I Never Left You

43. Hunger Games

"Dad! What's going on?" I assume a serious face when am left with my father on the table.
"I wish I knew the best answer to that son" he says and sighs softly.
"How do you want me to live in peace when you keep tearing me away from my peace?" I ask confused. "I have always done everything you've requested me to do but in the end it's me to absorb the impacts from your actions and requests. When I joined the army on your request I missed out on raising my daughter and taking care of her mum. And when I got a second chance, you talked me into marrying Sasha. Now see,  she's gone too and my daughter was given up for adoption"
"Am so sorry son about that" dad says, confusion written all over his face
"Sorry is all you can be!!, am done taking up your tasks, am done being your shock absorber. I love you but I can't keep on doing everything you wish me to do at the expense of my happiness. You know how much Azra means to me but you keep on pushing her away. Why is that Dad? " I run my fingers through my hair to suppress the anger am feeling right now.
"I understand your son but I needed to return a favor. I owe my life to old Jimmy that's why when he requested if you could marry his daughter I had no objection. It's not that I hate the Falls girl at all. I adored having a grand child too" he admits. " it hurt me too but I had my own reasons,  they may seem to be selfish but it was for the best"
Everything that had previously happened was a scheme to eradicate Sasha from my life thanks to Kevin but the look on my father's face is too disturbed to be faked. "Dad is something bothering you?" I try to inquire. He maybe kicking the bucket soon and here I am here rejecting his last wishes. "No son, it's just that the old memories have resurfaced. I feel like I have opened of wounds." he even looks pale.
"I didn't mean to bring that to you old paps, if it will make you feel better I will marry Sasha. I can't stand seeing you like this" I start to speak nonstop. I maybe acting like a naive 5 year old boy but my dad is my everything. He has been a solid rock all my life. I have always looked up-to him and he has never dissapointed me as a role model. Seeing him sad and weary really breaks my heart.
"It's a long story but if you have plans I can always tell you another time." he says.
"I have all the time in the world, so let's hear it"
"Jimmy saved my life" he starts off. "Back in our camp times, we had a ruthless commander, being our superior he had all the powers to do as he pleased. In the process he would assault the young men he led. As men were always shy to come out , many lads suffered in silenceas he would assault them endlessly.
'One fateful day, me and Jimmy were using the bathroom and while laughing at some joke. Jimmy excused himself and I was to join him out sooner. On my way out I bumped into lieutenant Dan. I quickly apologized but to him he had found new fish to devour on. I tried to excuse myself and leave but he blocked the way immediately and started running his filthy hands on my cheek.
My heart was racing so I came up with a quick excuse "Sir I need to go file the reports concerning the last weapons used" I said nervously. "Hush! the lieutenant orders you to stay, would you dare defy his orders" he leaned in to my face tobacco smelling all over him and started biting my ear. I was agitated and scared at the same time. In my head I was thinking of kicking him in the sheen and run away but this would only get me in trouble.
Luckily Jimmy came with an iron bar and hit him from behind. "Enough of your sexual assault" he said hitting him on the head. He must have sensed that I was in danger when I delayed in there."What have you done! We're in so much trouble" I said to him seeing the lieutenant lying on the ground,his pulse no longer beating."I rather go to prison for murder than watch my friend being harassed" Jimmy said to me. "Now watch and learn" he said and got to work'. "What did he do?" I ask my dad eagerly.
"Well, he started clearing away all the evidence. Good thing he didn't bleed. He laid the lieutenant in a position that looked like he fell and slid. He ordered me to pour some water down so it looked like he fell" Dad narrates as he sips on his wine. All this time my eyes are so glued to his face. It's like am watching the story through his eyes. " I don't know how he pulled it off but when we went and reported that we found the lieutenant was lying in the bathroom dead, the captain believed us and that was the end of lieutenant Dan and his evil actions. It later turned out that everyone was fed up with his actions that no one bothered to investigate his death" he finishes. "wow now that's really one superhero. You owe him indeed" I reply understanding why my dad had to beg me to marry Sasha.
"I now understand your actions father," I say patting his shoulder. "You don't have to worry about Sasha now, am sure she will sweet talk her father to letting her marry that Mexican guy" dad reasons. "she's really manipulative like her father" dad adds on shaking his head. "She learns from the best." I say to dad and we both chuckle at the joke.
"I don't see why you don't go chase that Falls girl. Your so crazy about her and while you're at it be sure to bring my grand daughter back". Dad chuckles patting my shoulder. "Thanks dad", I say and storm out.
Azra's POV.
On our way to the movies, we thought it would be best if we ate before watching the Hunger Games. and that's how we ended up at Dortmund restaurant a few minutes later. I had taken long without eating Sushi. My mouth started watering immediately when the waitress lands the plate on the table. Since it's Matt I contain my excitement for food and eat silently. Had it been Ray, I would be over the moon talking about everything I knew about sushi. Speaking of the devil, Ray walks in the same restaurant hand in hand with her girlfriend all looking like a Hollywood couple on a red carpet. Their presence instantly reduces my appetite. Why did they have to be in this place at this time.
"Hey Azra you look distracted" Matt calls out.
"Oooooh sorry what were you saying" I respond my attention half fixed on the couple three tables away from us.
"I was saying in Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence ought to have.... "  Matt continues to talk about the movie like he was it's director or something.
"True "I reply not even bothering to comprehend what he meant. Why am I even bothering with him. He's on a date with someone and so am I. I turn my attention to my Sushi infront of me and the guy obsessed with Jennifer Lawrence.
A few moments later, Sasha stands up from his seat and walks to some guy that has been urging loudly in the room. Ray also goes after Sasha and the trio becomes the center of attention. Everyone in the room has eyes on them. There's even a woman holding up her phone ready to record any drama that may soon erupt. I place the wine bottle directly in front of me such that am visible to Ray who's facing directly my way.
"I don't know why anyone would bring their drama to such a restaurant." Matt complains as he chews on his Lobster.
"Maybe it's a love triangle matter they are trying to solve" I respond my full attention on them now.
"Hnmmm you defend them like your related to any" he scoffs. Am about to respond to him but the cat ties my tongue when I see Mr. Fisher walk up to them and convinced them to go sit down.
"This is maybe their engagement party preparations" I say to myself.
"I care less if it's their engagement, why don't you finish your Sushi soon so we can be in time for the Hunger Games. I don't want to miss even the introduction" he says with a mouthful.
I return to my eating my eyes are fixed on the Fishers and their companions. They seem to be in a heated argument cause after a short while, Sasha gets up and furiously walks out of the restaurant with a guy he had met earlier. As they reach the door, an old man who I assume is her father comes running after them. Ray and his father remain on the table looking perplexed.
"Hey Azra, the movie is about to start. I think we should go before we miss out the start" Matt informs me. I was too focused on the drama in the restaurant that I had forgotten we had a movie to catch.
"But my sushi is still untouched, I can't leave it here" I pout trying to find an excuse to see how the saga between Sasha and Ray will end.
"Only if you weren't taken up by the events now am going to miss the movie I have been waiting for my whole life" he complains, looking like he's about to cry.
"OK, let's do this. You go then I will join you shortly when am done" I say to him.
"Geeez, really!!! Thanks. See you soon then" he leaves the restaurant at a thunder speed like as if his whole life depended on the movie. I go back to eating while fixing my eyes on the father and son. I can't hear what they are discussing since am at a distance but Mr.  Fisher is doing the talking while Ray is listening. "Why am I even here being entertained by them?" I get nagged on remembering the fact that Ray will soon be marrying Sasha. I finish the food, drown my wine glass and storm out to join Matt in the theatre two blocks from here.