This must be a dream

Chapter 22

Months went by, with everyone slowly adapting to their new lifestyle. No one kept contact with each other and everything was slowly falling into different world zones. Everyone was slowly beginning to forgetting about each other to the extent of leaving an I'm fine today thank you text or I'm too busy to talk. Zafar left in his lab coat studying till late at night, and me training effortlessly to enroll myself into the national competition, before my black belt grading.

Elham stuck with an addict, living a horrific 'your past will haunt you' life. Each of my friends starting new families, and my constant yearning for a paintbrush.

It was a week before the annual National karate competition held by the karate world federation. Only ten out of 50 students will be selected to compete in the worldwide competition and the rest would have to work harder for next year. I sat in my room and dusted a box full of art supplies. It had arrived a few months later than intended, I then set up my canvas and began to scribble on blank pages. Was the life I'm living now really what I wanted…or was I escaping from everyone's constant criticism?

A few mistakes later and a completely blanked out mind I set my paintbrush down wiping my hands on my apron before answering a call.

"Asalamualikum, " I spoke trying to figure out who was calling

" walikumsalam, it's Zafar here, my phones been missing for a week and I can't seem to find it."

I could feel my face light up at the sound of his voice, " it's okay…happens to everyone."

" I have to go now, I just wanted to hear your beautiful voice," he said ending the call.

It was our first call after a few months. They say distance can drive two people apart but I don't think that's the case. Mine and Zafar's situation would be not wanting to communicate with each other because we don't want any distractions…our future and being successful was the most important thing rather than being with each other during this moment.

I respect that he invested his life into something that I could only dream of doing. I picked up my pencil and felt a tear drop…I was overwhelmed. I was upset with the fact that there's nothing I could do to control the situation between me and Zafar, the fact that I wasn't as good as I thought I was, and the fact that my health could collapse at any given moment.

I began sketching what my heart told me it wanted to portray…I sketched the human heart and filled it with all my worries, I then placed a lock on it. These are my tails, my stories, this is my pain, my happiness, my worries. This was my mind over my heart.

Time flew by, I was late for class on that day. A usual routine, with many words shared amongst the four of us. Who might become strangers after the year ends, who I might lose contact with over my new adaptation to a new life in the future?

" Are you ready your up next?" Mutaq asked patting me on the back

" I'm sure I'll do okay, " I say walking up to the mat.

I nominated 'chinte'- rare hand. It explained the opportunities that arose in my life since meeting Zafar…rare. I poured my soul and heart into that kata for that night. With the words ' pass' hitting me at the end of my performance. You could see the goosebumps on everyone's arms. I walked off the mat, and into a shower, before heading out to eat. It's been a while since I've been this deep into thought.

" that kata was phenomenal, you were a different person tonight," Yacob said before rushing off.

Ameera gave me a thumbs up before disappearing with him.

" I'm going to have to skip tonight my tummy hurts, " I say leaving on my motorcycle.

He shook his head before following Ameera and Yacob silently. They were both very alike without even realizing it.

I rode across the city and sat on the mountain near the dojo watching everyone from above, from afar everyone and everything seemed peaceful. The lights decorated the streets but affected the beautiful shine of the stars. I drank my soda and laid near my bike.

" I know you're behind me, what do you want," I say touching the floor.

I heard footsteps coming in my direction. until the sound faded. I stood up dusting my gloves and jacket, upset that the person did not respond to my question.

You wouldn't believe who was standing behind me…