The Bends : Chapter Nine

It was almost coming to three in the morning when finally Zaki and Nadia reached their apartment. Zaki drove in towards their porch and he was surprised as he saw Aleeya’s bike was park by the side of their pavement.

“Aleeya’s is here too. I did not know she was coming.” cried Zaki as he shut off the car engine. Deep in his thoughts Zaki could sense something must have crop between her and her parents again.

“Let her be, as long as her parent knew where she was heading too. I kind of miss her chirpy bubbly traits.” replies Nadia with a smile as she really dotes on Aleeya and she felt so bless as she and Aleeya could form such an amazing bond much to Adam and Zaharah’s delight.

“Yah, that’s the main question which I need to ask her once I saw her face.” utter Zaki as he bring Nadia’s case notes and Maya’s necessary medications.

“Zaki please don’t be too hard on her. She’s just a kid.” utters Nadia as they both step out from their car and headed towards their front door.

“It’s just a question that’s all. I’m just concerned.” replies Zaki as they both quietly enter into their home and slowly crept into their room in the dark hoping that their presence won’t wake Aleeya and Aden up. They both notice that Aleeya was sleeping so soundly on the couch while Aden was sleeping on the carpeted floor instead. And then Nadia took a peep at Maya’s room and walk closer towards her as she turn on the dim light. Nadia find that Maya was not sleeping at all. Maya had a frantic and fear look written all over her face and she had her vision mainly focus at the sight of the window. Her eyes were widely open as a sign of shocked and terror was written in them. Nadia shakes her head in dismay as she felt that Maya case was not such an easy task to tackle therefore Nadia had decides to get her partner a doctor and a qualified hypnothesis to assist her with her case. As Nadia was about to leave the room she saw Aden stood by the doorway with intense look all over his face.

“Auntie, you should go and rest. Let me stay by her side tonight.” requested Aden as he step and walk closer towards Maya’s bedside. Nadia nodded and tapped Aden on his shoulder as she walk back towards her room. Aden pull the chair closer towards Maya bedside and sat by her bedside as he looks sadly towards Maya.

The sunny rays begins to shines through between the window blinds of Zaki’s living room apartment. Aleeya begins to feel the tinge of the sun rays on her bare shoulder as she begins to stir and open her beautiful brown dreamy eyes. She was taken aback as she found herself had eventually fallen asleep on the couch. She looks at her watch and it was only turning seven in the morning. It seems that Aleeya was the first person to have woken up, when suddenly she remembers that she had totally forgotten to call Thaqif. She stood up to get her mobile phone from her bagpack which she had place in the room where Maya was sleeping. Aleeya slowly crepts into the room as she does not want to cause any more unnessscary commotion in such an early morning. As she enters Maya’s room she saw Aden was still sleeping on the chair which was place by Maya’s bedside, however Maya was already awake with her eyes wide open giving an empty stare towards the view of the morning skys from the window. Aleeya was uncertain about her own thoughts as she felt so much sympathy towards Maya’s agonizing pain and torment. Aleeya took her bag pack and bring it outside as she took her mobile phone and call Thaqif. It took him almost quite a while before he finally asnwered her call.

“Hello!” replies Thaqif and Aleeya knew he must have just woken up from his sleep as he sounds so grogy.

“Hey! Sleepy head! It’s me.” Cries Aleeya with a grin as she sat on the couch while digging out her bag pack for her clothes, towel and soap.

“Hie! Aleeya..what time is it now?” asked Thaqif as he struggles to open up his eyes to keep himself awake.

“It’s already seven in the morning. So sorry for bothering you at such an early hour.” Utters Aleeya. “Anyway I suppose to call you last night, but it was almost midnight so I decides to call you in the morning instead.”

“It’s okay, I’m glad you did call me as I need to bring my mum for her check up again this morning.” Explained Thaqif as he gets off from his bed and went out from his room bringing his t-shirt along with him.

