2024-12-24 08:05:10Hakimi felt his heart plummet. “What! What happened? Is she okay?” Panic seeped into his voice, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
“We don’t have all the details yet, but it’s critical. Please come as soon as you can.”
The line went dead, leaving him clutching the phone like a lifeline. Akashi’s wide eyes reflected the same dread clawing at Hakimi’s chest. “Dad, what’s wrong?”
“Your mother… she’s in the hospital,” Hakimi stammered, the words barely escaping his lips. “We need to go now.”
He frowned lightly "Isn't that normal, she works there?"
"No! She has been admitted!" He raised his voice
"Oh my GOD! Is she going to be okay?” Akashi’s voice trembled with fear.
“I don’t know, son. We just have to get there.”
The two dashed out of the house, the night air biting at their skin as they made their way to the car. Hakimi fumbled with the keys, his hands shaking, the world around him blurring in a haze of anxiety. As he started the engine, he stole a glance at Akashi, whose face was pale.
“Just hold on, Akashi. We’ll get there,” Hakimi said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
The drive felt like a descent into darkness, the city lights flickering by as if mocking his urgency. Every red light seemed to stretch on for an eternity, and Hakimi gripped the steering wheel tighter, knuckles turning white.
“Dad, what happened?” Akashi’s voice broke the silence, laced with confusion.
“I don’t know, Hakimi admitted, his throat dry. But your mother is strong. She’s going to fight.”
As they approached the hospital, the towering structure loomed ominously in the distance. The urgency intensified in Hakimi’s chest as they parked, both rushing out of the car and into the reception area.
“Where’s my wife? Where’s Rashvia?” he demanded, his voice rising with desperation as he approached the reception desk.
A nurse looked up, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with his panic. “Sir, please calm down. What’s your wife’s name?”
“Rashvia! Rashvia Rajvier!”
“Please have a seat. A doctor will be with you shortly.”
But Hakimi couldn’t sit. He paced back and forth, anxiety gnawing at him. Akashi stood by the desk, eyes darting around, unable to process the situation.
Finally, a doctor emerged, her expression serious but compassionate. “Mr. Rajvier? I need to speak with you about your wife.”
A knot tightened in Hakimi’s stomach. “Is she okay?”
“We did everything we could, but she’s still in critical condition. We need to move her to the ICU.”
The words struck Hakimi like a physical blow, the ground beneath him seeming to shift. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with her?”
“There was an accident. She suffered significant injuries, including internal bleeding. We need to stabilize her.”
Akashi’s breath hitched beside him, and Hakimi felt his heart fracture further. “Can I see her?” he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
“Not yet, sir. We’re doing everything we can. I need you to wait here.”
As the doctor turned away, Hakimi felt time elongate. Every minute felt like an hour, each tick of the clock amplifying the dread coiling in his gut. Akashi clutched his arm, his own fear palpable.
“Dad… what if…”
“Don’t think like that, Akashi. Your mother is strong. She’s going to pull through this. She always does.”
But as the minutes dragged on, Hakimi found it increasingly difficult to believe his own words. The hospital’s sterile atmosphere weighed heavily on him.
Finally, the doctor returned, her expression somber. “You can see her now, but please be prepared for what you’ll see.”
Hakimi’s heart raced as they followed her to the ICU. Each step felt heavy. When they reached the room, the sight before him sent a chill through his bones.
Rashvia lay there, pale and fragile, surrounded by beeping machines that seemed to echo his own heartbeat. An oxygen mask covered her face, and bruises marred her once-vibrant skin.
“Mom!” Akashi cried out, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“Shh, it’s okay,” Hakimi soothed, though his own voice trembled. He stepped closer, taking Rashvia’s hand in his, feeling the coldness of her skin against his. “I’m here, love. We’re here.”
But as he looked at her, the reality of their situation crashed over him. Would she be okay? The thought clawed at him, desperate and unrelenting.
“I can’t lose you,” he whispered, his heart aching. “You have to come back to us.”
The beeping of the machines filled the silence, each sound a reminder of the fight ahead. Hakimi sat there, holding her hand, willing her to stay with them.
But then, Rashvia’s condition took a sudden turn. Her body began to convulse, the machines around her blaring in alarm. Blood trickled from her eyes, and her chest heaved violently.
“Dad! What’s happening to Mom?” Akashi screamed, panic gripping his voice.
