Tugging HeartStrings

Chapter 1 - Vocabulary of a Look

Ziyaad POV

Our eyes met, and yet again, it was only for a second, she quickly looked away.

But there was something... something more than just glancing at a stranger in passing. There were something about her eyes, something hidden, and then as if looking into mine made her vulnerable she quickly tore her gaze from mine. Her eye contact always intrigued me.

And then. As if she heard my thoughts, she disappeared into the Children's Ward.

I'd seen her there often when I left a little later on Friday nights.

My lazed attitude towards work always had my weekly paperwork stacking up which in turn had me working late on Friday nights or Possibly done by my subconscious just to drown out the cold unwelcoming feeling of walking into an empty Apartment. So that I'd be so tired I'd plop myself on the couch without having any supper or collapse straight into my bed and only wake up on Saturday Afternoon.

How I regretted those days when I would be surrounded by groups of friends, popularity meant nothing to me now that I've tasted the bitter side of it all. The most beautiful girl draped on my arm all weekend and most weeknights, maybe that was all I was to her 'Arm Candy' or the more Cringe worthy title "Sugar Daddy" Not that I was very much older than her.

I quickly shook the thought of my now ex-wife out of my head and started the car. Switching to my Bluetooth sterio to check my messages. Of course theres one from my Mother, every Friday, without fail. Like Clockwork.

I hit dial on her number.

I had missed her, but I was ashmed to admit it. Not because I lacked the basic human emotion of loving your mother unconditionally, but because I knew she blamed her screwed up marriage for my divorce. I never did blame anyone, but myself, actually I blame my blinding stupidity more than anything.

My Mother, words fail to discribe her. A woman of beauty and elegance who I've admired from childhood. I was only a boy of 15 when Doctors discovered her Growth, the Six letter word No one would want to hear soon consumed our lives. My father, a man I now have the Lack words to describe persuaded by his family and their social status, his wealth, and well, his lust, abandoned my bed ridden mother to take on Wife number two. Polygamy, the one part of my religion I'll always fail to get on board with ...

My anger knew no bounds at that stage, I was enraged, a teenager who just shown that a womans body mattered most in a relationship, and not just any woman but my own Mother. The same mother who calmly asked me sit besides her and explained why it wasnt the end of the world. But in her eyes I could see her world was shattered. I cried that day like I had never before, I cried as if a part of me had died.

"Ziyaad are you listening to me?" My mother's voice brought me out of my daydream.

"Jee Ma, I will buy something for supper, Im fine" I re-assure her.

"Are you okay?" The one question I haven't been able to adequately answer in 2 years.

"I'm fine Mum" I lie "Its raining really heavy right now and I'm about to leave the hospital, I'll call you tomorrow Ma"

"Okay.Drive safe, and make sure you eat. I miss you. As Salaam"

"Wasalaam Ma, Miss you too" I responded before ending the call, guilt took over me, I hadn't had the courage to visit her in 6 months.

I start the car and slowly back out of my Parking Space. Maybe I should get something to eat,I think to myself as I turn in the opposing direction to my apartment.

Stopping at "The Delhi" made me crave my mum's cooking even more. I chuckle to myself remembering how she would say an Indian man would eat from the worlds best chef, yet still come home to ask his mother what she's cooked.

I dodge and dive while running in the rain to get back in my car, Wow , I'm surprised its not a hail storm with such heavy winds and huge drops of water. The aroma of Spicy Indian food soon fills ups my car and has me eager to tuck in.

Driving Slowly and carefully as my windscreen wipers work with full force. I see her familiar shape again, not a few 100km's from the Hospital. Why  and Where on Earth would anyone be walking to in this Weather??!