The rooms seems to be extremely cold despite the aircon has been higherup as requested by Adam while he and Zaharah waited anticipating for the doctor to walks back into his clinic. Adam held on to Zaharah's hand cause he knew Zaharah was dreading for this moment to come. It was such an agonizing moment and simply not easy for Adam to put up a brave front towards Zaharah cause the hidden secret which they both had seal for twenty-two years will be expose in such an unexpected manner.
Finally the doctor arrive with some of his case notes. "Good..so you both agrees with the blood test?" asked doctor Tan.
"Doctor Tan, actually, we both have a special request from you." utters Adam as he tries to remain compose and not to sound too nervous. Zaharah held on to Adam's hand cause she knew the anguish and anxiety which Adam must be feeling at that moment. "
"Do you by any chance, knew who are his biological parents?" asked the doctor as he begins to key in the latest infomation about
"My brother is his father...however his mother..we have totally lost touch with her." utters Adam solemnly. However, Zaharah held her tears from falling cause she knew...Sarah was just within her reach and she believe Aleeya might knew where to find her..but something just held her back from revealing the truth about Sarah's whereabout...her pride and self-ego.
"To be frank with you, continously on blood transfusion is not a solution for
"Oh! God!" whispered Zaharah as this time she let her tears fall on her face as she could not believe...she might lose Aden due to this rare disease.
"Doctor, I'm sure there's something which could be done to help my son." pleads Adam as he choke back with his own broken heart.
"That's the reason why..both of you need to get his biological parents. They are his only hope." utters Doctor Tan.“Actually, Aden suppose to revert back to me for his further medical check up few weeks ago, but he never came…even though my nurse had actually call and sent him some reminder message through his mobile.” exclaimed Doctor Tan again as he sat forward looking intensely towards Adam and Zaharah.
“Do you mean, he was here before?” asked Zaharah as she wipe her tears from her eyes.“He lost consciousness..I believe during one of his lesson at his college. A blood test has been done on him before, however he never came back to retain his result.” explained Doctor Tan.
“So let say, we managed to get hold of his parents…what next?’ asked Adam as he took off his dark rimmed glasses and place it on the doctor's table.
"Blood test will be done on both of them and from the result we could see which one of them matches with
"What kind of procedure?" asked Zaharah curiously.
"It's can be quite invensived procedure...bone marrow transplant. And
"All right..I'm sure my brother will comply with this. And about his mother..we will try to get in touch with her, no matter how difficult it might be." utters Adam as he put on his glasses."Thank you doctor."
"For the time being,
Sitting by the corridor along the walkway which link to the clinic, with their minds linger and recapping back the conversation which they had with the doctor. "It seems that it was only yesterday ..he was still our little boy..as he will always climb onto my lap and begs me to rock him until finally he will fall fast asleep...with his small yellow pillow on his right arm and his milk bottle which he will held in his left hand...what a comical sight." utters Zaharah with tears welling up in her eyes. Adam held on to Zaharah as he too was not able to control his solemness any longer. "And seeing him grew into a man with so much grace and virtures was the greatest blessing that we could ever attain from God Almighty....but now knowing that we bound to lose him in such a manner..it really breaks
"Zaharah..we must not lose hope. I'm sure God will lead us a way to overcome this situation.." utters Adam. "Come Zaharah, let's go back to our kids..they might be waiting for us." continues Adam as he wipe the falling tears off Zaharah's cheeks.
"I can't believe it, she finds out about this eventually." said Aleeya as she shakes her head while she clench her fist by her side. Maya sat beside her as they let
"How did she finds out?" asked Maya cause she knew no one else except her knew about Aleeya's hidden secret."I don't know Maya. I really had breaks her heart..and
Suddenly, they both saw Adam and Zaharah had step out from the elevator and headed straight towards them, without hesitation, both of them stood up as they waited anticipating for their explanation regarding
"What did the doctor says?" asked Aleeya with concerned in her voice
."Your brother's condition deteriorating." exclaimed Adam as he choke back his tears.
"What? I don't understand..he looks fine with
"He had some form of very rare blood disease which is fatal..." trails Adam with tears in his eyes as Zaharah begins to wept silently.
"No! I'm sure there's something which we can do about this." cried Aleeya as she fight back her tears cause...losing her brother due to some illness is simply too much for her to overcome. Maya sank back on the chair as she held on tightly to the butterfly pendant which
"Together, we shall pray for a miracle to come." utters Adam as he held out his hands and gently caress Aleeya's hair. "Zaharah, I shall call Zaki and talk to him about this matter. He needs to know..cause he's got the right." exclaimed Adam, however Aleeya and Maya begins to ponder about Adam's words on rights of letting Zaki knew about this current situation. All of them watch Adam walks along the corridor as he headed towards the exits where mobile phones can be used without any restriction.