Hakimi jumped to his feet. “Doctor! Someone get in here!”
Medical staff rushed in, carrying equipment. “Sir, I’ll need you to take your son and step outside,” one of them instructed firmly, donning a mask.
“I just—”
“Sir, please!” the nurse repeated, urgency etched in her face.
Frustration and helplessness overwhelmed him as he led Akashi out of the room. They waited in the hallway, the seconds dragging on like hours. Hakimi paced, running his hands through his hair, while Akashi sat silently, his head buried in his hands.
When the doctor finally emerged, her expression told Hakimi everything he needed to know before she even spoke. His world shattered.
Hakimi grabbed her by the collar, his voice choked with desperation. “What happened to my wife? Tell me! Is Rashvia dead?”
The doctor’s eyes brimmed with sorrow. “We did everything we could, but her injuries were too severe. I’m sorry.”
Hakimi’s knees buckled, and he stumbled backward, his mind refusing to process the words. Akashi stood frozen, his face pale, trying to grasp the weight of what he had just heard.
“No… no… this can’t be happening,” Hakimi muttered as he staggered toward the ICU. He pushed the door open and saw Rashvia lying on the bed, motionless, the steady beeping of the machines now replaced by a continuous flatline.
Akashi fell to his knees at her bedside, his heart shattering into pieces. He grabbed her hand, cold andV bruised from the trauma. “Mummy, please wake up… please don’t leave us…” he sobbed, his voice barely audible.
Hakimi stood beside him, unable to speak, unable to think. The love of his life, the mother of his children, was gone. Memories of their life together flashed before his eyes—her laughter, her warmth, the way she always knew how to comfort him when the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
He sank into the chair beside her bed, his hand trembling as he reached out to touch her one last time. “I’m so sorry, Rashvia,”
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY CHAPTER 03: A NEW BEGINING
The days stretched into weeks, and Hakimi and his children slowly adjusted to a new rhythm of life. Each morning began with a familiar routine—the rush to get ready for school and university, the aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen, and the comforting hum of familial chatter. Despite the warmth of these moments, the shadow of their struggles loomed large.Hakimi sat at the dining table one particular morning, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, his eyes scanning the horizon beyond the window. Amira and Khadija, dressed in their neatly pressed uniforms, chattered animatedly about their school projects. The sight of their bright smiles brought him fleeting relief, but the weight of his responsibilities was ever-present.As the day rolled into evening, Hakimi returned home after a grueling shift at work. The moment he stepped into the house, his eyes fell on the stack of bills on the coffee table. With a heavy sigh, he removed his tie and sat down to face the mounting pile of financial
BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY CHAPTER 04: THE MIDNIGHT BAR
The journey home felt shorter than usual, Hakimi thought. Or maybe it was the weight of his thoughts, dragging him deep into his mind until he found himself standing at his door without remembering the walk. He dusted off his shoes, turned the knob, and stepped inside."I'm home..." he announced, his voice flat, carrying the exhaustion of the day.From the kitchen, Akashi’s voice rang out. "Welcome home, Dad."Hakimi paused, sniffing the air. The faint aroma of food was unexpected. His brow furrowed as he moved toward the kitchen. "Dinner?" he asked, almost incredulously. He knew they had no cash and barely any supplies left.Akashi nodded, closing the lid of the steaming pot. "Yeah. I made fish sauce and mashed potatoes." He placed the spoon down and turned to his father, tapping him lightly on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Dad. Things will work out. My shifts pay me fair enough."Hakimi swallowed the lump forming in his throat. A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face. "You know yo
BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY CHAPTER 05: JUST LIKE BARGAINING WITH THE DEVIL
Hakimi barged into Riqqo's office, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing. "I'm Hakimi. Akashi's father," he said, his voice low but dangerous.Riqqo leaned back in his chair, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Ah, the forever polite Hakimi. Nonsense, brother! Drop the courtesy," he said, bursting into a laugh. Leaning forward, he jabbed a finger into his chest. "We're family, okay?""Family?" Hakimi’s voice cut through the air like a blade. "Then why did you hurt Akashi?"Riqqo groaned and waved dismissively. "The kid who thought he could steal from me? Don’t tell me he cooked up some story and sold it to you.""My son didn’t steal from you, Hakimi growled, fists trembling at his sides. Clear his name and give him his job back."Riqqo’s laugh was sharp and mocking. "Why would I? Isn’t he too young to work anyway?"Hakimi stepped closer, his tone cold and unwavering. "You’ve never been a good uncle, so spare me your concerns. If you don’t give him his job back, I’ll make sure everyone knows
BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY CHAPTER 06: REMEMBER YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WE HAVE
The sun hung low in the sky as Amira and Khadija hurried home from school. They had begun returning from school on their own, laughter filling the air as they ran, chasing each other. School bags swung wildly behind them, their report cards clutched tightly in their hands.Arriving at home, their faces lit up with excitement as they dashed through the front door, shoes scuffing against the worn-out carpet.In the kitchen, Hakimi and Akashi were preparing dinner—masgouf, a traditional Iraqi dish of grilled fish, paired with tashreeb, a stew soaked with bread and vegetables. The savory aroma filled the small house, a rare moment of warmth and peace amidst the tension that had been building for weeks."Dad! Kashi!" Khadija called, her voice bubbling with happiness as she and Amira burst into the kitchen. "Look at our results!"Both girls held out their report cards with pride, and Hakimi, wiping his hands on a towel, eagerly took them. His eyes scanned the cards, a wide smile spreading a
BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY CHAPTER 07: A VERY DANGEROUS DECISION
The evening air hung heavy, thick with the tension Hakimi couldn’t shake. After dinner, he made sure Khadija, Amira, and Akashi were tucked in for the night, each of them sleeping soundly, unaware of the storm brewing within him. His heart ached at the thought of what he was about to do.The clock struck 10:00 PM.A sigh escaped Hakimi as he reached for his black jacket and pants tucked away in the back of his wardrobe. His hands trembled as he tied his hair into a tight bun, then slipped on a black hat, concealing his identity. He checked the house one last time, moving silently through the halls before slipping out into the night.The streets were eerily quiet as Hakimi approached Riqqo's bar. Dimly lit, it stood like a shadow in the dark, the air thick with unease. He entered through the back entrance, where Riqqo awaited, casually swirling a drink in his hand."Well, well, my favorite baby brother," Riqqo smirked. "Didn't think you'd actually show up."Hakimi’s voice was low, a gr
BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY CHAPTER 08: STIRRING SUSPICION
It was the afternoon, and Akashi returned home with his siblings, Amira and Khadija, their footsteps echoing through the quiet house. "Phew, the sun is quite hot . I got dehydrated fifteen times today." He said grabbing the bottle of water on the stool. "True, the summer sun is at its hottest now. I might need a cold shower " Dija said peeling off her socks. "Not the place to undress Dija. Akashi frowned lightly. Amira, take your sister upstairs, you both should freshen up, while I make dinner." He instructed them to go upstairs and change, while he wandered into the dining room. His gaze fell on his father's breakfast, untouched, stale, and sour. A frown crossed his face as he realized the time-almost three in the afternoon-and his father had not even come down for breakfast.Akashi's mind raced with questions. Why hadn't his father eaten? Why hadn't he shown up all day? Something wasn't right. His gut churned as he headed upstairs, deciding to check on his father. As he approache
BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY CHAPTER 09: SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT
Hakimi carefully measured out the dose of medicine, his eyes weary from a long day. He placed the cooling pad gently on Khadija's forehead, watching as her feverish body slowly relaxed. Her small chest rose and fell steadily, and soon, her shallow breaths turned into the peaceful rhythm of sleep. Amira had also drifted off, her hand resting protectively on Khadija's arm.Hakimi let out a quiet sigh of relief. With care, he scooped both girls into his arms, their heads resting softly against his chest. As he carried them to their room, he could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. After placing them into their beds, he tucked the blankets around them, making sure they were comfortable before turning off the lights.Akashi, lying in his room down the hall, heard the click of the light switch but didn't stir. His eyes remained closed, though he wasn't truly asleep. His mind raced with the thoughts that had been haunting him ever since he found his father's stash of cas
BLOODLINE CHRONICLE: A MAFIA FATHER'S JOURNEY CHAPTER 10: MORALS OR FAMILY
