menunggu pagi (peter pan)

Peterpan - Bintang Di Surga

The Bends : Chapter Twenty-Two

It was almost late afternoon, however there seems to be lack of crowd at the supermarket much to Sarah's surprised as she slowly wheeled her shopping cart around the juice section. She crank her neck all along the shelves as she was scanning for her no-sugar cranberry juice but to her dismay she can't find any of that. She pushed her cart further ahead and then to her delightful, she found it, however it was place right at the top of the shelves which is far beyond her reached. She stand on the tip of her toe as she struggles to get a grip of the juice box, when suddenly someone had eventually reaches out his hand and took the juice down for her.

"Hie aunty, remember me?" asked Aden as he grin and place the box of juice into Sarah's cart.

"Aden, yah. How could I ever forget a face like that." exclaimed Sarah with a small laughter. Aden blushed and smile upon hearing that remarks from her.

"Are you alone?" asked Aden concerned as he looks at her shopping cart which was almost full to it's brim with all the groceries.

"Yah, my son..he's off for his duty again. Usually, he will do the shopping for me." utters Sarah while she rummage into her handbag as she was looking for her purse. "How about you, are you here all by yourself?" asked Sarah as she looks at Aden after she finally found her purse.

"Aden, there you are! Where have you been?" asked Zaharah while she took her shopping list out from her purse and as she walk ahead towards Aden suddenly, her legs stood froze on the marble floor when she realised Sarah was standing next to her him.

"Mum, there's someone whom I want you to meet? By the way, I still haven't got your name yet aunty?" asked Aden with a smile. Sarah eyes begins to well up in her eyes cause she knew from her sight, Zaharah was not looking pleased at all with this.

"I've got to go." utters Sarah much to Aden's surprised as she rushed along with her cart towards the cashier, however she left her groceries along the counter and limp as fast as she could towards the exits without turning back. Aden was about to give chase.

"Just leave her." utters Zaharah sternly.

"Mum, what's wrong?" asked Aden as he could not believe how his mother could have the heart to say such words.

"Are you still with me with our groceries shopping, or if you want to bother yourself with her then do carry on." exclaimed Zaharah furiously. Aden shakes his head in disbelieve however he remains with Zaharah and together they did their shopping in silence. Zaharah could not ever imagined that Sarah had eventually had met Aden..but how? That question begins to run through her mind just like the same rewinding of a tune. Then anger which she had once felt towards her for being such an irresponsible mother, by literally ditching her son into Adam's arm is simply agonising memory that could not be torn away from her mind. And now, she just wants to come in between her and Aden...an unimaginable episode which she prays will never cross her path. Zaharah still continue with her own thoughts as Aden drove along the road which was loaded with other vehicles...and has eventually cause them to stuck among the heavy traffic.

Aden turns towards his mum and he saw his mother was crying. "Mum, are you okay?" asked Aden as he gently wipe the fallen tears off from her face. Zaharah looks towards her son and smile meekly as she nods her head. "If you are okay, then why are you crying? I'm sorry mum if I have make you upset." utters Aden.

"No Aden." replies Zaharah as she reaches out her hand and caress his face. "Do you love me Aden?" asked Zaharah as she looks sadly towards her son.

"Mum, of course I do. I'm so blessed to have a mother like you." utters Aden gently as he looks lovingly towards Zaharah. "This must got something to do with that aunty right?" asked Aden teasingly. Zaharah smile meekly as she adjust her long veil around her hair while Aden continue with their journey along the crowded road. However deep in Aden's thoughts, he too begins to wonder, why did the lady rush and not even telling him her name after seeing his mother..and the sudden change of attitude which his mum had potrays was certainly a behaviour which he seldom see and that could ever came from his mother. Yah, he knew his mum can be overly-protective towards her love ones but, what harm can an old lady like that could ever cause him.

"He propose to me." exclaimed Aleeya as she carefully fold in her latest paintings one by one into her case.

"Aleeya, and you agrees?" asked Maya while she helps to unscrew Aleeya's paintings off from the wooden frame. Aleeya, froze and stare hard towards her case. "Don't rush into this...I just don't want you to be hurt and fall like me." continues Maya with concerned in her voice.

"I just simply don't know what am I supposed to do now. I'm so confused and lost." cries Aleeya with tears in her eyes. Maya came closer towards Aleeya and hold on to her shoulder. "Maya, I've got to go and sent my orders." said Aleeya at last, as she stood up and picks her case and her helmet before she left towards their room and headed towards the door. Aleeya stood by the garden porch as she tries to keep herself compose. And then she put on her helmet and hop on her bike as she ride off towards her desired destination.

Carrying her case on her left hand, together with her helmet, Aleeya slowly walk towards the painting shop, however her mind was not with her at all as she seems to be so daze and lost in her own thoughts. Aleeya stood by the trafic light while waiting for the red men turn green..but soon Aleeya lost her focus and decides to cross despite the trafic was still showing the red men. Aleeya was shocked when a car drove along and almost knock her down, however, suddenly she felt that she was being roughly pull back towards the kerb.

"Watch where you are going?" cried the gentlemen towards Aleeya as he pull her close to him. Aleeya was still in shocked and did not realised that she had accidently flung her case and her helmet towards the cemented ground. Aleeya released herself from the men's grib with tears in her eyes as she bend over to pick up her half open case, which had cause some of her art work to be thrown off the wet ground together with her helmet. The gentlemen help Aleeya to collect some of her wet painting and hand them towards her. "I guess that's it. It looks ruin." exclaimed the men. Aleeya ignores him as she stood up, and quickly walks away from him as she wipe the fallen tears of her eyes. As Aleeya enters the same shop which she had often sell her art works, as usual, there seems to be nobody at the front counter much to her annoyance. Suddenly, she heard the entrance door was open and it was the same guy who had rescue her from being knock over by a car and the one who had eventually helps her .....picking up her damaged works.

"I was on my way here too." he utters. "Remember me, I'm Izrey..the one who was interested with your leopard painting." cried Izrey as he reaches out his hand towards Aleeya. Aleeya smile meekly but she just literally does not seems interested to get in conversation with this strange man. Aleeya begins to ring the front bell frantically cause she begins to feel uneasy as Izrey just could not get his intense eyes off her.

"Aleeya, you are late. I was waiting for you just now and since you are still not around therefore I settle some of my stokes at the back." exclaimed Nancy the shop owner.

"This is all I've got for today..I guess the rest is ruin.... thanks to the wet ground." utters Aleeya monotonously. Nancy begins to check on Aleeya's latest painting and smile...however she can't do anything with the destroyed ones. Soon, Nancy begins to write a cheque for Aleeya's payment when suddenly Izrey stood beside Aleeya. "Miss, how much will you sell for those paintings?" he asked as he points his finger towards Aleeya's spoil art works. Nancy was surprised by his request....however Aleeya was not impressed at all. "It's free..you can have it all if you want." exclaimed Aleeya as she shove the whole lot of her wet painting towards his arm and then she headed towards the door and left.

"Missy, wait up!" cried Izrey as he give her a chase.

"Just what else do you want now?" asked Aleeya feeling so annoyed and irritated by his gesture.

"Well, actually I have been an avid painter watcher. I mean, I collect paintings and will pick the best of the whole lot..and display them on a road show or an exibition." cried Izrey excitedly.

"Oh! Really, so do you know Ahmed Adam?" asked Aleeya sarcastically. Izrey look lost and she knew he was just another imposter. "Ahmed Adam..he's my father and the best painter in this state ever. Well, I'm surprised that popular name does not seems to ring a bell to you, so don't come and bullshit with me..telling me you are some kind of an art collector." exclaimed Aleeya again as she walks away from him and headed towards her bike. Izrey stood froze on the ground as he watches Aleeya rode off away from his sight.

Zaharah place the groceries on the table while Aden and Maya help her to store them in the cabinet and other storage compartment. "Mum, maybe later, I need to be off to the library." said Aden after he had done with stacking of the rice packet into the cabinet.

"All right sure, will you be home for dinner?" asked Zaharah as she took of her veil and place it into the washing machine.

"I guess, I will be back before dinner." exclaimed Aden. "Maya, would you like to come along with me?" asked Aden as he looks at Maya who was seems to be so engrossed arranging the fruits into the fruit bowl. And then Maya looks at Aden..but without saying anything.

"Yah, why don't you go along. I've hardly seen you going anywhere, apart from being and back to school. Once in a while, you still need to chill out." said Zaharah lovingly as she push Maya's hair away from her eyes.

"Okay..sure."utters Maya as she nod meekly with a smile. "I shall go and get change." said Maya again as she headed towards her room and put on her sun-dress.