"Aleeya, I'm sure you do know where's Thaqif's home is." utters Zaharah as she held on to Aleeya's shoulder.
"Mum, please not at this point of time. We should focus on
"Aleeya, just take me to his mum..I really need to see her." exclaimed Zaharah with a faint smile.
Aleeya was left with no other choice but to comply to her mother's strange request. "Maya is it okay for you to stay with uncle and
"All right, come on Aleeya, let's go." utters Zaharah as she took her car keys from her bag and headed towards the elevator bringing Aleeya along with her.
And soon Adam came by and was surprised to see Maya was sitting all by herself at the corridor with her hand still clenching on her pendant. "Maya, where's auntie and Aleeya?" asked Adam.
"They went some where to get something." replies Maya as she was startle from her daze and was not aware that Adam was standing by her side.
"Ohh!" said Adam as he frown. "Anyway, if they were back, just tell them that, I will be fetching uncle Zaki at the airport....he will be taking a flight instead of driving cause it will be so much convenience." utters Adam. "It is okay for you..if I left you with Aden?" asked Adam concerned. Maya nodded with a faint smile. "Call me if there's anything all right." said Adam again as he headed towards the elevator.
The visible sound of the flowing lake that's seems to be somewhere behind, or within the surroundings of the rocky cliffs and mountain had simply drawn Aden struggling towards it, as the unimaginable thirst has begin to drain his strenght and desire to continue further for his journey of unknown destination. Aden becomes so lost and confused in the midst of the enclose rocks and no matter how hard he had tries to call out for anyone...it seems his voice was drown together with the strong gushing sound of the hidden lake. Aden struggle as he felt his feet was beginning to sank in deeper into the soft sand beneath his feet."Aden." he could heard his name was called and that voice...was the voice which he could visibly recalls...it was Zhorif. "The more you struggle...the deeper you will sink." exclaimed that voice again.
Aden cranks his neck as he tries to locate where exactly Zhorif is...but it seems it was only his voice could be heard but...there was no sign of Zhorif's at all. "Faith will save you...and guide you from this despair.." cried that voice again.
"I believe..Oh God Almighty." cried Aden and strange enough, his feet was released from the quick sand as he managed to get his feet back on the soft grass patch...but the thirst which he felt in his throat was beginning to tangle up his courage to search and walk further ahead towards the lake. Aden knew either he had to climb up towards the rocky cliffs or walk in between the maze of high stone walls in order to reach towards the precious lake. At first Aden headed towards the stone maze..but it seems the bends of the puzzling maze does not lead him to any where..the path seems to revert back to the starting point much to his dissapointment. He look up towards the rocky cliff and suddenly, he saw a pair of hands...reaching out for him.
"Mum!" he cries. Aden struggle with all his might as he climb up towards the rocky cliffs...he was panting and sweating but he does not seems to care all about that, cause he was desperate to get towards the lake..just to had a sip of the sweet...desire of water. Suddenly, a strong gush of wind begins to engulf all around the sandy desert and cause such a fury sand storm..making Aden's journey up towards the cliff more difficult. "Mum!" cries Aden as the sand begins to blind his vision and choke up his lungs....however in the midst of the whole confusion state, he felt his hand was strongly grip much to his relief....but his enlightment change to darkness when the hands that had awaits him was someone who he will not expect to be..it was Ilhan's. Aden felt helpless as he stared intensely towards Ilhan's dark set of fiery eyes. Ilhan grin wickedly...as both of Aden's arms was roughly held by Ilhan. However without second thoughts...and without any sense of mercy or compassion..Ilhan had literally loosen his grip of Aden's arm....causing him to fall in the mist of the drowing sand storm.
Maya sat by Aden's bedside as she gently caress his hair and his chiesel cheekbones. The thought of losing Aden was such an agonizing fear for her to contain. Maya then brings her slender fingers as she begins to stroke his right arm while she watches him sleeping away. And as she saw the small bruise mark just between the back of his upper and lower arm..which looks like a needle mark, Maya knew this bruised which was cause by Ilhan merciless act has been with Aden for almost five months now, but Maya begins to ponder why the bruise seems to take such a long period of time to heal. Tears wells in her eyes, while she gently caress his right arm when suddenly Aden wakes up startling and roughly grab her fingers. Darkness and anger was form on his face much to Maya's fear.
"Aden." utters Maya softly as she felt the pain of her fingers being held on tightly by Aden's grip."Maya." cries Aden as he slowly released his grip..when he realised his strong grip was beginning to hurt Maya instead.
This strange recurrent nightmare which he had after his brutal encounter with Ilhan begins to haunt him again. "Please forgive me...!" utters Aden solemnly as he sat on his bed and held on to Maya's hand.
"Aden, was it the same nightmare which you had mention to me before?" asked Maya as she looks straight into Aden's hazel brown eyes.
