I remember, this.

Chapter 13

'Omar'

One evening I heard someone laughing while washing my hands in the dojo's bathroom. He sounded like he was speaking to someone on his cell phone, he spoke about how easy it'll be for them to trick Elizah since she looked so gullible. I broke the door down shoving him against the wall…Ibrahim

"What did you just say?" I asked

"I'm sorry I won't mess with her I promise, she's yours!" he yelled covering his face

"You try anything I'll end you," I said pushing his head down as I walked away…I wasn't a very violent person but he spoke in such a disrespectful way that I couldn't control my feelings. I did speak to Owais about it. Unfortunately, without evidence, not much could be done. I of course had to come up with another plan.

I didn't want to look like a psychotic friend who never allowed anyone near her but I wanted to ensure her safety and well-being at the same time. So all I did was watch her practice...like any other coach of course. I do have to admit as well that her confession the other night about how she felt towards Zamin did bother me, Since that night I have been stalking him, trying to figure out what he had that I do not.

"Elizah!" I yelled as I pulled her gee top

"Was that necessary, you can see I'm trying to fall asleep as I get ready for class."

"Yes you`re always sleepy, nothing new."

"Did you come all the way here to insult and blame before our 4-hour class…or do you actually have something important to say?" she said tieing her belt and fixing her scarf

"I'll see you in class then, "I replied leaving.

Looks like having normal conversations are becoming harder by the day.

I also did notice how strange she was around me...maybe I made her feel uncomfortable. was I too bossy? did I smell bad?

Later that day when we met in class, I tried being normal.

"You ready for tomorrow?" I asked handing her the equipment we needed to pack

"More than ever, I won't let you down…"

"You better not, I'll see you at 3 am we'll meet at Zakiras house…" I said before leaving the dojo...trying to avoid further conversation.

Tomorrow is the first competition I've decided to participate in, throughout the year there were almost one or two every month. Our dojo however only attended the ones that we knew we'd have a fair chance at. I could hardly explain how I felt, I wanted to make an excellent impression. I slept on it waking up to a large cup of coffee. I had already packed the stuff we needed last night with Elizah.

Elizah who tried to take nap on her suitcase looked puffy and tired. We were driven by Zakira. There were 12 of us in total that met Zakiras standard, Elizah being the only purple belt.

"You`re awake?" I asked handing her a coffee

"Of course, the sun finally came up," she said accepting it

"You can rest some more we still have 4 hours to go?"

"Aren't you tired, I'm literally the only one sleeping on this bus."

"We are use to it, it's your first time that's why," I said poking her forehead

"Fine I'll sleep," she said resting her head onto the window

I smiled covering her up with my jacket. We arrived at the venue, unpacked and got ready. It was a sleepover competition so Everyone was allocated their rooms before leaving the hotel. We then rushed over to the venue. The first day was strictly kata and we all bagged the golds including the newcomer. The second day was the semi-contact, which none of us participated in. We usually did full contact, which was going to be on the third day of our stay.

It was a large place, I remember how when I first started I would compare everything in the area to what I had back in taekwondo. It was really something else…all those feelings came flooding back as I watched her run around the empty hall…

"We not competing today but we have to stay to observe the differences."

"In fighting techniques and styles," Zakira said, "I've checked the list, none of our opponents are showing up today… it's best we just call it a day before we waste any time."

"It will be a great learning curve for Elizah, you guys can head out…we'll stay."

"Whatever Omar wants," she said pinching me, "why would you do that we could've gone shopping and distressed."

"You'll thank me for doing this, besides we are staying for 1 day extra after we compete tomorrow so we'll have enough time for that."

Speak about being obedient. She listened to my deep boring voice explain techniques and technicalities even if she wanted to go hang out with everyone else. We left at 5 to rest enough for the next day.

The first few fights were of Owais who devoured every opponent of his. Followed by Zakira then myself.

"Are you okay, you still have a nose bleed…" she asked pulling her hand back, before placing the tissue into my hand

"I'm fine, remember to not let them get your arm or you're doomed."

She smiled entering the ring, as a former taekwondo champion she went in with the mindset built for her and took down her opponents as well…no scratch.

"You were right Omar, make sure you teach her all the katas so she can be black belt soon," Zakira said placing her medal onto her.

Elizah is always joyful…but seeing her that happy knowing it's not her first achievement…shows how humble she was regardless of how talented she was.

"There will be more of this in the future…" I said smiling, "I'm proud of you."

"All that sweating and dying in class as well as punching your face on one of the bags all paid off!"

"Wait what!"

"Trust me you don't want to know, "Owais retorted from behind patting my shoulder.

I smirked at her swaying my hand around my neck, "your dead meat in the next class…"I whispered leaving.