"Ride carefully Aden. Maya enjoy yourself all right." utters Zaharah with a smile as she watches them ride off with Aden's bike until they were out from her sight. Zaharah was aware towards both of their feelings with each other, and she does not object to their relationship as long as they both do not jeorpadized their studies and future. She and Adam even had plan about Aden's and Maya's marriage soleminasation in another three years right after Aden had partly inherit Adam's company and be one of the financial manager there. And Zaharah knew, about Maya's future plan which she had craved for herself...she wanted to be a a professional social worker and councellor like Nadia as she felt..after graduation..that is the best time for her to contribute something for the society..and help those young girls who had been merciless rape and exploited and give them the light and hope which she had been blessed with."Hopefully we

"Hopefully,we still got the time to do some reading and borrowing of books here." exclaimed Aden as he allows Maya to get off from his bike first and next followed by him. After they both had removed their helmets off and held them within their arms, Aden carried his bag pack which was loaded with books which he needed to return back to the library. As they headed towards the stairways which led them towards the library, slowly Aden held on to Maya's hand as he looks at her with a smile. Maya blushed as she held on to his warm hands and the feeling of being blessed with love was simply remarkably extraordinary. There's no compulsion which she used to had when she was force to stay on with her traumatic marriage with Ilhan...as the thought that someday Ilhan will revert back to his gracious and compassion attitude was dashed and smeared by his horrifying deeds of selling her dignity just to satisfy his needs. Upon reaching the library, Maya went ahead towards the reading section while Aden queue up along the returning books section of the library. As Maya was phasing along the section of books on biographies, she stood froze as she sense someone was following her. Maya turn her back quickly, however there seems to be no one behind her at all. Maya shuts her eyes and took a deep breath. "This is just my imagination." thought Maya to herself. Maya begins to focus on her search for an interesting book and then she saw one which was on the middle shelf which was an eye level to her. Maya reached out her hand to pick the book when suddenly she thought she saw Ilhan's eyes in the midst of the shelf right opposite her. Maya drop the book as she step backwards and bang on a book shelf behind her, causing several books to drop off from it.

"Maya." called Aden as he gently grab her hand.

"No." cried Maya, and then suddenly she realised it was Aden.

"Maya, what's wrong?" asked Aden with worried and tense on his looks.

Maya turns her attention towards the shelf section which she had thought she saw Ilhan was staring hard at her...but there seems to be no one around. Maya shakes her head as she tries to fight back her fears and tears from creeping inside her again. "I'm okay. I thought I saw a cockroach....and it almost freaks me out." replies Maya meekly.

"A cockroach?" asked Aden with a grin. "I've found what I have wanted. How about you?" asked Aden again as he shows Maya some of the books which he intend to borrow. Maya notice most of the books which Aden took were about management programme....some were self-development books and not forgetting more on photo-taking techniques. Maya picks the book which she had accidently drops on the floor and show it to Aden. "Interesting." exclaimed Aden as he flip through several of it pages and summarise few of it contents.

"I think I've already found what I've wanted." utters Maya as she pulls Aden and headed towards the borrowing section.

"We still got time." cried Aden gleefully as he place his books together with Maya in his bag pack as they both headed towards his bike.

"Got time for what?" asked Maya. "Aden, can't we just go back now?" pleads Maya.

"Maya, it's only half past seven. Come on let me bring you to my favourite spot of this town." utters Aden as he pass the helmet towards Maya. Maya was not too keen about Aden's idea of bringing her around this town....it was not that she do not trust him..it's got nothing to do with it at all. It was just that the sudden fear and chill has begin it power to overcome her new found courage..much to her dismay. "Maya, look at me. We will be okay." utters Aden as he could sense Maya's sudden onset off fear as he looks into her doe eyes. Maya looks straight into his hazel brown eyes and soon that fear begins to subdue..and was replace with soothe and calmness.

"All right." exclaimed Maya with a smile as she took the helmet from Aden's hand and put it on.
"Wow, the view here is simply magnificent." exclaimed Maya as she twirl around the open field..and as she took in one deep breath, she could smell the fresh meadow leaves. The open field seems to link itself towards the lake which was located ten feet away from them. Aden looks at Maya with a smile as he felt so much joy just seeing her being so free and joyful... away from all the pain and trauma which has been shattering her spirit back in the past. And then he took his small digital camera from his bag pack and begin snapping some of Maya's candid shots...much to his amusement.

"Aden, I might look silly!" exclaimed Maya as she ran towards Aden and warned him to stop. Aden continue snapping more photos of her as he laughed and giggles. Suddenly, Aden seems to miss his footing and fall backwards towards the field, bringing Maya along with him. Maya's baby soft hair which she let them loose against her shoulder touches gently on Aden's face. Aden runs his fingers and begins caressing her hair and pushed it behind her ears and then he gently caress Maya's eyes...cheeks and her lips. Maya quiver by his touch...but she remain close on top of his body..allowing the warmness off his skin against her. And then she slowly brings her face closer towards him and allow her lips to touch against Aden's. Feeling the soft lips of Maya against him and the light fragrance of Maya, had simply mesmerized his soul as he hold on to Maya's slender body closer towards him and response to her light kisses. Aden stops when Maya slowly drew her face away from him, however she still had her doe eyes on him. Aden gently caress Maya's back before he lays her down on the soft grass and bring his lips back closer towards her's and give her the gentle kiss, which had made Maya's heart tremble and quiver in such an imaginable motion. The sound of the rustling wind and the soft flow of the vast lake had simply brings in so much pleasure and delightfullness for them. Aden brings his lips away from Maya and soon, he begins to nib the tip of her right ear and then he had his lips gently gliding next on the side off Maya's neck and shoulder as he pulls down the sleve of Maya's pastel baby blue sun-dress...sending some ticklish but warm sensation on Maya as she moves her body forward in response with Aden's warm but gentle kisses. Aden begins to move his hands lower towards Maya's body and slowly he begins to remove few buttons of her dress....and begins caressing her ample bosom . Maya close her eyes as she held on to Aden's neck....she seems to be drift away being in Aden's warm..and gentle touch as she begins to give soft pleasing moan. Suddenly, Maya's mind begins to linger back towards her traumatic past and the sudden fear of being forcely taken ran back into her mind ..when the thought of Ilhan and his beastly behaviour sips fast into her thoughts.

"No...Aden stop it..please!" cried Maya as she struggled beneath Aden's warm brazen body as she tries to push him away from her. Aden bring his lips away from Maya's abdomen as he stops abruptly..while Maya quickly sat up on the grass and tremble as she tries to button her blouse back again. Aden slowly reaches out his hand as he gently carress Maya's tearful face and slowly, he helps her to button up her blouse. "Please forgive me Maya..I just get carried away with your beauty." utters Aden as he looks guilty for his doing.

Maya held her trembling hand towards Aden's face and gently carress his fringe off his brow. "No! It's got nothing to do with you at all. It is just me..the same fear keeps on coming back to me now and then to haunt me. I'm not strong enough to just let it go..!" trails Maya sadly.

Aden brings Maya's hand close towards his chest. "I'm going to help you..get through these.I love you Maya." utters Aden.

"I love you too." said Maya as her fear has finally been soothe and taken away by Aden's gesture and gracious manner, and she knew Aden will never hurt and traumatized her. It seems that Maya had found the pillar of hope and strength from Aden's genuine love and compassion.

"Aden, I have bought something for you from this unique gift shop, which me and Aleeya went few days ago." exclaimed Maya as she took a tiny porch from her dress pocket and hand it towards Aden.

"For me?" asked Aden with a smile. Maya blushed and nodded. Aden remove the string off the porch and dig his fingers inside the tiny porch. And then he pulls out a leather necklace with a tiny dark blue pendant that comes with it. "Wow, Maya this is so cool." cries Aden as he begins to look at the blue torquise pendant in his hand.

"Come, let me put it on for you." utters Maya as Aden let Maya clip the necklace around his neck.

"Thanks Maya, it will stay on with me as long as I live." whispered Aden as he gently kisses Maya's hair. "It's getting late, come let's go back home." said Aden as he stood up and helps Maya along too.

Zaharah read the newspaper as she looks at the clock on the wall and it was almost late evening. As usual Adam won't be back that early as he needs to get and take notes on the new incoming order for the following month ahead.

"Madam, this is it." exclaimed the cab driver. Sarah looks upon the familiar front garden porch and fear came into her mind. "Why was this home seems to be so familiar?" thought Sarah to herself. However, after she paid the cab driver the fair, she step out from the vehicle and slowly limbed towards the front door. Her hand begins to tremble as she rang the door bell. Zaharah was startle upon hearing the door bell and wonders who could it be...it is simply impossible to be Adam. Zaharah place her newspaper back on the coffee table as she stood up and walks ahead towards the door and open it..and what a shocked she had when Sarah was the one who was standing right in front of her.

"Zaharah?" Sarah seems to look shocked herself as she was not aware that it is Zaharah's and Adam's home which she had gotten, after she had managed to get the correct address from Thaqif's journal and her plan of coming over to Aleeya's home was made unknown to her son.

"What do you want?" asked Zaharah sternly as she put her arms across her chest.

"Aleeya, is she your daughter?" asked Sarah faintly.

"How did you know that name?" asked Zaharah sarcarstically. "You have almost gotten my son, and now ,what do you want from my daughter? Just stay away from their lives."

"Zaharah, I know..I admit it is my mistakes for leaving Aden under you and Adam's care. I really feel so grateful and thankful for the love and compassion which you both had given to him..which unfortunately..I have failed to do. But can't you just let a tiny bit of your heart to ever have some mercy and forgiveness for my misdeeds." cried Sarah with tears in her eyes.

"Why now Sarah? Why now?" cried Aleeya furiously. "Where were you when Aden was crying mercifully for his mum to be back with him? Where were you, when Aden fall sick now and then and been asking for his mother even in his sleep? Have that thought ever cross your mind before you decides to ditch him?" cried Zaharah again with tears in her eyes.

"Zaharah, I have been punished for my sin..please don't punish me any more." pleads Sarah.

"Just listen to me Sarah...stay away from my son." warned Zaharah as she points her finger towards Sarah ailing face.

"How about Zaki? You willing to just forget about all that terrible things which Zaki had done to you..but why was it so hard for you to forgive me?" cried Sarah as she closed her lips with her palm as she tries to control herself from her sobbing.

