The Bends : Chapter Thirty-One

Being a full time paramedic for almost two years now, was a real wealth of experience and certainly and eye-opener for Aleeya. Bringing back the dead...or seeing the life ones fade away...had somehow or rather stirred some melancholy emotions deeply scarring her soul. It was not easy at first for Aleeya to adapt to that sort of situations....dealing with human lives..however...dealing with her emotions and seeing some of the characters of the human behaviour it seems to be more complicated. Event though she had mentally and physically prepared herself..spiritually and Faith, before she decides to choose a path as a paramedic as her career...the fear of not being able to bring back a life was definitely a blow to her. It's just like a repetition of an unfinished story or a drama...as the life ones fought hard to live and survive but God Almighty had better plans for them. Aden could easily figures out why his sister had chosen..this line as her career path...due to their parents unfortunate death. Aleeya struggles emotionally, each time a life was gone...but triumph when a life was safe. At times, she will visualise herself being flashback to the scene when her parents were cruelly taken away from her....and she will be there to save them....but at last it was just like a hope for a bucket of gold at the edge of a rainbow.

Aden had once warned her about the emotionally and psychological, impact that might cause her due to the choice of her career path, but Aleeya had stood firm with her decision as she signs up the five years bond as a paramedic which was offered to her at the local hospital emergency department.

"Aleeya, would you like to join us for some bowling game later tonight?" asked Stephanie one of her paramedic team members.

"I'm expecting my old time friend coming over to my place this evening." exclaimed Aleeya. "Anyway, I will be covering Lance duties tonight." continues Aleeya as she shut her locker after she took out her helmet. "It's okay why don't you guys go ahead without me."

"Aleeya, we rarely see you chilling out or on a date. Maybe you should take a break once in a while." exclaimed Stephanie as she feels concerned towards Aleeya's monotone life.

"Thanks, all right may be one of the nights I shall make myself free for you guys....I promised." utters Aleeya with a smile.

Aleeya, ride on her bike passing by several shop houses until she decides

to take a different route on that day. Aleeya looks at her watch and she finds the day was still early for her....to spend some moment within herself. She parks her bike along the empty parking lot and gets off from her bike as she slings her helmet onto her right arm. She decides to phase around the shop houses which she had actually never set her eyes upon them before. As she walks around, she came across a shop which sold all sorts of paintings stuffs. "What a treat?" thought Aleeya to herself as she bought all types of diferrent paint brush, some oil paints and a new sketch book. Aleeya do find some precious moment, to live on with her passion..... painting. And at times, if she was to take a long vacation, she will used that to travel back to Adam's Eye and not forgetting her Aleeya's Touch. Although some of her daddy's treasures were left untouched for her personal keep sake, some of her magnificent art works will be sold and as usual, the money which she gained from her sold paintings, part of it, she will donate to the local charity with an anonymous cheques which she will sign without her name on them. Aleeya was about to head back towards her bike, when suddenly, one particular shop had actually caught her attention. It was a new but rare bakery shop...with a unique name..PeachOlive Turf. As she enters the shop, the smell of the fresh bake cookies and buns had simply mystify her. The shop was tiny but it was fill with all assortment types of cookies, which was place presentably in a cookie jars. "Such a unique sight." thought Aleeya to herself again with a smile... as this place had stirred a new inspiration for her next painting. Aleeya was not able to make up her mind on what type of cookie she should get for herself...until she came across this cookie jar which was label...'Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie'....and she remembers that used to be her favourite type of cookie and there's only one particular person whom she knew..and kept that secret recipe....she was Sarah. Aleeya was soon becomes mesmerised with it's smell and it's quaint look as she begins to stare at them in a wonder.....frowning her eyes..another unique trademark which she had inherit from her dad.

"Aleeya, oh! Gosh! It is you." cried a soft but comforting voice which she once had known...it was Sarah.

"Aunty Sarah....it has been such a long time." utters Aleeya as she came closer towards her and gave her a loving hug.

