"Forgiveness can be seen as the sweetest revenge".
Anonymous.
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Third person's P.O.V
A week later.......
Asad woke up and went to put water for bathing as usual. It turns out Aunt Karima didn't break or dislocate his arm the other day , she just bruised it and gave him some injuries there in which Kamal treated.
Throughout the week that had passed, Asad has been having his daily food which was cane but got tired of it and decided to obey Aunt Karima's orders, he had no choice after all.
He had lost more weight compared to when he first came here and his eye bags were visible...even from a far.
Karima made sure to torture him in different ways.
He took the heavy pot and placed it on to the burning coal... panting heavily as he released the pot filled with water.
He then watched the pot on the hot red coal for a minutes and decided to go back inside .
As he steps in , he notices Aunt Karima's presence in the living room but decides to ignore her.
"Asad"... She called out , sounding irritated as usual.
Asad simply turned but did notreply.
She have started getting use to the fact that he doesn't talk , only when necessary or when required.
"Your school informed me that you are starting your exams today, after you have taken the bathing water to each room, get ready and go to school"... She stated and Asad simply nodded .
'So she is nice enough to inform me that my exams is starting today?'...Asad thought.
"And mind you, I don't want to see you near my kitchen. You nearly burnt everything after I asked you to cook and upon that you made rubbish. I don't know why I even asked a ten year old to cook"...She hissed and Asad feign nonchalance.
Deep down within him , he was celebrating victory.
'Serves you right, you deserve way worst'... He thought as he walked away.
Soon the bathing water was ready and he made sure he took it to the various rooms , little remained so he used it to take his bath outside. He wasn't allowed to use his cousin's bathroom.
Karima forbade him.
As soon as he was done he went straight his cousin's room to get dressed.
"Where do you think you are going loser?" ...Yunusa's annoying voice echoed across the room as he was buttoning his school uniform.
Asad ignored him as usual and picked up his uniform from his luggage .
"You know he is a dumb person, leave the idiot alone"...Lateef's voice came in which Asad also ignored as he wore on his uniform.
"Guys let's forget him and go and eat"... Kamal stated, trying to get their attention away from Asad before they do something to him.
Yunusa and Lateef nodded to this and soon the trio left .
When he was done he noticed that he was the only in the room and decided take a look at the mirror.
He was shocked to see his reflection. The eye bags he had developed, the bloodshot red eyes. He looked like a human skeleton who had no reason to live but was still living. It was then his parents' death hit him once again.
His eyes instantly became glossy as he fixed his collar.
'After this, I have finish primary school and my parents will not be here to witness it' ...He thought as a tear rolled down his cheek.
Memories of his parents started flashing through his mind and that only weakened him more.
He sat down to get himself together and decided to take his leave to school.
At least he will get something to eat in school since his feeding money hasn't finished yet.
Aunt Karima won't give him any food this morning so he will get something to eat in school.
He walked outside and notice the car was out of sight and both Aunt Karima and Mr Zubairu were no where to be seen which means his cousins have been taken to school.
He heaved a sigh and walked out of the gate.
He was good with road and was a very wise little boy so he won't get lost on the way.
He began his journey but got tired mid-way .
He met a busy street with people getting ready to start sales for the day.
He kept on walking till his tiny feet could take him. He took short breaks here and there but at long last he made it to school.
He looked at the big clock and the time written above. It was 9:37am which means he was late.
"You are late ...go back home" ... The gate man said to Asad who was thirsty , tired and also hungry.
"Are you deaf... I said go back home. Come early tomorrow if you don't want to miss your exams".... The gate man yelled.
Asad didn't like the way the gate man was shouting at him.
It made him want to cry but he acted nonchalant and silently waited for a miracle to happen .
"If you don't get out , I am going to throw you out myself"... The gate man threatened but Asad still remained quiet and lowered his gaze to prevent him from crying.
He was tired and weak and the gate man wasn't helping.
How can he trek back to that hell?
"Asad"... the gate man started becoming frustrated.
"What is going on here"... The head admin, Mr Sk walked out only to see Asad.
Asad felt a sense of relief wash over him as his eyes met that of Mr Sk's.
"Asad is it really you, how are you my boy. Sorry about your lost. It's not easy losing a parent less talk of losing both"... the head admin stated.
Asad paid no attention to what Mr Sk was saying not till he started hearing about his parents' death.
Asad gazed at Mr Sk with sad eyes.
He wanted to reply to his questions but his mouth refuse to open.
And when he finally opened his mouth to speak, his eyes welled up with tears causing Asad to remain silent.
The little boy was truly in pain.
"Everything will be okay little Lion"...Mr Sk said to Asad then averted his attention to the security man.
"Let him in"... Mr Sk commanded the security man who quietly obeyed.
