MOVE OUT

Ella wakes from her sleep and sits on the bed covered in cold sweat and gasping for air.

"Are you okay?" Abdullah asks observing her all around and seeming scared too.

"I had a dream, a bad one." Miss Smith tries to explain.

"A dream? But you have been asleep for just thirty minutes."

"I saw my father, standing and staring at me, but he looked very different, I means he look was so terrible and dangerous, very different from what I have known before," She furthers looking so perplexed.

Abdullah gives her a soft kiss on her lips and whispers to her ears. "It was just a dream love, don't think about it too much."

The words somehow comfort her, as she sighs deeply. "Did I wake you?" She asks looking and sounding more relaxed.

"No." He shakes his head. "You complained of the noise down there and requested we came upstairs to sleep."

"Abdullah, what if my father was a dangerous man? And he died because he deserved death?"

"Why are you talking like this? Even if he was a dangerous person, did your grand parents and mom also deserve death too?" He asks In return.

"It's just driving my crazy." She whispers and places her head on his chest. Do you know my favorite place on earth?"

"No." Abdullah replies as he pats her on her back. "Unless you tell me."

"It's your arms." She whispers and places her lips tightly on his chest then closes her eyes.

*********

"How was your night?" Malik asks as soon as Abdullah opens the door.

"It was fine sir, good morning." Abdullah replies and looks at Shamim who is standing behind Malik and not looking very happy. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, sure." Malik nods. "Is Ella still asleep?"

Abdullah looks back into the room and shakes his head. "No, I think the knock woke her too."

"That's good." He mutters and enters the room.

"Are you sure all is well?" Abdullah asks Shamim again.

"I think it is, he just called me and told me to come to his room, and here we are." He inhales sharply. "I really hope all is well." Both of them walk in the room too.

"Did you sleep well father?" Ella asks with smiles.

"Yes I did." He looks at his son and points to the vacant space close to Ella on the bed. "Sit over there."

"Is everything okay?" Shamim asks sounding scared.

"You will get to answer that questions yourselves when you hear what I have to say, but for now, just do as I say." Shamim obeys. "That's good." He turns to Abdullah and sends a message with his eyes telling him to go out.

"I will be waiting outside." He says and walks out.

"Father, you are getting me scared already, what is going on? Did anything bad happen?" Ella asks, worried sick.

"Shamim, this young lady here, sitting close to you." He stops and looks at his son, then continue. "Is who?"

Looking confused, he looks at his father and sister consecutively before answering. "She is my sister."

"Did I give birth to her?" Malik asks with a frown.

"But she is still my sister."

"How is she your sister?" Malik asks again.

Shamim exhales sharply and whispers. "Because we always have each other's back and ready to stand for each other anywhere."

Malik pulls the wooden chair and sits in front of them, and clacks his fingers. "That is exactly what I want to hear. No matter what happens, it is your responsibility to protect each other and have your backs." He whispers looking at his kids consecutively.

"But why are you telling this? Did something happen?" Ella asks unsatisfied.

"I want you both to move out."

"Move out of where?" Ella asks again.

"The hotel?" Shamim asks too.

"Move out of my house." Malik answers and his children open their mouths in shock and look at each other. "I believe it's time you did so."

"Have we offended you in any ways?" Shamim asks. "Why are you suddenly pushing us out?"

"Rotten kids." He knocks the both of them on the head. "You are twenty three now and still living in your father's house, do you think that is okay? You should be on your own and live your life, that is when you get to face the real world and reality."

"But why are you suddenly telling us this? Why this place of all places? You could have at least allowed us get home." Ella nags.

"Stop nagging and just listen to me, I believe now is the best time to tell you this which is why I am doing so." He sighs deeply. "I want to see you make success your favorite thing but not while you are still living under my roof."

"Don't you think it might be a bit difficult for mom?" asks Shamim.

"Don't worry about that, I have that in control already. I will employ a maid, spend more time with her, and moreover, Darifa said she would be staying with us for a while."

"You really made up your mind, to chase us out?" Shamim asks again.

"You can't stay with me forever, I hope you know that."

"It's fine." Miss Smith nods. "We can come visiting during the weekends right?"

"You can, but not every weekends. If you do so, then there is no difference between staying with me and staying alone. We will welcome your visits once every month."

"You are practically cutting us off father!" Shamim nags loudly.

"Are you disowning us?" Ella asks almost whispering.