part 119: (nicholas)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

“You can come inside after 5 minutes beta. Let me just tell khalla to stay in the room” abdullah instructed hanzalah as they pulled up in their driveway after fajr salaah with nick in the back seat.

Neither abdullah nor hanzalah asked nick anything. They were as friendly and welcoming as they possibly could.they didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable and neither did they want him to feel like they were just nosy and wanted to know all his business. So they left him to be.

Somewhere across the town there was major havoc going on.

The party was stopped as soon as the cops arrived and everyone tried to flee from nicks house. Some managed to get away whilst others were taken in the back of a police van.

The house was raided. They didn’t have to look far cos all the evidence of illegal activities were strewn around the house.

The house was a stinking, rotten mess.

Tasha and tom had to cut their weekend vacation short and took the first available flight back home.

Tom was beyond embarrassed and tasha was fuming at first.

But soon, her anger subsided and turned into worry for her son. Where was he and how far down had he gone?

How did he manage to get himself into all of this?

Why did he do this to himself when he had everything that every child had ever dreamed of.

They sat in silence for most of the morning and allowed the policeman to do their job.

Tashas head was spinning and her eyes were blood shot from all the crying.

Usually tom would sit by and console her. But today he just needed time alone to think of what was actually going on. How was he going to fix all of this?

His house that he had spent so much of money, time and effort into making a home, was ripped of ever being a home. This house to him was becoming a disaster.

He always wished to settle down and have a family of his own one day, and when he fell in love with tasha, he honestly thought he would be able to accept her with all access luggage. But it was times like this when he regretted his choices in life the most. He wished that he could turn back the hands of time and start afresh. But this was fate. His fate. A disastrous fate. And he would have to deal with it one step at a time.

For now the first thing to do was to find nick. No doubt they would be termed as ‘the neglectful couple of the town’ for leaving their teenage son all alone for an entire weekend. And he hated the fact that it was his idea in the first place.

The police wouldn’t file a case for a missing person as it was not longer than 24 hours as yet that nick was missing.

Nicks phone was still laying on his bed, but unfortunately it was useless because the battery was dead and when they did charge it and switched it on, it had pin codes which they didn’t know.

Tom was beginning to get frustrated at tasha who just cried instead of making some effort to find her son.

He felt like leaving her in her missing and booking himself somewhere far away until all this was over.

But that would just make him a coward. And that was not what tom was in the least.

So instead, he took a deep breath in and walked towards the kitchen where he rinsed the kettle and filled it with clean water from the kitchen sink and switched it on to boil while he prepared two mugs with tea bags and sugar. The only way to get through this would be to clear their heads with a good cup of tea and to start at the very beginning….

**********
Authors note:
Maaf for delay in posting.been busy. Pls make special for my brother who’s really ill at the moment and in hospital.
Bibi ayesha

Posted by silent living…

part 118: (sabreen)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

‘Hello ma’am… I’m constable mokoena.. I’m sorry to bother you at this very late hour” an elderly gentleman said from the doorway. He was accompanied by another police officer to his left.

Alice stood there with a frown on her face and worry all over. She just nodded.

“Just to confirm. Are you related to a Mr Tony…” He looked down at a card.. “Williams?”

Alice swallowed hard.. “Yes” she replied.. Barely audible. She had to clear her throat and repeat herself a little louder for them to hear “yes! I’m his sister”

The 2 policeman looked at eachother before the other continued.
“Ma’am.. We need you to please come with us for identification. Unfortunately Mr williams body was found near the dam about 30k’s from here”

The world was spinning and alice suddenly couldn’t hear anything. All she could see was the constables lips moving. Everything was suddenly very bright. She absent mindedly started shaking her head profusely and walking backward.. “No! No!…. Not tony… You’re lying!”

She ran to her room where her cellphone lay beside her bed, leaving the policeman still at the door.

“Alice? What’s wrong? Who was at the door? Was it tony?” Sabreen asked innocently, unaware of what was going on.

Alice ignored her and grabbed the phone to dial tonys number. It went straight to voicemail.
“Dammit tony!” She shouted to no-one in particular and redialled another 3 or 4 times but every time it just went straight to voicemail.

“Alice? What is going on?” Sabreen shouted for alices attention.

Again alice ignored her.

There was a knock on the door again.
“Miss williams!” The constable screamed from the front door.

