Chapter 7 AN ENTRANCE REVEALING SUPRISES

The morning sun peeked through the heavy curtains, casting a dim light into the room. It was a few minutes to seven, yet Hakimi was still in bed, an unusual occurrence. The house, typically alive with early morning activity, was oddly quiet. A soft knock on the door broke the silence.

Akashi peeked inside, surprised to find his father still lying down. Normally, it was Hakimi who woke everyone up. "Dad, what are you still doing in bed?" Akashi called out gently. Receiving no response, he moved closer and touched his father's forehead. Hakimi's skin was burning hot.

Alarmed, Akashi hurried to the kitchen and returned with aspirin and a glass of water. "Here, Dad. Take this," he urged. Hakimi sat up slowly, the effort evident on his face, and swallowed the medicine. Akashi sat with him for a few moments, concern etched in his features.

"Will you be okay, Dad?" Akashi asked, his voice soft.

Hakimi nodded weakly. "Yes, don't worry. I'll be fine in a few minutes. I'll get myself together and head over to school."

Akashi frowned but didn't argue. "Don't go if you're too weak. You're doing too much Dad."

Hakimi's gaze fell on Akashi's face, still swollen and bruised from the previous night's beating. "What about you? Aren't you going to school?"

Akashi shook his head. "No, Dad. I'll go next week."

Akashi helped his father adjust his pillows and made sure he was comfortable."You're pushing yourself too hard Dad, we can see you're trying but don't push yourself to the point where you might leave us. His brows furrowed with concern. I left your breakfast on the dining table. I'll drop my sisters off at school." He got up and left him without looking back at him.

Hakimi stared after him speechless and so worried.

.................

It was a few minutes past twelve when Hakimi woke from his fitful slumber. He threw the sheet off and went to the bathroom, brushing his teeth before heading to the dining table. The breakfast Akashi had prepared-bread and eggs-sat waiting for him. He ate mechanically, his mind elsewhere.

The events of the previous night replayed in his head. Unable to shake off the feeling of helplessness and anger, Hakimi stood up abruptly. He went to Akashi's bedroom and began searching through his things until he found the staff card for the bar where his son worked-the Midnight Bar. He stared at it for a moment, then made up his mind.

Hakimi changed his clothes, brushed his hair, and grabbed a coat before heading out. It was afternoon and the sun was still out. He walked briskly to the bar, his mind set on confronting those who had hurt his son.

As it was afternoon, the bar was still quiet , the staffs were busy with preparations for the evening. Some were cleaning tables while others were restocking the shelves with bottles of liquor. The scent of disinfectant mixed with the faint aroma of stale beer and sweat hit his nostrils. The dim lighting gave the place an eerie feel, even in daylight.

Hakimi walked in, his presence immediately noticed by the staff. One of them, a young man with blonde hair, dressed in all black wiping down the bar, looked up and frowned. "Can I help you?" he asked.

"I'm looking for Riqqo," Hakimi said, his voice steady but laced with barely contained anger.

The young man hesitated "There's no one with that name here" he resumed his cleaning

Hakimi watched him for seconds. "What? I know Riqqo and I'm certain he works here. I need to see him right now!" Hakimi thundered raising his voice a little

"Look sir, if you want to speak so loudly, you should come from 7pm upwards. His Iranian accent was deep. But now I need peace."

"Then tell me where I can find him. He frowned a little. I don't mean any harm. Is about business."

The waiter stared at him for a moment then nodded towards a door at the back. "He's in his office."

Hakimi moved towards the door. A huge and tall man stood by the entrance, he had scary tattoo drawn all over his arms and piercings on his face. "What do you want?" His words came out like a bark

"I...I.. want to see Riqqo" Hakimi stuttered his heart pounding.

"Riqqo, the man wrinkled his face, ain't nobody here named Riqqo. He paused for a second then suddenly became wide eyed. Unless you're talking about... What?! He exclaimed, no body talks about the boss that way you pansy." He yelled at him

"I... didn't know, my bad."

"Who the hell are you? He barked and began moving closer to him. Why are you looking for my boss. I..."

"Greg! A voice called him. Let him meet the boss. He has some business with him." It was the bartender coming to his rescue

Hakimi glanced at him and mouthed a thank you. Greg ushered him in, the passed through a dimly lit hallway and stopped in front of a metal door. He knocked sharply, and a gruff voice from inside barked, "Come in."

He pushed the door open and as Hakimi stepped inside, he shut the door with a loud bang immediately.

The office was surprisingly nicely arranged, and the environment was accommodating. Files was neatly stacked on a shelf and the floor to ceiling windows were neatly cleaned. Hakimi quickly took in every item in the room.

"I demanded to see the one named Riqqo, he began, the men outside told me I will meet him in here." Hakimi spilled out frightfully

Suddenly the chair twirled and a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, looked up from his desk. His eyes narrowed as he took in his visitors stature determined stance.

"Hello brother..."