her," Hakimi replied, hi

er polite attitude. Nonsense brother! he burst out in a brief laughter. You can quit all the courtesy. Look, he leaned

n why did you

he could steal from me. Don't Tell me he cooked up some shi

keep his composure. "My son didn't steal from you. I

hy would I do that? By the way isn't he still

ou don't give him his job, Hakimi said, stepping closer, I will make sure everyone knows what kind

two men stared each other down, the room thick with tension. Finally,

you. I'm promising you. My son is innocent,

irk returning. "Fine. I'll give your son his job back. But if I ever

sfaction settling over him. "He won

of the office, the weight of his confrontation with Riqqo lifting slightly off his shoulders. B

-

ind. He found his Akashi, sitting with his sisters, he appeared a bit stressed, as he let his lon

while. Gosh! He wished he could turn back the hands

eared his throat, and the siblings turne

." He smiled lightly and placed

lottery?" He grinned

ed to Riqqo," Hakimi said, trying to sound strong but his v

er crossing his expression. He looked aw

involved in their mess. Either you get sent to deliver some shit, or the days the cops strike, you get dragged in for questioning. And the cops were always constantly trooping around, Ri

ed the money. I-" he hesitated, hating the words about to leave his mouth. I c

rstand. They already think I'm a thief. It's going to be wors

like a failure, forcing his son into a dangerous situation because he couldn't provi

most whispering, his voice cracking slight

He could see the exhaustion, the desperation. Finally, h

ike a victory, but it was nothing short of defeat. He walked away, leaving

~~~

house hold of Rajvier seemed to be a little lively as Hakimi stood near

exam hall last week. They threw me out cause we couldn't pay the fees. But gues

f in disbelief, half

a scarf around my face like some unde

can't believe you

een humiliated, forced to sneak into an exam hall because he couldn't afford the fees. His daughters were laughing,

r, a storm of emotions swirling inside him-shame,

----

thoughts ran wild. How had it come to this? A man who once prided himself on being a protector now felt like a burden.

in the mirror above the sink looked worn and haggard. He removed the band from his long hair and splashed

en Khadijat and Amira. The sight brought a fleeting moment of warmth to Hakimi's heart. Akashi had alway

ch to bear. The front door creaked softly as Hakimi opened it, stepping into the cool night air. The moon shone