Jigsaw

9. Omar

I woke up in a daze.

I looked around the room, slowly recognizing it as my sister's. As I spotted Kay at the other side of the queen sized bed and Issy in the middle, the events of the previous night came rushing in and I smiled.

Kay and I have been sleeping in Issy's room for the entire week our mother was in the hospital. And I hadn't gone to the company for the entire week either. I didn't want to leave my siblings at a time like this. Besides it felt like forever since I had spent any quality time with them.

I didn't even know what class Issy and Kay were in. I felt more than horrible yesterday but they didn't seem offended. They'd just laughed it off and we moved on from it. I didn't deserve them.

The front door closed with a loud bang, startling me. I didn't even hear it open. Issy stirred at the sound but didn't wake up. I watched her get comfortable again before slipping out if bed.

My curiousity was quickly abated when I got to the base of the steps and saw my father downing liquor straight from the bottle. I eyed him with disgust.

"Don't you think it's too early in the day to prove that you're a piece of shit?"

His blood shot eyes snapped to me and he dropped the bottle to point a finger at me, ignoring my snide comment.

"You! Where have you been all week? You're supposed to be at work. The senator's PA called to say you abandoned the project and dropped the contract. What is wrong with you? Do you know how much money I just lost?"

I folded my arms across my chest and watched the man rant. I knew I was overstepping my boundaries and would probably leave this room with a new welt on my body but I couldn't care less. Not right now at least.

"I don't give a shit about the senator or your fucking money. And maybe if you had come home or answered the phone when your children called you would've known why I did what I did"

My father furrowed his brows as he pulled his phone from his suit pocket. He let out a small chuckle and tossed it onto the table.

"My phone died"

I felt the familiar buildup in my chest as I let my arms fall to my sides, my hands balling into fists.

"One week. It's been one week and you're just now realizing your phone died?"

The man didn't reply, he just took another swig from the bottle and eyed me with an unfamiliar expression.

"Do you have any idea what we had to go through for the whole week without you here?!"

I was yelling now. I was beyond livid as I stood face to face with my father. There was no excuse he could give now that I would understand.

"Mom is in the hospital. Isra found her passed out in her room, and where were you? Probably sucking faces with some whore"

The force of the punch had my head whipping violently to the side. I immediately tasted the profound taste of metal in my mouth.

"Know your place, Omar. The next time you talk to me like that will be the last"

I cocked a brow at the threat I'd heard a thousand times before. Wiping the side of my mouth with my thumb, I stared with a frown at the trickle of blood that came back with it.

"Mom has cancer"

I heard myself say dejectedly.

"The doctor had told me since you weren't there and I had to take responsibility. It's in it's third stage, Dad"

There was no reply from my father and I looked at him. He had turned away and was drinking from the bottle again, refusing to look at me.

Realization hit me with the force of a meteor.

"You knew"

My father didn't reply, confirming my accusation. And here I thought I couldn't hate the man any more than I already did.

"You fucking knew! And you still treated her like shit. You still cheated. How vile can you be?!"

My voice shook. He still didn't reply and I couldn't believe it. My father was a monster.

"She's getting an annulment"

Dad, who had turned back to the bottle, abruptly turned to face me. I smiled sadistically at the shock on the man's face.

"What do you mean?"

I didn't hesitate to elaborate.
"Mom. She's going to get separated from your sorry ass. And we're going to move out"

He chuckled low and long.

"She knows she can't do that. She'll be left with nothing. I'll make sure of that"

It was my turn to chuckle.

"Maybe you should have thought of that all those years ago when you made your 11 year old son a major share holder"

The color drained from my father's face and my sadistic grin grew wide. It thrilled me to see him look so helpless for a change.

"Good luck getting the company to side with you"

I turned back to go up the steps and froze when I saw Kay standing at the top of the staircase. My palms were sweaty as I made my way toward my brother.

I tried to explain.

"Kay--"

"What did you say about mom?"

"Kevin--"

The boy ignored me. "Is it true? Is Mom dying?"

His voice broke but he kept his eyes steady as he waited for me to reply. I looked down at my feet in defeat.

"Yes," I whispered.

There was a pregnant silence soon after. Kay looking at me and me at my feet.

"When were you planning on telling me? Telling Issy? When she was already dead? You told us she was going to be okay, Omar. Why the fuck did you lie?"

I shook my head furiously.

"No. I swear I was going to tell you yesterday but I just couldn't. You and Issy looked so happy. I--I just couldn't"

I trailed off, that painful lump forming in my throat again. I was becoming weak and it disgusted me to no end. Kay stared at me, quietly.

"Why do you always carry everything on your own? I'm not a kid anymore, Omar, I can help"

I chuckled softly. "You're 14, Kay"

"15," he corrected with a laugh and I quickly mumbled an apology.

I felt Kay's annoyance dissipate as he hugged me.

"I hate seeing you like this. Learn to lean on me and Issy too sometimes. Promise?"

"Promise. I'm sorry, Kay," I said when he let go.

"It's fine. Let's go see Mom today. She probably needs us right now."

I nodded eagerly. Kay smiled as we headed back to Issy's room. Before we entered, Kay held my shoulder to stop me. I turned to look at him.

"You might think you're a failure, but to me and Issy, you are the strongest older brother anyone could have. Thank you, Omar"

A//N
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