"You want to know why, because he was fast to rectify his misdeeds and seek forgiveness from God..that's why." cries Zaharah. "Twenty-two years Sarah...twenty-two years..me and Adam had brought Aden up like our very own..so please now I plead with you..just don't ever step into his life again." cried Zaharah as she turn her back against her and then the thought of Aleeya flash back into her mind. "And what had Aleeya got to do with you?" asked Zaharah as she turns to face her again intensely.

Sarah begins to tremble even more when suddenly she recalls, her main attention of coming over to Aleeya's home and meet her family was to seek her hand of marriage..however she was not aware Aleeya was Zaharah's and Adam's daughter. "Zaharah, it's about my son and your daughter." begins Sarah as she regains back her composure. Zaharah remains quiet however she gave her an intense and firm look as Sarah begins to quiver with her words. "I will like to seek your daughter's hand of marriage for my son, Thaqif." requested Sarah.

"How dare you? Which part of my word that you do not understand? My children... their lives got nothing to do with you and your family." utters Zaharah furiously.

"Thaqif, he wants to set things straight and right again. Please you've got to agree with this marriage." pleads Sarah as tears keeps on falling on her wrinkle cheeks.

"And jeorpadized her future..a stupid mistake which you have done to yourself?" asked Zaharah with a smirk on her face.

"Zaharah, pleased..don't let things get worst as what it's already." pleads Sarah as she looks away from her.

"What has your son did to my daughter? My Aleeya? Tell me?" yelled Zaharah as she grip Sarah's arm and shaked her angrily.

"Please forgive my son..!" cries Sarah. Zaharah almost felt faint when at last she understood the whole situation right at that moment.

"Tell me this is all lies. You just want to get back at me..cause I have your son's love, that's why you are telling me all these lies." yelled Zaharah as she widen her eyes furiously. Sarah becomes helpless as she begins to wept continously. "No! No! Just because you have ruined yourself and now..you have purposely sent your son to ruin my Aleeya. " cried Zaharah as she pushed her towards her front door.

"Oh God! Zaharah, please we can always discuss things to prevent more unwanted sin to be committed." pleads Sarah. Zaharah shakes her head in disgust as she turns to face Sarah with so much anger and hatred in her eyes.

"This marriage is forbidden. About how I'm going to deal with my daughter has got nothing to do with your life and your son's life. Now get out of my house..and don't you ever dare come in between their lives ever again." yelled Zaharah as she roughly pulls Sarah and pushed her out from her home as she shut the door with a loud bang. Zaharah's heart was shattered to million little pieces as she can't believe her daughter could bring herself to her own downfall into such a terrible plight. She crept slowly towards the couch, as Zaharah begins to wept bitterly and those words which Sarah had spoken to her had simply cut her right through the core of her spirit. Suddenly she heard the roaring of a bike that had just being drove into the front of their garden porch. Zaharah remains motionless until the door was open and she knew it was Aleeya.

"Mum, the front door is not lock and so is our gate." exclaimed Aleeya as she place her empty case and helmet on top of the coffee table.

"What else that you feel, that we have not given you enough Aleeya?" asked Zaharah as she tries to control her tears from falling.

"Mum, I don't understand?" replies Aleeya as she remove her jacket and place it on the armchair.

"Please don't pretend as though nothing happens." utters Zaharah however she simply refused to look at her daughter much to Aleeya's dismay. Aleeya remains speechless as she begins to took her empty case in her arms again.

"What has Thaqif did to you?" asked Zaharah sternly. Aleeya was shocked as fears begins to slip in right through her soul. "Why did you do it Aleeya? How could you smeared and destroyed your future just like that?" yelled Zaharah as she stood and walk away from Aleeya with her arms across her chest.

"Mum, please for give me mum. Mum...!" cried Aleeya as she came closer towards Zaharah ....wanting to held her in her arms.

However Zaharah pushed her away from her in anger. "Is this how you repay us Aleeya? Huh! Where has your Faith gone too?" cried Zaharah furiuosly and then she went into Aleeya's room and headed straight towards her closet.

"Mum....please don't turn your back on me...please forgive me mum." pleads Aleeya tearfully as she held on to her arms and not wanting to let go. Zaharah ignores all her pleading as she rummage into Aleeya's closet and took most of her clothing and dump them onto the wooden laminated floor.

"No daughter of mine, could ever bring her down so low as to easily give herself away to a man." cried Zaharah in tears. "Pack your stuff and leave this house. You ran away before right? So you think can survive being on your own. All right so be it..get out from my house!" cried Zaharah furiously as begins to lose her sense of composure...her heart was hurt..hurt and betrayed by her beloved daughter...whom she had pin so much hope and dreams upon..and all that has been dashed and shattered.

"Mum, what's going on here?" asked Aden as he enters their home bringing Maya along with him. Maya knew, the water has been spilled as she looks at Aleeya who was weeping tearfully for mercy towards Zaharah. However Zaharah simply ignores all her pleading as she continues to ransacked Aleeya'a wardrobe and threw a bag pack towards her. Maya went over towards Aleeya and held her in her arms as she tries to calm her down.

"Aleeya, what happened?" asked Aden again curiously as he saw Aleeya's clothes has been thrown onto the floor and seeing his mother to be in such a furious state....a state which he had never once ever seen before as long as he could ever remembers.

"Aleeya, pick your clothes and leave." cried Zaharah as she bits her lower lips and clench her fists in anger. With heavy heart, Aleeya picks her clothes and place them in her backpack as she continues to wept tearfully.

"Auntie, maybe we could still talk things out?" pleads Maya as she held on to Zaharah's arm as she can't bear to watch Aleeya leave, not knowing where she might be heading too.

"Maya, this is between me and my daughter." utters Zaharah tensely as she gave Maya a stern look of warning.

"I'm her brother, so I've got the right to know." exclaimed Aden as he held on to his sister's hand not wanting to let go.

"Leave her Aden." warned Zaharah with tears in her eyes and her heart begins to hurt after she break those words. Aleeya wipe the falling tears from her face as she begins to regain her composure and then slowly she, picked her bag pack and headed towards the front door without turning back.

"No! Mum, I can't just let her go like this." exclaimed Aden as he dashed towards his sister and pulls her back in. Suddenly, Aden felt a sudden sharp pain on his chest and the agonising pain begins to travel back towards the nerve of his right arm. His vision begins to get blurry and he felt faint. Aleeya saw the agonizing look on Aden's intense features as she turns to face him.

"Aden are you okay?" asked Aleeya with tears in her eyes cause it simply pained her seeing Aden was struggling to fight this terrible pain off him. Suddenly, much to Aleeya's horror, Aden lost his conciousness. Aleeya was just in time to held him with all her might in her arms and slowly brings him down.

"Aden!" called Zaharah frantically.

"Maya, quick call for an ambulance." cried Aleeya.

"How is he?" asked Adam as he rushed towards the ward as he saw his whole family was there.

"The doctor is still checking on him." utters Zaharah with tears in her eyes. Aleeya sat on the chair along the corridor away from them as she begins to cry silently. Maya came closer towards her and sat beside her as she hand her a piece of tissue from her purse.

"Thanks!" utters Aleeya sadly. "This is all my fault. None of this would have happen, if I should be more wise and not get too impulsive with my on needs and desire." exclaimed Aleeya as she begins to sob. Maya held on to her shoulder, however she remains speechless.

Suddenly, Adam's phone rings and he knew it was Zaki who was on the line. "Zaharah I need to take this call for a while." said Adam. Zaharah slowly nods her head as she let Adam away from her sight as he was not allow to use the phone around that restricted area. Zaharah then turns her attention towards Aleeya who seems to look shudder and remoseful for all this happenings. "Please forgive me God." exclaimed Zaharah with tears in her eyes as she held her palms and cover her face. And then she brings her palm down again by her side, and continue to let her sight lingers back towards on Aleeya. Zaharah begins to feel horrid about herself and the things which she had said and done to her daughter. Zaharah was extremely furious for the misdeeds which Aleeya had literally cause to herself..but where else can Aleeya turns too and gain back her pillars of hope and courage, if it's not from her family. Zaharah knew, Aleeya has been hiding this traumatic incident from her, cause she could just reflect back on her own weakness ...for not being listening to her daughter's plight and cry for help. Such an irony, as a social worker this such cases is simply norm...but why, why was it so hard for her to accept the fact that her very own daughter had fall into that category. Zaharah clench her fist again. "No! Adam must not know about this....not at all." thought Zaharah to herself. "This will simply breaks him." utters Zaharah to herself again. At last she stood up from her chair and slowly walk towards Aleeya and Maya..however both of them did not realised that Zaharah had came closer towards them as they both remain silence within their own thoughts.

"Aleeya." utters Zaharah as she held out her arms towards her.

"Mum." cries Aleeya as she stood up and embrace Zaharah with all her might and not wanting to let go.

"It's okay baby. It's okay." utters Zaharah as she gently caress Aleeya's hair.

"Zaharah, the doctor needs to speak to all of us..including you Maya." said Adam softly as he came close behind Zaharah. Zaharah wipe the falling tears of Aleeya's face as she held her hand and Maya along with her.

Aden was already concious when they enter into his room, but several drip line and a blood transfusion were inserted into his vein. Aden smile upon seeing his family faces again and the joy of seeing his mother holding his sister's hand is simply unimaginable.

