16 Why won't you tell me?

Chapter 16

I stood there in between the two of them, cut out of both of their worlds, removed from the space that surrounded the three of us. I could see uncomfortable written all over Zafar's face and pity over the woman's. He was hesitant to come down but after a while, the woman made her way into the house. She threw her bag on top of me and walked towards Zafar.

If pissed had a physical form it would be me at that very moment. I stood there and waited for Zafar to say something. He walked towards me, grabbed the purse, and threw it on her.

" don't you have any manners," she asked catching the bag.

" I resemble the woman standing in front of me."

" well said."

"I'm sorry," I say interrupting, " but who the jahanum (hell) are you?"I ask walking towards them.

" why don't you ask your beloved husband to introduce me to you?"

" she must be lost, cause I definitely don't know her, " he said leaving the house.

He left, really…he left me with a stuck up rich stranger. Real mature, the woman did not hesitate to follow so I was still left in the middle of nowhere. I saw the clock ticking, I hated wasting precious time since I knew I will not be home for long but what upset me the most was him waltzing out on me.

I could not trust that woman, so I followed him until I saw them stop in the middle of nowhere near the road, where they spoke. I couldn't tell what they were saying but what really shocked me was when the woman slapped Zafar. I then walked up towards them and slapped the woman back...a man can never lay his hand on a woman and Zafar was soft, so I was quite pleased that I could do that without getting arrested. I then left with Zafar as I watched him drag his feet behind me. we stopped at a café to have a drink…

He did not even look at me, he did not speak or eat.

" you know, I'm really angry right now, "I say trying to get him to talk

" I apologize."

" an apology isn't enough…who was that woman?"

" my biological mother."

I spat out my drink and choked on some of it," why didn't you tell me!"

" you didn't ask."

" Wow, now she's definitely going to get rid of me."

" don't worry about her. I told her not to bother us again."

" you think it's that easy Zafar dear. Avoid her all you want, humiliate her as much as you can, but, she will always be your mother and you are going to have to make peace with that whether you accept it or not."

" I agree Nura, but you don't understand okay. You wouldn't want that woman as your mother either. Who do you think you are trying to explain to me what I already know."

" Zafar I know you are upset but this is unfair, you can not always use me as your punching bag whenever something happens. Life doesn't work like that."

"You're right… I'm sorry. i just I'm okay without her… let's change the topic."

" if you insist… let's go for a ride and have spicy food before we get home for old time sake."

" more like a salad or smoothie, I'm still on my diet."

" food is comfort and it's own therapy…please only for today. When your In Cuba you can work on your belly all you want."

"fine you win. Let's go."

If there's one thing that I was most certain about Zafar was that he was easily manipulated, no matter who or what it was I could easily influence him.

I did not know how to feel about the recent events I wonder what he might be going through…and even if I wanted to ask it's not like I can after he clearly painted the walls red.

A day to go and it'll be a new year. Normally on new year I would spend the night with the girls and during the day I would be out with my bike, this year Zafar wanted us to have a family dinner…apparently, that's what he did the entire time. Boring…but mature enough for me to want to try it. It was at his parents' house, our first joint family gathering, hopefully, there aren't any clashes. There was already enough drama for a day.

After the ride and food, we sat outside our house and spoke about the time we spent together. After the new year, we would have to head back to the university to collect our diplomas and then catch our flights to separate parts of the world. I know that I keep on mentioning it but, there's so much on my mind about what will happen once we split up, will he be swamped by the ladies, will I fall for someone else?

The chances are low but it's still possible.

" do you feel any better?"

" yes I do, thank you for the comfort."

" Always a pleasure, are you ready to talk about it?"

"sure why not…I mean keeping you in the dark about everything is stupid either way. Where do I start?"

" The high school part."

He told me about his father getting married to a second wife, and his mother sabotaging their marriage even if it was her idea. How his mother would emotionally abuse him, and blame him, for being a black seed as she could not bear any more children after him. She filed for divorce while he was sent to boarding school by his father…hence the first time we split, then he did not say anything else.

"why'd you stop?"

" I don't know, I thought talking about it would make me feel better…but I just feel sorry for myself and that's the last thing that I want to feel on our almost last day together."

" I understand…but sharing a burden is better than dealing with it alone."

" I agree but, there's no need. I'm over it."

" awesome. Let's call it a night than"

Before I could leave he gently grabbed my foot and leaned against it, "don't leave…"

I looked towards him and smiled," I'm not going anywhere."

" I mean, don't ever leave me again Nura…if you do I'd go nuts."

" Great, 'cause you're a 100% stuck with me for a long time."

" Nothing makes me happier than hearing those words. I love you..." he said still holding onto me.

" I'm happy that I could make you happy. Let's just stay up tonight then, and watch the stars shall we?"

" id like that."

But am I happy?