~Between our hearts and our desires ~

09

Khadija.

I walk towards the front door and I see my father already awaiting me. He takes a glance at his watch, then at me and walks away. The butler from earlier who's name I learn is Azan approaches me

"Your coat Ms Isaacs." I gracefully take the coat from his hands.

"Thank you." I give him a tight smile and walk towards the car. He then opens the door for me and shuts it when I'm comfortably inside, not forgetting to wish me a goodnight. And soon enough, I'm enveloped in an awkward silence.

"The stunt you pulled tonight, was stupid and unnecessary." My father turns his face towards me with a stern scowl on his face.

"What stunt are you talking about?" I'm genuinely confused right now. I've been nothing but good the entire night.

"The stunt at the table of course. Were you not thinking straight or what? I don't know what kind of games you're trying to play here but it won't work. I know you too well and you shouldn't try to play games with me. Don't forget who owns you."

He moves closer.

"And I can get rid of you just as quick as I got rid of your mother." He moves a strand of hair behind my ear in a caring fatherly manner.

"Why did you lie? Why not just tell them the truth about her? They'll find out eventually." He let's out a humourless sadistic laugh.

"Do you act stupid or were you just born brainless? If people find out about that whore of a mother of yours, not only will I be the laughing stock of the group, but I'll never be taken seriously after that. Especially if they found out the reason for her disappearing out of the blue. Now you listen and listen closely, make sure it's engraved in your thick skull. From today onwards that woman doesn't exist, she's DEAD. Do I make myself clear?"

"What did she do? What happened that caused you guys to separate? Why do you hate her so much?" I've been waiting to ask these questions for the longest time. It was just never the right timing. But since he's talking now, I might as well give it a shot.

"Don't answer my questions with other questions. Just listen and do as you're told. At least do that right. So I'll ask once more Khadija. Do you understand what I'm saying?" He grips my arm tightly whilst looking at me.

I stare into those eyes that I hate with a passion. If he thinks this is the end, he's very mistaken. This game is only beginning. I will find out the truth, one way or another.

"Whatever you say father."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hakeem.

As the the party finally came to an end and the guest made their way out, I thought to my lucky stars that I could escape towards my room. If only it were that easy.

"Hakeem sweety, why don't you stay down here for quick talk with me." My mother tried so nicely to make it sound as if I actually had a choice. I sighed heavily before turning back to her. She nodded me towards one of the open dining chairs. I calmly sat in my seat awaiting for the reason as to why she wanted us to talk.

"Sweety are you okay?" She stared at me intently, hope glistening in her eyes, awaiting my answer.

"I'm fine mom, I've just been very tired and stressed out lately, that's all." I lied, hoping to put an end to the conversation already.

"You don't have to lie to me Hakeem, if you didnt want to talk about, all you had to say was you didn't want to talk about." She shrugged her arms staring at me intently.

"Well I don't want to talk about. Can I go now?" I started standing up and began to walk away.

"Hakeem wait."

"Yes mom." I stared at her already tired of this conversation.

"I'm always here if you need me." She smiled softly towards me. And all I could do was nod towards her. If only opening up was that easy.

"And one more thing." She looked at me inquisitively while holding up her finger. "What do you know about that girl from tonight, the one that sat at our table?"

I knew this was coming. My mother always had a sense of reading people like an open book, and that clearly didn't serve me to any advantage tonight.

"I don't know anything about her. Tonight was the first night that I've seen her before." The lie rolled slickly off my tongue and I simply shrugged.

"Oh really?" My mother squinted her eyes at me, and I simply nodded. "Because that conversation didn't seem like a first encounter to me. If I didn't know any better, it seemed like both your words held hidden meanings." I swear this woman only gets wiser but more busy and annoying with her age.

"Mom, we haven't met before. Maybe it's your obsession with wanting a daughter in law, so now you're imagining things that aren't there." I said only half joking.

"Firsly I don't have an obsession with the idea of a daughter in law, although the idea is nice knowing my son would be secured to ONE WOMAN, and not sharing his business with a whole bunch of girls as if it's a prize. Secondly, I was once upon a time your age, so it's best you don't try and hide things from me. And lastly whether you tell me or not I'm going to find out, one way or another." She slowly stood up from her chair and kissed my forehead. "Goodnight sweety. "

I slowly made my way up to my room and changed into a black t-shirt and my boxers. I climbed into bed and tried sleeping but it seemed as though my body loathed the idea of falling into a deep slumber. I tossed and turned the entire night, my mind working in overdrive. How did my mom know about my casualties? What was it that Khadija had planned up her sleeve? And then my mind was invaded with images of a specific girl who I knew nothing of, except the fact that she blatantly rejected me and laughed in my face.

"I will find you." I whispered towards the ceiling  "Sooner or later."