“Alice?who’s at the door?” Sabreen pleaded.

Alice walked to the front and sabreen followed.
“Its not my brother.you’re mistaken. Its someone else. I’m trying to call him. His phone is off. His battery is probably dead. He’ll be home soon…” Alice went on and on without breathing inbetween. She was in denial. She didn’t or couldn’t accept what the officers were saying.

“Miss williams. If you can come with us, you can decide that for yourself.” They said sympathetically. They were probably so used to delivering bad news. They probably did this every day.

Today it was to someones sister about her brother. Some days its probably someones mother about her son and other days someones fathers about his son.

It can’t be easy for them though. Having to deal with peoples different reactions.

“Go where? Alice? Talk to me!” Sabreen demanded as she shook her sister.

But again alice ignored sabreen. How was she supposed to tell her sister that their brother was lying dead in some government mortuary?

“Are you related to this young lady aswel?”. The constable was talking to sabreen now.

She just looked at him and nodded.

“Are you also a sibling?” He asked since sabreen didn’t volunteer any more information about how she was related to them.

Again she nodded.

“Well can you and your sister come with us please? We understand its getting late and the sooner we get this done, the better it will be for all of you…” He said in a straight tone.

Sabreen looked at him puzzled. She still wasn’t used to speaking to strangers so she didn’t have the courage to ask.

“We need someone to come and identify your brothers body at the mortuary. His body was found dead at the dam and this card was found nearby. ” The officer put forward tonys drivers license before sabreen and alice. It was torn and tattered but the name was visible.

Alice broke down… She was hysterical… While sabreen on the other hand was unusually calm and composed. She was in shock. It was time for her to return to her shell.

********
Authors note:
I really really love you all soooooo much for being such wonderful readers. So there you go…. There’s your post for today.
Bibi ayesha

Posted by silent living…

part 117: (sabreen)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

Alice and sabreen gobbled their burgers and fries not caring for a second that people around may be watching and thinking ‘how greedy’ they looked.

They were starved by now.

“That was yum alice! You were right, this place makes some awesome food…” Sabreen complimented.

“If only they weren’t so slow with service. Alice remarked unaware that the manager was standing right behind her.
“I apologise ma’am. We’re actually short staff and having a problem finding people to serve here. We will try our best to rectify this in future.”

Alices faced turned bright red. She fely so embarrassed. She didn’t mean to be so blunt. She was just talking to sabreen.
“No no.. Ehem.. But the foods lovely… I’m a regular here and I know that the service isn’t always bad.”

“Well if you do know of any young girls willing to take up a part time or full time job…. Please pass the word around for us” he said as he winked at them and moved away.

“That.was.so.embarrassing!” Alice whispered to sabreen.

Sabreen tried to keep her laugh in. “Well I’m sure he didn’t take too much of offence.. He did wink at you after all.”

Alices blush increased…

“So is that why you’re a regular here sis?” Sabreen asked mischievously.

“NO!” Alice said a little too quickly.. “Are you crazy? Their foods just awesome. That’s all! And my lifes too crazy sometimes to cook and its honestly no fu cooking for just one person.”

“Where is tony anyway? Howcome he’s never around?” Sabreen turned serious.

Alice threw her hands up in the air.. “Who knows? Who cares?”

“Does he ever come home?” Sabreen asked.

“Yeah… If coming home drunk and wasted counts as coming home… Then yeah he does some times. Or maybe he comes when I’m at campus… I don’t really know and the less I see of tony, the better cos otherwise we just fight.” Alice confided.

“But he needs help alice.. Before its too late.” Sabreen said.

“Pft.. Try telling him that!” Alice replied. “You still want some ice coffee? ”

“No way! I’m stuffed.. Maybe another time.. I’m sure you’d love to come back here again… ” Sabreen joked.

They paid the bill and were on their way back to alices apartment when alice suddenly said…
“Hey! I just had an idea…”

“What? You wana go back for ice coffee?” Sabreen said sarcastically and giggled.

Alice swatted her arm and rolled her eyes… “No bozo!”

“Then what?” Sabreen asked interested.

“Why don’t you take the job at the restaurant part time? Like maybe on weekends or something? In that way, you can stay with me and keep me company…. And you get to make some extra bucks!” Alice was so excited at her idea.