“Is she okay?” asked Aleeya with concerned in her voice.

“Just her phemonia, but she will be okay as long as she took her medication and go for her check up regularly.” Said Thaqif as he swipe his fringe off his eyes.“I’m still curious which part of town is your hide out?” asked Thaqif.

Aleeya giggles upon hearing Thaqif’s remarks but then she stops as she knew Thaqif does not think this is some kind of a funny joke.

“Alright, I’m at my uncle’s apartment. Nice bunch of people gathering in this house, my aunt and my brother..so please don’t get too worry about me.” Replies Aleeya.

“Glad to hear that. Actually there’s something else which I think you should know.” Utter Thaqif as he stood and walk towards the window and look at the gloom dingy road below his home.

“Spill it out.” Said Aleeya curiously as she finds that it seems she gets too many unexpected surprises recently.

“Well, I’m no longer involved with my biking members…I’ve move on to something else..something more fulfilling.” Said Thaqif with a smile on his boyish looking face.

“Well if this dreams and passion which you have always been chasing and hoping for…and it is something good and positive..I’m all behind you Thaqif.” Replies Aleeya however she was curious about this new discovery which Thaqif had found within himself. “May be you want to share with me, what was it all about?” asked Aleeya s she could not contain her doubts any longer.

“Well. I can’t share with you about this new stuff I’m doing right now, but I shall tell you when the time is right. I promised.” Utters Thaqif as he walks away from the window and headed back into his room and look at the letter on his desk with a smile.

“Alright, take your time to tell me..cause I believe whatever dreams that you had always been craving for it will surely turns out well. I shall remember you in my prayers Thaqif.” Said Aleeya.

“Thanks Aleeya. I’m starting to miss you now.” Exclaimed Thaqif.

“You’re nuts!” cried Aleeya with her darlie grin. “Come on I will be staying at my uncle's apartment for about three weeks during my holidays.”

“Three weeks?” replies Thaqif with a shocked in his tone. “I’m sure during that period we still can meet up.” Continues Thaqif hoping that Aleeya will comply to his request.

“Alright, just set the day and time so we can meet up by the main road which you had sent me off on that previous day.” Said Aleeya as she too felt that part of her wanting to be close with Thaqif..a feeling which she had just discover and never felt before.

“Alright! But this time I’m not going to sent you off just by the main road. Let me properly sent you to your uncle’s home cause that is more appropriate.” Said Thaqif again with concerned.

“Thaqif, I will be fine...” trailed Aleeya as she felt that she was not ready to let her relationship with Thaqif to be make known by anybody else. “Thaqif, please don’t misunderstand me but , I just wanted our relationship to be kept low.” Continues Aleeya.

“I can understand. Alright not by your uncle’s doorstep maybe around a kilometer away from their home.” Exclaimed Thaqif again.

“Alright, Thaqif since you insists but don’t complain if you find the trip is going to be draggy.” Cries Aleeya as she walks by the kitchen and opens its back door which eventually leads her to a small garden with a tiny pond in it.

“I love long trip especially when riding along with you.” Replies Thaqif and then he walks out from his room and stood by his mother’s room and he found that she was still sleeping maybe due to the medication which the doctor had prescribed for her recently.

