Chapter 7

Kamal...

(The stunning Leila Hatami as my idea of Kamal's mother)

I was experiencing a myriad of emotions as I whisked away from that house of horrors sitting in the back seat of my father's limousine. Rage, betrayal, and unimaginable resentment towards my deceased grandfather, pity for my broken hearted mother, and wealth of concern and undefined feelings for Jameel were boiling through the very blood in my veins all at once.

It had taken several well meaning looks from Yasmin and the fact that Jameel had nervously folded in on himself that kept me calm. The gorgeous little cutie had managed to make himself as small as possible as he huddled under the folds of the blanket in the very far corner of the car's plush backseat. My mother kept glancing at me with sympathy and pleading shining in her eyes.

I couldn't even open my mouth to reassure her that I was fine even after being dealt yet another blow by the insipid bastard that was her father. I knew that if I spoke to her right now, the fury that I was battling would prevent me from censoring my words and the tone in which I would speak to her. She had loved her father despite the fact that he was such an self righteous asshole to the rest of us.

The El-Sayed men have managed to keep her feelings from being hurt over the years. We have never made her aware of all the vicious words or the spiteful behavior he had generously splurged on us. We all spared her feelings and helped her keep her rose colored lenses on when it came to her parent.

Now, looking at her with the look of shame and disappointment written all over her features, I could understand why my father was so amandant to keep her unaware of the true essence of the man that her father was. I am sure that not even my father's coddling or his overprotectiveness is going to conceal the enormity of what the old bastard had done to Jameel.

I felt bad for her, grandfather's staggering depravity is slowly coming to light and many of the illusions that she's held onto in regards to the deceased man is going to shatter and blow away on the wind like the smoke screen that made up the deceitful, hypocritical son of a bitch's true nature.

I felt Jameel shift closer towards me as the car turned into the long winding cobbled drive of my family's estate home. My heart warmed that he unconsciously sought me out even after what has been done to him. If this poor darling had turned out to fear every male that came into contact or even speaking range of him after what he has endured, I wouldn't have blamed him in the least for his fear and mistrust.

Even with my churning emotions swirling and fighting for dominance in my head. I couldn't help but to be in awe of this young man and surviving his ordeal admitted from his own mouth, and the unimaginable atrocities he has suffered over the years. From the information I was receiving via text messages from Farooq, he and my father were pulling from the remaining staff at the old man's house and if my math was correct, the old tyrant signed and became Jameel's guardian when was six years old.

The young man's mother had unfortunately passed away from a severe case of pneumonia. She had come from parts unknown and was in grandfather's service for years before her husband, a man who had also been an employee in the household was beaten to death by an angry mob. He was accused by a young girl in a neighboring household of attempted rape.

No one could tell if the accusation against the man had been true or not, but that was the nature of this country. Angry self righteous men piteously claiming that they were carrying out Allah's will and who are more than willing to beat you until you are dead for breaking Allah's laws. It didn't matter if the issue was a minor infraction or a severe and blatant act of disregard against the teachings of the Quran.

Yasmin's gentle hand on my shoulder had me unclenching my white knuckled fists. I had read the texts that Farooq had sent me and my blood boiled even hotter. My mother must have guessed that the situation had declined even more and now she was refusing to even look at me. I was going to have to calm down enough to speak with her and soothe her nerves, but right now this beautiful man beside garnered all of my attention. I put a gentle hand to stop him from trying to exit the car on his own, and he turned those big brown eyes full of uncertainty towards me and his slender shoulders slumped and he looked down.

"Oh Master Kamal, let me help you." Mohammed, one of our loyal house servants uttered as he rushed down the front steps towards us.

Two things happened at once, Jamal squeaked in fear of the unknown man rushing towards him and hurriedly pulled his niqab(veil) over his head, and quickly scurried back into the interior of the car. Hamid came rushing out and snapped at Mohammed to take care and not to frighten our guest, but it was already too late for the warning.

Mohammed stopped dead in his tracks and dropped to his knees in apology having already witnessing Jameel's reaction to his actions. I figured Father must have alerted Hamid to prepare the household for our arrival, but Mohammed was always an excitable fellow, eager to please, especially when the rarity of entire family being in residence at one time occurs.

"Astaghfirullah.( may Allah forgive me... )" Mohammed began to apologize but I waved him off.

Mother rushed around the front of the car and stopped next to my elbow and fidgeted, unsure of what she was do about Jameel's current state of distress. I called Yasmin over and had her take control of our concerned mother. I watched briefly as she escorted her into the house. Hamid had long since instructed Mohammed rise from his position on the ground and to go back into the house to make sure that a guest room and bath was prepared for our guest. When he came back to assist me, I waved him away too, and after lifting an inquiring brow at me I flipped him off and he smirked at me before leisurely sauntering back up the steps and into the house.

Our driver was still holding the door open and trying to be as unobtrusive as possible by standing behind the door and out of Jameel's line of vision should he ever unbundle himself from under the bulky blanket. I had to swallow my fury all over again as I slipped into the car and watched the swath of material move and curl even into a tighter ball. If that old bastard was alive, I would have killed him with my bare hands for what he has done to this gorgeous man.

Jameel is beautiful young man, I wasn't sure about his sexual orientation and whether he was gay or not, he never deserved to be used the way he was. I wondered if he will ever be able to overcome what had been done to him. I wondered if any of us will ever be able to atone for the sins that the old man has committed against the innocent young man. I can only hope and pray that we can get him all the help he needs to move on from this.

