Deviant Fixation

by Valencia Carmelita

"You've never asked for it before! So why now!?" She nearly shouts.

  "That was before you attended Uni." Huxley comments, and immediately Katie throws him a glare.

  He sighs, shaking his head and turns to Vladimir. "Shall we start with breakfast before it gets cold?"

  Ignoring Huxley, Vladimir continues. "Now." Concluding with finality as his eyes bore into his younger sisters. "Hand it over."

  She presses her lips into a thin line of agitation as she slowly places the phone atop the table. Then with a defeated exhale, she slides the phone in his direction.

  "There, that wasn't so difficult." His tone neutral and indifferent again. "Let's dine and before we do.."

  He motions for Anya and she comes over to fill everyone's glasses with a pale golden colored liquid from an expensive looking bottle.

  He raises his glass midair and announces. "A toast of early morning champagne for the safe return of Rachael and the children."

  I don't dare to touch the glass of alcoholic beverage as all the other adults raise their glasses and then proceed to sip. Arielle and Charlie raise their plastic cups of juice.

  I found it unnerving the kids were picking up such a habit only for the reasons the adults glamorized it.

  "Muslim!" Vladimir addresses in a clipped tone.

  Instantly my eyes lock with his incisive ones and a cruel smirk tugs at his lips as he proceeds. "I hadn't expected you to come across this barbaric, atleast have the decency to toast and drink to my sister's safe return. If it weren't for her, you'd not be dining amongst nobility at present."

  The hall grows solemn as I redirect my gaze on my lap in humiliation. I knew all eyes were on me with sympathy except for the cursed blue eyed demon.

  He was the sole reason why no one was coming to my defense until Rachael's torrid voice interrupts the awkward silence. "If you insult her one more time, I will get up and leave with her to dine out."

  "Let's proceed with the feast ." Vladimir ignores her while motioning at Anya to come over.

  Briskly, she starts pulling the lids away from the platters to uncover the hot breakfast meal under.

  I want to leave, I couldn't bare sitting in his presence. He was atrocious beyond belief and everyone seems frightened of him.

  What has Mister Mirza gotten me into ?!

  "Sanam, would you like some sausages?" Rachael asks, as everyone helps themselves to various expensive dishes of food.

  "I only eat halal." I quietly state.

  "Oh yes, let me find you something halal." Rachael begins to look and ask that other platters be passed down for examination.

  While she's at it, I sense Vladimir's prickling gaze on me. I glance up briefly and find indeed he was staring.

  A hostile smirk plays on his lips and complete malice burning a blue fire in his eyes. Anxiety creeps upon me as I divert my attention again to the empty plate before me.

  Finally after a few more minutes, Rachael slides a mini creme centered type of pie onto my plate.

  "That's the only meatless food I found.." She exclaims apologetically.

  Then her lips set into a thin line as something dawns on her and she questions. "Vladimir, why is every dish here composed of pork,bacon and ham especially since you don't even like that meat."

  He takes his time chewing with a closed mouth on the morsel of ham slice from his fork, then sets aside his knife and fork, and takes a languid sip from his glass of champagne.

  Dabbing at his lips with a folded napkin, he sets it aside and serenely looks me in the eyes while answering Rachael. "I've changed my preference, it's the only meat I prefer and the only meat I'll be having delivered here, every dish shall be served with it."

  I knew what game he was playing at, no wonder why he didn't object when I entered this dining hall. Instantly, I remembered something. If every dish was being served with some form of pig meat ingredient, then for certain the custard pie on my plate most likely is haraam.

  With utter disgust, I ask Rachael in a pleading tone. "May I be excused?"

  "Are you not eating that ? It has no meat." Rachael insists. "And you hadn't eaten last night, so please eat something."

  "Muslim.." Vladimir addresses in a threatening tone, a gleam of sadistic delight flickers in his eyes. "Do as my sister says, otherwise no one would be more nightmarish than I for you to deal with after.Eat the pie now."

  My throat constricts again and I blink back the tears of fear pooling in my eyes.

  I hate him beyond belief.

  I look towards Rachael with pleading eyes and shake my head in decline.

  Please just let me go, I want to be far away from here, from him.

  "Why?" She asks with concern.

  That's it, why can't these people take no for an answer!?

  Now I'm starting to think all of these people were nuts and not just him alone. They were enforcing their ways on me, that's exactly what appears to be the case.

