The Bends : Chapter Fourteen

Maya held on to her knees close to her chest, biting her lower lips with her tears beginning to well up in her big doe eyes. Her body trembles as she hide inside the closet praying hard that Ilhan will not be able to find her secret hideout. The banging of their room door gets louder as Ilhan begins to curse and swear and from the sound of his voice, Maya knew Ilhan was drunk again…and he was not alone…he had brought his ruffian mates along with him into their home much to Maya’s despair. Suddenly, the closet door was open and there stood Ilhan with his red fiery eyes staring hard towards Maya. Maya’s fought hard against Ilhan’s grip as he roughly pulls her out from the closet.

“Ilhan, please..have mercy on me. I beg you.” pleads Maya tearfully. However, Ilhan ignored her pleading and flung her out from their room sending her sprawling onto the laminate wooden floor. And there she saw his ruffian mates was looking at her with evil grin on their wicked sickening faces.

“I’ve spend so much bringing you over to this country, so now I want you to pay every single cent which I’ve have wasted on you.” screamed Ilhan as he left her with his ruffian mates. Maya held on to Ilhan’s leg begging him not to leave her alone with these people, however Ilhan without any sense of compassion and mercy kick her hard against the wall before he walks out from their home.

“Ilhan!” screamed Maya with tears of fear and sorrow flowing out from her panic stricken eyes as those ruffians begins to terrorize her, stripping away her dignity and pride. Suddenly she saw Aden among the midst of Ilhan’s hooligans mates, as he held out his hands pulling her away from being cruelly brutalized by them. As she held out her arms towards Aden’s, suddenly she saw a rough chain was drawn tightly around Aden’s neck….choking him…and slowly killing him. Maya saw it was Ilhan who had cruelly held on to the rough chain pulling it tightly in his hands as Aden fought hard to get himself released from Ilhan’s grip.

“Aden!” cried Maya as she wakes up from her horrifying nightmare which seems to terrorized her each time when she close her eyes and tries to get herself some sleep. She looks around her surrounding and realized that she was laying on the hospital bed all by herself.....accompanied by the dim lighting of the ward. Maya could feel some cold liquid running through her veins and the effect begins to sip into her blood as she slip into conscious and sub-conscious state. And then she saw her left hand was handcuffed by the side rail of her bed. Maya shuts her teary eyes as she knew sooner or later she will definately be deported back to her country. It seems strange as the feeling of numbness which she used to feel...begins to breaks away from her dead soul..making her sense of fear and sorrowfulness...keep coming back to her and haunt her..backtracking way back to her past. Maya begins to cry in silence...as she felt her soul has been trap inside a hollow dark path with no direction on where that path might lead her to. Suddenly, she recalls back her terrible nightmare..seeing Aden being slowly killed by Ilhan. It seems so real to her..and it scares her. "I can't let anything bad happen to Aden and his family...God, please guide me with your Mercy and Lightness....please protect them from any harm and unfortunate hapenings..cause You are the Protector and the Guidaince to all mankind. Amin." prayed Maya clenching her fists as tightly as she could...with her tears fells gently on her face.

The sound of the turning fan begins to makes Nadia lost her focus on reading her case sheets of Maya's and other patients which was already in her waiting list. She looks at her watch and it was almost half past two in the morning, however there were still no sign of Adam and Zaharah from their home and also Aden return from the police station. Nadia quietly place her thick notes on the side table by her bedside and then she looks lovingly towards Aleeya who was sleeping so soundly on her lap as she gently caress Aleeya's baby soft hair. She just can't deny the fact that she had fallen for Aleeya's wit and charmness even during Aleeya's childhood state.....brings in the laughter where ever she goes..just like her father Adam.

