Over again

Chapter XIV

She walked into the bar and sat down at the counter. She knew people wouldn't like it. That girl is sitting alone at the bar. But she didn't care about it. She needed a drink.
Zain entered and sat down beside her. He didn't say anything. He saw the pain and sadness in her eyes.
The waiter approached them:
"What can I get you?"
"Tequila."
Zain and waiter looked at her in astonishment.
"You can't drink that, Aaliya. You don't know what it tastes like."-Zain enjoined her. She turned and looked at him.
"I didn't ask you anything. You know nothing about me, Zain. You think I don't know what I ordered? It's not first time I drink, Zain."-she said.
He didn't say anything else to her. Zain ordered a beer and watched her while without hesitation drinks the bitter liquid. He just sat and waited. He looked at her when she finally spoke:
"I didn't want to be what I am today. I had other dreams when I was a little girl. I wasn't calm and composed person. As a child I was problematic. I worked nonsense, scuffled and at one point became a thief. Until one day I was caught and taken to police. I was sixteen. A young delinquent. That was what I became. I sat at this one room and stared at my hands. They were so dirty. No mud or dust but mu bad deeds. Then in the room entered Jack. Now the boss of criminal investigation department and my boss. Then he was a detective. He sat down in front of me and looked at me. He told me that I can chose. In order to soar higher or to fall low. To change for the better or to be nobody. And I chose the first option. I resolve to be someone instead of no one. Look at me now. And where I could be."
He listened to her, lowered gaze. He imagined a girl sitting alone, frightened.
"And your parents, Aaliya. Where are they?"-he asked carefully.
She smiled.
"Ah, Zain. You don't know them. They didn't care what happens to me. Even today when I became what I am, they are not happy."-down her face flowed tears. She turned to him. "Take me out of here please. I can't do this anymore. Just take me somewhere where I will forget."
Zain as just waited for that jumped of the chair and took her hand.
"Come. I'm taking you to my favorite place."
She didn't hesitate. She let him held her hand and lead her. Where ever he wants. They rode long through the city. He parked the car next to the road and got out. He opened her the door and offered his hand. She could smell the ocean. A light, warm breeze caressed her skin.
"Come. Let's walk on the beach. This will clear our minds. Especially yours."-he winked.
Aaliya laughed. That melodic sound made Zain shudder. She woke the strange feelings in him. He wanted to hide it but didn't know how long he will be able to.
"Take me then."-she said. "Where ever you want."
She extended her hand. Gently, he laced his fingers with hers and took her. They walked holding hands. He didn't notice when she put her head on his shoulder.
She felt safe with him. Then she stopped.
"Zain, dance with me."
"What?"
"Please, Zain. I want you to dance with me."
"Aaliya I can't dance. I don't know how."
"Everyone knows that. Please?"
The long he hesitated before he finally agreed.
"Fine. But there is no music."
"Yes, there is."-she smiled.
She pulled out a cell phone from her pocket and found the song. Before she played it, she came closer to him. One his hand she put low on her waist. Her one hand she placed on his chest and other in his free arm. And she played the song.

Like the sound of silence calling
I hear your voice and suddenly
I'm falling, lost in a dream
Like the echoes of our souls are meeting
You say those words and my heart stops beating
I wonder what it means
What could it be that comes over me
At times I can't move
At times I can hardly breath

When you say you love me
The world goes still so still inside and
When you say you love me
For a moment there's no one else alive

She looked him in the eyes and leaned her head on his chest. She listened to his heartbeat. He hugged her and closed his eyes. They felt that they belong there. As if they should be there. As if their embrace is home.