BEHIND THE WALLS

Maliya was resuming school after the December holidays.

She was all gloomy and dressed up sluggishly in her room.

"Liya, you are going to be late if you keep up with that attitude of yours" her mom said while knocking on her door.

Maliya who was now fully dressed up and ready to leave sighed before opening the door.

"Do I really have to go today? I don't really feel like going mom" Maliya complained for like the thousandth time.

"I would let you stay but you are shifting classes baby. It's a new year and you are not sure if all your things are in one place. You have to go and keep your things in order. How about this, your dad and I will visit you in a week's time" suggested her mom but Maliya rolled her eyes.

"Which dad? Cause if you mean the man we are living with, I don't think so mom. He hates me with all he has. Has he ever smiled at me? All he ever does is yell or look at me in disgust. He only treats me nicely if Carlos is around. Now it's been years mom and he treats me like that. Like, did I do anything wrong to him? Or am I not his daughter?" Asked Maliya in anger

"We are not going back to that topic Liya. And just to clarify it again for you, he is your biological father" his mom assured but Maliya wasn't convinced.

She rolled her eyes once again, kissed her mom's cheeks and left the room.

"Hey wait, you haven't taken your pocket money" her mom called to her and she stopped.

Mrs David walked to her husband, took money from him and walked to Maliya.

"If it's not enough, I'll send you more tomorrow. Okay baby?" Asked Mrs David to his only daughter.

"Okay mom. Bye" said Maliya and off she left the house.

"You see, she doesn't even have regards for her father. She didn't even say goodbye to me. What kind of daughter is she?" Asked Mr David who was holding a magazine just next to the televison set.

"It's all your attitude David. Don't you see, she is just like you. You both have ego and anger issues" Mrs David said in a smile.

"Not at all. My son Carlos is all me. He resembles me in every aspect" Mr David said proudly.

"Are you both talking about me?" A man who just walked in said in a smile.

"Carl! You are home" Mrs David said in excitement and rushed to meet his son.

"You see, that's my boy" Mr David dropped his magazine just to rush to his son who was now home after being away for three good years.

He was an undercover cop working for the government and had undergone full training.

For three good years, he had made his department very proud with absolutely successful missions.

He had never failed a single mission he was assigned to.

That promoted him to be the team's leader and he finally asked for his first long annual leave.

"Leave my son for me now. Your daughter has just left. You are on your own" Mr David said proudly and laughed as he pulled Carlos to the living room.

"Maliya has just left for school?" Carlos asked as he followed his father and sat next to him on the sofa.

"Yes she just did. She was all gloomy today. She didn't want to leave for school" Mrs David said as she poured water for Carlos and gave it to him.

"She is always a stubborn girl. How have you been son?" Mr David asked not wanting to talk about Maliya.

"Been good dad. I think Liya hasn't left the station by now. I'll go surprise her and then come back" Carlos said and stood up to leave.

"You just got here son. You need to rest" said Mr David but Carlos was already at the door.

"I'll be right back dad" said Carlos and closed the door behind him.

Just as he left their yard, he tripped and almost fell.

Not because he stepped on something, but because of who he met outside there.

It was his three years old ex girlfriend, miss Annaya.

"Annaya, what are you doing here?" Asked Carlos in disbelief and a stupid smile crossed his lips.

"I should be asking you that" said miss Annaya who never expected to see him too.

"Me? I... I live here" he said and pointed his home.

"You live here? I thought it was just a family of three that lived here" she said

"That's because i've been away for years" he replied in a fading smile.

"Oh, for that job I guess" she replied too in a faint smile.

"Yeah. So, you live here?" Carlos asked pointing to the neighbouring house.

"Yeah. It's been three years since I moved in" she said

"That's good. So I guess i'll be seeing you often?" Asked Carlos

"Not really. School has just resumed and i'm leaving tomorrow. I stay in the teachers' quarters" replied Annaya disappointing him.

"You are a teacher now?" Asked Carlos in shock.

"Yeah. Simple, normal life. I'm satisfied with what I earn. Not much but it's enough for me" she said proudly as if trying to insist on something that Carlos understood.

"Annaya i'm..." Carlos started but she cut in.

"You were rushing somewhere Carlos" she reminded him just to cut the long story short.

"Yeah. Oh shit! Maliya!" He finally remember and made to run but Annaya stopped him.

"Wait! You are chasing after Maliya? My student?" She asked

"She is your student? You mean you teach her? Well, yeah. I didn't reach on time so I missed her. I'm rushing to the station" Carlos said in confusion.

"My driver always drops her at school since her father refused to drop her. She is not alone though. She is with some other neighbouring students too, so you won't find her at the station" explained miss Annaya

"Oh, guess i've missed out on her for real" he said

"I guess so" replied Annaya

"Is it okay for me to visit her tomorrow. I've really missed that girl" enquired Carlos

"Yeah. All you'll have to say is that you are there to see if she is all settled down. Is she your sister?" Asked Annaya

"Oh, great. Hasn't she ever mentioned that she has a brother? I've ever mentioned her to you" he replied

"You told me about Maya, not Maliya. Or, is it the same person?" She asked

"Yeah. Mom calls her Liya, I call her Maya" he answered.

"Great. She mentioned once that she had a... a handsome brother and no one believed her. So she never mentioned you again"miss Annaya said

"That's because I wasn't home for her to prove it. She is like that. She stays silent if she has no proof. I really miss that girl" Carlos said once again.

"Great. I was heading out. Bye Carlos" miss Annaya said and left.

"Annaya" he called out and she stopped to look at him.

"I missed you" he said but before she could answer, a car drove by and a man stepped out, just for him to hug Annaya passionately.

Carlos couldn't bear it and walked back home.

He still had feelings for Annaya.

"You are back already?" His parents asked in unison.

"Her teacher's driver already dropped her. I missed her" he said trying to stay cool but he wasn't.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you about that. Miss Annaya is really nice to her. They usually go to school together. She had to meet someone today, That's why she didn't leave" Mrs David explained

"Who is she meeting?" Asked Carlos curiously

"How am I supposed to know? And why are you so curious?" His mom asked

"Curious? Me? No way mom. I'm just tired, I need to rest. I'll be in my room " said Carlos

"It's okay son. Take a good rest, we have alot to talk about" said his father and Carlos stood up.

"Okay dad. And by the way, i'll be visiting Maya at school tomorrow. I talked to her teacher about it" said Carlos as he went upstairs.

"Maya, Maya, Maya! Everyone is talking about her. She has already left" said Mr David angrily.

"This shows that she is a good girl and everyone loves her. You should learn to love her too. You'll see the kind of person she is" said Mrs David and walked to the kitchen