The Bends : Chapter Eleven

The afternoon sunny rays begins to glare it brazen light throughout the living room making the room feels kind of warm and humid. Aleeya begins to feel restless due to the humidity as she place her sketch book and her pencil on the coffee table and sank her back by the couch. She looks at Aden who seems to be still so engrossed with his laptop reading through his mail while uploading some of the photos which he had taken few days ago. A soft music could be heard from his mini notebook...must be some source of inspiration for him thought Aleeya to herself with a smile. Suddenly her mind begins to linger on Thaqif and then she begins to wonder about the conversation which she had with him recently. It seems that Thaqif was into something new but she begins to feel some doubts..about this whole deal. Why was Thaqif decides not to share with her about his new found passion? At the beginning, she was opened towards Thaqif idea of being secretive with her as long as what he had planned for himself is something that will benefits his future but now this sudden curiosity and doubtfulness begins to play around in her thoughts. Aleeya decides to call Thaqif however she had make up her mind that she will try not to probe on that issue unless if Thaqif himself decides to spell it out to her. She grab her bag pack which was place beside the couch and begins to dug her hands into every pocket of her bag pack for her phone however it was not there. Aden was still focusing reading through his mail jotting down some notes in his scrap notebook suddenly when he notice Aleeya seems to be busy searching for something. Aden knew it has always been this way ever since they were both still kids..it seems Aleeya bounds to misplace her stuffs and it was always he who will eventually help in searching for her missing items.

"Looking for something?" asked Aden as he looks away from his laptop and had his sight towards Aleeya instead who was still busy rummaging through her bag pack.

"Yah! My mobile phone. Have you seen it?" replies Aleeya as she scratched her head and push her long fringe away from her face.

"I think I saw it on that side table by Maya's bed." utters Aden while clicking his mouse away.

"Alright! I shall check it out." said Aleeya as she stood and crept in slowly towards Maya's room, trying not to wake her up cause it will be another panicking phase of experience which Aleeya had never dealt and face before. Aleeya quickly took her phone and decides to tip-toe back towards the living room when suddenly she heard Maya was moaning away.

"Reena! Reena is that you?" cried Maya as she looks frantically towards Aleeya's back. "Reena come back. Please don't go." pleads Maya.

"Excuse me?" asked Aleeya as she had no choice but to turn her back and face Maya's distraught stare.

"Reena, please come closer. Finally you are here. I thought you were dead...they told me that you are dead." utters Maya as she trembles with her words. Aleeya came closer towards Maya and stood by her bedside not knowing how to react towards Maya's words...apparently Maya was seems so lost and confused with her own thoughts..and it was heartbreaking.

"Aleeya, what did you do?" whispered Aden as he came in and stood beside Aleeya as he had his attention towards Maya.

"Nothing." replies Aleeya in doubt with her own answer.

"They are taking Reena away from me. You've got to save her. Please I can't bear to know that she is suffering like me too." cried Maya as she begins to struggle in between her sheets and tugging her hands which was tightly secured with the restrainers.

Aden came closer towards Maya, feeling lost. He had never expected Maya's condition to become like this."Maya, we are here to help you fight through this."

"I've been away far too long !" exclaimed Maya as she looks intensely towards them.

"Does she know who she was talking too?" whispered Aleeya towards Aden as she looks emphatically towards Maya's innocent face.

Aden shakes his head in dismay."I don't know Aleeya. I've came into her worst point state of her life...if only I could retrack back my time..and rescue her even before she needs to go through all this ordeal..things will not be so bad for her afterall."

"Aden, you have done all that you can. We are all here with you alright." utter Aleeya as she gave her statement of encouragement towards Aden's noble act. Aden looks at his sister and smile faintly. Aden knew he must not felt discouraged on Maya's worst condition state right now...in the beginning of it all he was the one who had eventually rescue her from her tragic life therefore no matter whatever the outcome turns out to be..he must remain persevere and help her get through this ...to give her am exalted life and future.

