ASTRAY

Miss Smith wants to tell Him everything that is going on in her head but she hesitates because, at the moment, she can't seem to trust anyone anymore. She says in her mind. "I wish I can just pour out my mind to you but right now, I don't even trust anyone anymore, not even mom and dad and Shamim. Everyone is acting so strange and things are becoming more complicated and frustrating." She lies on the bed and covers herself with the duvet staring into nothing for a very long time until she closes her eyes back to sleep.

Shamim on the other hand walks back to his room with his excited mood already tampered with. He sends a text to Cassandra setting up an appointment for 5pm in the evening. "I do not want to apologize to her, she is honestly doing too much and she has to be out in her place on time before it all gets very worse and unbearable." He whispers to himself denying reality again.

*********

Shamim walks out of the room having some difficulties with knotting his tie. "Mom, please help me out with this." He whispers as he walks to her.

"For how long will you continue like this?" Lola asks and helps him out with the tie. "You need to learn this thing, it's very important you do."

"I believe you know how much I hate this tie of a thing."

"Then stop using it." She suggests.

"Honestly , I wish I can but you know it is very essential I use it work. It's part of our dress code for the males."

"That's bad." Lola says with a tone of mockery and moves away from him to do something else.

Darifa and Asma walks out of the visitor's room together yawning.

"Sleepy heads." Shamim teases them. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Asma greets beneath her breath stretching and making some loud noise.

"Where is mom?" Darifa asks.

"She is right there." Shamim replies pointing to the dining area.

Darifa and Asma walks to Lola, greets her and helps her out with the setting of table for breakfast.

After some seconds, Abdullah walks out and greets everyone. "What time are you coming home from work today?" He asks Shamim.

"I will be back late this night, I have an appointment with someone by 5pm this evening." He replies as he put on his suit jacket.

"Where is Ella?" Malik asks immediately he walks in the sitting room and can see everyone except Ella.

"I have an appointment this evening, and I would be back home late." Shamim says to everyone and no one in particular but clearly trying to avoid any conversation that has to do with Ella.

"Didn't you hear me? Where is Ella?" Malik asks again but now facing Shamim.

"I have no idea where she is." He replies and moves away from his father.

"She is in the room, she said she was indisposed." Abdullah replies shedding light to the dark.

"Oh my goodness!" Malik exclaims almost murmuring.

"You should have said that since." Lola says and rushes to her daughter's room.

Malik looks at his son scornfully for a moment then follows his wife. The trio friends sensed that something is definitely wrong with Shamim but they all decided not to mention it.

Kylie walks out if her room too holding her school bag in one hand, she looks round the room and can't find Ella. "Where is sister Ella?" She asks her older brother.

"Can you all just give me a break?!" Shamim yells with his eyes burning red and caught everyone in the sitting room with great and extreme shock. Even Malik and Lola run out to see what warranted such noise. "Everything is all about Ella this Ella that! Can you all just stop it!"

"Shamim!" Malik calls to caution. "What is your problem? Ella is your sister."

"She is not my sister." He retorts loudly.

"She isn't your sister?" Young Kylie asks confused. Lola holds Kylie and takes her out of the scene.

Malik stares at his son for a moment again and walks out of his presence.

That stare almost killed Shamim, his father has never ever looked at him in such manner before. The stare meant a lot and passed more than enough message to him. He is very much aware that his father is very annoyed with him. He picks up his briefcase and car key and then leaves the house without eating.

"Don't you think something is wrong with Shamim?" Lola asks her husband as they eat in the dining table with the children except Ella.

"I don't want to talk about that boy please." He replies shutting his wife off.

"I think I should give Ella her food in bed." Abdullah whispers not comfortable eating in the presence of the parents.

"Let me help you dish it out." Lola stands and dishes out some food for Ella.

"Thank you ma'am." He appreciates holding his own plate of food in one hand and Ella's plate of food in the other hand.

"I will come with you." Darifa volunteers.

Asma didn't wish to go but it might have her left out so she volunteers too. "I will come with you too."

The three of them walks out the dining room holding their food and heads to Ella's room.

"Shamim is getting in my nerves." Malik whispers trying to hide his anger.

Lola holds his hands and whispers to him. "I think they had a misunderstanding."

"Did you see the way he yelled out there? Saying he is tired of hearing Ella? He even said she is not his sister."

"The funniest part is that non of them is willing to open up day what is going on to anyone of them and that is really annoying."

Malik exhales deeply. "If this boy makes me react to all he did this morning, he will not like it."

"Please, just calm down. You know these children are still very young, we need to nurture them with extra care and love." She tries to pacify her husband. "What do you think we can do concerning the issue on ground?"

"Concerning Jessica?" He asks too.

"Yes." Lola nods. "We have to act fast, these children can't keep staying here forever."

"I have to be sincere to you, I am yet to come up with any plans or ideas but I promise to think of something before the end of today. Make sure to tell the kids not to go anywhere today at all."

"Alright." She nods with a smile.

"That Jessica girl is something we need to be very careful of. She is acting smarter than I expected and it is baffling me."

"Do not let it baffle you, we are going to sort it all out."

"Shamim is giving me more concern now, don't you think he is going astray?" Malik asks.

"My son won't go astray!" Lola retorts frowning.

"I am sorry." Malik whispers with smile and kisses his wife's hands.