Adam's Eye : Chapter Seven

They both sat together and had their dinner. Zaharah was amazed by Adam’s jovial and humorous character and she seems to enjoy his company. Deep inside her thoughts however she felt kind of inferior towards him and a tinge of anger slips in. He has everything he needs in this world. He got a family, a mother and a father and he’s born with a silver spoon. No worries about getting beaten or any worries to seek food from the rubbish dump to survive like what she and her brother had gone through. Adam notice the sudden solemn expression on Zaharah’s face.

“What’s wrong? Did I say something ..?”
“It’s getting late I need to get my shower now.” Zaharah rose from her seat clearing up the table as she did so. Adam remains silence for a moment. He was confused by Zaharah sudden changes of mood. He felt guilty for no apparent reason. After washing up the dishes, Zaharah went back inside the room to get the towel. As she was about to close the closet, she saw the dress which Adam had bought for her earlier. She took it in her arm.

It seems that she took quite a long time to shower. She cleansed herself pouring the icy cold water over her head again and again. She soaps herself for several times and repeating poring the cold water over her head. It felt good though. she felt like a brand newself. Being reborn and being away from all the despair and suffering which she had been through as though it was a routine of her daily life. Now she felt like she had found a new freedom. She can take her time and do things as she likes without being tormented again. Feeling satisfied with her bathing process she began drying herself with the towel. She took the dress and put it on. Then she look at herself in the mirror which has been in the bathroom eversince they move in. She stared at her own reflection for a while. It seems like she has not been looking at her own reflection for a very long time. She realized that her hair has started to grow longer and she realized that her doe eyes looks sad and tired. She walks away from the mirror and walk towards the bathroom door.

In her room all by herself, she began drying up her hair. She did not realize Adam was standing at the door looking at her. As she turn she was caught in surprised. Adam walk closer towards her. Zaharah was stunned. She was uncertain about her feelings right now. She wanted to run but it seems her feet just won’t let her.

“You don’t know anything about me.” Zaharah was choking on her words. She was confused and afraid but at same time she feel nice and secure as Adam stand right in front of her.

“So let me. Let me be in your life. There’s so many things we can learn from each other Zaharah. This is fate. Can’t you see that fate has brought us together as husband and wife.”

“Fate huh? And then that fate will take this all away.”

“Are you blaming the fate or are you blaming me for all this to happen?” Adam reach out his hands to touch Zaharah’s dangling wet hair.

“I am afraid I can’t answer to that question right now?” replied Zaharah as she pushed Adam aside and walks out of the door.

At the kitchen, there’s another door which led to the backyard. Zaharah open the door and walks towards the small verandah and sat on the porch. She knew Adam was behind her and he sat beside her.

“I did’nt know we had a backyard. Wow this scenery is definitely breath taking.” Cried Adam as he look at the vast view which surrounds behind their home backyard. Even though the area was only visible due to the moonlight but they knew it is a green hilly view. It seems that their home was set somewhere on top of the hill. And the breeze is so delicate to the soul.

“Why did you agree to this marriage? Was it your choice or were you force into it?” snapped Zaharah not looking at Adam when she suddenly shot that question.

Adam was surprised. Still looking at the hilly view he replies, “It is my choice. I take it as a challenge from my dad. I wanted to prove to him I can live and survived as a family man without any of his help. I can stand on my own feet.”

Zaharah was amazed by that statement. She looked at him and she saw some darkness in his eyes and it scares her.

“You mean this marriage is a freedom ticket for you. So I am just like a lottery ticket which you just bought with your money and now you are just waiting for the prize result to come out.” Zaharah feel hurt by Adam’s response cause she was not anticipating for that to be his answered.

“Oh ! Zaharah I don’t mean that way. Yah I do come from a rich family but so what. Do you think I am happy? Everything is so restricted. I have dreams and passion of my own. I do not want him to take that away from me. He says that my dream will not led me to anywhere. It is just a waste of time…and I can never raise a family with that dream on my head. He wants me to be his accountant in his business. I can’t breath with that life. So I asked my mum to find me an appropriate girl for me to get betrothed. I want to show him that he was wrong and I can do it without his wealth.”

Zaharah was not sure about responding to that answered. “I guess we are both the same then.” She murmured to herself.