  "It-it contains lard.." I trail off. The cruel despicable demon had nearly tricked me into eating pig fat and I didn't fall for his trick.

  Rachael narrows her eyes as she turns to now a bored looking Vladimir who sensed a few seconds ago that I had figured out his sick game.

  "you're unbelievable at times,Vladimir." Rachael snaps. "You've greatly disappointed me.Come on Sanam, I'll have us dine out."

  We stand from our seats and Katie is about to follow when Vladimir orders. "You'll sit where you are, Katherine. We have much to discuss regarding your studies."

  **********************************************

  Glossary:

  .Cara mia is my dear (female) in Italian.

  .jinn is a supernatural being in Arabic created of smokeless fire.

  .Bratva is Russian term for mafia.

  Chapter 14

  *Tick Tock* *Tick Tock* *Tick Tock*

  "Come on, come on!" I let out an impatient whisper harshly under my breath. "Any second now..."

  In complete anticipation, my eyes glued at the digital Clock against the wall.

  I had been sitting there on the very edge of my bed for an hour, awaiting the clock to strike midnight already.

  Throwing consistent glances at the time in between watching the television. Yet the images playing upon the screen did little to nab my attention from the slow minutes elapsing by or from the stuffy envelope clenched in my hands.

  The very envelope Mr.Mirza had entrusted to me since last I saw him.

  Many questions needed answering and I couldn't endure another entire night to pass.

  At midnight it will be the start of the next day, so I fully believe I've kept to my promise of waiting a week and now it needed to be fulfilled.

  The clock struck 12Am and my fingers nimbly tore an opening through the well sealed envelope.

  An unpleasant jittery mixture of nervousness grew in the pit of my stomach.

  I reached in and pulled forth wads of thick stapled documents with a smaller envelope attached by a paper clip to the top left.

  On the small envelope an inscription states Read this first in Mr.Mirza's hand writing.

  Without sparing a second, I detach it and unravel the letter within to read.

  Dear Sanam

  Knowing you has been nothing but complete joy and delight, although was but for a month. I wish I could have had the chance to reveal to you face to face of what I'm writing here now. But alas, that was unable for me in the short time I had to get you to safety.

  Remember when I had asked you words of advice for a man nearing his death bed? I didn't know where to start, how to let you know.

  But I'll be short and concise here, I'm dying. I suffer from a terminal illness which I do not wish to mention the name of. I haven't got much time to live, the doctors have revealed 5 months at most. Please don't worry yourself when you read this, it's the last thing I want to cause you. I know you've suffered so much pain living with us at the hands of Imran. I'm so sorry for that, I don't wish to further add to your pain.

  You
had given me such sweet answers to my question that I now want to be as prepared as possible before I meet my lord at the time of death. I wasn't aware of how far gone I was from Islam and thankfully Allah sent you my way to advise me and lessen my burden. I know you might be thinking, what burden? That which is burden for me will prove to be a blessing for you in your time of hardship and may Allah bless you ever more.

  The paper work attached with this envelope is to do with my properties, savings, investments etc. Had I not known the fact he isn't my biological son, these assets of mine would have been transferred under Imran's name unjustly so. Little does he and Razia know that im dying, and they would have never needed to devise a plan to murder me by framing you for it.

  I haven't got time right now to get into so much details, but I have transferred everything to your name. All of this wealth was the reason they plotted to murder me but it has only backfired on them.

  As soon as you turn 19, you will have full access to everything. I have attached information and my lawyers contact cards in case you need further assistance.

  When you turn 19, you can do whatever you need with the wealth I'm leaving behind. You may depart Rachael's custody and return to America with your brother, buy a house there. Or you may move to Western Australia, safely away from the Burq Al Nar gang.

  Please do not worry over me, death is part of life. We all die at some point, the minute we are born we are dying. We just seem to forget doing good for our afterlife in the whims and desires of the world. I will die peacefully knowing that I have left you parts of my wealth and divided the rest to charities. Please do not attempt to find or contact me. I'm going into hiding just as you are and I desire to die in peace.

  May tranquility arrive in abundance to your life soon inshaAllah.

  Salaam Aleikom

  Anwar Mirza

  In utter devastation, my eyes rescan the letter as his dismal words I'm dying echo throughout my mind.

