CHAPTER 13

He stared at the door as it creaked open. He looked closely and saw them entered, a man on jet black suit and finely knocked tye with a hat to complete. And right behind him was a woman with oval face and straight black hair stopping at her chin. They were having cameras and papers. Accompanied by policemen; they are reporters, he knows. The sight of them made him felt disgust, "them be the one to write lies in papers" he thought and hissed out, turning his face to the other side. What could they possibly ask, than repeated questions and after giving them answers they share lies to the public. He wasn't ready to speak with anyone or answer any questions not until he gets to court.

" hey boy! These people are here to see you !"

" you better answer every questions you are asked, behaving like a stubborn animal "

He didn't say a word, just ducked his head, staring at the floor.

" Hi omar " the lady greeted

" hmm " he grunt

" I'm Helen, micheal's mother "

She introduced herself but he didn't alter his gaze from the floor. She noticed his reluctance to engage in a conversation with them.

"You don't know me ?"

" no " he mumbled.

"Hassan's friend, Michael, I'm his mother ". That got his attention, he raised his eyes, directing his gaze towards them for a moment before asking.

" what's wrong with me family?"

" nothing, we are reporters"

" me know, you be the one to say lie of me "

" No, we can help you, if you tell us the truth"

" What true ?"

" Of everything that happened that day "

" Me say true already, me no do it "

" What happened that day, we can help you if you tell us the truth"

" You all lie, no body can "

" We can help you get a lawyer"

A frown marred at Bernard's face as she said that, they are reporters meant to get information and relate them to the public not helping murderers to get lawyers.

" Me no need "

" Please, help us, so that we can help you"

" Me no need!"

" Did he say anything beneficial?" The officer asked as he walked in

"No, only wasting our precious time!" Bernard quickly replied with a sneer

" You better get up and leave this no good thing to brood to his death"

" Can you give me some minutes of privacy with him, please ?"

" This, is not part of our job Helen! And you know it, this is unprofessional! "

" I know, just few minutes I plea "

" We really need to take you out of this case! "

" Why are you saying this Bernard?"

" Because you are getting too emotional "

" Few minutes, that's all I asked, you are just bothering yourself over nothing "

" Oh really, for nothing? You want to get him a lawyer! That, is something we are not suppose to do "

" Bernard, please "

He breathed out and hissed, jamming the door behind as he left. She signalled the officers to go too, then returned her gaze toward Omar whose head was still bowed.

" Is just you and I Omar, please talk to me, I promised Hassan that I would help you, you are making it difficult for me to"

" What you want me to tell you ?"

" Did you do it ? If you do tell me, I can still help "

" me never say lies, me no do it "

"  I will get  you a lawyer, but please you need to tell him sincerely everything that happened that day"

He shrugged as she said that with so much concern.

" Why you help me ma'am?" He asked dropping a tear " me will die so no bother help "

" Listen, if we can prove you not guilty then nothing will happen to you. So you need to help us by telling us all that happened, okay?"

He nodded firmly. Helen faked a smile and patted his shoulder before leaving his cot.

Bernard was still raging outside, checking his wristwatch every minute. He was upset with Helen's compassion towards criminals. He got his plan fixed, he was going to relate all her absurd behaviors to David so that he will take her off the case. Her emotions is going to jeopardize their profession and he can't bear it anymore. He saw her coming out and  put up a solemn look, irritated by her behaviors back there in the cot, he didn't want a conversation with her.

" Don't drive yet, I want to talk to you"

" I can drive and still listen" his retort was harsh

" Please don't. I know Bernard, I know you hate blacks, you hate Muslims too, and everything I'm doing is not suppose to be but, I need you to know something, blacks are human, there is no difference between us and them except the color"

" There is a difference, and that is, violence . They are violent and we are not!."

" Okay, can I tell you a story ?"

" I don't have time for that "

" Bernard please, listen "

He made a face and looked away " I'm listening "

" there was this man, Charlie, who lost  both parents in a fatal accident. He was the only survival, the only child. The government seized their home, leaving this poor child alone in the streets. Without food and shelter, alone in an environment filled with hoodlums. He felt very sick, shivering on the rough floor he lay under a stormy rainfall. Trying to keep strong but he was loosing himself. A poor black rickshaw driver found him at such horrible state, fear almost made him neglect him but pity pulled him closer. He took him in, sheltered him and worshipped him. Not as a god, but loved him so much just to make him feel comfortable. Years pass after his graduation, he came back to show his gratitude for their favors but astound to find their home in ruins . When he asked, he was told that they have been killed. Even their last child wasn't spared, why? They were accused of a crime that found all the family guilty, they were killed to end the generation of their kind, because they were considered a threat to the lives of many, but Charlie didn't see them so. He never forgave himself, every single day he thought of them and guilt is what filled his heart. He never had the chance to say 'thank you'. If Charlie was given another chance to help their kind, should he let it slip away just because of what the people say ?"