According to Jameel, the abuse started when he was thirteen years old, young enough to believe everything the Master of the house told him. The old hypocrite had dragged the boy from his duties in the kitchen and over time made him into his concubine and beating stick. He took out all his feelings of lust on the boy and then beat the boy like he was the cause of his debasement.I had to blink a few times to clear my eyes of the hurtful tears that gathered there.

I sat there and waited until Jameel calmed down enough to be able to hear and understand me. As I waited my mind went back to the day grandfather had stood in the middle of my own home and cursed me for the sodomite that I am, he spat at my feet and told me that I was going to Hell, that Allah would never favor me for anything and everything I touched would fail. The look of pure hatred on the man's face and cut me to the quick. My brother's and not even my mother could contain my father and I saw my father hit someone for the first and only time in my life.

That was the beginning of the end for my mother, after that day I believe her rose colored lenses began to lose it's color, and with the discovery of Jameel and the awful truth that is forcing it's way into the light was enough to shatter those lenses all together for her.

A brisk breeze rolling in from the cooling temperatures of the desert blew through the open car doors and I broke out of my revere. I needed to get Jameel inside. He needed a warm cleansing bath, medical treatment, and a hot meal.

I reached out and carefully placed a gentle hand on what I hoped was his shoulder and gave him a soft pat. He jumped and I let him know that it was me and we were the only ones out here. I watched his little head pop up from underneath the folds of his blanket and he lifted part of his veil to look around to make sure we were alone.

"Jameel, ta'ala(come.) I said as I held out my hand to him hoping and praying he trusted me enough to come to me and not panic as I helped him into the house.

The little beauty studied my hand for a minute and then he slowly sat up. I heard his little gasp and it killed me to stay where I was and let him come to me on his own accord. I feared I'd scare him if I acted on impulse and scooped him up like I severely wanted to and cuddle him close as I made sure he got all of his needs taken care of.

Jameel placed his little trembling hand in mine and I slowly eased myself across the seat bringing him with me. I stepped out of the door refusing to let go of him and he went to get up but I leaned in and picked up his slight frame, blankets and all.

"Arjuu almaadhira (I'm sorry.)" He whispered in his small quiet voice. I barely heard him as I carried him up the steps and into our home. I had to come to a complete stop in the foyer and reassure him that there is absolutely nothing that he has done that he ever needs to be sorry for, and my precious cargo nodded his head once and I continued my journey to the guest rooms are located in the house.

God bless Hamid, at least he was good for something. I ran into absolutely no one in my journey across the house. By the time I got to the room with light spilling out of the doorway, Yasmin was inside and waiting for us. She had removed her veil and she smiled openly at Jameel. I gently eased him onto the big bed and when I went to move away from him, his little hands quickly grabbed one of my wrists.

La ttrokny (Don't leave me.) He pleaded and I hear the panic his his quivering voice, "min faDlik (please.)" He pleaded and I tried to make my smile and encouraging as I possibly could.

I patted his clenched fingers with my free hand and I sat down next to him. He slowly let my wrist go and I reached up and removed his veil. Those pretty chocolate eyes blinked up at me before they nervously flickered towards my very curious sister then back to me again. It was like he was sending me a silent message, asking me if it was alright to speak to the woman in the room? If it was alright for him to see her without her traditional niqab(veil) in place? Something that a male outside of the family circle would never even attempt to do.

"Anaa afham tamaaman (I understand perfectly.)" I told him and Yasmin came to stand closer to me and I explained to Jameel that she is a trained physician and that I felt he would be more comfortable with a woman seeing to his injuries in the privacy of our home. I also explained to him that he is not just an honored guest but a part of this family despite the unimaginable things that our paternal grandparent has done to him. I went to apologize on the behalf of my family, but he stopped me and shook his head.

He quietly stated that we didn't know, no one but my grandfather and his servant knew the entire situation and that he didn't blame any of us. He looked to Yasmin and just as quietly conveyed his thanks and gave his permission to examine him. My heart fluttered yet again, and my mind boggled at the strength that Jameel exhibited. I sat quietly by his side and gave him all the support I could give as he began the verbal part of his examination.

Yasmin then stepped in and began asking him questions about his health and his medical history. Jameel kept his gaze down as he quietly answered her, but he still held onto my fingers as if he was afraid that I would disappear. My heart was being severely taxed tonight by this pretty little thing, and I swore right then and there I would do everything that I can to right this wrong and make sure this little beauty found his happiness in the world, even if I have to take him out of this environment to achieve it.

He needed to see for himself that all the filth that he was made to believe is just the fanatical brain washings of a deeply disturbed human being. Jameel needed to see that he is so much more than someone's dirty little secret. I was going to have to consult with my father and maybe after Yasmin's physical examination, we can find out the who the best psychiatrist there is to handle his sort of abuse.

Fuck the old man's estate, if I could I could I would burn it all to the very ground. Hamid can stay behind and handle the rest of the old man's affairs. I refuse to do it no matter what my parents have to say. After this, it's too much to ask of me..

My sole purpose in life is now making sure that this quiet little beauty is given every opportunity to heal both mentally and physically from his ordeal. My attraction towards him can wait, it was the very last thing Jameel needed to deal with. He is scared and alone, but he has placed some trust in me so far and I for one refused to let his little bit if faith in me be misplaced.