The Abyss, Chapter 1

Christian turned over for the umpteenth time that night, the clock taunted him at 4:30am and still sleep eluded him. Once again he reached his arm out searching for Syed only to be met with the cold emptiness of the bed.

What a difference a day could make. As soon as Christian saw Qadim's short but powerful figure in the doorway he had been filled with dread. On this occasion though it was not physical torture that Qadim sought to inflict, but he was no less dangerous for that.

"So we meet again," said Qadim nodding first at Christian. "and this time Syed is not hiding in disgrace but flaunting his sin for the world to see." He made no effort to disguise his disdain and took a small step forward, lowered his voice, glowered at Syed and spoke. Christian had no idea what the words meant but the menace in them was chilling.

Syed was momentarily frozen, so it was Christian who stepped forward positioning himself between Qadim and Syed.

"Yes we are both here, and no thanks to you – what right have you to judge Syed when your own actions hardly demonstrate the peace and tolerance that is Islam."

"I will not be lectured to by some abomination..." started Qadim at which point Syed broke free from his trance and stepped up alongside Christian and clasping his hand and interrupted "If you have anything to say, you say it to me – it was me that wronged your daughter, it was my decision to marry her knowing that I could never be the husband she deserved. It is me that she should hate not Christian!"

"How touching." Qadim sneered "For my part I blame and curse you both. My daughter though is a superior being and for some reason that I cannot comprehend she still loves you Syed. For months now I have seen her cry herself to sleep every night, I have witnessed her shrink from the outside world to protect her from the shame that you have brought on her! My beautiful confident daughter is desperate and broken because of you."

With every word Syed winced and Christian saw the cloak of guilt weighing down his shoulders. Syed opened his mouth – but there were no riposte he could make because he knew it was true, all true and his lips trembled as he tried to contain his emotions.

"Do you think she would be any happier continuing to live a lie?" said Christian quietly. "I know we hurt her, but she is still young and beautiful, she still has the chance to find true love. As a father is that not what you want for her? "

"What man will have her now – deserted by her unfaithful husband and carrying his child?"

There was an audible gasp and Christian grasped Syed's hand tightly as he reeled.

"So now I have your attention. I have come, against my better judgement to make you an offer Syed. I do so for one reason and one reason only. My daughter is in the final stages of her pregnancy, she is so unhappy that I fear that the stress she is under will cause her and her baby lasting harm."

"This is a one-time limited offer – I will return here in thirty minutes, at which time you will have the choice to leave with me, never to return, and you may take up your position as husband, father and my son in law. I will ensure you and your family are once again embraced by the community and you will promise never to give way to your disgraceful sins of the flesh ever again."

"and if he chooses to stay..." said Christian

Fixing his glare on Christian "...then he will never see his child...ever" turning to Syed he said "Your choice, you have thirty minutes."

And then he was gone. Christian couldn't bring himself to face Syed. They had overcome his family's disapproval; they had survived the loss of his community; they had made an uneasy truce with his religion but he knew, had always known that he couldn't compete with a baby.

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