Laughter spilled through the door, shaking the quiet of the hallway. I paused, my hand hovering over the knob, drawn in by the infectious joy coming from my daughters’ room. My plan had been to wait downstairs for my wife, but their giggles pulled me in like a magnet, grounding me in the moment.Their carefree voices were a welcome contrast to the growing silence that had settled between my wife and me these past few months. Hesitation melted into curiosity as I leaned closer, shamelessly eavesdropping. Khadijat, my fiery four-year-old in sky-blue pajamas, was the ringleader as always, her commanding tone and dramatic hand gestures setting the stage for another animated tale.“This girl, Rajiv, thinks she’s the boss of everything,” Khadijat exclaimed. “She’s always showing off, especially when that new blonde boy is around. They think he’s the cutest in the class, but he looks like a monkey!”Amira’s laughter erupted, clear and bright. “A monkey, Dija? That’s terrible!” she teased, th

The days stretched into weeks, and Hakimi and his children slowly adjusted to a new rhythm of life. Each morning began with a familiar routine—the rush to get ready for school and university, the aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen, and the comforting hum of familial chatter. Despite the warmth of these moments, the shadow of their struggles loomed large.Hakimi sat at the dining table one particular morning, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, his eyes scanning the horizon beyond the window. Amira and Khadija, dressed in their neatly pressed uniforms, chattered animatedly about their school projects. The sight of their bright smiles brought him fleeting relief, but the weight of his responsibilities was ever-present.As the day rolled into evening, Hakimi returned home after a grueling shift at work. The moment he stepped into the house, his eyes fell on the stack of bills on the coffee table. With a heavy sigh, he removed his tie and sat down to face the mounting pile of financial

Hakimi barged into Riqqo's office, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing. "I'm Hakimi. Akashi's father," he said, his voice low but dangerous.Riqqo leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Ah, the forever polite Hakimi. Nonsense, brother! Drop the courtesy," he said, bursting into a laugh. Leaning forward, he jabbed a finger into his chest. "We're family, okay?""Family?" Hakimi’s voice cut through the air like a blade. "Then why did you hurt Akashi?"Riqqo groaned and waved dismissively. "The kid who thought he could steal from me? Don’t tell me he cooked up some story and sold it to you.""My son didn’t steal from you, Hakimi growled, fists trembling at his sides. Clear his name and give him his job back."Riqqo’s laugh was sharp and mocking. "Why would I? Isn’t he too young to work anyway?"Hakimi stepped closer, his tone cold and unwavering. "You’ve never been a good uncle, so spare me your concerns. If you don’t give him his job back, I’ll make sure everyone knows

The evening air hung heavy, thick with the tension Hakimi couldn’t shake. After dinner, he made sure Khadija, Amira, and Akashi were tucked in for the night, each of them sleeping soundly, unaware of the storm brewing within him. His heart ached at the thought of what he was about to do.The clock struck 10:00 PM.A sigh escaped Hakimi as he reached for his black jacket and pants tucked away in the back of his wardrobe. His hands trembled as he tied his hair into a tight bun, then slipped on a black hat, concealing his identity. He checked the house one last time, moving silently through the halls before slipping out into the night.The streets were eerily quiet as Hakimi approached Riqqo's bar. Dimly lit, it stood like a shadow in the dark, the air thick with unease. He entered through the back entrance, where Riqqo awaited, casually swirling a drink in his hand."Well, well, my favorite baby brother," Riqqo smirked. "Didn't think you'd actually show up."Hakimi’s voice was low, a gr

Hakimi carefully measured out the dose of medicine, his eyes weary from a long day. He placed the cooling pad gently on Khadija's forehead, watching as her feverish body slowly relaxed. Her small chest rose and fell steadily, and soon, her shallow breaths turned into the peaceful rhythm of sleep. Amira had also drifted off, her hand resting protectively on Khadija's arm.Hakimi let out a quiet sigh of relief. With care, he scooped both girls into his arms, their heads resting softly against his chest. As he carried them to their room, he could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. After placing them into their beds, he tucked the blankets around them, making sure they were comfortable before turning off the lights.Akashi, lying in his room down the hall, heard the click of the light switch but didn't stir. His eyes remained closed, though he wasn't truly asleep. His mind raced with the thoughts that had been haunting him ever since he found his father's stash of cas