"Oh! My! Look at you now. You do carry your father's features....especially with that natural chestnut brown hair of yours." exclaimed Sarah with a smile as she playfully, tugged Aleeya's hair.

Aleeya grinned and then she asked. "Aunty, does this bakery shop belongs to you?" Sarah nodded anticipating. "Well, I'm impressed. You have done well aunty." exclaimed Aleeya as she held on towards Sarah's hand.



Aleeya looks at her watch, "Well, I can squeeze some moment with you." exclaimed Aleeya as she grinned her darlie smile, while she took a seat on the stool by the coffee table.

"So what are you doing right now|?" asked Sarah as she had her sight towards Aleeya's plain dark navy blue tight fitting t-shirt, which goes along with a dark navy blue pants...which looks some kind of a uniform.

"I'm a paramedic right now." replies Aleeya as she took a sip of her coffee, which Sarah had served.

""That's awesome.....I'm sure your late parents will be proud of your choice." exclaimed Sarah. Aleeya smile upon hearing that remarks from Sarah. "How's Aden now?" asked Sarah as she offers a peanut butter chocolate cookie to Aleeya. Aleeya took it in her hand and place it on top of her saucer.

"He's doing fine at Kabul." utters Aleeya..solemnly. It was such an agonizing moment for her...to conceal the real truth about Aden's condition. It is sure hard, as she needs to bury this heartbreaking secret about Aden's disease....for almost three years now. Aden had often called her or at times he will sent her an email...with some attachment photos which he had amazingly taken at Kabul. From those photos, Aleeya knew it was not easy on Aden's part too....even though he still looks healthy but the sadness and the pain which he had been enduring was clearly written in his eyes. Both of them will gather some time to chat with each other through online. Aleeya had often asked him to come back...but he will simply laugh it off or just pushed the blame on his tight schedule....but Aleeya knew...it was just a plain cover up.

"Such a pleasent moment spending some time with you....enjoying this nice coffee and not forgetting my favourite cookies." compliment Aleeya as she took the last sip of her coffee. "A delightful pleasure...I can say." continues Aleeya with a smile.

Sarah smile upon hearing those compliment from Aleeya and then she asked. "Once in a while, do come over to my place for dinner. I really miss having you around my home." exclaimed Sarah as she held out her hand and hold on to Aleeya's finger. Aleeya remained silence for a while, as she set her eyes towards her porcelain coffee cup. Sarah knew...what exactly had withdrawn her away from her home.

"Was it because of Thaqif?" asked Sarah. And yet again Aleeya still remain silent, as solemness set through her doe brown eyes. "Are you still angry with him?" asked Sarah again.

"I don't know aunty. I can't be angry forever..." replies Aleeya as she tries to held back her tears. "I guess fate had been written this way...so I have to accept it." continues Aleeya. "How is he?" asked Aleeya as she had her view focus towards the table clothe now.

"He's okay....I feel more secure, as now he was station more frequently in our state." replies Sarah.

"You meant, he's no longer an undercover?" asked Aleeya wondering.

"Ever since, that Dante guy and his lowly underground business has been raid by the cops...Thaqif has been transfered to narcotic bureo department....even though, it's quite tough on him..but I find...it is more stable." exclaimed Sarah with a sigh of relief.

Aleeya nodded in silence, however deep inside her heart, the urge of wanting to know more about Thaqif's recent bends of life is simply killing her. Three years had passed by since that horrific incident, which had eventually crushed her relationship with him. She was too blinded with her own anger and ego..as she simply refused to listen to any of his reasons...but to push him away from her life.

"Just wait a while....while I packed some of treats for you." exclaimed Sarah as she pat Aleeya's hand.

"Please aunty...I do not want to trouble you." utters Aleeya with a smile as she felt a tinge of cheerfulness..inside her broken soul...Sarah just like her mum...not exactly alike..but the similarity of the motherly love which she had been deprived off.....ever since her mother had pass away... Sarah's presence had definitely gives some lightness inside her soul.