"But one thing for sure that I'm particulary curious about Maya....that name Reena which she had mention just now..it's kind of chilling." said Aleeya as she frowns and slit her eyes making them look small and intense.

"I was wondering about that too. Hopefully the doctor which aunty Nadia had promised to help her with Maya's case will be able to ease some of the pain and trauma which Maya is going through right now." utter Aden as he stares at the drip line which help to maintain Maya's fluids and electrolytes.

"Yah...me too." utters Aleeya. "Come on Aden, let's leave her for a while. I'm afraid our presence just might aggravate her mind further." Aden agrees and they both went back to the living room.

Aleeya went and sat back on the couch as she begins dial Thaqif number as she stares at the sketch of the lake and reminisce back on that wonderful evening which she had briefly spend with Thaqif by that lake. However she was caught by surprised as it seems Thaqif's mobile phone was off line. Aleeya looks at the clock which was hung at the living room just above the mantle place, and it shows it was only two in the afternoon. "Probably he must be still at the clinic with his mum." thought Aleeya to herself as she place her phone beside her on the couch.

Aden notice the solemn look on Aleeya's face. "Hey! What's wrong?" he asked still looking straight into her eyes.

Aleeya tries to avoid his stare while she grabs her pencil and flip her sketch book on a fresh page as she decides to work on another new sketch. Aden still had his eyes focus on her, however he felt that he should not probe too much or else Aleeya might just get upset...cause he knew at times Aleeya tends to keep her thoughts to herself and she just need time before she can open up her feelings and let it all go. Aleeya was quick with her sketching as the image which she had blueprinted in her mind was amazingly display on her mini sketchbook. Aden cranks his neck towards Aleeya's work out of his curiosity as his mind was pondering on Aleeya's new drawing. And he was amazed by the image which Aleeya had projected out on her sketch book..however that place seems to be unknown to him. It still had that vast lake which Aleeya had drew earlier but this sketch it seems that the lake was situated at the other side of the hill....with running bushes and sandy but rocky path all along the side of the lake. And then Aden notice two image of a young girl which looks like Aleeya as that what Aden had presume....and the other one, it looks like a young man. Aden begins to frown and he felt that he can't contain his doubts anymore. However he felt that, he needs some technique asking his sister about this before he should jump to any conclusion and upset her.

"I've never seen that place before. It's amazingly beautiful." Utter Aden with a smile and the truth is ...that he simply felt enlightened upon seeing that breathtaking images. "May be someday you could bring me over to that place." continues Aden again.

Aleeya smile as she heard those remarks from Aden while she continues with her sketching. After in a while, she place her pencil back down on the coffee table, together with her sketch book as she ties up her hair in a bun. "Aden, how do you feel about Maya?"

Aden was taken aback by the question which Aleeya had ask him. "Well, I feel responsible for her well-being, after knowing all about her tragic life that she has been gone through. Why do you asked?" asked Aden while looking at her.

"After knowing that person, and as you begins to build in a trust to that person, would you keep certain things about yourself just within yourself, or would you just let it go and tell it to him or her....and this thing got something to do with your future?" asked Aleeya as she stare towards her mobile phone which was by her side.

"Well, it depends on how long have you known that person...cause for my point of view certain things are best to be kept as a secret....even if it's concerned about my future." replies Aden. "Unless, I feel comfortable with that person and that person can definately be trusted so there's no harm telling your secret to that lucky person. Have you known someone recently that has always makes you feel in doubt?" asked Aden. Aleeya looks up towards her brother but she remains speechless. Aden still awaits anticipatingly for his sister's answer to his question.

"I've known this person not too long ago....I felt so much gratitude towards him after he had safe my life." said Aleeya and then again she move her sight towards her mobile phone.

"Thaqif..am I right?" asked Aden as he finally could recalls in his mind about the incident which almost had endangered Aleeya's life. Aleeya nodded but then suddenly she remains silence as she hungs her head low and stare at her own feet.