Sabreen shook her head rapidly.. “NO way!!! Do you know me?”

“Duh!! That’s why I think its a great idea!” Alice beamed.

Sabreen just shook her head.. The rest of the ride home was silent.

That evening sabreen made 2 huge bowls of popcorn and the 2 of them sat up switching from channel to channel and when they were bored of the TV, decided to switch off and talk till the wee hours of the morning.

They didn’t even realise how late it was until again there was a loud knock at their apartment door.

At first they both jumped but then alice calmed sabreen down.. “Its probably just your crazy brother again, he has a habit of losing his house keys.. Chill! I’ll get it!”

Sabreen stayed behind in the bedroom while alice went to open for tony… Or atleast she thought it was him, until she opened the door to find someone else instead.

********
Authors note:
You see how your comments and likes help?lol
Jx once again to all of you for reading,commenting and liking…love ya all lots..
Bibi ayesha

Posted by silent living…

part 116: (sabreen)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

Alice and sabreen woke up late on saturday morning. They decided to sleep in so they can be fresh and vibrant to spend a good day together.

Once they woke up, they had a delicious brunch and lazed around for a while longer in their pj’s before bathing and getting dressed to go out to the mall.

Alice chose some pretty clothes from her sisters suitcase for her to wear. Hilda and mike spoilt sabreen with the cutest of ‘girly’ clothes and accessories all the time. Her wardrobe was ever increasing. At the rate they were spoiling her, they would soon probably have to build her her very own walk in closet.

Alice took her time to straighten sabreens hair and apply some light make-up. It was so good to have someone to experiment with and as much as sabreen hated make-up, she just went with the flow so not to upset her sister.

“Alice…?” Sabreen mumbled while alice applied the natural colour lip gloss to her lips..

“Hmm” alice replied absent mindedly.

“Will you ever get married?” Sabreen caught her off-guard. Alice stopped dead in her tracks. She never expected a question like that from sabreen.

“Uh… I.. Err.. I don’t know… Why do you ask?” Alice didn’t know the answer to the question.

Sabreen shrugged.. “Just asking”

“would you like me to get married?” Alice diverted the attention back to sabreen.

“Well… Yes.. And no.” Sabreen replied honestly.

Alice laughed. “Yes and no?”

“Well… You deserve some happiness in your life… So yes…” Sabreen explained.

“Who said getting married is happiness? You ever seen beth and sam happy?” Alice asked.

“No.. But aunt hilda and uncle mikey are!” Sabreen replied.

Alice sighed and sat down next to her sister. “And why no?”

Sabreen looked down sadly. “Because I love you and I’ll miss you and we won’t get these times ever again. You’re the only one who’s been with me from the very beginning when I was a baby and you never left me or hurt me…”

“And it doesn’t mean that if ever I get married that that will change. You’re my life breeni… I love you with all my heart and nothing or no-one can ever change that.” Alice side hugged her sister tightly.

“Promise?” Sabreen asked with slightly wet eyes.

“I promise promise promise” and she kissed her sisters cheek.. “Now come on! No use looking all pretty and sitting in this house… Let’s get out and have some fun!”

And off the 2 of them went, to enjoy the rest of their saturday.

They walked around the mall from shop to shop together. They didn’t buy much. Just window shopped and for the fun of it tried on millions of clothes and shoes at every clothing and shoe store they passed.

By the end of the day, their feet were aching and their stomachs growled, signalling that they needed a bite to eat. The last they ate was brunch and it was almost 5pm already.

“What you wana eat breeni?” Alice asked as they walked towards the food court.

“Hmm, I don’t know… Some junk food would be good. Aunt hilda makes me eat healthy most of the time. So once in a while I actually feel for some junk food” sabreen giggled.

“Okay then… I know a place that sells the most awesome ham burgers and their ice coffee is to die for!” Alice suggested.

They entered the chaotic fast food restaurant and found a seat somewhere in the middle where there was basically only place for the 2 of them to squeeze. They waited almost 20 minutes before someone came to take their order and then another hour before their food finally arrived.

