Chapter 2 PHONECALL OF DISTRRSS

Before I could speak, the person pushed the door open and jumped on me. From my side eye, I could see my daughters startle for a moment.

"I got in Dad. I got in." He shouted, happiness written all over his face as his brown eyes sparkled with joy

Amira stood up. "Whoa Kashi! You startled me for a moment. She held her chest and exhaled. What did you get?" She asked cocking her brows

"I made it into the university. Look dad! He said and handed his admission letter to me. Your big brother is now a university student." He smiled at his sisters

My daughters screamed and shouted with joy. The news came as a pleasant surprise to them. And especially to me. Nobody knew where Akashi was going when he left home in the evening. To say the truth he looked rather anxious when he came down for breakfast in the morning.

Now he stood happily. Bright smile written all over his handsome face. He was dressed in blue sweater and black jeans. The freckles on his cheek contrasted beautifully with his long hair which he got from me. It was packed in a neat bun. Akashi was always neat and trim, and I'm sure he has a lot of ladies trooping around him. To look at him, you would think he was into his twenties. But Akashi was just seventeen. My singular thrill with Akashi was that even though he didn't have the latest fashionable clothes, he was always decent and clean. This pleased me beyond measure.

Now I was more pleased as he handed over his admission letter to me. Although I wasn't fortunate enough to finish my university education due to financial issues. I would make sure I see my son throughout his studies. I smiled as I read through the letter. Admission to study Medicine in the University of Medical sciences, UAE.

This was exhilarating, all his mother dreamt of to have someone follow her footsteps.

"Kashi, what's your major?" Amira asked him.

"Look here young lady, he raised his brows at her. Address me with respect. Same goes for you and everyone in this house, except Dad of course. He said and gave me a light wink.

"Indeed! Amira said. Her voice was laced with sarcasm. This is called running before learning to crawl. University is not a bed of roses.. It's more difficult than you think."

"Did you hear her Dad? Akashi pointed at his sister. You're just plain jealous of me."

"Whatever" she mouthed to him.

"Big brother congratulations" Khadijat said turning to her brother and giving him a hug

"Aww thank you baby sister. For you there are no exceptions. You can address me whatever way you chose. But for Mira, I'll not tolerate disrespect." He winked at her.

Amira rolled her eyes, trying to shield the affection from him. In truth I knew both Mira and Dija loved and adored their brother so much. "Alright doctor, you got me. As long as I get treated in your hospital free of all charges." She muttered and we all burst out laughing.

"I'm so proud Kashi, I can't wait for your mother to hear the news. There would be a grand celebration today." I said as my brows began to furrow with worry.

"Okay Dad, he said picking Dija off the bed and he placed her on his lap. But no one should tell mummy of the admission before me."

"Why is that?" I asked him, looking closely at his face

"She promised to get me the latest Android phone once I get admitted." He said with a wide smile.

"No! There's no way mummy would get an Android phone for only you, she would get for us too." Amira blurted out

"Dad, you see jealousy from her. That's what that is stopping her from growing tall." Akashi teased and I burst out laughing forgetting my worries for a bit. This was one of the things I appreciated of my wife. She would shoulder things like this without reminding me that is my responsibility. She would fill out every loophole I left unattended to. And would never use it to spite me. I can't say we don't have any disagreement or fights because no marriage is perfect. But I could swear she was an epitome of perfection.

I allowed them to chastise one another for a couple more minutes, at least watching them distracted me from what I had in my mind.

"All I ask is that on one should spill the news before me." Akashi repeated his request on a warning note

"Alright. Nobody will spill your news, you would be the one to tell her first as soon as she arrives okay?" I said and rubbed his head lightly

"Thank you Dad."

"You're welcome." I said smiling at him lightly

The room was getting a little hot from the too much talking and activities. I ordered Amira to turn on the air conditioner. She did and sat back down and looked at me. "Daddy?" She called me

"Yes dear?"

"Why isn't mummy back yet?" She asked me

You really have to remind me that, I thought. "Akashi? I tapped him. What does the time say?"

"Seven minutes past eleven." He replied looking worried

At the sound of that my heart skipped a beat. This was so unusual. My wife had never been this long at work. I prayed silently that nothing had gone wrong. I hoped she was okay. Maybe she got into an accident. No! No! I shouldn't be thinking about that. "Maybe there was some emergency case. I spoke at last. You know the nature of her job. Being a medical doctor isn't easy."

"True" Amira nodded satisfactorily

"Daddy? Khadijat called, still laying on her brothers arms. Could you tell us a story?" She asked

Finally! I've got something to pull my attention away from negative thoughts. "Ermm, okay. But first let's get you both to bed" I said and began making their beds. Khadijat and Amira shared a bedroom, which Amira had told us it would end once she clocks 18. Akashi had his personal bedroom, which had gotten his sisters envious on several occasions.

Tugging them gently, I sat in between their bed, on the only chair in their room, Akashi sat in the floor. Clearing my throat repeatedly, I began.

"Once upon a time, in a deserted community...."

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••••••••••••••

"Dad? Akashi called his father as they walked down the staircase. It's almost twelve. Are you sure nothing has happened to Mummy?" He asked concern written all over his face

"Of course not. Why would you think of something like that?" He asked trying to sound courageous but the emotions in his voice gave him away

"I don't know. But she has never stayed this long. I'm having a bad feeling, I do hope nothing has gone wrong." Worried marks etched all over his face

Untying his long hair, Hakimi repacked it again and picked up his phone. He dialed his wife's number for the nineteenth time. It rang for few seconds and hung up. Still no reply. Tapping the space between his eyebrows, he tried not to think negatively. Should anything bad happen to his wife, his life would go back to the mess it was before he married her. "Damn it!" He slammed the table loudly with his palm.

Akashi turned sharply, startled by his father's sudden outburst. "Dad? Is everything alright?" He became suddenly frightened

"Ermm. Of course it is. I was...it...it...was nothing." He blinked rapidly to avoid any outburst that was coming

"Dad? Akashi made a long face and walked closer to him. Do you think mu..."

"I don't know Kashi! He cut him short because he didn't know how he would react if anyone queries such again. He was already at the verge of loosing himself. Placing both hands on his son's shoulders, he breathed rapidly, his heart was pounding so loudly in his chest. Look, he gazed in his son's eyes and could see fear. I'm as worried as you are now. Okay? But worrying won't help either of us, so instead of standing here and doing nothing why don't you grab your coat and let's go bring her back home okay?" He looked at him and saw his expression relax a bit.

"Okay Dad." His face brightened up a bit. Yes, that's the effect my wife had on us all. Akashi rushed upstairs to his room, while Hakimi walked to the cupboard to retrieve the keys.

Still waiting for Akashi, he headed towards the front door and glanced at the clock once more. It was forty minutes past midnight. His heart began racing again. Normally she's always back before eight.

"Kashi!" He called out a bit loud, so he won't wake up the girls.

"I'm here!" He sang as he descended the stairs with his black overcoat. Grabbing his coat, Hakimi twisted the door knob, and suddenly the telephone in the dining room began ringing.

"Can you grab that?" He turned and shut the door.

Rushing to the dining, Akashi grabbed the receiver." Hello, Rajvier's residence who is speaking please?"

[Hello, this is Dr. Parraj may I speak with an adult?] The voice spoke from the other end

"Dad, here you go." Akashi handed him the receiver

"Hello, Hakimi Rajvier speaking..."

[Hakimi! Your wife has been admitted into the emergency unit. I need you to come over immediately!..."