Being married to Zaki for almost twenty-two years has certainly change her life in such a different and unexpected manner. She had always swear to herself that she will never ever fall for someone working under the same roof with her cause... she felt that it will be so lame and plain stupid. But something about Zaki which really had drawn her heart close to him...even though how hard she had tried to fight that admiration and silly crushes on him. Zaki, it had always been his way, with his words, his manners, his arrogance and his intensely good looks. And the funny part was, they both were always at loggerheads much to Ana, Zaki's mum worridness...however, the way how they had both deal with their jobs and cases were often admired by the other social-workers cause despite their differences...they both had actually produces such an excellent job while dealing with their cases. Nadia smile on every beautiful amazing memories she had with Zaki. And what amaze Nadia was the way Zaki willingness to share his horrid deeds which he had done towards his family in the past...was the turning point for Nadia's feelings for him to bloom even more..cause throughout her life...she had never actually found any guys who were so honest and willing to talk about their past misdeeds. And another plus point which Nadia had discover about Zaki was in the way how he dotes on towards the kids at the orphanage home...and the kids simply adores him. A different side of Zaki which Nadia finds to be such a blessing moment for her own secret admiration...a feeling which she had kept within herself where Zaki was truly unknown at the beginning of their friendship. Until one day, when Zaki was make to travel to Thailand and in order seeing through the paperworks and cases at the new orphanage home which Ana had succesfully expands her organisation at that remote countryside...was the moment where Nadia realised that she can't be far from Zaki's side....even though she had often tell herself that it was such a silly way to be having such an emotion.

One day, while she was typing her notes when suddenly Ana came into her room with teary eyes. Nadia begins to feel a sense of fear....something might have gone wrong with Zaki's trip to Thailand.

"What's wrong Ana?" asked Nadia as she looks alarmed seeing Ana as she begins to sob tearfully while clenching her fist on her chest as she can't control her sadness and fear any longer.

"Zaki...Nad! Oh..God! I can't believe this is happening to my son." wept Ana. Nadia gets up from her seat and quickly walk towards Ana as she brings her to the couch and usher her to sit with her. Nadia held her arms around Ana...and from that moment Nadia could almost felt there's a huge lump of anxiety in her heart and it pains her more as her heart begins to race fast in her chest. Tears begins to well up in her eyes...but Nadia tries to fight them back..not wanting them to fall.

"What happen?" asked Nadia as she tries to sound as calm as she could.

"The bus which he had board on this morning, has been been held hostage by the guerillas there. Mr Supeng just called me and he told me two of the hostages has been shot." cried Ana as she held her palms covering her tearful face.

Nadia could not believe the words which was just said to her.. the fear of knowing Zaki's life might be at stake in that foreign country could almost makes her scream and however this time she can't fought back her tears as she let them fall on her cheeks.

"The news..maybe we might get some report from the news." utters Nadia as she gots up from the couch and held the television remote control in her hands.

"Nadia, the authority there refused to let the reporters to know about this horrendous situation." exclaimed Ana much to Nadia's despair. They were left with no other choice but to wait for further calls from Supeng to keep them update regarding the tight situation there, Supeng was one of the social worker handling the administration duties at the orphanage centre in Thailand. Ana sank on the couch as she remains speechless as her thoughts were whirling about Zaki's present state at that moment. The sound of the ticking clock on the wooden wall was the only visible sound which could be heard between them...as they both awaits anticipatingly for any news update regarding Zaki's situation and whereabout. Soon, Adam and Zaharah had came by and together, they had their silent prayers ..praying for Zaki's safety. Adam had coaxed his mother to take a nap, however she refused...and this grew some concerned between them. In the end, all of them stay awake as none of them could shut their eyes just to get a glimpes of sleep..as each and every one of them had their thoughts on Zaki. Nadia stood by the window sill....feeling sudder, lost and empty and from that day onwards she knew..she had been in love with him throughout all this while...probably at the very begining of their aquintaince. "Zaki..please come back." prays Nadia from the bottom of her heart.

It was almost sunrise, but there were still no sign of him. Adam had attempted several calls to Supeng however it was all in vail. Suddenly, a truck drove along their front porch of their orphanage centre and it stops there. Everyone, rosed up from their seats and headed towards the truck without any words spoken among them as everyone seems to be engrossed with their silent prayers.The driver of the truck gets out from his vehicle as he helps to open up the lever at the back of his pick up truck. And to their enlightment, they saw Zaki climbs out from the truck looking frail and tired but with a sign of relief and comfort. Ana dashed towards him and embrace him with so much love as the thought of losing her son will just might kills her. Adam came forward and embrace his brother as he help Zaki with his bag pack. Zaharah nods as she looks at Zaki with relief after knowing the torment which he must have been through. Zaki phase around the office and suddenly, he finds there's someone else missing. Zaharah could sense Zaki was looking for Nadia...as she knew Zaki's true feelings for Nadia as he had actually confessed all of that hidden secret admiration for Nadia with her..however he just wanted to wait for the right moment...to let his feelings being make known to Nadia.

