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.