Adornments Of The Heart

04

He stood in front of the house, hissing softly. He didn't know why his Ummi had to force him to come to this house. He was fine living in Dutsinma and didn't have to bother with anything or anyone on his case. Even though he had even lied to her the he had a test he needed to study for, Ummi was still adamant that he had to visit the house and spend the weekend there.

It was her brother's house and despite knowing so well that Bilaal wasn't in good terms with anyone in both his families side, she still forced him to come. That it had been years and he needed to let go of everything and continue being friends and warm to his family. But he wasn't ready to do that. It hadn't been years for it.

Even if it were to be ten years ago, Bilaal will never be able to forget everything that had happened and he didn't wish to. He didn't know how to avenge for all that had happened to him, but he knew he didn't forgive everyone yet. He'd find a way to at least reveal the truth even if he wasn't going to avenge on it.

He knocked on the gate when he realized he had been standing by the door for almost five minutes and the gateman hurriedly opened the door for him.

"Good evening," they greeted each other at the same time as they shook hands while Bilaal tried to smile at him.

"Wajen wa kazo, bawan Allah?" He asked who he came to the house for, because it was pretty obvious that he had never seen his face in the house and Bilaal pointed at the building.

"I can't say, honestly. But it's my Uncle's house. If you can go in and tell them it's Bilaal, they'd know."

"Ah, Hajia told me to expect you, Malam. Sorry I kept you standing, please come in." Immediately recognization hit the gateman. He tried to collect Bilaal's school bag that was slung over his shoulder but he shook his head at him.

He walked him to the front door and knocked for him while they waited for someone to open the door. It was Amir, the oldest son of Baffah Jafar and he hugged Bilaal immediately he saw him.

"I had to go out but since when Mom told me that you'd be coming, I had to stay and wait for you. God! If I knew you've been in Dutsinma all these years? Bilaal I really would've been visiting you!" He was thrilled upon seeing Bilaal and Bilaal had to smile at how excited he looked.

"Amir, you're still as talkative as I remembered you to be. Good evening and allow me to sit first before you run my ears off, please." They were age mates and now that Bilaal remembered, Amir contributed a lot to Bilaal having a normal childhood that wasn't as choking and suffocating as the rest of his life had been.

He was his childhood best friend and confidant. They fell out when Bilaal left for school and then everything changed for him.

Quickly brushing the thought away, he smiled as he heard Amir telling the maid to rush and tell Mom that Bilaal has arrived while he sat down beside him. "I've missed you, so much. How have you been? And how's...school?" The word school came out like a whisper and Bilaal smiled at how reluctant Amir was.

"School is fine. We're at our final semester, actually. It's both hard and great at the same time." He answered. It no longer bothered him, the conversation about school and what not. He had gone past that and was okay with it now. "How about you? How's work? Where are you working now?"

Amir smiled and answered him, "NMCDPRA, it hasn't been so long since I started, actually. And business? I actually fear you when it comes to business, Bilaal, how's your company doing now? Hope it has remained unaffected?"

He realized that Amir meant no harm yet he's being reluctant in asking him questions that it what happened didn't, Bilaal would've been the one to tell him himself. He smiled and nodded his head. But before he answered him, Mom walked into the living room, smiling broadly as she walked down the stairs.