FROZEN HEARTS

TIME

Zuheila's pov

The one month I had thought would be long went so fast I realised I had to leave.

It had been a period of bonding with zay and close family and friends.

That night, I held onto my mom's picture in bed. I knew I had to focus on my studies and make her proud.
I had to study hard to prove to dad that we could go on so well without his support.

Of late he had been too engrossed in the other family he barely asked about my plans to further my studies. Mention not when his wife and he could not notice me in the supermarket.
This increased my morale to work harder.

Zakir was another reason I had to work, he started acting as if I was invisible and I had to let go , anyway I always knew I was too cool for such a lowlife.
The only people I treasured the most was my mom and my two sisters, zay and my neighbour, he was in the detective department for years.
Maybe that's why he always noticed when I was in trouble.
It was as if he could sniff it.
Derek was a neighbour and a friend too.
I could always talk to him about anything and everything.
He encouraged me on my studies and basically everything that he knew was of my benefit.
He supported my family especially when dad deserted us.
I knew someday I would credit all my success to him.
And now that dad was no more, I had every right to crown him one, I could be the child he was never blessed to have.

I slept knowing I would keep in touch.
*************
In the morning I woke up to noises everywhere. , my suitcase and everything was all packed.

One thing was for sure, I had to leave.

Everyone was waiting for me at the airport. I felt loved even though dad wasn't there, Derek was .

It hugged everyone goodbye and that was it.
My journey to show the world who i was begun.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Zay, trust me for once, this will bring an end to our financial woes". Mom said.

"But mom am afraid of joining the business world".

"What nonsense zay, we have to save our family's name if you get what I mean, unless you want me to regret having a daughter as my eldest".

Business was always our family's first priority. I can't say we actually had a name in the business world but thats what our family and i myself wanted eventually.
Ahmad and I were going steady untill I realised he was in deep shit.
The cops were on his heels every now and then.

After a year of dating and courtship, I realised Ahmad had changed drastically.
He had lost interest in most things.
He had lost an unreasonable amount of weight, his communication skills and social life had taken a U-turn.
His morals all gone to the dogs.
He was always chanting some weird songs, probably he had picked it up in one of the drug dens.
He was seriously involved in trafficking.
I was aware the goons recruited the young generation very quick.
He needed money as hell
And drug trafficking was the quickest option.

I could not get him to admit it, he was very adamant. His mom was hoping I could be his solution but it was clear I could do nothing.
All we were left to do was hope and pray he would change.

As much as he escaped police, he himself lived by the day.

"Zay, dont get too involved with me, can't you see my life is already wrecked?" Ahmad insisted

"But I will straighten it out for you"

"No zay, am already way deep into it, am an addict, my school life is a gone case and anytime from now, my freedom will be limited, let me not spoil it for you."