Chapter 1
*** This story contains scenes of rape and violence. Please read with caution. For 18 years and over only. ***
The similarities were endless between the two families. There were four siblings; two sisters and two brothers in his family, and the same was in her family. The difference being hers consisted of two girls older than the boys, whereas his family had two older boys and then two younger girls. The families had jelled well. The bond and acquaintance became perfected over the years.
There were rumours rife about the girls marrying the boys eventually. It was hard not to imagine and put yourself in the scenario to see if it fit. Isn’t that what every Asian teenage girl did when trying to imagine her prince in shining armour? It wasn’t any different for Sara.
The eldest boy, Emad, was cute although he was a tad too immature for Sara’s liking. There was barely any age difference between them – no more than two years at the most.
Emad was smitten with Sara, following her around and hanging on her every word. She noted how he flocked around her, but didn’t realise the looks he gave her, those lingering, coy, sweet looks. She was flattered with the attention in all honesty, and appreciated him as a good friend. Although he was older than her, he looked so much younger with his baby-face. It was his innocence that endeared him to her and she considered him to be a decent lad and good friend. Emad was one of the truly decent, good boys whom Sara respected a great deal for this very reason.
Sara was such a warm personality; she had such an amazing sense of humour and wit about her. She very much appealed to him and he couldn’t deny that he took a liking to her. Maybe it was his teenage hormones that played havoc on him too but he was really into her. He had been since the first time he met her.
She had come to visit his family at his house. He wished he had good reason to be around her and spend some time with her, but instead, he kept hovering around the room where she sat. He tried to convince his sister to take him with her, but she was being a brat and ran off. He had no reason to be in the ladies’ room. He peeked at her through the curtain, just watching her. He felt giddy seeing her and wished he could speak to her freely. When an opportunity came by, he jumped for it and spoke to her. He felt incredibly shy, but couldn’t let her go without talking to her at least. He wanted her to notice him, if nothing else.
“Hi Sara, how are you?”
He looked at her shyly and smiled, hoping his heartbeat wouldn’t spoil it for him – thumping so loudly. He bravely sat beside her, although a nervous wreck.
Sara was taken by surprise; lads didn’t usually initiate conversation.
“I’m good thanks. How are you?”
She watched him closely, unsure of this behaviour; he was really laid-back and it made her wonder why he had made such an effort to come and sit next to her whilst he partook in the necessary pleasantries.
He looked at her unblinkingly, smiled at her, feeling his heart about to burst. He looked away.
“I’m good too thanks…” mumbling, “All the better for seeing you…”
She caught on that he had said something. “What did you say?”
He laughed out loud. “No no, nothing. Just that I’m good thanks.” He smiled epically at her, embarrassed that she had very nearly caught him out.
Sara wondered what he had said, feeling he had definitely said something and was disappointed that she couldn’t make out what it had been.
He stood up. She watched him. “Well, see you later.” He said as he left the room.
Sara felt it weird. Boys didn’t behave in this manner usually and couldn’t understand why he was behaving in this way. She caught him peeking and just drifting in and out of the room for no apparent reason. She felt it odd but didn’t think too much about it; maybe he had been forbidden to go out and hence he was bored at home.
The way he looked at her made her feel self-conscious. It was that sort of look that made you feel as though somebody wanted to say something. But he never did. Sara concluded it was just his look, although she noted he didn’t look in the same manner when people were around. She still couldn’t understand what he was about really. His boyish charm and friendly face was difficult to dislike. Although she couldn’t understand him, she really had no real reason to dislike him. She put his antics down to him being bored, having nothing more to do.
Sara and Emad both frequented one another’s house a couple of times a year at least. Between this time, Sara attended school in her village and Emad attended school in the town where he lived. They didn’t have any means or even reason to contact one another.
Months passed by before Emad came to visit by which time Sara had forgotten his odd behaviour. Even though it had been less than a year since they saw one another, they both had matured somewhat. Sara was pleasantly surprised at how much Emad had matured in fact. The next time Emad came around to Sara’s house was when her uncle had passed away. His family had visited them to pay their respects.
Emad had grown tall and she noticed his Adam’s apple was protruding, not to mention his facial hair. He was a lot more muscular too Sara noted. Sara was shocked to see these changes in him. How long had it actually been since she saw him last, she wondered.
Emad was the perfect gentleman; he was no longer boyish and immature. The changes appealed to Sara a great deal. Inadvertently, she flirted with him. He was no longer the shy boy and had so much confidence as he laughed with her without holding back. The new version of Emad really warmed to Sara and she naturally felt attracted to him. This young man had charisma as well as being handsome!
She was under the bamboo plantation watching out for relatives that they were expecting. She had actually gone over for some peace and quiet. The entire house was crammed with people from near and far. The chatter alone was draining Sara.
She felt a tap on her right shoulder, she turned to the right to see who it was, but Emad giggled as he stood to her left. Yep, that trick.
She hadn’t expected it to be him and was pleasantly surprised.
“Oh, it’s you.”
“Why, were you expecting someone else?” He asked mischievously smiling.
She felt embarrassed. “No, of course not.”
He stood with his hands in his pockets, watching her.
“Well, what are you doing here?”
She turned away to look into the distance.
“Just waiting for people to come…”
“You know you could’ve waited at home too, right?” He pointed towards the house, raising his eyebrows as he stated.
She laughed at the statement. “Yeah, but there’s just so many people. I needed a breather.”
He smiled at her meaningfully. “I was waiting to see where you go for your breather.”
Sara felt embarrassed that he had kept an eye on her so closely and was taking note of such things. She concluded it must’ve been just because he was bored too. He kept looking at her with a sweet grin on his face; making her feel constantly self-conscious.
He always smiled at her she noticed; especially when they made eye-contact. She didn’t know what else to say as she felt herself burn in embarrassment.
“Okay, well I’m going back now.” She said awkwardly.
Emad plonked himself down on a tree stump. “Well, I’m going to sit here for a bit longer. It is a lot more peaceful here.” He winked at her.
Sara didn’t expect this of him. Was he flirting with her? Before anything could be clarified further, his younger brother and her two brothers joined them both.
Sara continued walking away slowly, leaving the kids to sit with him. She watched Emad carefully as he gazed at her and smiled. To avoid any embarrassment to herself, she felt it was her cue and scurried off.
