The Bends : Chapter Seventeen

Aden had his motorbike park by the side walk, as he could still feel some drop of blood bleeding from his nostril. He remove his helmet and took the balance of the napkins which Aleeya had given to him, and continue pinching his nose with it. As he looks at his watch, he knew it was still early for his appointment at the police department, at the other side of the town with Inspector Francis Lim whom he had made the day before. Aden walk towards the nearby cafeteria while still pinching his nose with the napkin.

"Excuse me Madam, I would like to have a cup of coffee with milk and also an empty plastic cup with ice in it." requested Aden towards the waitress.

"Sure. Please hang on for a while." exclaimed the lady however she looks at Aden with a strange look on her face. "Please take a sit, I shall bring over your drink and your empty cup with ice."

Aden knew he must have look kind of weird with the napkin on his nose however he grin towards the waitress much to her amusement. And soon enough she came with the coffee and the ice inside the plastic cup and place them on the table. "Thank you." said Aden politely. Aden took the plastic cup with ice and place that at the bridge of his nose hoping to subdue the bleeding. He looks at the needle punctured mark on his right arm again and he felt a sense of relief as he notice the bruise has beginning to fade away and the pain was not as agonizing like the few days before which he had silently endure, without anyone knowing about it. He place back the plastic cup on the table as he begins to sip the coffee blowing the tiny bubbles of his drink. In a weeks time, Aden will be reinstated back in a college somewhere in his town area, as he decides to continue with his mechanical engineering thesis, but he would still be taking up few courses on photography, which he had enrolled himself through on line and he felt lucky as the course was conducted not far from his town but the cost is a bit pricey. Suddenly, the thought of Maya came into his mind. It has been almost two weeks he have not seeing her, and all he knew was she was somewhere safe. He asked himself was it all meant to end this way. Aden knew Maya was not willing to sign the divorce declaration document, but he could sense all this was due to Ilhan's ruthless threat. And from what he heard from his uncle Zaki, even Ilhan was not complying on signing the divorce paper. So no matter what the outcome was, Maya is still Ilhan's wife. Aden give a sigh as he shut his eyes and from his inner thoughts he could sense Maya was struggling within her own web. And knowing that Maya will be deported back to her country by end of the week, was another blow to him...but he inject himself with some positive notes as he knew his uncle's welfare home will be the best and the safest place for Maya, and who knows maybe during one of his holiday semester, he could visit her there. And the thought of that had brings a smile on Aden's intense but boyish features..maybe what his uncle has plan for her was the best indeed.

As he was stirring the coffee, suddenly he saw a middle age women was struggling with her paper bags of groceries within her arms, while she climb up the kerb of the side walk by the cafe right in front of him. Aden stood up from his seat, as he decides to give her a hand when suddenly a group of skateboarders speed pass them and unfortunately one the ignorant skateboarders had accidently slammed onto the poor lady, sending all her groceries bag flung out from her arms towards the concrete ground. The lady seems to lost her balance too, as she was about to fall off from the kerb however Aden was quick enough to grab her by her arms and pull her safely towards him.

"Hey! Where's your senses?" yelled Aden furiously towards the bunch of uncivilised teens, however they simply ignored him and speed off with their skateboards further away from them. Aden shakes his head in disbelieve about nowadays kids and teens...who seems to be so lack of graciousness and attitude. "Are you okay madam?' asked Aden with concerned in his voice. The lady stares at Aden especially towards his hazel brown eyes in wonder. "Madam?" asked Aden again with a smile.

The lady startle from her daze and nods her head. "Yah! Thank you for your kind help son." replies the lady as she bends down to scope up her groceries goods which has been flung onto the ground, sadly however, some of the food which she had bought at the supermarket nearby, were definately could not be edible any more much to the lady's despair. Aden stood down too as he help her, picking up some of the can food and fruits and place them back into her paper bag.

