The Bends : Chapter Ten

Aleeya phase around her uncle’s apartment and she was impress with some of the photos which her uncle, Zaki had took and hung them beautiful against the laminate cream wall. She was surprised that Aden seems to share the same interest and passion like him. As she came across the family potrait which was magnificently hung on the dark toffee wall, she walk closer towards it and gently runs her fingers against the details of the potrait. It was the family potrait of her late grandparents, her father and her uncle. She knew this significant work is from her father. Suddenly a tinge of guilt and sadness begins to linger in her thoughts. All this time her parents had love her and their bountiful compassion which they had felt and given her is countless. And then Maya came into her mind, the pain and sufferring which she has been enduring eversince she was still a child, had really opens up Aleeya’s mind to be more thankful for all the great blessings which she had been given, instead of being so rejectful and rebel against her parents for the things and stuff, which she knew it might endangered her. Aleeya take a deep breath and then she went to get her bag pack and took out her mini sketch book, her pencil and eraser. Aden checked on his email for any incoming mails from his college mates if there were any important information which he needs to take note on his notebook as he had plan to go back to his rented apartment maybe later that evening,while Aleeya was busy sketching something on her mini sketch book with her favourite pencil as she had her back laid across the arm chair of the couch just opposite Aden. Aden took a peep at Aleeya’s work and suddenly he recalls that was the lake which their parents used to bring them for their family picnic during their childhood days. Aden could not deny the fact that Aleeya’s artistic talent in her paintings has definitely evolved into something more significantly outstanding far beyond than he and their father had ever expected.

“I remember that place. Our parents used to bring us there whenever we had our family picnic. It has been such along time we have not spend our time together as a family at that lake. Kind of missing those amazing times that we used to have there.” Exclaimed Aden as he looks at Aleeya’s sketch with a smile.

"Yah, everybody seems to be too busy with their own lives now.” Utter’s Aleeya as she continues to elaborate more details of the reflection of the hills in the lake adding some calmness to it.

Aden remains speechless after hearing Aleeya’s remarks. Suddenly he felt guilty about his past behaviour and attitude towards his sister. On the day, when his mother had finds out that he had apparently quit halfway through his mechanical engineering studies, from the college which his mother had choose for him and enrolled himself in a photography thesis instead was that night when he had a heated argument with Aleeya. After he had left his mum with his hurtful words and slammed shut the door while his mother was still standing in his room, he took his helmet and headed towards his bike as he intend to head towards the city area to clear his thoughts. Along his way towards the city, he had passed by several coffee houses, when suddenly he saw Aleeya was sitting around that café with a bunch group of other bikers and from Aden’s view he saw they were mostly guys. Aden was furious upon seeing his sister mixing around with them especially it was almost half past midnight as he looks at his watch while he get off from his bike and took off his helmet.

“Aleeya!” he yelled angrily towards her. Aleeya was stunned but then she stood up from the rest of the gang but not moving an inch. “Come back here.” Yelled Aden again. However Aleeya insists not moving any inch but remain motionless at her position as she stares angrily towards Aden. Aden walk towards her and her bunch of gangs with intense look written all over his face and without thinking twice, he roughly pulls Aleeya towards him and stared directly at her. “Are you deaf? Can’t you hear that I’m calling you?” shouted Aden again and his voice had made people around the café to turn and face them.

“Aden, if you want to make a fool of yourself by all means, but don’t come and embarrased me.” Cried Aleeya as she tugged her hands away from Aden.

“You are embarrased? Do you know what time is it now? It’s already coming to one in the morning and you are still here hanging around with your bunch of worthless friends.” Exclaimed Aden as he points his fingers towards Aleeya’s friends. "Get your helmet, you are coming home with me now." warned Aden.

"Come on Aden! I just wanted to chill out with them since my examination is over. Anyway mum knows that I will be staying at the chalet which one of my friends had rented." protested Aleeya as she backs away from Aden. Aden look around Aleeya's friends and what he saw was definately a sore to his eyes.

"I don't care...you get your helmet..and come back with me." cried Aden again.

"No way!" yelled Aleeya as she walks away from him. Aden pulls Aleeya's hand and drags her towards his bike as he intends to get her helmet from the coffee table.