Aden nodded as he tries to conceal his inner fear of desperation...desperation to get control of this whole situation. Just the horrifying thought of Ilhan getting an inch closer to his family...might just burn him with courage...courage to protect his family..no matter what it takes. "Where's everybody?" asked Aden as he looks at his bruise hand which has been plugged off by the nurse after his first dose of antibiotics and the blood transfusion has been completed.
"They need to attend to something..but they shall be back soon." exclaimed Maya as she smile faintly. Aden remains quiet in a moment as he begins to get himself immersed with his own thoughts.
"I'm dying am I?" asked Aden as he looks at the empty blood transfusion packet which was still be hung on the drip stand by the side of his bed with darkness and intensity in his eyes.
"Aden, please don't say that." utters Maya softly with tears in her eyes..as it is breaking her heart when those words was spoken to her. "Aden, look at me." cried Maya as she bring her face closer towards him and gently stroke his long fringe off from his brow. "Nothing will befall you...!" exclaimed Maya as she plucks up her courage...not wanting Aden to feel too disheartened about his ailing condition."
I've already spoken to the doctor just now...and he had told me everything." utters Aden sadly as he held on to his tears from falling....the tears of a lost battle.
"But Aden, your parents..they are your hope. You've got to believe in yourself...cause I do. All the courageous words and compassion which you have shown me and given me....used them now...to help you with this battle." exclaimed Maya. "I'm with you...and nothing could ever change that." continue Maya with intensity of courage in her voice.
"Aden, let's get married." requested Maya.
"Maya, at this point of time?" grin Aden as he find that request from Maya is amusing...however that request has actually regains back his confident in battling with this blood disease. "Maya, you know that, I can't promised you anything...about my future with you ...." trailed Aden.
"It doesn't matter. What I looking forward is now...so I will be able to stand with you and give you the constant care throughout your ordeal in dealing with this." utters Maya as she held Aden's hand and bring it to the side of her face."
I'm not strong enough seeing you...sacrificing and forsake your future dreams, just to be tied down with me." exclaimed Aden cause he does not want Maya to rush with this marriage plan due to some gratitude notion...which was simply unfair for her. No doubt that Aden's love for her was beyond explanation..but the doubt which he felt about himself...his uncertainty about his state of life now. "Maya, I need time to think about this matter..!" utters Aden as he caress Maya's hair. "Time." thought Aden to himself. "How much longer do I left with?"
Maya nodded as she smile faintly...not wanting to push Aden more about this matter.
It was almost two in the morning, as Zaharah drove along the deserted road, bringing Aleeya with her towards her destination of hope. Throughout that long journey, no exchange of words or gesture occurs between them as both of their minds were lingering and pondering with their own thoughts. At last Zaharah could not contain that kind of silence treatment any more and face towards Aleeya, who seems to be lost in the maze of her circling puzzle of doubts.
"Aleeya, do you want me to stop by this cafeteria so we could have some light snacks before we could move on with our journey?" asked Zaharah as she decides to park her car along the side of the kerb which was nearby with the twenty-four hours cafe.
"I'm fine mum. Just go ahead with your driving." utters Aleeya as she stare at the desk board without looking back at Zaharah. Zaharah frowns and feels kind of dejected towards Aleeya's gesture as she continues with her journey. The building enclosing along the path was hardly lit with any lighting cause there's no doubt about that..everyone was apparently being immersed in their world of dreams and illusion.
"Mum, why was it so hard for me to pick up the pieces which I've broken?" asked Aleeya as she face her mum with tears in her eyes...her heart is breaking. Zaharah turn her attention towards Aleeya and then she knew she got to stop somewhere..along the empty path just by the dimly light lamp post. Aleeya begins to sob and then she just wept and burst into tears...as she can't control her emotion...her guilt and her hatred towards her own self. Zaharah could not contain her own emotion....and without hesitation she unfasten her seat belt and held on to Aleeya with all her might
."You are still my daughter.....and I love you." console Zaharah as she let her own tears of anger slip and change to emphaty and love. "Aleeya, it might be hard for you to fix back what has been broken...but it is possible for you to sincerely amend it. Fighters find their courage through lost battles....and they strive harder..not wanting to fall back. If you really meant with those words which you have spoken to me...let me be there for you, to help you pick up those broken pieces and place them back to it's origin." exclaimed Zaharah. Aleeya stared at her mum with her teary doe brown eyes. "Actually, Aleeya...I do not know how am I going to say these? If his mother never came over to our place and confessed about this whole situation....will you be the one who would eventually relate to me about this whole incident?" asked Zaharah as she gently wipe the falling tears off Aleeya's face.
Aleeya remains silence for a moment as she change her attention towards the vast dark skies which was only visible due to the dimness of the rays from the moon. Zaharah knew, Aleeya silentness...it could meant anything..however Zaharah decides not push her on that as she fasten back her seat bealt and continues with their journey.
