soon. I did not want to behave improperly with him.

" Stop right there mam."

I continued to walk, but he followed me grabbing my arm…he shouldn't have done that…he went flying to the other side of campus…I ran towards him quickly checking his pulse.

" omg, ya Allah…you know I'm a karate student yet you always sneak up on me," I said watching him moan, with a faded smile on his face.

" as long as you talking to me then I don't mind dying now."

" shut up…and get up. You still owe me ice cream."

" can I buy it for you now?" he said standing up " is the ice cream the reason behind you avoiding me?"

" I'm not avoiding you."

" sure… let us pretend the whole I didn't see you but I saw your thing didn't happen."

"ha-ha yes please."

I'm glued to this idiot…not like avoiding him was going to get rid of him easily. He's like a letch that's draining the juice out of my heart.

" here's your ice cream…I got your favorite, chocolate chip."

" thank you," I say taking the ice cream reluctantly.

" so are you going to explain or should I just guess?"

" guess…"

"you're avoiding me because you missed me too much," he said laughing

" someone's full of themselves."

" you know me, either way, I want to make something clear…I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me…so if somethings hanging on your chest please do let it out."

"noted captain," I say biting his ice cream.

" fair play dear madam, I'll let it slide for today. "

How could I begin to hate a soul like his?

He was different but is that not what everyone says when they find someone special, maybe it feels like a huge thing to me being my first time. This soul made my soul happy.

" By the way what were you up to on your first visit in years at home?"

" secrets are not meant to be told."

" if you insist on keeping it a secret I'll brag about mine."

"Please spare me the agony, you probably sipped tea the entire day scrolling through bikini pictures."

" is that how low you think of me?"

" men will be men."

" This is me having no response to your stupidity whatsoever."

" ha-ha, don't forget about this weekend by the way."

" I have the memory of an elephant dear Nura, I'll be there for sure, of course after a while I have some business to attend to."

" as long as your there."

I could still feel the ringing in my ear from my sensei's yelling, my body would ache from time to time but the worst feeling that caught me off guard these days where the nerves that chocked me at the mere idea of competing… the pressure of having to prove myself and the doubt I wanted to get rid off. I felt pieces of me ripple little by little as I noticed my confidence fade.