2025-01-17 07:19:25Hakimi 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 cash and weapons. There were too many unanswered questions. He had to restrict the urge to pounce on his father and rattle all the questions going on in his head.
As the house fell into silence, Akashi waited. His pulse quickened when, around 10 o'clock, he heard the creak of Hakimi's bedroom door. He opened his eyes slightly and saw a shadow moving past his door. Hakimi was dressed in black from head to toe, his steps almost soundless as he checked on his children once more. After ensuring they were asleep, he turned off the remaining lights and quietly left the house.
Akashi's heart thudded in his chest. He rose swiftly, slipping on his canvas shoes, determined to follow his father. His doubts about Hakimi had grown too strong to ignore. He silently hoped his thoughts weren't true.
As he tiptoed toward the front door, just as his hand reached for the knob, a soft cry pierced the quiet night.
"No... not now, Akashi muttered under his breath, his hand hovering over the door. He turned around, knowing exactly what that sound meant. Khadija's soft cries filled the hallway. Not now, Khadija, please..."
But as her cries became louder, Akashi's resolve faltered. She was unwell, and he couldn't just leave her. With a heavy heart, he dashed upstairs to her room, where Khadija lay, her little face twisted in discomfort. Amira that was lying beside her was fast asleep like a log, unaware of her sisters cry. Gosh, he had once joked that she could sleep through a storm.
"It's okay, it's okay," he whispered, cradling her gently. She clung to him, her small fingers gripping his shirt. Her fever hadn't broken yet, and her head felt warm. Akashi rocked her slowly, humming a lullaby until her breathing softened. He placed a fresh cooling pad on her forehead, brushing her damp hair away from her face.
"Just sleep, little one, he whispered, Papa will be back soon." he whispered the last sentence
After ensuring she was comfortable, Akashi hurried downstairs again. The house was quiet now, but outside, the wind whispered secrets. He stepped out, breathing in the cool night air, and scanned the street. In the distance, Hakimi was already halfway down the block, his figure barely visible under the dim streetlights. Akashi bolted after him, his doubts and fears fueling his steps. Knowing he could not catch up, his steps slowed down to walks. Staring after his father, he cursed under his breath and returned back home.
------------------At the Bar
By the time Hakimi reached the bar on the outskirts of town, Zafir was already waiting outside, leaning against a worn-down van, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips.
"You're late," Zafir growled, tossing the cigarette to the ground and crushing it under his boot.
"Had to take care of some things at home," Hakimi replied, slightly out of breath. He straightened his coat and pulled up the collar against the chill in the air.
Zafir shrugged and handed him a shotgun from the van. "Here. And where's your mask?"
Hakimi cursed under his breath, patting his pockets. "Damn it, I forgot my mask," he muttered, the frustration evident in his voice.
Zafir snorted. "Forgot your mask, huh? Why bother with the mask anymore, man? You've accepted this life, haven't you? Why keep pretending? Just be who you are."
Hakimi's jaw clenched, his eyes cold as he looked at Zafir. "I'm not pretending. I don't want people to know me. I have a family. I need to protect them. This life... it's not something they need to know about."
Zafir laughed darkly, shaking his head. "Yeah, me too. A family. We all have one to feed, right? But you're delusional if you think you can keep these worlds separate forever. They're going to find out one way or another"
Hakimi didn't respond. His eyes drifted toward the ground as Zafir's words echoed in his mind.
Zafir handed him a mask. "Take it. But don't kid yourself. One day, they'll ask about all this." His voice turned mockingly gentle. And when they do, don't beat around the bush about it. Just tell them the truth, it's for the best. They'll understand, right?"
Hakimi remained silent for a moment, gripping the mask tightly. "I'm doing what I have to do," he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper.
Zafir smirked, giving him a hard pat on the shoulder. "Sure you are. I did tell myself that everyday till I began killing people. What I have to do" The last words came out with a sick grin
Hakimi looked at Zafir's face " Zafir, you have a family?"
"A curvaceous wife, a pretty daughter, and my little boy I have attended all his basketball game, and would keep on attending till he gets sick of me." The words came out slowly, as so much emotions were pouring out
Frown lines etched on Hakimi's forehead "Then why do you...? You would not like it if your....."
"Don't complete those words, I'll tear up any man that dare go near my family. As for now let's get this over with."
They climbed into the van, heading off into the night.
----------Later That Night
It was nearly dawn when Hakimi finally returned home, his muscles aching, and his mind heavy with guilt. The job had gone on longer than expected, leaving him exhausted both physically and emotionally. Quietly, he pulled off his mask and crept up the stairs, making sure not to wake his children.
As he opened the door to his room, the sight before him stopped him in his tracks.
Akashi was sitting on the edge of his bed, his expression unreadable, waiting.
Hakimi's heart pounded in his chest as their eyes met. The room felt heavy, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath.
"What are you doing awake?" Hakimi asked, his voice strained.
Akashi didn't flinch. "Where were you, Dad. And where are you coming from?"
Hakimi's lips pressed into a thin line. "You shouldn't be asking me that."
"I followed you,Akashi admitted, his voice firmer now. I saw everything. I know what you're doing."
Hakimi's face paled slightly, but his expression remained cold. "And what do you think you know?"
Akashi stood, his fists clenched. "I know enough. Enough to know that you're lying to us. You said you found a job, but this... this isn't a job. It's a crime. You're... you're still in that life."
Hakimi took a deep breath, his gaze shifting away from his son. "I do what I must for this family. You don't understand."
"Then make me understand! Akashi's voice broke. How is this for our family? You think putting yourself in danger is helping us? You think this will end well?"
Hakimi's voice softened, almost pained. "Akashi... sometimes we don't get to choose the life we live. Sometimes... survival comes first."