“Alright Thaqif.” Utters Aleeya she held out her slim fingers and run them through the pond making small twirl off the water as she looks at her own reflection. They spoken for a while and Aleeya was surprised by the other side of Thaqif which she had just known…he was a funny guy with gentlemanerism in him despite all his cool and arrogant features. There’s something which really had drawn Aleeya more towards him is the way how he had care for his mother and the sacrifised which he had made for himself. After they continue to chat and giggle in a while Aleeya hangs up and then she went back in towards the kitchen and place her mobile on the island cabinet. Suddenly she saw the case notes which Nadia must have left on the dining table and it must be the notes about Maya as the front cover of the folder was name after her. Aleeya sat on the chair by the dining table and open up the case notes as she begins to scan vividly through them. It seems that Maya was a street child at her hometown as she spent most of her childhood life begging and stealing for food without any proper home. She can’t even recall who were her parents, or any other family members…all she could remember was she and the other group of children some were as young as two years old will be taken in a big pick-up truck and then they will be sent to the roadside to do their begging or stealing. By the end of the day, the small amout of coins which they could barely get will be cruelly taken by these people and then the next morning they will be sent off to the other district and this has been some kind of a routine life for her and the other children. This heart breaking life which she needs to go through continues until when she turns sixteen and that’s where her life turn to it’s worst point of time. Maya barely turns sixteen when one day she was taken away from the rest of the other kids and was sent to work in a far worst place that Aleeya could ever imagine. Tears begins to well up as she read some of the painful details which Maya had to go through in order to survive and what mades Aleeya almost jump out from her skin was the number of abortion which Maya was force to endure. And all this happen to her when she was only sixteen…sixteen..an age when Aleeya could remember clearly how her parent and Aden had actually threw a surprised party at their home with her uncle, auntie and her beloved cousins had gather together and had a fun time of their lives. The best part of it all when her father had presented her the motorbike which she had always dream off. Aleeya continue to read on with Maya’s report as she tries holding back her tears from falling on her cheeks. Maya had tried to run away from this cruelity but she will often be caught and received such a severe punishment that she could ever imagined. She will be drag into this small dark room despite her struggle as she begs and pleads to stop them from tormenting her. And then she will be dung into the icy cold water without food or clean water for two or three days. One day, she had tried to run again but unfortunately she was caught while she was hiding in between the cartons and barons of beer churns. Once again she was thrown into the dark room but this time her feet was place on the hot burning charcoal. She screamed and beg them to stop all this torment but they laugh and turn a deaf year with all her pleading except for one person whom she can clearly recall. He remains silence and he looks tense towards her projeting a look of anger and protest as though he felt that Maya should not be treated horrifying that way…and he was Ilhan.

“Ilhan, isn’t he Maya’s sickening husband which Aden had told me about?” thought Aleeya to herself. Aleeya continue with her reading and Aleeya doubts was cleared, Ilhan is Maya’s current husband. Ilhan had rescued her from her plight on that night itself when the rest of the ruffians had left town and leave Ilhan incharge of Maya instead. Ilhan knew he can never go back to that place or else he will be kill..therefore he and Maya sneek out from that town and headed back to his village. And that’s where, their relationship started to bloom…eventhough what ever feelings which Maya had for him is purely due to gratitude but not love. Ilhan had managed to get a pass for himself in order to enter into this state however but not Maya, as she did not have any legal document with her as all this time she has been growing up in the streets. Ilhan insists on bringing Maya along with him into this country illegally as he had some contacts from his illicit friends…but with a cost. Maya has to agree to be his wife. When finally they had managed to sneak in to their desired stat,e Ilhan had apparent rent a small apartment which Aden currently had been staying three doors away from them right now. For the first two years of their marrige, they were blessed with enlightment and delightful moment and Maya could almost swear that she will definitely fell in love with this man. However it was on the third year of their marriage when Maya realised that there was some changes with Ilhan’s attitude and behaviour. He quits his job as a cook assistant at the restaurant and decides to get himself with illegal money lending activities instead as he found that, he can made fast and easy cash by getting involved in that kind of horrendous activities . Ilhan becomes spiteful towards Maya and he begins to said hurtful and vulgarity words towards her and that’s where she knew things will not turn out to be a bed of roses for her afterall. Ilhan will always be home in the wee hour of the night drunk…smell of liquir and cannabies. Maya was distraught and heartbroken. Whenever Maya pleads with him to be like what he used to be…thoughful, gracious with his attitude, he will brutally hit and attack her. Maya’s spirit and hope was devastaded and shattered by Ilhan himself…the one who had once save her from the terrible plight..but now he had eventually destroyed and kill her.... tormenting her soul. Things turn for the worst for Maya, when Ilhan had let his ruffian mates to touch and brutalies her and that's where she becomes like a living dead..she becomes numb. Aleeya could not bear read further ahead as her tears begins to fall on her face. She close the case sheets and grips the side of the case notes with a mix feeling of anger and sympathy.

