THE BOND

The way Lola had looked at him and the question she asked Ella appeared to be out of the usual or ordinary. Could it have been that they were talking about him all this while or was it just a coincidence?

"What's up with the atmosphere?" Malik asks in a soft tone as he sat opposite the ladies.

"Nothing is wrong, I was just trying to talk to her about something." Lola says trying to hide the real content of their conversation.

"Alright." Malik looks around and notices he can't find Shamim. Though, he had just known Ella for a day but the bond they have built happens to be so strong that they were together all through. So seeing Ella alone was kind of strange. "Where is Shamim?"

Ella bows her head and writes in her jotter. "He is taking a nap."

"Oh! I thought as much. That is the only reason you two wouldn't be together." Malik exclaims with a smile.

"I am so happy to see how they accepted each other and started building a bond so fast." Lola adds too.

"As a matter of fact, I am surprised too. I thought they might act like strangers to each other for a while and it might be very difficult for me trying to make it up to them on both sides. But luckily for me, everything went well and fine beyond expectation."

"That is just one thing about kids, they would not cease to amaze you from time to time."

The adults were talking about the kids almost forgetting the presence of Ella when Shamim walks in the sitting room. In one hand, he holds a jotter and pen so similar to that of Ella's. He was rubbing his eyes with the other hand.

"Talk of the devil!" Malik exclaims again.

"Hi Shamim." Lola greets with a lot of smile.

"Hello ma'am, you left yesterday without saying goodbye and you even came late today. This wasn't what you promised." Shamim nags and successfully found himself a sit close to Ella after squeezing himself in between Ella and Lola.

The adults were surprised with his action, they exchanged short glances at each other when Shamim squeezed himself into their midst just to sit close to Ella. All Lola could do was to shift and allow the young boy have his way.

"I am sorry about that my dear, something very urgent came up yesterday. But do not worry, I have already bought the necessary groceries." Lola says with a smile again.

"Alright." Shamim nods and faces Ella then writes in his jotter. "Are you hungry?"

Ella writes too. "Yes i am really hungry, I was waiting for you so we could tell her what we want to eat."

Malik and Lola looks at each other again! What is going on? Why is Shamim writing too?

"Shamim." Malik calls.

"Yes dad." He answers.

"Why are you writing to her instead of talking?"

"I am doing this because I don't want her to feel uncomfortable or bad, moreover it would make her feel more secure and safe if someone is communicating the way she does. Opening up won't be a problem for her anymore and it would help heal her on time."

None of these adults ever thought of these things so deep. Neither Lola nor Malik had ever thought that trying to communicate like Ella would actually help her open up faster and even heal her faster. Lola looks down in a bit of shame, she just had to admit that the young boy was smarter than them in that very aspect.

"I see!" Malik exclaims calmly in surprise and impression. His boy did impressed him with that.

"Ma'am, please prepare something for me and my younger sister to eat. She is very hungry." Shamim says again looking at Lola with a lot of courage.

"Younger sister?" Lola asks again almost forgetting what perspective of the story he has.

"Yes, I am three months older than her." Shamim tries to demonstrate the three with his fingers.

Malik shakes his head in a lot of disbelief thinking of how the kids got so connected easily, within just a day. "Yes, you are correct." He says trying to cover their disbelief and shock.

Shamim writes again in his jotter. "Let's go to my room to play games, the food would soon be ready."

Ella smiles at him and writes again. "Alright, let's go."

The older brother holds his younger sister's hand and stands to head upstairs but he stops and look at Lola again. "Please call us when the food is ready."

"Of course I would." She assures.

"Thank you ma." Shamim appreciates smilingly and heads upstairs still holding his sister.

The adults eyes followed them as they walk upstairs until they disappear into a room. Malik hurriedly sit close to Lola to discuss something with her.

"What do you think? Don't you think their bond is getting too strong?" Malik asks.

"Your son is already obsessed with her." Lola whispers.

"That is exactly what I am talking about, they seem to be the better half's of each other now."

"Ella isn't going to stay here forever. It would be very difficult for him to cope when she leaves. I am sure he won't forgive us when he finds out Ella isn't his sister." Lola says sadly.

"I am sure he won't be happy when he finds out about Ella but why would Ella leave this place? Where would she stay?" Malik asks.

"Are you planning on keeping her here with you?"

"Of course I do. You expect me to just leave her and allow go back to that house and stay there alone?" Malik asks.

"Ella is a very stubborn girl, it won't be easy to keep her here. She is doing all this and being this calm because she can't speak for now."

"That is why I have to do all it takes to keep her here. If she stays alone, something crazy might really happen to her."

"Do all it takes?" Lola asks.