(FENG'S POV in italics)
'This was how I first came to Pakistan. Entering the city after hours or air travel, I observed the streets teeming with activity. Alive with a symphony of car horns, vendors' calls, and animated conversations which created an urban cacophony. It was both exhilarating and overwhelming. But, what struck me most were the vibrant colors saturating the streets. The market stalls bursting with spices, textiles, and trinkets while clothing adorned the area in vivid hues that differed starkly from what I had seen growing up in China. Everything felt new and different—the language, the culture, the people—eliciting a mix of excitement and a touch of apprehension within me.'
"Yet, this only marks the start of my apprehension. The thought of stepping into that house is filling me with genuine dread. I have braced myself for whatever might come, ready to face every challenge head-on, and standing steadfastly beside my mother." Feng thought holding her hand firmly, "Being a step-sibling or even a step-relative is tough. But seeing her radiant smile, I hope that things wouldn't take a
Before long, the massive wooden doors swung open. From inside came out a woman in her 20's and an old man with a wooden cane.
"Father!" Feng's mother gasped, stepping forward and grasping his hands who in turn revealed an elated long-awaited smile. Greeting each other and welcoming the two inside.
Feng exhaled walking towards the garden relived, "So, they are my aunt and grandpa. I am glad they are nice." he glanced at his mother who laughed talking to her step-sister whom she had met in person for the first time.
"We will live with them from now on…" Feng thought looking up at the sky, "But, for some reason… I don't feel happy at all. I wonder why? I did leave my friends, my father's house, my neighborhood, my teachers and everything dear to me all on my will… for, I want to be here for my mother. But... what am I supposed to do from now on…?" a dismayed expression left his clueless face.
Settling around the table kept in the garden, Feng settled down. His mother chatting with her father. Feng stared at his fingers.
"You're… Feng right?" the woman named slight cautiously.
Feng looking up to her smiled, "Yes, I am Feng Mir Ozer. It's a pleasure to meet you, aunt Hana."
Hana returned the same smile, which felt more like a smile of relief.
"Her peachy pink complexion mirrors my mother's, and her caramel brown eyes match the shade of her hair. Despite being stepsisters, they bear a striking resemblance to each other." Feng observed the similarities between her and his mother.
"No need to be so formal. We are a family, aren't we?" Hana replied politely.
Feng nodded.
Soon, a 10 year old boy came rushing out of the house's door waving a piece of sheet in his hands. "Mother! I found it?!" he called however, immediately halted amid his steps once he traced Feng and her mother.
Feng blinked his eyes as the boy hid the sheet behind him flustered heading back inside.
"Oh my, Ines. Where are you going? Come and greet you aunt." Hana called.
Ines puzzled looked left and right, shy and confused, gradually coming over. The moment he came close, he abruptly hid behind Hana. His hairs a blend of golden and caramel brown, he blinked his grey eyes, peeking a glance at Feng.
Feng smiled, "Nice to meet you, I am Feng."
Ines nodded, fidgeting.
"Now, now, it's not good to hear others names and not give them yours or is it? Come on, introduce yourself." Hana said.
"Haha! Don't tease him." Grandfather laughed amused.
"Ines… I-nes Harut." Ines stuttered.
Feng nodded while his mother smiled. "So, what were you rushing to me for?" Hana inquired.
Instantly realizing, Ines showed the sheet to his mother, "Right! My assignment! I found my assignment sheet under grandfather's study table."
"Really? That's great. Why don't you complete it now?" Hana asked.
Ines looked at the sheet confused, then Hana and back at the sheet again, questioning, "Alone…?"
Hana hid her chuckle over his innocence.
"Aunt…" Feng called.
"Yes?" Hana asked.
"Shall I help him… if you don't mind?" Feng offered.
Ines surprised turned to Hana who seemed delighted instead, "Why would I mind? If you can than please do so." "Is that alright Ines?" she asked.
Ines agreed.
"Let us all head inside and eat something shall we? It will be dark soon." Hana offered.
____
"Color this one over here and the red over there okay?" Feng pointed at the sheet.
Ines immersed in coloring nodded, "Yes…"
Night taking over and everyone sleepy. Feng stretched his arms, yawning. Observing Hana chatting with his mother, he glanced at Ines who played with his tape ball.
"Brother Feng, do you like cricket?" Ines asked.
"Yeah, I love cricket. I play very well too." Feng replied.
"Is that so? Brother Gabriel also plays cricket very well. He is like a professional!" Ines admired.
"Gabriel…?" Feng repeated clueless.