"But there's something about him, which makes me feel kind of doubtful towards him." exclaimed Aleeya.

"Are you serious with this guy?' asked Aden with concerned in his tone. "Cause from my point of view, and as your big bro, I think you are far too young to get yourself involved with anyone at this moment. This is the best time, when you should stay focus on your studies and plan about your future ahead."

"We are just friends...and I hope we will stay that way." replies Aleeya shortly.

However, Aden seems to sense that was not the truth, but he understands maybe Aleeya was afraid to spill out the truth about her relationship with Thaqif as this could cause another drift between him and his sister.

"Aleeya, it's okay to have some sense of likeness, admiration a crush if you want me to put it that way." exclaimed Aden while he shuts down his mini notebook and place it by his side. Aleeya was caught in by surprised with Aden's remarks as she looks at him with her doe eyes. "Just don't get to deeply attached to him...cause I just don't want you to get hurt." continues Aden with concerned in his voice.

Aleeya nodded and smile, as she never thought that Aden had eventually could understand her thoughts and needs...and the most importantly..he cares.

“Probably later this evening, I might be off to the town area and clear some stuffs out from my rented home there. I’m sure my room mate will be unpleased with me, after all that had happen.” Said Aden, placing his camera on the coffee table as he get hook up by Aleeya’s next sketch with amazement.

“Can I come with you? Please?” pleads Aleeya, as she sat on the couch and stare meekly towards Aden.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Maybe you should stay and help aunty Nadia around.” Replies Aden.

“Oh! Come on. I’ve never been to that town area before..please take me along with you.” Pleads Aleeya again.

“I’m not so sure about that..cause that place is kind of dingy and it is unsafe for a young girl like you to be hanging around there.” Utters Aden as he was unsure about bringing his sister along with him.

“I won’t be any trouble..I promised you okay.” Cries Aleeya again. Aden looks intensely straight into her doe eyes and shakes his head. Aleeya sank her back on the couch and sulk as she fold her arms across her chest. Aden smile upon seeing his sister child like act while he picks up his mobile and decides to call Zhorif.

It seems like ages until Zhorif finally picks up his call. “Hello! So sorry I was in a middle of something just now.”

“How’s things getting over there?” asked Aden curiously cause it has been almost a week now eversince that horrifying incident.

“You know something? Eversince that sick fellow being arrested... the people staying around this area including me, has been walking with our heads held up high as now…we can breath so much better now..and thanks to you Aden.” Exclaimed Zhorif with content and delightfulness in his voice.

“I’m speechless mate. How about his ruffian mates?” asked Aden as he still feels doubtful about this whole deal.

“They seems to dissapear along with him without any trace.” Replied Zhorif. “So Aden you are welcome back to be my room mate.” Continues Zhorif. “By the way, how’s Maya? Is she with you?” asked Zhorif.

“She’s somewhere safe.” Replied Aden briefly as he felt that it will be the best Maya’s whereabout should not be disclosed. “Anyway, I might be coming over to your place maybe later this evening to settle some things and pay you the rent which I owned.”

“Okay..that’s good!” utter Zhorif. “Well, see you later then.” Continues Zhorif before he hungs up.

“Alright Aleeya, you can come with me..but you have to share my bike okay?” cried Aden as he notice that Aleeya was still sulking and puckering her face away.

“Really? Yeh!” utters Aleeya as she jumps out from her couch excitedly.

Suddenly they both heard a loud scream which came from Maya’s room. Without hesitation, Aden and Aleeya dashed towards her room and the moment they step into it, their heart almost stop palpating as they saw Maya was bleeding profusely and she was in such an agony pain.

“Aden, what must we do now?” asked Aleeya frantically, as she had never had her sight on this kind of manner, throughout her seventeen years of living. Aden felt lost and confused too but he tries to remain calm as he tries not to aggravate and make things more hieratic as it is.