“It’s heartbreaking isn’t it?” asked Nadia as she walk towards the kitchen and stood by the doorway.

Aleeya was startle and she quickly place the case notes on the dining table and stood up to embrace her aunt. “Hie Auntie Nad…! Please forgive me for being nosey..I should have asked for your permision first before peeping through your notes.” Utter Aleeya .

Nadia smile lovingly towards Aleeya sweet and innocent gesture. “It’s okay..did you learned something from it?” asked Nadia as she sat by Aleeya’s side.

“A lot ...and it’s really sadden me. I thought all this horryfying torment only happens in the movie or stories but it does happen in reality. Maya has been through a lot eversince she was just a kid..apparently as a child who does not know anything about the real cruelity walks of life in her society. And all along I had always thought that this such cases only happens way back then in the past but not at this present state.” Said Aleeya as her tears begins to well in her eyes again.

“Aleeya, spouse abuse, immorality and child exploitation still exists and it’s getting worst especially in the other less fortunate countries. A child as young as three years old has been sold off by their own family members on the streets and force to work as a sex worker just to get a mouthful of rice in a bowl. “explained Nadia as she shakes her head in dismay.

“This is horribly insane and inhumane.” Protested Aleeya in disbelieve and now it come to her senses why her brother had been so determined to rescue Maya from her terrible plight despite he knew his own future will be at stake.

“That’s why me and your uncle were trying so hard to keep our ophanage and other charity organisation alife. We have been going to many places to request for some funds, as we need to expand this home not only in our states, but in the other neighbouring countries too cause now the number of street kids has becoming too over whelming and we afraid that our present ophanage home will not be able to cope up with the crowd.” Said Nadia as she stood up to make some coffee. “Thank God Aden had come out with a solution few days ago. He had intend to set up a website, a blog and other form of the internet links for our present orphanage home as he said by using this web thing it could help and speed up the process for our request for fund, donations and recruit more potential volunteers.” Continues Nadia as she look please.

“He’s going to do that? Wow! That’s cool…! I guess Maya had eventually opens up his heart to get himself involved in this kind of aids towards the less fortunate society. Or else he will often be stuck with his camera and live in his own world, other than that he will make used of his time to nag at me.” Cried Aleeya as she grab her towel and stood up and stretch herself. Nadia giggles upon hearing Aleeya’s comments about Aden.

“Because he cares about your well-being.” Said Zaki and that had almost freaks Aleeya out. “Uncle Zaki.” Squealed Aleeya as she rushed into his arms affectionately. The love which Zaki had always felt towards Aleeya was unimaginable. He had always dotes on her just like his very own daughter as he was the one who had always been by her side eversince she was born, before her father Adam had surprisingly came back into her life. “Well there’s something else about you that we both had finally figures out.” Exclaimed Zaki as he swipe Aleeya’s fringe off her face…like how he had always playfully tugged Adam’s long stubborn fringe off his face too during their younger days. Aleeya open her eyes wide as she was surprised by her uncles’s speech.

“All those anonymous cheques, which our organisation had received for the past few months..were actually belongs to you.” Utter Zaki with pride and joyfulness in his voice. “Your late grandma and grandpa will be so proud of you.” Continues Zaki with a smile.

“Oh dear..it suppose to be a secret act.” Exclaimed Aleeya with a blushed. “Hopefully my mum and dad did not figure out about all this as well.”

