Your scent is reminiscent

Chapter 34

I haven't seen Zamin since our chat. I was told that he's been doing fine. I mean he was living his life to the fullest, and his social media is evidence of that. He was on holiday every other week, at fan meetings, and galas. The Lord had really placed abundant blessings in his life.

I do wish that things didn't turn out the way they had and I hope he doesn't withdraw his funding from my grandparent's farm. He was the largest donor for the new projects my grandparents were involved in. I just hope that he wasn't petty enough to stop sponsoring them. I wouldn't want my grandparents to suffer because of my actions.

Omar's part-time job at my father's new restaurant was finally complete so we hardly hung out, I did, however, call him over today to help me learn a new dish. We were at my grandparent's farm. where the summer fruit was completing its growing course and today the cherry tomatoes were ripe enough to make my grandmother's famous sweet sauce. We grounded some flour, fed the chickens and milked the cows. City Boy wasn't cut any slack whatsoever. It was funny watching him try so hard.

"That's not how you clean up," I said as I ran up to him, but on my way there I tumbled over the rake I was holding and fell ontop of him.

He had caught me as always, but we both ended up falling down. I could feel his breath below my chin and as I looked up my gaze was met with his lips. His breath called me to them and I could feel his heart pump near my chest, I stood up as I felt him lean into me. Alomsor sinned there.

He stood up a minute after I had and after an awkward moment, I picked my rake up a walked back to where I had been before this very terrible incident. He followed me gently removing the rake from my hand and pulled me into him, "you still did not show me how to do it," he said sternly.

"Oh, yes…" I replied rushing back to the pile of leaves

*

We went for a walk late on after all our chores were done. And what I loved the most about being on the farm was the fresh air. I didn't smell any burning tires or car fumes. it was a real privilege as well to see the stars in the sky.

"How did you manage all this work plus school and sport."

"I only stayed here while my father and mother were still in the sports industry. They were too busy to take care of my sister and I…we moved away after my sister left."

"Oh…" he said opening up a cola can for me, "I never knew the stars were actually this bright…thank you for showing me your side of life."

"Do visit more often, the cows love you…" I said getting up, "Well your taxi is here, i guess i`ll see you around..."

He smiled getting up. And after a long session of waving he walked towards the taxi. Then he suddenly looked back again,

" Elizah!" he called out to me

"Yes!" I yelled back

Maybe he wanted to say goodbye again, so I started walking towards him.

"I like you too!" he said

A huge playful smile sat on his lips and before I could get to him he entered the taxi. And was gone...

My entire body froze. Was this a prank or did he actually mean it? No Omar isn't someone who flirts and plays around with the emotions of girls. He must mean it...So this is how it felt to have the one you love, love you back. So he did hear me that day…

I smiled as I took a sip from the can in my hand.

What a lovely night.

The results of our final exams were and finally, I made it to the top. By the top, I meant not being below Zamin but on the same level, kind of. I was 2 positions behind.

Too bad, he wasn't around for me to rub it in…

The corridor felt empty without him beside me. Even if there were millions of students passing by me. classes felt lonely even with many surrounding me. The saddest part, however, was that every single meal wasn't warm delicious and comforting anymore and everything reminded me of him, from the smell of every dessert shop I walked past to the gloves that sat on the mat at kickboxing classes.

We hardly spoke over the phone as well since he was barely on it. I don't blame him though for not replying to me, what were we going to talk about anyways?

"2 more years," someone said taking their seat beside me

"2 more years for?" I asked turning towards her

"This course to end," she said placing her biker helmet down, "so don't look so gloomy."

Me. Gloomy?

That however was the start of our beautiful friendship.

*

"Kick, with power from your hip," Zakira said pivoting her body sideways…Kickboxing was simply kickboxing, and Zakira was no fun coach. She was strict. Angry and other words that I don't know.

Class ended that afternoon. With me as angry as always since all I ever got these days in class was criticism. At least my friend in school made school a bit bearable, kickboxing, however, was simply terrible with Zakira and Owais always breathing down my neck. I turned my phone on after class that day and noticed that the small threats I received occasionally were starting to increase on my phone. I had no choice but to pay Saleema another visit.

After class, I made my way to her castle and I knocked on her door.

She opened up, looking towards me, "you are…" the lady at the door asked confused

"I'm sorry, doesn't Saleema stay here?"

"Unfortunately we don't know who you're talking about…"

I couldn't believe what was happening…I actually felt a chill up my spine. I hoped that it wasn't a text message from Saleema.

I left the house and went back home.

"Eating alone again?" Owais asked as Zamin walked in

"I'm not really hungry you can have it."

"Suit yourself," he said grabbing the wrapper.

"Can we talk?" Zamin asked

"I`m done talking to you…" I replied before getting an awful look from Owais as he munched on my burritos

"You have 5 minutes," I responded standing up

"I know it's too late to ask you to marry me, but I wanted to ask for a second chance just as your friend."

"Zamin, if there's one thing I didn't want to do… it's hurt even more than I already have. You may think that I'm being selfish by cutting you off, but the more I allow you to stick around the more false hope I'll give you."

"I have no such hope."

"Unrequited love always carries that hope," I replied

"Elizah we've known each other for years you can't just throw away our friendship like that."

"I'm not, I'm setting you free by hurting you."

I left to my room...I really wanted to cry and scream. But my heart had been so hardened that it's been years since I've shed a tear.

***

'Omar'

After that night, I felt lighter. Happier. Despite having to leave. I don't know how to approach her now that the truth is out.

"Why are you leaving without saying goodbye to Eliza," Omar asked

"I've already seen her."

"Take care then," he said placing a lollipop into my hand, "and don't worry, she'll wait for you…"

I smiled, looking back one more time. I hope much doesn't change. I won't be here to protect and guide her, but I've done as much as I could. It hurt me to know that the rest of her university memories won't be with me, I just hoped that I was her favourite memory.

It won't be easy coping without her...she was a part of me and now she will become a mere memory. I bet if I were with her right now she would be bragging about how we got the same results.

Compared to her I`m a softie. I cry over small things all the time.

I arrived on campus, the first few weeks were as boring as they could get. I still was affiliated with the same dojo though, so my training had not stopped.

"Well done," she said applauding me, " your stance is off though."

"I can manage on my own," I replied

"Don't bite my head off now, Zakira sent me to supervise you."

"I don't need supervision."

"Ha that isn't up to you now is it, it's either you comply or your student back home struggles."

"Is that a threat…" I asked walking towards her

"We can find out, the easy…or the hard way."

"Fine," I respond grabbing my gloves, "but tell her after this, I'm leaving the dojo."

Control freak much…I didn't know what she was trying to achieve by sending over a female supervisor. On top of that the strange text messages I received lately, creepy threatening texts. It wasn't easy, but a new one would appear every time I'd block the number.

The university course was going well, I had 1 year left for me to get my degree then I could finally enter the working world. Where decent salaries existed.