The Bends : Chapter Five

Aleeya rushed back home with tears in her eyes. She felt fear and guilt inside her heart. Thankfully she was alone or else her parent bound to ask lots of nagging questions seeing her in such a tearful state. She went straight into her room and place her helmet on the side table as she turns on her night lamp. Her mind begins to focus on Thaqif and his friends and she felt worried sick..a feeling which she loathe. She clenched her fist tightly as she lay on her bed and tries not to recall too much about that terrible incident when suddenly her mobile phone rang. Aleeya check the caller number and it was her mother. Aleeya wipe her tears of her face and tries to sound calm as she answered the call.
“Hello Mum! How’s things getting over there?” asked Aleeya trying to sound as cheerful as she could.
“Things are doing fine here. Me and your dad are so worried about you. Especially your dad of course..feeling so remoseful about the argument which you both had before we left.” said Zaharah with full of concerned in her voice.
“Mum, I’m doing okay here. Please tell dad I’m sorry about my poor behavior on that previous day and tell him that I love him..and he’s the best daddy in the world. And I love you too mum.” said Aleeya in between tears.
“Alright I shall tell that to your daddy..and I’m sure his heart will swell with pride upon hearing your words. We both love you too baby doll.” replied Zaharah but she sense something was amiss by Aleeya’s voice. “Aleeya are sure you are okay?” asked Zaharah.

“Thanks mum. I’m fine..I flung my history test recently. That’s all.” replied Aleeya as tears fell from her big brown eyes.
“Aleeya, it’s okay. You can always try again for your next test.” replied Zaharah lovingly.
“Remember me in your prayers mum.” utter Aleeya before she hungs up.
“You are right all along mum. At times I do things without thinking. Please forgive me mum..dad. I love you both so much.” thought Aleeya to herself as she force herself to sleep with silent cries in between her sheets.
The next day in school she was unable to focus on her lessons as her mind was on Thaqif. She tried to brush off this weird concerned feeling which she had on him but it seems impossible. On that following night, she decides to check on Thaqif and his friends at the motorbiker’s spot where those racers usually gathers to exchange tips or info regarding the next upcoming race. She phase around the area hoping that she might spotted Thaqif hanging around at one of the wooden shed which was provided by the motorbike racer community..even though it was illegal. Aleeya search at almost every shed but it was in vain. Aleeya became more anxious and fear sets on her mind what if something terrible had befall upon Thaqif and his friends. Suddenly she saw one of the Thaqif’s friend coming out from one of the shed and she slowly walks towards him looking solemnly. He was unaware that Aleeya had crept slowly towards him.

“Hie! You are one of Thaqif’s friend if I’m not mistaken.” said Aleeya solemnly.
He just ignored her and set himself busy polishing his bike instead. However Aleeya was not going to give up as she tries to engage with him a conversation regarding Thaqif’s well-being. “I’ve been looking for Thaqif all over this place but he seems not to be around here anywhere. I was wondering how is he…after that horrifying incident?” asked Aleeya and she sounds persistent.
“Thanks to you …now he had miss several other chances in many other races.” he replied scornfully as he looks intensely towards Aleeya’s tearful eye.
“How bad is it?” asked Aleeya again with a heavy heart.
“You almost got himself killed.” he yelled freaking Aleeya’s out.
“I need to see him. Where can I find him?” asked Aleeya again hoping that his friend
will comply to her request. “Please.” requested Aleeya again.
“He won’t be happy about this. Alright give me your mobile number and I shall sms to you his home address…but promised me that you won’t tell him that I’m the one who had reveal his where about.” cried Thaqif’s friend as he gets Aleeya’s mobile number.
“Thanks…alright your secret is safe with me.” replied Aleeya pleased.

Aden decides to try his luck by calling the number which the café lady had given to
him the day before as he was keen on taking up a part time job at that café as it was nearby his rented home. He dials the number and waited anticipating for any response. In few minutes someone had actually answered his call and he was the owner of the café himself. The date and the time has been set for Aden’s job interview much to Aden’s joy. On the day for his interview, he decides to put on his shirt with his pair of jeans which he feels more comfy as he remembers his dad was so fond to dress the same way as he is. But now since his father had reached his late forties wearing T-shirt and jeans seems inappropriate ..but that’s what his mum had claimed. Smile Aden to himself. After he took some of his documents for his interview which he had prepared earlier he headed towards the door and walk off.