  A gut wrenching sensation builds up within me while silent tears journey down my face.

  How could he not have called me ?

  How could he not have revealed such terrible news to me sooner?!

  It didn't matter if my safety preoccupied him too much at the time. I had every right to know this!

  I had the right to know what was the affliction causing his life to desist so early. I contained no desire or need of his wealth.

  How could he not have asked my permission before entrusting me with such a huge burden?

  Since it is and was a burden for him then it would certainly prove as burden for me. However did he think otherwise in my case?

  I frantically scour through the pile of documents for any other notes he left behind.

  After a couple of seconds of no luck, I heave a dejected sigh.

  I slump forward with my elbows propped on my knees and bury my face hopelessly in my hands.

  What should I do now ?

  I would have to wait the entire night to awaken Rachael in the morning about this tragic news.

  Perhaps I should contact baba about this and try explaining to him everything again.

  He has to provide a chance to listen to me now especially when it concerns mr.Mirza's life and death situation.

  Baba can't remain angered for this long! He needs to be made aware of Naheed's and Mrs.Razia Mirza's vile schemes.

  Making my mind up, immediately I reach for the bedside phone and dial his number. After some 4-5 rings, the call is picked up.

  There is a brief shuffling on the other end of the line and I wonder why baba isn't answering with his usual greeting.

  After a couple of seconds, I proceed to initiate instead. "S-Salaam Aleikom b-baba..."

  No answer from him except the continuous shuffling around of something in the background.

  "Hello?..baba are you there?" Cautiously I query.

  I wonder if he's deliberately not speaking and instead allowing me to exonerate myself.

  He's probably still furious but not as much as before otherwise knowing him, he'd start yelling by now.

  "Baba please just give me a chance to explain.." I continue in a dismally pleading tone. "Naheed was behind this scheme..she-she wanted me dead and her and Mrs.Mirza planned to frame me for mr.Mirza's murder! Baba please give me a chance to explain.."

  The shuffling stops and replaces by the start of an ominous chuckle.

  I freeze in complete alarm at the recognition of the growing laughter on the other end of the line.

  No! It can't be !!

  "Perhaps I might just convey your marrrvelous message to your baba!" Naheed's voice drenched with vile amusement stings my ears. "he'd find such information useful in the long run and may decide to admit you to a mental health facility."

  "Naheed!!" I let out in shocked confusion. "Where is baba?! Why do you have his phone?!"

  "That is none of your concern.." She replies aridly. " I had been expecting your call soon enough..now that you've discovered the inside details of my ..how did you put it ? Schemes? Yes! Schemes!" She starts laughing diabolically again.

  I grimace at her cackle and demand. "Why?! Naheed? Why did you want to be complicit in such a crime ?! What did I do to deserve this ?!"

  Instantly her laughter ceases. "why?! You want to know why?"

  The tone of her voice grows ever more spiteful. "Benafsha Durrani is the reason why! She spawned you and even in death she's created my life miserable with your presence!"

  Upon hearing my mother's name, my voice raises in fury. "What did my mother ever do wrong to you ?!"

  "You pretentious little brat! Benafsha taught you well to put up an innocent act! Your whore of a mother nearly destroyed my marriage!" A venomous snarl escapes Naheed's voice.

  "Asad was promised to marry me! But along came that whore and seduced him."

  "That's not true!" I deny in vehemence.

  "My mother didn't even know baba was engaged to you! It wasn't her fault! Baba should have told her but he didn't and he broke it off with you because he loved her and he married her first!"

  "He used her for the whore she was! He came back to me and rightfully married me and soon enough I made him see his errors!" She snaps accusingly.

  "Everything was going fine! Everything was back to normal until the intrusion of your unfortunate and unwanted presence ! You think I'm stupid?! I could see how hard you tried to pry Asad's attention away from me and my children! You are the greedy embodiment of Benafsha! You wanted to take over Asad's wealth like she tried to!"

  "Greed? Don't compare my mother's mindset to yours! And I don't need baba's wealth! But he's as much of a father to us as he is to your children!" I declare passionately.

  "You wouldn't allow him to be a father to Bilal and I. You didn't take mercy on the fact that we are motherless!"

  "Also!" I exasperate painfully. "Please atleast have the decency enough not to refer to my dead mother as a whore.She only ever loved and married one man, she was modest!"