"All right, I have done several blood test on your son, and it seems Aden had some form of blood disorder disease. He had this major thalesmenia and his white blood cells are mutating in such abnormal rate. He needs to received blood transfusion almost very month or else his condition could just deteriorate." explained the doctor.

"It's there any other way that could be done?" asked Adam with concerned in his voice.

"I need to check on both of you..as I need to find out if both of you or either one of you is a carrier. " explained the doctor. Upon receiving those request by the doctor, Adam and Zaharah knew the consequences, the hidden chapter which both of them has been sealing deep into their heart will finally be open...be reveal.

The Cranberries, Dying in the Sun

The Bends : Chapter Twenty-One

It has been almost two months now that Maya had become part of Aden's family. And the transition which Maya had shown was remarkable much to their enlightment. Aleeya and Maya become so close and they often can be found together giggling and sharing their thoughts and views on certain happening. It was not difficult for Maya to be attached towards Aleeya as Aleeya just like her father, was someone who was easy to get along with due to her warm and humourous personality. At the very beginning when Maya first came into their home, she feels kind of uneasy as she had never feel and being treated with so much love and compassion throughout her life. And Zaharah and Adam has indeed brought the childlike which has been to deeply hidden inside Maya as now Maya begins to feel more warm and easy towards them. And to Zaharah...Maya is a remarkable teenager and she will be a significant woman one day. Aleeya will be graduated from her high school and was still awaiting for her final examination result which will determined her into a suitable college for her enrolment thesis. However Aden was in his final term and was facing his final examination too..therefore he was hardly at home..as he needs to stay behind for his extra classes and tutions and at times he will need to go for his private photography classes. Aden had decides to further his studies at the local university. Like what Zaharah had earlier plan for Maya, she had sent her to a private school and even call in a private tutor as Maya was given the right to have an ample education and to Zaharah, age is not a barrier of striking certain goals and dreams. And to their surprised, apparently Maya was a gifted student. She managed to learn and garps her lessons fast...and from what her teachers had commented on her, Maya was diligent and was such an enthusisatic student. At times Aleeya or Aden will spend some of their time, listening to Maya's reading correcting her and guide her with her pronouncing on certain words.

The magnificent view of the green hills was simply mesmerising and Maya begins to fall in love with these serene and soothe feeling which she had always been yearning for.The cool evening breeze blew gently brushing against Maya's soft delicate skin. She close her eyes as she let the wind lingers straight into her mind and soul. She gently open her eyes and then she held the butterfly pendant necklace which Aden had given to her and then she had her view on the pretty pair butterfly pendant instead which she had put in the chain and wear it around her neck with a smile...however, suddenly her heart begins to shudder as tears begins to well in her eyes. The thought of Ilhan came into her mind...she just could not let it go...despite how she was horribly mistreated. "Why was it so hard for me to forget you..after what you have done to me?" cried Maya softly to herself.

"Maya." it was Aden as he slowly came towards the veranda. Maya was startle as she quickly wipe the tears off her face.

"Maya, what's wrong?" asked Aden concerned as he came closer towards her and gently wipe the tears off her cheeks. Maya was taken aback by Aden's gentle gesture however she slowly walks away from him and had her view towards the significant green hills instead.

I thought I am strong enough to let it all go, but it seems I'm not." utters Maya as she shut her eyes not wanting to shed another tear for the one who had almost destroyed her.

Maya, we are all here with you..I'm with you." utters Aden as he walk closer towards her and held her in his arms. "Maya, I'm ......I'm in love with you..and after I've made up my mind right after I've graduated from the university, I'm going to take you as my wife."

"Aden, it's not worth it..I'm not worth it. You should find yourself a proper girl unlike me..you know what I used to be.." utters Maya with tears in her eyes.

"Does it matter?" asked Aden as he brings his face closer towards her and gently kisses her lips. Maya held her hands around his neck however as Aden begins to held her body more closer towards him, she struggles and push him away. "Please forgive me." said Aden alarmed. Maya walks away from him and walk straight into her room, without turning back as she closed the door behind her. She stood by the door for a while and then she sank down on the floor as she begins to cry silently.

Aden came closer towards the door and stood there for a while as he begins to trail with his words, "Maya, I did not meant to do that...it won't happen again, I promised you."

Maya knew Aden will never hurt her in any other ways but she feels too deeply rooted towards her past and it seems not right for Aden fall for her. However, as Aden begins to knock gently on her door, Maya stood up and crept slowly towards the door. Her hands tremble as she opens the door and there she saw Aden was fighting back his tears from falling from his amazingly hazel brown eyes. Maya stood froze for a moment however something inside her mind begins to urge her to walk closer towards him. Maya reaches out her trembling hands and gently caress Aden's intense features. "Our path crosses too many times right from the very beginning, I simply can't deny the fact that, a tinge of wanting to have you close to me has been lingering and troubling my soul during that point of time. When you had often told me to run and you even offer to take me with you some place safe...you would not have known how much my heart was leaping for joy....but I was afraid..afraid to let it go..and leave it all behind. Cause I don't want him to hurt you...I must have fallen in love with you to have such care and concerned feelings about you." utters Maya as she looks away from Aden's eye.

Aden reaches out his hands and caress her soft dangling hair. "I just knew I need to do something to save you cause I will be living a life of guilt if I were to just ignored your silent cry for help." utters Aden. Maya walk into Aden's arm and let him held her close to him and the feeling was simply content and amazingly beautiful.

"Are you in with me?" yelled Aleeya towards Thaqif as they both had their bikes side by side.

"Not a chance I'm going to lose to you again." cried Thaqif with a grin.

"We shall see about that." cried Aleeya with her darlie smile as she step on her motor bike gear and speed off the road which was laid upon the side of the vast lake.

"Hey, you cheater! I'm not ready!" cried Thaqif as he too ride on with his bike trying to catch up with Aleeya.

The weather was simply magnificent, adding together with the breathtaking sceenary as the two bikers race each other on the vast, bendy roads which was entwine with so many links of other paths which seems to lead them from one place to another.

"Yes..it's always me again the champion.." cried Aleeya as she took off her helmet and place it on her bike.

"I let you win this time." utter Thaqif with a smile.

"Oh! Really! However, so far it was always me winning the race against you." giggles Aleeya.

"Because you cheat!" cried Thaqif as he wanted to grab her hands, however Aleeya was quick enough to avoid him and they begins to play some chasing games around the edge of the lake. Suddenly, Aleeya miss her footing and fall into the lake much to Thaqif's horror.

"Aleeya!" he cried and panics begins to grow in his heart as he saw Aleeya was struggling in the water as she tries to keep herself afloat. "Aleeya, hang on." cries Thaqif as he jumps into the lake..trying to rescue her from being drown. However, Thaqif sinks faster towards the bottom of the lake as it seems Thaqif was a none swimmer much to Aleeya's horror. Aleeya who knew some basic swimming skills, wasted no time as she dives in and grab Thaqif's body as she swims back towards the shore bringing Thaqif along with her. Thaqif begins to cough frantically as the water of the lake begins to choke up his lungs.

"Thaqif, are you all right?" asked Aleeya in alarmed. Thaqif nods his head but he was still coughing frantically much to Aleeya's despair. "You can't swim?" asked Aleeya again. Thaqif shakes his head. "Then why did you jump?" asked Aleeya with tears in her eyes cause she feels guilty for the trick which had almost cost Thaqif's life.

"Because, I can't lose you." replies Thaqif. Aleeya threw her arms around Thaqif. "Please forgive me, I won't do that kind of stupid thing again." utters Aleeya meekly. Thaqif held on to her and gently carress her wet dangling hair.

The bon fire was set ablaze upon the sandy lake as they tried to dry and keep themselves warm.

"For the past few days spending my time with you is simply wonderful." utters Thaqif as he looks into Aleeya' s doe brown eyes. Aleeya nods her head with a smile. "Tomorrow I will be gone again, and this time, the period will be so much longer." exclaimed Thaqif. Aleeya looks towards the blazing warm bon-fire but she remains speechless. "Aleeya, will I going to be part of your future?" asked Thaqif.

Aleeya change her attention towards the bon fire and looks intensely towards Thaqif's greyish blue eyes. "I guess...yah!" replies Aleeya sortly with a smile.

Thaqif brings his face closer towards Aleeya and kisses her lips as he brings his hands and begins to carress her face..and bringing it down lower towards her neck and her body. Aleeya was shocked by his gesture but she begins to get herself drift away by his warm touch. Thaqif laid her down on the sandy ground and look into her eyes, and Aleeya feels good as the warm of his body begins to weakened her and she felt so much pleasure as Thaqif's begins to had his lips play around the tip of her neck and then down towards her ample body. Slowly Thaqif begins to untie the string of Aleeya's blouse...however Aleeya who was already being drunk with this new found passion allows herself to be touch by Thaqif.

It was almost half past ten and the bon fire begins to dim out due to the strong gushing wind. Aleeya sat half naked by the bon fire with tears in her eyes. She can't believe she could simply give herself away just like that...all this time she thought she was strong enough to fight it..but she's not. Thaqif sat closer by herside and had his hands around her as he begins to brings his lips closer towards Aleeya's bare back and linger his lips upon it.

"Thaqif, stop it!" cried Aleeya. "I need to go." utters Aleeya as she dress herself and walk towards her bike.

"Let me take you home." said Thaqif as he puts on his shirt and walk beside Aleeya. The pain which Aleeya had felt at that point of time when Thaqif had her...was unbearable. "Aleeya, I'm sorry...I was lost with my own desire." utters Thaqif again as he looks sadly towards Aleeya.