"Oh! No..no trouble at all. I'm sure you and Aden must have miss my cookies." exclaimed Sarah with a loving smile. Aleeya grinned...cause it was the truth which she can never hide from Sarah. As Sarah went back towards her baking area, to pack some cookies for Aleeya, Aleeya decides to phase around the bakery shop as she begins to admire those beautiful...and appertizing looking cheese raisin bun, which was pleasantly arrange on the serving tray. Suddenly, she heard the entrance door was open and there she saw Thaqif entering the shop bringing a young woman beside him. Aleeya, stood by the corner of the shop, hoping that Thaqif will not be able to spot her there. Aleeya soon begins to pay her full attention towards Thaqif and the pretty lady beside him. Suddenly, Thaqif took a glance at the corner where Aleeya was standing, and his greyish blue eyes widen upon seeing her there. He stood frooze...he seems to be confused not knowing how to react or what to say...but his eyes remained on her. Aleeya begins to feel awkward...upon being seeing like this. Without second thoughts, she walks away from him....headed towards the door and left.

Thaqif still remains motionless, as he stood firm on the ground, "Aleeya!" utters Thaqif to himself as he rushed out towards the door and step out from her mother's bakery shop. But he was too late, Aleeya has already gone along with her bike. Thaqif went back into the bakery shop and from his look, Khalisah knew...something was not right about him.

"Hey! What's wrong?" asked Khalisah.

"Inspector, you are here too?" asked Sarah as she approached closer towards them. "Where's Aleeya? I have packed some cookies for her." exclaimed Sarah as she scan her neck to her right and left..hoping that Aleeya will still be around.

"She left mum." utters Thaqif..solemnly.

"And you didn't stop her?" asked his mother as she held her arms on her hips.

"I guess, I was too late.."replies Thaqif feeling dejected.

"So, she's Aleeya..the girl which you had told me about..during that case which had gone wrong? asked Khalisah towards Thaqif her junior. Thaqif nodded as he walks towards the window sill of the shop and peer through it....as he had his sight towards the busy street.

"She asked about you." cried Sarah with a smile. "So I believe....you both still stand a chance in this relationship. So this time...go for it." exclaimed Sarah excitedly.

Thaqif...feel a tinge of en lightness after hearing those words from his mum. "I guess she must have misunderstood us." exclaimed Thaqif as he looks at Khalisah.

"Well good! It shows she's still cares." cried Khalisah with a grinned.

"Really?" asked Thaqif.

"She's jealous silly.....can't you tell? That meants..you do meant something to her." exclaimed Khalisah again.

"So now....bring this cookie and sent them to her home...right away. He's off duty now..right inspector?" asked Sarah as she passed the cookies jar onto Thaqif's arm.

"Oh yah..he's off duty for now.." replies Khalisah and that set both of the ladies to giggle..leaving Thaqif making his next move....on winning Aleeya's heart again.


As Aleeya enters her home, the alluring smell of the lavender essence oil been turned on and burn...she knew..Maya is back. And true enough, there stood Maya after all this years she has been gone....but Aleeya was surprised, cause there were tears of sadness and heartbreak written in her almond shape eyes. "Maya, what's wrong?" asked Aleeya curiously.

Maya showed Aleeya the unseal envelope and the letter which had destroyed Aden's hope and future. "How could you do this to me Aleeya? How could both of you breaks me like this?" asked Maya in between tears.

"Maya, I have left with no other choice..and so is he." replies Aleeya with tears in her eyes.

"You know..my love for him meant more than anything that you could ever imagine.....how could you hide this truth from me?" asked Maya as she sank on the floor...crying tearfully as she covers her face with both of her palm.

Aleeya came closer towards Maya, as she too sat on the floor beside her. "Cause Aden knew....you might still want to be with him..despite of his current condition....that's why..the truth was to remain hidden and he had choose to leave." utters Aleeya as she let her tears stream down her face.