Both alice and sabreen were so annoyed about the long wait but when the food came, it was all well worth the wait…

********
Authors note:
You guys are all toooo awesome. Jx soooo much to all of you who commented and if this continues, you will definitely succeed in making me feel guilty for not posting and who knows, I may just post more often. Lol.. no promises though.
If you can’t comment, atleast like the post so I know you’re reading.
Bibi ayesha

Posted by silent living…

part 115: (hanzalah+nicholas)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

“Nicholas?” Hanzalah asked wth a creased forehead, more confused than ever before.

He couldn’t understand what nick would be doing here, let alone this early in the morning.

nick looked up, relief filling his heart. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in and out but could feel palpitations running through every part of his aching body. From his fingers, right up to the back of his head.
“Thank goodness its only you” he finally managed to whisper.

“Are….” Hanzalah paused… And then asked wearily” are you alright?”

He was genuinely concerned. Nick didn’t look well at all.

Nick put his head in his hands and sighed heavily again. And then he shook his head without looking up at hanzalah.

Hanzalah calmly sat down on the step beside nick..
“What’s up? You know you can talk to me… But if you don’t want to, I understand.. I won’t push you”

Nick remained in the same position for a while and just when hanzalah thought that nick wasn’t going to answer, he began speaking..
“I’ve messed up nerd boy… Big time.”

Hanzalah was used to being called that. Almost everyone in school called him that so he didn’t take offence.

“And I’ve got no where to go.. I’ve got nothing! I’ve lost everything, as little as it was.. I now have nothing” he explained.

“What do you mean? I’m sure It can’t be that bad? You’re probably just exaggerating!” Hanzalah tried to reassure him.

“Yeah right…” Nick gave a sarcastic laugh.. “Why am I even telling you this? How can I expect you to even understand? You’re too simple to understand what a mess I’m in”

Hanzalah took a little offence at his rudeness, but decided to put his own feelings aside for now. Nick needed him and he needed to help wherever he could.

“Hanzalah…beta?” Hanzalah heard his father at the bottom of the stairs..

He jumped up quickly.. ” I’ll be right there abba… You can wait for me in the car…”

“Teekh he… Alright!” And off he went.

“You better go… ” Nick sounded disappointed.

“Just give me a minute, I just need to get something.” Hanzalah told nick and then proceeded to unlock the gate at the top of the staircase. He walked to the office door and unlocked it before entering to fetch what he came for in the first place.

Once he locked up again, hanzalah told nick “I just need to hand these keys back okay.. Don’t go anywhere.. I’ll be right back.”

And he sped off back to the masjid area to return the keys to the imam saheb.

The minute hanzalah left, nick had this sudden insecurity. He wondered if hanzalah was infact going to return or was he also going to ditch him and leave him to suffer in his misery?

Ofcourse hanzalah was going to ditch him… His father was waiting for him in the car.

‘Hanzalah was so fortunate to have a caring and loving father..’ Nick thought… ‘Unlike me.. I don’t have a father and now I don’t have another either. I’m homeless….’

“Homeless!” Nick said the word again and felt a sharp pain in his heart…

Nick continued feeling sorry for himself.

Minutes dragged by, which felt like hours for nick. He made up his mind that hanzalah was most certainly not coming back for him.

The hard floor was beginning to make his bottom hurt and his back was in excruciating pain from the cold of the wall he took support from.

His legs were beginning to cramp and his tummy growled with hunger.

“Come on! Quick… My fathers waiting!” Hanzalah shouted from downstairs.

Nick was startled for a minute. “Huh?” He leaned over the staircase to look down at hanzalah.

“Come on! What are you waitng for?” Hanzalah shouted again.

“Where are you taking me?” Nick asked afraid.

“To my house… Now enough with your questions, we can talk over breakfast at home. I’m starving.”

********
Authors:
Hope you all are well.. Excuse me for my absence recently. But I try to post whenever I can. I really appreciate your patience and appreciate the comments even more.. So please keep them coming if you want the next post soonest.
Bibi ayesha

Posted by silent living…

part 114: (hanzalah)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

“Since tomorrows sunday, I just want to sleep in till late.I’m so exhausted.I can’t wait for after fajr salaah” hanazalah said.

“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe we all should sleep till a little late tomorrow..” Abdullah agreed.

they lazed around and spoke till around 10 before everyone retired to their rooms.

It was truly a long and tiring day for hazalah and abdullah.

when hanzalahs alarm went for fajr, he stretched a little and was up in no time. Just the thought that he’ll be able to climb back in bed today after fajr made him more excited to get up. Every other day he has to stay awake and get ready for school.