"Hey! Come on man..be cool alright! We are her classmates so don't get too work up." cried one of Aleeya's guy friend.

"You stay out from these." warned Aden as he stare intensely towards him. After he took her helmet and force her to put it on, he gets on his bike and stares angrily towards Aleeya as a sign that she too better get on the bike with him. Aleeya was left with no other choice but to comply.

Upon reaching home, Aleeya fumes inside the living room as she threw her helmet against the coffee table until it accidently hits her mother's flower vase and cause it to crash to several pieces onto the stone marbel floor.

"It's that how you are showing your anger towards me Aleeya!" shouted Aden.

"Aden, how about you? Have you ever thought about my feelings when you had apparently makes me look stupid in front of my friends." yelled Aleeya with tears in her eyes.

"What is going on here? Aden..Aleeya?" asked Zaharah as she woke up from her bed and was shocked to hear all the shouting and yelling.

"Just because father has left town, you took advantage of this situation and do things as you please." cried Aden again ignoring his mother's remarks.

"Hey! for your info..mum and dad knew about this outing which I'm having with my friends. Stop sticking your nose around other people's business." exclaimed Aleeya furiously.

"Friends huh! What kind of friends are you having? Let me warned you Aleeya, stay away from those bikers...cause I knew those people in will come to no good in the end." cried Aden.

"You know nothing about my friends! Why don't you get a life?" shouted Aleeya as she points her finger towards her brother.

"Aleeya, don't be rude to your brother. I thought you were having your night out with your school mate...but why did you lie to me?" asked Zaharah as she was disappointed that Aleeya was not telling her the truth about her chalet night.

"Because none of you..none of you could ever accept my point of view...even if it was the truth." yelled Aleeya as her tears begins to fall on her cheeks. She took her helmet and dashed into her room as she bangs the door shut.

Zaharah could not believe this is happening as tears begins to well up in her eyes. She look at her broken vase and she felt that as though her heart was shattered along with it. Aden look at his mum and he felt sorrow...cause all this while he had never loose his temper in such manner...and then he realised it was due to his misunderstanding which he had with his mum earlier that evening and eventually he had blasts out his frustration towards Aleeya instead. Zaharah walk towards her broken vase and carefully she took the broken pieces and place them on her palm.

"Mum, let me help you clear this. Why don't you go to bed?" said Aden as he stood down and gently took the broken clay from his mother's palm.

"Aden, I know...you are angry with me. But I'm not blaming you. I've been selfish for not opening up my mind about your passion. About your sister..I shall handle her. But what upset me the most she had lied to me and your dad." utter Zaharah sadly.

"Mum, I felt that I've been too harsh on her. Maybe she got her reason for doing so...I don't know." replied Aden as he look lost and confused with his own self and his attitude.

On the day when Aden had finally decides to leave his home to pursue his thesis in the other side of the town, his parents however were not around at that point of time as they were both caught up with their business at the other states. Aden had his bagpack on his back and his helmet on his right hand. He looks at Aleeya’s room. It has been almost two weeks now and they both had not been spoken with each other. No matter how hard Aden had gives in and tries to spark a conversation with her, she will just ignored him and pretends that he does not exits much to Aden's dispare. Even during dinner time, Aleeya simply refused to sit at the same table with Aden. The moment when Aden decides to join them for dinner, Aleeya will stood up from her seat and brings her dinner towards the living room instead and had her dinner there despite she has been call and repriminded by their father.

Aden was not giving up, he place his bagpack on the couch and walk towards Aleeya’s room. He stood infront of her door and pluck up his courage to knock on her door however Aleeya simply refused to budge and lay on her bed with tears in her eyes as she still feel sore after all the words which Aden had spoken to her.

“Aleeya, I knew you are still angry and upset with me..but can’t we at least be civilised and try to talk things out.” Cried Aden hoping his sister will change her mind and opens the door. However, it seems that Aleeya was not accepting any kind gestures from Aden at all. “Aleeya, I’ve got to go now..and I’m sure you know that I’m moving out from our home…so we won’t be seeing each other a lot now. Come on Aleeya,…I have to reprimind you because I care..and I love you.” Continues Aden again but still there was a remote silence from Aleeya’s room. Aden feels so dejected and decides to carry on with his journey anyway. Aleeya wipe her tears away as she walks towards the door and open it.