“Quick,called Aunty Nadia and tell her about this whole situation.” cried Aden. Aleeya rushed back towards the living room and grab her mobile phone..diallng for her aunty.

Aden walk towards the closet, and took as many towel as he could find, and then he turns towards Maya bringing the towel with him. Maya looks distraught and panics as the pains begins to sip right through her nerve.

“Aleeya, have you done with the calling..I need your help here?” cried Aden in desperation as he held on to Maya’s cold and clamy hands.

“They are on their way back home.” Said Aleeya as she rushed in, however she becomes confused herself as she did not know what to do seeing all the blood that seems continuously to gush out from Maya.

“Place that whole lot of towel under nearth her quick.” Exclaimed Aden as he elevate Maya’s legs. Aleeya follows as what Aden had instruct her to do and quickly place the towels where Aden had told her, hoping that the blood will not flow as much as it should, or else Maya might go into shocked and worst still, she could collapes. Aden held on to Maya's hand hoping to calm her down as he and Aleeya waited anticipatedly for Zaki's and Nadia's return.

Just then, they heard the sound of a car entering the front porch of Zaki's apartment much to their relief. And soon, Zaki and Nadia enters the room followed by a lady which Aden and Aleeya presume, she must be the doctor and hypothesis which Nadia had told them about.

"Goodness me, we need to bring her to the hospital now." exclaimed the lady.

"Yah! This is serious." utters Nadia as she grab her mobile phone from her purse and decides to call for an ambulance.

"I think the ambulance might be too late..maybe we should bring her to the hospital ourselves." suggested Zaki as he looks emphatically towards Maya.

"How did you assessed her in the first place Nadia, until you had to miss out the point that this young victim could be pregnant?" asked the lady harshly towards Nadia who was already in shocked.

"I'm sorry Umyrah...I must have overlooked." replies Nadia shortly.

"This kind of matter should not be overlooked. You have been in this line for almost twenty over years so I believe this such thing should not have happen." utters the lady again un-pleased.

"She's already apologised so be it..!" snapped Aleeya as she stared hard towards the lady doctor whom Aleeya felt she was too haughty and arrogant.

"Aleeya." exclaimed Aden sternly. "Please forgive my sister for her behaviour."

Zaki get his car ready while Nadia and Aleeya begins to unstrained Maya's hands. Umyrah took her blood pressure equipment and a stethescope from her briefcase and check on Maya's stats. A concerned and intense look could be seeing written on her face.

"This is bad." she exclaimed as she dug her hands into her briefcase and took out a syringe and a liquid adrenaline. "Her heartbeat is falling and so is her blood pressure. Hopefully this stuff could sustain her life...!" utters Umyrah as she jab that strong drug directly into Maya's vein on her right arm and this had brings Maya to fall into sub-concious state.

"You young man, carry her into Zaki's car....we desperately needs to get her to the hospital or her condition will be fatal." said Umyrah as she usher Aden to carry Maya quickly into the car while Zaki was already getting himself ready to drive them towards the hospital nearby.

"Aleeya, is it okay for you to be staying here all by yourself?" asked Nadia when she saw Aleeya was standing against the wall and she looks worried witnessing all this ordeal. Aleeya nodded but she remains speechless and numbed.

"Locked the front door alright.....if there's anything we will call you." utters Nadia again before she went back into the car. Aleeya stood by the doorway until their car was out from her sight. She could not get Maya's desperation look of pain and anguish from her thoughts, even when she tries to shut her eyes as she lay on the couch. Suddenly, tears begins to well up in her eyes, when suddenly her mind begins to shift on towards her parents instead. Aleeya begins to realise that all this time she had always been thinking about her own needs and likings until apparently, some of her negative attitude had eventually breaks their hearts without she realising it. She sat on the couch...as she picks up her mobile and dial the number, which at times she will just ignored upon receiving calls from it. Aleeya wipe her tears which begins to fall gently on her face while she waited for someone to answer her call.

"Hello mum."