Chasing Freedom

Chapter 16: Home not so sweet Home.?

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THREE WEEKS LATER

John woke up still thinking about where Jammad might be. She had disappeared two weeks ago, and no one had heard from her. What could have made her leave without telling him anything? He took his bath and left for Samir's workshop. John had been helping out in the workshop for the few weeks he'd been around.

"Uhm, Samir..." John said while arranging the toolbox.

"Yeah?"

"I, uh—I think I'm ready to go back home now."

"W-what? Why?" Samir asked, overly concerned.

"Sorry?" John scoffed.

"Oh, sorry, I mean, what? So soon?" Samir said with a nervous laugh. But John didn't bother to dwell on why Samir was sounding weird today.

"Well, yeah. I mean, that's my home, and I'm sure if everyone has lost hope of me coming back, Ma hasn't. So I have to go back to her." The words just poured out of his mouth.

"Are you sure there's no problem? I mean, I don't mind you staying with me longer if that's what you think is the problem." Samir pushed some more, hoping John would agree to stay longer, but John had already made up his mind and would be going back home tomorrow.

"Oh, by the way, have you heard from Jammad? I've been trying to reach her to tell her I'll be going back home. But her number isn't going through, and she hasn't come over to the house or shop in a while." John diverted the topic to avoid Samir's persistence.

"Uh, I don't know, same here, man. But I know you'll see her before you go," Samir asserted.

SOUTH DOWNTOWN

"The police are still in search of this missing person who went missing since the death of his father. The police urge the public to please report any sighting of him." The TV in the relatively big living room was broadcasting the news with John's photo in the top right corner.

A man who looked to be in his early 50s, munching on his snack, angrily watched the announcement. A woman walked into the living room and turned off the TV, triggering a loud grunt from the young-looking old man.

"You know, Samuel, you've been following this story since the first day it happened. Steve trusted you with his life. If anyone can help his family, it's you, Sam. You have absolutely everything to bring the enterprise down," she said, sitting beside him.

"You know I want to, Rachel, but Harry is very powerful. You can't just go to war with him like that. I have to be very careful before making my move, or else things might go wrong," he sighed, putting down his bowl of carrots. He stood and walked to the balcony, disappointed.

CENTRAL DOWNTOWN, MAYA'S HOUSE

"Maya! Your phone is ringing!" her mom shouted from the living room.

"Coming!" Like the speed of light, she jumped down the stairs and picked up the phone.

She walked over to the kitchen before answering the call. "Hello?"

"H-hey, Maya," John said in a low tone.

She smiled before answering, "Hi, how have you been?" She casually walked up to her room without her mom suspecting anything.

"I've got big news. I'll be coming back home tomorrow by the grace of God." You could sense the happiness in his voice. Maya squealed in joy.

"Oh my God. I'm so happy right now."

"Yeah, I know, but you know you can't tell anyone yet," John reminded her, making her smile weaken a bit. "I know, I know."

"Okay, then. Can't talk much, but when I get back, I'll tell you when to meet. Okay?"