However, Aleeya simply ignores Thaqif's every word as she felt betrayed and the trust which she had on him had shattered into tiny bits and pieces. Aleeya place her helmet on her head as she got on her bike and speed off the road with a broken heart back to her home.

Throughout her journey back home, the feeling of guilt and anger sips into her soul. She felt stupid and hopeless..but it was too late..all was done and can't be undone. Upon reaching her doorstep, Aleeya quickly adjust her blouse and her mini skirt as she tied up her mess up hair in a bun. She rub her hands agaisnt her tearful face cause she knew her dark kohl and mascara on her eyes and eyes lids must have been smeared by her tears. Aleeya took her house keys as she begins to unlock the door when suddenly someone had apparently opened the door for her.

"You can ring the bell." exclaimed Aden with a grin. However Aleeya, walk pass him and went straight ahead into her room as she close the door. Aden was confused by Aleeya's sudden change of mood. She seems to be so bubbly before she went left but now the sudden outburst. Aleeya threw herself on her bed as she begins to sob uncontrobaly. Maya who was seeing busy reading her novel was shocked upon seeing Aleeya to be so upset.

"Aleeya, what's wrong?" asked Maya gently as she place her novel and sat on the bed with Aleeya as she caress her hair. "Aleeya, come on tell me?" coaxed Maya as she can't bare to watch Aleeya in such a distraught behaviour.

Aleeya sat on her bed and then suddenly she threw her arms around Maya's neck and held on to her with all her might. Aleeya was trembling. "I've smeared my family good name." cries Aleeya sadly.

"Aleeya, say this is untrue." utters Maya as she wipe the tears of her cheeks.

"I have blindedly give myself to him." exclaimed Aleeya tearfully.

"Did he force you?" asked Maya sternly.

Aleeya looks sadly towards Maya and then slowly she shakes her head. Maya shuts her eye but she held on to Aleeya's trembling hand. "Maya, nobody must ever know about this matter. You've got to promised me on that." pleads Aleeya.

"He should be responsible with what he had done." cried Maya with concerned in her voice. Aleeya looks away from Maya. "Aleeya, do you know the risk which you have taken?" asked Maya again. Yet again Aleeya still remains speechless.

Aden will be having his last examination paper the next day, therefore he has been busy revising his notes and texts. When suddenly there was a knock on the front door. Aden looks as his watch....and it was almost half past midnight. He knew his parents were not coming back tonight as they need to deal with some accounts at his father's company. Aden stood up and walk towards the door and as he opens the door he was surprised as he saw a young man stood right infront of the doorstep. Aden then saw the prominent tattoo on his right hand and he begins to frown. "Looking for someone?" asked Aden sternly.

"I need to see Aleeya." utters Thaqif.

"So you are Thaqif?" asked Aden again. "It's pretty late, what's the urgency anyway?"

"Please sir..I really need to speak with her." pleads Thaqif.

Aden walk towards Aleeya's and Maya's room and knock on their door. "Aleeya, Thaqif is here..he wanted to see you for a while." said Aden.

"Aden, Aleeya is unwell..just tell him to leave." utters Maya as she opens the door.

"She's unwell..but she was okay just now?" exclaimed Aden worriedly.

"Aden, please just tell him to go." said Maya again.

Aden walk back towards Thaqif who was looking remoseful much to Aden's curiousity. "It's getting late, maybe you should just leave." exclaimed Aden.

"Aleeya, please I need to see you...!" cried Thaqif as he tries to barge into their home.

"Hey! What's your problem? Didn't you hear what I have just said." yelled Aden as he pushed Thaqif out from his home.

Maya and Aleeya panics when they heard the commotion outside their room. "Aleeya, you stay in here. Let me take a look." said Maya towards tearful Aleeya as she walks out from their room and there she saw Thaqif was still persistant on wanting to see Aleeya.

"Aleeya, please forgive me." cried Thaqif as he tries to force himself into their home again. But even before Maya could do and say anything, Aden had threw a punch on his face sending him fall backwards towards the concrete floor. "Didn't I warned you. Now, get out from my house and don't ever let me see your face again." yelled Aden as he begins to lose his temper. In the end Thaqif left tearfully on his bike and was out from Aden's sight. Aden then turns his attention towards Aleeya's close room. And Maya could sense things will be tense at any point of time. Maya rushed towards Aden and held on to his arm, "Aden, she's unwell and she's resting right now." utters Maya.

"She owns me an explanation about that." said Aden firmly as he opens the door and there he saw Aleeya was still crying tearfully.

"What has he done to you?" asked Aden calmly. Aleeya still remains speechless as she clench her fist and held on to her knees bringing them close to her chest.
"Answer me Aleeya?" yelled Aden on top of his voice making Aleeya trembles even more.

"Aden, please calm down." pleads Maya as she sat close towards Aleeya and hold her in her arms.

"He's seeing someone else..behind my back." lied Aleeya as she tries to avoid any eye contact towards Aden. Aleeya was afraid..afraid that Aden might do something unrationally towards Thaqif if the truth were to be make known.

Aden closed his face with his hands and then he walk closer towards his sister and sat on the floor as he held out his hands and held on to hers. "Aleeya, have I've not told you before, don't get yourself too attached with him." said Aden gently. The guilt and remoseful feeling begins to sip more deeply into Aleeya's soul and without hesitation she threw herself into Aden's arm and begins to wept tearfully much to Aden's and Maya's despair. Aden carress his sister hair and looks at Maya who was already in tears.

"It's okay..it is his lost. You still got your family around you..who loves you and cares for you. You are still young...there's so many amazing and wonderful experience awaiting right ahead of you." said Aden as he tries to console her. Aleeya let go of him and nods her head. "I've make some hot chocolate..go and have them before it turns cold." utters Aden again as he playfully tugged Aleeya's fringe off from her brow. Aleeya smile meekly and watch until Aden walks out from their room.

While packing his bagpack, he just could not brush Aleeya off his mind. "What have I done?" that question keeps on rewinding in his mind. He sat on his bed as he held his palm by the temple of his head while shutting his eyes. "No matter what, I will always stand by her and be responsible for what I have did. The sin which I've commited. I'm too lost with my own lust..Oh God please forgive me." cried Thaqif as he begins to tremble. Sarah who was about to enter into her room, stops abruptly by Thaqif's bedroom when she heard Thaqif was crying.

"Thaqif what's wrong?" asked Sarah worriedly as she sat by his side and had her hands on his hips. Thaqif held his mother's hand and bring it close to his face as he continue to wept.

"I've committed a terrible sin mum." whispered Thaqif.

Sarah begins to feel alarmed upon hearing those words from Thaqif however she tries to remain calm while she waited patiently for Thaqif's next unspoken words. "I have hurt someone whom I love...!" utters Thaqif. Sarah knew all about her son relationship which he had with the girl who had came and visit them few months ago. "Do you mean Aleeya?" asked Sarah with concerned in his tone. Thaqif nods his head sadly.

"Couldn't you set things straight again?" asked Sarah.

"Mum, I have took advantage of her weakness. I've been too lost with my own lust..without even thinking about her feelings and dignity." cried Thaqif.

Sarah stood up from his side and lift up her hands as slap him hard across his face. "Have I not taught you well? How could you?" exclaimed Sarah as she gave her back towards Thaqif and rub her hands on her ailing chest.

"Mum, please forgive me mum..please don't turn away from me." cried Thaqif as he came close towards his mum tearfully.

"Do you think this is not simple? The sin which you have committed and not forgetting the trauma which you might cause her?" sigh Sarah with tears in her eyes.

"Mum, I will take full responsibility for the damaged which I've done to her...but right now she refused to see me and talks to me." trailed Thaqif sadly.

Sarah close her eyes when her son held his hands on her shoulder and she could feel that Thaqif was devastated and remoseful for the things which he had did. "Thaqif, no matter what you have to do something about this. Thaqif, be honest with me, did you force her?" asked Sarah as she turns to face her son intensely.

Thaqif remains speechless as he looks away from his mother. "I don't know." utters Thaqif feeling confused with his own response.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Sarah furiously.

"It..it just happen." replies Thaqif meekly.

Sarah shut her eyes again and then she left him all by himself in his room...and sank her back on the couch in the dark when suddenly she begins to recall the day when she too had made a grievious mistake by giving herself away to the father of Aden...Zaki. She was visiting Adam at his home one late evening, however Adam was still not around at that point of time. It was Zaki who had welcome her into their home. At first she was feeling unsure off being all alone with Zaki but she trusted him cause despite she's been engage with Adam but she do have a platonic relationship with Zaki....and Adam understand don't seems to mind about it.

"He's been out for quite sometime now. Would you like to have some drinks?" offered Zaki.