“How about you? Do you agree to this marriage arrangement?” asked Adam breaking the silence.

“I don’t even know I was to be married on that day itself. All I know I was to dress up in a pretty clothes and look pretty. It is scary and haunting. It was horrid memories which will stay on my mind for the rest of my life.”

“Please forgive me. If you had to feel that way….cause I have made you feel that way.” Adam replied calmly. And now he understand why Zaharah was so tense with him. Cause the arrangement was not been made known to Zaharah in the very beginning.

“It is not your fault Adam. I am the one who should apologized. You are just trying to be nice. You know something Adam, apart from my brother, you are the other person who has treat me in a kind manner. My life has always been in fear. Our parent pass away when I was still very young. I could not even recall how my mum and dad looks like! All I had is Izzaldeen. He’s three years older then me and he’s very protective over me.” Zaharah begans to open up to Adam about her life. Adam listened quietly while looking at her as she speaks. “We were adopted by our Aunt Siti. She’s our mum younger step sister. I was turning four and Izzaldeen he was only seven when she took us in. It was living hell for both of us. We were poorly fed and clothes. We need to look for scrape from the dustbin for food in order to survive cause I remember we were always so hungry. We were to wake up in such an early morning to do the house chores. This carries on until we were in our adulthood. Things get worst when my brother was accused of making their daughter pregnant which is so untrue. Cause I know she is seeing some guy from her school and she told me herself about what had happen. I told her to tell the truth and my brother was innocence. I guess she must be too coward to tell and starting pointing finger at Izzaldeen. Our uncle call up some horrid people and beat Izzaldeen up. It was such a tragic scene for me to see all these happening right before my eyes. I pleaded with my uncle to stop but they just carry on and then they took him in a car and drove off. I cried and screamed but it was no used at all.” Tears began to fall down on Zaharah’s soft cheeks. She never thought that she would tell this chapter of her life to anyone.

“And you were asking me about fate just now. If fate has made my life like these taking things which is so dear to me then I guess I got to blame fate. When Izzaldeen was gone part of my spirit goes along with him. And I am afraid…afraid that history might repeat itself. I am afraid to be close to you cause what if this thing happens again. What if fate takes you away from me?”

Adam reaches out his hand and hold onto hers. He caress her hair and touch her cheeks which was soak with tears. “Where do you think I could possibly goes to? I am part of your life now. Zaharah I promised you that I will always be by your side for the rest of my life. For better and worst. That’s what our marriage vows are and I m going to take that seriously.” Zaharah felt so ease by Adam’s reply and also by his touch.

“It’s getting late now. Maybe we should get some sleep.”


The sun began to rise and Zaharah sat up on their bed. She look at Adam who still sleeping so soundly. She felt good about the night before. She knew from that very moment she too will take that marriage vows seriously. She will do her very best to be a responsible wife. Zaharah reaches out her hand and began stroking Adam’s hair.

“You’ re awake.” Said Adam still feeling grogery.

“I’m sorry I don’t meant to wake you up?” replied Zaharah as she lay next to Adam.

“It’s okay. Thank you Zaharah…for being my wife.”

Zaharah was totally mesmerized with his dopey eyes. She giggles and climbs out of the bed.

“Where are you going?” asked Adam tugging Zaharah’s blanket playfully as he did so.

“Get a shower, making breakfast…Adam we need to eat something.”

“I ve got myself a very well-fed wife.Haha!” exclaimed Adam. Zaharah grab a pillow and threw at him.

After breakfast Zaharah decide to go to Aunt Layla’s store to buy more groceries.
Adam just wants to stay behind as he needs to tidy up some of his things. There was another empty room right before the kitchen. Adam walks in that room and open up the window. The view is simply magnificent cause it shows the green hilly view. Adam stared at that view for a while studying the layout and admiring the beauty which God has given to it. After a while Adam began bringing in his large cases into the room. He begins opening one of his case and there were several blank white canvas spread which was already being strung up onto the wooden frame. Next he lift up one of the boxes and took out several stuffs from it. There were some used oil paint and fresh one and also there were few wooden palates. Soon he began opening more of his cases and there were more paintings which he had done few months ago. Adam began to re-arrange his paintings stand them against the wall. Then he set up a tripod stand where he can place his fresh white canvas on it. He get himself busy by now. Pouring out some oil paint on the palate and holding the brush on with his right hand he stares at the view. Deep in his thoughts as he began to breath in deeply. He squint his big round eyes and began on his work. He stroke the canvas with his paint brush gracefully and images started to appear on his canvas. It was like magic in the way he glides the brush on the canvas professionally. it shows that he really loves and enjoying every moment of it. It has always being his dream and passion to become a painter. He did not need to be recognized no..all he want is to paint and he had always dream of pursuing it as a career. After he was halfway done, he covered the unfinished painting with a blanket just as Zaharah came in.