Before passing by several doors before Ilhan and Maya's home, Aden could hear Ilhan was shouting and cursing vulgurities and some slapping and hurting sounds could be heard. Aden tries to ignore those terrible noise and quickly walks away. However as he was about to pass by infront of their home suddenly, the door was open and Maya was roughly flung out fron the door. Aden was just in time to catch hold of Maya or else she will fall off the stairways and the consequences will be disastrous. Still having Maya in his arms he looks at her intensely and then he turn to face Ilhan who looks furious.

"Get your hands off my wife!" yelled Ilhan bulging his eyes widely. Aden still held on to Maya and he refuse to barge much to Maya's fear.

"I said, get your hands off her! Maya get back in here you stupid piece of dung." screamed Ilhan again. Maya struggle to get herself free from Aden's grip. Aden had no other choice but with a heavy heart he has to let her go. As soon Maya was away from Aden, Ilhan roughly pull Maya back into their home and shut the door right in front of his face and from outside..he could hear more things were thrown around the house and a silent cries. Aden knew Maya was suffering in silent. Aden shut his eyes and walks away with a lump in his heart.

Aleeya held on to her mobile phone and take look at the address which was sms to her by Thaqif's friend. She notice that the living area was quite dilapilated and from the sight of it, Aleeya knew Thaqif was definately not from a well to do family. She walks up the stairways as his home was located at the second floor. Aleeya scan through the corridor and she reckons that his home was located right at the corner of the walkway. Aleeya was feeling nervous and with a sense of guilt, however she was determined to meet him no matter what will the outcome be like. Aleey reaches out her finger as she rangs the doorbell. She was breathing heavily now as she was nervous. She rang again several times but however it seems there was no one around. Aleeya felt dissapointed and decides to leave and maybe try again later that night. As Aleeya was about to leave a lady who was about her mother's age in her early forties came by the door and looks at her with interest.

"Are you looking for someone dear?" she asked her as she looks at her from the top till the bottom. Aleeya becomes self conscious about her dressing as she had only her sleeveless tight fitting blouse with her micro mini skirt on her and not forgetting her vibrant pinkish blonde hair which was her trademark. On her right hand was her motorbike helmet and her jacket.

"Yah..I was looking for Thaqif..Does he lives around here?" asked Aleeya politely.

The lady smile and replies . "Thaqif is my son and this is our home. Are you his friend?" asked the lady again curiously as she begins to look at her face feature more closely.

"Yah..I hope so...no what I mean Yah..I am." replied Aleeya and she seems to be choking in her own words due to her nervousness.

"What a pretty girl. Well come on in." welcome the nice lady as she opens her front door and invite Aleeya into her home. Aleeya scanned around the house and was amazed that the house was very well kept..with simple couch, a nice set of coffee table and a very simple dining table with only two chairs available.

"Please take a sit miss..and would you like to have some juice?" asked Thaqif's mother.

"Juice will be nice..Thank you auntie." replied Aleeya with a smile. She crang her neck into everyroom as she was looking around for Thaqif.

"Here's your drink. You must be looking for Thaqif? He's resting in that room by the corner. Do you want me to wake him up?" exclaimed his mother.

"It's okay, maybe I should take a peep at him if you don't mind auntie?" cried Aleeya while she sips the orange juice from her glass.

"Go ahead then. If you need anything you can find me in my room as I need my rest now." replied Thaqif's mother as she stood up and walks towards her room.
"Auntie..I hope I'm not imposing on you." utter Aleeya with a sense of worriedness in her tone.

"Oh not at all dear. I really appreciate that you came to see him. We rarely had visitors coming into our poor home anyway." replied his mother again as she limbs slowly towards her room. Aleeya begins to feel sorry and the sense of guilt begins to cuts her even more deeply into her soul. Aleeya creeps in slowly inside Thaqif's room and she saw he was sleeping so soundly on his bed. Aleeya begins to stare at him wit her wondering look..and she notice Thaqif appears younger without his motorbike outfit gear. He looks innocent just like a boy next door. But then she saw along his right arm were tattoos with some wordings and aggressive looking pattern and from it she knew Thaqif belongs to a group of some gangsterism. As he was not wearing any shirt, Aleeya saw the deep cut wound across his abdomen which was covered by the bandange however the blood stain still could visibly be seen on the bandange clothe. Aleeya shut her eyes as her tears begins to well up. Suddenly, Thaqif begins to stir and wakes up. He was surprised to see Aleeya by his bedside. He quickly took his shirt which was place beside him and put it on frowning his face due to the pain as he did so.

"What are you doing here? And how did you know where to find me?" asked Thaqif scornfully.