When Asad walked into the learning environment, everything seemed the same. Nothing had really changed, it was still the way he left it.
Some teachers noticed Asad and walked up to him.
"Asad? How are you? Sorry for your lost" one teacher's voice came in
"Asad , I know it's hard but you have to be strong" Another teacher said.
Soon staffs and more teachers came and were trying to console Asad which didn't help because he wasn't replying to any of them instead he started feeling weak and did not know when he fell to the ground.
There and then everywhere turned black in Asad's eyes.
***
Najib and Nafisa were in the car, Najib was driving while Nafisa was in the passengers seat.
"Where did you say you want me to drop you off again?"... Najib said in a modulating tone to pulled Nafisa out of her thoughts.
"Karima's place, I want to check up on Asad"... she said in a vivid manner.
' I pray he is okay and is getting better' Nafisa prayed within herself as she watched Najib pull over his sister's house.
"We are here"... He says as they alight from the car.
"Thank you" she smiles as they intertwine their hands and walked towards the door step.
"I won't stay long , I want to go to the police station, The inspector said they found some criminals and got some information out of them" ...Najib stated and Nafisa nods in responses as they walked into his sister's house.
Aunt Karima eyes widened as she saw her brother and his wife.
"Awwwn, my little brother decided to pay me a visit today with his pretty wifey"... Aunt Karima walked towards them and she hugged Najib followed by Nafisa.
"Don't break my wife"... Najib playfully warned and the trio chuckled.
"Come in...come in"... Karima ushered the duo to come in.
She served them with chops and refreshments on a tray in which the couple politely declined.
"So what brings this lovely bunch of people to my house as early as this"... Aunt Karima said as she took her seat opposite them.
Najib feigned pain as he clutched his chest "Ouch I am hurt...my own sister doesn't think I want to see her".
Everyone in the living room burst into laughter as Aunt Karima was quick to defend herself.
"Common Naj Naj".... she smiled as she called him by a name given to him when he was younger.
"Well... I actually brought my wife to spend the day here. She has been worried about Asad and wants to check up on him".... Najib said.
"Ohhh.." was all Karima could say.
"How is he?" .... Nafisa spoke for the first time since when she entered.
"He is perfectly fine, he has been having fun with my children and he couldn't be more happier, we are making him feel like family" ....Karima lied.
"Can I see him?" ....Nafisa beseeched which Karima was quick to decline.
"No!" ...Her tone came off rough which shocked Najib.
"I mean he is in school right now and won't close till 5pm" ....Karima shot another lie.
"Okay then I will wait for him to come back, we can even go and pick him together when it's 5pm" ....Nafisa's statement shocked Karima because she didn't know how to lie to get ride of her.
"Well...." Karima trailed off and just then Najib phones started buzzing.
"It's the inspector" ...He voiced out which shocked Karima even more.
"Are..are they coming here?" ....She asked with fear.
"No , I am going there. Why so scared though" ...Najib narrowed his eyes towards his elder sister.
"Oh nothing, I just remembered something scary" ....Karima says but Najib wasn't believing it one bit.
"Well.." he avert his attention to his wife and spoke "I will pick you later on okay... remember I am just a call away" ...he smiled as he stood up to leave.
Nafisa smiled due to his statement.
"See you later big sis".... Najib waved off his hands as he walked out of the house.
He got into his car and switched on the ignition, the car roared out it's life then he drove off.
Soon he was at the police station.
He alighted from the car and walked into the station only to meet inspector Fahad patiently waiting for him.
"Sir" ....Inspector Fahad shook him which Najib shook back.
"Let's go to my office"...Inspector Fahad said in which Najib nods in response.
As they walked to the office, Karima came to Najib's mind.
'Is she part of Suhail and Aneesa's death?'.
'Should I tell the inspector or remain silent, I don't want to be any sort of accomplice in this'.
'No, my sister is good. Although she has her flaws, she most definitely is not a bad person' ... Najib said to himself.
"Najib"... Inspector Fahad brought him out of his mini trance. He looked around to see that they were in the office with another man seated in front of them.
Officer Smith.
"We found some criminals the other day and gave them series of interrogations , unfortunately their boss escaped with few men and from the looks of things there is more to this case, the master mind is someone within" Inspector Fahad says and Najib fells a pang in his heart .
' Could it be Karima?' ...Najib thought.
"Their master mind name is big boss, apparently no one knows where he lives or where he is currently, from the information these criminals gave us".
'Oh thank God it's a he, Karima is out of this..' Najib heaved a sigh.
"It was said that big boss usually meets up with them in serval secret places and he always makes sure he covers his face when meeting them. The only person who had contact and a mutual connection with this master mind was their leader who managed to escape but we are looking for him as we speak, as well as big boss" Inspector Fahad stated and all this while Najib remains silent, processing the information.
