The Unbreakable Bond

Chapter Four

"Baba....I'm sorry" Mirza whimpered, looking down.

"Look at me!!" Demanded Murtasim, whilst moving forward and holding his chin between his fingers firmly yet gently.

"That wasn't what I had asked, was it? I don't need your sorry, I want you to admit what you did!!"

"I–I bunked, it won't happen again baba. I promise." Mirza let the tears go that he had been holding onto for a while now.

"You bunked?" Majed asked. His brother definitely had the guts. "With who?"

Mirza glanced up briefly, "Hussain,"

"What were you thinking when you walked out of school?" Murtasim asked.

"I don't know," Mirza whined, wiping the tears from his eyes.

Murtasim put a stone on his heart, not falling for the tears, knowing very well he had to get his message across. "Is that all, or is there something else that I should be aware of? I want the truth only. Try lying to me and no one will be worse than me."

Maaz was extremely confused, because he knew Mirza was bunking but he wasn't aware of what else had occurred within the college.

"Baba, I haven't done anything else."

Baba couldn't know, right? No, how would he have found out? Why did I speak to the teacher like that? Should i tell him? He really was starting to question his life decision at the moment.

Mirza couldn't help but feel guilty for what he had done, his baba would be disappointed. And one thing he hated was to disappoint his father-figure.

"Mirza, I didn't know you had learnt to lie so bluntly to my face." Murtasim said, no ounce of softness in his eyes.

"I-I'm not lying." Mirza stuttered.

Murtasim started at him silently, Mirza may lie to him but his eyes could never. He could read all of this brothers like an open book.

Murtasim didn't hold back anymore and turned him to the side, before bringing his hand down on Mirza's back twice.

"Ouch—Baba!" Mirza whimpered. He didn't hold back the sobs that were threatening to spill. The stinging pain in his back was a reminder of what he'd done today to earn them.

Majed stepped forward, trying to save his younger brother from Murtasim's wrath but Maaz, placed his hand over Majed's hand and tugged him back.

"Bhaiya!" Majed hissed, trying to tug his hand away.

"Stand still," Maaz warned. "Unless you also want to join him."

"But–"

"Majed," Maaz fixed him with a stern gaze. "You can't come to his defence when he's done something wrong. Do you want him to repeat the same mistake again?"

"No," Majed muttered. Maaz nodded and patted his head gently.

"What baba, so you are telling me that you didn't disrespect your teacher at school? Did you submit the homework that was due weeks ago? Did you not lie to me, when i asked you several times if your assignments were completed? Please inform me, was I the one who taught you to lie and disrespect your elders?" Murtasim asked a bit too calmly though it was clear he was trying his best to hold back.

"No, baba. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Mirza cried out between the sobs. He didn't want to disappoint his baba at all, that wasn't his intention but his actions had proved otherwise.

"Please Baba, I-I won't d-do it again. I-I promise. I'm sorry," He stuttered.

Murtasim softened his eyes. "Shh. That's enough, baby. Calm down! I haven't even begun yet and you're already crying. Wipe your tears away." He stated firmly, albeit gently.