"If distance makes the heart grow fonder, I'm prepared to stop its growth." – Rashid
Chapter 2: Killing Me Softly
Two years and two months passed like the cool gusty wind of an approaching Fall Season; cold but yet a warm reminder of good times. Not much had changed for Rashid. He still trained, he still surfed the net, and he still hadn't gotten over the departure of Juri. She came and went like a dream or a beacon of light in dark times. He hadn't heard her name or seen her at in-between tournament events at all. She was gone.
The thought of romance hadn't bubbled in his mind very much. While he did live his life as his friend desired, he still found himself anchored to finding Juri again.
A call from a close friend rattled Rashid from his dream-like haze of the past while he surfed the internet for various car parts for his latest project. When he answered, he was formally invited down to a karaoke bar back in the states for his friend's birthday party.
"There's going to be plenty of beautiful women there! You should come out to the states and have some fun!" Farooq pleaded. "You are practically becoming a hermit, my friend! Azam cannot shield you forever!"
"I know…I just…" Rashid searched his mind for any excuse.
"You just what?"
Rashid exhaled deeply. "I am not necessarily interested in leaving home at present moment. I have so many projects lined up!"
"Projects? If you seek to collect dust I believe you've accomplished it tenfold!"
"I will have to pass, Farooq. I wish you a happy birthday none the less."
"Well, I suppose I'll have to cancel my invitation to various famous fighters." Farooq said in 'pity' of his friend. "I was told Ryu was in town. Too bad he won't be able to give you that rematch."
"—Ryu? Well, while I'm in no hurry to lose a match…maybe I can see if I can do better this time. I'll fly out tomorrow morning."
"Good man! I will see you there!"
As the two closed the call, Rashid began the dreaded process of preparing for a public appearance. The next morning he flew out as promised, but the party itself did not start until that evening. The Karaoke bar was small and intimate, but still packed to the walls with people around their age enjoying drinks and often off-key singing.
It felt like he was slowly being smothered by the dozens upon dozens of people who didn't know who he even was. He felt invisible in the flood of people and chatter, and could barely hear whenever someone wasn't performing.
"Are you sure Ryu is showing up…here?" He asked Farooq. "It seems a bit tight for a fight."
"Who?" Farooq held his mouth open for a moment before remembering his playful fib. "Oh, he may be running late! But please, so many people to mingle with, my friend! You should get on stage and sing! Dedicate a song to me!"
"Er…I'd rather…" Rashid tried to gently deny his friend, but the next performer took the stage.
The DJ announced her as 'Julia', and while Rashid and Farooq took their seats, he gave the long-haired Asian girl a passing glance on stage and returned his attention back to his friend. "I'm not much of a singer. You didn't have to deceive me in such a way, you know?"
"Well, I wanted to see you." Farooq slapped Rashid on the back firmly. "My good friend didn't even remember my birthday was last month! I've been told you're in dire need of a vacation from home. Azam asked me to do this!"
Stunned, Rashid felt tension in his chest but also relief on his shoulders. "People have an odd way of showing that they care. Why can people not just say what they think and feel? They just pause or tell a fib."
At this point, Julia began to sing.
Though to the trained ear, this was no 'Julia'. Rashid perked up and slammed his hand on the table as he watched the woman. There was no way it could be here.
Was he just hearing what he wanted to hear? As she sang, anything Farooq said was just background noise. He was glued to her. She didn't seem concerned with the rest of the room so much as she was concerned with entertaining herself. She was dressed like any other woman in attendance, but stood out like a jewel in a shallow stream.
One by one, the people faded away in the room. Until it was just the two of them. Together, but at a distance. The space between seemed like an eternity, but just seeing her there, seeing her happy, felt as if he was standing there beside her. Her joy of the song bled over to him.
The music strummed his pain, but Juri's voice revitalized his life. It killed him that she never looked his way, as he and Farooq were off in the corner of the bar. If only he could call out to her. His tongue felt stapled to his cheek, incapable of speaking a single word. His stomach tied in knots and shock surged thorough him when she tossed the fringe of her hair and nearly looked his way.
Petrified, Radhid found himself incapable of blinking. If he did, the mirage that this woman was Juri would fade away with it. Even though his eyes burned he had to believe it to be true.
He remembered her words from years ago. He couldn't blow his opportunity.
Rashid stood at his table.
Julia turned her head toward him at the close of her song.
When the two made eye contact, there was no denying who the other was. The audience clapped, deafening the words said through their gaze. They were no stranger to each other's eyes.
Julia left the stage and headed for the door. Rashid abandoned Farooq, much to his protest. Nothing else seemed to matter now.
As Julia hurried out the door, Rashid had the door slam in his face. He opened it and stepped out on the street.
"Juri – wait!" He called out with his hand extended.
Julia stopped. She turned and looked over her shoulder. An annoyed sigh presented itself as she faced forward again. She walked ahead again.
"Please." Rashid added.
She stopped for good upon his plea. Though she did not turn around, and Rashid did not approach. As far as he was concerned, the rest of the world stopped as he was just a few feet away from Juri again.