"I have my ways." replied Aleeya and she was definately unplease by the way Thaqif had asked her. "That wound looks bad." utter Aleeya.

"I had survive worst than this before." replied Thaqif as he sat on his bed looking directly towards Aleeya.

"Why did you come back for me and risk yours and your friend's lives?" asked Aleeya curiously.

"Because, you are stupid and I knew you will not survive in theirs hands..cause I knew them and what kind of terrible people they are." cried Thaqif with intense in his voice.

"Stupid huh?" asked Aleeya feeling annoyed by Thaqif's response.

"Yah...as I had said to you earlier why would a young girl like you get yourself involve in this kind of illegal motorbike racing anyway?" asked Thaqif again.

"How about you Thaqif..you look young yourself? Should'nt you be in college or something..,,simply ruining yourself by being a leader of some short of a gang. Such an anti-social activity." cried Aleeya as she stood up with her hands on her hips.

"Thanks for this visitation but I think you should leave." cried Thaqif as he usher Aleeya to leave.

"I was about too..!" cried Aleeya as she picks her helmet and left his room.

"Don't you want to stay for dinner dear?" asked Thaqif's mother as she saw Aleeya was about to leave their home.

"Thanks Auntie for your kind offer but I really got to go." replied Aleeya with a smile which she had to pose and step out from their home. Aleeya gets on her motorbike and speed off feeling dejected and upset due to Thaqif's reaction for her good intention.

"Why should I care?" thought Aleeya to herself. But the deep cut wound which Thaqif had received begins to linger back into her mind. "Why was he so cold? It's there something which had trigger him to becomes such a cold and uncoathe person?" Aleeya begins to be more curious about Thaqif.
Aleeya speed off as she was heading towards her home. As she was reaching towards the front yard she saw her parent’s car was already park there at the porch. Aleeya was surprised as she did not expect her parents to be back home so soon. She took off her helmet as she enters her home and there she saw her parents was resting at the dining area and they seems to be deep in conversation. As they saw Aleeya enters the living area they stood up to meet her. Aleeya tries her best not to look upset and dejected and force herself to smile.
“Hie baby doll.” cries Zaharah as she walks towards Aleeya with an open arm. Aleeya embrace her mum lovingly as her mum kisses her cheeks. And then she saw her father came closer towards them and Aleeya gave him a hug too.
“I’m sorry dad for being rude to you.” utter Aleeya with tears in her eyes. If only, she would listen to her mum’s advised and stop herself from entering this race none of this would had happen. "The trip must have gone well then I guess?" asked Aleeya as she was caught by surprised by her parents been back from the trip in such a short period of time.

"Thank God Aleeya, everything has been settle as we had hired someone who is more realiable to handle our businese there. So I hope we won't be going over there now and again cause me and your mum had decides to spend more time here with you." explained Adam.

"That's great." replied Aleeya. "I hope both of you don't mind cause I need to study for my test tomorrow." continues Aleeya as she headed towards her room.

However Zaharah could sense something was amiss about Aleeya's behaviour.

"Zaharah, what's wrong?" asked Adam.

"Nothing. You take a rest while I prepared for dinner alright." said Zaharah as she tapped his cheeks. Adam nodded and carried their travelling bag into their room.

Aleeya lays flat on her bed with her thoughts being set on Thaqif. She could never forget that horrid night and it keep coming back to haunt her. Aleeya knew she had owned her life and thanks to Thaqif and his friends. Tears begins to well in her eyes.

"Aleeya, dinner is ready." cried Zaharah as she tap the door.

"It's okay mum, I already ate something just now...you both go ahead." replied Aleeya trying to sounds calm.

"I shall save some portion for you alright." cried Zaharah again with concerned in her voice.

"Thanks mum." replied Aleeya as she sat on her bed. Then she stood up and walk towards her unfinished painting. "I shall finish this tonight." thought Aleeya and she begins to prepare the paints, palate and her brushes as she continues to paint. It was an abstract painting of a shallow glinding it wings above the torrent sea...a painting which she had been working on for almost two days. The passion and skills which has been inside her..and thanks to her father. Aleeya smile as she saw the outcome of her painting and miracolously her trouble thoughts has been drain away. Suddenly there was a knock on her door. She place her palate and her paint brush on her working desk and went to open the door. It was her father.

"I smell fresh paint." exclaimed Adam with a smile. "Do you mind if I come in?" asked Adam.

"Sure dad." replied Aleeya. As Adam steps into her room, the painting had definately caught his eyes. "Wow Aleeya, this is beautiful." cried Adam as he walk closer towards her painting and adjust his glasses on his nose. Aleeya smile but remains silent and then her face turns solemn.

