The Heart's Agreement (Rewriting)

Prologue

It was dinnertime. The family of 5 was eating in silence. Just when the youngest son, Syed Ahmed, tried to get a glass of water, the cup fell with a huge clash on the floor. Glass shattering everywhere. His mom and siblings calmed him down saying that it was okay but his dad wasn't the one to think that. He stood up, pushing the chair behind him.

'Why did you break the glass, Syed?' His tone was stern, anger beneath the surface.

Syed was scared. He knew it was an accident but he still felt guilty and intimidated by his dad's presence. 'I didn't mean to break it dad. It was an accident.'

'Are you that blind that you couldn't see the glass in front of you?!' His dad boomed. 'You're 10 years old for God's sake!'

Tears were forming in Syed's eyes as he heard his dad yell, feeling small and fragile under his dad's gaze. He tried to speak up, his voice quiet and shaky. 'I-I'm sorry dad. It really was an accident. I didn't mean to break it.'

The oldest son Siam spoke up. 'Dad it's just a glass. He said he's sorry.'

Syed spoke up in a small voice. 'I really didn't mean to break it dad.'

But their dad yelled again. Syed flinched at his dad's loud voice, feeling more scared and small. He looked down at the floor avoiding eye contact. 'I-I'm sorry.'

Siam could sense the fear in his voice. 'Dad, it was just an accident. Please let him be.'

Syed whispered a soft 'Thank you' to Siam, grateful for his sibling's support, knowing he was trying to protect him from his dad's wrath, but still feeling the weight of his dad's anger and disappointment heavily on his shoulders.

When he snapped again, the twin sister of Siam, Sumaiyah intervened. Her voice was firm and gentle. 'Dad, please calm down. Syed said it was an accident. He didn't mean to break it.'

'Don't protect him!' Their dad yelled. 'This is why he'll grow up to be a weakling.'

Syed winced at the sound of his dad's harsh words, feeling hurt and defensive. He wanted to stand up for himself but the fear and intimidation from his dad was too strong. He looked down at the floor, feeling tears pricking his eyes.

Siam spoke up again, his voice firm. 'Dad, that's not fair. He's just a kid. Everyone makes mistakes. Just because we're trying to support him doesn't mean he'll grow up to be weak.'

Sumaiyah joined in too, her concern showing in her eyes. 'Yeah dad, we're not protecting him. We're just reminding you that he's still young and learning. And plus, it was truly an accident. You can't blame him for that.'

The voice of their mom finally came. 'Farid, I think you're overreacting. We all saw it was an accident.'

'Accident?' He scoffed. 'Is he an idiot? Doesn't he have eyes?'

Siam stepped in again. 'He's not an idiot, he's our brother. We should just forget about this and move on.'

Sumaiyah nodded. 'That's right dad. Let's just move on. Give Syed a break.'

'You two stay out of this!' He snapped then held Syed by the collar. 'You are a mistake! An absolute idiot! Always causing accidents in this house!'

Panic filled Syed as his dad shouted at him, feeling the fear consume his mind as he was being held by the collar, tears started falling down his cheek. He couldn't believe his dad was saying such harsh things. He wanted to defend himself but he was frozen in fear, unable to speak.

'Stop crying!' He yelled. 'You're just proving you're pathetic!'

Siam somehow dragged Syed to his chest as their mom found her voice and was shouting at him. His brother comforted him but no amount of consolation could make him forget the horror unfolding before him. His dad had his fist raised.