"It's okay. I just had mine." replies Sarah as she flips through the magazines which was place under the coffee table. Zaki was seeing busy flicking his camera away as he becomes immersed with his hobby. Sarah soon lose interest with her reading as she decides to sit beside Zaki on the couch as she begins to take a look at some of the photos which Zaki had taken previously. Sarah was impressed with this hidden talent and begins to comment and talk about them. They were so engrossed with their conversation as laughter and giggling could be heard between them. Suddenly, Zaki begins to touch her long dark hair away from her bare shoulder and push it behind her ear as he looks intensely towards her dark set of eyes. Sarah becomes mesmerise by his hazel brown eyes as she becomes lost in the maze of this new found desire. Zaki bring his face closer towards her and kisses her lips...and this had definately startle her however she just let Zaki's brazen desire go further ahead...without even considering about her feelings for Adam anymore. Zaki knew Sarah was weakened by the warm touch of his hands on her body as he slowly begins to unbutton her blouse and let him do whatever he pleases with her bare body. However Sarah begins to struggle as she feels that Zaki was going too far when he pins her down on the couch and wanted to carry on with his lust. Sarah begins to wept as fear crept into her soul...and she just could not believe this thing could ever happened to her...however Zaki seems to know about her anxiety as he begins to tame that fear away and give her the pleasure that Sarah had never imagined..and at last Sarah give in towards his desire and let him took control of her mind and body. As they were both being lost with their web of passion, they did not realised Adam had came back....and the anger and shocked which he had rise up to his core as he hits and kicks Zaki furiously.

And then he turns to Sarah and was about to strike her, however he turn his back against her instead and says "Get out of my house you bitch!" Sarah was heart broken upon hearing those hurtful words from him as she begs and pleads for his forgiveness. Adam pushed her away and went straight into his room feeling betrayed and battered.

"Mum, it's time for your medication." utters Thaqif as he brings Sarah's medicines with a glass of water and place them on the coffee table.

"Thaqif, do you love her?" asked Sarah at last as she can't bare to watch the solemness on her son's face.

"More then I can say." utters Thaqif.

"How about her?" asked Sarah.

"I don't know mum..after what I have done." exclaimed Thaqif sadly. "She refused to take my call...I just tried again but she hangs up."

It was almost dawn, however Aleeya just simply could not shut her eyes. Maya was already awake to do her morning prayer and then she will be off to her class together with Aden.

"Aleeya, how are you feeling now?" asked Maya as she sat beside her and held her hands.

"I don't know Maya. Upset, angry with myself. It's not fair for me to blame Thaqif on this cause I had apparently allows him to..touch me." exclaimed Aleeya with tears in her eyes. Maya held on to her hands when suddenly, Aleeya mobile phone rang again. Aleeya slowly picks her phone and she had guess right it was Thaqif. Aleeya was about to shut it off again however Maya stops her.

"Aleeya, let him say his words." Aleeya held her phone towards her ears but she remains silence.

"Aleeya, I know you are there..please give me the chance to atone for my mistakes...my sin. Once I'm back from my trip, I'm going to set things straight and take full responsibilities for the things which I've done to you." utters Thaqif, however Aleeya still remains silence as she stare intensely towards the painting of her white shallow. "Aleeya, if the trust which you have on me is still there, please do meet me by the lake this evening before I leave for my trip." requested Thaqif. Aleeya shuts her phone off and sat on her bed but her focus was still on her painting.

"Maya, are you ready?" it was Aden knocking on the door.

"Aleeya, I've got to go." utters Maya. "Be strong all right." Aleeya nods her head and smile faintly as she watches Maya picks her school back and her mini lap top before she left the room.

The soft rippling sound of the water in the lake..together with the trees and rustling of the evening breeze does not seems to content Thaqif's anguish heart. It was almost an hour however there was still of Aleeya. Thaqif's begins to feel the huge lump in his heart begins to sink deeper into his soul. In the end sadly Thaqif knew, it was over when suddenly he saw Aleeya was standing all alone by the side of an old but huge tree at the side of the lake. Thaqif slowly walks to her and he knew she was still crying. Thaqif could not contain his sadness and guilt any longer as he let his own tears fall from his greyish blue eyes.

Seeing the sun set beneath the green hills by the lake, as the orange sky begins to give in to the darkness of the night was such a calming sight as Aleeya and Thaqif spend the rest of throughout the evening sitting side by side but without words spoken between them. However, after Thaqif had sent Aleeya back home just by stopping her by the wooden bench which was situated right acroos her home, Thaqif took a small ring from his pocket and place it onto Aleeya's palm.

"Once I'm back..I shall amend the wrong deeds which I've cause you. I'm going to take you as my legal wife.Remember me in your prayers." exclaimed Thaqif as he gently caress Aleeya intense features.

Aleeya lays on her bed as she looks at the tiny silver ring which she had place it on her dressing table. With tears in her brown doe eyes, she knew this gravious mistake which she had done to herself..will change everything about her bends of life ahead..her future and her dreams.

The Bends : Chapter Twenty

The cloudless sky spread vast beneath the dried land, together with the warm sunny afternoon bringing down it's zealous heat upon the barren road. The journey was roughly around ten minutes, however Umyrah decides to take this long route instead just to clear her thoughts. It has been almost a month now Maya has been under her constant care....and seeing her emerge from her hollowness bends into something extraordinary remarkable person in such a short period of time was something that had really sparks more courage into Umyrah's soul, uplifting her determination to continue guiding and inject strong sense of hope into Maya's new found life. Umyrah was thankful Nadia and Zaharah for their constant support of making these unfortunate woman to breath and live a better lives. However Umyrah can't deny the fact for the first two weeks of handling Maya's case was such an agonizing and challenging moment for all of them. All those horrifying nightmares, keeps coming back to haunt Maya, during her very beginning of her stay at the welfare home. For almost a week, Maya begins to get restless and behave in such a hysteria manner much to Umyrah's and Nadia's dismay, but they never give up hope. As Maya begins her hypnothesis treatment, by God's Grace, Maya was able to control her tormented emotion, even though it was not easy during the very begining of the treatment.

"Maya, stay focus on the sound of the flowing water of that fountain and relax." utter Umyrah as she sat across Maya nearby the lake which was located behind their shelter home. Maya begins to comply and stared hard towards the lake as she begins to focus on the sound of the slow flowing of the mini fountain. "Take in four breath, blow out four breath, stay focus." Maya did as what was instructed by Umyrah. Umyrah remains silence for a while until she could sense that Maya unconcious mind was not with her but was taken aback to her past as she realised the pupil of Maya, ash brown eyes begins to stays numb on the sight of the fountain and her breathing becomes heavier. A moment which Umyrah knew things can gets out of hands, therefore she had Nadia by her side.

"Maya, who stand with you right now?" asked Umyrah.

Maya who still had her eyes stared intensly towards the fountain begins to open up her hidden thoughts. "Reena,Ilhan and Aden." utters Maya shortly.

"Do they meant something to you, a significant someone?" asked Umyrah again while Nadia busy jotting down the details of the treatment.

"Reena, she's smiling towards me, telling me she will be home soon...her pain and suffering is gone." cried Maya softly sending some chilling moment towards Umyrah and Nadia. And then she remains silence for a while. "Ilhan..he's behind me....coming closer....stay away from me...!" yelled Maya in her still sub-concious state. Her breathing gets heavier by now as cold sweats begins to form on her body and then she begins to tremble. "Aden, his hands coming to take me....his taking me away." exclaimed Maya as she draws out her hand as she begins to visualise Aden's was there bringing her away from her sorrow. "But..he's in pain. Aden." cried Maya as she wakes up from her unconcious state however she can't recall all the things which she had mention towards Umyrah and Nadia. Few more therapies were then carried out on her and yet again it was the same episode of such visualise scenario came into her mind. Nadia then decides on group therapy session however, Umyrah was not keen to start Maya on that, cause she knew Maya seems to keep her fear and whirling emotion within herself.

"Talk to me about your nightmare." requested Umyrah during one of the hypnothesis session.

Maya who was already being put under sub-concious state flickers her eyelids several times and then the aries of her ash brown eyes begins to stare blankly towards the ticking clock which was hang on the white wall in her room. "There were so many flicking lights...the glaring rays hurting my eyes, I'm all alone...in this open space...too many lights but I can't see a thing...the strong rays seems..ironically had blinded me." and then she stops for a moment but her brows were frowning as she seems to be lost within the lights.

"Are you afraid Maya?" asked Umyrah.

Maya remains silence. "It's colourless...where is the ground? I'm falling....fast..my hands searching for something to grip to hang on too...!" gasped Maya in desperation. "Something had caught my hands...it was Ilhan." trailed Maya. "Where's all the compassion and gracious attributes which you used to have..gone too?" yelled Maya. "I love you." whispered Maya with tears in her eyes. Umyrah and Nadia was shocked after hearing those words from Maya's unconscious state however as professionals they remain status co. "The blazing fumes engulfing us, Ilhan don't let go..come back. The pain is unbearable..the fire has touch me..Ilhan safe me." screamed Maya and then she begins to become restless.

"Umyrah, bring her back." exclaimed Nadia as she fears things might be out of control.

"No. We need to assess her further on these." utters Umyrah as she insisted to carry on with Maya's therapy.

Maya begins to swing her arms all around her as it seems she was struggling to get away or trying to hang on to something. "I'm losing him among this thick smoke. The torny branches emerging from the groundless surface...tangling me...all over me...piecing right through my skin." Maya's breathing gets heavier by now much to Nadia's fear.

"Umyrah, we've got to bring her back." ordered Nadia.

"If you can't bear to watch this, just leave us alone then." said Umyrah sternly. Nadia sat back on her stool as she clench on her pencil more tightly now.

"What is your hope now?" utters Umyrah towards Maya who was still struggling within her own thought. "Are you fighting hard enough Maya?" demands Umyrah.

Maya screamed and cries, deafening the room. "Marsha, my hope. Let the fire burn me, releasing me from this entwine branches." yelled Maya.

"Are you released now Maya?" asked Umyrah again.

"The branches has been burn together along with me, but I'm released..I'm free." gasped Maya but from her features the tormenting pain has been replace with courage.