"Try the case room..she might be there." exclaimed Zaharah with a smile. Zaki wasted no chances and climb up the stairs which was situated inside their main office as he headed straight towards the room which contain all the case notes of each and every occupant of the home. The room was dimly lit just by the old lamp which was hung at the side of the wall. The small window was slightly open to let in the rays of the morning sun however the bright rays of the sunny morning was not strong enough to brightened up the small room. Zaki steps into the room and phase around the area hoping that Nadia might be sitting by the bay window cause he knew that was her favourite spot. However as he came closer and cranks his necks in between the side walls and the cabinets in order to catch a sight of her by the window...she was not there. Suddenly he heard a small sob that came from behind an old metal cupboard which was place right at the corner of the room. Zaki slowly headed towards the cupboard and suddenly he recalls that was the very first cupboard where Zaki had open and messed up Nadia's case notes making her mad during their first meeting. And there Zaki saw Nadia sitting right at the corner in between the wall and the cupboard as she held her palms covering her tearful face. Zaki came closer towards her and sat right in front of her, as he gently removes her palm from her teary eyes.

"Nad, I'm here..and this time I'm staying for real." utters Zaki as he looks as Nadia's beautiful green eyes.

"Don't ever do this to me again." cried Nadia as she lets Zaki to caress her face, wiping the falling tears of her face. "I love you." utters Nadia meeky however she avoid his dreamy looking eyes as she makes that confession.

"I know.." replies Zaki as he pulls Nadia close to him and gently kisses her lips. Nadia heart quiver but she felt soothe and calm just being in his arms.

Their wedding ceremony took place at the orphanage centre itself upon Nadia's and Zaki's request much to Ana's delightfulness. It was such a simple wedding but it was the most beautiful moment for Nadia which she will keepsake for the rest of her life.

"Nad..I'm so sorry..I hope I'm not intruding." it was Umyrah standing by the doorway calling Nadia almost startle her from her daze.

"It's okay." whispered Nadia as she slowly move her lap away from Aleeya's head and place a small pillow undernerth her head instead. Nadia stood up and walks out from the room as she joins Umyrah who was already waiting for her at the guest room. Along the way towards the room, Nadia saw Zaki too had fallen asleep on the couch. She took a blanket which was place by his side and covers him with it...as she caress his hair and kisses his forehead before she headed straight towards the room together with Umyrah. It was not a surprising sight for her as she saw most of the case notes were flung open on the table and not forgetting her big box of milk by her side. Knowing Angela Umyrah for almost twenty years as Umyrah was her senior...her mentor was such a blessing that she will always be grateful for. She does admits Umyrah was rather a stringent and can be quite persistant when dealing with serious cases..but that's what exactly grooms Nadia to become a pro with her job as well.

"Nadia, I'm sorry if I have been harsh on my words with you just now." exclaimed Umyrah as she tap her pen on the board of the case notes a habit which she had for such along time that Nadia could remembers.

"Hey! No hard feelings okay..I'm cool." replies Nadia with a smile. Umyrah nods and grin. "Thank God, Maya is safe now...it seems the dead foetus inside her which had actually makes her to becomes more agitated, confused and restless almost poisoning her entire body system." continues Nadia with concerned in her tone.

"Yah..but I guess there's more to it. You've got the point here...Aden actually a wake up call to her doomsday." said Umyrah as she show the writings of Nadia's notes which indicate the statement of that account. Nadia remains speechless as she read back through her reports and then she turns solemn.

"I don't feel good about this whole deal. Dragging Aden together with her misfortune..I just felt it will be unfair for Aden's..especially his future." utters Nadia as she close her case notes and had her attention focus of the vase which was place on the dressing table in the room. "Deport her back to her country is the best solution...for her to be away from Aden and our family." continues Nadia as she frowns. She knew she sounds cruel but she was left with no other choice. The worst part of it all, Ilhan has been released and she knew what kind of ruthless person Ilhan is.