"I'm sorry about some of the stuff which can't be help." utters Aden as he hands the groceries bag towards the lady.

"This should be fine. You have been such an angel, would you like to come over to my humble home...cause I have make some fresh cookies." offers the lady, and from her look Aden knew she really wants Aden to join her. And furthermore, the load of groceries which she was carrying were definately taking too much of her toll. Aden looks at his watch and he had almost an hour more for his meeting with the inspector.

"Come, let me help you with your goods." said Aden as he took the heavy loads of goods from her, much to her delightfulness. And they both begin their journey towards the lady's home.

"I have no words or comments about your intention of bringing Maya back to your home in another two weeks time, but your request on meeting Ilhan just to ask about Maya's kid is definately no no situation." exclaimed Zaki in disbelieve with his arm across his chest. Nadia remains speechless in her seat.

"I have my ways all right. So please don't get too freak out for nothing.' exclaimed Zaharah as she flip open Maya's case sheets and get herself immerse with the latest details which Nadia had updated in the report.

"Zaki is right Zaharah, bringing Marsha back to our home..it won't be as simple as it is. We still got Maya's awaiting for approval by the authorities here, of bringing her back to us and to add Marsha along in that list might take up more of our time. And further more, we did not even know where exactly Marsha is." utters Adam. "And pleased, forget about your idea of meeting Ilhan." exclaimed Adam.

"Seeing Maya's being weak and submissive towards him..seems to be his greatest pleasure of being the powerful one. But think about it, what if things turns out to be the other way round. How would Ilhan react to that..seeing his battered wife evolve into someone outstanding...someone who is worthy. Cause I'm going to groom Maya with ample education, and see what was her main skills, and she will soar and turns into someone with full of passion and dreams cause I can see that in her." exclaimed Zaharah with full of confidence as she close the case notes and reaches out her hand to grab the laptop which was by the side table.

"Sometimes your confident just acted up on you too much." exclaimed Zaki. " We all agrees you do meant well with your hopes and plans, but certain goals can be out of reach, and all that was left will be another dashed of hopes and set backs." continues Zaki as he looks straight into Zaharah's eyes.

Zaharah move her attention from the screen of her laptop and looks at Zaki, but without saying any words for a moment however in the end she nods her head as she agrees with Zaki's remarks. "I guess you are right, at times I do get carried away. All right, we shall stay focus on Maya's case hopefully things will turn out well for her, and then we can move on to the next step...bringing back Marsha to his mum." utters Zaharah.

"All right. Let's begin right away." said Nadia with full of courage. Adam begins making few phone calls while Zaki begins to zapped some of Maya's documents which they need to prepare for her admission to their welfare home. Zaharah and Nadia sat at the coffee table as they share some details about Maya's and other cases which they both need to handle. Nadia notice the numbers of donations has been increased due to Aden's effort of opening a website and links for their orphanage and welfare organisation.

Aleeya place her latest sketches in the thick case folder, as she intends to sell them over to the painting shop which was located not far away from her home. Right after taking her quick breakfast, she grabs her helmet and her thick case folder when suddenly she heard a message tone on her mobile phone which was still be charged in her room. Aleeya place back her helmet and the case folder as she walks towards her room to check on the message from phone.

"Meet me tonight. I shall wait for you right across the road in front of your home." Aleeya realised it was Thaqif's number. Aleeya deleted the message as she felt annoyed towards Thaqif for ignoring her calls and message for the past two weeks. She place back her phone and then she left her home, bringing her helmet and case folder along with her as she hop on to her bike and begins her trip towards the painting shop.

The corridor along the old lady's home was dimly lit by the neon lights. The wallpaper which was used to be the decor along the walkway was already started to peel off, giving away the inner colour of the greyish wall. As the lady stood at the front of her door as she struggle to get her keys out from her purse, Aden had noticed that there seems to be no other family staying around that area.

