The Bends : Chapter Twenty-Five

The cruelty on how the circle of motion works it's endless spin of uncertainty.....as it continues to spin leaving no gap off line or kerb to end it. Oceans that bears the life of several and countless kind of species....a gift that was given by the Divine Creator....though at times, storm brews up destroying the form of life itself. Aden held on to his adoption piece of paper and the blood test which he had taken when he was barely three....a solid evidence which has been seal from his knowledge. Twenty-two years being kept in the dark.....and the reason...to protect him. The anger which he had felt for Zaki grews each and every single day....and the hatred which he felt for Sarah....begins to consume his spirit and self-worth. The sound of the crushing wave of the ocean...hitting hard against the rocks, it simply signify the way how his emotions were going through right now....as he just could not bring himself back of what he used to be. Aden seems could not set his eyes on his family again....!

"I saw your bike, I know you will be hanging around here." exclaimed Aleeya as she sat close by Aden's side. Aden stood up as he decides to walk away, helding back his tears in his eyes.

"Is that all you can do? Run away?" cried Aleeya.

"Just go all right." utters Aden as he pack his bag and helmet....while he quicken his pace towards his bike.

"How about Maya? Is she at fault too?" cried Aleeya with tears in her eyes. Aden stop abruptly after being shot with that questions. "You are no difference like Ilhan...you have given her new hope and life but yet, you have cruelly takes it all away." utters Aleeya as she decides to leave and let Aden set his own thoughts on that remarks. "And one more thing....you should be thankful to my mum and dad for bringing you up, to be someone worthy off." adds Aleeya sarcastically before she headed towards her bike and rode off along the narrow lane.

"Sinner of the victimised soul...was left barren...giving it's way for the guilt to spill in. The prey has been blamed for it's own death...for not being strong enough...to protect itself from it's disastrous fate....cursed upon my own desire for wanting the fobidden food of death....knowing the sin will be written on the chapter of my ill fate....but lust has been overpowering me...and wanting to come back for more." Aden place the bookmark, back again inside Zhorif's journal as he closed the black journal, and place it back in his bag pack. Those words which was written by Zhorif...had really hit him hard inside his soul....Zhorif's trouble childhood life, has definately destroyed his self worth and self esteem...being unfairly penalised by his father for his brother's death...it was cruel. No matter how hard he had tries to make his father love him again....but was coldly being rejected and pushed away....it's killing him gradually. Aden held on to his tears as he shuts his eyes.....as a sudden shot of guilt...just like a pang on his mind came running back to his soul. Aden put on his helmet and rode off on his bike. Aleeya was right...he was no different like Ilhan...and Zhorif's father....for not listening to their pleads of mercy and forgiveness..but to turn against them with his own self ego and pride.

It seems like ages, as he waited with a anxiously in front of the doorstep, when finally someone had eventually opens the door...and there stood the rejected soul which he had merciless pushed away. "Mum." cried Aden as he finally regain back his senses....his compasison and gracious manner which was taught by his adopted father. He came closer towards Sarah who begins to cry silently. "Mum." whispered Aden as he pulls her and embrace her with all his might....and not wanting to let go. Sarah was a victim...a victim for her own lust...that had eventually destroyed her....but that was in the past...Sarah has repent and prove herself to be someone worthy off...for being a good and loving mother to his half-brother, Thaqif.

"Aden." cried Sarah as she looks at her son with tears of delightness. And then she brings him towards the couch as they both begins to share and exchange their conversation...open up their feelings and thoughts about this whole matter.

"Where's Thaqif? I really needs to see him. How rude and uncoathed of me, for not conveying my thank you towards him....after he had save my life...by donating his bone marrow to me." said Aden as he cranks his neck hoping that his half brother might be around as he really wanted to see him.

"He's on duty again...but he shall be back in a months time." exclaimed Sarah as she pours a glass of milk for Aden.

"Thanks mum. I shall come by again." utters Aden as he had his last sip of the milk and held on to his mother close to him before he left.

"Dad...it' me Aden." whispered Aden as he choke back his tears of regret for being such a terrible, darkedned soul as he recapped back the moment when he had eventually, wanted to attack Zaki with his own fist.

"Aden....!" trails that monotone voice....as Zaki tries to control his emotion...of joy, after hearing his son who he had seen, grown up right on front of his eyes, for almost twenty-three years has finally accept him as his father.

