45 Memories buried deep in the heart-2

Jake bent on his knees and took her hands in his, "I am not sure if it was everything, but your father's abrupt departure left a severe impact on your mind and heart. She told me that you adored your father and he was your best friend."

Zara's face was lined with grief and pain as she recalled her childhood memories, a pandora's box that always stayed tightly shut. "Yes, he was. We used to build toy castles of building blocks and he used to tell me bedtime stories."

She gulped down water and held the bottle nervously, "He was the world to me. But, then he got busier at work. He..he had promised that he would come to my fancy dress competition but he never came. And that was the last that we saw/heard of him."

Jake spoke to her in a gentle tone, trying to calm her troubled mind, "I bet he still loves you, Z"

Zara shrugged and laughed nervously, "I don't know, J. We searched far and wide, called his colleagues, and the police was involved too. But, we never heard from him. Then one day, a very old family friend said he spotted dad with another woman and a kid. He had changed his name and identity. Mom was broken to pieces. I...I hate him, J"

Jake pried open the bottle from her fingers and wiped her tears, "It is in the past now, Z. Make peace with it. Your present doesn't need to suffer because of your past."

Zara was hesitant to speak about the next topic, "J, you are a nice guy and I like you. I really, really like you. you have been there for me, when I didn't expect you to be, waiting for me, caring for me and my mom, but-"

Jake laughed shakily, "There's always a but, isn't it?"

Zara gave him a helpless look, "See J. I have never been in a relationship. But there was this guy that made me feel incredible, special even. I haven't been able to completely forget him."

Jake's face turned hard, "Did..did he hurt you? Break your heart?"

Zara smiled wistfully, "He didn't even touch me..not in that way, J. I just felt oddly attracted to him. After my dad, he was the first to make me feel special."

Jake gave her a sad smile, his features a mask of indifference while it was tearing him inside. "Do you..do you love him?"

Zara looked away, "I..I don't know J. I try hard to forget him but he crops up in my mind one way or the other. He is long gone now, probably he will never return. He..his name was-"

Jake pulled up a hand, he didn't want to know the name of the guy who had carved a place for himself in Zara's heart. If he knew, he would search heaven and hell to find him, and send him into a void. "As I said, Z, I don't want to know about the guy who was in the past. I want to think about the future, about things that will give you happiness."

Zara tried to reason, "I know, guys usually want to take things to the next level." She had seen a lot of movies to affirm the fact.

Jake looked at her in confusion before he understood what she was referring to, "Z, I am willing to wait. There is no pressure from me. Not now, not ever."

Zara smiled and squeezed his hand, "I have been trying to stall things as I am uncertain of myself. I was the one to kiss you, I know. But, if we are to be in a relationship, I don't want to be an emotional wreck. Not when you have been so kind and patient with me."