"We can always place her into one of our welfare home in that country and furthermore she will be safe there." exclaimed Umyrah. "Are you afraid Nadia?" asked Umyrah curiously as she looks straight into her eyes.

Nadia turns her attention towards Umyrah now after receiving that question from her however she becomes numb as she can't answer to that at that point of time. Umyrah still awaits for Nadia's response as her sight was not deter away from Nadia's unique green eyes. "Ilhan will not let it go..I know. He will come back." replies Nadia shortly. "I'm not afraid for my own self..but for these kids...Aden and Aleeya. He was released just not few hours ago and look at the harm which he had cause upon poor Zhorif...and I'm sure he will come back to harm Aden too." trails Nadia as she held her palms covering her face.

"Nadia..you have seeing too much of these things. I'm sure nothing will goes wrong as long as Ilhan does not know your family where about." replies Umyrah as she tries to reasure Nadia's thoughts.

Suddenly they heard a sound of a vehicle drove up towards their front porch and as Nadia peer through from the window she realised it was Adam's car. Nadia walks out from the guest room and saw Zaki was already up as he stood up to open the front door welcoming Adam and Zaharah in.

"Where's Aleeya?"asked Zaharah the moment she step into the house.

"Mum." cries Aleeya as she walks out from her room and dashed straight into her arms. Zaharah held on to her with all her might and then she looks at her daughter's teary eyes and kisses her forehead. "Dad." utters Aleeya as she had her attention towards Adam and ran into his arms.

"It's okay...baby. You are safe now." cried Adam as he lovingly caress her fringe away from her face.

"Where's Aden?' asked Zaharah as she cranks her neck around the house looking for her son.

"Aden his on his way back home from the police station." replies Zaki as he helps Adam and Zaharah with their luggage.

"Adam, Zaharah take a seat first. Let me makes some tea for both of you." said Nadia as she usher both of them to have a rest after their long trip.

"Thanks Nad." replies Zaharah as she smiles faintly..cause her mind could not rest until she had her eyes set on Aden.

The feeling of nausea and dizziness begins to crept into Aden's mind while he was travelling in the cab. He tries to divert those uncomfortable retching sensation as he tries to stay awake and peer through the window..looking at the thick bushes along the path as the cab drove along the remote and deserted lane. Aden's lungs begins to feel tight and that had begins to bother him as he coughs frantically making the cab driver sounds alarm upon hearing the way Aden was coughing.

"Are you okay sir?" asked the cab driver politely.

"Yah..I should be fine..Thanks buddy." replies Aden shortly as he tries to control his coughing by breathing in deeply. And to Aden's relief..his lung felt much lighter now however the nausea sensation was still bothering him. Aden clenches his right fist tightly as the pain where Ilhan had merciless jab a needle into the vein on his right arm begins to take effect causing some burning and sharp trobbing pain almost all over the part of his right arm. Aden looks at the puntured mark again and the bruise seems to get worst however he tries to ignore the pain and brush off all the negative thoughts from his mind as his main focus now is keeping his family and Maya safe from Ilhan clutches. Suddenly the thought of Zhorif came into his mind. Aden just could not contain his sadness of losing his new found friend in such a tragic manner...and the worst part of it all he felt responsible for his death. Zhorif had always keep on reminding him to stay away from Ilhan but it seems that Aden was left with no other choice as Maya crosses his path several times in such an unexpected and terrifying situation. And he felt that he can't just simply ignored her and not doing anything about it. Aden held back his tears in his eyes when ever he think of his last conversation which he had with Zhorif...a spark of new friendship which bounds to be develop was horribly crush and ended due to Ilhan ruthless deeds. Aden clenches his fist tightly as the thought of Ilhan came into his mind...and Aden swear he will not rest until Ilhan will be brought to justice.

Seeing the sight of the front porch by his uncle's apartment as the cab drove was such a great relief and he felt his heart begins to lightened up from his tiredness and the pain which he had gone through when he knew in the end of it all..he still got a place where he will call his home...his family.