"Well, young man come on in. My cookies should be ready by now." exclaimed the lady as she welcome Aden into her home. "You can place all those stuff on that table." said the lady again.

Aden comply as he begins to scan around her home and he was surprised that despite off her poor living situation, but her home was very well-kept and neat. "Do you leave all by yourself here?' asked Aden with concerned and seeing the way how she limp and occasionally she had this wheezing coughing was definately will be unsafe for her to be living all alone.

"I have a son..I guess he's probably two years younger than you. But he's not around at this moment due to duty call cause he's a sailor." exclaimed the lady as she arrange her can food on the table and then she stack them neatly into her kitchen cabinet while Aden sat on a stool which was place by the island cabinet. "Right after me clearing up this things, I shall get you my cookies and then we can enjoy them together." continue the lady again with a smile.

"Thank you so much. I hope I'm not imposing on you." replies Aden as he looks at his watch, another forty-five minutes more to go.

"Not at all, by the way, what is your name?' asked the lady again as she busy herself arranging the cookies into a bowl.

"I'm Aden." said Aden.

The lady stood frooze for a moment however she still had her back towards Aden. "Do you leave around this area Aden?' asked the lady again as she arrange the other balance of her cookies into the cookie jar.

"My home is somewhere at the other side of this town. It used to be a rural village, however it has been change into more urbanise now." exclaimed Aden as he begins to twirl the plastic lily flower which has been nicely place in a vase.

"Your folks are so lucky to have a son like you. Since we are neighbours, maybe I do know who your parent are. What are their names?" asked the lady again curiously as she brings the bowl of cookies and walk towards Aden.

"My mum, her name is Zaharah and my father ,his name is Adam." utters Aden with a smile.

Upon hearing both of those names mention, Sarah accidently drops the bowl of cookies sending them smashed into million little pieces towards the cemented floor. Aden was shocked and he stood up as he walk towards the lady..helping her picking up the broken bowl with the untouched cookies being mix together with the broken clay. "This is so careless of me." utters the lady with tears in her eyes as she could sense Aden was indeed her long lost son whom she had cruelly dump into Adam's arm...and the worst part of it all on how she had lied to Adam about the real father of Aden who was Zaki.

"It's okay. It doesn't matter to me at all." said Aden soothingly as he looks at her with his beautiful hazel brown eyes. Sarah could not deny the fact that, Aden resembles so much like his father and then she looks away, but then she remains silent for a while as they both begins clearing up the messed on the floor. Sarah took a broom and the dustpan as she begins to sweep the bits and pieces of the broken clay and the crumbs of smashed cookies. After she had done, Aden offers to take the dustpan and clear the rubbish into the rubbish bin which was place in the kitchen. "So by any chance do you know my parents?' asked Aden as he place the broom and the dustpan against the side of the wall.

"I'm afraid not." replies Sarah shortly however she was fighting back her tears from falling on her cheeks. Aden begins to looks at her with a wonder in his thoughts. This first aquantaince which he had with this lady, it seems there were something strange, but some how or rather a tinge of melocholy feeling which he had never sense before. Sarah unintentionally reaches out her hand to touch his face...but her hand shakes and trembles as her frail fingerss touches Aden's face. Aden did not barge as he let her caress his face but he saw tears were welling up in her dark set of eyes..she was crying.

"I'm sure your son will be back home soon. I shall pray for that." utters Aden as he realised probably this gentle lady must have miss her son so much. Sarah nodded as he let her hands by her side but her eyes still stay focus towards Aden. "Well, nice knowing you madam..maybe who knows we might meet again." exclaimed Aden as he looks at his watch and he knew he had to leave.

"Wait, here have a cookie." cries Sarah as she took the cookie jar and unscrew it's lid. Aden took a cookie from the jar with a smile before he pick his helmet and left.

Sarah, while still holding on to the cookie jar sat on the couch as she begins to wept in silence.