"Ah, my elder brother, Gabriel Harut." Ines told coming closer, "He plays really well but… he is a little bit scary."
"Scary?" Feng wondered.
Suddenly the house bell rang. Feng turned to Hana.
"Gabriel must be back." Hana stood up.
"Come on Brother Feng, I'll let you meet him once he enters." Ines pulled him up as the two ran across the corridor.
Hana opened the door. Feng and Ines waiting at the back gulped.
"Brother…?" Ines called.
However, rather than a reply Hana uttered baffled, "Gabriel dear… what happened?"
The youth on the door stepping inside ignored her. His hairs dyed red, flowed down his shoulders. His eyes a soul snatching black, resembled a pitch black pit, if one were to stare they for too long they might just fall in it. His expression furious and face bruised (as if he had been in a fight). He wiped his chin and tossed his shoes aside. Ines afraid of him hid behind Feng.
"Gabriel…" Hana called however, Gabriel retorted, "Nothing happened, you don't have to ask. Ain't I always return like this?" His voice sharp, rough, wayward and harsh.
Hana unable to respond, remained silent.
Glancing at Feng before Ines. Gabriel gave a sideway glare.
Shivers went down Feng's spine.
Gabriel's eyes at the moment showed disinterest, disgust and anger. "Don't disturb me, I have already eaten." he uttered heading to his room and shutting the door behind him with a Bang!
For a moment everything went silent. Disbelief, speechlessness and a Feng dumbstruck with both Ines and Hana depressed. Feng turned to the ground bewildered, "What… on earth just happened…?"
'Everyday afterwards it was the usual. Nothing changed significantly, everything felt normal. I would wake up in the morning, eat together with my mother, Ines, Aunt Hana and Grandpa. Then, head to my academy taking a different path from Ines who was usually taken to academy by Aunt Hana. Spending time in the academy was fun since I was kind of… a popular spectacle… 'Did you come from China? Can you speak Chinese? Wow, you are so handsome…' I normally found friends like this. When I would return, I would get busy with my homework, practicing cricket and other activities (Like helping Ines) and time would pass like flowing river until it was night again. And just like this… 2 months passed by.'
"As for Gabriel…" Feng raised his bat and slammed the ball towards the wall as it bounced back to him again. "I rarely saw him after that. He would arrive back home late and won't eat a single thing. He would do all his work by himself (God knows when?) Isn't he just a year older from me?! Leaving the house so early in the morning, even before the sun rises and says good morning! What is that?! I only see Aunt Hana worrying for him every day…" he thought grabbing the ball in his hands and settling down on the ground taking a rest, "The only time I saw him a little bit was at weekends. He would be usually sitting on the table working on his laptop. Else than that, it felt as if he's not even a part of the family."
"I wonder what happened. I know about his father's untimely passing and the subsequent abrupt change afterwards but… recalling his face from before, I am not even curious to know!" he shuddered, standing up.
The sun rising, and birds lightly chirping, he stretched his arms whispering, "Haiz~ Time to go to school…"
Heading inside, he heard noises of clanking plates and screeching chairs. "Good morning…" Feng greeted, guessing it must be his mother or aunt however, up to his surprise it was Gabriel. He blinked confused.
Gabriel ignoring his call, worked left and right.
Ines on the other hand, dangled his legs on the shelf before him, beaming at Gabriel who readied the breakfast soon turning around, "Good morning Brother Feng. Hurry up and get ready. Or else, we'll be late for school."
...
What a sight that was?! NO!
"What in the world was going on?!" Feng thought utterly baffled.
However, without further questioning, he got ready took his bag and came out. Just to find the kitchen now empty…
"Was he too late that they both had left?!" he thought.
"Brother Feng!" Ines called, hugging him from behind as he jolted in surprise.
"Your breakfast is over there." Ines pointed on the shelf. "Mama, is not feeling well today, so brother will take me to school. Don't worry your mama will take care of my mama." he informed.
Feng nodded, "I see…" heading towards the shelf. He found a plate covered with a cloth, inside which pancakes were kept.
"Ines." Gabriel called.
"Coming." Ines replied. "Then we'll head out first. Do eat it all and take it for your lunch too. Brother cooks them really well." he dabbed his back heading out.
Feng nodded silent. For what a weird day it was… unlike the ones he had gone through ever since he came.
Picking up a fork he took a bite. His eyes widening, he instantly took his lunch box out, shoving it all inside, soon rushing out of the house, as if a bat fleeing from hell. He ran towards the opposite side of his usual route.