Unofficial First Date
"I want to start a membership in library," Taaliyah told her father. "Am bored, I want to read more book, please let me get the membership," she said firmly.
"Nihala, what is she saying?" Zahir asked his wife still reading the newspaper. Nihala walked out of the kitchen and stood next to her daughter.
"What's wrong? isn't it a good thing to read books, it will only add to her knowledge, get her a member," she supported Taaliyah unaware of the intention. She wanted her daughter to have good things in life. "We have let Mara pursue her dreams, why can't we let Taaliyah too," she said with her eyes filled with tears. Her phone call with Nara the previous night remained fresh in her mind. Nihala was feeling awfully bad. She wanted her first born to be happy and safe. But Nara is not though she claims she is.
"That brat ran away from home, I did not her go, you supported and let her go," Zahir said closing the newspaper and kept them aside. "Get ready, I will drop you at the library after lunch. I will go visit my father and pick you on my way back," he said giving his permission and decided to take a shower walking into his room.
Taaliyah locked the room and chose her best outfit to doll up. This was the last chance she was going to give Derek. And she decided to show up without giving prior notice to him to see if he lies to her or not.
Taaliyah put on a dark blue jean and stripped white tshirt and a black cardigan over the top. She tied her hair and stepped out of the room. She collected the money necessary for the membership and took her ID card along with her for proof.
They reached the library around 2 pm and Zahir left. He said he will pick her around 5 in the evening. Taaliyah was excited. She carried on with the procedure to take the student membership and kept looking for Derek's entry. When her application form was accepted, she happily walked over to some of the book shelves and stood in the front pretending to searching for book straight to the entrance for Derek to notice her. And her plan did not work out well. She did not see him enter at all. It was already 2.30. Half an hour has been wasted. She decided to search for him and walked around the book shelves. He was not around. She climbed the stairs and looked for him. Derek was no where to be seen. She climbed the second floor. And while she did, someone suddenly grabbed her arms. She turned around and saw the person. Her heart pounded loud. It was him; Derek.
"I am sorry," that's what he said first. She took her hand back and looked to her right side, unable to look at him afraid that she might forgive him soon. He climbed one more step and stood close to her. "I am really sorry," he apologized again. She then looked at him.
"You," she could not find any words to scold him.
"I know I made mistake but the situation was like that, I'm sorry I did not let you know," he apologized once again.
"Leave that," she said and turned around. Taaliyah really had no clue how to react. He walked along with her, close to her. He felt her arms brushing against his and he moved a little away, so as to not make her feel uncomfortable. He did not know what else to do either. It was their first time meeting alone a public place. He then took her hand and dragged her with him. "I will show you my workplace," he said and climbed to the third floor. Taaliyah smiled.
He opened the music room and showed her the instruments and then took her to the recording room.
"This is my first time seeing all these," she said and looked around. Taaliyah then looked at him. "Play what you have been practicing for me, a little,' she requested him. He nodded and took the guitar. He sang her favourite song and played the guitar along. She was marvelled. He was too good. Derek was so good at what he was doing.
"This is so cool Derek, I wish you debut," she said and wished for him. He smiled. He kept the guitar back and pulled her closer. He then took her towards piano and made her sit next to him, then he played what Sitar taught him during his free time. Taaliyah kept watching Derek aware that she is making heart fluttering memories with Derek that will remain eternally. He played the tiny piece of Brahms' notes and remained really happy to have her next to him. Their secret meeting felt like illegal but so good. He took his phone out and captured some selfies with her and also photographed her inside the music room holding the instruments and the record room. He turned the Mike on and sang another song. "To you," Taaliyah sat smiling at him like Derek was holding a concert alone for her and it felt too special. After sometime, he took her to the coffee counter and the two had coffee. And there they saw a teacher from school.
"Oh my god, she will definitely spread the news everywhere and get us punished," Taaliyah said to him. They turned around and walked toward the book shelf pretending to read until she passed. Derek moved further away.
"Taaliyah," Taaliyah her someone calling her. To her surprise it was another teacher from school.
"Dalia ma'am, good afternoon," she greeted her.
"I see you are into reading, good good," she said and smiled. "hope you are enjoying the vacation, I will see you later then, bye," she said.
"Okay ma'am bye," Taaliyah waved and watched her leave. She turned away I instantly and looked for Derek wondering if he is still standing behind. But she did find him. She walked towards the end on the shelf and looked for him. And someone pulled her hands again. She looked at who it is and found Derek sitting down. "Der..." she began to speak, but Derek covered her mouth. They heard a conversation from the distance, very clearly.
"Flynn you have to stop this habit, this is not good, getting high all the time," someone was angry and shouting at him. Taaliyah looked and Derek and moved his hand from her mouth. "I tell you we have lots of people here to replace, if you don't want to lose your stardom you better..." the man stopped talking. "Some one is here, we will talk later," the man said and stopped talking. They walked towards the door and opened then. Derek took Taaliyah's hand and ran upstairs to not get caught. But someone grabbed Derek's shoulder. Derek let go of Taaliyah and stood frozen. Taaliyah went pale.