Face painted red by a dream

Chapter 31

'Omar'

While locking up the dojo Owais came over with a few stuff.

"Open up, today's the day I tell Zakira how I feel."

"What, why so suddenly…"

"You want some businessman to steal her away from me," he said pushing me aside, "call over Elizah as well we could do with extra hands."

I couldn't believe what was happening. All of a sudden was I decorating the dojo along with Elizah. The rest of our friends showed up, helping him set the area up. It was the first time we saw him that serious, he looked angry, to be honest...

We tested out everything and stole some of the ordered pizza while we waited for her to arrive. I and Elizah were still sweaty from class an hour ago.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Elizah asked handing me my deodorant

"It is, you'll never get one though," I said walking away

"My prince charming will come to my rescue, especially from your negativity!"

I stuck my tongue out at her as I watched her furiously turn away.

We positioned ourselves waiting for Zakira to arrive. The dojo was filled with several colours my heart was yearning for…yearning for such...inspiration.

He led her into the dojo confessing his love…who would've thought that a man who always joked around was such a delightful individual at heart.

"Will you allow me to be your suitor…" he said ending his paragraph.

Jamal sobbing with his hands together…people really have sides to them that should be shown more often.

"Yes, in fact, I want you to be my husband," she said smiling.

We had our feast as the couple went over to Zakiras house so that he may ask for her hand. Who knew Zakira was actually a softie under all that crocodile skin?

"That was the best confession I've ever seen," she said a little softened, by the atmosphere.

"You must have not seen many then," I retorted

She punched me walking over to Jamal's side and starting a conversation with him instead. I caught myself thinking about how I would confess to her one day, would it be in front of everyone….the day someone tries to steal her away or during our normal walks to the bus stop?

Our time is still far from now though, I couldn't just tell her that I think I've fallen for her and expect her to accept me…for her to stop her life and include me in her plans.

She slapped my shoulder pointing towards the cake shop smirking, as I dragged her away. She fought back hard until I forcefully picked her up walking with her in my arms. We had a week left before nationals and I was not up to going to let her waste the fitness we both worked hard for.

***

As a child, we are constantly exploring things, from nature to human beings…relationships and even the adults we have around us. There comes an age where people start to remember the things that happen around them. The first memory was as ripe as a banana being kept away for a while, mine was the first time my mother had given me my first piece of jewellery. This locket that now lay between my fingers.

The first piece of jewellery and the only one I'd ever owned.

"Here," he said handing me a box

The night was warm, with clear skies. The lake looked extra beautiful too, " I hope one day…you'll be mine."

I woke up a little saddened that it was just a mere dream. It felt so real, so wanted. I washed my face looking into the mirror, my face painted red…by a simple dream. It surely was getting harder indeed. I even found myself avoiding conflict and trying to be nicer. Watching my looks around him and how I behaved.

As we were walking out of class that day he handed me a gift bag, "you left your water bottle and gloves at my house," he said, with a straight expression.

"Thank you, I've been looking for these all around."

"Your welcome," he said flicking my forehead before walking towards our class

My tummy curled for a while. I hate this.

Later on, we went shopping and spent the entire afternoon searching through stores. Finally, at 4 pm we sat down to have some food and I was sad because of the rabbit food placed in front of me…goodness, how I wish they were Buffalo wings instead.

"I saw you look at this in the jewellery shop," he said passing me a gift bag

"This is a very expensive watch I can't take it."

"I wanted to get you a goodbye gift. It's nothing compared to what you've done for me," he said looking down.

"Why do you make it look like you owe me, that's what friends are for…don't mention it."

"I also wanted to say that. I'll be back sooner than you think."

"You done have to leave you know," I said pouting

He sneered turning away, "Unfortunately…I do. So that when I return, I can fulfil all my heart's desires."

Confused I put on the watch forgetting that I was eating leaves. I had no pictures of us or of him…but this watch compensated for that.

I couldn't have asked for a better meal.

*

"Which county are we flying to?" I asked

"Mexico," Jamal replied

"You have got to be kidding me. We're going to get killed."

"You don't have to be in this one it's too soon. You might end up using taekwondo in the middle of your fight."

"True. We'll see if I make the selection today…"

We arrived at the dojo and the sparing began. The Lord alone knew that watching Omar and Jamal fight is the most painful thing. Luckily Jamal was still off due to his injury….which meant that Owais and Omar had to compete.

Even if Owais loses he still gets to go.

I was up first I had to fight through 13 black belts and I couldn't feel my arms.

Dizz from all the headshots. I only had one competitor left.

"Not bad, you did way better than I anticipated," Omar said handing me a towel, "it's okay if you lose this last one, you guys still get to go together."

It's funny how we went through the same amount of people but she hardly broke a sweat, but I wasn't surprised after hearing that she had she ever lost a fight...