Should i be concerned?

Chapter 23

I stood up ready to defend myself from the mysterious noise, as it got closer I began to see bits and pieces of who it was.

I froze. It was Zafar….how, when, and…why? I asked myself rushing into his arms. Confused by my sudden action I quickly let go of him trying to figure out why he was there, I scratched the back of my head thankful that he couldn't see me blush in the dark.

" I-I can't believe that….You're actually standing right in front of me, " I say holding my face confused.

He handed me a bag, " surprise," he said pulling me back into his arms. I felt home, and even if I hated admitting it, I missed him like crazy.

" you thought I'd only allow you to see me after 3 years, what kind of a husband would that make me?"

" distance matures a man, you know. It gives him time to miss his lover."

" But, even without the distance, I missed you like crazy," he said hugging me even tighter.

I smiled showing him my bike, " option one, I take you around the city with my new baby. Or we can have a little us time with the view up here."

He picked me up walking to where I was seated before he interrupted me

gently sitting me down, kissing me on my forehead, " we'll have enough time to go around the city, for now, all I want is to see what's so special about this place."

I smile leaning on his shoulder, " how much time do we have with each other?"

" I'm on vacation for 3 weeks before the second semester starts. You'll have your daily dose of Zafar every day."

" awesome, that means you'll be here for my first national competition!"

We caught up with each other stopping time for that moment.

The next day I introduced him to Yacob and Ameera. He watched the practice from the resting bench refusing to participate.

" Okay, so you going to do jin ( the name of a kata,)" I ask Mutaq as I helped him towel off

" jee, 'love and shadow' I'll see you tonight then I'll be here all afternoon."

"Okay then tell the others I'm skipping the extra practice today, "

He grabbed my arm before rushing in front of me, " here," he handed me a patch, " I saw your knee giving you troubles recently."

I looked towards him as I slowly accepted the patch before bidding him farewell. How could he notice such a small thing?

I spent the afternoon showing Zafar around the dojo then after lunch we headed towards the bed and breakfast he was staying at and played video games till we had to prepare ourselves for dinner.

We arrived at one of my recently favorite restaurants, it served one of the most delicious spicy miso halal ramens. We waited for the others to arrive, as we spoke about what he plans on doing in the future.

" Sorry to have kept you waiting, Yacob over here wouldn't stop correcting our katas.

" do it right then, "Yacob said playfully pushing Ameera before pulling out a chair for her to sit

" and that?" i asked confused

" oh it's nothing, " Ameera says smiling

" it's definitely something, where's Mutaq?" I ask handing them the menu

"He's on his way," Yacob said ordering for the table.

" his coming too?" Zafar asks with his face all plumbed up

" of course, he's always the first to eat out with me and the last."

Zafar turned towards the door looking at Mutaq walk-in. Mutaq sat beside me handing me the competition training schedule. We were the only two who made it from the group. Zafar grabbed the schedule immediately.

"childish much, " I say taking my food

We had our dinner, Yacob and Ameera left before everyone.

"You're not going today?" I ask Mutaq handing him his desert

" no, wouldn't want to be a third wheel."

" what do you call this then?" Zafar asked stealing his desert

Mutaq smiled before standing up, " I'll leave then, see you in class."

" See you," I say slapping Zafar on the shoulder, "what's your problem?"

" would you like it if I had a female tail glued to me all the time, paying for my food my medicine, doing what I do?"

" what are you talking about? You're blowing things out of proportion!"

" Is this how he treats you all the time? "

" that's none of your business…." I say taking my purse storming out of the restaurant. " you pay the bill since you're a big shot!"

I couldn't understand what he was trying to say, Mutaq was like a little brother to me. It annoyed me that I had to explain such a simple thing to him every single time. I waited for him outside the restaurant.

" oh you still here, thought you ran off with your friend Mutaq."

" Zafar if this is what you came over to Japan for then you can leave. Stop being childish."

I say taking off on my motorcycle, speak about an awesome reunion.

I arrive at the dorm, Ameera was still out with Yacob…

I looked up after attempting to find my keys, " Mutaq, what are you doing over here?"

" waiting for my girlfriend, "he said walking towards me

" wait you have a girlfriend?" I ask locking my bike

" yes, so tell your husband to stop worrying about the way I treat you. It's out of respect, nothing more, " he said leaving with a woman beside him.

There was a lot I didn't know about Mutaq and, what did he mean by out of respect? I rush into my dorm kicking my gloves to the side of the room questioning what I did wrong. Why was he always yelling at me like a child? Telling me what to do? and what was up with that really cold shoulder that Mutaq gave me outside the girls' dormitory...