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C H A P T E R    S I X T E E N: THE TRUTH COMES OUT

Omar Ali

"Abdullahi!" I called after him. He was furious, that was as clear as day but did he really have to act like that? Did he have to blame Bayan for what happened to her and say that her injuries are her fault!? That was a low blow and he knows that. I get that he cares about her and he only said that out of rage but still. That was just...too much. "I know I was out of line!" He exclaimed as he ran his hands through his hair. "I just freaked out. What are we going to do?"

"I have a plan..."

I began to tell him about what Harun and I had came up with. After I was done telling him he nodded his head in agreement. "Do you think it'll work?"

"In Shaa Allah, yeah I do."

It has to.

* * *

Bayan Ameer

Its now been a week since I was released from the hospital and it's like my family members and friends are afraid to leave me alone. I'm not kidding when I say that they take turns watching over me, first it was mom then dad, then Omar, Abdullahi, Mohamed, Alima and now its Amira's turn. Right now we're laying in my bed watching a marathon of Shah Rukh Khan movies. Ahhh I could never get sick of watching movies he's in. Like seriously I grew up watching movies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Khabhi Khushi Khabi Gum etc. His movies are life, plain and simple!

"Lets watch Kal Ho Na Ho!" Amira suggested as she grabbed the big bowl of popcorn. I got the remote and turned on Kal Ho Na Ho. I love this movie so much! It's just the story line is so sad yet happy at the same time. Pretty soon it started and we both got quiet, I grabbed the bowl of Kettle Corn and put a few in my mouth.

* * *

"Ooh I feel bad for the little girl! The grandma doesn't treat her the same as she treats the little boy." Amira commented in a sad tone. I feel really bad for her too. Like seriously if my Grams treated me differently than the way she treated Abdullahi then I don't know what I would've done. Pretty soon it got to the part where SRK was singing pretty women, I really love this part. Amira quickly jumped off of the bed and got in the same position he was in. I couldn't help but laugh, man I love this girl.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"Maine Jise Abhi Abhi Dekha Hai," She started to sing along. I immediately started pretending to be the girl and pretended I had glasses on my face while crossing my arms. "Kaun Hai Woh Anjaani," She continued. "Use Jitna Dekhoon, Utna Sochoon. Kya Use Main Keh Doon."

"Hit it!"

By now I started to sing along with her. "Maine Jise Abhi Abhi Dekha Ha. Kaun Hai Woh Anjaani," The song started picking up faster. " Woh Hai Koi Kali Ya Koi Kiran Ya Hai Koi Kahani. Use Jitna Dekhoon, Utna Sochoon  Kya Use Main Keh Doon. Pretty Woman!" We both started laughing and singing off the top of our lungs. This is what I needed, to just chill out and hang with my best friend. She's the only one who could immediately make me feel better and not worry. "Hey Pretty Woman! Dekho, Dekho Na Pretty Woman.. Pretty Woman Dekho, Dekho Na Pretty Woman!" We sang along.

After our singing session we continued to watch the movie until it finished.

"So," She sat up against the head of my bed. "I know you don't think you're ready to tell me what happened but I hope you know that I won't judge you. You could trust me with that. I'm your best friend remember?" She gave me one of her looks. You know, the kind of look that could make you want to spill your guts out. I took in a deep breath and nodded my head. I wanted to tell her, I just don't know what's keeping me from doing it. I wanted to tell both her and Alima but everytime I think I'm ready to tell them nothing comes out. Why am I like this? They're my best friends! I know I could trust them. I have to tell Amira, I just have to.

I finally looked up to her. "I'm ready to tell you everything." I said with courage. And so I did, I told her everything that happened from the almost rape to the beating. By the time I was done I couldn't look her straight in the eyes. I know she probably felt hurt that I didn't tell her what happened for so long. Who wouldn't feel hurt? Hell, I haven't even told my parents about that. And even if I did what good would that have done? It's not like he actually went through with it and raped me, he wouldn't go to jail. Instead of justice being served everyone would know what happened that night. How am I supposed to show my face at school? Would anyone even believe me?

"Oh my god Bay... I'm so sorry that happened to you!" She cried as she enveloped me in a bone crushing hug. I don't know why but suddenly my eyes started to get wet and before I knew it I started to cry with her. "I promise you that jerk will be brought to justice." She said in a reassuring tone. "I also think you should tell your parents everything." She added. I know that I should tell them but I can't bare to see the looks on their faces. Will they be upset with me? Would they react the same way Abdullahi did? Just thinking of that made me scared. But I have to put all of that aside and tell them. They'd know how to react to this...

