Arch who now?

Chapter 21

One morning there was a knock on my door. A tall man of good stature was at the door. well built, and as grey as father. He had come from Capetown to see my father, apparently about his recent move back into our old suburb. After a decent amount of time, my father called for me and introduced me to him and his son. Who apparently was a potential suitor. Confused and afraid I smiled and agreed to give it a go. I had nothing to lose. Jamal did kickboxing as well, and just like myself and Omar had left Taekwondo. Looks like there are more of us out there.

He had beautiful brown curly hair and walked with so much poise. i however didn't click well with him because he was a very shallow person who spoke only about his achievements. Impressive but I wanted to speak about something of more substance, like global warming or religion....knowing an individual's view on these gives you a good glimpse of who they truly are. It felt like he was hiding away who he truly was.

"What are you looking for in a girl?" I asked handing him his milkshake

"I'm not picky, looks do matter to me in all honesty. If I don't know you well, I must find you attractive."

"Wow, that was quite specific," I replied…my phone lit up with a notification. A text from Omar telling me to my meet up with him asap!

"I have to go, let's do this again some other time I guess."

I rushed to his apartment, banging on the door. He opened asking for me to come inside.

"What's the emergency is everything okay?" I asked observing him

"I wasn't feeling well earlier. But I'm okay now."

"At least, I'll pop over later than I have plans," I said

"With who?" he asked walking towards me

"There's this guy who asked for my hand in marriage recently, my father is giving me a chance to get to know him first, we were on a date before you called."

"And who exactly is this guy if I may ask?" he said coming even closer

"I think his name is Jamal…"

"Wow, I knew it," he said giving me back my personal space, "well can't get in the way of love now can I?"

"I just met the guy what's this about love now?"

"I'll see you later there's someone I want to see."

"Wait, this is your house you can't leave yet!" I said calling out for him.

I followed him and since it was already late, the busses had already left us so we had to walk. On our way to my neighbourhood, a woman was being dragged by a thug into a very dark and creepy corner, however, that didn't bother Omar. Omar rushed towards trying to fight the thugs off, but I saw someone approach them with a knife so I had no choice but to involve myself. At this point, you would've expected us to go all kickboxing on them but taekwondo just kicked in and after a good 20 minutes the police arrived and everyone was safe. No more late-night walks. We arrived at my house, I gave him a bag of ice to treat his blue eye while I listened to him reprimand me for not being careful enough as a girl. Since he was already hurt I agreed to whatever he said and prepared something warm for him to drink, he slept in the guest room that night.

That morning Jamal arrived with a bouquet of roses. I hadn't ever gotten flowers from anyone before so that indeed was a very grand gesture for day two...Omar walked in grabbing them. He then shoved them onto the table taking a seat.

I asked Jamal to come in and I picked up the flowers, "Don't mind him, he's just having a bad day."

He smiled, taking a seat across from Omar.

"Before I forget this is my sensei…" I then said

"We know each other, "Omar said cutting me off, he then left the house upset. I rushed over giving him the ointment I purchased for the blue eye.

I then left him to attend to Jamal again who had a completely different attitude compared to yesterday. He was a little less boastful and full of compliments. He then took me shopping and we had lunch at a few expensive restaurants. it was, nice, and refreshing and I felt special but I couldn't see myself married to him. He just, reminded me a lot about Zamin and I felt like he wasn't really paying attention to me.

" Okay I'll see you tomorrow," I said leaving for the bus station

I wanted to visit the pond and just breathe in some none city air. To my surprise was Omar there with the flowers he stole this morning feeding them to the ducks. I rolled my eyes walking over to him, "Are you going to replace those?"

He took out a bunch of red roses handing them to me, "yes…" he said before tossing another one of Jamals into the lake

what was going on in the mind of this man. Even if they had no meaning behind them I have never felt so sentimental towards anything before.

"Your worthy of much better-looking flowers," he said standing

"Cheesy hey.." I said as I took a sniff of it

He looked at me and smiled before he continued watching the ducks...and not a single word was said after that.

I left before the sun could set. I had a family dinner to attend to with Jamal's family and I was not excited, not even for a second but everyone else was. They enjoyed good food and shared stories of their youth and Jamal kept on staring at me.

"Jazakallah for inviting us, "I said standing at the front door.

They walked us out,

"You should come over more often, " Jamal said

"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you next week then."

This whole play was getting very exhausting, and boring.

...

"What are you doing here this late?"

"I finally came back from my short trip and you're the first person I came to see."

"That is only because Zakira is still away, I'm not stupid."

"Caught red-handed, were you with Omar?" he asked throwing out the match stick that was in his mouth

"Nope, was with a potential suitor."

"Suitor?"

"We are still getting to know each other so nothing official."

"Do I know him?"

"I don't think so, his name is Jamal…"

"Wait, you mean…Jamal as in Omar's rival."

"What do you mean, I just met the guy."

"Jamal is like Omar's nightmare, he taunts Omar in the ring. All his confidence disappears around him, and to top it off..it was in taekwondo and academics as well."

"Speak about an obsession…interesting."

"Does he know?"

"Yes but he didn't say anything, he just…"I said before getting cut off

"You don't find it odd that all of a sudden this guy wants to marry you…something doesn't add up."

"you're just overthinking, it's late now and I'm sleepy."

"Yeah, go sleep then I'll catch you later," he said approaching my parents.