Cassette - z.m.

two. (part 2)

Azin

So the grocery shopping is done. And now we're here at The Park. This great mass of land with trees and benches and drooling kids on swings.

I've never really liked kids. They are just- just... okay maybe gross would be a little extreme but it's right in that neighbourhood. Spoilt lil f- umm, brats.

I want to let Maoie free but I don't trust the little rascal. The last time when we went to a park he ran away with a kid's frisbee and threw it in the pond. I had forgotten to bring one for him and it went downhill after that. He's young and I haven't trained him properly yet.

It was quite funny, watching him trot like that but the kid's dear daddy didn't think so. It was a nasty affair. The kid's father made me jump into the pond and get the frisbee back even when I offered to buy him a new one. The pond was shallow but still.

Maybe that's where I developed my aversion to kids and their annoying little ability to make the adults believe them. Like heyy I know I can't bawl like a kid but that doesn't mean I'm lying!

I take a deep breathe and tug on Maoie's leash a bit. He's acting a bit off today because the park is his favourite place and he's not excited at all. Maybe it's because of the new place?

I tickle his ears again and that seems to cheer him up. So, I get down on my knees and start tickling his stomach as he rolls on the ground, his tongue hanging out from his mouth.

"Hey, what's his name?" A girl, probably the same age as me in a jeans and a t-shirt, asks me.

"May-o-ee. Maoie." I pronounce the word properly so that she can understand.

"That's a cute name. Which breed does he belong to?"

"Umm... I don't know? I found him in an alley way a few weeks back. He was just a week old and cold and shivering so I brought him home. I wasn't able find his master so I kept him." I shrug at her.

"That's a cute story. I've always loved dogs but my parents never allowed me to keep a pet." She flashes me a smile.

"Well, the same goes for mine so I had to keep Maoie hidden in the basement for another week until I finally found the courage to tell them. But they agreed readily since I was gonna leave the place soon." I let out a little chuckle. I stand up from my place near Maoie and dust my jeans a bit. Maoie is busy sniffing the girl's shoes as she pets him.

Here I am in the middle of a park, telling a stranger a long ass story about how I got my dog and I don't even know her name. Is that a weird thing?

"I'm Azin." I say, stretching out my hand towards her.

"Naina." She says, taking it and shaking it briefly.

"So, you come here often?" I ask her in an attempt to make small talk as the three of us - Maoie, Naina and I - start walking towards the little pond in the middle of the park.

"Yes, everyday but you don't. I haven't seen you here before." She says as we take a seat on the bench nearby.

"Yeah and that's because I'm new here. I didn't even know about this park. I was just out for shopping but I saw this place so I came here. And of course, Maoie doesn't like to miss his walks." I nod towards Maoie, who is eyeing the swans carefully, like a predator ready to leap at his prey.

Before he can do anything to make a scene, I tug at his leash again and his attention is diverted for a bit.

"Oh, that's nice. It's a beautiful city. You'll enjoy your stay here. I can bet on that." She says with a big dimpled smile.

We talk for a bit more and I can already feel a friendship brewing. Maybe Maoie won't be the only one I'll have here?

Of course not. You'll have him.

I freeze. What did my inner voice just say? Who is 'him'? What-

Naina waves her hand in front of my face. "Hey, Azin. Are you okay? You want me to call an ambulance or something?"

Do I look that bad?

I shake my head and tell her everything's okay and that I was just watching a little kid play. She gives me a weird look but nods a bit.

We aren't even friends yet and she probably thinks I'm crazy or something.

We resume our talk and she tells me a bit about herself. I can't really focus on what she's saying so I just keep nodding. I'm still in shock with happened just now. I mean what could be the reason for this? Am I going insane? Is someone talking to me telepathically? Am I a parselmouth? But it can't be a snake talking to me really.

What the hell.

Ugh. Why am I over analysing the thing? I take a deep breathe and try to focus on what Naina is saying. She's telling me something about a snake she once saw.

I check the time and realise it's getting late and I should probably get back home to those unpacked boxes. Naina and I exchange numbers and Maoie licks her face. After that we leave with the wind blowing softly.

• • •

This was the second part of chapter two. Hope you like this. TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OKAY?

bye ily