Two Hearts Apart

Chapter 12: The Tour

It was the last week of the school holidays and Zaheer felt refreshed and renewed. He had stuck to his word and had decided to abandon his troubles. He had ignored all the rumours and hadn't bothered approaching either Hafsah or Zahraa again. And then, when he really needed it most, school holidays had arrived to free him from his worries and fill him with hope of renewal. Just being away from the atmosphere of school and just being free from his past worries filled Zaheer with a hope that he could put it all behind him and start anew. Hafsah was a thing of the past, for that he was glad; as for Zahraa, well he hoped that, since he didn't really know her all that well in the first place, the time away would allow him to get over her.

It was the first day back at school when Zaheer realised that he had not managed to successfully get over Zahraa. As he arrived in the morning he saw her standing at her usual spot, talking to her friends. He was instantly filled with the sensation of butterflies, excitement gripped him, and his mind went blank. This time, however, he was determined not to make a fool of himself. While he had hoped that the feelings would have gone he knew that even if they hadn't, he wouldn't do anything about it. He had given up on Zahraa, of this he was sure.

Now, instead of worrying about girls and trying to please and impress them, Zaheer spent his days hanging with the guys, playing on the fields and focussing on his ever-increasing workload. He barely spoke to Zahraa- only nodding and greeting occasionally, and completely ignored Hafsah. On the bus, he stayed far away from Zahraa and her friends and sat with the guys instead.

Every Monday morning all the pupils would gather in the quad for assembly. The principal would address whichever topics he deemed crucial and then they would all leave for their first period. It was here on the quad immediately after assembly, as all the students made their way to class, that Zahraa approached Zaheer. "You have to come with me", she said to a bewildered Zaheer. "Come with you where? I have English to go to" he said. "Zahraa grinned and said: "No, you've been cleared of the first like hour or so of school today, I have to take you on a tour." "A tour of what?" asked Zaheer. "A tour of the school, of course," replied Zahraa. "Ok, let me explain. Each year, on the first day of school, the grade eights are taken on a tour of the school- you know, to let them feel welcome and all of that. I'm usually one of the people who conducts the tours and so I pulled a few strings, spoke to the people in charge, and explained to them that there's a student-you, who never went for the tour. Now let me tell you, this school is extremely meticulous and all I had to do was explain the importance of the school tour for pride and honour and all of that. They agreed on its importance and so we arranged this tour. So here I am, to take you on your tour."

Zaheer looked at Zahraa and then asked: "Why, who cares about a dumb tour? It's already the second term" Zahraa, however, was not discouraged: "I care about it Zaheer, the school cares about it too. Ok, so you don't get it, fine. But would you rather be taking a tour of this beautiful school, or sitting in a boring double English?" Zahraa definitely had a point. "So then let's begin" said Zaheer smiling.

Zahraa started with the quad. As they walked she relayed a brief history of it and even told him stories of popular incidents that had occurred there in the past. "A couple of years ago;" Zahraa said two boys got into this huge fight; one stole the other one's girlfriend or something like that. Anyway, the fight culminated here in the quad when the first guy punched the other one out cold. Seriously, they had to call the ambulance." At first Zaheer remained silent. He didn't know what to say, he kept wondering why Zahraa was being so friendly and nice; but he soon calmed down and began to enjoy himself. Zahraa was so easy to be around and there was something about her that just eased him and made him feel comfortable. Before long he was laughing and talking with her, as if absolutely nothing had passed before them.

After the quad Zahraa led him around the school, past the tuck-shop, administration offices and classrooms. All along the way she told him stories and events that the school had witnessed. After the classrooms they found themselves on the field. "And now;" Zahraa said "To my favourite place". "This is your favourite place?" asked Zaheer signalling towards the field. "You'll see." replied Zahraa. Zahraa and Zaheer walked past the field and past Zahraa's usual hangout at the end. Towards the left were stairs that led to a platform, surrounded by a grand stand. Climbing the stairs Zaheer asked: "What is this place?" "This", replied Zahraa "Is my favourite place in the whole school. Apparently, it was used for performances and sports in the past, but nobody uses it anymore." Once Zaheer got to the top it was easy to understand why Zahraa liked it so much. The view of the school, as well as the city, was spectacular. He felt an instant sense of calm and peace.

Zahraa continued: "School legend has it that it was on this very site that the school was first envisioned. The founder of the school, Benjamin Pearson, inherited a large sum of money from his father. He had always wanted to open a school so he began browsing sites, looking for the most perfect spot. When he stood on this spot and looked down upon the land, his decision was made. And the rest, as they say, is history." Zaheer was overwhelmed; maybe it was this place, maybe it was all this time that he was spending with Zahraa or maybe it was because she was being so nice; but all the feelings- the feelings he had tried so hard to ignore and push away, suddenly all came bursting forth.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked suddenly. "Why are you being so nice?"

"I'm not being nice" replied Zahraa flatly "I'm just being me." "Anyway;" Zahraa continued, ignoring Zaheer's questioning looks. "This place has been banned coz a bunch of students all decided to use it as a make out spot. In fact, it was actually called 'lover's hill' for a while, until the principal found out about it." Zaheer could definitely understand the appeal. The place was so beautiful, so peaceful and so private.

"Don't worry though, that's not why I brought you here but, if you really want..." said Zahraa, with a mischievous smile on her face, "... I can always go call Hafsah." She must have noticed Zaheer's scowl because she laughed and quickly said: "relax, I'm just teasing you." "I don't understand" said Zaheer. "You guys are so different, why is she your friend anyway?" "Well, Hafsah is a complex person" replied Zahraa. "Once you get to know her, she's not that bad. Besides there are so many different cultures, nationalities and religions here that people just tend to stick with their own kind."

"We better get going," said Zahraa as she began leaving: "This is the end of the tour in any case." As they walked back to the classrooms Zahraa continued to tell him stories: stories of how a student was caught cheating and sentenced to cleaning the fields and the toilets everyday for a month; of a teacher who got fired because she was too friendly with the students; and of a boy who bumped into the school fence while trying to drive his brother's car. She told the stories and spoke of the school with such wild enthusiasm and passion that Zaheer was left enthralled. Before they knew it they had reached the classrooms and Zaheer and Zahraa had to part once more. Zaheer couldn't help saying: "You know you don't have to feel sorry for me, right?" "Why would I feel sorry for you?" asked Zahraa

"Because of everything that happened with Hafsah" he replied.

"No, I don't feel sorry for you" said Zahraa, "after all nobody forced you to go out with her. You brought that all upon yourself. As for question earlier on why I'm being nice, well let's just say that before I was scared, and now I'm not."

"What do you mean?" asked Zaheer. Zahraa smiled and said: "There's no time now, but remind me to tell you the story of my sister sometime ok?" "Your sister?" asked Zaheer. "Not now, sometime Insha-Allah. Maybe then you'll understand my actions. With that Zahraa began walking, leaving Zaheer to return to his classes. "Thanks for the tour" he screamed. Zahraa turned around, smiled and replied: "My pleasure.