“So this is it? This is your dream? Wow! Adam they were magnificent. Look at all these details…I’m speechless.”

“You like them?” Adam was excited and feel pretty shy about the compliment. Zaharah looks at Adam’s face which had some patches of paint blotch here and there and she smile. She walks closer to him and gave him a peck on his cheek.
“Of course. I love them. If this is your dream then I’m all behind you.”

“Then I’m one lucky man.”

Zaharah saw they were some mountain side scenery, scenery by the seaside and then she saw a painting which looks like a family portrait. She walks closer towards it while Adam began cleaning his hands and face with some tint to get rid of the paint blotch.

“Is this your family?” asked Zaharah as she touch the portrait which Adam had painted seems like recently.

“Yah” replied Adam. After he felt he has done with the cleaning he walks towards Zaharah and stand beside her.

“You mother…she’s so pretty. This must be your father. Woah he looks stern. And who is this?” asked Zaharah as she points her finger at one of the picture of another man.
“That’s my elder brother, Zaki. He’s my father’s favorite. Can’t blame my dad anyway cause he took up businese studies but me…I took his money and enrolled myself in an Art class. You should see how my dad freaks out. What a sight?” replied Adam laughing cheekily remembering the time where he had definitely breaks his father’s heart.

Zaharah shakes her head while smiling to that comment. “Adam, have you ever thought of putting up your painting in a gallery and who knows these might sell. Well I hope you don’t mind me asking these?”

“That thought has always cross my mind but it is I just don’t have the chance to go ahead with it.” Replied Adam.

“Well we can start here, in this village. I know this place is kind of dingy but it is good to invest in something small. We can ask the head village if they do have any empty shops which we can rent and then we can start the selling.” Zaharah was so full of spirit as she talks about the idea.

“Thank God..you are not only beautiful but you are smart too. Alright I like that idea.” Adam knew that his dream is coming true at any point of his life right now.

After few weeks of searching and negotiating at last they found themselves a nice small shop where Adam can start his business. “We need to give it a name?” said Adam as he stood outside the shop looking at the empty signboard.

“Adam’s Eye. How’s that?” replied Zaharah as she busying herself with some small potted plants which she had bought earlier on for the entrance décor.

“Hoho…interesting name..but why Adam’s eye?”

“Cause you have beautiful eyes and you used them to see..no to stare at beautiful things and then like a maestro you began your painting.”


Adam took Zaharah’s hand and look her in her eyes, "Thank you for fulfilling my dreams.” Zaharah smile back. Tapping on Adam’s cheek “ There’s lot to be done.” “We can have few moment together.” Replied Adam holding Zaharah closer to him.



“In just within three days and you’ve sold almost half of your paintings.” Zaharah was impressed by Adam’s progressed.

“I can’t do these without your encouragement and support.” Replied Adam as he was sitting beside Zaharah on the porch at the verandah. It is now becomes their favorite spot to chill out and take a break. “Here come with me cause I have something to show you.” Adam took Zaharah’s hand and bring her to the room where he always does his paintings. Then he began to reveal several of his other paintings which he had hidden behind the blanket. Zaharah almost lost her breath cause these are all paintings of her. In all form of expression , her laughter, her smile when she’s sad…every thing is just like an exact replica of her. “Like looking into my own reflection…these are so beautiful.”

“Cause you are.” Replied Adam.” All these painting are for me to keepsake. And look here is a painting of us during our wedding day as you know we do not have any wedding photos taken.”

“You still remember that lilac kebaya which I put on our wedding day. I’m speechless” Zaharah’s eyes began to tear up. She feel her life has been so blessed and from that very moment she knew Adam was indeed her savior.