The first step...to you

Chapter 50

I haven’t heard anything from my sister since our meeting, my mother lives near me now, she moved into the open property down the road. I spent the entire day packing up, and once I was done with all the cooking and chores my brother walked into the house placing a packet on the table. “happy birthday ma!” he yelled frowning at my sight. Why he did not like me I don’t know. He walked up towards me taking out his phone realizing that he was pinned the wrong location, I sent him a link to the house before making way for him to leave. There was no need for us to share any words with each other since he already made up his mind not to let me into his life for all these years.

Mutaq arrived later that day to drive me to the airport, after arriving he helped me with my bags.

“ When will you be back?”

“ soon, I can’t stay for too long, Zafar needs me.”

He nods turning towards the door, “ thank you Mutaq…thank you for not hating me,” I whisper to myself.

He smiled leaving…this time I could tell that he was over me. He never mentioned anything about our past or got emotional about me speaking about Zafar. He smiled, waved, and listened as a friend or brother should at the thought of that I entered the plane switching off my phone. I wasn’t happy about leaving even if it was for a week but I had to go, my studio in Japan needed a good visit after a year. My old art teacher over there who offered me a job a few years back also had something going on, after so many years it’ll feel good to see him again. I landed at my first destination after a few hours, my next flight was going to be during dawn tomorrow. I freshened up scrolling through my social media after arriving from base I have no interest in the internet and find other ways to spend my time.

After having a few strong cups of coffee I check out of the hotel, it was still midnight in South Africa the only reason why I felt exhausted, I checked my flight packing up my belongings before entering business class. The seven-day trip was not going to be a relaxed one, I had interviews to finish, new artworks to submit and a few gallery events to attend to. I rented a car on arriving and rushed over to the studio, the first one that I opened while I lived in Japan. After finalizing the candidates there and replacing a few of the artworks I went over to the apartment I had bought there, the apartment was only used during my off days, I still preferred staying on campus, most of my memories lied at the dojo and its premises, I can believe that my time ended so quickly…I gave up my competitor status not only due to age, but other factors like my art studios, and taking care of my mother during her fragile year’s.

I arrived finalizing the furniture as I met up with my old art teacher who brought in the candidate’s, I trusted his judgment, not only was I a world record artist after being taught by him, but I was a well-developed person in character, the new studio was in partnership with him. We spent a few hours finalizing the staff before choosing a few artworks, we then went over to get a classic lunch catching up on life.

“ did you finally court the beautiful lady in your paintings?” I ask splitting my chopsticks.

“ yes, thanks to your advice…now we're happily married with three children.”

“ that’s awesome news, I say passing a few side dishes to him.”

He helped me learn Japanese while I stayed over, he was one of the most experienced English pupils I’ve met since going over to Japan, besides sensei James…after catching up, I rushed back to my hotel to grab my cell before continuing my journey and planning at the studio, once everything was settled and everyone was finally home I stayed over to finalize everything, it wouldn’t be ideal for me to fall asleep in there studio not having Zafar or Mutaq checking In on me. Later that night as I was locking up I received an email from my sister's lawyer claiming the rights over the property and shares in the company. Not the news I was looking for before the opening of the studio. I could’ve readily handed everything over to her, but it was a sense of principle that made me hold onto the property, I wasn’t going to allow myself to be bullied by her or my brother as if I were a kid again.

I forwarded the email to my lawyer furiously shutting my finger in the front door…after sending Zafar a message I turn the light of going leaving. I arrive at the venue, where Mutaq, Elham, Yacob, and Ameera were awaiting me.

My morning was made by their sudden visit.

“ Is the crushed fingers part of the art theme?” I laugh nervously showing them around before organizing everything else. After lunch we commenced with the opening, many of the regulars at the older studio were there to observe the new one, we even bumped into sense James which was pretty hard for Ameera…after he updated me about the new students he left with a few works, it felt good seeing a familiar face after such a long time the only thing that was missing was Zafar.

We went over to a classic restaurant ordering a feast before rushing back to the hotel where the girls stayed with each other the men shoved aside, we relaxed in our private suite, they would be on their way home tomorrow…so id be stuck working on my own for the rest of the days, it was tiring and most certainly demanding…soon I’d be on my way touring around the world…