The sun barely peeked through the clouds as Akashi sat at the breakfast table, his plate of food untouched. Hakimi and the younger siblings, Amira and Khadija, chatted animatedly, but Akashi's silence loomed heavy over the morning meal."Are you okay, Akashi?" Amira asked, concern etching her beautiful features."Yeah, I'm fine," he mumbled, his gaze fixed on his water glass.Hakimi shot him a worried glance. "Maybe the weather is getting to him, he said, trying to brush off the tension. It's a bit gloomy today."Khadija nodded, but Akashi merely poked at his food, the fork clinking against the plate. "We should hurry. I need to drop you guys off," he said abruptly, his impatience cutting through the conversation.Once they finished eating, Hakimi pulled Akashi aside, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Look, he began. I need to plead with you on something. You can't tell them about what you saw last night. I know you're still very mad at me. But you should keep it away from them. They
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 37: THE CONFRONTATION
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the small but cozy living room where Khadijat and Amira sat on the worn sofa. The scent of breakfast still lingered in the air-freshly made tea and the faint aroma of bread Bashir had toasted earlier. Akashi leaned against the wall, flipping lazily through a magazine, his long hair loosely tied back.Bashir entered the room, his sleeves rolled up and a playful grin on his face. "Alright, you three, coats on!" he declared, clapping his hands together.Khadijat frowned, looking up from the book she had been skimming. "Why? Where are we going?""To see your father," Bashir said simply, his smile widening.At those words, Khadijat's face lit up, and Amira let out an excited squeal. "Really?!"Akashi, too, straightened up, his expression softening. "To Dad's restaurant?" he asked, the hint of a smile playing on his lips.Bashir chuckled. "Yes, now hurry up before I change my mind."The room burst into movement as the siblings
CHAPTER 36: A THIN LINE BETWEEN ALLIES AND ENEMIES
The meeting with Malik was set for midnight. Hakimi and Laila arrived at an underground café hidden in the heart of the city, accessible only through a narrow alley flanked by decrepit buildings. A flickering neon sign above the entrance read "The Rabbit Hole." The café's air was heavy with the aroma of roasted coffee beans, mixed with a hint of tobacco and something metallic.Hakimi scanned the room, his sharp eyes catching every shadow and corner. The place was dimly lit, with heavy velvet curtains draped over private booths. The hum of muted conversations and the occasional clinking of glasses filled the air. Laila nudged Hakimi toward the booth in the far corner, where a blonde haired man sat hunched over a laptop. He was dressed in black and wore a dark gloves. Malik.He looked every bit the eccentric tech genius. His wiry frame was wrapped in a mismatched hoodie and cargo pants, his wrists adorned with bands of worn leather and tech gadgets. His thick glasses magnified his rest
CHAPTER 35: THE SHADOWS CLOSE IN
The morning light barely seeped through the heavy curtains of Bashir's house. The air was quiet, almost too still, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Bashir shuffled to his front door, his old cat trailing behind him with a soft meow. He bent to pick up the morning paper but froze when his eyes caught a crimson-colored envelope resting on the doormat. What the hell was that? He silently prayed it was not what he was thinking.His hands trembled slightly as he opened it. Inside, scrawled in uneven red ink, was a single sentence:"You better stay out of it, or you'll regret it."The words seemed to leap off the paper, their menace almost palpable. Bashir's heart thudded painfully in his chest. He glanced around the empty street, the morning fog curling like ghostly fingers around the houses. There was no sign of anyone, but he felt like someone was watching him. Carefully, he folded the note and tucked it into his pocket, forcing himself to act normal as he turned back insid
CHAPTER 34: ALLIES AND SHADOWS
The cold night air was sharp and biting, slicing through Hakimi's coat as he stepped out of the truck. The streetlights buzzed faintly above, casting a dim yellow glow on the empty parking lot of a run-down diner. Hakimi stood still for a moment, his breath curling in front of him in pale clouds. Beside him, Akashi slammed the truck door shut, his movements sharp with bottled frustration."Why here?" Akashi asked, eyeing the flickering neon sign above the diner. The smell of old grease wafted faintly through the air, mingling with the faint hum of a passing car somewhere in the distance.Hakimi didn't answer immediately. His eyes scanned the lot, the shadows of parked cars, the dark alley to the left of the diner. His hand hovered near his coat pocket, fingers brushing the handle of the knife he had tucked inside. "It's quiet, he finally muttered, nodding toward the door. Let's go inside."The diner's door creaked as they stepped in, the bell above it jingling. Inside, the place looke
CHAPTER 33: ESCAPE BEFORE DAWN
