LOVE TRIALS

ii

"What's wrong?" Adam inquired, softly as he watched his son play with his breakfast, he's been at it since he had joined him for breakfast.

Amaan looked up, swiftly at his father, his hands tightened around the hilt of his knife and fork. He cleared his throat as a smile warmed his lips, "Nothing, baba."

Adam laid back in his chair, he noted, "Something is amiss."

Sometimes, all the brothers wished their father was a little less attuned to them.

"Nothing, baba," Amaan reiterated, a noose tightened around his throat. He ducked his head, quickly preparing another morsel.

Adam Hassan Omer sat opposite his son, watching him intently as he hastily shoved a mouthful of the french omelette in his mouth, religiously avoiding his father's penetrating gaze.

"Son, you left rather abruptly, yesterday. If I may ask what happened?" Adam questioned.

Amaan swallowed, thickly before he choked himself, he rested his cutlery in his plate and reached out for his father's hand-stretched on the table, to grasp in his own. He kissed Adam's hand, blinked his eyes when his vision grew blurry, "I am fine, Baba. Truly. Please, eat your breakfast. We'll be late for the White's as is."

Adam relented, "Whenever you're ready, son. InshaAllah, I'll be here."

Amaan was grateful that Adam didn't broach the subject, further. He didn't think he could sit through it and he had never walked out on his father, he didn't want to begin, now.

It was a few minutes, later that a sharp knock echoed in the pin-drop silence of the room, Amaan only felt it because it was never quite between the two of them and he belatedly realised he should have been discussing the day's agenda as per their routine whenever he accompanied his father to his business trips rather than wallowing in self-hate. Of course, his father was suspicious, he shoved an anxious hand in his hair.

"Go on, see who is at the door. We will discuss business, after."

"Yes," Amaan obliged, he wiped his mouth and rose from the chair.

Yaritza Bellamy waited with bated breaths on the other side.

She whipped around with a breathtaking smile on her red lips when she heard the door open, "Hello, Uncle Adam-"

He almost shut the door when he saw who it was but Yaritza slapped a hand on it, halting him.

"Why are you here?" Amaan grated out, his eyes flitting from her small hand on the door to her lovely face. Two identical spots of colour rose high on her cheeks as she smiled at him, he had lived to see that smile. She beseeched him with her eyes and Amaan begged his heart to not betray him for the girl. Grey so vibrant, he didn't think it was grey. Steel, Ashes. So distinctive. So her. He hated himself for the observation and it only served to anger him, more.

She could very well see he was furious, she worried for his jaw, his straight teeth she had grown to love after she had the rare chance to witness his rich laughter.

"Loosen your mouth, Amaan," She told him, gently as her hand fluttered about his cheek, reaching out to touch him. She dropped it by her side when Amaan glared at her, singed her with the fire burning in his eyes.

His chest rose high with the effort of his breath, he was livid.

She took a deep breath and began, "I know I know you're angry-"

"Not here, not now."He cut her midsentence without a trace of anger she had heard in his voice, seconds ago."Baba, I am going down for a bit. I'll be right back."