Aleeya took her case folders and enters the painting shop as she waited for somebody at the counter. She rang the small bell which was place at the desk but there seems to be no one around at that moment. Aleeya then place her loads on the chair as she decides to phase around the shop while waiting for someone to attend to her sellings.

"This is some rare talent which I've never come across before. I have been wondering for the past few days, who might have this special someone be, who seems to be able to come out with such fine significant master pierce." exclaimed a gentlemen as he held his fingers on his clean shaven chin while he had his eyes on the painting of a wild leopard stalking on a prey. Aleeya realised that men was referring to her painting however she remains silence and decides just to ignored whatever words that might just comes out from his mouth again.

"Aleeya, I'm so sorry I was caught up with something at the back of my shop." said the shop owner as she came forwards towards Aleeya.

"It's okay. Here are my latest pieces." exclaimed Aleeya as she took her case folder and hand it towards the lady's hand. The lady unzipped the case folder and took out all of Aleeya's latest editon of paintings and she looks pleased.

"This will definately sells." utters the lady. "That leopard painting was highly demand but I'm not selling it cause I wanted to keep it for my keepsake." continues the lady again with a smile.

"It was you. Why I'm not surprised?" said the gentlemen as he begins to join them at the counter. Aleeya just smile as she took the cheque which the shop owner had given her. "My name is Izery." said the gentlemen again as he draw out his hands towards Aleeya.

"Yah, nice meeting you." said Aleeya as she briefly shakes his hands before she leave with her bike. Izery stood firm at the side corner of the painting shop with a smirk grin on his face.

Aden knew he was already late for his appointment therefore he speed along the road cutting through the lane with cautious. As he had reached his destination, he park his bike at the parking lot as he remove his helmet while climbing up the stairs which lead him towards the police department.

"I have an appointment with inspector Lim." requested Aden as he hand over his identification card towards one of the police guide there.

"He's still in his office. You may go in and see him now." said the police guide politely as he shows Aden the direction towards inspector Lim's office. Aden knock on the door twice before he enters. "I'm so sorry sir, I was caught up with something." utters Aden.

"It's okay Aden. Please take a sit." exclaimed Lim while he picks up his phone to make a phonecall. "Yah, his here. Please bring in the thing." orders Lim and then he hangs up. "I've been trying to reach his family but to no avail. They refused to pick up my calls or reply my messages."

"I've just visited them yesterday..and apparently they were still distraught of his death." utters Aden sadly. "I can't help it but to blame myself for his death." continues Aden again solemnly. "Sir, I don't believe this is suicide..I'm sure his death got something to do with those people who had attack me recently. "said Aden again with certainty.

"This case has been place under homicide and we are doing the best as we could to bring the culprit down. However, things get complicated cause there was not enough evidence and there were no witnesses." said Lim.

"They were threatened. I stayed around that area before and I know." utters Aden as he could not believe that Ilhan was released due to the lack of evidence which is something so unacceptable.

And soon, someone came into Lim's office and place a box on his table. "This are some of the things which I believe belongs to Zhorif which you might want to take a look. If you want us to send them over to his home, we shall do that right away."

Aden stood up and walk towards the small box as he slowly opens up the lid. There was his engagement ring, a wedding ring which he had bought for Nisrin and some photos which he had taken with his family..and also a note which has not been open yet and that note was to be given to Nisrin on the day before their wedding. And then there was a journal but it was meant for Aden to keep much to his surprised. Aden carefully seal back the lid of the box with tears in his eyes. "I shall bring this over to his place myself." said Aden at last as he begins to regain his composure.

"All right then. Please sign this document. Aden, we will keep you update on Ilhan's case." said the Inspector. Aden sign his name and then he took the box in his arms and decides to leave..however his mind begins to ponder about the journal which Zhorif had left for him to keep sake. "Why me?" that question begins to whirl in his thoughts just like a repeating motion of a wheel. The bends of life which he is going through has certainly begins to get right to the core of his spirit and his faith.