Chapter 6- Confectionary you say...

After seeing Zayds world I noticed that I and Zain do not live our life to the fullest. Most of the time we`re either studying, working or trying to keep up with the workload. we were young but our souls, minds and lives were forced into a pattern faced by older people. I don't think Zain and I were ever allowed to be free. Our schedules were made for us, our goals were given to us...and I don't remember when was the last time I was allowed to be the child I actually am. In a way, every destiny is written differently.

On a different note, I spent the next 2 months in constant revision. Other competitions within the school still went on, except for the pageantry. As learners especially senior sportsmen competed for scholarships that they would be able to use for their first year of study at any given South African university. I was at a rugby event, a way of distressing or so at least for an hour.

As I sat waiting for the match to begin, Zayd took a seat next to me.

"You really shouldn't be here," I said

"It's only for a minute, I'll leave before he arrives."

"That's the thing…."

"I'm already here," Zain said, "Move, that's my seat."

I grabbed onto Zain's arm, asking for him not to and that we were in public. He sighed, took a seat beside me and silently handed me my snacks. I offered some to Zayd but Zain grabbed it, eating it up. I laughed poking out my middle finger but he had caught me under his armpit squeezing my head for a bit before the match began, and even if I constantly stood to cheer the both of them remained seated following each other's next move. I sat back down, not interested in the match because of the vibe.

"Let's race rather," I said pulling both of their collars

"And the match?" they both enquired in unison

I smiled pulling Zain up. Zayd followed.

We arrived at the school's race track, and both Zain and Zayd were seated on their beauties. One a cherry red the other a customized purple and blue. I made them swap bikes and told them the rules of my now made-up game.

"Look here, there is nothing that I want from him…"Zain said folding his arms

I grabbed the key from his pocket, "Fine then, I want something from him so i`ll race."

"WHAT," he replied taking his keys back

Zayd stood there quietly but immediately geared up when Zain was atop his motorcycle. I grinned watching the two share a moment of intense eye contact before sounding the bell. This was 10 times more entertaining than a simple rugby match.

…

They always say that I look like I don't even try, or that it's not even that hard for me. In all honesty, I prefer not to prove them wrong, I do make a lot of what I do seem easy, from debate to every other test put out there. Truth is I don't know how to make others validate me without the front, this front that keeps me up for hours slaving behind a desk or this front that makes me fall face flat but not being allowed to sit and weep like an actual 16-year-old, this front that has kept Qadira sane and happy…my Qadira. I can't imagine my life without the rascal. And now having to watch this man who had taken much from my stand in front of me smiling at her left me drowning in fear.

"I won," I asserted removing any sign of worry or fatigue on my face, "What I want is for you to stay away from her…" tossing his keys at him I took Qadira by the hand leaving the field. She pulled away sighing, "What is it now?"

If only she knew how much it hurt me watching her fight against me for that man of all people, "You can be friends with anyone and date whoever you want to, just not him…"

"But he`s confectionary…"

"Let's go another round, I don't accept your terms," Zayd said shoving his keys into my hands, "I know I'll beat you this time."

"You've never been able to, you lost a second ago. Respect yourself."

"I won't stop seeing her if you don't race with me."

He walked toward the track. I looked at her face and felt my heart sink, she must have thought that I was the worst person alive. Or that all I ever did was control her.

"Whatever…see her if you want to," I said.

Maybe I should stop being such a pushover.

"Where are you going?" he asked snatching my arm

"If your asking for another black eye…touch me again," I replied pushing him away

I took a seat on my bike watching Qadira speak to him, maybe this was for the better. They looked good together, I slammed my helmet on and rode off.

"You`re home early how was the match?" Qadiras mother asked handing me a freshly baked muffin

"Not over yet…Qadira is still watching it. I needed to study that's why I'm back…"

I took the muffin and left my helmet in the living room. I wish my mother were the one handing me the muffin especially since Qadiras mother looked exactly like her. I wish I could understand why watching another man make her happy was eating my flesh from the inside...but I realised that we were no longer the solid pair we use to be as children. Which may be my fault. With fame comes a price. I smiled taking a bite of the muffin, looks like envious Zain is logical Zain.