Trying to forget...

Chapter 42

“ Mutaq, when did you say we heading to the battlefield?” I ask rushing towards him.

“next year or the end of this one I’m not sure.”

“oh, ” I say stealing his bottle of water…” thanks, I needed it,” I say squeezing the emptied bottle, “ by the way call Elham, she’s dead worried about you.”

He sighed watching me walk towards the rest of my teammates after 6 months you would expect that days would get easier but nothings getting better. I missed Zafar, I missed him so much…that it actually hurt, I have no idea as to what I was thinking when I choose to run away I really hope after all of this I'd be able to move on, or in other words forget about him.

“ Still procrastinating, why don’t you just call him,” Mutaq said

“it’s not as easy as it sounds okay, I need space…I need to process all the drama that’s been happening lately...i just want him to process everything on his own as well without seeing me as a solution.”

~zafar~

“jee, pass the wood!” I say starting up the braai (barbeque)fire, I was dragged into a camping trip with the boys, to be exact the ones who ditched me on the night I and Nura got trapped at the art gallery near our school. Each of them found their grind, settled down, started their own families, and did what people our age are supposed to.

Zubair had always been there for me since I moved to the boarding school back in the day.

“ already missing the wife, ” I say teasing him.

“more than ever.”

“showoff.”

“is it helping?”

“the distractions, I’m sure you’ve forgotten a little about her.”

“not one bit.”

“You're lovesick my brother Zafar.”

I laugh changing the topic, after having lunch they set out the campfire and brought out the marshmallows, I walked towards my car fetching my phone which was the most useless thing during that night...still no response, or calls…nothing.

It wasn’t as easy as they made it sound I felt homesick since I’ve left her side. After three days of adventure and catching up. I applied, even if it meant not being a cardiologist I was still saving lives…now all I have to do is wait for a response.

***

I walked into the cabin with Mutaq pinned to a wall by one of the head officers I quickly took my leave. After a while of chilling near the man-made damn, he rushed over to me. I looked towards him laughing.

“ you don’t have to explain I’m sorry for disturbing you..."

“you misunderstood it’s nothing of that sort.”

“boys will be boys, besides no need for the explanation…”

He frowned taking a seat beside me moving my boots aside, drawing himself closer to me, “I have to explain…I don’t want any rumors going around.”

“my lips are sealed like I said no need to explain…besides you’ve been blind for almost half of your life…you always had unbelievably beautiful women chasing after you but you always turned them down.”

“ To me only your beautiful…”

“soapy, Elhams way more prettier than I am…”

He smiles moving back, “ I guess that’s how life is, you don’t always get the one your crazy for.”

“ now that my friend I can not argue with…but honestly start exploring your options like you said life's too short to count all your pains.”

I leave the pond barefoot as I rush to the phone booth nearby hesitantly putting it down at the thought of bothering Zafar.

~Elham~

My phone rang while I was in bed struggling to fall asleep, I answer the unknown number trying to open my eyes.

“ So how have you been?” a deep voice catching me off guard.

“you actually called, ”I say waking up instantly

“ of course, you told me to update you about my craze phase…looks like it’s going to be a lot more harder than I thought.”

“I know, especially if you see her every day…take your time honestly, I know exactly what you're going through.”

“ hmmm, I actually wanted to ask you how the projects are doing…”

“ We launched the first product.”

“ awesome keep me updated!” He said before cutting the call.

I have no idea as to what I’m doing but all I know is that I ended up being the one chasing again.

After the call I jumped out of bed refreshed, rushing towards my workshop excited about work.

Zafar walked In sitting down near the information desk later that day, after a few hours I walked up to him folding my arms

“ The annual family trip?” i say confused.

“ Nura was supposed to go, you’ll have to fill in for her.”

I roll my eyes sitting down across him, “ no problem, make sure you tell me what she says first...”

“ thats the other thing, she isn’t responding to any of my calls.”

“ of course, it’s obvious that she’s avoiding you merely because she’s afraid of this whole vulnerability thing, it’s normal when a woman falls in love…I have to go now, send me the details later.”

I say winking, They are literally the weirdest couple I’ve ever met…I wonder how long will Zafar have to endure Nuras stubbornness.

***

“Today's the self-defense lesson, and since we don’t look at gender whenever we’re on the battlefield, you have anyone attack you at any given moment no matter how or what they do…you'll have to get out and win.”

I watched the lieutenant mumble thinking to myself that I had this part in the bag. we were assigned our spots then attacked blindfolded. There was only one person who knew all my weaknesses and according to me, that person was on the other side of the field. I set out winning the first few rounds before being tackled randomly in a manner that I've never been able to overcome. I laid there thinking of the one person whom I thought was on the other side of the world remembering that he had his weaknesses too.

After making my opponent tap, we removed our blindfolds and proceeded to the next course. After a day of training, I set out for a personal hike as usual.

“ I know you're following me come out.”

“ you always get me.”

“ it’s like you have nothing better to do, ”

I rush towards him grabbing him by the arm as I ran up the hill remembering that I wanted to show him something.

We arrived at the location, as I caught my breath.

“Look down,” I say walking towards the cliff, “doesn’t it remind you of the view from the dojo back in Japan.”

He smiled, “This is what you wanted to show me eagerly?”

“if you don’t like it you can head back, ” I say frowning.

“no, no, I love it. Let’s come here more often.”

“ of course, ” I say punching his shoulder as I watch his face fold.

I pressed his shoulder again watching him scream, “ you were the guy from earlier?”

He turned his head away, I know how bad of a liar he is. “of course not.”

“Not every human's weakness is their armpit you know.”

“Okay you got me, I’m sorry.”

“no it’s okay, goes to show that I actually listened to you in class. Here, rub this on tonight, I feel bad.”

He took the patch.

“It’s just a friendly gesture, don’t take it the wrong way, ” I say running down… “let’s head back or we'll starve tonight.”