Akashi shook his head, tears stinging his eyes. "What kind of survival is this, Dad? What kind of father does this to his family?"
Hakimi stood there in silence, unable to answer, the weight of his choices pressing down on him like never before. Zafir was right, someday, somehow they will find out.
The room fell into a tense, heart-wrenching silence.
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CHAPTER 37: THE CONFRONTATION
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the small but cozy living room where Khadijat and Amira sat on the worn sofa. The scent of breakfast still lingered in the air-freshly made tea and the faint aroma of bread Bashir had toasted earlier. Akashi leaned against the wall, flipping lazily through a magazine, his long hair loosely tied back.Bashir entered the room, his sleeves rolled up and a playful grin on his face. "Alright, you three, coats on!" he declared, clapping his hands together.Khadijat frowned, looking up from the book she had been skimming. "Why? Where are we going?""To see your father," Bashir said simply, his smile widening.At those words, Khadijat's face lit up, and Amira let out an excited squeal. "Really?!"Akashi, too, straightened up, his expression softening. "To Dad's restaurant?" he asked, the hint of a smile playing on his lips.Bashir chuckled. "Yes, now hurry up before I change my mind."The room burst into movement as the siblings
CHAPTER 36: A THIN LINE BETWEEN ALLIES AND ENEMIES
The meeting with Malik was set for midnight. Hakimi and Laila arrived at an underground café hidden in the heart of the city, accessible only through a narrow alley flanked by decrepit buildings. A flickering neon sign above the entrance read "The Rabbit Hole." The café's air was heavy with the aroma of roasted coffee beans, mixed with a hint of tobacco and something metallic.Hakimi scanned the room, his sharp eyes catching every shadow and corner. The place was dimly lit, with heavy velvet curtains draped over private booths. The hum of muted conversations and the occasional clinking of glasses filled the air. Laila nudged Hakimi toward the booth in the far corner, where a blonde haired man sat hunched over a laptop. He was dressed in black and wore a dark gloves. Malik.He looked every bit the eccentric tech genius. His wiry frame was wrapped in a mismatched hoodie and cargo pants, his wrists adorned with bands of worn leather and tech gadgets. His thick glasses magnified his rest
CHAPTER 35: THE SHADOWS CLOSE IN
The morning light barely seeped through the heavy curtains of Bashir's house. The air was quiet, almost too still, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Bashir shuffled to his front door, his old cat trailing behind him with a soft meow. He bent to pick up the morning paper but froze when his eyes caught a crimson-colored envelope resting on the doormat. What the hell was that? He silently prayed it was not what he was thinking.His hands trembled slightly as he opened it. Inside, scrawled in uneven red ink, was a single sentence:"You better stay out of it, or you'll regret it."The words seemed to leap off the paper, their menace almost palpable. Bashir's heart thudded painfully in his chest. He glanced around the empty street, the morning fog curling like ghostly fingers around the houses. There was no sign of anyone, but he felt like someone was watching him. Carefully, he folded the note and tucked it into his pocket, forcing himself to act normal as he turned back insid
CHAPTER 34: ALLIES AND SHADOWS
The cold night air was sharp and biting, slicing through Hakimi's coat as he stepped out of the truck. The streetlights buzzed faintly above, casting a dim yellow glow on the empty parking lot of a run-down diner. Hakimi stood still for a moment, his breath curling in front of him in pale clouds. Beside him, Akashi slammed the truck door shut, his movements sharp with bottled frustration."Why here?" Akashi asked, eyeing the flickering neon sign above the diner. The smell of old grease wafted faintly through the air, mingling with the faint hum of a passing car somewhere in the distance.Hakimi didn't answer immediately. His eyes scanned the lot, the shadows of parked cars, the dark alley to the left of the diner. His hand hovered near his coat pocket, fingers brushing the handle of the knife he had tucked inside. "It's quiet, he finally muttered, nodding toward the door. Let's go inside."The diner's door creaked as they stepped in, the bell above it jingling. Inside, the place looke
CHAPTER 33: ESCAPE BEFORE DAWN
Hakimi's blood ran cold as the words on his phone screen burned into his mind."It's today. Hope you'll comply with your part of the deal and bring what's mine."His breath caught in his throat, and he gripped the phone tighter, the edges digging into his palm. The weight of the threat sat heavy on his chest, making it harder to breathe. He felt trapped in his own body, paralyzed by fear and indecision. How had it come to this?He glanced at the dim glow of the clock on the bedside table. It was barely past midnight, the world outside cloaked in silence, but his mind was anything but still. His chest tightened as a flood of questions and regrets swirled within him. He had known the risks when he made the deal, but now, with his children's safety on the line, regret hit him like a tidal wave."Think, Hakimi, think!" he muttered to himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair. He couldn't stay here, not with the looming threat. His family came first. Always, and he certainly kne
CHAPTER 32: AKASHI'S SECRET INVESTIGATION
The morning sun streamed through the tattered curtains, casting a pale glow over the modest kitchen. Hakimi sat at the dining table, nursing a cup of tea as steam spiraled lazily upward. A worn newspaper lay open before him, but he wasn't reading. His eyes skimmed over the words without comprehension. His mind was elsewhere-on Riqqo's threat, the cryptic note, the stranger outside his house the other day, and the weight of keeping his family safe.The sound of lighthearted chatter pulled him back to the present. At the far end of the room, Amira was gently braiding Khadija's hair, something his wife has always done, her younger sister giggling at something she had said. The sight of his daughters filled Hakimi with a bittersweet ache. They were innocent, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around them. He envied their ignorance.At the other end of the room, Akashi silently packed his bag, his expression stoic but his movements unusually deliberate. His mind wasn't on school. He h
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