Caged Crown

◇8

The silence followed us everywhere like our shadow. I took a glimpse of dad and brother whose eyes were locked in the moving vehicles. Perhaps, they  might be recalling everything like me. I could see a smile and a hint of blush in Jabir's face.

My head was busy calculating all the incident of today. Indeed this journey is special to me. No matter where we go, it's about what we see. My sister, who I lost years ago is miles away from me.

I won't let her marry her fiancè who she addressed as a member of mafia. I'm afraid and at the same time I can't face my brother who is already hurt. I wish I could bring her home, but I know she wouldn't come with me as her mama is alone and at the same time, Juvi mom won't allow to bring her as she's not married to her son yet. But, my sister isn't safe. I need to do something.

‘‘Jabir brother, will you please stop the car?” He pulled over the car.

‘‘What's it, Laiha? Are you hungry?” Dad asked.

I shook my head, ‘‘I've something serious and important to tell.” All heads turned to me as I was impatient and continued, ‘‘I know it would be hard to gobble down what I'm saying, but it's the truth.” I paused for a moment, cleared my throat and continued, “Allah plans something and we all go through it. It could be some test and we try to reach the shore for an escape. But when we're half way to the shore, He reforms the same test into a form of Gift.”

‘‘What are you trying to say? I can't understand.” Jabir brother raised his brows.

‘‘She's wasting our time. Jabir, drive so that we can reach home before dusk.” Mom frowned.

‘‘Lunah, is my sister.” Again, they turned their head to me.

‘‘I lost her on the day of my parents death. She r-”

‘‘Enough, Jabir do as I say. Don't listen to her fabricated story.” Juvi mom rolled up her eyes.

‘‘Trust me, Juvi mom. She's my own  sister. I can't witness her marrying that fraud. She's in danger. Take her with us, please.” My voice broke at the end of the sentence and soon I began crying.

‘‘Hey, Laiha.” dad turned back and extended his hand to console me.

“It's okay my dear. Don't worry, she would be safe. Besides, the people might judge us for bringing her home. They would create a different story that would harm my son.”

‘‘I know, dad. But I do care for my sister than the society. Let them say, but her life is in danger. I need to bring her home.” I broke down ino fits of sob.

‘‘Don't you care of your brother then? Didn't you hear what she said? She care for her sister. What about her brother?”  Juvi mom shook her head, ‘‘Like I said, she's crazy. She is always there to defile the name of our family.”

‘‘Juvairiya, she's little. She lost her sister and she can't lose her again. Why don't you understand? You're a mother, a sister, a daughter and a good wife.” Dad tried to make her understand and continued,  ‘‘What you say, Jabir?”

He shook his head, ‘‘I don't know dad. I'm ready to face anything.” I wiped my face and turned to Juvi mom. ‘‘Please, Juvi mom.”

She looked out smirking.

“But do you think she would agree to come leaving her grandmother alone?” Jabir asked.

“We'll talk to them.” I said.

‘‘Jabir, go back.” Dad whispered which made me sigh in relief, ignoring the tears that welled up in my eyes.

**