He rushed to the bathroom to perform his wudhu and slipped on his kurta before reading his 2 sunnah rakaats of fajr..

“Ready beta?” Abdullah called just after he had made his second salaam to the left.

“Jee” he replied as he followed his father out to the car hurriedly.

Hanzalah yawned non-stop all the way to the masjid. He couldn’t control his yawns.

“You really are tired today.. “His father joked.

Upon entering the masjid, hanzalah stopped to wash his face again. He needed to wash the sleepiness away.

He then joined his father and the rest of the congregation in the early morning prayer.

After the imam made salaam, it was abdullahs habit to remain sitting in his place and make extra dua. So in the meantime, hanzalah recited his surah yaaseen as was HIS habit.

“Assalamu alaykum hanzalah…” The imams voice was heard greeting next to him.

Hanzalah just completed his recitation, smiled and shook the imams hand. The imam held onto hanzalahs hand affectionately with both his hands.

“Have you made up your mind yet about next year?” He asked hanzalah.

“I did actually” hanzalah nodded.

“And?” The imam asked.

“We were actually going to speak to imam saheb sometime today. Inshallah I want to start as soon as I’m done with my final exams.” Hanzalah spoke respectfully.

“Alhamdulillah son! That’s very good news.” He patted hanzalah on the back. “You would just need to fill in the enrolment forms. I actually have them in my office. Maybe you can get one for me and you can take it home, have a look at the rules and fill them in. And then you can bring them back as soon as you’re done with them.”

hanzalah smiled with glee… “Jee jee.. Inshallah.”

“Let me just get my office keys for you.” Imam saheb said and got up.

Hanzalah waited excitedly. He had thought about what to do next year for quite some time. And while everyone else wanted to succeed academically, he wished to take a different path. Abdullah advised him accordingly and after they had consulted eachother a few times, hanzalah made the decision to do an aalim course here at the madressah next year along with the memorisation of the quraan.

“Here you go. Its on my desk. On the right hand corner you’ll find some enrolment forms. Just take one and you can lock up again for me please.” Imam saheb explained to hanzalah.

Hanzalah excitedly rushed to the office, forgetting all about how tired he was and forgetting all about sleeping after fajr. He dangled the keys as he strolled through the corridor and turned up the staircase.

The smile faded away and a little bit of fear gripped him as he heard some rushed footsteps on the second set of stairs.

Hanzalah closed his eyes and prayed ayatul kursi for protection. And then decided that maybe he was just imagining.

But as soon as he turned to go up the second set of stairs himself, his heart almost stopped beating at the terrible sight of a human being before him.

Posted by silent living…

part 113: (hanzalah)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

Hanzalah joked with naeema as they sat on the floor mat that they kept for eating. They were enjoying some light sandwiches for supper on friday night.
“You know khalla… I was just thinking about you yesterday when I was reading a hadith about hazrat ayesha(may Allah be pleased with her).”

Naeema smiled at the mere thought that hanzalah remembered her after reading a hadith. And more so a hadith about one of her favourite companions/wives of the beloved prophet(peace and bleSsings be upon him).

“Hazrat ayesha(may Allah be pleased with her) was so simple…like you…” Hanzalah paused for emphasis on his compliment to her.. “She used to prepare the dough for bread and then fall asleep and while she was asleep, the goat used to come and eat her dough up”

They all laughed remembering naeemas incident of bad luck the other day when attempting to make nihari and naan..

Their house was always so peaceful and pleasant. Even though abdullah was going through so much of financial strain, he left that out of the house. He prayed constantly to Allah to keep him patient and remove his difficulty.

Nabi(SAW)said:
Whoever seeks to be patient, Allah will give him patience, Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.
(Bukhari)

“Hanzalah beta.. After supper, please complete as much of your homework and studying as you can. And then again after esha. I need your help early tomorrow morning please?” Abdullah spoke to his son.

Hanzalah nodded… “What help do you need abba jaan?”

“I’m going to a flea market about an hour away. I’ve got some spares lying around the shop that I’d like to sell out and a few extra things here in the house that we don’t really need. We can leave after fajr inshallah. Its only till 1 o’clock.” Abdullah explained.

“And me too abba.. I want to come with!” Habeeba demanded excitedly.

