Let me tell you a story

Chapter 19

'Zamin'

I arrived in Australia a week ago. Nothing has been okay since then and my wedding proposal still haunts me. I confronted Saleema that day and seeing the pain in her eyes reminded me of my own and so I couldn't let reject her, nor could I stand the breaking of her heart. And that's why she'll be my wife soon...

My weak heart has led me to this situation.

"I told you there won't be any match why did you come back?" she asked stopping the ball-releasing machine, "how long have you been practising for?"

"Don't worry about me I'm fine. I just need some space right now…"

"Did Elizah reject you?

"You were so excited." Elizah`s sister asked grabbing my racket

"Elizah is in love with someone else. I`m pursuing someone else as well at the moment.

"What do you mean?"

"I said I don't want to talk about it, now leave!" I replied taking my racket back

There has never been a time in my life where I haven't been able to control my temper. I felt like she kept on poking where she shouldn't have. Yes, I proposed to Saleema after watching the woman I've been secretly in love with get dragged away by another man. Who could give her more than she deserves and not burden her at all... whose heart was more giving and selfless than my very own.

The pain I felt that day, was officially on top of my list. Feeling helpless and useless at the same time. I genuinely wished I had grabbed her arm at that moment and pulled her towards me, but…then again I had no right over her. She did not belong to me.

Since Saleema had been hopelessly in love with me for years. The last thing I would want to do is crush her in any way especially since I already knew how it felt to not have the one you love, not love you back.

I don't wish such pain upon anyone. Elizah, he better take good care of you…cause if he doesn't I believe that would hurt me even more.

I spent the rest of the day sweating on the court, it does help get your mind off things. I had trained too hard though…everything was just numb. From my aching muscles to my aching heart and even the sunburn hurt a little more than usual. My life was very lonely when I wasn't at home or preparing for a tournament. Elizah's sister was the only person I knew and she had to tend to her family. My parents hardly called unless they wanted money and my siblings pretended like I didn't exist. Elizah use to call me at least once a week but that stopped too and after that short visit I finally understood why we stopped communicating.

Her congratulations message was a dagger to my heart, I wish she had at least fought for me to be hers, and risked it all to have me beside her. Since I couldn't make her feel that way towards me, I wonder if trying to pursue her was even the best choice in the first place…the friend zone is a very dark place indeed.

My phone rang, it was Saleema…

"Asalamualikum," I said getting into my car as I answered

"walikumsalam. I wanted to check up on you, we hardly spoke that much in the past it would be great if we try to get used to each other over the phone."

"I won't have much time, but I`ll try to make a call whenever I can."

"Oh, am I bothering you?"

"of course not. Your my soon-to-be fiance, I agree with what you have to say… I'll call you more often."

I am a hypocrite, how dare I marry someone but love another.

***

'Omar'

"Miss!" she yelled for the 14th time

"As if you can do better!" I replied in extreme irritation

"Please, I'm a professional when it comes to playing pool, looks like I could teach you a thing or two."

"As if..." I scoffed

She came over to my side pushing me away.

"Watch me, "she said aiming before she could shoot I yelled scaring her

"Not so nice when it's you is it?"I replied grabbing the stick as I laughed.

For the past few days, I've been observing myself. Places like parks, malls and chill zones like these ones are ones I would never enter even for a million dollars. However, without being dragged here I was invited over with a simple phone call and did not hesitate in any way.

"If you miss this on your paying for lunch."

" I always pay for lunch," I said shooting it in, " looks like you'll be paying."

We ordered our barbeque chicken with cold soda. If you could define her happy place it was this sticky chicken heaven.

"Why'd you choose me to spend your pleasant time with."

"Saleema is busy and Zamin went home earlier than anticipated. I usually do all of this with him."

"So am I a replacement?"

"At first you were yes but after spending a few days with you and realizing how fun you are… I'd pick you over him any time, plus we don't eat in fancy places," she said stealing a drumstick from me.

A bit too honest sometimes isn't she...

"Can you eat like a lady?"

"If you start eating like a man then without a doubt I will."

"Shut up."

"I won't shut up, I grow up and when I look at you I throw up."

While laughing she rubbed some barbeque sauce onto my face running away. I stood running after her trying to catch her, I myself caught a glimpse of her reckless laughing as In my attempts of a saucy revenge.

"By the way, why didn't you answer your phone earlier?" she asked

"It was my brother and we don't usually talk…"

"You're lucky that he still calls."

"Don't you have a sister?"

"She's dead to me, but your brother is at least trying or I hope so. Don't take him for granted."

"It's not as easy as it looks. My family fell apart after my mother's death…I lost my entire world when she left."

"I'm sure she'd be pleased to know that you're doing fine and that you and your siblings still love and care for each other like always."

For some reason was she a lot wiser when she had a drumstick or chicken wing in her hand. I have no excuse for avoiding them, I guess I was just running away from the problem rather than facing it.

"Thank you Elizah…"

For?" she asked passing me her salad.

"For today…you aren't as useless as you look."

"I'm going to pretend that I heard nothing. Im a mute."

I think even if she was a mute…her beautiful eyes would've captured my sickened heart ages ago.