Chapter 16
Zamin asked me out today. He wanted us to have some alone time. I had never received a request like that from him before. I, of course, didn't question it, he probably just wanted to catch up or tell me something about my sister or maybe he wanted to say goodbye before he took of again.
I left school that afternoon taking the bus to this fancy restaurant near the shoreside of the city, which was pretty far away from where we usually spend most of our time at...
I arrived as underdressed as I was waiting for him at the door of the restaurant, he wore casual clothing for the first time since lord knows when. which made me feel better since we were both underdressed.
"Someone looks snazzy," I said playfully pushing his shoulder
"You're not so bad yourself madam, shall we?" he said pointing towards the door.
I felt a little shy checking the prices of the food on the menu…100 rands for a fish! fish the size of a baby`s hand.
"You want anything?" he asked closing his menu, "why don't we get the lobster."
R500, for a lobster! " I'm not that hungry, I'll just have a salad."
"Elizah…if I invited you I want you to eat as much as you can," he said
"I'm full, I already had lunch with Omar so a salad is fine."
"Oh, I'll just order for you then," he said taking the menu.
The table was filled with millions of fish and shell food and stuff I hardly knew existed. clams they called it, the lobster, prawns, queen prawns to be exact. "Dig in," he said placing the lobster in front of me
My only question at this point was why he was spending so much money on me. in the past, I use to think its because he may also have feelings for me, but I was told not to read into it like that.
"If you leaving let me call over Saleema, she was upset the last time."
He gently took my phone away passing more food to me, "I want to be alone with you today…only you," he said
"Is everything alright?" I ask turning towards him
"Yes…" he said avoiding eye contact
***
'Zamin'
Today…I planned oo confess my feelings to Elizah... For years I've been waiting for the right moment which was probably an excuse for not being ready to take care of her. I think I can do it now. That's if she allows me to.
I booked the venue and prepared the gift...with trembling hands, I contemplated as I struggled to eat.
I watched her smile with joy...I feared losing her. I felt like I was choking on the fork I used to pick my food up...
"Are you full?" I asked trying to wipe her mouth with a napkin. She quickly grabbed it out of my hand and did it on her own.
"Yes, you really brought a lot of food though. I'll take some for Omar and Owais."
"This Omar guy, are you guys close?"
"What?"
"Are you and Omar close?"
"I think so, yeah we are, he still is the most annoying human on this planet though. You missed out a lot while you were gone."
"Does he always spend his time with you?"
"I guess, we are in the same sport and class after all. What's with all the questions?" she asked trying to make eye contact, "did he do something to you"
" No, he didn't I was just wondering,"
She shook her head collecting the takeaway packet, as I paid the bill. Now I'm even more uncertain about the situation.
"There's something I need to tell you, by the way, don't tell Saleema that I was the one who told you!" she said closing the gap between us, "she likes you."
"What!"
"Saleema has been crushing on you for years…give her a chance okay. Besides, I know you like her too."
"No, I like someone else…"
Saleema of all people?
She could have anyone she wanted why choose me?
"You do?
"Damn, now I know why she's avoiding you."
"I'll speak to her…"
"So who do you like then hasn't it always been Saleema…"
This was my chance to tell her how I felt, the perfect opportunity but then Omar appeared. why was he jogging in this area of all places?
"Aren't you supposed to be in class?" she asked
"Lover boy over here called me over," he said walking towards the both of us, "if you guys are done then I can take what's mine and leave."
"What's yours?" she asked with her eyes searching for what he may have been talking about and then while she turned her gaze away from us he grabbed her arm taking her away from me.
"I'll see you Zamin thank you for the meal!" she said before running off with him.
The foolish girl isn't even aware of her own feelings.
It wasn't a pleasant sight, but judging from the looks of it he felt the same way towards her but they both hadn't realized it yet.
***
"You can let go now!" I said pulling my arm away, "Is that how you treat a lady?"
"You're no lady?" he said walking into the dojo, "do you want me to drag you into class."
"Fine!"
I enter pushing him to the side, changing into my gee. How and why would he appear out of nowhere? I feel like Zamin didn't get the chance to say what he wanted to. I'll speak to him later for now I have to mentally prepare myself for class, a class I thought I could skip...why the hell was he at the isolated dojo today of all days!
"Get ready, if you waste more time you'll do lunges."
"I'm almost done, one second!"
and you guessed it...class was filled with me doing miserable exercises.
After class, we had an awkward drive home. His mood had switched so quickly after getting a phone call from his dad. i don't think they get along to well. I had so many questions, but boundaries had to be respected.
"What were you and Zamin talking about?" he asked turning towards me for a brief moment, his eyes had shadows beneath them from the street lights
"None of your business…"
"Childish much?"
" I should be asking the questions here."
"Fine ask…" he said handing me his bag
"Why of all days and all places did we convincingly bump into each other at the exact same place?"
"You're overthinking, when I'm not training you I head over to clean that dojo. I just saw you guys walk out of the restaurant while I was on my run."
"As if i`d ever belive that...
" anyways I got you food its in the brown bag at the back."
"Did Zamin buy it?" he asked
"Yes?" I replied confused, " You saw me with him who else would've bought it."
"You can have it I'm not that hungry."
"Your loss, it's your favourite. Lobster tails and deep-fried prawns. What a waste of my kindness!"I said sticking my tongue out at him.
With an eye roll, he continued driving.
I arrived home to find Zamin waiting in his car, "I need the bathroom," Omar said hopping out of the car
"Wait what!" now I knew for sure that he didn't want me and Zamin to be left alone.
I rushed behind him pointing towards the bathroom. Why was he being so clingy today, "You're finally back?" Zamin said walking up towards me
"Jee, do we still have some unfinished business?" I asked walking to his car
"I'm leaving again, I hope you enjoyed today's meal. I might not come back this time."
"If I would've known it was our last meal together I would have paid and gotten you your favourite."
"Remember how you told me that you've always wanted to visit a restaurant near the water, that serves seafood."
"I think we were in our senior year."
"I'm glad that I could at least fulfil that one wish for you. I'm more than happy, goodbye Elizah,
" I wish I could hug you right now, I'm going to miss you."
"Goodbye Zamin...you have no idea as to how much of me you have indirectly healed.
And so after an awkward wave, I watched him drive away for good. Taking with him all my childhood memories and smiles.