RAYANA 'THE GAME OF LOVE'

Chapter 2

After the fun, here's come the work. She met the owner of the Academy and the associates as well as the other groups around the project. The secretary of the owner of the Academy fix her schedule, so she can meets the times and places. After she said goodbye to Mr. Bhatti, the owner of the Academy. She exited on the auditorium with quiet steps. She get her phone and dial his number. She frown and stop in the corner when the operator answer her call. She sigh and pissed to look at her phone. She sigh, it's been a few days since Hayan answer her call. Even Ava was worried when Vahid can't reach out. It's been 5 days, yet they can't contact her. 

She walks back and fort while trying to be quiet, but her heels aren't cooperating. She's wearing a stylish dress and hijab for the conference, it's an important meeting and it was classified because of the huge contract and proposal. She was on a break. 

She stays for a bit until the secretary call her, she doesn't have a choice but to go. 

She stop a bit when there's a camera at the end of the conference table, as they all waiting for the others. She just comfortably stand up beside the secretary as they waited. Rayana looks up when the double door open as Mr. Bhatti stand up with his associates. 

The familiar old man that she saw in the hotel get inside with his two muscular bodyguards that shows arrogance, even the secretary beside her tense and gulp. She's aware the tension and intimidations in the atmosphere even though Mr. Bhahadi shows a welcome smile and greets. She step up and seat beside Mr. Bhatti, welcoming the guests.  

"خوش آمدید ، خوشحالم که بالاخره با شما آشنا شدم. من شهید بهتی هستم" They shook hands as he looks at me as I open my mouth. 

"Welcome, it's nice to finally meet you. I'm Shahid Bhatti" I said softly, smiling politely at the old man. The old man looks directly at me as his two companions look shock seeing me. 

"Ah, yes... It's great to be here, Shall we start" said the old man while glancing at me. He didn't even state his name or anything. Is this really confidential as they say? Weird. 

"آه ، بله ... اینجا بودن عالی است ، آیا شروع می کنیم"  I said to Mr. Bhatti making him smile and guide the guests to the conferences table as I step back and formally assign myself beside Mr. Bhatti. 

They talking about the goods that needs to ships from other countries in Europe and Asia. They don't really elaborate but it seems like Mr. Bhatti just reporting it to the higher group and put the documents aside, she's so confused about their conversations as she just go with the flow, glancing the weird camera recording and the people that seems stoic and robotics. The old man's companion watch me translate everything they've said, I used to watch by the other people specially my students. 

We were in the middle of finishing the transaction when the door burst open. 

"پدر...!" (Father...!) A familiar voice of a young girl emerge on the door. Soraya. Father?! but they are in a different surname?

"ثریا!" Mr. Bhatti said looking a bit trouble. Agad na gumalaw ang Secretary. 

"من-عذرخواهی می کنم" (I-I apologize) Soraya looks at me and try to smile. I just give her my big eye and I know that kind of smile. Hayan! 

The secretary push Soraya outside as Mr. Bhatti repeatedly apologize for her daughter. He seems pale and afraid. I just collect myself but my mind was in a frantic state. Kaya ng matapos ang meeting at pinayagan na kung makaalis ay agad akung nagpasalamat at lakad takbong pinasok ang elevator pababa. 

"What!?" Ava shriek on the other line. 

"Yes!" the cab driver looks on the rearview mirror because of my voice but I don't care. I'm livid. 

"Call Vahid Ava, And olsun hər ikisi öldü" gigil kung sabi. (They both dead I swear)

"Tamam, uşağın belinə vuracağam... Wait someone's calling me" (Okay, I'll spank that child's butt) she ended the call as I collect myself, even my hijab was now loose and my hair scatters around. I am pissed to swipe it away off of my face and just wrapped the edge around my neck. 

Ilang sandali lang akung naghintay bago ulit sya tumawag. 

"They're on the lobby of the hotel, those boys!" Ava. 

"I know, I'm near"

"I'm going down" 

"Okay" I dropped the call as the cab park in front of the hotel. I pay the cab driver as I hurriedly go out fixing my bag on my shoulder, I was near the door when I bump into hard chest. 

"I'm so sorry_ متاسفم!" (I'm sorry!)  I gasp trying to balance myself and try to step away but a huge callous hand catch my arm and face me to him. I look up and saw the bluest eyes I have ever seen in my life. His so tall and huge as I fully look up to him. His wearing a black long sleeve polo, folded it half in his arms, and a two button undone, yet his looking so handsome and intimidating. 

"حالت خوبه؟ متاسفم_" Rayana stop when he just look at her. Magsasalita pa sana sya but a familiar voice call her. (are you alright? I'm sorry_)

"Mama!" she turn and look at Hayan who's running with his worried eyes. She was startle when Hayan stormily push the man and shield himself to protect her, holding her wrist. 

"Who are you?! It's disrespectful for a man holding a woman without her permission" he spit looking hard at the huge man. Rayana looks up to her son, and felt him tremble, why he seems so afraid? The man with a bluish eyes remain silent, until a group of men surround them. 

"Hayan, it's fine, It's my fault" Rayana tried to tap his back but he just tug her to his back and step back, still shielding her from the huge man. 