“Aden.” She calls out Aden in her meek voice as he was about to step out from their home.

Aden turn to face his sister and he knew she has been in tearful state. Aden walks closer towards her with a smile and wipe the falling tears of her face. And then he took something out from his pocket. “I saw this at one of the gift shop around here and I thought that you might like to have it.” Exclaimed Aden as he hand it to Aleeya’s palm. Aleeya took it and saw that it was a beautiful butterfly silver with some lilac coloured pattern bracelet.

“This is beautiful Aden. Thank you.” Utters Aleya as she still had her sight on the pretty bracelet. “I’m sorry for being rude to you. I know you’ve got the right to correct me anyway.’ Said Aleeya as she looks into Aden hazel brown eyes.

“Me too..I should not have get myself so work up and blast at you without reconsidering your feelings at the first place.” Utter Aden as he look at his sister big brown eyes. “Promised me one thing Aleeya, that you will stay out of trouble now that I won’t be around.” Request Aden with intense look in his voice and sight.

"Alright, pinky swear.” Cried Aleeya as she held out her little finger and tugged Aden’s little finger. Aden smile and playfully tossed her hair before he left with his bike towards his desired destination.

"Aden, hey where were you? I've been calling you but you seems to be so lost in your thoughts." cried Aleeya as she tossed the small pillow from the sofa towards Aden. Aden was startle as he was not aware that he has been so deeply rooted about his previous episode with Aleeya.

"So sorry...what were you saying?" asked Aden.

"I want you to take a look at this potrait which I had sketch recently." said Aleeya as she flip through her sketch book and show him her previous art piece. Aden took the sketch book and take a closer look at her drawing.

"Wow..this is so pretty." exclaimed Aden as the picture which Aleeya had shown him was the sketch of the bracelet which Aden had given her. "But why didn't you put it on?" asked Aden curiously.

"I don't want to loose it...but I shall put it on only during some special occasion." replies Aleeya with a smile.

"Okay..on your wedding day?" asked Aden with a grin.

"Yueks..gross who's getting married anyway." cried Aleeya as she twitch her lips in disgust and then they both had a good laughed. Deep in Aden's heart he feel glad as all the misunderstanding and tiffs which he had with his sister has been resolved.

"We both need to go to the airport to fetch your aunty's friend so is it okay if we were to left both of you around here with Maya?" asked Zaki as he took his car keys followed by Nadia behind him.

"We should be fine." replies Aden as he stood up to walk Zaki and Nadia towards the door.

"You both can have those sandwiches for lunch which I've have prepared just now. Do take care alright.' said Nadia before she and Zaki left in their car and drove off.

The journey towards the airport from his apartment was only about half an hour. "Just now while you are preparing lunch Adam called." said Zaki and he looks solemn while he had his sight focus on the road as he was driving.

"Oh yah! Was it about Ilhan and Maya?" asked Nadia as she too looks tense when she saw the look on Zaki's face.

Zaki nodded. "Ilhan is recuperating well now but he will be charged and hopefully detained for his ruthless acts. However he refused to sign the divoice paper and insists on wanting Maya to be his wife." replies Zaki and he sounds worried.

"That crazy bastard." replies Nadia furiously. "What else does he wants from her? Hasn't he had made her suffer enough." continues Nadia as she shakes her head in disbelieve. "I'm sure there's something which we can do about it?" exclaimed Nadia as she vows to fight for Maya's freedom and give her a new breath of life and hope.

"Adam is trying to get the best lawyer to deal with this case. By the way Adam and Zaharah will be coming over to our place tomorrow late evening." utters Zaki.

"That's good..then we can discuss further about this matter. I knew Zaharah too was determined to fight for Maya's rights and freedom cause her mother Marrisa was a victim of spouse abuse too." said Nadia sadly as she knew this horrible acts of spouse and child abuse still lingers in this present society and it seems to get worst on each and every decades. Nadia looks at Zaki and then she breaks into a smile...as she felt blessed to have found him as her pillars of strength and courage in fighting for the woman and children's rights. Is its his past mistakes which had open up his heart to many amazing and beautiful experience which he had shared with Nadia. The feeling of content and satisfaction in every child that they could ever save from poverty and horrendous plight is simply worth the risk taken.