Abdullah placed his hand affectionately on her head.. “No beti.. You’re going to show khalla how to bake some yummy naan khattaai here at home okay? You know we can’t leave khalla alone to do that so you have to show her okay?”
Abdullah smiled and winked at naeema.

She didn’t feel offended. She knew that abdullah was trying to use some kind of tact to keep habeeba from throwing a fuss about staying home.

She loved abdullah for his sweetness and his ability to try and make everyone happy.

Early after fajr salaah, hanzalah and abdullah sipped a quick cup of tea and were off to another town to try and sell out abdullahs stock.

They recited durood on their way and then istighfaar..

“If anyone continually asks forgiveness, Allah will appoint a way out of every distress, relief from anxiety & will provide from where he never realised.” Abdullah told hanzalah as they recited the words of istighfaar together.

They set out their things and prayed for Allah to grant them blessings in their trade today.

It was terribly windy and the flea market was full of sand. Everyone else came prepared with a gazebo to protect them from the heat of the day, but when abdullah packed the car the night before, he realised that one of the poles of his gazebo was bent and the sail itself was tattered and torn. He had to leave it behind unfortunately.

If only he knew how severe the heat was going to be.

Neither of the 2 complained though. They tried hard to sell out everything but people who came wanted everything for close to nothing. Eventually, abdullah just gave in and sold whatever he could for whatever price he was offered.

By 1pm, they were exhausted, hot and hungry. There was nothing halaal to buy around here and the tuckshop to get a cold drink or water was right on the other end of where they stood so they basically stayed without anything.

But lucky for them, naeema prepared a good meal of mutton curry and rice and it was steaming hot and ready for them when they entered the house.

“We’re just going to wash up and perform our zuhr salaah first” abdullah said as he hugged naeema.

“Abba! Abba! Look, I helped khalla make these… Just taste them.. They sooo tasty” habeeba beamed.

Abdullah bent down and opened his mouth for habeeba to place a piece of naan khattaai in his mouth…
“Hmm… That just melts in my mouth… I told you that you’ll do a good job beti jaan” and he kissed her on her forehead before heading to the bathroom to perform his ablution.

Hanzalah and abdullah performed their salaah in jamaat before joining the 2 special ladies of the house on the floor mat for lunch.

Posted by silent living…

part 112: (nicholas)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

All the colour drained from nicks face and then he began cursing.

“I received a whatsapp from someone saying that one of the neighbours complained about the noise and drunk kids coming from this house..” Kelly was half way through her explanation when nick zoomed passed her.

He headed for the front door and then decided against it.

“Where are you going nicky?” Kelly asked.

“Just go! Run as fast as you can…” Nick yelled at her.

“Not without you. Come!” Kelly pleaded.

“Carry on, I just need to get something… I’ll be right behind you!” Nick said as he headed in the opposite direction.

The music was still blasting. Some guys were knocked out on the couches, girls still dancing, oblivious of what was about to happen.

Nick didn’t care about anyone else. He needed to get out of there and as fast as he could.

There was no way that he was going out the front door behind kelly. That would be just plain stupid. Instead he headed for the back door. He ran to the back wall and jumped over into their back neighbours yard. He tried to make his way to the front as fast and silently as he could so not to create any commotion. He didn’t want anyone to know which way he was going.

Finally he made it to the front and jumped their wall onto the road. He carried on running as fast as his drunken legs could take him.

Unfortunately he couldn’t run fast enough. He’s energy was running out but for the first time in his life, he was afraid. He was petrified of being caught.

He needed to get as far away as possible.

The streets were relatively quiet since it was so late but everytime nick heard a car in the distance, he would hide.

He was wearing a black jeans and a black polar neck so it wasn’t that difficult to camouflage anywhere.

Nicks mouth was beginning to get dry and his legs were feeling lame. He couldn’t continue any longer.

He needed a place to hide for a while where no-one would notice him.

In all the rush, he’d forgotten to even take his cellphone or money. Just the thought of having nothing made him feel weaker and sick.

Nick felt sick in his stomach and couldn’t keep himself from regurgitating in someone’s flower pot.

Once he managed to steady himself, he carried on until he seen a huge church like building.

It was face brick but beautiful and very quiet. Nick decided that this will be his hide out until he had enough energy to continue.