"I bumped into him, I'm sorry about that Sir.." she try to take a glance on the man but Hayan shield his body and face her, tugging her hijab to cover her face. 

"Let's go, Mama" she look at him so weird, but he seems so pale and panic but try to hide it.

"Hayan, your being rude" but her son didn't listen and just push her inside the hotel. She try to look back but her son push her to go more further. 

She watch him with a gaping mouth, while he hurriedly collect her things on her luggage and personal things around her room. 

"Hayan, what is happening? What are you...!"

"Uncle Shaab called me" he turn around and look at me with a frightened look. Her heart jump with the mention of the name that nearly a decade since she recall. 

"W-What?" Hayan walks to her and hold her arms firmly. 

"Mom, we need to go" he said, looking at her. 

"The man_"

"Yes... The man with the blue eyes, is Izaac Villacenor" she just stand still. 

"So, we need to, we can't stay here anymore." Hayan firmly said before he collect everything and put it on her luggage. 

"But but why is he here?_ When did Shaab call you?" Rayana lost her words but she tried to gather her strength. 

"I'll tell you on the road, Mom but for now let's just get out of here"

Rayana watch her son put her laptop on the her travel bag, she get her travel shoes and her hijab. She become so paralyze that she just watch her son get everything before tug her out of the room. 

"Where are you going?... Wo!" Ava said when Rayana hug her all of a sudden. 

"We have an emergency, I'll just contact you" Rayana said hurriedly, as she envelope Vahid into a deep hug. 

"What is happening? Where are you going!?..." Ava said worriedly. Rayana just stare at her and fix her body bag, Hayan reach Vahid to hug him and Ava. 

After a long hugs, Hayan tug his Mother out left the confused Ava and Vahid. 

They hurriedly go to the elevator, Rayana firmly hold Hayan's hand both of her hands, on his other hand was her luggage with the backpack on his shoulder. 

"Did Shaab have plans?" Rayana asked, looking at Hayan. 

"We will met him outside Iran, but Mom I think..." Hayan stops and look at his Mother that seems so relax, helping him ease his tension. 

"It's okay, I'm here" Rayana said, Hayan frown and didn't said anything. 

"Don't let go of my hand Mom, ever okay?" Hayan said looking directly at her. She nod and gripped his hand tight even more. The lift rang, it lie low and the slow motion of the door seems forever. 

The two exited with slow steps. The lobby seems normal, but Hayan know better so he drag his Mom hurriedly to go to reception area. Rayana talk to the receptionist as Hayan looks around, heavy guarded. 

When he heard her thanking the receptionist, he tug her hand and pretend to smile at the two people in front of them.  The two women blushed and smile in return. 

He guide her out while looking around, the humid air of the afternoon welcome them but Hayan was determine to take this on his hand. Holding his mother tight on the hand, he held her to go to the highway, outside the hotel area. 

"Hayan, do you have his number?" she asked, trying to look around and see if someone is suspicious. 

"Hurry, Mom" she worriedly look to her son's back and just do what he said, held his hand tight even more. 

He wave a cab, and guide her inside putting the luggage inside with as he get inside as well.

"Wala kang number nya?" she asked again looking so lost when she looks at her son's face. They both afraid and terrified. 

"I can't call him Mom, but he knows the plan all the time" Hayan said, reaching her hand to hold. 

"I'm sorry" Rayana said, trying to suppress her reaction, not showing any negative reaction. 

"No Mom, don't be, let's just get out of here for now alright?" Hayan said fixing her hijab for her. 

The cab driver sees the action of the Mother and son's behavior as he frown secretly, glancing at his phone near the dash board and the road. Sensing the stare of the cab driver, Hayan turn his attention to him.

"آقا ، لطفاً به نزدیکترین ایستگاه قطار بروید." Hayan said, the cab driver nod quietly. (Sir, please go to the nearest train station.)

"I'm worried about Ava..."

"We will call them after, Don't worry" Hayan tap her hand. Rayana sigh. 

"He may be too late..."

"Mom, don't say that" Hayan face crumble and his violet eyes look so worried, frightened. 

"Izaac Villacenor have huge connections all around the world, you said it, Shaab too. So I know, you always lied to me Hayan I know it's for my sake, but what if I was hurt for what I don't know. Tapos malalaman ko na lang, nasaktan na ko"

"Mom, stop being negative! sinabi ko na dati, you always bring it up. We don't have a choice in this, wag matigas ang ulo" Bubuka pa sana ang bibig ko para makipagtalo ng bumaling si Hayan sa cab driver. 

"آقا ، ما را به ایستگاه اتوبوس بسپارید. متشکرم.."  turo ni Hayan sa gilid ng kalsada, near the bus station (Sir, just drop us at the bus stop. Thank you.)

The cab driver oblige to do, he pay the driver. 

"متشکرم."  (Thank you) Rayana said softly to the driver as Hayan guide her out gently. The cab driver watch the Mother and son walk hand and hard to the side walk to go down to the train station near the bus stop. He pick up the phone and sigh, watching the woman with a pink hijab looking up to her son and told something to him. 

"What do ya' think, boss?" he smirk. 

The other line is silent, that it seems he just talking to himself, yet he felt the pressure of those silent as he watch the mother and son out of his sight.