Because he loved him..

4. Innocence

'I dreamt of you and my being dreads waking up.'

*A year ago*

After Sam left to the town to prepare for his exam which was in a week, Amay started counting days before he could see Sam again.

"Amay, the service was great today. When you sing, all my worries just disappear. I feel so calm and blessed. I am so glad that my son has you." Mrs. Clay beamed at me.

"You are too kind Mrs. Clay" I blushed and looked around the church, wary of being overheard.

Samar and I were very close since childhood. It didn't take Mrs. Clay long to figure it out. She walked in on Sam confessing his love for me in their home. I was terrified of her reaction but she just hugged us both and told us that she was very happy for us.

Though after that, I was forbidden from sleepovers at their house and whenever I would complain about it to Sam, he would blush wildly and become unusually quiet.

I sighed. Just a few more days and then Sam would return. I was so excited. For as long as I could remember, I dreamt of spending my life with Sam, watching him smile for me and growing old with him. This seemed like the beginning of it.

Suddenly something collided with the back of my legs, breaking my chain of thoughts. I almost stumbled and Mrs. Clay gasped.

When I turned, I saw a small kid dressed adorably in black trousers and white shirt. He was clutching a pretty white tulip in his hands.

"Hey big fella, what's the rush?" I bent down and smiled at him.

"It's not a Rush. It's a tulip!" He raised his hand holding the flower.

Mrs. Clay let out an amused chuckle and cooed at him.

"What's your name dear?" she asked

"My name is Arlo." He replied. I looked around, trying to find who he was with.

"Where are your parents, Arlo?" I asked him.

"My dad is over there." He pointed to a black Mercedes parked near the entry gate.

I could barely make out the outline of a man inside from the passenger window.

"He doesn't like praying but I want to pray."

Mrs. Clay tutted and mumbled something about irresponsible and ungrateful parents.

"Hello Arlo, I am Amay, I wanted to pray too. Can I join you?" I offered. He hesitated and then nodded.

Mrs. Clay smiled kindly at me, I took my leave from her and offered him my hand. He held my pinky and we walked towards the transept where people offered flowers and candles.

"We are here, Arlo." I told him. He folded his hands and closed his eyes. His face scrunched up in concentration.

I folded my hands too and prayed for his wishes to come true. When I opened my eyes, he gave me his tulip and I placed it on the raised dais, between the candles.

He stood up and we started walking him back towards the entry.

"What about your mum, Arlo? Does she not like praying too?" I asked.

"Nah! Dad told me that she loved to pray. She is up with God."

I stopped in my tracks. My mom passed away when I was 10, so I knew what growing up without a mother meant. At least, I had fond memories to turn to. Arlo didn't even have that luxury.

"I am sorry about your mom, Arlo. My mom is with God too." I supplied.

"Really? She knows my mom?" He asked enthusiastically with wide, twinkling eyes.

"I am sure they get along really well" I smiled, humouring him.

"Come! Tell dad"

He took my pinky finger and started pulling me towards the black car with a skip in his steps. He seemed really happy.

I followed him and saw a lean man wearing a black leather jacket standing near the car.

He looked young, probably in his late twenties. He had this no nonsense vibe around him which made me wary. I didn't think he would appreciate my lies to Arlo.

He had a mop of jet black hair and a stubble on sharp jaws. His cold eyes looked very out of place on the otherwise kind face.

When we approached, he smiled fondly at Arlo and picked him up.

"Took you long enough, let's get back home" He said.

"Dad, Amay's mother is friends with mom." Arlo blurted.

"Is she now?" His dad gave me a sharp look.

I winced, It was clear that both God and his wife were sensitive subjects for him.

"Hi, I am Amay Springfield." I nervously held my hand out for him.

"Springfield? Are you related to the pastor?" He said pastor like it was a slimy slug.

I felt oddly unnerved because dad was well liked in the village but it was clear that he didn't like him. He sneered at me and I scowled, withdrawing my proffered hand.

What was the deal with him? I don't think I had done anything to warrant his hatred.

"Err..yeah..That'd be my dad." I replied.

"You're Amay?" He asked in disbelief and stared at me. That threw me off for a second but everyone knew dad in the village, so it was very natural for a lot of them to know my name. Though, the way he said it, it sounded more than a casual acquaintance.

I wanted to ask more but,

"Dad, you are being rude!" Arlo admonished him and came down to hug me.

His dad seemed taken aback by Arlo's actions. He picked Arlo up, clearing his throat and got into the car.

Arlo kept waving at me till they disappeared down the road.

That was weird.

I walked back inside the church and helped dad clean up.

Over the course of the next few weeks, I would spot cars near the church, the garden and even the hills.

The cars were unmistakable with their modified alloy wheels and what looked like an M on their hood like some sort of mini flag.

I started seeing a pattern soon. There was always at least one car around me. No matter where I went and It wasn't as if I had a lot to do.

After a few days, I stopped giving them any attention. I think they preferred it that way too but it didn't mean that it was any less creepy, having cars stalk my movements.

I spent most of my spare time in the garden, tending to my plants or walking around on the hill, reading.

In the evening, I would return to our small two storey cottage and talk to dad, cook our dinner and then retire to my room upstairs to sleep.

A few days after I met Arlo, I was visiting Mrs. Clay. When I came out of her house, I spotted another one of the cars and It freaked me out so I decided to confront them.

No sooner did I reach the car, they drove off. I tried it again a few times to ask what their problem was but I never even came close to seeing anyone of them.

I didn't know back then but my life was about to change forever in the coming days.

*This is how Amay met Arlo and Karim. How was the chapter?*