The Art of Love

Chapter 2: Zahir

4 Months Later:

The music coming from Zahir's car was all that could be heard in the quiet gated community. They were used to it by now and never questioned him about it.

He had his close friend come over to fix up his Honda. He was always good with cars.

It's been 3 years since his best friend had introduced him to the good life and he was on cloud nine.

"What you still want this damn Honda for anyway? This Benz clean as hell fool." Reason had said to him.

"This was my first baby when I got home. As long as this bitch running I don't need to spend money on meaningless cars. I don't do that flashy shit."

"Hmm. I guess man. See me, I'd have me a nice lil Cadillac. A slick ass Range Rover. 2 of them bitches."

Zahir started laughing. "Exactly why they'd rob your ass too."

"Man whatever. You heard from Tay and them yet?"

"Definitely not and not looking forward to either. She was trying to prove a point to a bunch of nobodies and got left right with they asses. Then Riyah gon, call herself trying to fight Tamia..."

"Hold on, your cousin Tamia?"

"Exactly. It was just too much for me. I'm not into that shit no more. I'm more of a one woman man." Zahir said.

Reason looked at him and bust out laughing. He knew his friend sometimes better than he knew himself. That there, was a lie.

"You laughing and I'm dead serious." He said with a straight face.

"Nigga who you fooling? Anyway I heard Rah's throwing a party at Xzylo tonight. You coming?"

"I don't know. I was thinking about staying in tonight. My stomach been bothering me."

Looking up from the car, Reason stared at him.

"That's cause you went over to that hoe house and let her fuck yo stomach up. You supposed to be eating home cooked meals not prison food."

Zahir couldn't help but to laugh at him.

"You stupid nigga. Say man, you gon be doing this forever?"

"Huh? Nahh I almost finished..."

"Nah with this mechanic shit. Like you gon be working on cars forever?"

"What you talking Zahir?"

He scratched at his beard. "You one of my closest friends yet you still stuck in the hood and you see the way I'm living. Wassup with that?"

"The fuck is that supposed to mean?" Reason asked getting all defensive.

"Watch your tone with me Reason. I just asked because I see more for you. Not just some hood mechanic. Let me help you out."

"This shit again. I'm thankful. Rather yet grateful. I made bread my own way, you made it another. The fuck can I say."

"I could put you on..."

"Fuck that man I'm not into that drug shit and you know it. I thought you was done with that shit anyway." He said side eyeing him.

"Don't piss me off. I don't deal with drugs. That's not my life no more. You know what I'm into. As your friend, I'm asking if you want to get put on. Settle down with your girl and have some nappy headed ass kids running around."

"Who you gon hire to fix your car nigga?"

He smiled. "You when you free."

"Man fuck you."