Child of Mayhem (sneak peek!)

9

Ilham was scheduled to enter the facility at three. He got there early, knowing he'd be spending time filling out forms before being allowed access. After a brief pat-down, the staff led the way. It had been some time since he last walked down the path lit by streaks of light peering through windows.

When he arrived his father was already there, his back to the glass partition on the opposite side of one of the booths.

Kadir looked like what Ilham would if he were older, with their similar dark brows and intense way of looking at the world. They used to look even more similar before Kadir's long black hair had to be cropped short, yet he appeared youthful for a man behind bars. Some say a month in prison is like an entire year. Kadir once told his son, "you'll never grow old if you have a young heart." Ilham memorized a ton of wise words from his father. Kadir had a lot to offer despite his extraordinary way of making a living.

Ilham took a seat and so did his father.

"I thought I told you to stop coming over," Kadir said. "It's not healthy for a kid to be in a negative environment."

It sounded funny to Ilham because it was like he was talking to a ten-year-old rather than a six-foot-tall grown man.

"How's it going?" Ilham's voice was flat.

Kadir smiled a little, wondering whether he should laugh at the silly question. "Fine. How's everyone doing?"

"Ibu's at the gym most of the time while Kak Ayu's going crazy."

"Divorce hasn't been kind to her."

"She's handling it okay. Ibu takes care of the kids whenever Kak Ayu's at work."

Kadir nodded. "How are you?"

"You wouldn't have to ask these questions if you had thought of the consequences."

He stared patiently at his son.

"If you had stopped to think of what would happen maybe we wouldn't be having this conversation right now." Ilham's tone was sharp, but his father sat with ease as if he were sitting at a coffee shop instead of a booth in prison.

A pained look crossed Ilham's face, somewhere between anger and sadness. He was angry because of how calm Kadir seemed. He was sad because he knew it wasn't where his father should be.

Before he left, Ilham gave Kadir a quick "happy Father's Day."

Adi was leaning against his car in the parking lot when Ilham returned. He didn't say much after seeing the clenched fists and the obvious hurt in his eyes.

They drove onto the highway, Ilham being quiet most of the drive.

"Come on, I'll treat you to some ice cream," Adi said, turning the car down the street and parking opposite a mini-mart.

As Adi got out, he caught a glimpse of a short-haired woman in a bright yellow T-shirt too big for her stepping out of the main entrance. He yanked Ilham out of the car.

"Hey, look, it's her," he said.

"Who?"

"The girl from the bakery, the one whose bike you ran over."

Ilham squinted in the sunlight. "I don't see her."

"There, right there!"

"Where?"

"PUT ON YOUR GLASSES!"

He took out his pair of silver-rimmed glasses and put them on, pouting at his reflection in the car window.

"Hey, kid!" Adi shouted.

When Rara saw who it was, she immediately walked the other way.

"I'm talking to you!" Adi yelled.