Chapter 9

For the rest of the day Malik didn't drink a single drop of water. 'I can't wet the bed if I'm all empty' , he thought to himself.

He spent nearly the whole day in his room playing his game. Football wasn't on today, and homework wasn't really his thing - he'd rather deal with the consequence of not doing it than waste time actually doing it, meaning he had the whole day to just relax.

That was until he heard Bruce coming up the stairs, 'for gods sake, here we go.'

He quickly grabbed his headphones, putting them on and choosing a random song, turning it to full volume prepared to block out the man's lecture. He didn't hear the knocks at the door, but kind of guessed they were happening and continued to ignore Bruce as he entered his bedroom.

"Malik!"

The boy refused to acknowledge him.

"Malik." The man repeated, in a sterner tone.

He watched the boys eyes stay glued to his game, but a smug look appear on his face. He could tell he knew that he was there. Without warning he unplugged the computer.

"What you go and do that for?!" Malik yelled, removing his headphones and placing them around his neck as he leaned back in his chair.

"You listen to me." Bruce said spinning the boys chair around until he was facing him. "Whilst you're living in my house, you obey MY rules. First one being when you're being spoken to, have some respect and listen!"

"If being spoken to, have respect and listen. Got it. Any more or are we done here?" Malik smiled sarcastically

"Oh I've got plenty more, boy."

"Do they include not wetting the bed because it annoys you?" He mumbled

"Malik I told you I didn't mean that. It doesn't annoy me. I know I shouldn't have said it I just wasn't thinking."  Bruce replied

"Mhm"

The man looked down into the boys eyes, whilst he knew it was wrong, he just loved how embarrassed he got and hoped he'd stay like this forever. However he knew that this habit of bed wetting would've only been because of the huge and sudden change the boy recently had in his life, and it wouldn't last much longer. But Bruce had an idea of how to change that.

"I'm just nipping to the shops...would you like anything?"

"No thanks"

"Not even chocolate?" Bruce asked

"...yes please" Malik nodded, changing his mind

The man smiled, he knew the boys love for chocolate. He set off in his car to go and grab his treats, which would include a little surprise.

After getting the chocolate and other bits and bobs, he stopped off outside the pharmacy and went inside. He was greeted by the woman who worked there.

"Hi, are you here to collect a prescription?" She asked

"No, actually, I'm looking for something to help my son." Bruce replied

"Okay, and what's wrong with him?"

"He's having a bit of trouble...with um... going to the toilet." The man told her

"Ohhh, well we've got laxatives, if he's willing to give those a try?" She said, taking the box off the shelf.

"Oh no no, that's all fine, he's actually having trouble urinating."

"Ohh, my bad! I should've checked" she turned back to the shelf to see what she could find.

"Sorry, I should've made it clearer" the man apologised

"You could try him on diuretics?"

"That would be great." Bruce paid the woman and left the pharmacy. He drove home very happy with his purchase.

By the time Bruce got home, Malik was extremely dehydrated and therefore not feeling so good. The man returned to find him laying awake in his dark bedroom.

"Tired?" The man asked, curious as to why he was going to bed so early.

"My head hurts.." Malik mumbled

"Perfect!"  Bruce thought. "I'll go get you some water"

"Thanks" the boy replied

Bruce hurried downstairs into the kitchen, grabbing a glass from the cupboard and filling it with water. He then took the diuretics out of the packaging and took the water and the pill upstairs.

"Take this, it'll get rid of the headache and help you sleep" He lied.

Malik sat up, the man watched has he took the pill and a gulp of water before placing the glass on the cabinet and laying back down.

"If you need anything, just shout." Bruce smiled

The boy nodded tiredly, pulling his blanket over him.

Bruce closed the door over quietly and chuckled to himself. Boy he couldn't wait to wake Malik up tomorrow.