"You have fought well, Maya. You had used the weapon which is against you to release yourself, from your fear and your pain." exclamied Umyrah. "What can you see next?" asked Umyrah.

"Marsha..my source of hope and courage." utters Maya with a smile.

"Is that all?" asked Umyrah again.

"The white garment of faith and the glaring light..seems to dim out ....evolve into something beautiful..it is colourless but amazingly soothing to my heart." continue Maya.

"All right, I'm going to bring you back. Be ready." exclaimed Umyrah as she snap her fingers towards Maya's right ear.

Maya wakes up from her sub-conscious state and blinks her eyes several times. "I'm sensing something, thoughts and uncertain emotion all at once. I don't know...but it's beautiful." utters Maya and from there Umyrah knew Maya emotional state has beginning to heal.

"Can you recall back what you have been through just now, cause for the past few session you were not able to?" asked Umyrah as she held on Maya's hand.

Maya remains silence for a moment and then she sat up straight on her stool as she bites her lower lips.

"Betrayed, battered and bruised.....by him." utters Maya with tears in her eyes.

"Maya, do you still love him despite all the terrible things which he had done to you?" asked Nadia.

"I guess, I've been to bind with his mind games of controlling me." said Maya. "Not a single day I've not pray and ask God to change him back to what he used to be..but I guess God Gracious has plan something more worth the waiting then just been bind with him." continues Maya. "I can be someone worthy cause God has laid a new path for me, a new direction to start all over again and never to fall back...and feel trap again...being buried with my own fears and broken soul. By God's Grace, Aden came into the picture and I feel so deeply grateful to all the help which he and his family had given me..only God could Blessed them with his Divine Love and Compassion."

"I'm sure they will be pleased knowing that you are recovering sooner or later." utters Nadia with a smile of enlightment.

"Miss you are here." cried the cab driver bringing Umyrah back from her daze. Umyrah paid the cab driver the fair and then she steps out of the vehicle. Umyrah took her case notes with her as she enters the welfare home which was located at Maya's country origin. After placing the case notes on the desk, she headed towards Maya's room, however she was not around.

"Where's Maya?" asked Umyrah towards one of the attendance of the shelter home.

"She's still at the mosque." the attendant replies.

"Thank you." utters Umyrah with a smile as she looks at her clock and it shows prayer time is over, but she went straight ahead towards the mosque which was located just behind the home itself. As she enters into the prayer room, and there she saw Maya dressed in her prayer garment was sitting on the prayer mat with her eyes close. From there, Umyrah saw Maya's features were beaming with the glow of contentment and courage. Umyrah sat on the prayer mat five feet away from Maya when suddenly Maya realised she was not alone.

"I'm sorry Madam, I'm just to immerse with my prayers I did not realised you are coming." said Maya with a sweet gentle smile.

"It's okay." utters Umyrah with a smile. "It's been a month now, and from what me and Nadia had assess, you have fought well. This is new you. Praise to God."

"I've made up my mind on these." utters Maya as she hands her a seal envelope.

Umyrah took the envelope from her hand and unseal it as she begins to read the content and then she smile. "Finally." cried Umyrah as she nods her head.

"It's about time..I should have done that long time ago...but I'm too afraid. But now, things are different now. Ilhan is history." utters Maya as she had sign the divorce declaration cert and with that, Maya is free.

"Oh! By the way someone has given me something to hand it over to you." exclaimed Umyrah as she hand the paper bag which she had bring along with her before she came into the mosque. Maya took the paper bag and slowly opens it. She saw a small gift box tied with a pastel pink ribbon. Maya untie the ribbon and open the box...and she saw a beautiful pair of baby blue with some silver lining butterfly pendant with a silver chain all around it. And then there was a note that comes along with it. Maya begins to flip the note side to side and then she smile meekly, "I....I..can't read." utters Maya meekly as she smile sheepishly. "Please can you read it to me?" requested Maya politely.

Umyrah took the note from Maya's hand. "This note is from Aden. Okay then..even if it's some kind of more personal note?" asked Umyrah with a smile. Maya blushed as she looks at her prayer mat.

"Maya, It has been almost a month now ,I've not seen you but I've heard so much about you and Praise to God, you have beginning to show some positive signs of healing. This butterfly pendant it some short of represent you, a caterpillar which has emerged from it's cocoon has found it's wing as it had transit itself into a butterfly...with so much beauty, grace and courage. Maya, I have been thinking a lot about you..lately. I don't know why. One day, I shall be there to meet you. I shall remember you in my prayers. Your Friend Aden." Umyrah fold the note and place it into Maya's hand. Maya took the note with tears in her eyes..those beautiful words which has been written just meant for her had really touches her heart.

"Maya, I'm sure you know about Zaharah's planning of wanting you to be part of their family? Have you come to that decision yet?" asked Umyrah with concerned in her voice.

Maya remains silence for a while as she held the pendant in her hands. She can't deny the fact that she has been thinking about Aden too..however she was afraid...whenever she thinks about her broken life...she becomes remoseful. "Aden and his family had done so much for me...too much and I feel that I have been imposing too much on them. I just.." trailed Maya speechless.

"Maya, it's not that you are not fit to be place in our home..but you have a bright future ahead of you...and sadly, our home can't provide you and some of the girls around here the adequate education and skills which all of you deserve, due to our shortage of volunteers and funds. Therefore this is your best chance to move ahead with your life." exclaimed Umyrah. Maya held the pendant close to her chest however her tears fall softly on her cheeks. "Maya, they were bunch of nice people, trust me. Please don't dissapoint Zaharah on this..cause I know why. Late Ana had taught her well. Zaharah she came from a broken family too. After her mother gave birth to her in jail, she and her brother was cared by their ruthless aunt. Things got worst when her brother was accused of raping their daughter and he was sent away to the town area. Apparently, Zaharah's mum and Ana were good friends...therefore before anything bad happen towards Zaharah, Ana took her in as her daughter in law. And I guess that's what she's been trying to do right now." explained Umyrah.

"What have Zaharah's mother did, that she was sent to jail?" asked Maya.

"Zaharah's father was an abuser...she suffered in silence so much within his hands. Until one day, she shot him dead." replies Umyrah. Maya becomes numb and remains silence again. "That's why, she does not want this kind of thing happens to you. Maya, it's never too late for you...to gain the happiness which you have been always wanting..to have a proper family to guide you along with your dreams." utters Umyrah again as she held out her hands and wipe the falling tears off Maya's face.

"Mum, what do you think?" asked Aleeya ethusiatically as she show her the new setting of her room. "Maya can have that potion of my room..while I can still do my paintings in daddy's working room." cried Aleeya.

"It's lovely Aleeya." replies Zaharah proudly as she phase around Aleeya's room. Aleeya's work place has been transform into another part of the room. A new single bed which Aden and Aleeya together had managed to fix despite all the arguements which they both had about fixing the right screw into the right bolt. And they even had to dismantle the whole bed as Aleeya had fixed the head board at the end of the bed. There was a two door closet has been place against the wall that comes in together with a dressing table. The light pastel violet bed spread and curtains that match along with it has been used. "Aleeya I'm so proud of you..Thank you." exclaimed Zaharah with tears in her eyes.

"Mum, please don't cry...we should be happy by doing this. At last, I had a sister..even though she's well two years older than me but...better than nothing." utters Aleeya with a smile. Suddenly she recalls back the moment when her mum was having a baby after a year their father had came back, however things were not meant to be...her mum lost her baby and the doctor had told her the chances for her to have anymore children is very slim. Aleeya knew her mum's hope and dream to have more children has been dashed..but she was glad her dad remain loving and supportive towards her mum. And since then Zaharah and Adam begins to care and volunteer themselves with the foster home for the orphanage despite they being tight with their own schedule.

Suddenly ,there was a car came in by their front garden porch. Zaharah and Aleeya step out from the room and opens the front door. And there standing by the garden were, Adam, Aden and Maya. Aden took the luggage from Maya's hand as Adam enters into their home.

"Welcome to our home Maya." said Adam. Maya clench on to her palms as she feels so nervous and not knowing what she's supposed to do next. Apparently she becomes dumbfounded as she remains standing by the porch. Aden looks at her with a smile as he nods his head. And slowly she moves ahead towards Zaharah..and without second thought she embrace Zaharah as she begins to sob.

"Stop crying now dear, all right, you are safe now in our home." utters Zaharah as she held on to Maya's trembling body. Aleeya can't contain her tears, too however she remains calm.

"Thank you." cried Maya softly as she let Zaharah wipe the falling tears of her cheeks.

"Maya, come let me show you our room." exclamied Aleeya as she took Maya's hand and slowly brings her into their home. Maya looked around the house and she could feel so much love and warm in their home. As Maya step into the room which she needs to share with Aleeya, she walks in slowly as she begins to touch the surface of the smooth cupboard and the texture of the curtain.

"I hope you like the choice of the bed and curtains which I have choose for you." exclaimed Aleeya. "That bed, Aden seems to be confused about the screws but thankfully I was around to help him with that." utter Aleeya with a grin as she looks at Aden who begins to frown at her. Maya giggle upon hearing those comments from Aleeya and she knew Aleeya was such a humourous and bubbly person.

"What more can I asked for. They are lovely. Thank you..all of you for bringging me into your family." said Maya with a smile...a smile of new found courage, hope and love.

