The atmosphere at home was tense the following morning. Akashi sat at the kitchen table, his arms crossed tightly as he watched his father prepare breakfast. Hakimi moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, but his face was shadowed with worry as he had ignored Akashi totally after their banter. The confrontation at the warehouse still weighed heavily on him, and the boy's presence in the midst of such chaos had shaken him to the core. What if a stray bullet had landed on him? What the hell was he thinking? His brows formed a frown. But he couldn't blame the boy. Hell Akashi looked more like a man now. He could be addressed as one. And he could have just confined in him and all the mess would have been avoided. He wondered how Riqqo felt. That everything was taken as a joke. Still lost in his thoughts....Amira and Khadija entered the room, chatting about their school day. Amira placed her books on the table, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Dad, guess what? I aced my math tes

The hours dragged on in the hospital waiting room. Hakimi and Akashi sat in tense silence outside of Amira's room, the weight of the situation pressing down on them like a boulder. Akashi's elbows rested on his knees, his hands clasped tightly together. Hakimi, slouched in his chair, stared at the scuffed tiles on the floor, his thoughts circling the same hopeless path. Allah, please spare mi daughter's life, please don't let Amira die here. He kept meditating on the same prayer request over and over. Then suddenly...A nurse appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Hakimi, your daughter is awake. The doctor would like to speak with you."Both men stood abruptly, exchanging a brief, relieved glance before following the nurse. As they entered Amira's room, their relief was short-lived. Amira looked frail and pale, her lips so chapped against the stark white sheets, her small frame dwarfed by the hospital bed. Her smile was faint but genuine as she saw them."Dad, Akashi..." Her voice was hoarse,

The night was pitch-black, the faint moonlight barely piercing through the heavy clouds above. Hakimi, Akashi, Zafir and few men sat crammed into the back of a nondescript truck, its interior dimly lit by a single bulb hanging from the roof. The air was tense, filled with the quiet hum of the engine and the occasional rattle of loose metal.Hakimi glanced at Akashi, who sat rigidly, gripping a gun tightly in his trembling hands. The weight of the weapon seemed to sink into his lap, as though the gravity of the situation had finally settled on his shoulders.Hakimi leaned closer to his son, his voice low but steady. "Akashi... listen to me. I should've never let this happen. I should've kept you out of this mess."Akashi looked at his father, his expression a mixture of fear and determination. "We don't have a choice, Dad. Amira needs us. We'll get through this."Hakimi sighed, his hand gripping Akashi's shoulder. "You shouldn't be here. You're too young for this life."Zafir, who sat

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains as Akashi gently knocked on his father's bedroom door. Peeking in, he saw Hakimi lying on his side, with Khadija snuggled close to him, her small frame wrapped in a blanket. Her thumb was tucked in her mouth, and her soft breathing filled the room. Akashi couldn't help but smile. The sight of his father and baby sister at peace warmed his heart.Shutting the door quietly, he descended the stairs, his footsteps light on the wooden floor. In the kitchen, he set to work, pulling out ingredients for breakfast. The scent of eggs, freshly sliced bread, and vegetables filled the air. As he cracked an egg into a bowl, memories of the past few months flooded his mind-their struggles, the risky decisions, and the triumph of seeing Amira healthy again."Good morning, Chef Akashi," Amira's cheerful voice broke through his thoughts.Turning around, he saw her standing in the doorway, her waist-length hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a

The weeks leading up to Christmas were heavy with academic pressure as it was exam season. Hakimi's children, Akashi, Amira, and Khadija, were engrossed in their preparations. Akashi, balancing his responsibilities as both a brother and a student, felt the weight of his exams pressing down on him.One chilly morning, Akashi dropped his sisters off at school. "Good luck with your test, Dija. Don't let anyone copy your answers cause they'll end up failing."he teased, ruffling her hair."Akashi! They won't fail cause I spent the entire night studying" Khadija pouted, fixing her ponytail.Amira rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't bully her, Akashi.""You too, he pointed his finger at her. Avoid Ethan, Irah and other boys. They will only deceive you okay?" Heaving a silent sigh, Amira pouted. "Yes I will." Since the occasion of her birthday that Kashi set his eyes on Irah, he hasn't let her off to school without stern warnings. She was already becoming used to it "Good." He nodded his head