Finally, their one hour ride ended as Zaharah park her car along the empty lot. Zaharah scanned around the area from her vehicle, and she realised this was definately not a suitable place for ladies to hang around, at these late wee hours as the place seems to be so quite and solitude. And as Zaharah look up towards Sarah's apartment a tinge of sadness slip into her thought. She just could not imagined Sarah..once a daughter of a rich merchant ends up living in this kind of destitute condition. Zaharah saw there were some men and woman dress in dirty and tattered clothes sleeping along the pathway...on thin cardboards with thin stick candles burning away...just to keep themselves warm. Zaharah heart was breaking just seeing this unimaginable images..which has been long lost forgotten from her thoughts. Has wealth simply had overcome her sense of humanity....listening to the inner voice of silent cries from these beings...begging for humanity? Another irony pangs on her thoughts....how could a social worker like her...being actively involved with her social works and acts...has just shut her eyes..her heart off on her own country man..her own people. Has Sarah becomes one of them...part of the long lost forgotten society?"Mum, are you okay?" asked Aleeya as she realised her mum's shocking look after seeing all these . Zaharah nodded and then she was surprised as Aleeya, steps out from their vehicle and walk straight ahead towards the homeless crowd. From Zaharah's perspective, it seems those crowd seems to know Aleeya....as they exchange hugs and kisses...and warmly welcome her to join them in their crowd. Zaharah soon step out from her car and slowly headed towards the small crowd which has been encircling Aleeya...as Aleeya was seeing busy, giving out some of her money towards them. With tears in her eyes, Zaharah call out her name."
Aleeya." Aleeya stop abruptly cause she was too engross...mingling and share some of her humorous side with the crowd.... she did not realised her mother was coming closer towards her. "Aleeya aren't you coming with me?" asked Zaharah.
Aleeya hands her the piece of paper which contain Sarah's address. "You go ahead mum. I just want to stick around here just in a while." exclaimed Aleeya and then she went back towards the crowd and sat together with them.
Zaharah looks at the address and then she headed straight towards the stairways cause Sarah home was located on the second floor. The handrails of the stairs was absolute rusty and the floor along the corridor had such a pungent smell of urination much to Zaharah's dismay. Zaharah begin searching for the right door, when finally she found the white-wash door right at the corner along the badly cemented walls.
"I'm sorry Thaqif for making you rushing home like this..but I was left with no other choice. I need to set things straight..cause I do not want that poor girl to fall and end up like me..due to your irresponsible act." cried Sarah as she watch helplessly at Thaqif as he slammed his helmet on the coffee table...in protest for his mother's deeds.
"You have make matter worst then it already is!" yelled Thaqif when suddenly, someone had rang the doorbell. Sarah remains speechless as tears begins to well in her eyes while Thaqif headed towards the door....and he was surprised as he find a middle age woman stood in front of his doorstep.
Immediately, Zaharah knew...this is Thaqif as she begins to stare at him intensely at his greyish blue eyes and then she had her sight of his tattoo...which Zaharah begins to feel uncertain on Aleeya's relationship with this boy. "I need to speak with your mum." exclaimed Zaharah without giving him any eye contact..and Thaqif could sense she is Aleeya's mother....and from her distinctive looks of arrogance....she detest him.
"Mum, someone is here to see you." utters Thaqif with guilt on his boyish but intense looking features.Sarah quickly wipe the fallen tears off her face as she walks out from her room.
"Zaharah, please forgive my son...!" pleads Sarah.
"I'm here not because of that matter. Mistakes has been made...sin has been committed...repent and hope is still there...search for that light and come back to Faith." utters Zaharah as she stared intensely towards Thaqif. Those words were just like a splint been pushed further inside his flesh.
"Sarah, it's about Aden." continues Zaharah as she focus her attention towards Sarah...puffy eyes.
Thaqif begins to come closer towards his mum, when he heard that name mention....a name which had never been heard and spoken to him before.
'Thaqif, could you please leave us alone just for few moment." requested Sarah as she was not ready to reveal her past mistakes towards her son..not at that point of time. Thaqif was unwilling to leave her mum with this arrogant woman....but he was left with no other choice but to comply with his mother's strange request.
Thaqif walks out from his home leaving Sarah and Zaharah as he walks down the stairways...and headed towards the opposite side of the building of his home and sat on the stone bench...and suddenly his eyes caught on Aleeya who was among the crowd of the needy lot. Thaqif slowly came closer towards the crowd, however Aleeya was not aware about his presence as she continues to listen to one of the ladies talking away. Guilt begins to consume him back again as he knew behind her smile and small laughter...there's was a hidden sorrow and the battling of her inner strenght of self worth and courage.
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