"Dad, please forgive me for my horrid attitude against you....I really did not meant to hurt you....I was angry...please forgive me." cries Aden solemnly.

"Aden, I have never blame you..never..not ever once at all." utters Zaki tearfully. "It is all due to my own mistakes and unforgivable sin." continues Zaki again.

"Dad....please let's forget about all the past deeds and set our goals ahead for our future." exclaimed Aden as he blew some couraging words for his dad....now it all comes back to Aden's senses.....his looks..his passion for photography...and his ways and mannerism..it all adds up...Aden was an exact replica of his father...and he's proud of it. They talk for a while before Aden hungs up with a smile of joy. And then...his next destination...his home...back to where he belongs.

Aden smile to himself, as he couragously walk straight ahead towards the front garden porch of his home and then he rang the doorbell. The door was open....and just being back home with his family, is the greatest blessing that was gifted to him by the Divine God All Mighty and All Knowing. No doubt, Adam, Zaharah and Aleeya...welcomes him with their arms and hearts wide open. Maya was there too, as she blushed been in Aden's arm much to the joy of the rest of his family.

"Lucky you Aden...you have two mummies and two daddies...that meants..you've got double gifts for your birthday." cried Aleeya as she grin her darlie smile. Aden smile and playfully pinch her nose.

"How could you do this to me dad? How could you cruelly let your man take him away from me?" cried Nisrin as she confronts her father after knowing, the truth behind it all. Dante place the newspaper which he was reading half way through, on the coffee table as he stood up and walk closer towards his daughter.

"Nisrin, I didn't know that my men had actually murdered Zhorif." utters Dante as he held out his hand to caress his daughter's teary eyes.

"Liar!" yelled Nisrin as she pushed his hands away from her face. "You knew...it was Zhorif..which your man is attacking...and you just let them." utters Nisrin..her heart was broken.

"So be it...! Zhorif is not worth it.....he's a gay...goodness gracious me...and you want him to be part of our family...the father of my future grandchildren?" cried Dante in protest as he turn his back against her.

"He's change dad ! He's has proven it....he's healing but you have merciless take that chances away...!" cried Nisrin as she clench her fist tightly by her side.

"Look baby.....you are beautiful...you bound to find lot's of suitable suitors....which is more worthy than him."exclaimed Dante as he reaches out his hand again to carress her hair.

"It's too late dad...for your info....me and Zhorif...we are both, already married. Our marriage has been soleminized three days before his death....! Those wedding reception and our wedding cards will be brought forward two weeks ahead.....just like what me and Zhorif had plan. And now the great news is....I'm having his child." utters Nisrin with a sense of satisfaction....cause she knew...this will definately destroys her father's pride and dignity.....for his own cruel and merciless act.

Without thinking twice, Dante raised his hand and slapped Nisrin hard across her face....he was trembling...as his eyes widen with anger...anger by his one and only daughter's action against him. "Thank you father....for bringing me to this world." exclaimed Nisrin...her mind has made up...she's leaving...leaving for good...away from his dirty business and away from his unforgivable sins.

Dante watch helplessly as his daughter rode off in her car with her luggage as she left without turning back. "Do you want me to get her back?" asked Nazril as he stood by Dante's side and awaits for his further instruction.

"No. We have better plans tonight." exclaimed Dante..coldly as he tries to hide his grief of seeing his daughter leaving him. "Be prepared, Ilhan has been waiting for you at the port..for the new goods to come. I want you to be there and see to that account....making sure no more mishap...like the previous one." ordered Dante. Nazril nods his head and then he left with the rest of Dante's man towards the port.

The dimly lit boat, hovering itself by the bay of the jetty and from far, Nazril saw Ilhan was there standing by the wooden planks...as he awaits for several men to be out from the boat to meet him. Nazril and the rest of his men, came out from their van as they joins up with Ilhan and the rest.

"Just like what I have thought...you people can never be trusted." cried Ilhan towards one of the boat men as Ilhan men begins to rummage through the barrels of drugs and finds that the order was not meet to Ilhan's needs.

"Come on...we did bring extra barrel..on the previous account...without extra charges..from us." cried the boat men furiuosly.