He moved to the back somewhere and found a couple of rooms, almost like a mini school. But all the doors were locked. There was a staircase whic he climbed but there was a gate at the top of the staircase which was locked too.

“Aaah, I’ll just have to hide out here for now! Its quite dark and no-one will find me here I hope” nick said to himself before dropping down. Soon he was fast asleep.

Suddenly nick was awoken by some noises. He was terrified.

Did someone find him?

He picked himself up but couldn’t remain steady. His body was limp. He leaned against the face brick wall and headed slowly down the staircase, holding tight onto the railing for support.

Once he reached the bottom, he peeped out to see.

There were men, lots of men. Men with beards and hats. Hats like the ones hanzalah wore. And they were all headed in one direction.

Nick wondered why they were all in such a hurry at this time of the night. It was still dark and when nick looked at his watch, it was only 5:30am.

He watched them all enter through the same door. His mind couldn’t fathom what was going on. But they didn’t look like something bad happened. They all looked like they were at peace.

He then sat down once again behind the wall on the staircase. Soon it would be light. What if someone found him?

Nick sat with his head in his hands and wondered what he had got himself into. He wondered about tasha and tom and if they were called back home?

What would they do to him if they found him?

His life was over.

They would kill him.

He could get locked up in juvenile prison for having drinks and drugs of all kinds.

How did the other kids get away with it?

This was his first party and now look what happened?

He wanted everyone to talk about his party on monday at school, but not in this way.

He was doomed.

There was no reason for him to live. How would he live? How long was he going to run? And where to?

Nick was brought out of his misery by the sound of keys coming his way.

He needed to run. To hide. Fast.. But where? And for how long before he was caught?

Posted by silent living…

part 111: (nicholas)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

Tasha and tom arrived in the beautiful city of cape town. The weather was lovely and the atmosphere was so peaceful.

Everyone around was so cheerful and carefree and it was contagious because that’s exactly how tasha and tom began feeling too.

They jumped into their hired car and proceeded to the 5 star hotel that tom had booked for them. By the time they’d checked in and settled down,they were exhausted. It was a long day at work for both of them and then a rush to the airport.

They decided to call it an early night and ordered room service for dinner instead of going out.

While waiting for their food to come from the kitchen downstairs, tasha decided to call nick and make sure that he was okay.

“What?!” Nick answered after the 5th ring.

“Hey nicko… Just checking if you’re okay…” Tasha said sweetly.

“I’m fine!” Nick snapped at his mother rudely.

“Okay then…” Tasha felt a little hurt. “There’s err.. Some food for you in the fridge. Some pasta and abit of lamb too… But if you don’t want any of that, you can just order some take outs okay?”

“Yeah… Whatever!” nick tried to rush her so he could put the phone down.

“I’ll transfer some money for you into your account, just incase you need anything and run out of cash.” Tasha said before putting the phone down.

Now that’s what nick wanted. Any bit of extra cash would defiitely help with his plans.

Nick dialled kellys number… “Where are you? What time can I pick you up?”

There was abit of silence on kellys side..

“Kelly? Hello? Are you there?” Nick asked impatiently.

“Yeah, nick… I.. Err.. I’m not going to be able to come out tonight. I really wana be there tomorrow and my parents aren’t gona let me out 2 nights in a row…..” Kelly sounded sad.

“Oh well thanks a lot! Just when I needed you… How typical of you..” Nick was on a roll hurting everyones feelings.

“I promise to be there early in the morning though.. As early as I can…” Kelly was sincere.

Nick cut her off rudely.. “You know what? Don’t bother.. if you can’t make it tonight, I’ll get someone else to help me…” And he cut the call.

Nick knew how to get his way around. He had a gift for making people feel guilty. And lately he didn’t care about anyones feelings at all. Everything was just about himself. About what he wanted and what he needed and would make sure that everything always went his way.

He received a message from kelly just 10 minutes later.
“I’m sorry nick.. I’m making a plan.. Just for you, pick me up in 20 minutes k… Love ya!”

Nick smiled to himself, satisfied that once again he managed to get it right.

He searched for tashas spare key where he knew she always kept it.

They figured that nick knows how to drive, but it never occurred to them that he would steal the car. He was still unlicensed.

Honestly, they didn’t know nick at all… And how daring he’d become.