最終幻想7系列MV-A New Day Has Come（Celine Dion）

The Bends : Chapter Nineteen

Back to college after being away for almost four months, was simply agonizing moment for Aden, as for one thing he had missed so many semester, and he needs to stay behind for extra classes in order to keep up with his other classmates on the latest curriculum. Thankfully for Aden, his classmates were helpful enough to assist him with his missed lessons. However during one of his lesson, Aden nose starts to bleed again. Aden had no other choice but to leave the class as he headed straight towards the washroom. He grab the paper napkins from the roller and pinch his nose as he tries to subdue the bleeding. Suddenly he begins to feel faint and his head seems to get heavier. Aden held on to the sink as he tries to regain his balance, however he fell uncouncious onto the floor.

"Thanks Matt for your help." utters Aden as he massage his temple with his fingers.

"Are you sure you do not want your parents to know about your fainting spell?" asked Matt with concerned in his voice.

"I have given them enough trouble. This is nothing..maybe it's the weather or I'm exhausted." trails Aden while they waited for his name to be called by the nurse at the clinic.

"I need to do some blood test on you. This fainting spell, nose bleeding and feeling fatique most of the time could lead to something else." said the doctor as he prepares the needle and syringes for the blood test. After Aden blood has been taken, the doctor prescribe him with some medication and suppliments for his ailment.

"Let me sent you back home. With your condition right now, I don't think you are fit enough to ride on your bike." exclaimed Matt. Aden nodded as he agrees with Matt's offer. Aden close his eyes while Matt drive his car along the smooth road. As Aden was about to doze off, suddenly the fiery eyes of Ilhan came into his mind. Aden wakes up in a startle and unconciously he hold on to his right arm which Ilhan had merciless jab an unknown liquid into his vein. "What is wrong with me? Does my conditon was cause by that thing?" thought Aden to himself as he begins to feel some sense of fear in his soul. "The result..the result from my blood test will determined it all." thought Aden to himself again as he tries to inject himself with some positive notes.

"At last, all done!" cried Aleeya as she flung herself on the couch. "Come on Aden, join me at this cafe..it shall be my treat to celebrate my last day of examination."

"Aleeya, you go ahead with mum and dad all right. Cause I've got alot of assignment which I need to finish up." said Aden with a smile. "And futhermore later evening, I need to bring late Zhorif's belongings over to his family home."

"Okay then, I shall pack you some roasted wings your favourite all right." utters Aleeya as she stood up and about to went into her room, however suddenly something had caught her eyes. Aleeya saw some medication which has been place inside Aden's helmet. "Aden, these medication, does it belongs to you?" asked Aleeya with concerned in her voice.

Aden stood up and grab his helmet. "Just some supplements, that's all." utters Aden. "You go and rest for a while before our parents comes back home. said Aden with a faint smile.

"All right." said Aleeya shortly however she can't help this feeling of anxiousness about Aden.

"When will the rays of Hope and Faith will ever set it glimpes of Light on me? Being drift too far away into the cold, merciless ocean..still searching for the shore of Divine Courage. Strange..I thought to myself...the coldness of the ocean does not seems to heal the burning guilt surrounding me." After reading few more pages on Zhorif's journal, he discover something more complex about Zhorif personality. He seems to be searching for someone or something to hang on...some sense of security and the guilt which Zhorif must have seal within his soul seems to be disturbing his path towards enlightment. After paying the cab the fair amount of price, Aden steps out from the vehicle and walk towards the front gate of Zhorif's home. Aden peers through the front gate for a while as he sucks up his courage before entering the magnificent garden which lead him towards the front door.

He rang the bell and waited for a whille when suddenly he heard a voice. "We are at the backyard. Please come over here."

Aden held on to Zhorif''s small wooden box in his arm as he walk towards the back of the home following that voice and soon he realised it was Nisrin with Zhorif's mother sitting by the stool.

"Please forgive me if my presents brings more grief to you and your family..but I believe Zhorif wants you to keep this." said Aden as he hands the box towards Nisrin hand. Nisrin slowly took the box from Aden's hand but with tears in her eyes.

As they both sat by the garden stool, Nisrin opens up the small but beautiful box which seems to be a precious momento for Zhorif, and there she saw his engagement ring and their wedding ring which has been beautifuly binds together by a tiny white ribbon. Nisrin took one of the photo which she and Zhorif had taken together at one of the amusement park near their hometown as she gently run her finger on Zhorif's picture. And this time her tears begins to fell on her calm face.

"He's the best thing that had ever happen to me. It's funny..we used to be the best of friends but unknowingly our platonic relationship had eventually developes into something more extraordinary..and it's beautiful." utters Nisrin with her eyes still fix on Zhorif's photograph. "How long have you exactly known him, Aden?" asked Nisrin as she turns her attention towards Aden instead as she looks intensely into his eyes.

"Almost four months." replies Aden. "Yah, he's sure one of a kind." trails Aden with a smile however suddenly he recalls about the journal which Zhorif had given to him and the sense of solemness begins to sets in Aden's mind.

Nisrin notice the sadness in Aden's eyes, "You have got the journal aren't you?" asked Nisrin making Aden startle upon being shot by that question. Aden nodded however he begins to wonder does Nisrin knew about Zhorif's silent cry for mercy. "Pandora whom I've slain laid motionless right in front of me, but why this sense of guilt still lingers in my soul...despite I have been the valiant knight to change the history....saving the world from evil, darkness and illness..bringing in the gracious, enlightment and the ailing world free from plague...where did I go wrong?" continues Nisrin as she covers her face with her hands and she begins to sob uncontrollably.

Aden held out his hand as he brings Nisrin hand away from her tearful face. "I'm sorry...the guilt after his death has definately haunt me. This is all my fault. I wish, I could just retreat back to where it all begins and rewrite history." cried Aden as he looks straight into Nisrin dark set of eyes.

"After he caught me reading through his journal....we had a terrible arguement. I feel bad too cause it is his journal and I should not have probe on his personal feelings but as his best friend, he should al least let me help him overcome his insecurities and guilt." utters Nisrin. "However, that anger begins to slip away from him as he realised my true feelings for him are genuine..he had name me as Courage." continues Nisrin.

"Those words and sentences seems to be so deeply rooted more about his life, I guess." exclaimed Aden.

"Do you know, he talks about you alot?" asked Nisrin with a smile. "He says...you remind him so much of his kid brother." said Nisrin as she hungs her head low focusing towards the soft grass just beneath her feet.

"I did not know he had a younger brother, where is he then?" asked Aden.

"He pass away right after the bone marrow transplant which had unfortunately gone wrong. And he was only eight." utters Nisrin. " Zhorif was diagnose with some kind of blood disorder disease and the only hope which Zhorif got in order to lead a normal life was through this bone marrow transplant, but sadly things turns unexpectedly not right, Zhorif survive but Zameer's gone." Aden nods his head as he begins to understand the lost and guilt which he had read in his journal. "But their father, can't accept that lost and subsequently keeps on repeating drilling the guilt sense into Zhorif's mind...making him feel so small and frail."

"Now that he is gone, so how was his father reaction to that now?" asked Aden as he can't believe that Zhorif's childhood was fill with so much pain and hollowness.

"That senseless men, he believe it was suicide..it's hurtful.." cried Nisrin as she wipe her falling tears off her face. "Aden, the day before he was cruelly taken away from us, he had called me. And he say things like..he's not coward anymore, he feels great..he told me that you had given him some form of courage to face the truth."

Aden looks at Nisrin with wonder as he does not seems to get the picture, however he remains silence cause he knew exactly where to find that answer..Zhorif amazing but complex words in his journal.

"Thanks for sharing some of Zhorif past history to me. I'm honored." utters Aden as he stood up from the stool.

"Thanks for being his friend. I know he's weird but that's what unique about him." exclaimed Nisrin with a smile which had cause a small dimple on her left cheek. " I'm sorry for my rudeness the other day...and please Aden, stop blaming yourself. I'm sure Zhorif would not want you to feel that way for the rest of your life." Aden nodded and then he left in a cab which he had called on earlier.

The smell of the roasted chicken wings lingers throughout the kitchen as Aden walks into it. It seems that everyone was already in bed. "Hey, dream head, your chicken wings in the oven." love Aleeya. Aden took down the note from the fridge and smile upon it. After he had his dinner and a quick shower, next he took his camera and walks out towards the veranda and begins with his passion of photography after which he had almost lost interest with.

"Still up?" said Adam as he sat on the wooden bench by the porch.

"After few shots, then I shall be in bed." replies Aden with a smile. Adam looks at his son with so much love as he notice Aden had definately grown into a man with full of virtures and courage. "How's Maya now?" asked Aden shortly as he takes few more shots of the green hills agaisnt the night skies.

"She's getting all the professional help which she needed at our welfare home. Umyrah is there to be with her throughout her treatment." replies Adam with a smile.

"That's good." utters Aden with a faint smile.

"Aden, you love her don't you?" asked Adam curiously. Aden looks at Adam for a moment and then he looks away. "Aden, it's okay to feel that sense of love for someone..it's not a sin. Leave this all in the Hands of God cause He's All Knowing. But in a meant time, let her pain and torment be heal first. And furthermore, you still had the vast ocean of undiscovered treasures beneath it, your future...your goal." Aden nods with a smile on his face.

"Hope and Courage lays it's significant values to mankind deeply rooted within their souls. Filling up the empty desire of uncertainty and evolve them into something miracolously more worthy and ordane." Aden smile as he place Zhorif's precious journal as he lays on his bed and he knew somewhere Zhorif is smiling back at him.