"Don't fuck with me!" cries Ilhan as he drew out his gun and point it straight towards the men's head. As soon as, his gun was drawn out....the rest of the boat men brings out their guns and weapons as they begin to point it against Ilhan's and Nazril's men.

"We can always make a deal...no one has to die...everybody can get back home...happy..all right!" said the boat men...as he persuade Ilhan to remove his weapon from his forehead.

"Don't try me." utters Ilhan as he pulls the trigger back.

"Okay...all right..all right! You people....drop your weapons." ordered the boat man towards his men, as he finally realised Ilhan was not someone whom he can fool around with. Suddenly, there was a siren of a swat team and few more police cars riding swiftly...and surrounding them. In confusion, Ilhan and his men turn and stand guide in their position with their guns in their hands....the boat begins to take this oppurtunity to leave with it's goods and the money which Ilhan had handed them. With quick thinking, Nazril fire his gun, towards the boat men..injuring his arm...and it seems he was the only person who could drive the boat. And soon, few more gun shots were heard among the darkness of the gloom night....it seems like a war fare between the cops, Ilhan and his men and the illegal boatmen. Ilhan saw his men fall one by one, due to the gun shot wound and then he saw Nazril was covering him from being shot by the boatmen...when suddenly, in desperation...Nazril had accidently feel into the cold lake. Ilhan continues with his shooting when he realised now he was alone...he's men either has been dead or injured. Ilhan ran frantically towards the lake as he tries to locate Nazril and then he saw Nazril was struggling in the water....gasping for air...as he tries to keep himself afloat.

"Stupid fool!" utters Ilhan to himself...as he jumps into the lake and pulls Nazril from sinking further into the cold salty lake. "Hey relax all right!" cried Ilhan as he grab Nazril by his collar, however they both stays afloat in the lake and not moving any inch. "Breath!" exclaimed Ilhan in a few seconds, and then he dive into the lake pulling Nazril along with him. Ilhan dive in and swim beneath the lake right at the bottom of the boat.....holding his breathing well, with his hand still tugging firmly onto Nazril shirt collar. Ilhan notice Nazril was struggling frantically, and he was left with no other choice but to swim against the current further ahead from the boat, dragging Nazril along with him. Once he felt that, they were far enough way from the boat, Ilhan swim upwards heading towards the surface of the water....with Nazril still struggling for air within his grip. Ilhan was panting too....and then he instruct again. "Breath!" as he pulls back Nazril into the icy cool lake...as they both dive in and swim further ahead...far away from the eyes of the authorities.

Ilhan saw the shore was just within his reach and without hesitation, he swim towards it, bringing and pulling Nazril along with him. Upon reaching the shore, both of them begins to cough frantically, gasping for air and due to the tiredness after being in and above the water for almost half an hour. "Next time, you save your own ass." exclaimed Ilhan as he stood up and fumble towards the dry land...and slump onto the soft grass.

Nazril who just could not contain his fear of been drown in the lake looks ultimately shocked. "Why did you do then?" asked Nazril as he swipe his wet fringe off from his face.

Ilhan remains silence in a while, when suddenly he draws out his gun and points it straight in between Nazril's eyes. "I smell rat! Twice failed account of deals....that's too much." cried Ilhan as he begins to pull the trigger.

"That gun short....will lead the cops back to us." utters Nazril coldly.

"Don't try to act smart with me kid!" exclaimed Ilhan furiously.

"The rat has been taken care off...he and his whole family." utters Nazril with a smirk. "Too bad....it seems, that rat is from one of your dogs." continues Nazril with a wicked grin on his face.

"I don't belief this shit!" cried Ilhan in anger.

"Where were Yazeed, when we need him...during the last foul operation? Dante had his mind on you as being the rat...I don't know why...but he was so persistant off his statement against you." said Nazril as he looks straight into Ilhan's fiery eyes. "But, just that very day....I've caught him.....being wired up, tapping on us...giving names and information against us...your own trustworthy shit has turn his back against you..huh such an irony." exclaimed Nazril as he stood up from the ground and walks away leaving Ilhan lost with his words as he held down his gun and place it back behind his back.

"So, you should be thankful that I have safe your ass from being butchered by Dante's man!" exclaimed Nazril again with a smirk on his boyish intense features.