An hour later, kelly and nick parked the car back into the garage and entered the house with 2 boxes of steaming hot pizzas.

The rest of the night was spent in planning and no sleep at all. They both kept popping pills to keep themselves awake. Kelly wasn’t as bad an addict as nick was, but she occasionally took it when she needed the extra burst of energy. And tonight was certainly one of those days.

The next afternoon, nick and kelly both made sure that everything was set out the way they’d planned.

By 3 in the afternoon, the house was slowly starting to fill up. And as planned, everyone brought a drink and a friend. So by 7, the party was in full swing.

Everyone was having a blast of a time and nick couldn’t care less about kelly. He had tons of other ‘hotter’ girls practically licking the floor behind him.

He was away in his room with yet another girl later that night when someone knocked on his room door.

He didn’t hear the first knock because of the music that was blasting everywhere else in the house.

And he purposely ignored the second knock which was a little louder.

“Nick!” Kellys voice could be heard from outside.

Again nick ignored her. He was having too much of a good time to spoil it with kellys nags.

Kelly barged into the room… “Nick!!!” She shouted desperately.

“What the hell? Can i not have some privacy In my own house?” Nick was noticeably angry.

“Nick… Listen…” Kelly said, her voice etched with fear.

“Listen to what?” Nick shouted.

And that’s when they heard it. The sirens… And it was getting closer.

*******

Posted by silent living…

part 110: (nicholas)

**”Bismillahir rahmaanir raheem”
-in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful-**

“Well I’m just telling you to get everything sorted out. Don’t worry about what it will cost, just give me amounts and I’ll sort it out… I want this to be one party that everyones going to be talking about” nick ordered kelly as they stood outside the school gates discussing the weekend.

Tasha and tom finalised everything and would be leaving on friday, straight after work for cape town and would only return in the early part of monday morning.

Nick pretended to not care, but inside, he couldn’t wait to explode. He’s been waiting for this opportunity to have the house all to himself for ages. He really wanted to have one of those major saturday night bashes at his place. Those that begin early on saturday afternoon and carry on right through till sunday morning. Drinks, drugs and all.

And with the envelope of money he managed to take from tashas wardrobe, aswel as a couple of extra notes he found in toms underware draw and some cash he found in the domestic workers handbag yesterday, he could really make this party happen.

“We can make it like a free entrance as long as you bring a drink and a friend. In that way, more people and more good stuff!” He beamed at the thought of how he was going to plan this party.

Kelly was mostly used for nicks dirty work. He would ignore her when he didn’t need her and had other girls running at his feet and when he needed her, all he had to do was use a little bit of his charm and a tiny gift and she would do the world for him.

Basically, kelly feared being rejected by nick so he didn’t even have to make much of an effort and she would give in.

“What if your parents find out?” Kelly asked out of genuine concern.

Nick laughed and shook his head at her stupidity.. “And how in the world is that gona happen?”

Kelly shrugged… “I don’t know… I’m just worried about you nick”

“Get over yourself girl… Besides, what’s the worst they can do even if they do find out?” Nick replied just before the school buzzer sounded, signalling that everyone needed to head to their respective classrooms.

Kelly and nick parted ways towards their schools.

Nick couldn’t concentrate on anything at school the entire day, besides the party and what needed to be done.

He fantasised about coming back to school the monday after and everyone talking about what an awesome party nick managed to throw and how much of fun they all had.

Nick pictured all the girls running behind him.

“Mr Nicholas abed!”

He was brought out of his daydream by the annoying voice of his english teacher.

“Huh?…” He sat up straight and cleared his throat.. “Uhm… Yes ma’am?”

“It would help to pass the year if you paid more attention in class and stopped dreaming all the time mr.!” She snapped before turning back to the chalk board and continued with the lesson.

Nick growled a little too loudly which caused her to turn around and glare at him.

But lucky for him, the period was over and it was finally recess.

Today, after a very long time, nick even forgot about hanzalah because he was too excited and too busy inviting everyone to his house on saturday.

Not that it bothered hanzalah at all. Hanzalah was too busy concentrating on his studies in the library.

While everyone was fretting over which college they were accepted in and what they would study, hanzalah already had his mind set on what would take him to ultimate success.. But he never gave up working hard in school. He did his best in everything and was one of the few who had their heads screwed on properly.

Posted by silent living…