Chapter 5: Get-up-and-go

"you know I don't want to see him" Leo's mother placed a cup of tea on the table.

"Why does he come to your mind suddenly?" She strolled to his son and put her hand over his shoulder. "I didn't see you worried like this before; Is everything all right?"

"Auntie Layla is in police custody in accusation of murder," Leo said, looking at her; a tear dropped on his cheeks. Leo's mother, Miss Areena, placed her hand over her heart.

"Oh my God! How is this possible? She can't murder anyone." Miss Areena sat down straight on the couch, stunned; her hand was still over her heart.

"And you know who is the victim?" Leo looked at her; Miss Areena looked concerned.

"Aaina's Mom" Miss Areena covered her mouth with her hands.

"But you told me about the accident. Why didn't you tell me the truth?" She inquired.

"I thought it is better to not to explain you on call. You might misconceive."

"Leo! they are like my daughters, and both are in misery. I want to meet them."

"Mom! we are not going anywhere unless we meet uncle Safwan."

"Leo! I don't want to see him."

"He is your brother, and it's been 12 years now. I think it's time to forget everything."

"Forget? How can I? and you? I don't understand why you are compelling me. I said, I don't want to see him, And that's it."

"Mom! please! I want to meet him for Moneeza. You know how much she means to me."

"But that man is behind your father's murder." Miss Areena said grimly.

(Flashback from the past)

("Dad? Dad? Mom! please ask them to leave my dad. Uncle, please leave him. He hasn't done anything. Uncle! He is innocent. Mom, why are you silent? Mom, please stop them. Mom? Mom? What happened, mom? Open your eyes, Mom! (They are carrying him away) Dad? Mom? Why are you not listening to me.")

"Leo? Are you okay? What are you thinking?" Miss Areena placed her hand over his shoulder.

"Nothing. I want to have some rest. We will go to visit uncle in the evening. Be ready." Leo went to his room, but miss Areena was still in the launch.

"You think I don't know what's in your head, my child. I understand what's going on inside you. I am your mother. I know you more than yourself." She went to the kitchen for Leo. She knew what his son wanted.

Leo locked him inside his room, threw the pillows on the floor, and trying to control his anger.

(Flashback from the past)

" Dadddddd...? (He ran towards the street, after hearing the gunshot, screaming.) Dad? Are you okay? Why are you quiet? (He was trying to awaken his father. He yelled for help, but no one came to his help. He ran to his mother she was lying on the floor unconscious. Little Leo was assisting her unconscious mother. He was alone. All alone in the dark. No one came for his help)"

Leo sat on the bed and put his head in his hands. He was about to cry when the phone rang. The number on the phone screen changed his emotions completely. He immediately picked up the call, "Hey, Moneeza!"

"Leo, where are you? We are waiting for you. Come quickly." Moneeza said excitedly.

"Your voice is telling that you met your mom."

"Yea, but there is another good news." Moneeza's voice was conveying the news itself.

"I am coming." Leo rushed towards the car.

"Where are you going?" Miss Areena followed him.

"I am coming in an hour." He said eagerly.

"Thank God you are smiling." Miss Areena grinned and whispered.

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Leo parked the car and rushed towards Moneeza's apartment. He was in such a hurry that he didn't wait for the elevator and headed through the stairs to her. On reaching the apartment, he saw moneeza waiting at the door.

"Leo! She hugged him tightly."

"Your excitement is briefing about auntie's arrival."

Moneeza grabbed his arm and strode him inside the house. Miss Layla was sitting on the couch. She was engrossed in thought.

"Thank God!" Leo heaved a deep sigh.

"they caught the culprit?" Leo inquired.

"No, but they caught the guard. Police is investigating him."

"That's amazing! He must know the culprit, and maybe he is behind all this."

" Maybe"

"So glad to see you happy. By the way, where are uncle and Aaron?" Leo began peeking around.

"Aaron caught a very high fever, and dad went to bring something to eat."

"Do I call the doctor?"

"No, Thank you! Dad will take him to the clinic. I call you here to assist me in getting her out of deep thoughts." Moneeza pointed toward her mother.

"that's okay, It's a trauma, and It will take time to disappear. What happened to her is not an ordinary thing." Leo started the conversation but Miss Layla cut him in between.

"I am pondering how smartly they trapped me in this case. The officer was investigating me like they caught the real culprit." Miss Layla was looking stunned.

"Leave it aside auntie. The investigation is still in process. The truth will be revealed soon. Enjoy your freedom and pay attention to your family. You are free now."Leo sat at miss Layla's feet and hold her hands.

"They said I am still into the investigation, they can call me anytime."

"Mom is in confinement. She is not allowed to surpass this house boundary."

"That's okay. It's good for her." Leo said calmly.

"yeah! I have no issue with that." Miss Layla made Leo sit on the couch.

"Moneeza! The sports camp has started enrollment, and it will end on Thursday. We have two days left for registration." Leo glanced at her for attention.

"I don't want to join this year."

"Why? It's your dream. You can't leave it like this."

"I am not interested anymore."

"Don't worry about her. She will join this year too." Miss Layla declared her decision.

"Mom! I can't!"

"Keep Quiet." Miss Layla hushed her and continued the conversation.

"Life throws us into plenty of situations, that appears impossible to encounter. But we devastate them with our courage and forbearance. There is nothing a human can not undergo with his capabilities. One must acknowledge himself to confound every hurdle that comes to his path. Conspiracies are always raise by our greatest rivals, who can't bear us progressing. It is upon us how we get ourselves out of trouble." Miss Layla strode to his daughter and seated near her."

"We will overcome this as well. Trust me. I think you overlook what your dad used to say. Let me remind you again."

"Your dad says, no matter how challenging the situation is, Don't let yourself relinquish your control over it. Always request yourself to get up and go; and let the situation flow with you.

Moneeza was constantly looking at the wall hanging engraved with,

"Get-up-and-go"

she smiled, " I will make you all proud."

"As always." Leo grinned.

Miss Layla looked at the family picture on the wall and beamed.

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