Cold

Twelve

Kareem's POV (point of view)

I woke up as soon as my father started knocking on my door early in the morning.

"Kareem you rotten pig let me in, why is the door locked are you masturbating  or something you son of a beast".

To be honest I wasn't doing anything personal I felt more safe when the door was locked.

I got up and let my father in and smiled.

"Knock that stupid smile of your face, hurry get dressed I'm taking you on a drive".

"But why father"?

"Can't I spend some time with my son. I've been thinking about it, we haven't spend time since your mother...." he paused for a few seconds "you know what I'm saying".

"Oh yes father" I said and smiled "I'll get dressed right away".

Ofcourse I knew what he was saying. My father was in love with my mother but he didn't know how to love he was a monster. I remember back when I was a child I would see my mother get beaten and cheated on. She wasn't allowed to stay out of my father's sight and at night he would rape her thinking she was his wife it doesn't matter martial rape doesn't exist. No matter how hard I would try to avoid it and block my ears I could hear my mother's screams and couldn't even do anything about it I was a child and my body was powerless as compared to my father's back then. But I guess all men make mistakes I still love my father I honestly can't hate him for being a monster I can only feel sorry for him. My poor father he's just lacking love in his life.

***
I've never been alone with my father since a long time. He drove slowly in silence.

"Son there's something on my mind" he began.

"What is it father"? I smiled.

"It's Qasim that rotten pig".

"My little brother"?.

"Cut it out he ain't your brother he doesn't even love you".

"Maybe one day he'll realise that his big brother cares for him".

"Eww, okay. As I was saying he's been very active in our business".

"Isn't that a good thing"?.

"Why are you giving him our damn companies"?.

"He's so eager for it that's why father".

"Listen son you don't give any more or I'll...".

"What will you do"?.

"I'll hire someone to kill him".

I started staring at my father.

I got lost in the memories of my mother. One day my mom got caught in an affair. My father beat her so much she went into a comma. Back then I didn't know what a comma was I thought my mother had died. She was sent to the hospital I used to visit her everyday until my father sent her away to another hospital. He lied to me that she died and I almost ended up killing myself which made him tell the truth afterward.

"Son snap out of it" my father yelled.

"You don't need to do that father I won't let him take any more advantage".

"That's good. I hope you stay true to your word".

He suddenly stopped the car.

"Let's go for a walk" he suggested.

We walked a few minutes in silence.

"Your mother she... she loved walking" my father began.

I smiled.

"Yeah she used to take me out everyday for a walk" I laughed.

"Really how did I not know about it"?.

"You would never let her go out and I used to beg her. Mommy please walk with me outside".

"Did you two ever talk about me"?.

"Yeah sometimes".

"What did your mother say about me"?.

"Well once I told her that I didn't like it how you hurt her".

"What did she say"?.

"Your father has never hurt me he's given me more love than I deserve. Kareem always love your father deep down he's a very warm man".

My father didn't reply. I turned to face him and I was surprised.

My father was crying. I had never seen him cry.

"Father are you okay"?.

"Son I don't know when your mother will wake up from her comma. Will she even want to stay with me. What about Ghazala. I'm willing to change. I want her back. I want to love her right this time but I don't think she'll forgive me".

"She will" I answered.

He looked at me with tears filled in his eyes, then he suddenly pulled me closer and hugged me.

My father hasn't held me like that ever since mother had gone into a comma. Before I realised I had also started crying.

***
I returned back home after walking with my father. I had to go to work. Today I was working at home.

When I reached my office Qasim was already there.

"You look awfully drunk" I informed him.

"Kareem we need to talk" he answered.

"What is it"?.

"You told me that you don't need father's companies. Why are you talking so long why don't you give all of it to me now"?.

I started at him for a few seconds and sat on my chair facing the window which gave a good view of a garden.

"I changed my mind". I answered politely.

"What did you say"?.

"I said I changed my.."

Before I could complete my sentence Qasim grabbed me by my collar pulled me away from my chair and punched my face. I felt warm blood run down my face.

I turned to face him and smiled.

"Look little brother, I don't like people who take advantage of my kindness like that if you hit me again I'll make sure I beat you so hard that you won't be able to get up". I threatened him.

He forced to the ground and started punching my face. I got hold of him and forced him to get off my body and quickly got on his before he had a chance to gain balance again. I started punching him.

I let all my frustration out. Punch after punch I let out all my memories.

"Qasim" I heard someone scream.

I turned around to see Palwasha and Amira. She quickly ran towards us and separated me from him. As soon as Qasim stood on his feet he tried to hit me again but he didn't have any energy left. Palwasha was pulling on his arm. He tried to punch me but ended up punching Palwasha. Palwasha fell to the ground.

"Good job Qasim" Amira said.

"Palwasha"? Qasim said as he helped her up.

I tried getting close so I could also help her.

"Stay away from her" Qasim yelled.

I stopped and stared at them. Palwasha fortunately wasn't hurt too bad and she helped Qasim stand on his feet. They both left my office.

"Kareem your face is screwed up" Amira said.

"I know".

I looked at my knuckles that had turned purple by now. I only did it for Qasim's sake. I didn't want father to hurt my little brother.