" You are Charlie ? " Bernard asked with eyes full

" Yes" she replied wiping the tears off her face " I am Charlie, this is why I really want to help them, they are not all bad, just the same way we are not all good "

" I know everything about you, but not this, why did you hide it away from me ?"

" This is one secret I don't tell. I only told you because you don't understand why I take their case personal and I don't want to be taken out of it "

" Why didn't you become a Muslim ? Just like them "

" Because they respected my faith, they never force me to alter it"

" I'm so sorry Helen "

She nodded slightly " let's go now ".

______________________________

" Did he tell you everything?"

" No, he has no hope of being vindicated".

" Maybe he is right"

" Why?"

" His fingerprint match, he killed Christopher "

" No he didn't, trust me Peter he is innocent "

" Look Helen, there is no prove to that, the jury will pronounce him guilty. "

" A lawyer, a lawyer can help"

He breathed out loudly " okay, I will speak with someone, he will be taken to court tomorrow "

" So that someone needs to be here today"

" Yes, but I don't want him to waste his time by keeping mute."

" I will invite his siblings, I believe he will talk seeing his family around him"

" Alright then "

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

Within sleepiness and wakefulness, he saw himself on the chair, he felt it, he felt the current go through in him. He jerked up quickly and wailed in pain. Even his dreams show him his death. He never thought a day would come like this so soon when he would worry of his death, but now he wished it could just end.

Overcome with drowsiness he closed his eyes, then opened them abruptly. The door swung in, he was getting tired of the unexpected visitors. He saw a black face, who was this ? A tall man with a turban wrapped on his head like an Afghan soldier. Holding a boy and as always escorted by whites. One on fine black suit and the rest were officers. He wiped his blurry eyes with his hand to make his vision clear. He pulled up and lean on his elbow, the man came all the way to the cot and stretched forth his dingy palm, touching Omar's hand.

" Mah por' son! May Allah (God) have mercy on you "

He stared seeing his brother Hassan and remembered who the man was, the imam, but the other was still strange. He shut his heart and tried to stifle all feeling in him. The love for his own kind and the hatred for others made him feel equally guilty now.

" How you feel son?" The imam asked, he didn't answer to that. The man's voice hurried on " yo' ummi(mother) ast me to come 'n' see you. You no say greetings to Hassan?"

The man knelt upon the concrete floor and closed his eyes to control his tears then opened it slowly

" Be brave son, wo'ever happin is will of Allah(God). You no do it, we know. No tink Allah(God) heit you for this to com for you, Allah(God) do good tins never bad"

" So this tin happin to me is good?" He clamped his teeth and flexed his muscle.

"Allah(God) do no mistake, beliv in faith son, a Muslim be have faith and tank Allah(God) for any matter"

" Omar, Allah(God) will help us " Hassan said smiling. Omar returned the smile touching his cheek.

" Son, promise me you stop hatin' long enuff "

Omar said nothing

" Wont you promise son?"

Omar covered his eyes with his hands

" Just say you gon try"

Omar was never going to promise that not after everything they did to him for a crime he know nothing about, but they made him the murderer, why? Because he was black and a Muslim. He made a nod to stop the imam from continuous asking. That should do.

"I'm your lawyer and I can help you but you have to help us first by telling us everything that happened "

Omar didn't gave a glance at him, they all promise fake hope, he was going to die no matter how many lawyers they bring.

" Let me be on your side Omar, I can help you, trust me"

" What you want me to say?"

" Everything that happened"

" Me was at work, mr Christopher tells me to come join him on trip. He drives to a place and park. Him talk about life, about him life, many sad things. Him smoke and take many whisky. Me advice him to stop but him say him good. Me kno' no a thing of book why advice a man that kno' so me no say again to stop. "

" What sad things did he tell you?"

" Of himself"

" About?"

" Me promise not say"

" He is dead, you need to let me know everything that is the only way I can help"

" Him say to me him sad o'er family"

" And then what Happened?"

" Him whisky finish and him say me go buy another, when me come back, him sit different. Me call him but him no say no word. Then me see gun, it no there before, when me touch Christopher up him body have many blood, then me run away."

" Did you pick the gun? "

" Yes, me was shock to see it there "

" You shouldn't have "

" Me never kno' "

" They will take you to court tomorrow "

" Hmm" he grunted " me want to say a thing to me brother "

" Okay, you can go on"

" Me want nobody here"

" Okay" the lawyer and imam left the cot and waited outside

" Did you lie Omar?"

" No Hassan, but some tins me want you only to know"

" What?"

" You never tell a person until when you strong"

" I am strong now"

That made him chuckled lightly, he was going to add one year soon to his ten and he sees himself strong already. Omar never felt strong anytime, he feared they will always be vulnerable.

" You strength is not flesh, is here " he said touching his head

" How ?"

" You will know soon "

" What do you want to tell me then "

" That me no say to anyone, come near".