It was such a peaceful sight, the sky was vast...together with the open desert among the hilly mountain side....the air was cool, especially when night had begins to sets in. Aden brings his shawl and secured it around his neck. It has been his routine now....some sort of his own easing way of spending his little moment being away from the busy city of Kabul and came upon this hill side....each time after his night prayers. He knew..he's condition has been deteriorating...but he's still fighting...fighting not for himself....no...but for this poor children of Kabul. All those photos taken..which he and some of his team mates had sent to the local and other region web side..was an eye opener to the world..telling the first class world... the real naked truth of the cruelty of war and deception. Somehow or rather..by doing this tiny deeds...he feels a great pleasure and content....his heart feel more at peace. The wind getting stronger now...as the breeze begins to blow it's blessed coolness against Aden's hair, which he had over grown it until the edge of his collar. Aden decides to go back to his base camp which he needs to share with some of the local soldiers and the refugees there, when suddenly his phone rang.

"Hello." utters Aden...but there was silence...but the distant sound of silent cry could be heard..and he knew...it was Maya. Aden's heart fluttered as he begins to smile, however suddenly, that smile was gone but was replace with solemness. Aden had wanted to shut his phone off...but he do not have the heart to do so. "Maya." cries Aden....a name, which has been long unspoken but still remains strong in his heart. "Please forgive me..for running away." utters Aden sadly...however...Maya just refused to say anything and he knew..he had definitely breaks her heart. "Forget about me all right." said Aden at last as he was about to shut his phone off.

"Do you really think our marriage could not with stand all the trials and turbulence...? So you think that, I'm not strong enough to stand by you...giving you my moral support and pour some courage inside your soul?" asked Maya. "You have gone so far....to help me...rescuing me, giving me a new breath of hope and life....you had actually shown me the real humanity and compassion, which I had never ever once, could ever taste." continues Maya with tears in her eyes. "So let me do my part now..for you." exclaimed Maya.

"I'm dying Maya....I can't be there for you any more...so just forget about us." utters Aden sadly as he shuts his phone off. The bitter coldness had begins to take effect on his lungs as he begins to cough continuously. Aden wipe the fallen tears off from his face as he stood up from the sandy ground and walks back towards his base camp.

"Some might asked,"What's the used of the sand upon the desert.....which can never give life to the living beings..but to deprived them from their needs? " But from another perspective, that Blessed sand...was a pleasing sight for a battered soul.....the beauty and the serenity of it...had gave and enlightened a broken spirit. The uniqueness of this sandy desert..it presence will never stays the same..it will never be....it will keeps on transit and transformed itself.....thanks to the calmness of the wind....been gently blown against them." Aden place the dried leave bookmark onto that page, and place Zhorif's journal under his pillow.....with tears in his eyes. "Am I that wind,who had gave her some alluring pleasure and calmness to her soul..or am I the storm, which that had actually crushed her spirit and hope?" thought Aden to himself as he begins to stir to his left and right....however, sleep was not coming to him at all. At last, he decides to take his ablution as he decides to read the Quran to ease and enlightens his anguish mind. He steps out from his lodging area as he walks further away from there and headed towards the washing area, where most of the refuges do their washing or showering there.....when suddenly, he heard a loud bang that had came from his lodging area...the impact was  so strong until he was thrown few feet away from where he was standing. Soon the area was covered with thick smoke and debris..with a strong stench smell of charred meat. Aden, cough frantically as he slowly bend and stood up with his eyes scanning through that area. The sound of the crying woman and children was heartbreaking. Everyone begins to scattered around in confusion and it was such an unsightly....and sorrowful vision that Aden had ever come across. He felt lucky as he walks out from his lodging area...just in a nick of time. However, he knew..his camera, his medications and together with Zhorif's journal has been blown away by that bomb. Aden soon joins in with the other soldiers and some of the refugee male there, clearing out the place...carrying and collecting dead bodies....of the old and the young lings. Seeing these the future generation, being cruelly taken away by the merciless terrorist of that country....had makes him wonder, "How could you shed the blood of your own children? Does that justify your darkened and hardened soul?" Suddenly, just like a new breath of courage spill into his mind...he survived this as God The Almighty had given him yet another chance to contribute something to this society....to his Faith..and to his love ones.