"To feel angry and upset about things which we had committed intentionally or unintentionally is a good form of self realisation as this is the moment where we could reflect our mistakes and tries to undo all that...be it in this reality world we are living or in your visual mind." said Adam as he looks lovingly towards Aleeya.

"You simply can read my thoughts." utter Aleeya with tears in her eyes.

"No Aleeya..not from your thoughts but from your painting." replied Adam as he walk closer towards her and looks at her with full of love and pride. "You are that angry little swallow...fighting through the wind and that torrent sea which represent your trouble soul. And it seems that swallow was not going upwards or downwards but constantly been sandwich by the wind and the sea....your anger and your guilt."

"Dad, I can't refrain myself from this guilt which I've been having. During that night, the race which I have won again..but things turns out disastrous for me." utter Aleeya. Adam remains calm upon hearing her words as Aleeya begins to relate that incident towards her father.

"Thank God nothing happens to you..that's the most important thing. About Thaqif..well at times a person reacts that way cause they have some kind of fear or may be inferior about themselves. If you really want to amend about your guilt towards him...just leave him for a while and see how's he's reaction then. Trust me..I've been through that before." replied Adam as he caress her hair lovingly.

"Thanks dad..I love you." cried Aleeya as she gave him a hug. "So what's for dinner?"

The interview goes well for Aden and he will begins his job on the the following day onwards. Thankfully the manager of the cafe understands his situation and schedule his duties and shifts to suit Aden's limited time. That night Aden had plan to take few photos around the city area. He had prepared sufficient lens and charge his digital camera to the max as he finds that digital camera is so much easier to work with rather than the normal types of camera. Zhorif as usual never stays around at night. He was either busy with his school projects or on a date. As Aden was busying himself wiping the camera lenses, suddenly there was a soft tapping on the front door. Aden looks at his watch and it was only seven in the evening and he knew Zhorif will only be back after eleven at night. The tapping was soft but a quick one..a sign of urgency and fear. Aden walks towards the front door and opens it. He was surprised cause it was Maya and he saw fear and terror in her eyes.

"Please help me. Ilhan brought his friends home again and I have no where to go." pleads Maya in desperation. Aden reaches out his hands and quickly pulls Maya into his home and immediately shuts the door. Maya begins to feel uneasy and tries to avoid any eye contact with Aden's.

"You can rest here if you want." said Aden as he usher her to sit on the couch. Maya comply without saying any words but tears keeps on dreching on her cheeks. Aden makes some hot chocolate for himself and for Maya.

"Here..I hope this will makes you feel better." said Aden as he place the drink on the coffee table and sat opposite her.

"Thanks." replied Maya meekly.They both remain silent for a while until he felt that he needs to know more about her.

"Are you happy Maya? Cause I've seen and heard enough." asked Aden as he was not able to control his curiousity anymore. Maya looks at Aden's and then she looks at her drink.
"I have no choice. This is what I had always wanted and this is what I gets." replied Maya.

"I don't understand. So you love him?" asked Aden again. "Come on Maya..just look at you..how could you let yourself suffer like this?"

"It's not love..it never was. I was desperate to get out from my country. And he promised me good future here with a conditon to be his wife." cried Maya in tears.

"Come with me..let me take you to the police station and makes a report against him." cried Aden again as he pulls her hand.

"No...please no cops. Or else I'm dead." replied Maya.

"But why? They can help you. And I'm sure about that." utter Aden as he sat back on his seat.

"I was brought into this country by Ilhan illegally..that's why I can't. I have no identification documents with me. I have nothing." replied Maya and she looks down towards her feet.

Aden shut his eyes as he can't believe with what she had just said.

"There's something can be done and I'm sure about it." thought Aden to himself.

"Maya you can stay here as long as you want..please used my room cause there's a bathroom attached to it for your convenience sake." said Aden at last. Aden took some of his notes and camera and usher Maya to rest in his room. After she drank the hot chocolate, Maya slowly walks into Aden's room.

"Thank you." utter Maya before she close the door. Aden stares at the close door and then he lays on his couch and looks at his camera. It seems that he had to find another night to get those photos. Aden begins to be deep in his thoughts, as he was wondering how he could help Maya with this kind of situation....his parents. No that will be extra burden for them and futhermore he does not want to upset his mother. Zaki..yes..his uncle Zaki seems to know how to handle this kind of situation and futhermore..he had handle so many illegal imigrant children which had been brought and exploited in this country.