“Aleeya, good deeds should be make well known especially to your parents..I meant they both got the right to know. And actually, I’ve told them already. Yesterday night your dad did call me and ask about you and Aden. He sounds worried. I already reassure him that both of you are doing fine here and that’s where I’ve decided to tell him about both of your gracious attributes towards our humble organisation.”

“You did?” asked Aden as he took looks shocked after hearing those words from Zaki. Zaki turn to face him and nodded with a grin. Nadia smile while she begins to prepare the toast with butter and jelly. “By the way they might be coming over propably tomorrow in the late afternoon as your father had prepares some neccesary documents for Maya. And maybe later this afternoon, the doctor which your auntie had called in will arrive and check more thouroughly on her.” Said Zaki as he sat at the dining area and sip his cup of coffee. Suddenly the room becomes sudder and gloom as each of them begins to had their minds on Maya’s unfortunate fate.

After they had their quick breakfast together, Nadia begins to prepare some light soup and a glass of milk for Maya's breakfast. Ever since she became hysterical Maya refused to take any food and drinks but only remain motionless. This has cause some worrisome for them cause if this goes on, Maya will be dehydrated and that might cost her life. However after Nadia came back last night, she had inserted a drip line of saline water to aid Maya with her fluid intake. Nadia brings in the food in a tray as Aden follows her from behind. Aleeya was having her shower while Zaki was checking on his email.

"Good morning Maya. How are you feeling today? I've made some soup for you. I shall untie your restrainers but you have to promised me that you will stay calm so that you can have your breakfast." utter Nadia as she place the tray of food on the side table while Aden came closer towards Maya as he wanted to assist her of untying Maya's restrainers. The moment Aden came forward to untie the string she begins to shout and scream.....deafening the entire room. Her eyes was full of fear and terror as she looks at Aden...it seems that she had totally forgotten who he was and that really breaks his heart. Suddenly Maya tugged her right hand violently away from the string until it became loose. Aden tries to hold her down but unfortunately, she scratch Aden's left arm leaving a long mark on it. Aden back off due to the stinging pain as Zaki and Aleeya came forward to help.

"Maya calm now. We won't hurt you..we are here to help you." cried Nadia as Zaki and Aleeya pinned her down on her bed while Nadia quickly ties up her loose hand. Nadia had no other choice but to inject her with another dose of the anathesia to soothe and calm her down. Aleeya look at her brother who still looks shocked and dejected.

"Hey! You okay?" asked Aleeya. Suddenly she saw the long scratched mark on his arm which started to bleed. "Aden, your arm." cried Aleeya in alarmed. Aden was not aware that the mark was pretty deep.

"Aleeya get the first aid box from the shower room and do something about Aden's arm. Let me and your uncle handle Maya." cried Nadia as she check on Maya's vital stats and she knew Maya's physical and emotional state has been worsen. "I hope Angela going to be here soon." utter Nadia as she took Maya's pulse.

Aleeya took her brother to the living room as he sat on the couch and looks distraught. Aleeya begins to feel some sense of sympathy towards Aden cause she could understand how he had felt for Maya. She opens up the first aid box and begins to unscrew the tiny saline water and pour it onto the thin gauze as she begins to clean up Aden's wound.

"This should be fine." said Aleeya while she clear up the balance of the gauze and close up the first aid box.

"Thanks." utters Aden in a small voice.

"Aden! We will help her. This is just the beginning of the challenges which we are facing right now. I believe things will turn out well..just give her time to heal. " said Aleeya as she tries to console her brother.

"Aleeya, you have change. I never expect you to say those words to me. Thank you." replies Aden.

"Please don't get mushy with me. Cause no matter how much we had fought with our words..but you are still my big bro..and I care." replies Aleeya with a grin.

Aden nodded with a smile....and he knew there is always something special about his sister...her weird but unique character, and her strong will and confidence which had actually boost up his moral while enduring all this unexpected happenings at this point of time with his life.