Chapter 8 DEADLY GUILT

I'm Hakimi. Akashi's father," Hakimi replied, his voice low and dangerous.

Riqqo leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ahh, he grinned, I should have never forgotten your forever polite attitude. Nonsense brother! he burst out in a brief laughter. You can quit all the courtesy. Look, he leaned forward and poked his chest. We're still family okay?" He concluded and took out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer.

"Family!? Then why did you hurt Akashi?"

"Ahh, a little groan escaped his lips. The kid who thought he could steal from me. Don't Tell me he cooked up some shit and lied to you?" Riqqo cocked his brows and glared at him

Hakimi clenched his fists at his sides, struggling to keep his composure. "My son didn't steal from you. I want you to clear his name and give him his job back."

Riqqo laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "And why would I do that? By the way isn't he still a bit young to work?" He raised his eye at him

"Number 1, you have never been a good uncle to him, so you're in no position to ask. Secondly, if you don't give him his job, Hakimi said, stepping closer, I will make sure everyone knows what kind of place this is. I'll go to the police, to the media. I'll make sure your reputation is in ruins."

Riqqo's eyes flashed with anger, but he didn't immediately respond. The two men stared each other down, the room thick with tension. Finally, Riqqo spoke, his voice low and menacing. "You think you can threaten me?"

Hakimi didn't back down. "I'm not threatening you. I'm promising you. My son is innocent, and I will do whatever it takes to prove it."

There was a long, charged silence. Then Riqqo leaned forward, his smirk returning. "Fine. I'll give your son his job back. But if I ever catch him-or you-stepping out of line, there will be consequences."

Hakimi nodded, a sense of grim satisfaction settling over him. "He won't let you down. And neither will I."

"You may leave." He spoke immediately and turned his back at him. Hakimi turned and walked out of the office, the weight of his confrontation with Riqqo lifting slightly off his shoulders. But as he stepped back into the bar, he knew this was only the beginning of a much larger battle.

---

Hakimi walked into his home with slow, heavy steps. The day's confrontation still echoed in his mind. He found his Akashi, sitting with his sisters, he appeared a bit stressed, as he let his long hair fall freely, they looked unkempt, Khadijat and Amira, sat beside him at small dining table.

Hakimi stood at a distance and observed them for a while. Gosh! He wished he could turn back the hands of time and never let his wife go to work that day.

Finally, he moved out of the spot and cleared his throat, and the siblings turned to look at him, curiosity in their eyes.

"I've got some news for you son." He smiled lightly and placed a palm on the chair Kashi sat.

"Really? You won the lottery?" He grinned and they all laughed.

"Err... slightly better. Hmm, he cleared his throat. I talked to Riqqo," Hakimi said, trying to sound strong but his voice wavered slightly. He agreed to give you your job back."

Kashi's face fell, a mix of fear and anger crossing his expression. He looked away. "I don't want to go back there, Dad"

Hakimi's heart clenched, knowing full well why his son was reluctant. The job at Riqqo's place wasn't just serving drinks-it was dangerous. At some point you just find yourself some how 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, Riqqo had to pay them off. As he was known for his drug dealings, and Akaahi had been wrongly accused of theft. Hakimi knew the risk but also knew the reality of their financial situation.

"Kashi, Hakimi said, his voice soft yet pleading. I need you to go back. We need the money. I-" he hesitated, hating the words about to leave his mouth. I can't cover all the expenses on my own." Shame pulled his eyes down to his feet.

Akashi's face twisted in frustration. But Dad, you don't understand. They already think I'm a thief. It's going to be worse when I return. Everyone there looks at me like I'm guilty."

Hakimi lowered his head again, the weight of shame pressing heavily on him. He felt like a failure, forcing his son into a dangerous situation because he couldn't provide better. His daughters just sat there muted, watching the entire thing like a show.

"I know it's hard. I know, Hakimi said, almost whispering, his voice cracking slightly. But please... do this for the family."

The room grew silent as Akashi studied his father's face. He could see the exhaustion, the desperation. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. I'll go back. But only because you asked."

Hakimi nodded, unable to meet his son's gaze. The moment should have felt like a victory, but it was nothing short of defeat. He walked away, leaving the children to their conversation, the bitter taste of guilt gnawing at him.

~~~~~~~~~

It was few minutes to six, as the sun still gave rays to the clouds. The house hold of Rajvier seemed to be a little lively as Hakimi stood near the doorway, eavesdropping on Akashi as he spoke with Khadijat and Amira.

"You know, Akashi said, trying to lighten the mood, I had to sneak back into the exam hall last week. They threw me out cause we couldn't pay the fees. But guess what? I disguised myself and finished my papers anyway!" he ended with triumph

Khadijat gasped, half in disbelief, half amused. "You didn't!"

Akashi chuckled, "Oh, I did. Wrapped a scarf around my face like some undercover agent. Slipped right past them."

Amira giggled, "I can't believe you got away with that."

Hakimi's heart sank deeper. The sound of their laughter contrasted sharply with his own dark thoughts. His son had been humiliated, forced to sneak into an exam hall because he couldn't afford the fees. His daughters were laughing, unaware of the gravity of the situation. Hakimi, hiding in the shadows, felt his failure as a father cut even deeper.

He turned away quietly, retreating into the parlor, a storm of emotions swirling inside him-shame, anger, helplessness. Oh death! He cursed, why?...

------------

A few hours before midnight, Hakimi sat alone in the dimly lit room, the cigarette smoke curling lazily around him. His thoughts ran wild. How had it come to this? A man who once prided himself on being a protector now felt like a burden. He found solace in the bitter taste of cigarettes, puffing the smoke into the stale air as he stared into nothingness.

He puffed his last cigarette and crushed it in the ashtray, getting up with a heavy sigh. His reflection in the mirror above the sink looked worn and haggard. He removed the band from his long hair and splashed cold water on his face, the droplets running down as if they could wash away the weight of his failures.

Quietly, he made his way to check on his children. Akashi was asleep in the girls room, cuddled up between Khadijat and Amira. The sight brought a fleeting moment of warmth to Hakimi's heart. Akashi had always been his source of hope. He bent down and kissed their foreheads, then whispered softly, "I'm sorry..."

He knew he couldn't stay here tonight. The house felt suffocating, and the guilt that weighed on him was too much to bear. The front door creaked softly as Hakimi opened it, stepping into the cool night air. The moon shone brightly, lighting his way, though he had no destination in mind. His feet carried him to a familiar place ----