I knocked on my parents door nervously as my hands shook. My dad was the one who opened their door and let me in. "Mama, Baba I have to talk to you guys." I said nervously as I sat down and sat my crutches aside. This is it Bay...You can do this! I took in a deep breath. "Okay, honey you can tell us anything." Ma replied in a sincere tone.

"What is it Habibti?" Baba asked worriedly.

"It's about how I got injured..."

* * *

"Why didn't you tell us when it happened?!" Ma panicked. I knew I should've told them from the beginning it's just, like I said before, I didn't want this to happen. It's all too overwhelming! Mom was freaking out and dad was surprisingly silent which could only mean one thing. He's really really angry. Whenever anyone of us Ameer's are angry it's really easy to tell. That's why we could never hide anything from each other. Well that's how everyone else in my family is like. I on the other hand, can hide my feelings really well. Hell I've been hiding this for the past two years and no one else knew. "Honey lets calm down a bit. Bayan," My dad turned to me with an unreadable expression. "Why didn't you tell us the day it happened? Were you too afraid sweetie?"

"No...it's just so much was going on! We were already going through grandpa's death and I didn't want to make it worse. And plus he didn't actually rape me, he was about to but he didn't." I tried my best to explain myself. "At that time there was nothing that I could've done. But now I feel like I can." I added. I want to put that jerk behind bars. I don't want to even think about ever walking past him at school or anywhere else! "W-Was he the one that jumped you?" Mom asked hesitantly. I nodded my head slowly and heard a gasp escape from her mouth. Again, Baba looked like he was about to kill someone. This is what I wanted to prevent from happening!

"He's going to be put away for a very long time. I'm going to call my lawyers," Baba got out of the room with his phone pressed against his ear. Ma wrapped her arms against my fragile body and it was in that moment that I truly felt secure. "Don't worry beti. Everything will be alright." She said reassuringly.

Everything will be alright, I repeated to myself in my head.

* * *

"Hey!" I wrapped my arms around Omar's neck, hugging him. I haven't seen him for a whole week! I guess he was busy with school and everything. Speaking of school I have to go back in a couple of weeks with this huge cast around my leg. It sucks but there's nothing I can do about it. I finally let go of him and looked at him directly in the eyes. I feel really bad because I put him through a lot, you know with the whole 'Josh' situation. I wouldn't be surprised if he was sick of it all.  "I missed you." He replied with a smile. "Me too." I respond.

"So," He sat on the edge of my bed playing with the hem of the bed skirt. "How do you feel about going back to school?" He asked curiously. I couldn't help but groan at the thought, I really can't deal with going back to school. The thing is graduation is in two months and I have to keep my grades up and have my credits in so I could graduate. I've already missed so much of school and I can't afford to miss anymore. I also don't have to worry about seeing his face again so that's good.

"I don't know...I'm kind of dreading it." I responded honestly.

"Well if you're worrying about seeing Josh then you don't have to. He will be put away soon enough." He sounded so serious when said that. I couldn't help but furrow my eyebrows, why do I feel like he's up to something? Who knows maybe it's nothing and I'm overreacting. Yeah that's most likely it.

"Um, I told my parents and they're pressing charges." I said after a moment of silence. His eyes widened when I mentioned that. "Really? That's great. It must've been hard to tell them... I'm sorry I wasn't here for you." He put his hand on my shoulder rubbing it. Hard? It's was way past hard! Try straight up impossible! "It's okay, you're here now.""

"Yeah and I'm not going anywhere."

* * *

"Bayan! Mohamed! Hurry up so I could drop you guys off." Abdullahi yelled from the bottom steps. I carefully proceeded to go down the steps with my crutches. Man I can't wait until I'm out of this stupid cast! My arm already healed so I got the other cast off a couple of days ago. My doctor said that my leg just needs a little bit more time because it took a harder blow against the ground. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I continue to walk to the kitchen with the help of my crutches. Everyone was already awake and in the kitchen eating breakfast, as usual I was the last to come down.

"Salam," I said as I grabbed a bowl of cereal and a spoon. "Walaikumsalam." My parents replied with small smiles on their faces. After eating, Abdullahi dropped both Mohamed and I at school. To say I was nervous coming back would be a big understatement. I took in a deep breath and opened the double doors. "Here let me help you with your books." My little brother offered. I smiled at him before handing him my text books. "Why are you suddenly being nice?" I asked with a laugh.

He pretended to look offended. "Hey I'm a nice guy! Anyway you're my sister so of course I'd help you. Also I get to miss some of class and have an excuse." He smirked the last part. Rolling my eyes, I ruffle his cute brown curly hair. "Aye watch it!" He quickly fixed his hair. This boy and his looks... He gets that from Abdullahi. You know suddenly I don't feel so nervous.

"Let's go."

*******

Beti- Daughter in hindi

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