"We want to use this medium to interrogate you as well, we aren't saying you are the culprit but we need as much information as possible if we want to get to the bottom of this" ...Officer Smith spoke for the first time in this room.
"Officer Smith" he introduces himself.
Najib wanted to introduce himself but Officer Smith continued talking.
"We want you to speak the truth and nothing but the truth " Officer Smith takes over and Najib nods.
"What's your name? How are you related to the murdered victims and how did you find out about their death? " He starts off with the basic questions.
Najib tells the officer the same thing he told inspector Fahad.
"At what time did you find out your brother and his wife were dead?"
"Around 10pm sir" Najib replies.
"Was Jamil the only next door Neighbor who heard screaming and shouting?"
"I don't know sir, Jamil didn't say" ...Najib states.
"Do you have any relation who wasn't happy with Suhail and or got into a fight with him perhaps?" ...Officer Smith payed close attention to Najib body language as he spoke and from the looks of things Najib was being sincere in everything he stated.
"Suhail was a very friendly person and was a very successful business man , he was the most successful out of us ....that is his siblings but we always supported him, he had few colleagues whom he got involved in one or two conflicts but it was never that serious" ...Najib explained.
"Could you care to share his love life with us?" Officer Smith asked , remembering that picture Inspector Fahad showed him.
"Suhail and Aneesa were a lovely couple, they hardly quarrel" ...Najib said.
"Did they have any third party in their relationship?"...Officer Smith implored.
"Yes actually, a lot but they faded with time" ...Najib says.
"Do they keep contact with any?"
"Yes...Jamil but he eventually moved on with it"....Najib stated remembering how Jamil had a crazy crush on Aneesa back in those days.
Officer Smith kept on interrogating Najib and Inspector Fahad made sure to audio tape everything. When they were done they dismissed him.
"I think we need to go and pay his family members a little visit" Officer Smith says when he is sure Najib was out of the office.
"You are right, if Suhail has only two siblings, one has been interrogated and remain one which is his sister" Inspector Fahad says.
"Before then , pack your things . We are going to their neighborhood. Something seems very off about the story you told me about Jamil . I want to meet him myself".... Officer Smith starts off as they walk through the station.
"And besides if it was a homicide, how come no other neighbor came to see what's wrong. Nobody heard screaming or perhaps gun shoot if there was any" .... Officer Smith stated as he entered the car.
Inspector Fahad followed afterwards and they zoned off to Suhail's neighborhood.
***
Third person's P.O.V
He sat there , his anger wasn't hidden. He made sure to show it to them. He eyes held venom and so did his mouth.
"I made it very clear to you guys , I even went as far as giving you money to leave the city but you all paid no heed"...Big boss said.
"We are sorry" ...The leader of the gang apologizes.
Big boss chuckles humourlessly "Sorry? you think sorry can fix everything. I f**king borrowed 1 million to pay you guys off and you think sorry is enough"
"They do not know who you are , those who know you all escaped" He assured Big Boss.
"Nonsense... utterly nonsense"... Big boss says as he stares at the gang leader with venom.
"You know what"... Big boss says as he puts his hand in his pocket.
The greedy leader of the gang, Taylor peaks to see.
Hoping it's money.
"I am going to kill you" Big boss chuckles as he points a gun at Taylor and doesn't hesitate to shoot.
He shot Taylor several times on the chest and head before leaving him there.
He made sure to spit on Taylor's face before walking away.
"Have fun and I hope you find this body....Police" He laughs as he leaves the uncompleted building.
"I wished I killed Suhail myself, I would have loved to see his blood all over my hands when I rip off his head. I would have tortured him more , I swear it" Big boss says to himself as he walks through the city like an ordinary person, he wanted to go to the grave yard and so he walked there .
He knelt down in front of Suhail's grave and started speaking.
"Suhail, it feels good to see you in here, dead and buried underground. I wish I single handedly did it myself, I mean I don't care if I get caught as long as I have got you out of the picture, trust me it's a dream come true. I have longed for this"
"And Aneesa , oh my darling Aneesa . You know I could see through you, I was there for you when others weren't, I loved you very dearly, I could have done anything to make you mine and you know that. I told you lies in which you kept. It serves you right . I would have raped you too before killing you if I was there and you know I would do it in front of your douchebag husband .If I can't have you then no man can. But I will promise you one thing, I will take care of our son... Asad, I mean I know it's you and Suhail's child but anything that is yours is also mine so Asad is my son, I will groom him to be like me , I will make sure I poison his mind about his father and make him believe I am his father. You know what I am going to visit him tomorrow at Karima's place"....Big Boss spat saliva on Aneesa's grave before leaving.
"Asad my son...I am coming my boy"... Big boss devilishly smiled as he walked out of the graveyard.