"Pulling and tugging each of the petal from a bud of a flower....seeing the fresh but frail petals being detached from it's bud of life...it's simply killing it. The bud itself was craving for mercy from the stalk of the plant..so it will still stands, remains straight and upright...but what good used of the colourless bud without the beauty of it's petal. It's not easy being stuck in between..being the bud itself...should my petals be pluck off...or should I remain enclosed with my stalk.?" Aden begins to wonder with that strange statement from Zhorif's journal as he sip his coffee and then he turns to the next page...to continue as he carries with his reading on Zhorif's next writing. "You came to my life in such an unexpected notion...Courage has finally trails it's way back to where it all begins. My heart was shut to one door but open for the other...welcoming Courage and prays..it will stays on." Aden smile after reading that note as he knew... Courage is Nisrin whom Zhorif had uniquely name.

"Why are you smiling to yourself?" asked Aleeya as she sat on the floor with a bowl of cereal...while Maya was seeing busy immersing herself in her own virtual world of a novel.

"Please forgive me Zhorif...please don't mind my sister for being nosey?" grins Aden as he passed the journal towards Aleeya. "Here, read this...this statement...well..it's kind of strange."

"Yah, Zhorif is weird in the first place....but he's cute! Dark brown hair with a tinge of ash blonde..and his eyes wow!" exclaimed Aleeya dreamily. Maya grin sheepishly after hearing that comment from Aleeya but then she continues with her reading again.

"Hey, when did you ever saw him? I don't remember bringing you over to visit him?" exclaimed Aden wondering.

"Well, from your photo collection of course...!" utters Aleeya as she begins to read Zhorif's statement and wonder herself with those strange remarks. "Flower petals....bud...courage. What the heck is this anyway?" asked Aleeya to herself with a frown.

"Give it back then!" cries Aden as he grab back the journal from her hands and turn to the next page.

"Aden, may I take a look at it?' requested Maya as she came closer beside Aden and took the journal from Aden's hand ...as she begins to read it with full attention to it's details. "It seems, Zhorif was the bud itself....he's confused whether he should forsake the petals...and well accept the fact that the petals will still be gone, no matter how much the bud had eventually tries to held on to it....but the stalk was the thing which had prevented the bud from hanging on to it's petal...as the bud still remains stuck by the stalk of this particular plant...?!" Aden and Aleeya stared blankly at Maya with jaws half open.

"Huh?" asked Aden.

Maya giggles after seeing both of their faces, "All right, straight to the point. It seems our dear friend here is...well ...how am I going to put it..he's in between...!" trails Maya as she just could not bring out that word from her mind.

"A gay?" replies Aleeya. Maya nodded but she turns solemn...cause she knew Zhorif's death was due to her terrible mishap.

"But, he finally close that door and let's courage in....he's change and repented. I know..cause I've seen them being together before. Beautiful couple." continues Maya with tears in her eyes. Aden came closer towards Maya as he held out his hands to wipe the fallen tears of her face.

"Maya, I'm sure Zhorif knew what he was doing....he has found that courage and protect you in this process.....without you realising it." exclaimed Aden with a smile.

"Yah, my bro is right....we were all caught up in this situation unknowingly." utters Aleeya with a courageous smile on her strong features.

"Here read this Maya, and you will know what I meant." utters Aden as he flip back Zhorif's journal on the few previous pages.

Maya took the journal from Aden's hand and continue to read, "The joy of enlightment, knowing the broken vase...has been taken and seal within it's enclose surrounding.....hidden perfectly....away from this mass of hard clays...was abundance. Hope will be there to stay....amending the broken vase...bringing back it's self worth...a significant treasure for Hope's keepsake....as I vow to conceal this magnificent finding...with the key safely hidden away in my pocket of selfless integrity of Faith." Maya eyes well up with tears as she close the journal with a smile. "It's amazing...!" trails Maya.

"Kids...we are home!" cries Adam as he swung the front door open and smile broadly. Zaharah was behind him and from the joy on their faces, Aden, Aleeya and Maya knew.....something wonderful had happen. "Guess what! We have won the bid....Adam's Eye will resume back it's business...! And Aleeya, you are welcome to exhibit your art works in this fresh location." exclaimed Adam excitedly.

"Yeh...!" cries Aleeya as she rushed into Adam's arm and embrace him lovingly. "Thanks dad!"