Hakimi's blood ran cold as the words on his phone screen burned into his mind."It's today. Hope you'll comply with your part of the deal and bring what's mine."His breath caught in his throat, and he gripped the phone tighter, the edges digging into his palm. The weight of the threat sat heavy on his chest, making it harder to breathe. He felt trapped in his own body, paralyzed by fear and indecision. How had it come to this?He glanced at the dim glow of the clock on the bedside table. It was barely past midnight, the world outside cloaked in silence, but his mind was anything but still. His chest tightened as a flood of questions and regrets swirled within him. He had known the risks when he made the deal, but now, with his children's safety on the line, regret hit him like a tidal wave."Think, Hakimi, think!" he muttered to himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair. He couldn't stay here, not with the looming threat. His family came first. Always, and he certainly kne
CHAPTER 32: AKASHI'S SECRET INVESTIGATION
The morning sun streamed through the tattered curtains, casting a pale glow over the modest kitchen. Hakimi sat at the dining table, nursing a cup of tea as steam spiraled lazily upward. A worn newspaper lay open before him, but he wasn't reading. His eyes skimmed over the words without comprehension. His mind was elsewhere-on Riqqo's threat, the cryptic note, the stranger outside his house the other day, and the weight of keeping his family safe.The sound of lighthearted chatter pulled him back to the present. At the far end of the room, Amira was gently braiding Khadija's hair, something his wife has always done, her younger sister giggling at something she had said. The sight of his daughters filled Hakimi with a bittersweet ache. They were innocent, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around them. He envied their ignorance.At the other end of the room, Akashi silently packed his bag, his expression stoic but his movements unusually deliberate. His mind wasn't on school. He h
CHAPTER 31: A NEW THREAT
The golden hues of dawn seeped through the thin curtains, washing the modest home in a comforting glow. Hakimi sat at the edge of his bed, head in his hands, replaying Riqqo's threats in his mind. Every word felt like a blade pressing against his throat, but he had to remain composed for his children's sake. His kids didn't deserve to grow up in fear, especially not after everything they had endured for his sake and inability.In the next room, Akashi stirred awake. His long hair was disheveled, spilling over his shoulders as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The house was quiet save for the faint shuffle of Khadija's slippers on the hallway floor. She peeped into her father's room."Dad, are we late for breakfast?" she asked, her voice carrying the innocence of a child unburdened by adult troubles.Hakimi quickly straightened up, plastering a warm smile on his face. "Not at all, my lioness. Breakfast will be ready soon. Why don't you go wake your sister?"She nodded and skipped away
CHAPTER 30: A FATHER AND HIS SON
The ride home was steeped in silence, the weight of the day's events pressing down on them like a heavy cloud. The glow of streetlights bathed their faces intermittently as Akashi drove, his hands gripping the steering wheel with the precision of someone both focused and preoccupied. Hakimi sat in the passenger seat, his head leaning against the window, fatigue evident in every line of his face that he had to beg his son to drive them home. The day had stretched longer than any of them anticipated-just as they had decided to close the restaurant, waves of late-night customers began pouring in, drawn by the aroma of freshly cooked meals. Hakimi couldn't bring himself to turn them away.In the backseat, Khadija had snuggled close to Amira, her small frame wrapped in her sister's protective embrace, fast asleep. Amira, though visibly drained, struggled to keep her eyes open, her head bobbing occasionally as she fought off exhaustion. The quiet hum of the engine and the occasional squeak
CHAPTER 29: BLOOD OR TRUST?
The faint chime of the restaurant doorbell had barely faded when Akashi's expression froze. His chest tightened as he recognized the two men who stepped in-a man in a dark coat with a fat cigarette dangling from his lips and another with a menacing, thug-like presence. Riqqo and Zafir. His uncle and his right-hand man.Riqqo's sharp eyes surveyed the restaurant like a predator scanning its prey, a slow, smug grin curling across his face when he recognized his nephew and brother. Zafir trailed behind, exuding quiet intimidation. They moved like they owned the place, taking a booth at the far end, their imposing presence souring the cheerful atmosphere of the family's restaurant."Uncle?" Akashi's voice was barely above a whisper as he stared, stunned and terrified.From across the counter, Hakimi noticed his son's frozen posture and followed his gaze. His blood ran cold. His pulse quickened, but he steadied his breath and forced himself to walk toward his brother. Hakimi knew Riqqo's p