Two Hearts Apart

Chapter 1: The First Time

The first time he saw her she was delivering a speech. What it was about her that had made him suddenly stop fidgeting; that had made him sit up straight and listen; he would never know. In a matter of seconds he was deeply engrossed, nodding in agreement to all that she said and laughing along at her little anecdotes. That was all it took; and in that instant Zaheer knew; like one knows the approaching of the rain, or the dawn of a pleasant day; he knew that his life would forever be altered.

Zahraa Valley; top achiever for the past 3 years, had held the esteemed head girl position the previous year. School tradition dictated that head girls and boys were selected from the grade eleven classes and Zahraa, who was now in Matric (Grade 12) , was in the process of delivering her departing speech. "And so my fellow peers", Zahraa said "I humbly thank you for being a part of this rewarding experience and hope to carry each memory and moment as mementos of a year well spent." She smiled her smile right then, a smile she had smiled a thousand times before, only this time her smile had reached him and he knew, in that moment, that he would forever be hers. She was like a sweet scent that filled an ordinary room, like a ray of light that lit up the dark; and from that day whenever he saw her his heart would melt.

He had to know; his heart pulsating with excitement, his mind wild with curiosity; who was this astonishing person? How could someone he had never known before suddenly have such an effect on him? As if reading his mind, or rather his wide-open jaw, his cousin Aarif woke him from his stupor: "Her name is Zahraa and she's a year above us." He explained, "And don't even think about it", he continued: "So many guys have fallen for her, she's got admirers by the dozen but she's never interested in anyone." Zaheer heard all that he said but wasn't really listening.

Zaheer was not used to feeling this way. Always in control, always smooth and calm, Zaheer knew exactly what he wanted, how he planned on getting it, and whether or not he would succeed. He was a thinker and a planner and what he set out to achieve quickly became his. So he knew that Zahraa would someday be his. He knew that he would have to find a way, he knew that it might prove to be difficult, but he knew- as if his fluttering sensations of butterflies were spurring him on, that she would feel the same way too.

Today, apart from being the day that he met her, was Zaheer's first day at a new school. His parents, dismayed at the growing rate of crime and the influx of what they deemed to be 'dangerous students' at his old school, had decided to spend the extra money that had thus far caused their reluctance in order to enrol their only child in a better school. So while others greeted each other with hugs and familiarity, Zaheer began grade eleven in Hillside High as a stranger. His only companionship came in the form of Aarif, his well-meaning and affable cousin.

Once Zahraa left the stage Zaheer's interest was again lost and he paid no further attention to the rest of the events in this, as the school called it, opening ceremony. As his mind wandered, he looked around the hall. It wasn't as huge as his previous school hall but was large enough to accommodate all the students. On the stage sat five different teachers who, for the benefit of the new grade eight's had been introduced as management. In the right corner of the stage where Zahraa had stood only moments ago, stood a podium that was richly decorated with the school colours: gold and navy blue; and on the wall was displayed a projection of a slide show- containing photos of the prefects, head students, and events of the previous year. After Zahraa's speech all that was left of the opening ceremony was the announcement of the new head girl and boy and the announcement of all the new prefects. With that, the students were all dismissed and sent off to their respective classes.

The rest of Zaheer's day was filled with introductions to many new friends, noisy chatter that he couldn't escape, and mild enthusiasm from returning students reluctant to get back to their actual studies. As the school day slowly died down Zaheer silently hoped that he would see Zahraa again; not so much to actually see her but rather to reaffirm her beauty, her smile and most importantly the effect she had on him. He was relieved when the final bell rang signalling the end of his first day. As he exited the school, contemplating the ups and downs of his new environment, he suddenly saw her again. This time she was getting into the school bus and though he saw her for just a second, he was once again left feeling utterly helpless.

"What is going on with me?" he said to Aarif on his way home from school. "I don't even know this girl from anywhere, why can't I seem to get her out of my head?" "It's her looks man", said Aarif nonchalantly. "She's not really my type but even I won't deny it, she's definitely a looker." For some reason Zaheer had to disagree. Sure, her looks were definitely appealing but rather than being attracted he felt somehow connected. "It's not that, it's something else." replied Zaheer. "I know I don't actually know her, but I really feel like I do." To this Aarif responded with a resounding laugh. "Maybe you know her from your dreams man!"

The instant he got home Zaheer flung his school bag across his bedroom floor and threw himself onto his bed-despite his mother's attempts to get him to have lunch first. Sleep is what he needed now; thinking that perhaps once he woke up, his mind would be clearer and his world would once again make sense. The sleep, however, did nothing to calm his mind which was still frantically consumed by Zahraa.

As the day weaned on, Zaheer's mind was still in a state of flurry. "Who was this Zahraa girl", he kept wondering. He was beginning to develop an insatiable thirst for more knowledge of her. Though he had continued probing his cousin for answers on his way home from school, he was still left feeling unsatisfied. The rest of the day dragged on and Zaheer found himself eagerly awaiting the next day in order to see her again.

Zaheer was never one to believe in love at first sight- thoughts like that were best left for dreamers, and Zaheer was no dreamer. But now after a mere glance at Zahraa, he was beginning to rethink his stance. He knew that he would have to explore these crazy emotions that were overtaking him; he knew that he would have to ease his mind, and learn more about this girl.

And thus began Zaheer's pursuit of his object of affection, Zahraa.